Disclaimer: I do not own Familiar of Zero or Harry Potter, they belong to their respective owners. I'm not making money, this is just for fun and a hobby at most.
AN: This is a story.. So I'm back from my 2 week camping trip... Two weeks ago, sorry... So I still need to start working on some of my other stories again, so I might have to start alternating my stories releases somewhat. No romantic partners are set in stone. Saito will be in this story eventually, and I can't please everyone, nor will I try too. Fair warning, darkness ahead in this chapter. Anyways, if you are fine with all that, please enjoy!
Chapter Ten: Daily Bread
Albus found himself once again in the headmasters office in Hogwarts. Sitting on his old desk were many magical instruments used for the creation of powerful portkeys. Behind the desk sat the current Headmaster of Hogwarts, pouring a glass of Gillywater into a cup.
"Welcome back Albus." She spoke with the utmost sincerity, even if he wasn't truly the same man she once knew.
"Any luck creating a port key Minnie?" Albus said with discerning eyes.
"Yes, but it's most unfortunate, that they only half work. Perhaps you might have an idea?" She raised an eyebrow as she finished.
The desk was cluttered with books and random items. Socks, hats, an old tuna can, all sorta of strange objects the house elves may have found for her purpose. The books themselves were many Albus himself had read on portkeys over the years.
"I'm afraid that in my current state I would not be very helpful.. Have you tried using more powerful runes, alongside calculations of arithmancy for an international port key?"
"Of course I have, do you think me a fool Albus? I was really hoping you could shed some light on the matter." Minerva huffed. Albus had a way of speaking down to others, even if was not on purpose.
"I'm afraid that its beyond me as I am now. I am but the memory of a man." Dumbledore sighed.
"A great an utterly foolish man." She whispered as she looked away.
"Well you best keep me informed of what goes on in this other school you will be staying in? Yes?" Minerva asked, but basically demanded. "Winky should be able to keep in touch, loath as I am to let you off Hogwarts grounds."
"I should never have allowed you and the other staff to convinced me into getting this portrait made.." Dumbledore slumped into the chair of his own office.
"And allow you to break centuries of Hogwarts tradition? While also allowing one of Hogwarts greatest minds to not be available for the future generations?" Minerva nearly shouted. Though her manners quickly brought her tone and temper down.
"Allowing a dead man his peace is only fair?" Albus responded.
Minerva was silent for a moment, not giving Albus the response he wanted. "Winky."
"Yes Head Missy!" The small female elf replied.
"Please bring Albus back every night after you finish you both finish your work at this other school." Minerva ordered.
"Of course! It will be done." The elf responded.
"But." Albus tried to argue.
Minerva stood up behind her desk. "No buts Albus, working will be good for you. Besides advising me, when I still have no students, would be a waste of your talents. No I think this other school could use your knowledge. Winky, you may go."
"Minnie!" A pop sounded right after Albus called out for his long time colleague.
'This is for the best, I have too much to do with reopening Hogwarts in the coming weeks to deal with matters of Albion. Mr. Longbottom will be back here soon from the greenhouses anyways, and it will be my job to meet him. Hopefully he will reconsider my offer to join the faculty. I will also have to check the greenhouses with him afterwards.'
"So much work, how ever did you manage Albus?" She huffed after some thought.
Pointing her wand at herself, she en canted. "Scourgify." Thus removing the smell of her drink from earlier.
*Chapter Ten: Daily Bread*
Colbert's lab was quite a distance from Louise's dorm room, that did not stop the ex Tristain military mage from getting there quickly however. He had even considered using the wind magic, levitation, to get there even faster. Instead he chose to run up the stairs as it was slightly faster, if not exhausting. 'Why are there so many stairs in this academy. I should invent something to be rid of them, perhaps some sort of lift or moving staircase? A thought for another time.'
Louise heard a knock at her door, she had just finished both of her letters. She had even contemplated writing a third letter asking her eldest sister Eleanor about her situation. She had held off though, as Eleanor was not always one to give the best advice, unless it was something technical.
Eleanor was the eldest sister. Like her and her other sister, all three sisters had been born in late July. She was the most studious of the three of them, although she enjoyed research and statistics more then her siblings. She also had a minor eye impairment requiring glasses. She was also somewhat of a strict person, both to herself and others. In fact she had even chased off several suitors her parents had arranged.
Besides, sending a letter to Eleanor, who was very busy helping in the war effort, might not be the best choice. Her sister was managing supply lines for the Tristain army in Albion, and would just chastise her for wasting her time with a letter. Eleanor had recently even told her she was put in charge of the Undine knights supplies as well. Louise couldn't help but worry about her childhood friend Henrietta.
"I'll be right there." Louise responded as she made her way to the door.
"Ah hello again Miss Valliere." Colbert managed to say, despite being out of breath.
"Professor Colbert, why have you come back?" Louise asked puzzled.
Colbert looked around the cluttered room, no sign of Albus. His brain needed an excuse. 'Ah that... It had slipped his mind earlier.'
There was a bit of an akward pause at Louise's question.
"I Have yet to record your Familiar's runes Miss Valliere." He coughed before sputtering out that line.
'Suspicious..' Louise stared at her professor. "Fawkes please allow professor Colbert to inspect your runes."
The bird burst into flames as it reappeared on Colbert's outstretched arm. Shocking both Louise and Professor Colbert momentarily.
"Please command your familiar to fly next time." Colbert said shakily as he inspected the Phoenix. He also made sure he was not caught aflame.
"Of course professor, Fawkes is just a bit odd sometimes." She glared at her Familiar.
"Familiars can be quite temperamental, and not understanding of their masters, I'm sure you will learn to strengthen your bond in the future Miss Valliere. " He spoke as he recorded the runes on the back of the phoenix.
"That should do it." He replied as he put away his notebook.
"What does it say?" Louise asked in curiosity.
"I'm not too sure, these runes are quite rare and hardly used, if Albus was here I could ask him maybe?" The bald professor tapped his finger against his forehead.
"But I thought you left with the enchanted portrait earlier?" Louise looked puzzled as she finished speaking.
Putting his hand behind his head without realizing it, Colbert replied. "There's no way I could have lost a portrait that big. Ha ha..."
'Louise could recognize someone who wasn't fully telling the truth, and he had even lost it earlier..'
"Professor did you lose the living portrait again?" Louise asked.
"How could I have?" He replied quickly.
Louise was about to call him out on his lie, when a large pop sounded in the room.
"Hello Master!" Winky cried out from behind Louise.
"Winky!" She responded, turning back around startled.
"I thought you were left in the care of the maid Siesta?" Louise cried out.
Meanwhile Colbert foundered like a fish as he saw Albus sitting inside his frame tiredly. "Albus?" He nearly whispered.
"Sorry that I popped out like that Professor Colbert, despite the fact I told you I would not." Albus bowed his head in apology.
"I be very sowy Professor. Winky not mean to cause you trouble. After Winky goes back to help Siesta, Winky will ..."
"Enough Winky! As your master it was my fault not yours, now just go and help that maid, and stop bugging Professor Colbert." Louise ordered.
"At one Master Lose." Winky popped out as Louise glared in the Elves previous location.
"I'm glad you handled that so well, I'd have hate to see Winky harm herself again. Thank you." Albus thanked Louise.
"Winky was going to harm herself?" She asked confused. "Um, I guess you're welcome." She replied to Albus. Louise was not often thanked, especially not for treating servants correctly.
'She didn't know about Winky's issues? Then why did she act like that?' Colbert thought.
"Well now that, is settled Miss Vallierre, I must be off to see the headmaster." Colbert grabbed Albus's frame.
"Would you mind dropping these off in the mail room for me?" Louise grabbed her sealed letters from her desk.
Colbert didn't want to add another trip to his itinerary. He had already walked enough today, not that he was in that bad of shape, was he? "Why don't you come along with me Miss Valliere. You can mail it after we see the headmaster. Originally I was going to have you wait till tomorrow, but you ought to see the headmaster about your void mage status today instead. You haven't told anyone, correct?"
Louise nodded her head side to side.
"Very good, then lets get going then. I'm sure the headmaster is sick of waiting for me at this point." Colbert internally gulped.
*Chapter Ten: Daily Bread*
Siesta was still looking around for Winky. The small elf had literally just disappeared. Leaving her holding a bunch of eggs. Well now they were scrambled eggs. Amazing what happens when your left holding a bunch of eggs that weighed a ton. Siesta had held on for a good ten minutes before she lost balance and fell. Needless to say she wasn't very happy with Winky.
Still it was a minor loss for the school, and even now her temper had long gone away. Instead she was confused to where Winky had left too. Eventually she gave up to go clean the horse and pig barns on the academy grounds. Even if she was now in charge of watching over Winky, she couldn't just stand around and do nothing. Besides what if the elf showed back up? So she made do and started sweeping out the horse stalls while occasionally shouting Winky's name.
"Winky!" Siesta called out as she swept another pile of horse dung out of a stall.
"Missy Siesta, you call for Winky!?" The house elf tapped Siesta as she popped out behind her.
"Ek!" Siesta shouted as she felt something tap her on the rear end. Thus falling in a pile of hay.
"Oh, I'm sowy Miss Siesta. Winky not mean to scare you." The house elf bowed as she removed the filth from Siesta's clothes.
"What did you just do Winky? Was that magic?" Siesta responded, trying to remain calm.
"Elf magic Miss Siesta. Like a wizards Scourgify spell."
'Elf Magic? Scourgify? Wizard?' Siesta mind raced.
"Ah horses! Winky not be taking care of horses since before Master Crouch's father's time." Winky said excitedly. Winky eyes even dilated in response. "Therstrals not be liking house elves very much."
*Chapter Ten: Daily Bread*
Old Osmond had really had his patience tested, but his aloof professor had finally returned. It was all Osmond could do to hold back berating the man. Thankfully he had, as the Countess's daughter herself followed the man into the room.
"Welcome back Professor Colbert. And what do I owe the honor of seeing the young Miss Valliere today?"
Louise curtsied, but did nothing more to great the headmaster, as Colbert started to speak.
"Sorry about the wait, I have returned with Albus and Miss Valliere."
"Umu, yes I see. So this is the living painting of which you spoke?" Osmond glanced over the painting. The man within struck an uncanny resemblance to himself.
"Yes." Colbert answered.
"In our school, the headmaster's thoughts and personality are saved for the future generations through enchantments. I am but the memory of the man who once called himself the headmaster of the school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Spoke Albus from within the painting.
"Remarkable." Osmond spoke as he took a drag from his pipe, just like his counterpart.
"I was also fascinated by the portrait, imagine if we could learn to do the same, the knowledge that could be saved for future generations!" Colbert ranted.
"Yes, I suppose that would be good, imagine all of the savings that could be had. I would never have to hire another teacher. Just let the portraits teach classes." Osmond nodded to himself as he spoke.
"I had never thought of that? Also headmaster Osmond could serve the Tristain crown in defiantly, even after he died." Louise pondered aloud..
Osmond noticed a bead of sweet fall of his crookeded nose. 'Stuck forever in this place with children whilst stuck in a picture frame?' "Ah I think it's best honestly if the teachers and headmasters can personally interact with the students?"
"But in all our classes, all the teachers do is lecture from a pedestal, almost no time is given to personal instruction?" Louise questioned the headmaster. She knew personally that almost no teachers offered personalized instruction, she knew. She had tried, only Colbert had helped her out of class.
"I will look into the matter Miss Vallierre, personalized instruction is a hallmark and proud tradition of this Academy..." He said with what sounded like desperation.
"If I may Headmaster Osmond. Only the headmaster's likenesses are generally preserved at Hogwarts, as the process is quite costly in materials and time. So your traditions would be quite safe. I would be happy to share with professor Colbert the processes involved." Albus quipped.
Osmond looked like a fish out of water as a gaped at his fellow headmaster. Oh the betrayal.
"I'd like that Albus. Your state of being is utterly fascinating." Colbert replied.
"Ahem, yes lets move on from our curiosity." Osmond said, hoping to have everyone forget this part of the conversation. "A school of Witchcraft and Wizardry you say? Don't you mean mages?"
"While elemental magic casters at times called themselves mages and such in the past, in our modern society, the common term we use is magicals. Women are referred to as witches, while men are referred to as wizards." Albus elaborated.
"So your a wizard?" Osmond asked.
"Yes just like Louise would be a Witch." He looked over to the pink head.
"There's a bit more to it then that Osmond, Albus tells me they don't practice element based magic anymore, their society is based around void magic." Colbert tried to clarify, before any further questions could be asked.
"Void magic!?" Osmond stood up startled.
"I've already cast several void spells from a book my Familiar Fawkes got me. At least I think they're void spells?" Louise added.
"Your Familiar got books on void magic, how!?" Osmond eyes went bloodshot.
"My old Familiar has given the young Miss Valliere all of my worldly possessions, including myself... Those books all came from my personal library, and contain what you would call void spells." Albus answered.
"But. But how? A Familiar doesn't just lug around books!" He finished as chu chu scurried across his desk as he slammed down his fist.
"My Familiar Fawkes is a Phoenix headmaster. A very powerful but odd creature. It can teleport and bring me things, as well as never die..."
'Never die...' Osmond slumped his shoulders. "Miss Valliere, Professor Colbert. No mention of these books, their contents, or what they contain is to be spoken about beyond this room! Is that understood?"
"Yes." Both Colbert and Louise replied.
"You both must understand that the Brimric church might frown upon this matter. Please refrain for now of telling others. Miss Valliere please refrain from using void magic in front of others as best you can." He commanded.
"But headmaster!" She tried to yell, but the look he sent, had her hushing up in a second.
"This most be done, you may tell your mother, I trust the security of our mail system that much. But otherwise this matter must be kept secret. Professor Colbert will help you to learn your void magic privately."
Louise nodded her head.
"Good. Now lets talk some more Albus, I imagine we have some interesting things to discuss. You may leave Miss Valliere."
Louise bowed, before leaving the headmaster's office. "This isn't fair Fawkes! I'm no longer a zero and the headmaster won't even let me use my own magic!" She kicked the stone wall outside the office.
"Ouch!" She yelled as Fawkes flew off her shoulder as she bounced up and down.
Stroking her foot after Fawkes returned to her shoulder, she huffed. "Well maybe I can learn another void spell before bed."
*Chapter Ten: Daily Bread*
"And that about sums up the war with Voldemort. It is a shame I was not able to personally witness it." Albus concluded.
"So you staked everything on this Harry Potter because of a prophesy? Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?" Colbert asked fuming.
"It was for the greater good professor Colbert." Albus said without any countenance.
"You admitted yourself that Voldemort was afraid of you, and you forced your own student to take on all of your problems, how can I even believe you were a proper adult?" Colbert shouted at the portrait.
"The things I had to do during this war, I regret many, but if I had to, I'd do it all over again." Albus replied.
"I can't believe you want this man to teach a class for us Osmond! He should not be near any of our students. He has sent children to war Osmond, children!" Colbert yelled.
"Professor Colbert, I am the headmaster of this school. Albus presents a real tangible asset to our school. I am authorizing he be allowed to teach here. Disregard your personal feelings in this matter." Osmond stated.
"You only want to do this so you can appease the crown! To many of our students after their final years are being sent off to die in Albion!" Colbert shouted.
"You will be silent Professor Colbert. Albus has been teaching for more years then even myself, and despite his recent record, still held a position equal to my own till his death. Despite your misgivings of this man, you will accept him as another member of Tristan's Faculty." Osmond tried to calm his own voice, miserably failing.
"And how will he teach his classes?" Colbert asked.
"I will assign this house elf and maid you mentioned earlier to his position. Besides I believe that the maid has extensive farming experience, and the elf can provide any magic that is required of Albus. The potions and plants that will be cultivated by our students will also help in the war effort." Osmond finished.
"Have you gone mad Osmond? I have willing followed you as the headmaster of this school, but I just can't ignore all of this, I will send a letter to her highness." Colbert threatened.
"If you must, then I understand. Your free to go. Albus, we shall discuss your classes after professor Colbert sees himself out." Osmond looked towards Colbert as he slammed the door to his office.
Colbert fumed as he left the office. Osmond was letting that man near his students, he would be writing a letter for sure.
"So Albus, you think this Minerva will really just hand over a bunch of a books and plants for our use?" Osmond asked once again.
"Why it was practically her idea, besides Hogwarts has plenty to spare to another school in need such as yours." He replied back.
"Just no teaching anyone that fancy magic of yours.." Osmond glared at the man. He would not be serving in the same capacity as Albus, not ever. Not unless of course a painting could be put up in the woman's baths of course...
*Chapter Ten: Daily Bread*
"Ah I did it Fawkes!" Louise danced around her room.
"Incendo!" She cried out with a flick of her wrist.
Fawkes chirped as the candle a lit with flame.
"I'll never need matches again! No more going to the local market to get commoner be damned matches!" She fell onto her bed. Her stomach rumbled.
"Fawkes are you hungry?" She asked.
Fawkes shifted her head back and fourth in confusion.
"Why don't we go get something to eat Fawkes? I think it's dinner time?" Louise looked towards Fawkes.
Fawkes flew over to her. Landing on her shoulder as she sat up.
"Lets go Fawkes." Louise started to get up to walk to the school dining hall.
In a flash of fire, the two disappeared.
"Fawkes!" She cried out as she landed on the cold hard floor of the dining hall.
"Did you just teleport me here!? I was planning to walk you dumb Phoenix!" She cried.
Fawkes just looked at her and cooed. As if nothing was wrong. Then her Familiar landed on a nearby chair.
The table was set with all sorts of food for the nobles. Including some very tasty looking bread.
"Fawkes we can't eat yet, she shooed her Familiar away from the table." She stated, just glad no one else was here yet to see the display.
"Thank you Brimir for our daily bread." She prayed quietly.
"Here." Louise said holding out a wad of bread.
Fawkes burst into flame. The bread now firmly in his beak as he flew back to her. Louise was going to have to get used to this she supposed.
*Chapter Ten: Daily Bread*
Tabitha bade her best friend farewell. Thankfully the slug puking had finally stopped. She had even manged to read some of her book aloud to her friend. They had both cried when Tabitha had read about grandpa Doehring dying to save Linley from the radiant church. They both promised to read it together tomorrow.
The halls had gotten quiet. It was already past dinner. The only sound that could be heard was Tabitha's lithe footsteps reverberating through the halls. Due to her title of Chevalier, Tabitha had been allowed her own private room. Her room, unlike the others in her same year, was in one of the upper most floors of the tower. The floor itself was usually reserved for senior student couples of the school, or visiting guests. Right now she was the only one with a room that was occupied on this floor, making her the sole occupant of this floor.
Reaching her hand in her pocket, she fiddled around looking for her key.
….. 'I left the key back at Kirches room...'
"Alohomora." The door unlocked.
Stepping inside she spoke again. "Colloportus."
That was odd. As she walked further into her room, she noticed light flickering. A chair sat in front of a lit fireplace. Tabitha prepared her staff as she made her way towards the soft chair.
"Hello Charlotte." A woman stood up out of her cushy reading chair. Her long black hair slithered down her bare shoulders. A small stick could be seen in her hand.
Tabitha stopped. "Sheffield." She intoned, a small hint of fear hidden underneath her bravado.
"Oh how cute, the little girl thinks she can frighten me with her staff. Ha ha ha." Sheffield stopped herself.
Tabitha gripped her staff tighter. "What do you want?"
"Charlotte, Charlotte. Oh my... I'm starting to sound like your mother?" She mocked Tabitha.
"Flipendo!" Tabitha yelled out.
"Protego." Sheffield spoke calmly.
"Really now Charlotte? Crucio!" The spell shot from her wand.
"Ha ha ha ha. Just like your mummy." Sheffield laughed, as Tabitha rolled all over the floor in terrible pain.
"You know you do this to yourself. Honestly I don't know why our lord even bothers to keep you alive." She finished as she ended the spell. Kicking away Tabitha's staff, Sheffield waved her wand.
The chair in front of the fireplace turned around and zoomed behind Tabitha. Sheffield took a seat using Tabitha as a foot rest. "Honestly you should stick to this kind of job, it suits you better. Ha ha!"
Tabitha glared at the woman.
"Don't you look at me like that mudblood!" Sheffield slammed the poor girl with the soles of her boots.
"If you ever want to see your mother again, you will continue to follow his orders. Besides you should be thankful after everything our lord has taught you. Now where are the letters from Albion?" She smirked. "Or would you rather for you and your mother to suffer even more?"
Tabitha pulled out several letters from her pocket. It was quite the struggle that only put a smile on Sheffield's face.
Sheffield stepped on her hand as she removed the letters from them. "Please do keep up the good work Charlotte." She said before removing the boot from Tabitha's hand.
Sheffield walked over to the fireplace, grabbing some powder from an inconspicuous urn. Throwing the powder in she spoke. "Lord Cromwell's Mansion!"
Sheffield stepped into the fireplace before disappearing in the flames. Leaving Tabitha alone in the dark room, lit only by the fireplace.
With Sheffield gone, Tabitha pulled herself back up from the floor. Her entire body ached, she couldn't even reach for her staff. It was all she could do to try and reach out with her hand towards her favorite reading chair. Blood was traveling down her hand, it had been cut by Sheffield's boots, just like her back. She used her bloodied hand to pull herself into her chair.
She could cry herself to sleep. She could deal with the blood in the morning. The pain had already lured her into sleep, as it was far more simple to just pass out, then to continue to stay awake.
Her new book laid on the floor covered in blood.
AN: Beware possible spoilers ahead!
Without spoiling too much, hopefully. I can say that Tabitha learned magic from someone from Earth, and that Sheffield is also someone not of Louise's world. Void magic is not widespread or public knowledge to the people of Louise's world, but it does exist. I can also say that, from the war in Albion, which had not started at this point in the original series cannon, that events have already occurred in the past, which have caused these changes we see now in the story instead. Such as Henrietta, Karin, and Gramont fighting in Albion. How far back, these changes go... Well I won't spoil you all, needles to say, far back enough to alter the political landscape of Halkeginia. Fawkes was not first character that came to their world from earth. Yes I'm aware that I haven't told you who is: why, or how; but you will have to read to find out more.
I'm honestly just trying to write a story for fun, I'm sorry if I confused or upset anyone, I like my stories to have pieces of a puzzle that the readers try to put together as they read. I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. Probably be a while till the next one, since I got other stories to write chapter for.
Eric