I don't own Harry Potter, Hogwarts, etc, blah blah, but I do own the original characters (now isn't that funny?) Don't flame, because flaming is immature and will just make me think you're not worth listening to. Do review, because it will make me happy, and hopefully will be useful in improving the story. And yes, I really do use this blurb at the beginning of every chapter! Wow…isn't that weird?
"Well obviously it wasn't apparition. That's simply impossible at Hogwarts." Hermione explained patiently to a puzzled Ron.
"Then what was it?"
"And who." Harry added.
"That part's simple. Logic can easily answer the question. Who do we know that has long white hair? Dumbledore and Sinavre. And I don't think that was Dumbledore's voice, not to mention that Sinavre seems the most likely candidate to possess kinds of magic we don't know about."
"That makes sense I suppose." Ron commented, looking thoughtful. "Should we ask anyone?"
"No," this time Harry had spoken, "they might not know that Sinavre can just appear like that. And I do get funny feelings about Sinavre."
"Don't be silly Harry!" Hermione objected, but not with much fervor, and the look in her eyes betrayed her uneasiness. Harry's instincts had, for the most part, proved to be correct. After a somewhat lengthy silence, Hermione spoke again. "I'll see if I can find anything about exotic magics in the library, since we know whoever it was wasn't using anything normal."
"That's for bloody sure." Ron sounded like he thought Hermione had just made the understatement of all time. The three of them ended the conversation on their highly unusual experience of the previous night once they approached the great hall. Ron's mind seemed quickly diverted by the plethora of tasty breakfast offerings, while Hermione only looked thoughtful. Harry found he didn't have much of an appetite. He kept feeling like every time Sinavre looked at him, his mind was completely translucent. It was extremely unsettling.
Kiora made sure to make a point of being observed walking to his classroom from the great hall by Harry. He knew that he'd been seen last night, and if at all possible he wanted to keep those three students from being too inquisitive. He swept into his classroom, his burnt umber silver trimmed robes billowing gently behind him. He sat at his desk at the front of the classroom and dipped quill in ink. As part of his job as Guardian, Kiora had been spending a significant amount of time locating and cataloguing weaknesses in the school's protective magics. He'd already amassed a small pile of full scrolls. The school was very well defended, but any accomplished and determined mage, or a very powerful and creative wizard, could either force of snake their way through the wards, respectively. Kiora would present all the problems to Dumbledore sometime soon.
The stone set in the unusual piece of jewelry that Kiora always wore on his right hand tingled gently. He spoke "Come in." just as the first person in his mid-morning class was about to knock on the door. Kiora of course, didn't see this, but it quite amazed Neville Longbottom, who had arrived early because of his newfound enthusiasm for the class. Kiora glanced up as the stunned boy pushed open the heavy oak door.
"Good morning Neville."
"Morning Professor! What will we be doing today?" Kiora smiled at Neville's youthful cheer and excitement.
"A continuation of yesterday's lesson. We'll be honing the ability to sense mana. Probably for a few weeks, since everyone learns at a different pace." The rest of the students slowly trickled in. Kiora was mildly surprised that the Malfoy group would be late. He had (correctly) surmised that Draco harbored a quickly growing dislike for Kiora, whether from his egalitarian principles that he had put forth at the beginning of the class, or simply because he wasn't one of the stars of the class, Kiora didn't know; nor did he particularly care. Harry was one of the last to arrive.
He has the sight and something more.
I thought so. Does he know?
Not yet I think. But he senses something amiss. Be careful.
Kiora briefly peered at Harry, into his eyes, seeking to read his countenance for any clues if Harry was aware of his talent or what he might think of Kiora. Harry shifted his gaze quickly, as though reluctant to look Kiora in the eye. Wise actually. A fair portion of mind based magic required eye contact. As the last stragglers entered and Kiora stood, those already seated made as though to reach for their wands, with the exception of a select few.
"Ah! No wands," Kiora admonished. "This isn't a wizardry class." Everyone put their magical aids away, most looked embarrassed and a few were annoyed. "We'll be continuing our attempts to break everyone into mana sensing. This step is essential to magecraft and before anyone asks, you may not, under any circumstance, skip it. So, without further talk, find the mana." Kiora sent a little mana blob to bob gently around the room, and sat back in his chair to wait for the students to voice there suspicions as to where it was. Kiora could sense the mana with all 5 senses, which allowed him an extraordinary ability to differentiate between different peoples mana and mana from different sources. His mana burned white-yellow, thrummed very deeply (as Neville had accurately described), smelled vaguely like very hot fire, tasted faintly of blood and was as cool as metal to touch.
The class proceeded, and everyone who had been successful the day before was able to hone their sensitivity. New people also successfully located the mana. Ron and Hermione seemed sensed the blob almost simultaneously, as it floated past their heads towards the back of their heads. Harry looked sullen. No doubt angry at his inability to grasp such an apparently simple concept. Or perhaps merely experiencing the violent mood swings contingent to puberty. The bell rang and saved Harry from any further agony. In an event that was highly unusual, Harry and Draco shared a similar attitude at the end of a class.
Talk to him. Before he leaves. He needs encouragement. Kiora sighed and called out. "Harry, would you mind terribly if I spoke with you for a short while?" Kiora could see the internal conflict play briefly over Harry's face. Decline and prevent the ordeal of being alone with Kiora for any extended length of time at the expense of looking disrespectful to a teacher, or a display the proper obedience and endure. Obedience won. Harry reversed course and walked back into the classroom. Kiora waved the door shut with a small hand gesture.
"It's not easy for everyone. And even though you haven't got the knack of it yet, you do have a gift." Harry's face registered mild, and then severe surprise. "You're lucky enough to posses mana-sight to the utmost degree. And I believe you have something more, but it is nothing I can put a name too."
Nor I. Kiora looked hastily at Harry's face. No reaction beyond the end of Kiora's sentence. Not that gift then. "I don't think there's any easy way for me to help you. But if you ever need help in class, please come talk to me." Harry nodded, and left. That didn't go so well.
No, no it didn't.
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