Disclaimer: All canon belongs to JK
A/n: Another taste of how powerful this child is. Remember she's only 12.
Chapter 25: Her Core
Late at night in the middle of April found Corri deep in the school. She was in the founders' staffroom practicing her martial arts and sword work. Rowena and Helga sat at their desks looking over some of the McGonagall family papers as the swords of their husbands' and the child clinked and swooshed through the air.
"That's good. Sharp and swift…no breaks," Slytherin nodded as he ducked her blade.
"Breaks cause openings and what is it we do not want?" Gryffindor asked bearing down on her and pinning the child to the floor.
"Openings because they cause weakness and death," she grunted pushing him off of her.
She then swooped under him with a kick and knocked him to the floor before straddling him and pointing her sword to his neck.
"I am defeated, but you have other problems," he said as Slytherin's knife came down on Correna. The child rolled on the ground and hopped up to thrust her sword at his chest.
"Game over," she said pulling the sword back.
"Indeed," Slytherin nodded, "well done child."
"Yes you have made more progress than anyone we have ever taught," Gryffindor added as he put the swords away.
"Thank you. I've decided knowing the most about what I can is the best," she sighed sitting in the large green armchair and pouring herself a cup of tea.
"So you have gone from wanting the school to ruling the world?" Gryffindor asked taking his red chair across from her.
"Not rule…no I want to educate as always. I want to train the poor souls. The fools in the Ministry and the DEs," she sighed sipping her tea.
"But you must remember never to forget what is the most important," Helga replied as she sat on the arm of her chair. Salazar was sitting in it.
"Family," was Correna simple reply and the three nodded.
"You will always be on the right track as long as you remember that," Rowena said as she sat on the arm of the green chair and placed a golden box on her granddaughter's lap.
"What's this Gran?"
"A gift from us."
Correna nodded and opened the box to reveal a beautiful steal dagger that was slightly curled. The handle was made of ivory and had the Hogwarts crest laced in jewels engraved on it.
"Wow," Corri whispered slowly taking the knife out and examining it, "this is so beautiful."
"It's made of Goblin steal with Sal's own enchantments. It won't break or dull and can cut through any and everything," Rowena explained.
"Oh thank you so much," she exclaimed hugging each of them, "I'll take very good care of it."
"We know you will. You're the only one of our decedents we've ever felt worthy enough to wield it and we know you will well," Helga softly smiled.
"Oh I promise, and thank you again," Corri grinned and slipped the weapon securely in her boot.
"Well now that we've done that and had a break let's move on to that thing we wanted her to try," Godric said eyeing his brother.
"Yes I think that would be good," Rowena nodded.
"What? What am I going to do?" Correna asked excitedly.
Salazar banished the furniture to the sides of the room and told Correna to sit crossed legged on the floor. She obliged and he sat across from her as the others went to their desks. They knew that the best teacher for this for a Slytherin would be Salazar Slytherin himself.
"What we want you now to do is to find your magical core and bring it out of you. If you can control it then you can control anything and not even the most advanced charm can keep you from performing wandless magic, though you'd still be under normal laws with your wand," he explained.
"Sounds promising. Let's do it," she said eagerly.
"But remember you may not be able to do it the first time. It took Merlin himself twice to do it," Slytherin said.
This of course gave Correna a solemn and reserved look because it gave her a feeling of trepidation; if it took Merlin a few tries to get it who knew how many times it'd take her. But she swallowed her fear and nodded that she was willing to try.
"All right then," Salazar nodded, "Then close your eyes and close out everything but the sound of my voice." She nodded and did as she was told as his voice seemed to get farther and farther away as she concentrated on her actions.
The other three founders watched the two in anticipation.
"Nothing exists but you. You are in complete blackness except for the glowing light that surrounds you. That light is your core; a color that represents your magical strength. You must contain it; confine it to an orb and bring back with you. Bring it out as you travel through the darkness back to us," he instructed. He and the others held their breath and watched as a dark blue orb materialized in front of Correna.
The child opened her eyes and saw the ball of light as a huge grin spread across her face. She slowly reached out and touched the ball as it was absorbed back into her skin. The five sat in an awestruck silence for several minutes before it was broken by Godric.
"Well obviously you have more concentration than Merlin."
"Does this mean she's more powerful?" Helga asked anxiously. It had taken her five tries to get her core.
"I don't really know. I think it's something we have to just watch and see," Godric replied.
"Does this mean my training is over?" Correna asked sadly.
"Partially. It mostly means you do not need us as much anymore. Now what you do is up to you," Salazar replied.
"Can I still come every once and awhile?"
"Of course you can love. We are always here for you," Helga replied giving her a warm hug.
"But for now I think you should head back to bed," Rowena added kissing the child's forehead.
She nodded, said farewell to everyone, and headed back to the common room. As she crawled into bed that night she thought about everything she heard over the last year or so. It seemed everyone feared she would be the next dark lord…well lady. Well if that's what they thought then she may have to play with them a bit. She did so love to play with other people's minds.
Keep your eye on the dagger people!