Modern Magic

The first Modern Magic lesson of term was held with the presence of both professors. Lupin looked at ease, Snape somewhat thunderous, both businesslike. Harry took his customary chair in the third place of the small circle. Hermione was in the fifth place, opposite the teachers. Pansy took the first place, Ginny Weasley the seventh. Emma Fawcett hesitated as she walked in, then walked over to the second place, nodding amicably to all present. Two sixth year Hufflepuffs - Liam and Richenda - took the places either side of Ginny, with Terry Boot in the fifth place, and Lisa Turpin the ninth place, next to Remus.

On each chair there were parchments with the syllabus on, with the topics that would be covered over the course of two years, and to act as a reminder to the seventh years. Harry scanned this list, noting the topics that had been covered by Dumbledore and Remus the previous year, and what the new material would be. A large part of the course was 'sentient beings and their role in society' - looking at werewolves, giants, vampires, and included merpeople and centaurs. The other major theme for the year was 'Social Groups and wizarding society'. The sixth years would have 'Wizarding government' and 'Trade, Economics and Knowledge' the following year, which Harry, Hermione, Terry, Lisa had already covered. Emma had missed some of Wizarding Government because of being ill, but surprisingly it was Snape who had stepped in to offer her additional tuition after the first lesson. She'd returned late, missing the sorting ceremony due to a family bereavement, and hadn't had time to make all her arrangements for the year.

The lessons took various forms - there were seminars, lectures and practicals, with a requirement for a total of 15 essays, each of 3 feet, and an extended essay of 4-5 feet. Snape paused at this point, and looked pointedly at Hermione as he said 'You will find that discretion is the better part of valour. Inane ramblings that exceed the limit will not be marked, and you will receive an automatic fail grade. If they are illegible because the writing is cramped, then a fail grade will also be noted. As a guideline, there should be no more than 15 words to a line, 10 for preference. If you cannot express an idea with concision then you will find that this course is not for you. It requires precise, intelligent comment, and the ability to think independently, rather than relying solely on parroting irrelevancies from the idiot of choice.' Hermione nodded, fervently wishing for the return of Professor Dumbledore who had been happy with her long essays.

Lupin explained the way the lessons would be divided between the two, Snape leaning back with a slight sneer on his face. It was traditional that the Headmaster of Hogwarts supervise Modern Magic, being as she or he typically was, someone with political influence and a master in their own field. It was also traditional that another person (if Remus Lupin counted as such) should take the lessons that the Headmaster was unavailable for. What was not acceptable was the Headmaster of Hogwarts being expected to behave like a supply teacher, and having to fill in once a month. As a result the sessions would be held in the evening, and re-arranged so that they didn't clash with the moon, if necessary. As mostly they were mondays and fridays the first term presented no problems.

Lupin organised them into groups, much to Snape's displeasure, explaining that they would be ordered so that there was a mixture of backgrounds that they might learn from one another. He grinned at Harry and Ginny as he spoke, separating them into different groups. Ginny, Pansy, Emma and Lisa were all purebloods, Hermione and Terry were Muggle-born, and Richenda and Liam were half-bloods. Harry wasn't sure where he would be classified, and neither was Remus, because he was put into the group of five, consisting of Pansy, Lisa, Terry and Liam. Ginny, Emma, Hermione and Richenda formed the other group. Snape turned to his co-educator and drawled softly "Is that wise, Remus, putting such a crowd of giggling girls together. There is little likelihood of anything being completed."

Remus paused and replied "Headmaster, there is little likelihood of any of those young women ever being inclined to giggle in their lives. Laugh, maybe." As if to prove a point Richenda had given a witty one-liner in response to Hermione's suggestion about study groups and Ginny and Emma and chuckled appreciatively. Snape had scowled, and then turned to the group as a whole, asking for a brief appraisal of events over the summer. He was immensely surprised when Emma spoke first, suggesting the events of Midsummer, and the escape of the Lestranges from Azkaban. Lisa had looked daggers at her, and countered with some of the details of the ministry workings, in particular some new edicts concerning the practising of magic in front of muggles. Hermione talked a little about some of the protective magic that was being put in place for vulnerable individuals, and Terry mentioned the changes in the regulation of magical creatures, with a worried look at Lupin.

"I don't mind at all" that professor replied. "In fact, I rather prefer that the information is in the open, as it means you know whereof I speak. The biggest change has been in the registry, with greater restrictions being placed upon our movements, and the fact that we must declare openly our lycanthropy in any job situation. The problem is that these measures are not to promote the welfare of werewolves, but are restrictive measures that alienate my kind. Similar is being done for House Elves, Vampires and half-giants. It is unsurprising that these individuals feel that they can best be served by joining Voldemort."

Harry looked thoughtful, and Lupin caught his eye and nodded. "We all have to make choices. Whether something is best for us, or best for all of us. It's what Dumbledore said 2 years ago. Between what is right, and what is easy." Lupin tried to encourage him to continue, but Snape stepped in.

"Do you have any more devastating insights to give us." Harry looked at him, and Snape's words did what Lupin's silent encouragement had failed to do.

"It's easy to join the Dark for a quick fix, to try and get power by foul means, when we can't get it by fair, to seek revenge instead of Justice. To take out our insecurities on others, instead of dealing with them ourselves."

"You speak from experience, Mr Potter?" Snape's voice was dangerously soft. "You think that all who fight for the light side do so from some sense of what is intrinsically right, and not from self-interest? That they won't go scurrying to the dark when it suits them best."

"No, I don't." Harry met Snape's eyes as an equal. Hermione interrupted the show-down with a squeak.

"It's like Bosnia, and Rwanda and Kuwait. They're all Muggle wars, or rather, interventions. Each of them very different, and it looked as if decisions to interfere were based on self-interest and justified by self-righteousness." Her voice tumbled over itself in an effort to get the words out. It was Terry Boot who elaborated on the idea, with Richenda and Liam filling in some of the parallels from Wizarding history. Remus naturally fell into his usual role as facilitator, drawing out the sixth years, and reining in the seventh years, while Severus drew back into the shadows of the room, watching sullenly.


Severus watched the group, his eyes following the nine and a half people in the room. He hoped he'd be able to keep Sirius away from Ella Lestrange, the interfering Mutt. He couldn't be trusted not to give the game away and call her by her real name. His mind ranged over the Memoparch that was in his office - there would be the meeting in the Founders Hall, of course, where everyone would fawn over the Potter Boy, like he wasn't some kid that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Remus was enjoying himself, actually laughing and joking with the students, like he was one of them, instead of being in charge of the session. Some of the students glanced nervously at him, particularly Ginny Weasley. Lisa and Emma had nothing but contempt in their features, while Pansy acknowledged him with a smile and returned to the fleabitten animal that was "teaching" them.
Eventually he walked forward, effectively silencing Richenda who had just started to elaborate on some waffling point or other. "It's all very well, this pseudo-psychological analysis of human interference, but has any of you bothered to consider What caused the popularity of the dark, and why the Death Eaters began? We have no time now. 3 feet on the origins of the Death Eaters, on this desk for this time next week. Remus looked at him with a query in his face and smiled. "You, being better informed in these matters than I, perhaps would prefer to mark these parchments?"

"You, as Dark Arts instructor, should be aware of the situation as well as any of us, unless I am misinformed as to your suitability for the post."

"As you wish." Remus gathered his things, and the two walked towards the door. "How was your meeting at the ministry?"
Snape snorted. "Fudge believes he can negotiate with the Dark Lord." Remus shook his head, and walked into his own office, before flooing back to Delves, where Sirius had cooked supper.


Harry and Ginny walked around the castle, hand in hand and talking quietly. Or, to be more accurate, she was talking, and he was gazing at her with adoration on his face. She was talking about her other classes that day, how good it was to see her brothers, how Charlie was getting on at the Dragon reserve, how she was worried about her father and all the work he was doing. Harry just nodded, letting her pretty voice wash over him, and feeling her small hand in his.

She was full of the plans for quidditch, when Harry paused her, and grinned. "How about this? Two exhibition matches this year. One - the Weasleys versus the school, and two - staff versus students. We can raise funds for charity."

"Would you be playing for the Weasleys, or for the school?"

"The School. Including your cousins you've easily got a good team. Patrick, Libby and Paul will play, won't they?" Harry was referring to the children of Arthur's older brother, Roger, who had been at school with Charlie, Bill and his parents. "You've got Charlie as
Seeker, you, Ron and Libby as Chasers, Fred and George as Beaters, and Bill, Patrick or Paul as Keeper."

"So, who would your team be?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know if I'd even pick myself - Ravenclaw has a really good reserve seeker for this year, and Hufflepuff are looking as strong as they were before Cedric..."

"Harry, you've got to play. C'mon." She pulled him towards her for a kiss, and then looked up. He was staring at her again, bemused and worshipping at the shrine of Ginny Weasley. "You said you'd show me how to get into the Founders' Hall. I still haven't worked out how to get in there on Fridays." Hermione and Ron came around the corner, Hermione demure, Ron untidy as ever. He ruffled his little sister's hair, and asked what they'd been talking about.

Hermione butted in as usual, chattering with Ginny about paths in the castle, and the best routes to take. Harry and Ron trailed a bit behind the two girls as they did a circuit of the school, looking for trouble, as Ron put it. Finding none they settled into their favourite room, one with chamber pots that Dumbledore had mentioned to Harry in fourth year, and they'd finally found the year before. Each chamber pot was a pensieve, filled with the memories of the different Headmasters and Mistresses of Hogwarts.

They talked a bit about the planned order meeting, and Ginny mentioned some plan of Charlie's, to do with going out among the fringe groups, leaving tumnus in charge of CMC. He was going to go to the Order meeting with the sole object of getting permission for a particular errand, though who he would get permission from was moot. Most agents had been acting on their own initiative, and it was only a matter of time before one of them got killed.

Ron and Hermione were talking and laughing, dipping in and out of chamber pots at random, and turning up some very strange images indeed. So far, they'd deliberately kept to the oldest pots, from the founding of Hogwarts, and moved on from there, Hermione's feminist soul warmed to the core by the tales of powerful witches that had brought the warring men to their heels and their knees. Harry watched as Ginny was more circumspect, only going for the lion pots, which they had learned had belonged to Gryffindors. Ron was recklessly going in and out of whatever took his fancy, until he came out of one, and instead of his usual ebullient report, had gone to the basin in the corner, and thrown up. He'd refused to speak, going so far as to put a temporary muting spell on himself, and instead burying his head in Hermione's hair as soon as she emerged from another expedition.

She looked at him sharply, but said nothing, realising it was futile. Harry already knew the dangers of unfettered pot-surfing, and tended to leave his friends to it. He knew it was only a matter of time before Ginny caught a Gryffindor doing something unspeakable, or Hermione witnessed a crime of violence against a man. Ron, it seemed, had already met his comeuppance.


That evening he excused himself from the group, and went to Snape's office. He gave the password "Mandragora" and moved up the staircase, pausing at the top.
He knocked briskly, and waited until Snape's voice admitted him. Fawkes flew to him, ruffling his hair, something which seemed to annoy the Headmaster. "What is it, Potter?"
"The Scrolls. I have in my possession at Delves and Hogwarts some of the items. May I return to Delves this evening to collect the box?" Snape struggled for a minute - knowing why Harry had done as he had done, and disliking it intensely.
"I suppose you must. Go via Lupin's office." Harry paused again. "What else is it?"
"The scrolls mention rings. Green and Yellow stones for some of them. Red and Blue for the others."
"Yes, potter. The Founders rings. They have been lost to us for centuries."
"307 to be precise." Snape looked up. "Coincidentally this was the date that Delves was rendered unplottable. Some similar rings were found 80 years ago, and were buried beneath an apple tree in London.
"Since when have you deigned to actually avail yourself of the school's academic resources?" Harry stared at him, and then began to hiss in Parseltongue. "Potter!"
"Sorry, sir." Trembling he looked up. "May I look at your Dark Mark, sir?" Snape stared at him, and then slowly revealed the tattoo. Harry watched the Snake as it curled around the skull, writhing under the skin. He hissed experimentally, and to his surprise, Snape felt a response from the snake of the mark.
The conversation continued for twenty minutes, before Harry nodded, and said "thank you" to Snape. He turned to go.
"Potter - you have spent 20 minutes talking to my arm. I would appreciate an explanation."
Harry paused, unsure of how to respond. "Could I explain when I return from Delves?"
"One hour, Potter, then I want an explanation."
"Sir."
Taking his leave, Harry ran to Remus' room, and quickly flooed over to Delves. Remus and Sirius were very surprised to see him, especially when he barely paused to talk until he'd been to his room. Returning more sedately, he carried his memory box, and another box that the other two hadn't noticed before.
"I'll tell you sunday, at the order meeting." And with that Harry had gone, leaving a bemused pair in his wake.

Snape was glad to see the back of Potter, albeit for an hour. He checked over his teaching work, and then settled down to the usual mound of ministry scrolls. He was tired, and no longer wondered at the rapidity with which Albus' hair had faded. Forty-five minutes later, Harry appeared in the room again, and sat at the table that Snape indicated. On it he placed the two boxes.

"Well, Potter?"
Harry looked at him for a long while, as the headmaster snorted irritably. "Do you have anything to about your extraordinary behaviour, or shall I resort to docking house points, like a first year." Harry's eyes met Snape's, and then spoke, softly, but firmly.
"How does the Dark Mark function?" Snape paused, and then replied.
"Can't you tell, by your hissings?"
"She told me some things. Her name is Caducea. She is animated by part of your soul. It is that connection that directs the apparition." Snape was leaning back, eyes half-closed, and betraying little emotion. "She knows where you have to go, in order to direct apparitions." Harry stopped here, and swallowed.
"She also says that part of your soul was bound to Voldemort at the ceremony."
Snape tried to remain calm, and fortunately Fawkes chose that moment to sing. Channelling Albus, Snape spoke.
"You would be correct, Mr Potter. There are some things that cannot be undone, however much one might wish it." Harry had the grace to look away. He remembered Hagrid's death, and was silent. Cedric's death was bad enough, but it was his choices, albeit misguided by others, that had ultimately caused Hagrid's death.
"You should also know that I have broken all the ties that I once had." Harry nodded, his respect deepening for his Headmaster, for all the coldness in his voice. "You think you will be able to use this mark? Very well, we shall see."

Snape lapsed into silence, watching the young man in front of him. Potter had won his respect the previous year, with the incident that had ultimately led to Albus' death. He had freed Snape from a group of Death-Eaters, and at the time Snape had put it down to idiocy, allowing himself to be caught by them, even though he had subsequently freed himself. Now, Snape wasn't so sure. There was an air of authority that was familiar - Albus' legacy, no doubt.
Life Debts meant that one couldn't so readily dismiss someone, or he would have swept Potter out of the room. He wanted to write the Potter boy of as an idiot, an imbecile and an infant. Unfortunately, he simply couldn't. He wondered if Pettigrew had the same loathing of Potter, the same requirement not to dismiss the boy out of hand. He watched the boy handling the more modern box with reverence. The Weasley girl had made it, no doubt, and he worshipped her. Snape snorted, attracting Harry's attention. It was sickening to see one human being treating another like a demi-goddess. At least the father had treated Lily as an equal, instead of promoting her to near-mythical status. Ginny Weasley took advantage of it, and it was dangerous. She'd been in Voldemort's grip, and no matter how nice someone was, that sort of association would always leave a taint to the skin.
Harry was unaware of these thoughts as he drew the objects out of the box. There were a number of rings, seven in all, three green, three yellow, and one which was red. Snape looked over them, suddenly interested.
There were seven empty rings, which intrigued Snape further. Harry had gone to slip the red ring onto his finger, but Snape spoke.
"Have you no common sense. I would have thought the experience of the Tri-wizard tournament would be enough to deter you from meddling with unknown objects. Where did you come by these?"
"Rowan Blackberry told me where to look. They were buried in the orchard at Delves. The boxes - one was made by Ginny Weasley, the other was in my vault. It - it relates to the scrolls." Snape looked mildly surpised by the name, but otherwise his face was impassive.
"You plan to bring these to the order meeting?"
"Yes." From the second box Harry withdrew certain items. The first were a sword and shield. The sword was similar to that of Gryffindor, without the jewels. The shield had a blood-red lion on it. The second item was a bow with a quiver full of arrows. At this point Snape stood up, shaking, and walked to the fireplace. He threw some powder on the fire, and said "Delves." Remus' head appeared in the fireplace. Snape paused, as if unaccustomed to being polite.
"Would you gentlemen please join us? This will not wait until the order meeting." Remus nodded, and vanished temporarily. Snape clicked his fingers, and Flurry the House-Elf appeared.
"Would you summon Miss Granger, Miss Weasley and Mr Ron Weasley." Flurry nodded, and disappeared with a crack. Finally he turned to his amulet, and tapped it sharply. "Rowan Blackberry, Hereward Wicken, Jasmine Trufflehunter, Jerome Snowdon."
Within ten minutes eleven people filled the room, although it didn't feel crowded. Snape had banished one table, and asked Harry to place the scrolls and the gifts on the table. He himself got the Founders gifts out, and laid them there, alongside the rings.
Remus looked at the gifts, and winced when he saw the shield and sword. Sirius looked at him, and rested a hand on his arm. "Not all of your kind are good. You cannot be likened to them." Remus nodded, but moved briskly to the other gifts. The dagger rested next to the diamond bottle, and tucked by it were the bow and arrows, and the horn. A set of chessmen was also laid out, but they were quite unlike any that Harry had ever seen. Godric's sword, Salazar's boots - still dirty from Snape's last exploit, Helga's cloak, and Rowena's glasses and quill were laid out as well, along with the rings - the founders rings were next to the other rings that Harry had uncovered.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you to clean your sword after each battle?" quipped Sirius to Snape when he saw the state of the boots. Snape scowled.
The three strangers were standing away from the main group. Rowan had moved towards Harry to shake hands, but otherwise had been very quiet. Snape spoke to all of them.
"I've called you together to show you that the gifts have returned. More will be said on Sunday, at the Order Meeting, but I thought you should know." The four strangers nodded and bowed. The other six eyed them curiously, but got no answers, because, as one, they disappeared into the flames again.

Hermione looked confused, completely lost as to the significance of the events. Harry only knew because of Rowan and Sirius explaining things over the summer. Ron and Ginny looked at each other, eyes wide.
Sirius looked at Severus, and paused. "Your middle name is Peter?" Snape nodded, and muttered bitterly "It should be Edmund."
Sirius then turned to Remus, wide-eyed. Harry stood and moved to the middle of the room.
"Thank you, gentlemen, ladies." His air was that of one born to be king. Gone was the awkwardness and shyness. In its place was a young man, self-possessed and authoritative. "This will be concluded at the order meeting on Sunday, in the Founders' Hall."
Snape scowled in the background, and then nodded. The group departed for the evening, Lupin and Sirius deep in conversation, Hermione scowling at the other three, and Harry listening to the chatter of brother and sister, having gathered up the gifts into the two boxes.
When they returned to the common room, Harry went straight to his own room, leaving the others to do as they wished. He placed the scrolls in Ginny's box, and the other gifts in their own box. That box was a wooden casket, bound in brass. On it was an old script in a language he didn't know. Inside it was velvet-lined and far larger than it looked. In it was the one gift that he hadn't shown the others - a pottery chalice, very old. In one of his scrolls it was mentioned and said that it should be held apart. The others hadn't been able to see it yet, even though they'd looked in the box.
Sighing, he laid it down, and set about finishing his homework.

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