Year Three At Hogwarts
(---)
Chapter 15: Christmas and Obstacles
Brad had set the alarm on his clock to ring a little early that morning. He could see some snow dropping onto anything that happened to be outside the window. He took three bottles and started to concentrate and pointed his finger close to the top. Water started to shoot out like a blue beam out of his finger and started to fill the bottles.
'Wait until the guys hear about this. Wait until they taste the best water that is on this earth,' he thought with pride.
He released the school owl that he borrowed last night with his packages and then settled to sleep at least for another hour.
(---)
Tyler was sleeping soundly when Chaos had woken him up. He slithered on his face, which made him very irritated at his animal familiar.
"What?!" he hissed annoyed.
"Christmas Morning," Chaos said simply.
Tyler looked at his clock and saw that it was half past 8 o'clock and remembered that today was indeed Christmas. That still didn't change the fact that Tyler was woken up so roughly. However, he forgot that he was unhappy with Chaos when he saw a pile of presents on his bed. He realized that he could make all the noise he wanted since he was the one of four slytherins left at Hogwarts and happened to be the only one in the 3rd year boy's dormitory.
He ripped open the wrapping from his first present that was from his newest friend Sam. It was a book on broom care, which Tyler really appreciated since he wanted to take care of his broom more then ever now. Matt's present was the next one which happened to be a good set of fine peacock feather quills. Morgan sent him a neatly designed silver picture frame that put a smile to Tyler's face. Attached was a note that simply said For A Special Occasion. He received a new set of green robes from Regulus complete with hood that seemed a little too big for him but he knew he would grow into them. Severus sent him a good pair of dragon hide boots to wear in snowy weather that Tyler decided to try on and found they were quite comfortable. His parents sent him a little package of homemade Christmas cookies and twenty galleons, which he placed in his moneybag. He continued opening presents and saw that Reggie sent him a new supply of hair gel, which Tyler was happy for since his old supply ran out two weeks ago. Jacke went on and sent him a box of Chocolate Frogs and Honeydukes Chocolate bars.
He then opened a shiny, light package that turned out to be from his godfather. He took his time unwrapping this one since it was the first thing that his godfather had ever given him that he was aware of him sending it. He opened it to find that it was a green colored robe, not unlike the green that Regulus sent, but Tyler saw after careful examination that they were combat robes. Tyler never had combat robes before and he cracked a very high, laughing smile.
'Wow, this…this is great. I can wear this when we go to for the potion tomorrow. I can't wait to show Jacke these,' he thought with glee.
His last present was one of the weirdest ones he ever received and it was from his fellow Hufflepuff seeker. Only then did he remember that yesterday, Brad was acting distracted; almost as if he couldn't stop thinking about something even when people shouted at him. He opened Brad's present to find that he bottle of water. He looked at the bottle thinking that Brad must've been playing a little joke until he read the note.
Tyler, Jacke, Reggie,
You'll never guess what happened to me during my sleep the other night. I wanted to tell you yesterday but I felt today would've been a better time to tell it to you. I found out what the Element book back in our first year meant by "the earth accepting us." Last night I was visited by something claiming to be the spirit of the Earth. She…She looked like a beautiful woman surrounded by a light, warm glow. She said that she has been watching me and has deemed me worthy to have my powers over water unshackled. When I woke up, I thought it was a dream. Later when I did a little practice with my conjuring, I found myself wanting the water sphere in my hand to be real water instead of just looking like water and when I threw it at a rat I saw, instead of being pushed back by force, I saw that it became wet. I found out that it wasn't a dream at all and now it's starting to feel like…second nature to control if I want the water I conjure to be just regular force or be actual water. I conjured some water into a glass and tried some and it was some of the most purest, best tasting water I've ever had, so I decided to send you some of it. Try it.
Merry Christmas
BradTyler eyes were threatening to leave his eye sockets after reading this. So Brad had been 'accepted' by the earth. He had always wondered what that meant but reading this was hardly helping his curiosity. He had to hear it from Brad himself to fully get it. He looked to the water and picked it up and examined it. It looked very clear and sparkly in the morning light. He uncapped the bottle and took a sip. It was seriously, the best water he had ever tasted. It had a feeling of great purity and freshness to it. He called Chaos over and let him have a little bit before he continued in emptying the bottle rapidly of the water.
'Wow, Brad sure has gotten remarkable. I wonder how his powers will change now. I guess I'll find out when I go see them.'
Tyler headed down to the common room intending on going to the Great Hall when he found Lutz Napier, Sam's second year friend, sitting alone looking sullen.
"Lutz, right?"
He looked up. "Err, yeah, hi."
"You okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be? It's Christmas."
"You lonely?" he said simply.
"No," he said rudely and quickly.
"Sorry. Miss Sam?"
Lutz didn't say anything. Tyler saw that Lutz was likely a person that kept to himself. He heard from Sam that he didn't really talk to anybody other than him most of the time. Tyler felt deep remorse since he knew how hard being alone could be. Lutz did talk to him occasionally but they weren't really even friends or acquaintances but Tyler still wanted to help him out.
"Forget it. You don't have to answer."
"Just…can you just leave me alone for a bit Solemn? I'm not in too good of a mood."
"Why not? Tell me maybe I could help."
"Why do you care? Don't you have somewhere to be with your out of house friends?"
"I care because you're a friend of one of my friends and you're miserable. That should be as good a reason as any."
He just looked down a little and Tyler saw that he had a letter folded in his hand. "My…my older brother just gave me some news that I don't really like, okay?"
"What kind of news?" This seemed familiar to him.
"Never you mind. Anyway, he's expecting me to help him out when I get old enough and I'm a little scared. Happy now."
Now this gave him a feeling that he did know what this was about. "Hey, careful before you take my head clean off! I'm only trying to help. You helped me."
"I did?"
"Yeah, you tried to help Sam in cheering me up last week."
"That was only because Sam was being stiff. He was worried about you so I decided to help him so he wouldn't be so depressed."
"What do you think I'm doing?" Tyler said with a confident smirk and raised eyebrows. This made Lutz chuckle a little bit. "Look, I've been a little through what you're going through believe me but don't give up on your brother. If you don't like it then try talking to him. And if you don't want to let's say "join up" make it clear to him why not. I'm not saying to confront him, I'm just saying give him a talk brother to brother, okay?"
Lutz gave him a stare that Tyler read as a little sad but he got up and mumbled an audible "Thank you" before he left for the Great Hall.
'Poor kid. Another one scared for himself and his family. I hope you're happy about this cousin.'
He followed Lutz's example and headed out too.
(---)
"Brad, that was some big story!" Tyler said full of ecstasy.
"Yeah, I hope we'll be acccepted by the Earth like you," Jacke said from where he was sitting.
The four of them were sitting together in the Great Hall listening to Brad retell his tale of what happened in his letter. The total number of students left in the school had dropped to a little over a dozen so there was only one long table set in the middle of the room.
"Take it easy. Well, she did say that she's been watching me when all four of us became intoned with the holy earth or something and said that she has watched how we've developed ourselves all on our own so maybe your chances will come too."
"I hope so. It would be a fantastic sight to see and I think she sounds kind of pretty," Reggie said happily, which made Tyler and Jacke snort trying to hold in laughter.
"Yeah, I guess she sort of was. Well anyway, did you guys love my little gift?"
There was an immediate yes on all three of their faces on how the water that he conjured had tasted.
"It was the best I ever drank," Tyler said filling Brad's sense of pride more.
"Yeah, I don't think I ever had water that was so fresh before," Jacke added.
"It was better than filtered water."
"What's filtered water?" Tyler asked and Jacke also seemed curious of.
"It's sort of like a cage in which muggles pour water into to catch all the minerals and iron in water leaving behind only fresh water to drink." Brad answered.
"Wow," Tyler and Jacke said a little to themselves.
They then finished their food, left the hall and went on talking about what each of them got for Christmas and soon ended up going over what they were going to do tomorrow.
"Okay, lets go and leave at noon tomorrow, how's that sound," Tyler asked. When they didn't find anything wrong with that plan, he moved on. "Alright, I have the map that we found in the Chamber and also my ancestor's journal. Who knows, he might've put something in there that we could use. We'll leave through the main entrance and go over to where the changing rooms are and then we'll turn into our animal forms and go over to the closest part of the forest where the portal is and then when we're sure the coast is clear, we'll transform back and head for it. Got it?"
"Got it," Jacke said.
"I understand," Reggie said.
"Roger," Brad said.
"Roger?" Tyler asked looking a little lost.
"Muggle term," Reggie said and they left for the day to enjoy Christmas for tomorrow they might not get to see another one.
(---)
Reggie spent his day finishing any homework that his teachers assigned for over the break. Thankfully, his friend Laura was also staying and they worked together.
"Reggie, do you want to play a little in the snow tomorrow?"
"Oh sorry, I have plans for tomorrow already Laura. I'm going to be with Brad, Jacke and Tyler."
"Oh, what are you four doing?"
"Oh, just going to doing some random stuff."
"Can I join you then. I have nothing to do tomorrow."
"No," he said a little fast. "You might not want to. It's going to be guy stuff really, you might be bored."
Laura looked at him narrowed and Reggie knew that she was suspicious. He realized that he shouldn't have lost it there. 'Great, just great,' he thought with malice.
"What are you up to Reggie?"
"Nothing. Just…just a little girl trouble, that's it."
"You're my friend. I know you're hiding something and believe it or not, I'm going to find out eventually so unless you want to save me the trouble, tell me what's wrong. I've known you for almost a year and I think I've known enough to know that there is something wrong and I have a feeling that it isn't girl trouble at all."
Reggie just closed his eyes and tried to remain calm. He never did like pressure like this. 'Why is it that I don't feel nervous on the day of a big exam but I always get nervous when I'm confronted.' He thought nervously.
"Reggie, come on. I knew you were hiding something ever since before your match. Don't you think you could tell me if there is something you want to let out of your chest. You can trust me with anything. I won't tell anyone anything you tell me that you want to keep private. Don't you trust me?"
Reggie searched within himself until he found his answer to her question. "Yes." He let out a breath. "Okay…"
He then made himself comfortable and started to explain everything and I mean everything to her. She asked questions at the right places and was surprised at all the right times. When he was done telling her, she just stared ahead.
"Remember Laura, you said that you weren't going to tell anyone. Do I have your word?"
She didn't answer right away and Reggie could tell she was still absorbing everything. He couldn't blame her, he said everything from when the seekers became elementals to what happened last year to what they were doing tomorrow. She was seriously shocked at when he told her Tyler's real name. He hoped she would keep this secret. He was really risking a lot especially with Tyler if she couldn't be trusted with this. He looked at his watch and saw that he had been talking for about an hour and was starting to wish that Brad was here with another one of those refreshing bottles of water.
"Look," she said finally. "I won't tell anyone. I told you that I promised and I'm not going to break my promise to you. But try to be careful tomorrow okay?"
"You don't have to worry about me. I'll have my friends with me and I told you that the four of us have been in a tight spot before. Just don't say it to anyone. I'll talk to Tyler later that I told you and that his secret is safe with you. He's not a bad guy you know, he happens to be a really great friend and I don't want to lose his friendship over a mistake like this. You're the very first person that I told any of this too, not even my parents know about this."
"…Don't worry. I'm sure Solemn or Slytherin or whoever is great. You've always said how all three of them have been good friends and it's time that I see for myself. All the things you told me are between you and me. I'm sort of flattered that I'm the first one you told. You can count on me if Flitwick asks where you are, I'll cover up for you but you better come back here alive or I won't."
Reggie just smiled at her and they went on and continued finishing their homework. After they were done, he asked for her help in taking all the potions that he readied for tomorrow and placed them in a two pouch bags. He even showed off a little of his elemental powers in the common room for her without fear since they were the only two ravenclaws left at Hogwarts for the break before he and Laura decided to turn in for the day.
Brad was with Jacke and they were practicing their targeting and dueling one last time. When they were aiming for a rock in a far direction, Brad got Jacke's attention.
"Jacke, are you scared about tomorrow?"
"Scared? Well…maybe a little bit."
"I mean, we've been getting ready for this day for months already and now that it's here, I'm wondering whether it was really enough."
"Brad, you've trained as hard as any of us. Together, we'll make it through. We all have each other's back and this is what will get us to the potion and out again. We've all been in tough spots before but we've only got out of it when we worked together. Together, all four of us were able to stop Arnold from using Tyler's head as a hunting plaque and we've all developed our powers together so don't be so worried. It will all be fine."
"Yeah, I guess it is a little silly to doubt ourselves after all this. But that's not the only thing that's bothering me."
"What else is wrong?" Jacke asked as he shot another stunner to the rock ahead and glazed it.
"Well…I kind of…spilled the beans so to speak."
"Spilled? On what?" he said dropping his wand hand down.
"I kind of told Hawkster about the potion."
"You did what?"
"Don't worry Jacke. I told him right around the time of the quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and he's kept the secret all this time. I trust him and I'm sure that you can too."
"If Tyler finds out, bloody hell, I have even a right mind to slap you one. You're sure that Hawkster Jones won't tell."
"Positive. He does want to know what we're doing with it but other than that, nothing else. You won't tell Tyler won't you."
"Well…no I won't. You're the one that's going to have to do that. Just remember that should your pal Hawkster say one thing about this to anyone then Tyler is going to have your head and I'll be there saying 'I told you so,' Okay?"
"Okay fine. Thanks Jacke, I've been holding that in for a while."
"Like we said before, you're sometimes way too trusting for your own good."
"Maybe, also one last thing."
"What is it this time?" Jacke said expecting Brad to say something more apocalyptic.
"I got a letter from my grandfather, the one who taught me martial arts, he's going to the United States for the summer and he invited me to come along."
"Wow, that's great Brad. I wish I could go overseas and see how everything is over there, both magical and muggle."
"I think you're wish is about to be granted." Jacke just looked at him waiting for the rest. "My grandfather and my parents are looking forward to meeting the three of you and my grandpa offered to take you three with us! Do you want to come?"
"Honestly, that's the most dumbest question you have ever asked me, of course! Jacke said practically shouting before his face fell. "But wait, I don't want to cost your family so much money. Isn't that kind of a trip supposed to be expensive?"
"Oh, normally yes, but remember when I told all you guys that my parents were innkeepers? They have a contract with the travel agency to help in taking tourists; and this was part of the free package that we just got, thanks to the contract. We're allowed to take up to 10 people anywhere once a year for a round trip. We're going to stay over there for three and a half weeks at New York City."
"That's amazing, I'll ask my parents if it's okay and I'll pass the news to Tyler."
"Great, Reggie already knows and he already said yes and already owled his parents."
"You see Brad, you just gave all of us another reason to be strong tomorrow. So we could all have a great time together in the U.S."
"Guess I did," Brad said absentminded.
Then they went back to perfecting their targeting and stunning for tomorrow.
Tyler was sitting with his godfather, Chaos in tow on his shoulder, and was telling him about the adventures that he had had last year with Professor Arnold.
"He seriously wanted to use you as a way to make himself look more righteous so he could be excepted in high honors to the League council?"
"Yeah, can you believe that? He tried to pass me off as a hunting trophy. But thanks to my friends, I was able to get away with my life intact. I was really surprised that they risked themselves when I was so horrible to them and accused them of doing all that stuff around the school to me."
"Well, that just means that the three of them are really something that you should hold onto. It seems that I was wrong of your friend Jacke if he did what you say. I mean with accepting you for what you are, helping you out with Arnold, giving you that pendant, worth risking your secret to save him from a snake bite, he must be some friend."
"He's been like a brother to me. First friend I ever had. Sure, Reggie and Brad are like brothers to me too but it's…different with Jacke. Reggie and Brad joke around saying that we're as close as twins but we just look and are completely different."
"Hmm, I hope that I see more of you to be able to agree. So, any other friends that know your secret?"
"No…I have more friends but they don't know my secret, only the three of them."
"Tell me about them."
"Well, there's Severus Snape. He's a really great guy that's always willing to help me out…like a big brother would. He really helped look out for me in my first year before he left. Then there's Regulus Black whose also like a big brother to me but is somewhat closer to me since he's closer to my age and has been here longer with me. There's Matt Carroway, he's really cool but he can do with less teasing. There's also Sam Baddock who I befriended earlier in the term, he's a chaser on the house team. Finally, there's Morgan Stellers, who is caring and nice but can get a little scary if we tease her or make her mad," he finished smiling a little bit.
"Whoa, quite a frenzy."
"Yeah…I guess it is Timothy," Tyler said. After a while, it became normal for him to call him that when they were in private.
"Hey Tyler, tell me, between godfather and godson, any girls you have your eye on?" he said raising his eyes encouragingly.
"No, not really. There are a few that I find pretty but that's about as far as I am. Reggie the real one that's started to go on date patrol," he said thinking about the two other dates that Reggie had after he found that Claudia Ments wasn't really his type.
"I would've guessed that you were farther. You do look like you could make a few girls double back to get a good look at you. Maybe you haven't noticed but I've seen a little of your personal magic affecting a girl's eyes."
"Really?" he said. He never really considered himself attractive so this sounded a little crazy. "Who?"
"You'll have to figure it out on your own, don't want to spoil the surprise."
"But this school is flooding with girls, how do you expect me to know who you're talking about?"
"Don't worry, you will."
Tyler rolled his eyes while he set Chaos down to pet him and had begun telling his godfather more of how he had grown up with his parents before his godfather thought he should turn in for the night and bid him farewell wishing him a Happy Christmas.
(---)
It was after breakfast and after giving everything one last good look, the seekers gathered everything they were going to use and met down at the second floor bathroom. Tyler teased Moaning Myrtle a little so she would get mad and decide to take a swim down a toilet. Jacke commented on how cool Tyler's combat robes were and his excitement on actually doing what they planned to do for months. Brad called what they were doing as mocking secret agents, and after he explained what that was, Tyler agreed completely. They sneaked off one by one down corridors and hallways to check if anyone was coming and if the coast was clear. They made it to the main entrance and headed for the changing rooms. Reggie changed into his eagle form and flew around to see if it was okay, and after making a complete lap around the castle, he flew back into the changing rooms to give his report.
"There are two students by the lake and Hagrid is cutting wood at his house other than that, it should be smooth conjuring."
"Great, let's all transform and head for the tree formation in the woods," Tyler said with a little sense of leadership in his voice. "Jacke, to be safe, you'll need to be the size of a lion cub rather than a full lion's size."
"I can do that, no problem. I'll be at the back of the line just in case."
Brad was looking out the front door and gave the all clear. "Let's go."
They all became their animals and left the changing rooms for the forest. Thankfully, they actually made it to the front of the tree formation on the map without any conflict. It looked a little bigger up close and was amazed at how close they actually were to a portal. There was a design carved at the bottom left side that looked like a chalice glowing. After they became human again, Tyler rechecked the map.
"First, we tap the chalice symbol on the right side there three times and then, well, it looks like we just walk right through it and we're there."
Jacke pulled out his wand and readied himself. "Okay, let's get our wands ready and head in."
They nodded, pulled out their wands and rushed into the doorway like design of the trees. When they hit the space in between the two sides, it felt as if they were ripping right through a soft gel and the scenery of the forest was replaced by that of some kind of stony interior. It seemed like a gigantic manmade stone room with stone blocks with torches around, as if it were the room of a medieval castle stronghold. It was so tall that five people would have to pile up to be able to reach the ceiling. They looked back at where they came and saw that it was like a watery mirror image of the Forbidden Forest.
The four of them gazed around and thought of how the place resembled a little bit like the dungeons at the school except that it felt more interesting. They still had their wands out but had no thoughts of alertness or fear; it was pure wonder and curiosity. It was quiet between them and in the room they were in until they heard a voice.
"Who art thou that enters the Sacred Temple Labyrinth of Creation?" boomed the voice.
The Seekers turned to where there was a pathway forward to find a being there. He looked old but wouldn't have classified as a human. He had long white hair going in opposite directions stopping above his wrists. He had a face that seemed to be a cross between a white tiger and human being and had deep purple eyes with white pupils. He had what seemed to be butterfly wings on his back and was dressed in old Celtic style armor.
"Err…" Jacke started. "We…heard the Potion of Fecundity was found by the Hogwarts Four and was hidden here again by Salazar Slytherin."
"Is this true?" Tyler finished.
"Yes," the being nodded. "Here is the sacred holding place of the Power of Creation. Thus the four of you desire to reach it?"
"Yes, we seek to have it sir," Reggie said as polite as he could make it out since it was obvious that Old English is what was generally spoken here.
"I am Orichai. I watch over the entrance to our sacred temple. If thy four seek the holy power then thou must past tests to deem worthy of it."
"Tests…you mean the things guarding the potion right?" Brad asked the being.
"Yes. There be seven gates to the final holding chamber. To open the gates, each gatekeeper must open their guarded gate. If thine pass the guardian's test, then thou wish shall be fulfilled to proceed."
"What happens if we…fail?" Reggie asked nervously.
"Then thou will pay for thine own failure and accept thy fate."
(---)
End of Chapter 15Nightlit: Be patient. The other families will make themselves known. It will take time for me to make it all work up for that. Oh and it's Reggie's father that's the wizard parent.
Author Notes:
Well, let the games begin. Let's hope that the seekers have really trained themselves well in all areas. Next chapter will be started soon so try not to get worked up until after they've actually started these trials.
Review!