"Karen, I need your help." Hogwarts interrupts Karen's musical control exercises.

"What do you need Desma?"

"Today's the day, so I need your help to prepare ceremonial focus' for everyone that passes, I know I've already given Nicole one. But she's my daughter so the only reason I'm allowing her to take the test is so that she can visit on her own rather than keep bothering Fawkes. Anyway, I'd like you do Harry and Hermione's I'll do Minerva's and Daphne's. They need to match who they are as a person. Once you've done that I want you to help me set up the receiving area so that they feel properly welcomed.

"Oh, and I want to say that you're doing really well too, you also did well sending Azaria away, when she gets back, remind her that it might have taken her 10,000 cuts to master a move, but it only took her 100 to learn it."

"Oh, you think that she's trying to be absolutely perfect with everything rather than just learning it to refine later?"

"Exactly, she already has most of the skills that you still need to master in order to progress. She just needs to identify the basic skills that she's missing to make sense of the other skills."

Karen spent most of the day trying to visualise what she was going to make for both Harry and Hermione.

In the end for Harry she settled for a smoky quartz core and a very tough light metal that she thought might be titanium for the casing. On the handle she engraved a picture of a man standing solidly on a mountain painting the stormy sky. At the tip working down to meet the near the middle she outlines a woman painting the world below her. She uses touches of ruby to highlight her hair and faint traces of a black metal that she found to highlight the hair of the man.

For Hermione she put streaks of cobalt, gold, and copper twirling and intertwining through a core of clear quartz as the core. For the casing she put a library around the copper handle with an open book on the table, from the library she used random rune like shapes and equations scattering up the wand getting thinner and thinner until all that was left was the 3 metals in the core coming to a point with the quartz.

For the reception they kept it simple and elegant, with a buffet table set off to one side, a table with a velvet display that held their novice insignia and their new wands under each one. As the insignia were all presented correctly she decided to ask Hogwarts about it.

"Hogwarts, what does the symbol on the rings mean?"

"The kite shield is the sworn duty of all magi to defend the earth, and a reminder of our responsibilities. The ring symbolises the political power that we've been granted in order to do so. Finally, the wand represents the power that we use to take the fight to those that would attack us. The archmagis insignia is similar, but has a rose instead of a ring to symbolise the fact that we are pledged to protect all life from those that sleep in the sea of magic. Those sleepers are also why we call the time when the worlds are opened the dream. The colours of the wand and the shield indicate the level of the magi, with gold for novices, diamond for journeymen, and iron for full magi. An archmagi has to make their own emblem and it must be made with orichalcum, a metal that can only be found on the shores of the sea of magic. And the shield and wand need to be made from mithril.

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Minerva was nervous, it was one thing to be told that she was ready for this, but now that the time was here she couldn't concentrate on anything. It was so bad that she'd had Penelope take her first year class earlier in the day. Harry and Hermione both seemed to be cool as cucumbers. At least for her state of mind, Daphne looked absolutely terrified.

Walking over to her she placed her hand on her shoulder, "You look about how I feel. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I just don't feel like I should be here, I look at Harry and Hermione, and they're so much better than I am. They each seem to understand magic much more deeply than I do. Yet here I am, about to risk my life to become a magi. What happened to the girl I was who always weighed the pro's and cons of every situation, and only moved forward once she was absolutely sure that it was right?"

"Was that girl ever actually you?"

Daphne laughs mirthlessly, "According to Trace? No. It was a product of underage occlumency use. But I still remember it."

"Sometimes things like that do stick with you. It's a good thing when it does, as it means that you're learning from your mistakes. You know that I'm an animagus, what you may not know is if you're doing it the proper way, once you've met your spirit animal and have started transforming yourself it's a one way process that you can't back out of. There were many times before I succeeded that I wondered if I'd made the right decision. What I've learnt since then is that there are no right decisions, just different decisions. The only choice is whether you're making a decision that will weigh on your conscience or not. I think that your decision about Occlumency was whether to have a conscience or not, so ask yourself, do you like the person you are now, or do you prefer the person you were before?"

"That's an easy question, the person I am now. It's just, I think things would have been easier if I hadn't stopped it."

Conjuring a sofa, Minerva sat down and indicated that Daphne should do so too, "I'm sure that they would be, but my opinion is that there are certain things that should be hard. Amongst those are other peoples lives, whether that's taking them or ruining them. I think that the greatest evil in our world isn't the likes of dark lords, instead it's the petty bureaucrats in the ministry. It's because it's faceless and impersonal. They neither know nor care about the lives that they ruin at the stroke of a pen when they sign an order or draft a law. It's especially bad in our world due to the rampant corruption."

Seeing the blank look on Daphne's face, "Taking bribes, favouring people they know over people who could do the job better, and finally the fact that our system of government hasn't moved on since the house of commons was first introduced. If you take Cultural studies you'll find out that the muggles introduced the house of commons a few centuries before the statute, however until after the statute was erected, only freemen and titled individuals could join, and only male landowners could vote. While we're more egalitarian as a people due to the fact that magic beats brute strength, so a strong witch can put an uppity wizard in their place quite easily, it's still the same thing. What it means is that most of the people that live in our world have absolutely no say in the government except for the single vote for Minister of Magic."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Minerva snorts, "Surely you've worked that out already. But to spell it out, after tonight we'll be peers. I'll still know more than you and have more experience. However, we'll both be Magi, and I have no illusions that I'm good enough to skip the Novice level. As such I'm going to treat you as a peer when we're not in class. Part of that means treating you like a young woman and not like a child that needs to be protected, after all, if you're mature enough to make the decision to go through with this, then you're mature enough to be treated like a young adult.

"Look at Lavender and Parvati, both of them were at the same stage as you when you joined the Hogwarts house, but what they've discovered with being warlocks is enough for them. They can do wonderful things, go and see fantastic locations, and now have great prospects going forward.

"That's ignoring true wandless magic. One of the skills you learn if you take NEWT defence is silent and point casting. Both of which are a visualisation skill rather than actually just willing the spell to happen, as you still do the spell, just in your head. Beyond that is a mastery level skill where you imagine that you're holding your wand and learn to cast a few spells like that. Most only ever learn levitation, summoning, the general counter, and the unlocking spell."

Anything else she was going to say was interrupted as Karen appeared in the room with them. She was wearing a tailored white Kaftan with a simple design embroidered in gold and ruby down the middle of her chest to her belly button. The wings of the kaftan were ornately embroidered with abstract patterns and a couple of distinct images, the first being meeting Selene when she was marked, the second standing over a Sidhe holding a pan, and the third talking to a Sidhe in an alien landscape. Her hair was braided down her back, and she wore golden hoops in her ears.

"Would the applicants for the title of Magi please stand and follow me, I will take you to the testing location."

Minerva and Daphne stood up and were joined by Harry, Hermione, and Nicole. As they were led out of the school to the same place they did the Warlock trials a month ago, Minerva softly spoke to Daphne.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Much better thank you. The chat took my mind off of it."

"Good, so am I. Don't look so surprised, I was feeling nervous when I came over. Nicole is just excited, and Harry and Hermione. Harry and Hermione already know that they can go much further than we are going today and rescue themselves. Hogwarts said that technically they are Archmagis already, but they need to go that far out deliberately in order to get the title. So for you and I, this is the beginning of a long journey that will, I hope one day culminate in qualifying as Archmagis in our own right." She stopped talking as they arrived.

Karen turned to face them and started speaking, "What lies before you is a simple test, far simpler than the one that you took to become Warlocks. All you need is to step through one more realm into the sanctuary. But be aware that simple does not mean easy, or without consequence. You have all refined your control of your magic, and your ability to step through the first three realms until we believe that you are ready to take this step. You have also spend long enough in this realm to acclimatise to the slightly increased magic.

"When you step through, your magic will undergo a qualitative change, and you must remain in control during this process or risk the dangers that you faced when you took your test to become warlocks. For this test this only applies to you Minerva and Daphne, as the others have already been to this realm or deeper. When you are ready follow me." With that she disappeared.

Deliberately visualising her flower as an aid for the movement, Daphne allowed it to open further to the place where she'd trained with the musical spell. The feeling of the realms increasing happened as it did before. What she wasn't prepared for was her flower to turn into a small mountain meadow looking out over a cloudy sky. She struggled to maintain control of her magic as it expanded almost faster than she could keep up with. Eventually it stopped and she was able to open her eyes and come back to her surroundings. At some point she'd collapsed to the floor and as she leaned up she could see that Professor McGonagall, no, Minerva had also collapsed. The changes happening to Minerva were far more marked though, as she could see the years falling off of her face. Her hair became more healthy and luscious, and grew into long flowing coils that reached down to her mid-back.

Staggering to her feet, Daphne found her equilibrium coming back fairly quickly and went over to talk to Nicole, Harry and Hermione. She idly noted that Harry had reverted to her base form for this, as she did for the warlock test.

"How are all of you doing?"

Hermione touched her arm in an uncharacteristic show of concern, "We're all doing fine, we were worried about you though, as it looked like it was rough."

"It was… I don't know how to describe it. But where I used to have a flower, I've now got a mountain meadow complete with skyline, and it just kept growing."

"Well, Professor McGonagall arrived after you did, so I'd imagine she'll be finished adapting soon. I was worried when you faded out slightly, as we were told they couldn't knock you out as you needed to experience this and get past it. Nicole here will have her first test when she goes past this realm once she's older. But until then I guess she's technically still a Warlock even though she'll be a novice magi like us."

A few minutes later Minerva came back to awareness of the world around her too. Once she'd regained her equilibrium Karen and Hogwarts stepped forward. Hogwarts was wearing a similar outfit to Karen's, though her wings had very few abstract patterns and instead were covered in distinct scenes, both back and front.

Daphne was surprised when her own robes changed to a similar outfit, with a single distinct scene on it. Her lying on the ground with someone else, and two groups of figures standing nearby. Minerva had a similar scene on her outfit. Nicole's was her lying on a bed while a woman tended to her with a gem off to one side. Both Harry and Hermione's had a blank space where an image would be.

Hogwarts spoke in a regal tone, drawing attention to her and the table that was between Karen and her.

"Congratulations young Magi, well young to me anyway. You have completed your first trial and your clothing reflects that. Forgive me Harry and Hermione, but I do not have an image that I can use for yours, as the first image should be when you ascended to the ranks of the Magi. As you have just experienced, what sets us apart from Warlocks, witches and wizards is the quality of our magic. From now on, every test that you take on your path will increase the quality of your magic. Until you show either the breadth of ability or you cross the boundary from this group of realms and move into the middle realms, you will remain as novices.

"Even a qualified warlock is a novice to us, as our control over magic is far above theirs, and so we are able to make portals to allow armies to cross the world in but a step. We can render ourselves invisible to any magics they can bring to bear. We can wreak great magics that can raise islands out of the ocean, or put them back under. On a smaller scale, a skilled healer could bring someone back from the very brink of death as long as some of their magic remains in the body.

"Where a warlock is required to demonstrate their mastery to the people of earth. The only time they will ever see our abilities is if have cause to use them on earth.

"Minerva, please come forward my apprentice."

Once she comes forward she takes a ring from the display and places it on the ring finger of Minerva's right hand.

"This ring signifies that you are a Novice Magi, and the insignia on it represents our duty, authority and power. We bear a shield because we are the defenders of Earth and the two closest realms from those who would prey on them, we are their shield.

"We bear a ring as a sign of our promise and also as a symbol of the authority we have been given on earth. Even kings and emperors must listen to our words when we speak."

"Finally, we bear a wand to signify that we will take the fight back to the enemy if they attack. In keeping with the shield, the wand is pointed down to show that we will not attack unless first attacked."

She takes the ornate wand that was pointed down from above it.

"This wand is now yours, it represents your magical power and ability to respond to threats. May you never need to raise it in anger."

With the exception of Nicole who already had her wand, everyone else was called forward for the same speech. To everyone's surprise Hogwarts then continued.

"Karen, please come forward."

Nervously she stepped forward.

"Karen, it is my great honour to welcome you to the ranks of a Journeyman Magi. You have shown that you are able to cross over the next realm boundary, all that is left for you to do is require the breadth of magical ability needed to be elevated to the ranks of a full magi. As it stands there are non on earth that could stand against you if you so chose just from the sheer amount of magic at your disposal. Please accept this ring as the recognition of your achievement. Due to the asinine laws of your birth country I present to you a staff to act as your focus."

Hogwarts handed over an ornately carved staff made from an unfamiliar wood, inlaid up the staff was a silvery metal providing highlights to the various images on it. Topping the staff was a regal owl with two agates for eyes, and small black diamonds for the pupils.

"The staff was often the tool of choice for magi that were not warriors at heart. In and of itself it acts as both a weapon and a shield. It can also be used as a support and as a tool to support other things. The owl on the top represents the wisdom and knowledge that you have displayed. The carvings down the staff show your compassion and love of learning. The inlaid metal is mithril, and will conduct your magic far more easily than other materials.

"I have spoken to the Goddess that chose you, and I believe that you have the qualities that I will be looking for in my next Headmaster. You are willing to listen, to stand up to me, and to make your own decisions. Once your training has finished would you consent to take up the position?"

"Um. That is. Er. I think I would be honoured to, though I do need to consider Petunia and Privet drive. But I don't really know that much about magic, so wouldn't one of the existing teachers be better?"

"Knowledge can be taught, experience gained. But the qualities that you've shown, they're something you had to develop on your own, and can't be forced on anyone. That's why I would like you to be the next Headmaster. But you don't have to give me your answer now. We have a celebration to get to, we have a bottle of something called champaign that I was told was traditional for a celebration in this time. So all of you can have 1 glass, Nicole you're only going to have half a glass. Tomorrow you begin training, I want you all to know how to step across the world by the end of term. Minerva I'll give you the rings for the warlocks in the morning, before you go. I also have the original ward scheme that we used for linking the levels of the school together as well as Rowana's notes on how to move a heart stone. If you can get an oath from Bathsheba that she will become a magi, you can take them to your office in the library so that she can study them. If we can move Lily into this layer of the dream they'll be another sanctuary here and it will be easy for all of you to visit when you want."

Seeing the look in Harry's eyes, she did the only thing she could, and agreed.

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The last weeks of the school year passed in a blur for Minerva. She was aware of being present for the semi-finals and finals of the competitive clubs, and awarding the winner of each with points and a box of Honey Dukes finest. She was also aware of the fact that the people studying the control owl and Hogwarts house members had been split into their own category for fairness. The cooking clubs meal was divine, horrifying, humorous, and scary at the same time, as dishes made by people of vastly different skill levels was served up at the same time. She'd laughed uproariously at the club that had become unofficially known as the prank club. And some of the photo's from the camera club were absolutely beautiful.

She should have been paying attention to all of that. But she was just overwhelmed by all of the things that were demanding her time, from her apprenticeship to her magi training where it didn't overlap. To the placing of adverts for jobs in the national and international press, and drafting a press release for the new direction the school was going to take. They'd had enough responses to the physics and chemistry post that they should be able to offer that at least, and Poppy had accepted her promotion, and was going to join the accelerated class in two weeks time.

She didn't want to think about the headache that Harry and Dudley's living arrangements had turned into. She would need to thank Luna for taking things into her own hands and writing to Xeno. He'd arranged with Lily that he would live there and provide the physical guardianship that they needed over the summer while Karen completed her training. Unfortunately part of that bargain had been for him to receive warlock training during the last two weeks so that he could go exploring once Luna was back at school.

Minerva looked up as the door opened allowing Karen to enter in her official dress that she wore at the Magi ceremony.

"Are you ready?"

"No, but I get the feeling this is one of those things like parenthood where you can't be ready until you've already experienced it."

"Well said."

"How have the student's taken your new appearance?"

"Honestly, I don't think most of them have really put two and two together as I've been so busy that Penny's been taking my classes. I swear that I've been hit on more in the last two weeks than I ever was. And don't get me started on the award ceremonies, while I don't remember much about them, I do know that I've got the owl details of several newt students."

"That's true, Harry, Hermione, and Daphne are all in the antechamber waiting for you to call for them."

The Grey lady floated through the wall, "They're ready for you Magi."

"Thank you Helena.", Minerva responded while musing that it had been a surprise when all the Ghosts had introduced themselves by first name once they returned with their rings.

Minerva straightened up and walked out head held high to take her place at the table.

"Good evening students. This is hopefully the last time I'll need to be the one giving these speeches." A Titter of laughter came from some of the tables.

"But as you can see, we are still missing a Headmaster. To the students that gave me their OWL details, I'm sorry to say that you're all about 50 years too young for me, so maybe you should try talking to people your own age." She spotted several male students and a female student all flush bright red at their tables.

"There are some things that you all need to know going into next year. Firstly for those that are repeating 2nd year, and those that are currently first years. There will be no wanded classes for first and second years starting next year. Instead you will be taking Herbology, Potions, History, Critical thinking, and a new Combat class. The rest of your time will be spent in structured play and self-guided research. Additionally, for everyone only the new first years will be provided with crockery and cutlery. We will be expecting the rest of you to be good enough at inanimate transfiguration to provide your own from the material found on the tables. If you look in front of you there is now an example of what you'll have." She conjured a wooden block on every plate.

"Also, any second years that have not scored at least an A on their Herbology, Potions, and History tests this year will be repeating next year. Additionally, it doesn't matter who your family is, if you fail to score an A on those exams next year, you will be transferred to the Ministry trade school in wales for the rest of your education.

"Those going into 3rd year you will need to pick two subjects from each department. Members of the Hogwarts house will only need to pick 1 from the wanded subjects, but we recommend you still take both. On that note, please congratulate Madam Pomfrey, who has agreed to teach Healing. This is an unstructured magic course where you will be doing a lot of learning about anatomy and biology. The OWL standards are still being worked out, but don't expect to be working at St Mungo's straight out of OWL's. Padding out the Structured Magic we will be offering a course on Physics and Chemistry. In a moment I'll hand over to Professor Flitwick to explain why this is a good alternative to Runes for those who wish to pursue structured magic, we are offering this because the old practice of Ritual magic is illegal. Finally, DADA is going to be split up into identifying and countering curses, and identifying and combating dark creatures.

"Before I hand over to Professor Flitwick do any of you have any questions?"

A Ravenclaw OWL student raises their hand, "Professor McGonagall, You've mentioned structured and unstructured magic several times, what are these? Also, will any of the rest of the school be able to take these new classes or are the restricted to the 3rd years and below?"

"Good questions, have a pat on the back in lieu of points. We found the original lesson plans that the Founders used when this school was set up. These plans were followed for nearly 500 years, and only changed when life in the world settled down and people that were that highly trained were no longer needed outside a few niche fields. At the time this happened there were several other schools around the world that were also offering a comparable level of teaching so it was no great loss for us to teach to a level that more people would use in their day to day lives. One of the things they did is they split up the classes into 5 segments, Academics, Natural World, Combat or Defence, Structured Magic, and Unstructured Magic. Most charms and all runes fall under structured magic, as the spell only ever does what it's designed to do, no more and no less. Unstructured magic is based more on your non-magical knowledge and imagination, and if you don't have that talent then your best results are going to be lacklustre. In transfiguration for example, you only need to know 6 spells, Inanimate, Animate to Inanimate, inanimate to Animate, Animation, Conjuration, and Vanishing. All of the other spells we have you learn are to make it easier to do certain things. I'll hand over to Professor Flitwick now, as we have a few more things to get through after this, including house points."

Flitwick stands up on his chair, "Thank you Minerva. Physics and Chemistry are the study of how the physical world works, and how the materials in the world react and form. It will tell you for example that if you make a lever that's got a handle 10 times longer than the lifting side, the object on the lifting side is 10 times lighter for someone pulling the lever down. It will also tell you that salt is made from Sodium and Chlorine. Why is this important? As of next year we will be introducing spell modification to the NEWT classes, and part of those modifications are things like how much force is applied to something, or what thing this spell is going to produce. If you intend to go into magical construction, it will also help you with calculating where loads can be placed or conversely if you're in demolition, where you can place the least force to have the greatest effect on the building. For those of you doing Runes it can be especially useful as you can use the calculations you learn in those classes to simplify the runic arrays you create at Owl and Newt level. That is right Professor Babbling isn't it?"

"It is, though they wouldn't be touching that sort of array until NEWTS."

"So like Magical Theory, which will be a mandatory subject for all 3rd years, it won't do much on it's own, but in combination with other subjects it will magnify the effects of the effort you put in compared to someone that hasn't studied those subjects." With that he sat back down.

Standing up again Minerva continues, "I would like to give a big round of applause to the School quidditch teams, with their combined score we placed 6th in the league, which is very respectable given this was our first year. I hope that our captains have learnt from this and are able to do well next year as well.

"I have two more announcements before we get to the house points. Harry, Hermione, and Daphne please come in." She watches as the three of the come in looking rather self-conscious.

"These three along with myself are the first members of the school to seek and earn our status as Magi, we are all Novice Magi. Nicole, please stand up. Nicole has also earned that status, but she did it in order to be able to visit her mother, so we have agreed that until she wants to do more, she will remain a member of Hogwarts house. Thank you Nicole. As part of becoming magi we gave up our national and familial ties. Our parents and siblings didn't stop being family, rather we no longer have a duty to our house or our nation. Instead we are now citizens of what is now the ICW. That doesn't mean we can't inherit, rather it means that it will be down to our children to carry on our family name if it involved in politics. This brings me onto my next announcement, Hogwarts has chosen a new Headmistress, and she has agreed. Pending a vote by the class representatives to veto the appointment she will be your new headmistress in September. So I would like to introduce Journeyman Magi Karen."

Karen enters without flair and stands where the headmasters chair would be.

"Good evening, I'd say I was looking forward to being your new headmistress, but I'd be lying. I've never had a job like this before, so to say I'm nervous would be like saying that NEWTs are a little hard. Fortunately for tonight I only have one thing to do, and that is read out some points. First of all, individual achievements.

"Fred Weasley, please stand up. I am told that this is somewhat of a surprise and achievement. You have the honour of earning the most points after deductions out of the whole of Gryffindor house. The next highest was Kate Bell." She furrows her brow in concentration and conjures a lapel pin with the Gryffindor coat of arms and a little cup with the number 1 or 2 on each of their robes and 1992 on a banner at the bottom.

"From Hufflepuff, would Beatrice Haywood stand up. With an outstanding performance in the Archery competition, you have scored the most points in Hufflepuff. The next highest was Gabriel Truman." She does the same for their pins.

"From Ravenclaw, would Robert Hilliard please stand up. As part of the winning debate team, and an outstanding showing in the snooker you have scored the most points in Ravenclaw. Roger Davies, you came in second place."

"From Slytherin, would Gemma Farley please stand up. Not only being on the winning debate team, but also winning your division in the Snooker and Archery, you have scored the most points in your house. In second place is Gregory Goyle, your points total shot up massively after Mr Malfoy was petrified, so while you are repeating next year due to poor academic performance, I hope that you will take this to heart and learn that success doesn't have to be at the expense of others."

"Would we be able to have a round of applause for the highest achievers in each house."

Once the applause died down, she continued, "For the house points, in reverse order, Gryffindor house with 359. While quidditch is very important, more so for some of you than others, it shouldn't be your sole interest in the school. As it stands, there were also a couple of cases of persistent bullying, and a couple of other issues that were dealt with in private but necessitated the loss of a large number of points. I hope that next year we can see more interest.

"Next we have Hufflepuff house with 362 points, you have almost the opposite problem to Gryffindor house. Loyalty and hard work doesn't preclude pride or competitiveness. This year you lost a lot of points because you punished those that were interested in the competitive clubs I hope that those of you like Beatrice will not be isolated by your house next year for wanting to do well at something that allows you to shine individually.

"In second place we have Slytherin with 520 points, when I learnt about the house system from my wife, I honestly thought that you'd have more competition from Gryffindor, but instead they barely had a showing in the Archery and Snooker, and no representation in the Debating. That being said, remember that cunning and ambition doesn't mean cutting other peoples legs out from under them. Gemma, sorry for putting you in the spotlight again, but I'm told that when your team was put together for the debates it was slated to come in near last. Instead what she did is used her cunning to identify where her team mates were strong, and build them up while ensuring that the rest of the team could shore up their weaknesses. As a result they all came out ahead, and she looks better for doing that than if she'd tried to carry the entire competition on her own. Professor Vector congratulations on bringing the inhouse bullying under control and stemming the loss of points that you had at the beginning of the year."

"Finally, in first place we have Ravenclaw, 3 out of 4 of the top spots in the debating contest had at least 2 Ravenclaws on the team. Additionally, you also had a good showing in the snooker and chess club where the ability to take your time and work out what you're going to do plays to your strengths." Concentrating more every member of Ravenclaw house gains a lapel badge with their house crest, a cup, the words house cup along the top, and the year along the bottom.

"As the Chess club hasn't had any mentions, I'd like to give Ronald Weasley an honourable mention for winning the chess club. If you can improve your work ethic and manners I'm sure that next year you'll be in the running for highest points scored."

"Now, I suggest that you all practice making some utensils while it's not important if you fail. Remember to pack as much as you can tonight, and tuck in. Greysie, if you could bring in the food I would be grateful."

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Azaria wakes up in a very comfortable bed, she is surprised to feel someone very comfortable in bed with her. She looks over to see an unfamiliar woman with raven black hair and aristocratic features. She searches her memories to try and work out how she got into this situation. The last thing she remembers is going to something called a night club with Tonks, where they danced and drank the night away. Men kept complementing her on her plastic surgery and touching her ears, even after she rebuffed them. She didn't understand why they wanted a number from her either. And then it's blank.

"Hey, Azaria, if you're not going to go back to sleep could you grab a glass of water?" Tonks voice came from this strange woman.

"Tonks?" she asked incredulously.

"Yep, that's me, the one and only."

"But, you look, your hair?"

"Oh, damn, I'm a metamorph and it happens sometimes. If you can grab that glass of water I'll explain once I've woken up a bit more."

Not knowing how to get a glass of water, Azaria conjures a goblet full of water and hands it to Tonks.

"That was quick, and this is the best water I've tasted. I must make a note of the brand and buy it again."

"I'm sorry, I do not understand what you're saying. It's just conjured water."

"Ah man, you need to stick around then, especially after last night. I'm still sore in all the right places."

"What happened last night?"

"You seduced me, that's what."

"I wish I could remember, but the last thing I remember is that we were in the night club."

"Ah hell, don't tell me you were roofied."

"I…"

"Drugged."

"I don't know."

"Figures, I find someone that likes me for me and it was drug induced."

"I don't know what that means, but I do know that my magic sings for you, and the only reason I haven't been more forward is that we're still supposed to be courting."

"Well come here and prove it, and I'll give you a re-enactment of the highlights."

───────── ೋღ :hpsd: ღೋ─────────

Petunia jerks awake as the door to their cell is slammed open.

"Get up you two, the Oberon has decided that you're not going to die, so we're moving you to the city. And don't think that you're getting rid of those cuffs just because they've sapped your magic to the point they no longer affect you. Azaria may still die or come back, so you're our insurance."

Once they were up they were roughly lead into a sealed cell palanquin and transported from their current location to the City.

"Why are they transporting us in this?" Petunia asks Lyasa.

"It's so that we can't feel where they're jumping. If you can feel their trajectory you can work out where you came from."

"Thanks, do you think you could teach me to do that when we get where we're going?"

"I can try, though it may be better to get my uncle to do it, as he'll be in the city."

"Didn't you say you used to live a long way away?"

"We did, but my family is the leadership of our clan, and so we were brought to the city as a guarantee of good behaviour, I'll introduce you to my mother too."

───────── ೋღ Fin. ღೋ─────────