Episode 2- What is Magic?
October 1991
"Is magic energy, is magic matter, is magic aether, is magic, that is a question for the ages, all that matters is that we can manipulate it, and I will teach you how," Lord Melloi Professor of Magic Theory Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Out of the way fatty," Daphne said showing Hermione aside as they moved between classes.
"I'm not," Hermione began to say before tripping and slamming into the floor.
"Fat and clumsy," Tracy said stepping on Hermione.
"Really Millicent you could do so much better than this," Pansy said knocking her aside as Millicent tried to help her friend.
"But," Millicent stammered looking between Pansy and Hermione.
Break
"Do you think we'll finally learn magic today," Hermione asked Millicent as they ate lunch.
"But we have been learning magic," Millicent replied staring at her friend.
"No, I mean yes, what I meant was…." Hermione babbled.
"Yes, what did you mean," Daphne said.
"Please grace us with your wisdom," Pansy said.
"I for one would love to know what a simple muggle girl could possibly hope to know about magic," Tracy said.
"I just meant," Hermione stuttered.
"Meant what," Daphne said. "That learning how to properly care for a wand is worthless, who are you a Weasley."
"Or how to properly channel magic, unlike that Longbottom boy," Tracy said. "So sad to see an ancient family fall so far."
"That is important," Hermione said shrinking down in her seat.
"So, the dummy can learn something after all," Pansy laughed.
"I was just wondering what magic was," Hermione whispered.
"Magic is magic, you stupid muggle," Daphne said.
"But it is like energy, because in science class the teacher said you can't make energy only change it from one type to another," Hermione said softly looking up at the now silent table with a small glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Of course, you can't get something from nothing, that's one of the first rules of transfiguration," Pansy scoffed.
"Yes, but that doesn't actually explain what magic is, I mean what type of energy it is. Is magic like electricity, no maybe chemical, but that….
"..." Millicent opened her mouth as if to speak before an older student chimed in.
"Hermione," the older student said as all eyes turned towards her some more hopeful than others.
"Yes…." Hermione gulped.
"Liz Tuttle," the girl said with a flip of her dark blond hair. "And I highly suggest you forget all of those silly things, the Muggles taught you. As if they could ever hope to comprehend the true majesty of the world, and the wondrous gift of magic that has been bestowed upon the true chosen of humanity."
A speechless Hermione slowly returned to her lunch a lone tear forming in the corner of her eye as she quickly finished her lunch before reaching for a cookie.
"What does Millicent see in that girl," Tracy said softly.
"She could do so much better than that stupid girl," Daphne added as Millicent looked between Hermione and the rest of the table.
Break
"Professor Melloi," Hermione said walking up to the aged professor as the class left.
"Yes, Hermione," the old man said his old eyes bearing down on Hermione.
"I um, well…" Hermione stammered.
"Relax and ask your question," Professor Melloi said.
Hermione took a deep calming breath a slight smile on her face. "Professor, we've been learning about magic, but you never actually told us what magic is."
Slowly the Professor began to tremble a slight chuckle emanating from his lips. "If I had a galleon," the Professor chuckled.
"Professor?" Hermione asked.
"It's fine, you're not the first to ask me what magic is," Professor Melloi replied.
"I'm not," Hermione asked.
"No, there is usually at least one each year. I thought the Potter boy would ask after what he was muttering about but I guess…..." Melloi sighed looking at Hermione as he cleaned up the room. "Oh yes, your question," He said holding out his wand a small fountain of magic erupting from it. "What is magic? Magic is magic, it is life, nature, the universe. Some muggleborns might think that magic is dark energy or dark matter, invisible things that some scientists theorize might exist."
"Dark energy, dark matter," Hermione muttered.
"That's the last time I hang out with Sinistra's friends," he muttered before continuing.
"What is dark…." Hermione asked.
"Topics far too complex to even begin to dive into at this time, but long story short they are devices used to explain inconsistencies in muggle theories about astronomy," Professor Melloi said.
"Ok, but what is magical energy is it…." Hermione asked.
"Hahaha," Melloi chuckled. "Hermione my dear, no one knows, magic is many things to many people. That flash of inspiration, magic, a burst of strength while playing quidditch, magic, our spirit, magic, nature magic. Magic is in and around everything, it is life itself. Would you try and cram all of nature into a tiny box," Melloi said?
"Well no, but it still doesn't make any sense," Hermione said her eyes beginning to spin.
"Come on Hermione we're going to be late," Millicent said rushing in and dragging Hermione out.
"What…." Hermione squeaked.
Break
"Sorry I'm late Professor….." Hermione said as she ran in with Millie.
"Class is already in session Miss Granger and your empty seat already tells me you are late. There is no need to announce it to the world," Professor Snape said not even turning to look at them as he wrote something on the board. "Now that will be 1 point from Slytherin for each of you and additional 2 points for your disruption, Miss Granger.
"I am sorry Professor," Hermione said.
"Do not be sorry, Miss Granger, simply never do that again," Snape said turning to look the girl in the eye, his dark orbs cutting into her very soul her knees growing weak as she fell into her seat.
"Nice going Granger," Daphne whispered as Snape turned to write on the board.
"You better not cost us the cup Millicent," Pansy said.
"Now as I was saying today you will be making a simple tonic," Professor Snape explained revealing a list of ingredients. "Yes, Miss Granger," Snape sighed.
"Is this the Pepper up Potion," Hermione asked.
"Miss Bulstrode does this say Pepper up potion," Snape said.
"No…." Millicent said as all eyes turned towards them.
"1 point from Slytherin, and I suggest you clean your glasses Miss Granger," Snape said as Hermione slowly turned red and tried to sink into the floor. "Now unless there are any further interruptions," he said looking over the class. "The tonic is a forgiving potion which means even the talentless should be able to manage it. First you need to grind the Cinchona bark into a fine powder before adding it to distilled water. Boil the mixture stirring counterclockwise until the solution turns clear. Then add 1 cube of solidum caeli stirring gently until it begins to fizz slightly. Add 1 cup of crushed Juniper berries, and half a lemon all while stirring gently 6 times before pouring into the bottles." Snape explained.
"This is just like cooking," Hermione said.
"Sort of, do you use magic while cooking," Millicent said.
"Well no," Hermione replied as Millicent pulled out a caldron.
"Can you get the ingredients, while I set up," Millicent said.
"Sure," Hermione said walking over to the long table lined with ingredients.
Tracy leaned over the table towards Millicent as the others gathered ingredients. "Well at least your partner is a competent gopher," Tracy said pointing towards Hermione. "Mine is completely useless," Tracy groaned before walking over to Vincent Crabbe grabbing him just before he crashed into the wall. "Ugh over here you big lug."
"What did Tracy want," Hermione asked dumping her load of ingredients on the table.
"Nothing," Millicent said frowning at the ingredients strewn about their work area.
"Hermione can you stir, while I crush the juniper berries," Millicent said.
"You're really good at this," Hermione said taking over the caldron. "Did your mom teach you how to make potions?"
"No just how to cook, and bake" Millicent replied.
"Is your mom a chef," Hermione asked.
"Mom's a sou chef, and dad's a sommelier," Millicent replied.
"Sommelier what?" Hermione said as Millicent dumped in the berries and took over once more.
"He basically recommends the best drink to have with a particular meal, and sometimes makes drinks," Millicent replied as they poured the potion into the bottles.
"Hhhhhmmmmmm," Snape said lifting the bottle examining the clear liquid with a few bubbles as he swirled the potion before wafting the scent of the potion towards his nose. "Not bad Miss Bulstrode, easily exceeds expectations, and 1 point for Slytherin," Snape said before turning to Hermione. "However, 1 point from Slytherin for your messy station Miss Granger," Snape sneered glaring at Hermione.
"Nice going Millicent you kept us from losing any more points today," Pansy said.
"Outstanding potion Miss Greengrass, 5 points for Slytherin for your excellent work," Professor said holding up Daphne's potion.
"Thank you, Professor," Daphne replied as the period ended.
"Good job Daphne," Hermione called out.
"No thanks to you mudblood, since I had to make up for your lost points," Daphne hissed turning sharply her bag swinging wide knocking Hermione over.
"They'll stop, they're just hazing the new girl," Hermione muttered slowly picking herself off the ground.