Quest of the Seekers: Elements of Transformation
Year One at Hogwarts
Chapter 7: A Slytherin Family Christmas
Tyler gave his mother a big hug when he saw her after getting transported by the portkey. She cried in happiness as she tightened her grip.
"Tyler, it's been so long! How are you? Tell me all about the friends you made."
"Mom, calm down. I did send Pandy with my letters so you should already know all about it. Why are you asking?"
"It's makes it official if I hear it from you so come in and tell us about it."
Tyler sat with his mom and dad in the family room and he told them (again) about his new friends, his time at his classes and what new things he learned.
"Wow, honey. You made a lot out of your little time at Hogwarts."
"Yes. But I must ask you, did you tell anyone of your true name and family?"
"No dad, you don't have to worry about that. I even had Chaos go and stay in the network of small tunnels he found in the walls."
"Tunnels? The walls contain tunnels?"
"Yes, they are only three feet high so even if they were discovered no one can get through because its too low and cramped so Chaos get through fine."
"Well, at least I know that you have been careful. I trust you son and its good to know that you haven't let us down."
"Thank you dad."
When Christmas came, it couldn't have come with a better beginning. When Tyler got up he found a big breakfast with pancakes, French toast, eggs, toast with butter or mayonnaise and apple cider all set up on the table. The entire Slytherin family including Tyler's visiting grandparents, his pets Pandy and Chaos, his father and grandfather's snakes along with Yenze the House elf sat and enjoyed the food and exchanged holiday cheer. After breakfast, Tyler went to his room where presents (from his friends) were sitting there. Jacke gave him a vest made out of dragon hide; from Reggie was a box of Chocolate Frogs and Sugar Quills. Brad's present was a little strange to Tyler for it was an electronic watch according to the letter that came with it. Tyler was really fascinated by it. Severus gave him a book on potion making techniques which Tyler appreciated being not too good in correctly brewing them. Regalus sent him a pendant, which was actually of vile of a healing draught to cure cuts. After opening these he went to the family room to give his presents to his relatives and get more presents too.
He and his family waited until after their Christmas dinner to open each other's presents. After dinner, the family went to the family room where it was already decorated by Yenze with reefs and a Christmas tree. Tyler received a silver tablet with the Slytherin House snake embedded on it, which he liked from his grandparents.
"Grandpa, Grandma, this is incredible. I love it, thank you."
"We hoped you would. It's been a tradition to give it to one of a family member at their 1st year at Hogwarts, Tyler."
Then it was time for the present from his parents, which was the strangest thing. It was a key with a snake's head on it. It had a chain so to wrap it on his neck or arm.
"Mom? Dad? What is the key for?"
"Well, this key opens the door to the lowest level in the mansion, son. The Deep Level."
"The Deep Level?!"
Tyler always did wonder what was locked behind that door as a child. Whenever he asked what was down there he always got "family heirlooms." But now he had access to it.
"Yes, the deep level. However, we trust that you will not misuse this honor. There are powerful spells and enchantments contained there along with intense dark arts instruments and family secrets. Son, you must swear to us now that you won't abuse this on your honor as a parselmouth."
"I swear, as a parselmouth, that I won't dishonor us with the secrets in the deep level."
"Well then, I believe that we should finish the day with a bang. Tyler, are you up for a true parsel battle?"
Tyler couldn't hold in his excitement. "A parsel battle?! You bet. Finally a true one!"
A parsel battle is a unique type of dueling that is between two parselmouths. Each controls a giant snake and rides on it like a steed. They order what their snake to do in combat while riding it. In the meanwhile the parselmouth fires spells to stop the other. The duel ends when either the snakes or the dueler can't go on or surrender. Since Tyler was six he partnered with his father's snake's offspring. But now he could participate with Chaos. Also since Tyler was unable to use spells before he just had his snake wrestle it against the other snake while his dad did the same. However, now he could use his wand and when he and his friends (1st year ones) left they had received no notice of not being able to use magic on Christmas, it would be a duel to remember.
"Okay son, let me place the triggering engorgement spell on Chaos for you. Also don't worry son, I'll go easy on you."
In a parsel duel, the snake always is charmed to grow to be as big as a basilisk.
"Dad, I'm ready but can we duel on the field, please?"
"Sure son. Dad, Mom, Nora, Yenze, do you care to join us?"
The Slytherin family gathered outside the mansion to the open field. The Slytherin mansion was located on the mountains of the Great Down in Sussex where they were alone for miles so they could keep a full-grown dragon on their front lawn and not attract the slightest bit of muggle attention. Tyler's grandfather was doing the refereeing.
"Okay, you know the rules but I'll retell them anyway. Both the snake and the dueler must be together and watch for one another. When 1 can't fight then they lose. Begin!"
Tyler screamed in parseltongue. *"Chaos! Let's go!"*
Chaos immediately grew to the size of a basilisk. A parselmouth's snake grows like this only during a parsel duel and the growing starts when their masters scream their name during the duel.
Tyler's dad followed suit.* "Serpentine! It's time for a duel "* Mr. Slytherin's snake grew about the same height as Chaos, but a little bigger and he levitated himself to his head.
Chaos and Serpentine whacked each other with their tales trying to knock out their passengers. Tyler lit his wand hoping to temporarily blind Serpentine but his dad placed a magical cloud over his eyes so the light couldn't hurt him. The snakes went head to head (literally) while his dad sent a stunner, which Tyler shielded himself from. Tyler tried sending ropes to bind his father but Serpentine dodged them. Tyler then commanded Chaos to go underground and they broke into the earth and broke up after several moments behind his dad and Serpentine. Chaos made a very intimidating hiss to Mr. Slytherin that made him freeze while Tyler yelled "Inferro Cracke!" A whip of green fire shot out of his whip and he released it at Serpentine. Serpentine was hissing in pain at the power of the curse.
"Dad, if you don't want Serpentine to be going through this torture then you better surrender the match. I don't want to end up killing him."
It looked like Tyler + Chaos won their first duel together but his dad's next move canceled out that idea. He fired a blast force curse which hit Chaos causing him to fall and shrink back while Tyler fell off Chaos' head and hit the soft ground. Neither of them could get back up while his dad was panting and Serpentine seemed to be on the verge of letting the pain from Tyler's curse get to him.
"The winner is Simon Solemn Slytherin and Serpentine!" His grandfather tried to give his best announcer voice to help bring them out of their dazed situation. "But let's give a hand to our little Tyler Solemn Slytherin and Chaos!"
The family rushed to help up Tyler and the shrunken Chaos.
"Way to go son! I've never had a duel like that even from your grandfather, great grandfather and aunt. It was a once in a lifetime battle."
Tyler was overwhelmed. "Dad, this was the most greatest duel I could've ever ask for a first time. *Isn't that right, Chaos?" *
Chaos looked at Tyler. *"Yes, Tyler. I really enjoyed that exciting performance, master." *
*"I told you to call me just Tyler, Chaos. You're embarrassing me." *
*"Sorry, I won't forget again." *
Then he started talking to his mother. "Mom! Did you like that duel?"
"Yes. You really are a great dueler like your father, Tyler."
"Well, I better turn in. That duel really wiped me out. Happy Christmas everyone. *Oh and I hope you're okay Serpentine." *
Serpentine assured Tyler that he was okay and then he went to bed while the rest decided it was time to do so as well and they all did.
However, Tyler didn't stay in bed. He took his wand and went down the steps to the deep level. He removed the key from his arm and lit up his wand. He walked down to the corridor, which contained armor and tapestries until it ended at a big wooden door. He placed the key in and turned which opened the chamber.
"Finally, I get to see what is down here after so many years of wondering. Maybe something here could tell me what I'm supposed to do with this wand and the prophecy."
He walked into a room that had shelves of books. It seemed to be a library much like that of Hogwarts. He could see from a glance why it was such a secret. There were heavy-duty dark arts books and other spellbooks full of very powerful magic and rituals. There were medallions, pendants, trinkets, and he could see a thin long box inside the glass cupboards. He walked down the rows of shelves when a book just fell from the shelves in front of his feet. He couldn't explain why but he bent down to pick it up and blew the dust from the cover. The cover read 'Harness the Powers of the Earth.' He flipped through the pages, which made him utter one word.
"Wicked."
Author Notes:
Well that is the end of chapter seven. Wasn't it great? It was my most favorite one to write so far. Just in case you want to know, Sussex and the Great Down Mountains really do exist in Britain. I looked it up in an atlas. Also don't get confused when I say Mr. Solemn or Mr. Slytherin because they're the same person. Remember the passed on middle name as a surname? Next up is chapter 8: "Back to School with a Plan" where Tyler shares the book with his friends, but which ones? Please review to see if you could guess who they are and I'll post your guesses on my next chapter.
Year One at Hogwarts
Chapter 7: A Slytherin Family Christmas
Tyler gave his mother a big hug when he saw her after getting transported by the portkey. She cried in happiness as she tightened her grip.
"Tyler, it's been so long! How are you? Tell me all about the friends you made."
"Mom, calm down. I did send Pandy with my letters so you should already know all about it. Why are you asking?"
"It's makes it official if I hear it from you so come in and tell us about it."
Tyler sat with his mom and dad in the family room and he told them (again) about his new friends, his time at his classes and what new things he learned.
"Wow, honey. You made a lot out of your little time at Hogwarts."
"Yes. But I must ask you, did you tell anyone of your true name and family?"
"No dad, you don't have to worry about that. I even had Chaos go and stay in the network of small tunnels he found in the walls."
"Tunnels? The walls contain tunnels?"
"Yes, they are only three feet high so even if they were discovered no one can get through because its too low and cramped so Chaos get through fine."
"Well, at least I know that you have been careful. I trust you son and its good to know that you haven't let us down."
"Thank you dad."
When Christmas came, it couldn't have come with a better beginning. When Tyler got up he found a big breakfast with pancakes, French toast, eggs, toast with butter or mayonnaise and apple cider all set up on the table. The entire Slytherin family including Tyler's visiting grandparents, his pets Pandy and Chaos, his father and grandfather's snakes along with Yenze the House elf sat and enjoyed the food and exchanged holiday cheer. After breakfast, Tyler went to his room where presents (from his friends) were sitting there. Jacke gave him a vest made out of dragon hide; from Reggie was a box of Chocolate Frogs and Sugar Quills. Brad's present was a little strange to Tyler for it was an electronic watch according to the letter that came with it. Tyler was really fascinated by it. Severus gave him a book on potion making techniques which Tyler appreciated being not too good in correctly brewing them. Regalus sent him a pendant, which was actually of vile of a healing draught to cure cuts. After opening these he went to the family room to give his presents to his relatives and get more presents too.
He and his family waited until after their Christmas dinner to open each other's presents. After dinner, the family went to the family room where it was already decorated by Yenze with reefs and a Christmas tree. Tyler received a silver tablet with the Slytherin House snake embedded on it, which he liked from his grandparents.
"Grandpa, Grandma, this is incredible. I love it, thank you."
"We hoped you would. It's been a tradition to give it to one of a family member at their 1st year at Hogwarts, Tyler."
Then it was time for the present from his parents, which was the strangest thing. It was a key with a snake's head on it. It had a chain so to wrap it on his neck or arm.
"Mom? Dad? What is the key for?"
"Well, this key opens the door to the lowest level in the mansion, son. The Deep Level."
"The Deep Level?!"
Tyler always did wonder what was locked behind that door as a child. Whenever he asked what was down there he always got "family heirlooms." But now he had access to it.
"Yes, the deep level. However, we trust that you will not misuse this honor. There are powerful spells and enchantments contained there along with intense dark arts instruments and family secrets. Son, you must swear to us now that you won't abuse this on your honor as a parselmouth."
"I swear, as a parselmouth, that I won't dishonor us with the secrets in the deep level."
"Well then, I believe that we should finish the day with a bang. Tyler, are you up for a true parsel battle?"
Tyler couldn't hold in his excitement. "A parsel battle?! You bet. Finally a true one!"
A parsel battle is a unique type of dueling that is between two parselmouths. Each controls a giant snake and rides on it like a steed. They order what their snake to do in combat while riding it. In the meanwhile the parselmouth fires spells to stop the other. The duel ends when either the snakes or the dueler can't go on or surrender. Since Tyler was six he partnered with his father's snake's offspring. But now he could participate with Chaos. Also since Tyler was unable to use spells before he just had his snake wrestle it against the other snake while his dad did the same. However, now he could use his wand and when he and his friends (1st year ones) left they had received no notice of not being able to use magic on Christmas, it would be a duel to remember.
"Okay son, let me place the triggering engorgement spell on Chaos for you. Also don't worry son, I'll go easy on you."
In a parsel duel, the snake always is charmed to grow to be as big as a basilisk.
"Dad, I'm ready but can we duel on the field, please?"
"Sure son. Dad, Mom, Nora, Yenze, do you care to join us?"
The Slytherin family gathered outside the mansion to the open field. The Slytherin mansion was located on the mountains of the Great Down in Sussex where they were alone for miles so they could keep a full-grown dragon on their front lawn and not attract the slightest bit of muggle attention. Tyler's grandfather was doing the refereeing.
"Okay, you know the rules but I'll retell them anyway. Both the snake and the dueler must be together and watch for one another. When 1 can't fight then they lose. Begin!"
Tyler screamed in parseltongue. *"Chaos! Let's go!"*
Chaos immediately grew to the size of a basilisk. A parselmouth's snake grows like this only during a parsel duel and the growing starts when their masters scream their name during the duel.
Tyler's dad followed suit.* "Serpentine! It's time for a duel "* Mr. Slytherin's snake grew about the same height as Chaos, but a little bigger and he levitated himself to his head.
Chaos and Serpentine whacked each other with their tales trying to knock out their passengers. Tyler lit his wand hoping to temporarily blind Serpentine but his dad placed a magical cloud over his eyes so the light couldn't hurt him. The snakes went head to head (literally) while his dad sent a stunner, which Tyler shielded himself from. Tyler tried sending ropes to bind his father but Serpentine dodged them. Tyler then commanded Chaos to go underground and they broke into the earth and broke up after several moments behind his dad and Serpentine. Chaos made a very intimidating hiss to Mr. Slytherin that made him freeze while Tyler yelled "Inferro Cracke!" A whip of green fire shot out of his whip and he released it at Serpentine. Serpentine was hissing in pain at the power of the curse.
"Dad, if you don't want Serpentine to be going through this torture then you better surrender the match. I don't want to end up killing him."
It looked like Tyler + Chaos won their first duel together but his dad's next move canceled out that idea. He fired a blast force curse which hit Chaos causing him to fall and shrink back while Tyler fell off Chaos' head and hit the soft ground. Neither of them could get back up while his dad was panting and Serpentine seemed to be on the verge of letting the pain from Tyler's curse get to him.
"The winner is Simon Solemn Slytherin and Serpentine!" His grandfather tried to give his best announcer voice to help bring them out of their dazed situation. "But let's give a hand to our little Tyler Solemn Slytherin and Chaos!"
The family rushed to help up Tyler and the shrunken Chaos.
"Way to go son! I've never had a duel like that even from your grandfather, great grandfather and aunt. It was a once in a lifetime battle."
Tyler was overwhelmed. "Dad, this was the most greatest duel I could've ever ask for a first time. *Isn't that right, Chaos?" *
Chaos looked at Tyler. *"Yes, Tyler. I really enjoyed that exciting performance, master." *
*"I told you to call me just Tyler, Chaos. You're embarrassing me." *
*"Sorry, I won't forget again." *
Then he started talking to his mother. "Mom! Did you like that duel?"
"Yes. You really are a great dueler like your father, Tyler."
"Well, I better turn in. That duel really wiped me out. Happy Christmas everyone. *Oh and I hope you're okay Serpentine." *
Serpentine assured Tyler that he was okay and then he went to bed while the rest decided it was time to do so as well and they all did.
However, Tyler didn't stay in bed. He took his wand and went down the steps to the deep level. He removed the key from his arm and lit up his wand. He walked down to the corridor, which contained armor and tapestries until it ended at a big wooden door. He placed the key in and turned which opened the chamber.
"Finally, I get to see what is down here after so many years of wondering. Maybe something here could tell me what I'm supposed to do with this wand and the prophecy."
He walked into a room that had shelves of books. It seemed to be a library much like that of Hogwarts. He could see from a glance why it was such a secret. There were heavy-duty dark arts books and other spellbooks full of very powerful magic and rituals. There were medallions, pendants, trinkets, and he could see a thin long box inside the glass cupboards. He walked down the rows of shelves when a book just fell from the shelves in front of his feet. He couldn't explain why but he bent down to pick it up and blew the dust from the cover. The cover read 'Harness the Powers of the Earth.' He flipped through the pages, which made him utter one word.
"Wicked."
Author Notes:
Well that is the end of chapter seven. Wasn't it great? It was my most favorite one to write so far. Just in case you want to know, Sussex and the Great Down Mountains really do exist in Britain. I looked it up in an atlas. Also don't get confused when I say Mr. Solemn or Mr. Slytherin because they're the same person. Remember the passed on middle name as a surname? Next up is chapter 8: "Back to School with a Plan" where Tyler shares the book with his friends, but which ones? Please review to see if you could guess who they are and I'll post your guesses on my next chapter.