Chapter 38
Cores, Rainbows and Runes

(Harry)

Tuesday, January 5th, 1994

The morning of the second full day of second term, Harry woke up to the familiar feeling of the vibrating pillow alarm. He blinked open his eyes and saw Ginny perched on her elbow, looking at him. She smiled at him and leaned forward to him and kissed him softly. Harry returned the kiss and gently pushed her back onto her pillow. He heard her chuckle in his mind as she opened her lips and invited his tongue in, which he accepted willingly.

How long have you been up? Harry asked, as he backed away from her lips.

A few minutes. Just thinking about things while watching you sleep.

I reckon I'm rather boring when I sleep.

I do believe, Mr. Potter, I've told you time and again you look adorable when you sleep. I better go before everyone in my dorm wakes up. Meet in the Common Room in say, half-an-hour?

'Kay.

Ginny smiled and briefly kissed Harry once again, then grabbed the Invisibility Cloak. Harry opened the curtains again, and was happy to find he and Ginny were the only ones awake. He felt Ginny brush past him and he closed the curtains again, then laid back down on his pillow and let his mind wander.

The whole of Christmas Break had gone by pretty fast. The day after Christmas, Rodger, Cynthia and Susan had all come to Potter Manor for dinner and gift exchanges. Sirius and Amelia had both gone back to work a couple days after that. Amelia had met up with the Muggle Prime Minister, and now there were photos of Draco in the Muggle media, which included television and newspapers, as well as storefronts.

On New Year's Eve, Harry, Ginny, Sirius and Amelia stayed up past midnight to celebrate the new year. However, they were all in bed less than half-an-hour after midnight.

For the rest of the break, Harry and Ginny mainly just did stuff around the house, though they did find things to do to keep them busy. They had to do their between-term homework, and also they volunteered to babysit Donder and Blitzen whenever Dobby and Melina had to do their chores around the Manor. Most of the time the baby house-elves would just sleep, though Ginny had fun watching them.

Harry finally decided to get up, and he pulled back his curtains and saw that he wasn't the only one awake now. Neville was fully dressed, and was now putting his books for the day in his knapsack.

"Morning, Neville," Harry said.

"Oh, morning, Harry," Neville said, with a smile. "Daphne wanted me to join her for an early breakfast. Want to come?"

"You go on ahead," Harry said, "I expect we'll be down there soon enough."

Neville nodded and walked out of the dorm room.

Nearly an hour later, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Luna made their way into the Great Hall and to their usual spot at the Gryffindor Table. Neville and Daphne were already there, chatting away and eating breakfast. Hedwig was perched on a jug of orange juice when Harry arrived. A scroll of parchment rested between her talons.

"Early post today, Hedwig?" Harry asked, taking the scroll.

Hedwig hooted softly in reply. Harry unrolled the scroll and looked at it.

Harry and Ginny,

I do hope your holidays were as fascinating and fun as mine.

I have heard that you will be quite busy this Saturday, so I ask that we push back our next meeting one day. Please see me in my office at two-o-clock next Sunday and we can continue our lessons. No need for a password, the gargoyle will admit you on sight.

Have a good first week of second term,
Professor Dumbledore

Harry handed the scroll to Ginny, then gave a piece of bacon to Hedwig and thanked her. She gobbled up the bacon and flew off again. He then began piling breakfast food on his plate.

Apparently we're having a busy Saturday, Ginny said.

Tonks said yesterday that Remus wants to continue our Patronus lessons this weekend.

Yes, but we've had a meeting with Dumbledore and Patronus lessons before. What else do you think we could be doing?

Harry was about to say he did not know when he saw Oliver Wood walking toward them with Katie Bell.

"Potter!" Wood said.

"Good morning, Captain," Harry said, "How was your holidays?"

"Brilliant," Wood said, "I do hope you purchased a new broom over the holidays."

"No, I didn't," Harry said, and before Oliver could respond, he said, "But I did acquire a new broom as a gift."

"What model?" Wood asked, "Nimbus 2001 like your girlfriend?"

"Nope," Harry said, grinning as Ginny blushed, "A Firebolt."

"F-Firebolt?" Oliver asked, his mouth agape.

"A Firebolt," Harry said.

"Looks brilliant, Captain," Ron said, "Harry, when can I have a go on it?"

"No!" Oliver said, "Only Harry can use it. A broom like that – we cannot risk it getting used by someone other than its owner. It might ruin it! A real Firebolt? You're sure."

"I'm sure," Harry said, "Though I could check it again and see if it was actually plastic –"

Oliver shook his head. "I believe you. First practice of the term is this Saturday."

"Er… how long?" Ginny asked, "We have extra lessons with Professor Lupin at four in the afternoon."

"Extra lessons?" Oliver asked, then sighed, "Eleven in the morning until three in the afternoon. Sound okay?"

"Fine with me," Harry said, and Ginny and Ron nodded.

"Brilliant," Oliver said, "A Firebolt! Hear that, Katie?"

Ginny rolled her eyes as Oliver and Katie began discussing Harry's new broom.

Guess we now know how busy our Saturday is, she said.

Oliver would have had to go through McGonagall to book the Pitch, and Dumbledore must have heard it.

Sure… but how does he know about our Patronus lessons?

Ginny – with how much he knows, I'd be surprised if he didn't know about our lessons.

True.

A few minutes before nine, Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Daphne said goodbye to Ron and Neville and headed out onto the grounds, where a few of their fellow classmates were standing.

"What is Professor Dumbledore doing here?" Ginny whispered to Harry and Hermione.

Harry found Professor Dumbledore standing beside Professor Vector. Near them stood what appeared to be three Auror-Corp level training dummies, identical to the one Harry and Ginny had at Potter Manor.

"No idea," Hermione said.

"Guess he is part of the lesson," Harry said.

Wonder what type of lesson needs Professor Dumbledore AND training dummies, Ginny said.

Before Harry could think of a possible answer, Professor Vector raised her wand in the air and sent three red sparks in the air. This claimed everyone's attention.

"Good morning, students," Vector said, "Today begins the first lesson on what will culminate to you finding out exactly what your magical core levels are."

A few of the students whispered excitedly to their neighbors. Hermione looked quite excited.

Oh no, anything but this! Ginny groaned in Harry's mind. We weren't expecting this… were we?

I didn't expect us to begin this early.

"Simmer down everyone," Vector said. "This lesson is a bit of show-and-tell. I do believe everyone here was present during at least one meeting during the Dueling Club last year, am I correct?"

Everyone nodded and murmured in assent.

"Excellent!" Vector said, "Then I would also assume all of you know the incantation for Disarming, yes?"

Everyone murmured in assent again.

"Perfect," Vector said. "Because today you will be using the Disarming spell against these Auror-Corp level training dummies. It is thanks to Professor Tonks and Professor Dumbledore that we are able to use these. It is no secret that Professor Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards in the world –"

"It is a good thing it is rather chilly today and that hides the color on my cheeks," Dumbledore said, "I haven't blushed this badly in quite a while!"

Most of the students laughed.

"Therefore, it is only fitting that we use him as an example today for showing a very powerful magical core," Vector said, "Now magical cores range from a level of 1 to 10." Ginny's hand shot in the air. "Yes, Miss Weasley?"

"Has anyone ever had one more powerful than a level 10?" Ginny asked, "Is it possible?"

"Nobody in recorded history has ever had a magical core higher than level 10," Vector said.

"Ah, Professor," Dumbledore said, "I'm afraid that is not true. A wizard and a witch both have had magical core levels higher than ten."

Three guesses who, Harry said.

"The late Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel," Dumbledore said.

I knew it! Harry said.

"I would say theirs were eleven," Dumbledore said, "though that is not basing on the exact power of their cores. Anything higher than a ten is off the Gossamer Scale. We just count that is extremely powerful, and also extremely rare."

"Gossamer Scale," Vector said, "Remember that, everyone. Gladys Gossamer, the first witch, or wizard, ever to test out their magical core level in recorded history. I will not tell you any more about her, that is your assignment for this month. A twenty-four inch essay, due on the last class of the month, on Gladys Gossamer and the Gossamer Scale. Now… back on track. Professor Dumbledore will demonstrate what you will all be doing today."

She then turned around and pointed her wand at the ground halfway between her and the targets. Then, a large bright, blue ring appeared out of thin air. Two more appeared in front of the other two targets as well. Another wave of Vector's wand, and three narrow wooden rods, representing wands, appeared in the outstretched hands of the dummies.

"Professor Dumbledore," Vector said, "If you will, fire a Disarming Spell through the ring and disarm the dummy. Everyone else, watch Professor Dumbledore, NOT his spell or the dummy. This is very important. Pay attention now."

Dumbledore walked forward and stood where Vector had been.

"Expelliarmus!" Dumbledore said, pointing the Elder Wand at the dummy.

A white beam shot from his wand, through the large ring and toward the dummy. The dummy's "wand" zoomed out of the dummy's hand and over to Dumbledore, who caught it. However, that is not what Harry was looking at. As soon as the spell had gone through the ring, an extremely large golden orb appeared around Dumbledore.

"See that, everyone?" Vector asked, "That is what is referred to as a Gossamer Scale Indicator Orb. What you are looking at is Professor Dumbledore's core brought to visibility. His core is a level nine, obviously very powerful, but not a level ten, or higher as was explained earlier. Thank you, sir. Everyone, a round of applause?"

The students broke out into a light, but polite applause as the golden ring vanished into thin air.

"Now, it is my turn," Vector said; she turned and pointed her wand at the dummy. "Expelliarmus!"

A bright, green orb appeared around Professor Vector, as the spell went through the ring, and hit the dummy.

"Notice the color change?" Vector said, "Every level has a different color. The pattern of colors is what is referred to as the Gossamer Rainbow. I will not tell you what colors represent which number. That is what you have to find out by the end of this term. I will teach you over the next few months exactly how to calculate it. My magical core is a level six, by the way. Magical cores can and will raise to higher levels as you mature and your magic matures. Most of you will probably have the same color and level. Most of you will also probably have a low level, but do not despair when you find out. As I said, the levels will raise. In fact… by the time you are finished with your education here, it could raise as much as two or three levels, and then more as you age. All right – ah – the three Gryffindors, come up and face a ring, please."

Oh boy. Here goes nothing, Harry said.

I don't think we're going to be able to fool these rings, Harry, Ginny said.

I don't think so either… looks like we might just have to be honest with what we figure out. Especially if we want to pass this class.

Which we do.

Harry, Ginny and Hermione each stood a few feet from each other, in front of the dummies. Harry saw Dumbledore looking very interested as to what would happen.

"All right, Gryffindors!" Vector said, "Wands at the ready! Disarming spells on three – one –"

Harry twisted his wrist, and his wand appeared between his fingers.

"Two!" Vector said.

Harry pointed his wand at the dummy.

"Three!" Vector said.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry said, as did Ginny and Hermione.

The spell hit the dummy and the "wand" headed in his direction. He would have caught it, if he was not blinded by a very bright red light. Harry looked up and saw that the red light was coming from the Orb around him. Harry looked at Ginny and Hermione's orbs. Ginny had a bright orange orb, and Hermione a bright purple.

Guess we don't have the same core levels, Ginny said.

Yeah, but whose is higher?

Uh-oh, look at Vector.

Harry looked at Professor Vector, who was looking back and forth from his to Ginny's orbs. She then looked at Dumbledore who only smiled.

I think it is safe to assume, Ginny said, that we're somewhere between Vector and Dumbledore's core levels.

Only two numbers are 7 and 8… so who is 7 and who is 8?

Unless one of ours is 10?

I doubt it… Dumbledore said we're not as powerful as him yet.

Point. Course he could be wrong.

Could be. Guess we'll find out by June.

"Er – ahem," Vector said, clearing her throat, "Thank you, you three. You may step away. Ravenclaws, you next!"

Over the next ten minutes, the other eight students proceeded with disarming the dummies. Su Li, Blaise Zabini, Hannah Abbot and Terry Boot all had a yellow orb. Tracy Davis, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Lisa Turpin all had pink orbs, and Daphne and Susan's was purple, like Hermione's.

"Splendid work everyone!" Professor Vector said, after the Hufflepuffs were finished. "As you can see quite a few of you had the same colors as someone else… which means you have the same exact level of magical core. This was expected, of course. Did everyone see the color of their orbs? Yes? Good. You will need to write those down on a piece of parchment. We will all now return to the classroom. When you arrive, please open your books to chapter 9, and read the section on Gladys Gossamer. That will get you started on your essay. Also, there are a series of books on Gossamer in the library – three different titles, a few copies of each. Please only check out one of the books so that everyone can have one for research on their essay. Please head on inside now."

As Harry and Ginny passed Professor Vector, Harry saw her stare at them for a few moments before Dumbledore got her attention.

Brilliant, Harry said, Apparently we have higher cores than she does, and she obviously is shocked by that.

Of course she is… two students as young as we are – or as young as she believes we are – with higher cores then hers? Why wouldn't she be surprised.

Do you think she'll talk to us about it? Or perhaps Dumbledore?

I doubt it. They would have to explain to us why, really, and how can they do that without revealing our core levels, which is our big assignment this term?

Right… we are still students and this is still a learning experience. They can't take that away from us.

Immediately after class – which was free time and lunch - Hermione said she was heading to the library to check out one of the Gossamer books. Harry and Ginny went along as well, and all three of them checked out one of the three books. All three had different information in it, which meant their essays could be different. However, something the books did not have was anything on what was referred to as the Gossamer Rainbow.

"Of course we can't check out books on the Rainbow System, that would be too easy," Hermione said, as they headed off out of the library to find Ron, "Vector probably took those books out of the library so we couldn't use them to find out our core levels."

"So how are we supposed to find out our core levels?" Ginny asked.

"Probably through Arithmantic tables," Hermione said, "We already have two color-codes for numbers, yes? Gold for level 9, Green for six."

"Ginny and I are levels 7 and 8," Harry said, "We just don't know which is which yet."

"What?" Hermione asked.

"You didn't see Vector's face did you?" Ginny replied, "After we saw our orbs?"

"Er – yeah, I did," Hermione said, "Oh – yeah, I guess she was surprised. So I guess we should assume you're right – one of you is level 7, one is level 8. But – something else I found interesting. Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel were level eleven. So does that mean – you two will be level eleven as well? I would assume theirs was eleven because of their Bond."

"Dumbledore told us we'll be more powerful than him when our powers heighten," Harry said.

"So ten or eleven," Hermione said. "Eleven meaning – anything higher than ten."

"Correct," Harry said.

"I wonder what mine is," Hermione said, thoughtfully as she looked down at her book. "Definitely lower than six. Four or five – but it could be anywhere between one and six."

"Four or five sounds right," Ginny said, "I mean – you are the smartest witch of your age."

Hermione blushed and shook her head. "But – maybe it doesn't have anything to do with that. It is your magical core, not how smart you are… I'm smart, sure, but my core could still be a level 2."

"I highly doubt you're a level 2, Hermione," Ginny said.

I don't know, Harry said, Dueling was never her strong spot – maybe it has something to do with that.

Hermione smiled, obviously oblivious to the touch of doubt in Harry's mind.

As the first week of the second term went on, so did the chill of winter. The last thing anyone wanted to do was spend another couple of hours out on the grounds.

However Hagrid had come prepared for this. In Care of Magical Creatures Class, he provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they spent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs.

Hagrid was not the only teacher to do winter-themed lessons. In Charms, Professor Flitwick had taught everyone how to do the Blue-Bell Flame Charm. The charm was one of Hermione's favorites, so it was really no surprise when she got it done right away. Harry and Ginny were able to do it, of course, but they also tried to make it look difficult so not to raise suspicions. In Herbology the students began growing Winter Roses, which actually thrived during the cold winter months. And on a dreary, chilly and cloudy night, even Professor Sinistra had something to teach in Astronomy – a simple charm used to temporarily power up a telescope to see past the clouds.

Even Snape seemed to be in the mood to teach something in the theme of winter. In Double Potions on Friday, he asked the students to brew a Defrosting Draught, which, when done successfully, was used in grounds-keeping to defrost windows and surfaces. Harry thought the potion was pointless because simple spells would defrost things easily, however Ginny had come up with a reason why the Draught was needed – Squibs like Mr. Filch would need it since they could not do magic. The Draught, however, wasn't Harry's biggest worry.

This was Harry and Ginny's first Potions lesson in the aftermath of Snape finding out about their Soul-Bond. Many times during the class, Harry would catch Snape watching him and Ginny as they did their work. He wondered if Snape would call them out for cheating and take away points, but to his surprise, none of that happened.

"Class dismissed," Professor Babbling said after a rather difficult Ancient Runes lesson in which he asked the students to pick out a rune from a list and write a letter, in the runic alphabet, to him and tell him why they wanted to learn about that particular rune, "Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley, please stay after class, will you? You are in no trouble, do not fret."

'Do not fret', he says, Ginny said, Well obviously I am fretting now.

Maybe he likes our letters the most?

Or the least…

As their fellow students walked out of the classroom, Harry and Ginny made their way to Babbling's desk.

"During class," Babbling said, "I couldn't help but notice a curious little trinket around your necks. A rune, it appears. May I see it? You don't have to take it off."

Harry looked at Ginny, who shrugged. They showed the rune to Babbling, who smiled as he looked at them.

"Could you tell me what rune that is?" Babbling asked.

"It is an alarm," Harry said.

"It is," Babbling said, nodding, "Very good. It is one of the more complicated runes, actually, and also one of the more interesting ones. You see, this is one of the few runes that need what is referred to as a twin rune. It needs two of the same runes to even work its magic. Activating it will activate the other rune. Obviously you purchased these necklaces so as to warn each other if you were in danger, yes?"

"Yeah," Ginny said.

"Given your recent incident with Lucius Malfoy, I think it is a very good rune to have," Babbling said. "Now, am I correct to say those necklaces were rather expensive?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"I thought so," Babbling said, "And here is why. That particular stone the rune is carved into is quite rare. You see… while most rune-stones can only have one or two rune symbols on them before their power goes to waste, this can have five symbols on them. Anything at all. For example, a privacy rune. If you learn that rune, and place it on the stone, people like myself would not be able to see your necklace at all, simply because of the rune. There are also others that would be useful. If you do not use a privacy rune, you could also use it for defensive measures. For example, if you use one particular rune, anyone you do not trust who tries to touch your necklace, will receive a harsh shock or burn."

"A burn?" Ginny asked, "So if we put that fire symbol on it that you taught us last term -?"

Babbling shook his head. "I would definitely not advise you to do that, Miss Weasley. That rune was not a defensive burning rune, but the firelight rune. It would only provide light like a campfire. Useful in dark spaces, but not in defensive measures. Fire is interesting when it comes to runes. It can be used in all kinds of ways – to give light, to give warmth, or to burn something or someone. That is three different kinds of runes altogether. I suggest you learn what types of runes you want on your necklaces. While I will not suggest any runes, because I believe the search is half the fun, I will help you if you find any particular rune you like. Some of them may be more advanced than the third year learning range however. Choosing five particular runes – well four now outside your alarm rune – could take years. So do not be discouraged if you do not find more than one or two you like over the next few months. Thank you for showing these to me. You're excused. Hurry off to your next class now."

Harry and Ginny each thanked Professor Babbling, then walked out of the classroom and headed for the Defense classroom.

I don't know why I never appreciated Runes before, Harry said, They're quite interesting.

I know why. Because when you were originally choosing your classes in your second year, you were far too lazy to want to learn something so complicated.

You're right as usual, love.

Funny how often that tends to happen, huh?

This last scene was actually going to be in the newest chapter if I had not done a rewrite. I was very pleased with it, and happy to include it in this one.

This ends the rewrite portion. From here on everything you see will be absolutely new.

Next chapter, a Patronus lesson with an added student in the lessons, and another meeting with Professor Dumbledore, and a surprise guest comes along for the meeting. And possibly more having to do with the Lucius and Draco storyline.