Year One at Hogwarts
Chapter 14: Full Fledged Elementals
Now that Jacke and Tyler had made up they were back into their fun natures again. When Brad and Reggie asked why they seemed to go from gloomy at breakfast to happy in the afternoon yesterday, they merely said that they were affected by the castle's mood and it didn't go questioned.
Regulus, however, knew why they were happy again and commented by giving Tyler a good pat on the back.
"Good to see you're back to normal. And I see that your friend Jacke is as well."
"Thanks to you Regulus. I owe you big time."
"I'll think of something."
"Hey," Tyler said with mock surprise.
"What? You insisted."
Even Severus and Matt noticed his repaired good mood.
"Tyler, what made you so cheerful. Did someone put a cheering charm on you?"
"No, but maybe somebody did when I wasn't looking." Tyler loved joking around with his housemates and it seemed they liked to as well.
"Did things break away from Jacke Walker? I saw that you two were avoiding each other at yesterday's breakfast." asked Matt.
"Actually we were fighting but we made up. We were able to fix up things between us."
"Matt," said Severus suddenly. "Can I have a word with Tyler alone?"
"Um...okay, sure."
He went to sit on a chair on the other side of the common room and gave them their privacy.
"Tyler, are you sure that this friendship is the right thing for you. I still say that keeping in your own house is the best for you."
"Thanks Severus but I still want Jacke, Brad, and Reggie's friendship. I know you are looking out for me. You're like a big brother to me but it's still my choice."
"And I'll respect your choice as you respected my feelings. And...I'm very touched you think of me that way...as a brother."
Severus' face was in one of the biggest smile that Tyler had seen on him. He admitted that Severus' hair made him seem very odd but with that smile he looked like a normal, good-looking guy who just put on hair quality potions that hadn't dried yet.
Now that Jacke was back with Tyler the four friends returned to normal. It had been over two weeks and their studies were okay. They each had their own subject that they were great at and helped the others when in trouble. Reggie was great with the potions work, Brad with Transfiguration; Jacke with Charms and Tyler was the Defense against the Dark Arts expert. They worked together so they all could be on top of their work. Also, Tyler had Matt's help in History of Magic and in Astronomy because he managed to take suitable notes through Binns' drabble. Matt didn't directly work with the others; only through Tyler did they get each other's help. Tyler wished that all his friends would get to know one another but it was obvious it might take time if it was possible.
With them on their homework as a team, the four wizards were having more opportunities to train their elemental powers. No one had been able fully create their elements, only managing signs of them. They'd been at it for over three weeks and showed signs of improving but it was a slow process.
It was so stressful that Tyler shouted out of turn in their latest session in the cave.
"Uh, why can't this ever get better?"
Jacke woke out of his concentration. "What is it, mate?"
"I just can't believe that I haven't done this as quick as expected. Also you three are moving so quickly that I'm feeling left behind."
"What are you on about Tyler?"
"Isn't it obvious Brad? I feel like I'm just useless weight that's holding you all back."
Tyler was saying this out of pure frustration at the situation. Brad had just made a light drizzle over the pond, Reggie made a reasonably good pass of wind in the last session and has been working on getting it to happen more frequently. Jacke was the one that was really heating up. He started session by conjuring a flame in his hand and was trying to keep it from going as long as he could. All Tyler was doing was still making electrical sparks around him and even then that was rare to happen.
Reggie looked at Tyler with a feeling of triumph in his eyes. "Tyler, what are you saying?"
"Maybe I should get out of this. I'm only getting in your way."
"You're getting in our way?"
"Yeah, I don't think that I was meant for this."
"Not meant? Are you sure?"
"Definitely! Why are you mimicking me Reggie!"
"Look above you" said Reggie pointing above Tyler's head.
Tyler looked directly above him to see a ball of electricity, about twice a quaffle's size, hovering there. Tyler was shocked but then went into wonder and confusion at the very next second. How had he done that?
"I don't understand."
Reggie stepped in. "I do."
Then Brad, Jacke and Tyler's voices combined into one. "You know? How?"
"Simple. I saw that Tyler was letting out his held in anger and all that was the reason he was tense. You can't be tense or you won't be able to use the element power correctly?"
Brad looked overwhelmed. "Whoa, you really put thought into this."
"Not really. It was all in the book. That's why the three of us were going faster than you Tyler. You weren't as calm and loose as we were. When you started shouting, I saw you body loosening and noticed a flicker appear over you and as you yelled it got brighter and bigger as I encouraged it."
Tyler was speechless. He got tricked, by Reggie of all people. "I thought I was supposed to be the cunning one."
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment."
"I have to say Tyler. Even though you were slower in getting your power out, it looks stronger than any of ours so far."
"You flatter me Brad," said Tyler flatly.
Just out of nowhere Jacke sneezed but before he could say, "Excuse Me" the lightning energy above Tyler shot out at him. He fell back and was still as a corpse for a few seconds. Tyler tried to make a sound, Reggie was muttering 'Dear Merlin' under his breath and Brad just had his eyes locked on Jacke but then made a scared whimper.
"Did he get electrocuted to death?"
"Electrocuted?"
"It means that electricity went through his body killing him with shocks like in the Muggle World" said Reggie in an uneasy voice.
But after Reggie explained this to Tyler, Jacke stirred and sat in an upright position.
"Whoa...that felt really interesting."
Brad was opening his mouth so wide it looked like he was able to eat a goblet. "How did it feel? No one could just sit up after something like that."
"I don't know. I...when I got hit with the lightning power of Tyler's
"I'm so sorry Jacke" Tyler said cutting him off. "I was just surprised by your sneeze and the power I had on the element just slipped away. I can't believe this. We just made up and I did a stupid thing like this."
"It's okay, I forgive you."
"What do you mean 'just made up'?"
"We'll tell you later Brad."
"No, what happened between you two?"
Tyler never saw Brad so nosy about anything before. Reggie even started to look very curious about what happened between him and Jacke. Tyler decided to answer them so it could be gotten over with and finally forgotten.
"Okay, me and Jacke had a little argument about the death that Dumbledore announced and blames went around about who knew about it and who didn't."
"Whoa" That seemed to be the only thing Brad was able to say.
"Don't worry. Regulus gave me a little talk that made me go and patch up things with Jacke."
"Is that what you wanted to talk about yesterday when you asked for a private word? And did you say Regalus Black talked you into patching things up?" asked Reggie.
"Yeah, it was and Regulus did convince me to make up with Jacke right away."
"You know...Regulus gave me a talking too too."
Tyler looked at Jacke a little surprised, "He did. He didn't tell me that."
"Anyway!" shouted Jacke to finish what he started. "we'll talk about that later, let's just get back to what just happened. When that thing hit me it felt like a force pushing against me rather than a lightning bolt."
"Weird." Brad's words were taken out of Tyler's thoughts.
"Wait! Let me check one thing." Reggie ran to his bag and pulled out the Elemental Book and started to rapidly flip pages. He kept on until he seemed to have found what he was looking for. "Aha! It seems that our conjured elements have a limit flaw. Listen:
When an element is conjured it can not fully
have the effects of natural born elements.
Tyler was stumped. "What does that mean?"
"It means...well...okay, let me explain with examples. For example, all of Jacke's fire can be warm but it can't ignite anything like regular fire can. Brad's water can't leave anything wet, my wind can blow but can't lift anything and your lightning can't shock anyone."
"Oh great. Well, I guess that means that our choosing of our elements didn't even matter since we all have the same problem." Jacke was irritated at this news.
"No, I didn't finish. Listen to the rest:
The conjured elements won't have the true element's ability
on living beings. Only the manipulated. The being of our earth
decides if our conjuring is worthy after long yearful considerations
"In other words, unless the spirit of the earth lets our elements be pure then it will be a force of magic only. For now, only the real elements that we manipulate have the full effects."
"Well...I guess, we could look at the glass half-full."
"Half-full?" said Tyler and Jacke at the same time.
"Muggle term" said Reggie. "It means there is a good sign of news when something is bad."
Though Reggie had more insight toward the wizarding world, he still had knowledge of the muggle world from his mother. Not a lot but enough to know so he was able to blend in. Reggie sometimes explained these kinds of things to Jacke and Tyler.
"I guess we just have to wait to see if the planet deems us worthy to conjure a real element. Well, at least we could conjure the elements. It may be just a force but it's better than nothing."
Tyler agreed with this. "Yeah, I think you're right Brad. Anyway it's already April and we could conjure our powers, even if it only is directed toward non-living things. I mean, if someone tried to curse me I could send my lightning toward him to force him back on his back."
"Yeah, and I could do that with my fire and even light up a torch or something since they're non-living things. We truly are elementals now."
"Well there is more good news guys," said Reggie.
"What?" said all three of the others.
Tyler didn't think he could take more confusing news or good news with bad news anymore today.
"Well, we've completed the hardest technique for elementals to learn first: Element Conjuring. Now that we got the hardest part out of the way, we could move to the easiest part: Element Manipulation."
End of Chapter 14
Prongsthemarauder: Good to see you're still reviewing so please don't stop.
Nightlit: Glad to see you finally updated 'Trials of the Four'. Please consider my words to not cancel the story. Every start has bumps on it. I'm also glad that you agree with my views of Regalus.
Author Notes:
Well chapter 14 is completed! They have learned to make elements from scratch even if it is close to useless now. I hope you are enjoying my story so far. There are around four chapters to be expected in this story. Don't worry for this is just year one for the young wizards. Chapter 15 will be up soon. "Sneaky Snakes Hear Things". Tyler learns interesting facts all over Hogwarts that really sparks his curiosity. Please Review and for just the readers please consider reviewing for telling me your reactions.