A/N: Yeah this story hasn't been abandoned in quite some time. I'm sorry for the delay in updating. Hope you guys like this chapter.
I have created a Discord Server named AJAvenger's Crazy Crew. Please check it out if you want to chat with other readers. And I promise that I will try to update more regularly.
Server Invite Link: discord . gg/ 4BkakKY497
Disclaimer:-This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter Universe. All recognizable characters, plots, and settings are the exclusive property of Joanne Kathleen Rowling.
I make no claims to ownership nor am I making any profit.
A huge thanks to my Betas- Madness Immortality & Magic, Calamity and Ares Alexander Peverell.
Chapter 5:- Invitation to Ilvermorny
Previously on Harry Potter and the Remains of Yesterday…
"Harry, I see that you have come. How are you, son?" Nicholas pleasantly enquired.
"I'm fine, thank you for asking."
"Now, tell me, have you been practising the occlumency exercises I gave you every day?" Harry nodded affirmatively.
"Have you mastered the spells I told you to?" Harry agreed.
"OK, so today, we will discuss the differences between a duel and a fight. First, tell me what a wizard's duel is?"
"A wizard's duel is an organized fight between two wizards who combat each other with the use of only magic. There are a set of rules for the duel which are agreed on by both the duellists. An official referee with an ICW licence or a licence from the ministry of the country in which the duel takes place officiates the duel and disqualifies any duellist who doesn't follow the rules." Harry explained.
"Yes, you are correct. Now, tell me what a fight is."
"Um… Isn't it the same as a duel?" Harry questioned Nicholas.
"This is where you are wrong. A fight is a battle that can be fought by both magical and muggle means. Here there are no rules. No one is there to officiate the duel at a fine-tuned time, thus giving you no time to be ready. Utilizing animagus forms is not sanctioned in duelling but it can be utilized to great effect in a fight. Always recollect this, between a duel and a fight, always choose a duel. You have time to be ready and will never be caught off guard."
Harry again nodded. Nicholas spent the next two hours explaining to Harry about different unorthodox strategies in duelling and how to counter them in case someone used them.
TIME SKIP to 31st July 1988 (Harry's age is 11 years)
Flamel Manor
15th March 1986
10:24 AM
The day dawned crisp and clear for a certain green-eyed raven-haired teen. The first rays of sunlight poured through his window and lit up the room. Another day had brought with it new hopes and aspirations. The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky as the light of dawn seeped into his room. Harry rubbed his bleary eyes and walked to the window. There was a pearly glow in the sky, and a chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in.
He went into the shower, freshened up, and got ready to go down for breakfast with his parents. The family ate in relative silence.
Nicholas was about to get up when an odd sensation came over him. It was a strange tingle that he had not felt in a long time. It was not painful, but very aggravating and felt rather strange. Nicholas tensed on realizing what it was about: someone was trying to get through the wards.
"Stay here, both of you. And if you don't see me coming back after ten minutes, apparate right away to our house in Paris." Nicholas told Perenelle while approaching the door while Harry observed their exchange with a frown on his face.
Thankfully, they didn't have to leave the country. After five minutes, Nicholas entered the house with another person.
Said person was an old, wise-looking man wearing simple robes. He had emerald blue eyes, and his skin was a dark shade of brown. A silvery beard that even Dumbledore would be proud of flowed from his face and a serene smile was fixed on his features. He had a silver letter in his hand.
Both Harry and Perenelle looked inquisitively at him, and it was Harry who opened his mouth first. "Who are you, sir?" His voice wasn't rude, just quizzical and had an odd lack of resonance.
As if waiting for the question, the wizard answered; "I suppose introductions are in order. I am Agilbert Fontaine, the Headmaster of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Might I assume that you are Hadrian Flamel, young man?" Professor Fontaine addressed Harry.
Harry just nodded and said nothing, eyeing the man speculatively. Inside his head, however, there were hundreds of questions he wanted to ask.
"I am delighted to inform you that you have been accepted at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I believe that you already are aware of the existence of magic, and I don't have to give the speech the professors have to give to muggleborns?" He inquired.
Harry's parents nodded. It was pretty obvious, considering that the professor knew that Harry was raised in a magical home. It was pretty much impossible for a child raised in a magical environment to be unaware of its existence.
Professor Fontaine was about to say something when Perenelle interjected, "Excuse me, professor, but isn't it generally the deputy headmaster or the other professors who generally do this?"
"That is true, Madame Flamel. But let's not forget that I assisted Lord Flamel in the First War against Grindelwald." He stated.
"Please allow me to give you a history lesson."
"In 1790, the fifteenth President of MACUSA, Emily Rappaport instituted a law designed to create total segregation of the wizarding and No-Maj communities. Dorcas Twelvetrees, the daughter of a trusted MACUSA employee, had revealed the location of the Ministry to a No-Maj who in those days was known as a 'witch hunter'. After that what followed was one of the most serious breaches of the Statute of Secrecy in history. Dorcas's indiscretions led to the introduction of Rappaport's Law. Rappaport's Law enforced strict segregation between the No-Maj and wizarding communities. Wizards were no longer allowed to befriend or marry No-Majs. Penalties for fraternizing with No-Majs were harsh. Communication with No-Majs was limited to that necessary to perform daily activities. This is one of the most strictly executed laws, and you will find its application in almost every feature."
He turned to see everyone looking at him. The couple had amusement clear on their faces.
"Too much?" He asked. Nicholas shook his head. Perenelle just looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Since that incident, we have a new department called the Department of Newblood Acceptance also known as the DNA. President Emily Rappaport being a brilliant enchantress, she enchanted a map of Wizarding America to show the locations of all new muggleborns. As for children who were born in wizarding homes, they had to be registered at MACUSA for them to have wand rights and a chance to have a premier magical education. Another direct result of Rappaport's Law was the employment of squibs who were tasked with writing the letters to all new students including newbloods and wizardborns. It was a win-win situation, as the employment of squibs helped MACUSA have a closer reach on them because they could reveal the existence of magic to muggles." Professor Fontaine continued.
"Since young Mr. Flamel here hasn't been registered at MACUSA, his location popped up in Rappaport's enchanted map and he was considered a muggleborn. However, from what I assume happened due to the extensive wards around this place, no specific location appeared for the Squib Division to write in his letter. I was called in to investigate and since I was linked into the wards, I could recognize the location and came here myself to deliver young Hadrian's acceptance letter." He finished.
Nicholas listened to him with a strange expression on his face. Even after Professor Fontaine stopped talking, his face betrayed no emotions.
"I would be able to take my son here to the Magical Congress for the United States of America to buy his necessary books and other pieces of equipment. If you could please give me my son's letter…." Said Nicholas, speaking after a long time.
"Of course," said Agilbert Fontaine and handed the letter to Nicholas, who read through the parchment and he handed it over to Harry.
"I will take my leave then. Have a good day."
"Of course. We wouldn't want to waste your time now, would we? But before you go, let us proceed to my study and discuss Hadrian's wizardborn Registration Protocol so that he doesn't get into any predicaments with the Ministry."
Agilbert Fontaine tensed, as if not wanting that topic to come up in their conversation. "Of course. Lead the way, Lord Flamel." He finally said. With that, both of them got up and left the room.
Meanwhile, Harry opened his letter and read the contents:
ILVERMORNY SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Agilbert Fontaine
(MACUSA Representative, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Flamel,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on April 1st. We await you at the Ministry for registration and regulated wand permits.
Yours sincerely,
1. Agilbert Fontaine,
Headmaster.
2. Colleen Seidel,
Ministry Representative.
Books Required For First Years:-
1. MACUSA Regulated List of Permitted Spells and Banned Spells by Percival Graves.
2. Potionibus Aliquibus Colliserint by Lydia Hornwood.
3. How Magic Works? By Eleanor Caldwell.
4. Transfiguration for Beginners by Frederick Finch.
5. Simplified BCEWA Herbology Revised Edition for Grade 1 by Victoria Anderson.
6. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander.
7. Defense against the Dark Forces by Nicholas Mason.
8. Chadwick's Charms Vol. 1 by Thomas Chadwick
Compulsory Standard Equipment
1. 1 cauldron (Standard Size)
2. 1 crystal phial made of Acromantula retina.
3. 1 telescope.
Students are also permitted to bring any pet, as long as it provides no danger to fellow students. If any student has a familiar and the familiar is to accompany the student during classes, a parent or guardian must inform the headmaster beforehand and it must be guaranteed that the presence of the familiar will not hinder the studies of others. Books and all other materials will be available at the MACUSA headquarters. Only a wand will be provided at Ilvermorny.
Meanwhile, in Nicholas Flamel's Study…
"Please take a seat, Professor Fontaine."
"So what did you want to talk about, Lord Flamel?" Professor Fontaine asked politely.
"Stop trying to act ignorant, Fontaine."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He replied, showing no outward emotion. The headmaster didn't like where this conversation was going.
"Don't you?" Nicholas challenged the man.
"Drop the innocent act. We both know very well what I'm talking about. You are aware of the Wizardborn Registration Law passed by Emily Rappaport in 1972 which made it compulsory for all wizardborns in Wizarding America to be registered at their earliest signs of accidental magic. And I expect you are well versed in the law, especially those about the enactment of the Statute of Secrecy. You are, after all, Wizarding America's representative at the ICW. "
"Now, let me give you a history lesson." He parroted Fontaine's words back to him.
"I can clearly recall the Fontaine and Wilkinson families allying together to legalize the placing of the blood curse on my son, Cadmus. I do hope they have taught you about what I did to them" he snarled angrily, making the man flinch harshly.
"If your family hadn't made the mistake of allying themselves with the Wilkinsons, they would still have enough money to last for several generations."
Headmaster Fontaine was sweating bullets. He had been taught the family history while growing up. He didn't expect Flamel to remember it or bring it up however
"So did you conveniently forget to mention the Wizardborn Registration Protocol? Let me tell you what really happened in the pretty little head of yours. You saw my son's name on the muggleborns list and on recognizing Hadrian's surname as a Flamel, you realized that he is an unregistered wizardborn. I'll assume you planned to get him blacklisted at MACUSA and the ICW considering that the fines we would have to pay would hardly affect us at all.
"And pardon my boasting but I have a near eidetic memory. I don't remember you ever coming to assist me during the war with Gellert Grindelwald. The only people who arrived here looking for assistance were Albus Dumbledore, Newt Scamander, and Tina Goldstein. The reason for your personal arrival instead of sending a professor is to confirm that my son is indeed an unregistered wizardborn and not a newblood from a No-Maj family with the surname Flamel. Isn't that right, Professor Fontaine?"
Agilbert Fontaine was trapped and he knew he was beaten. So, trying to put up a mask of false confidence, he replied, "So what's stopping me from moving out of your house right now and apparating to the Ministry to report them about your failure to follow the Wizardborn Registration Protocol? My position within MACUSA would ensure that he is blacklisted at both MACUSA and the ICW."
Nicholas just laughed. "Come on. We both know that's an empty threat. You are very well aware of my relations with Albus Dumbledore and he's the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW. To be frank, a huge reason for your respect at the Ministry is because of you being related to Theodard Fontaine who is thought to be among the first twelve aurors who found MACUSA."
Nicholas smirked, leaning in, "What do you think will happen when I provide them with evidence that Theodard Fontaine did not, in fact even assist in founding MACUSA?
Panicked realization and an aghast expression crossed his face. "What…what do you mean?"
"To be frank, I am six hundred years old. The whole world knows it. That means I was three hundred years old when the MACUSA was founded." He elucidated it like a teacher explaining to a student.
"I'm sure a few million galleons to Madam President, a sizable donation to MACUSA National Relief Fund, and a few faked memories would be enough to prove that Theodard Fontaine was a traitor who gave the ministry's location to Scourers", subsequently dragging your family's name to mud." Nicholas finished with a cheek-splitting grin that seemed to send shivers down the spine of Agilbert
"But —but—you wouldn't do that—that's not moral..." He spluttered incoherently and his gaze darkened, glinting with emotions of fear, hate, panic and other emotions he couldn't place.
"To be honest, I've never claimed to be morally superior to you. Morality in itself is inherently flawed. And I assure you that after losing one son, I would stop at nothing to protect another. And when my son is at Ilvermorny, you will make sure not to be biased against him. Now pay attention to what you need to do. You will go to the Office for Wizardborn Registration and make sure that the proper records showing Hadrian's registration and the transcript for the Protocol are there. It shouldn't really be problematic considering you have level six clearance in all matters. Is that clear?"
"Yes. Is that all?'' His glare could have melted glaciers, but his voice was shaky and nervous.
"Not quite. I'm sure you wouldn't mind swearing an oath to never try to take revenge on my family by direct or indirect means, would you?" It wasn't even a question.
"One day Flamel—one day, —I will make you pay ten-fold. I will laugh as I see the light leaving your eyes. Mark my words". His words didn't have the desired effect and Nicholas feigned indifference.
"An amusing threat, given your current predicament."
Knowing it would be pointless to argue further, he squared his shoulders, raised his wand, and said, "I, Agilbert Fontaine, swear on my life and my magic that I will not try to directly or indirectly try to take revenge on the Ancient and Noble House of Flamel. So I swear, so mote it be." His wand glowed white as if to signify the completion of the oath.
"Now that's just plain ruthlessness," Fontaine muttered.
"You may call it 'ruthlessness'. I choose to call it 'completely neutralizing a threat'. Now... I think you've overstayed your welcome"
"What do you think your wife would say if she would see your actions? Would she approve of them?" He asked bitterly, hoping to take a jab at him before leaving.
Nicholas just laughed and replied, "She would ask me why I allowed you to leave this home with all your limbs intact. She would've torn you to shreds for your attempt against Hadrian." The old wizard whistled a jaunty tune and got out of his chair to lead Professor Fontaine out. And with that, Agilbert Fontaine went out of the house, and with a faint popping noise, apparated straight to MACUSA Headquarters in New York, having been humiliated enough in one day.
"When will we go to get my materials, Dad?" Harry inquired exuberantly when Nicholas descended the stairs from his study after conducting his business.
"I suppose we can go in the evening." Nicholas pleasantly replied, inwardly feeling a sense of warmth and satisfaction on seeing his son's enthusiasm.
Flamel Manor
Harry's Room
7:12 PM
Harry paced around in his room, watching the hands of the clock creep around with agonizing slowness. He had tried reading—a task he had devoted a lot of time to throughout his life—but kept spacing off and couldn't absorb anything—his mind wandering back to when he would go with his father to gather the supplies for his education.
After his nap was over, Harry descended the stairs into the dining room. He saw his parents saying speakingand smiling happily and was captivated by the joyous looks on their faces.
"Good evening." Perenelle greeted him cheerfully while offering him a sandwich and a bowl of fruit salad. Harry practically gobbled it. .
"Go get ready in fifteen minutes, son. We have to go get your supplies." Nicholas informed Harry.
"Sure. I'm on my way." He replied after finishing his sandwich.
Nicholas rummaged through his cupboard and brought out a document. After ten minutes or so, Harry came out, wearing simple yet elegant robes. Nicholas was dressed similarly. Nicholas placed the document in one hand and offered the other hand to Harry and instructed him to hold it tight. The sensation was uncomfortable for Harry and he felt like he was being forced through a tight rubber tube.
Harry felt nauseous and had an immense urge to vomit but he somehow controlled himself. Seeing the look on his face, Nicholas asked, "I take it that the journey was uncomfortable."
"That's an understatement." He eloquently replied. They came in front of a sixty-story skyscraper at the bottom of which was written in golden letters, "223, Broadway."
"What is this place, Dad?"
"This is the building which houses the entrance to MACUSA. It runs through the boroughs of Manhattan and The Bronx."
They walked steadily and gradually reached the statue of an owl that was carved at the entrance. Nicholas tapped the statue three times with the tip of his wand. Suddenly, the nauseous sensation that Harry felt during side-along apparition returned, and he felt as if the whole world was spinning around him.
The ultra-fast-spinning revolving door led the pair into a brilliantly lit grand lobby with a cathedral-like ceiling that reached nearly 700 feet. A large and elaborate monument graced the MACUSA entrance.
The monument in question consisted of a majestic Art Deco-influenced monument, flanked by four large golden statues of phoenixes, one on each corner. On the dais beneath the stone canopy, stood life-sized stone statues of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials - three women, one man, and a child - holding hands in a circle.
"What does that statue signify, Dad?"
"That is a monument that was built to pay homage to those persecuted and killed during the Salem Witch Trials," Nicholas said, with a hint of sadness in his tone. Harry had of course read about the Salem Witch Trials. It was one of the most traumatic events in the history of wizardkind.
"Now let's go get our work done."
There were two ingresses to the Ministry. One was for wizards who had already visited before and ministry workers. They had to hand over a license and submit to checking. And the others were for first-time visitors or visitors whose wards were for the first time visiting the Ministry. They went and stood in the queue for First-Time Visitors. There was only one witch and a five-year-old boy, who was presumably her son, standing in front of them.
"Please state your names and purpose of the visit." Came a cool female voice.
"Elicia Rosewood and her daughter, Caroline Rosewood for the Fulfilment of Wizardborn Registration Protocol." She instructed her to submit to checking and wished her a pleasant day.
Their chance came and the female receptionist came and greeted them. She was holding a quill, some ink, and a bunch of similar-looking cards.
"Please state your names and purpose of the visit."
"Nicholas Flamel, Hadrian Flamel, Wand Rights Registration and Acquiring of MACUSA License for Entrance."
"What is the name of the licensee?"
"Hadrian Nicholas Flamel," Nicholas answered. The receptionist waved her wand intricately after muttering some incantation and the quill started writing in one of the cards. The quill stopped and the witch cast an anti-theft charm, an anti-forgery charm, an unbreakable charm, and a few muggle-repelling spells on the card. Finally, she cast a lamination spell and gave the card to Nicholas.
"Here is the license for entrance into the Ministry for Mr. Hadrian Flamel. Please give me your license, Lord Flamel." Nicholas handed over the document he had brought out from his cupboard and handed it over to the witch in front of them. She waved her ward and cast some authenticity checking spells over them and handed the document back to Nicholas.
"Thank You. We would suggest casting appropriate tracking charms on the license. MACUSA wishes you a pleasant day. Please submit to a search." And with that, Nicholas and Harry entered the Ministry.
A wizard came to cast some standard revealing and checking charms and told them they were allowed to go on provided that they were not carrying anything harmful.
There was a clatter of footsteps as hundreds of witches and wizards, most of whom were wearing looks ranging from overzealous to tired, strode toward a set of elevators at the far end of the hall. With a great clunking and rattling sound, a lift descended in front of them; a grille slid back and Harry and Nicholas moved inside it with the rest of the crowd.
The lift ascended slowly and a male voice came out, "Level One: Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Only authorized personnel are allowed." A few wizards wearing standard auror robes got out of the lift." This was the largest department in MACUSA and the entire floor of the Ministry building was dedicated to this department.
Again the grilles crashed shut and mounted slowly. The same male voice earlier was heard again when the lift stopped and the gates opened. "Level Two: Department for Wizardborn Registration, Magical Education and Catastrophe Regulation." Four or five witches got out while one plump and crotchety old man entered.
The grilles closed again and the lift juddered up again. "Level Three: Department for Wand Permits, Newblood Registration and Ilvermorny Bookstore."
"Here's our cue" Nicholas said and both he and Harry got out. After getting a wand permit for Harry, they ambulated through the alley-like passageway and reached in front of a splendid and highly polished door made of dark wood. A small, splodged sign on it read: Ilvermorny Bookstore.
"What is the name of the student?" a cool female voice asked.
"Hadrian Flamel," Harry answered.
Then she started checking whether Harry's name was there on the list of wizardborns. That was the tricky part. It would be problematic if Fontaine hadn't already prepared the proper documents. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she allowed them to go saying that his name was there and Nicholas internally heaved a sigh of relief. They collected the necessary books, paid the shopkeeper a total of 130 dragots*, and went back home on the same path they came in.
Unknown Location, Albania
11:23 PM
The night sky was aglow with twinkling stars and the pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the sky. The sky was black tranquility married to the poetry of stars.
It seemed like the epitome of serenity and hope. But the last person one would expect in such a place was the person who had made thousands of people feel hopeless and lose the will to live.
The said person had an almost impalpable and incorporeal texture. He was tethered to the plane of the living by a thin string.
However, unlike the tranquil night sky, the forest in which the spirit was residing hardly gave the impression of sanctuary and it would take someone insane or desperate to seek refuge there.
However, the person to whom the disfigured soul belonged to could hardly be called 'sane'. The intense eyes of the person were open, showing them to be as red as blood and he was reminiscing about his glory days when he was unstoppable and feared all around the globe.
Tom Marvolo Riddle, a.k.a. Lord Voldemort was only a sliver of what he used to be. The most dangerous dark lord in the history of wizardkind used all of his willpower to stay alive and vowed to one day end the useless life of the damned Potter brat.
"I'm going to make you wish that you weren't born, Potter." He hissed to no one in particular amidst the various noises of the innumerable animals in the forest.
(Author's Notes:
A/N1: Scourers: The scourers were a band of rogue mercenaries who operated in what would be known as Wizarding America in the future. They began as the combination of a vigilante group and bounty-hunting service, tracking down both wanted criminals and anyone for whom a reward was offered. With time, they became increasingly corrupt and brutal, resorting to torture and murder. Eventually, they engaged in outright wizard-trafficking and even turned innocent No-Majs over to witch-hunting in exchange for gold. They were said to take a huge part in the Salem Witch Hunts and thus are hated by wizards all around the globe.
A/N2: Dragots: The Dragot was the wizarding currency used in the United States. The dragot was manufactured as octagonal and round coins in 1, ½, and ¼ denominations. A possible subunit of the Dragot is the Sprink.
The above information is canon and has been provided by JK Rowling in her website Pottermore, presently known as Wizarding World.
A/N3: Newbloods and wizardborns: This is not canon and I made it up. But on her website, Rowling has written that Wizarding America is less discriminatory than Britain because one of the founders of Ilvermorny, the premier institute of magical education there, was a muggle himself. In Britain, the term muggleborns comes from the term muggles. Here, since non-wizarding folks are called No-Majs, I saw no reason for them to call witches and wizards born from No-Majs 'muggleborns'. So throughout the fic, in Ilvermorny and Wizarding America, muggleborns will be called newbloods. No separate half-bloods and purebloods there too. They will be collectively classified as 'wizardborns'.
A huge thanks to Pewz and zero fullbuster for their reviews. Please read and review. Favorite and follow the story if you like it. Flame me if you want but lack of reviews is a major story killer.)