Chapter 11 – Master's Papers
Harry Potter and the Valeru
By Lady Urquentha
PG – 13
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J. K Rowling, the exception being any OC characters that might wander in. The plot is my own, and even that may have been influenced by stories I have read in the past, and if so, I apologise.
Nogoalikeme: I know, I hate doing homework, so it's harder.
Anonymous: I'm not Spanish, but one of my close friends is. I was wondering if anyone would pick up on the name thingy, but you are right, I started writing this after watch SpyKids too many times. Lol. As for the blood lines, they're not prejudiced, but they know they are different, and that it can dilute such strong magical lines. Muggle blood does make a difference and whether they're prejudiced or not has no effect on whether Voldemort can claim the bloodline. It'd be like saying that just because I don't like George Bush, he will suddenly become George Ham. My opinion can't change that. The blood-line thing was more of a joke, although it becomes more important later in the story.
Talons: They won't figure it out for a while, but they will eventually. As for the dueling, he won't reveal his powers. It won't be very major, because Gregorio and Ingrid know his powers obviously, and won't call on him.
Shadower Rains: Sorry about the review responses, I'm just responding to longer reviews now, so hopefully it won't be so bad. How did your English paper go?
Treck: that's so sweet of you.
Arye: he won't tell anyone about it actually, keep it to himself for a while. He'll only tell them a bit later.
Entityjerry: For the potions thingy, you're not supposed to know, and I didn't realize I did that. My beta doesn't seem to be doing her job. As for the Quidditch try-outs, I forgot, but it doesn't really matter who arranges it, does it? Sides, I wouldn't question McGonagall either. And if Wood couldn't find a seeker before that, shrugs? And I'm not the other author to have done it like this. I know, for the sake of cannon and all that, but hey, this is fanfiction. In the fifth book even, the Quidditch team chooses the players. As for the wards, there are wards preventing apparation into it. It could be like a bubble so that you can't get through it, but once inside they could. No-one's ever actually said. As for the paintings, I don't have the time or inclination to sit down and measure every painting and decide upon dimensions. As for the floor area, I was talking about the centre four stones. If I weren't so polite and I knew that you wouldn't report me, I'd probably call you a few names right about now. Now that that's over, if you don't like my story, DON'T READ IT!
TheFirstOne: I feel the same way about Harry, but I doubt he'll become lax, as you'll see in this chapter. I posted so many because I thought you deserved some more to read.
Silvermage99: thanks for the review. I don't take it as a flame, because it's obviously not. I hadn't realized with the transitions, but there's not much I can do about that. You'll see a bit more about the Phoenix Room in this chapter, but it's not all that major, I think. I'm kind-of winging it with this story, so I'm not sure what's important and what isn't. lol. I know it's not the best way, but… as for the spelling, oh, I hadn't realized. Can u correct me? cos my books are being borrowed at the moment? Diamond of Light was nice, I liked it, but it was grating on my nerves a bit because I kept getting flamed.
Thanks to Crissy Potter, Fireflashphoenix, Anonymous, HecateDeMort, Zhuyou, Eliphelet, Dave-gerecke, Bobboky, Pinaygrl3123, Lady of Masbolle, Egyptian Flame, Emikae, Harry Granger and Zaxxon for their reviews.
Telepathic speech
Beast speech
Chapter 11
Harry restrained himself from screaming in frustration as he sat in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was trying to teach him Occulmancy, and making a mess of it. If Harry had been hearing all this for the first time, he knew he'd be utterly confused. Nonetheless, he knew what he was doing. He had spent the entire night previously carefully erecting wards around his thoughts and memories that related to the BSS, the elvish realm and all that had happened that summer, all things that he couldn't afford to have Dumbledore find out about. Then he'd sorted his mind so it appeared to be a jumbled mess like everyone else's, but still functioned at the level he was used to.
He waited as Dumbledore explained, for the fourth time, how to clear his mind of thoughts. Obediently, he attempted it. He let his mind clear naturally, but then nudged stray thoughts in. Even if Dumbledore was listening in on his mind, he'd sense nothing of what Harry was doing to circumvent Dumbledore's methods. Maintaining the illusion that he couldn't master Occulmancy was crucial to convincing Dumbledore that he couldn't afford to give Harry Animangi lessons, and would help if someone else tried to invade his mind. It'd confuse him while he worked on getting them out again.
They'd been at this for an hour already, and both of them were frustrated, but for different reasons. Harry did feel a bit guilty for causing Dumbledore the worry that his apparently open mind would cause him, but ruthlessly over-rode it with the thoughts of what would happen if Dumbledore knew he'd left Privet Drive during the summer. All through the last hour, Carmen had been in constant contact, soothing his ruffled mind as he grew more and more frustrated. He knew that it was his fault he was so frustrated, if he hadn't had to pretend not to understand Dumbledore wouldn't have had to repeat the instructions four times.
He almost cheered when Dumbledore at last abandoned it for that day.
"You'd best go now Harry," he said wearily, "we're both tired and can't concentrate. We'll try again tomorrow. Remember to practice." Harry rose, nodding,
"Yes, sir." He turned and left the room. Dumbledore was right, he was exhausted emotionally and mentally from having to block out Dumbledore's emotions and feelings while maintaining the illusion that his mind was a jumbled mess. Dumbledore didn't have control of his inner emotions, only the outer appearances of it. An empath in his presence was constantly bombarded with emotions, especially one as strong as Harry. It was as bad as when Harry was among all the students, except that then he could keep up the strongest mental shields possible, which shielded him from all emotions except Carmen, Ingrid and Gregorio.
He pulled those shields up now, as he made his way to a deserted hall-way. He concentrated on the Phoenix Chamber and apparated. He reappeared in the Phoenix Chamber and headed straight for the fire,
"Take me to the Dueling Chambers."
A few minutes later he was dueling a dummy with staffs, working off his frustration and emotions. He was faintly aware of two presences watching him. Twenty minutes later, he stopped. After switching off the dummy, he turned around.
"Carmen," he sent her a soft smile, "mother."
"You're not mad at me for not telling you, are you?" she asked tentatively. He shook his head,
"no, we didn't really need to know. I'm currently frustrated at Dumbledore, that's all."
"Well, maybe this'll take your mind off him," Ingrid said, brandishing two folders. Harry walked over,
"what are they?" Ingrid smirked,
"I…arranged to have Valatros University send you entrance exam papers for all possible courses, so you can choose which ones to do. I…explained your unique position and if you pass the exams, you can do correspondence courses. It's a bit slower then if you were actually there, but in the next two years you should be able to get at least one Bachelor's under your belt," she hesitated, "and I got them to agree for you two to stay over the Christmas, Easter and summer breaks if you want. With those, you might be able to get a Masters." Harry's eyes lit up, but Carmen spoke,
"good, I'm already bored in class." Valatros University was the most prestigious university in the world, and it was in Australia. It's entrance exams were very strict. If you graduated from Valatros, even at the bottom of the class, you were guaranteed a good job. Classes for a basic degree had only ten or twelve students, and classes for masters had only three or four students each year. Valatros was unique in that it allowed the students to study muggle as well as wizarding classes, the muggle classes from secondary school and up. Ingrid laughed,
"yes, there isn't much any of the teachers here can teach you in the ordinary course of things. If you went for private lessons they could, as even you two aren't all-knowing, but in general school, I'm afraid not. That's why I thought I'd get you the correspondence courses, although you'll have to hide it from the teachers, students and your friends."
"Illusions will do if anyone catches us," Harry said slowly, "it'll be hard to get away to do it though. Hermione's got classes, so that's fine, but Ron has the same classes as me."
"The double illusions," Carmen suggested, "they'll work fine for a couple of hours, but we'll have to be back before they start to dissipate. We can do some work in the common room as well, if we disguise the parchment to appear to be an essay."
"How did you get away now?" Ingrid asked. Harry blushed,
"I didn't. Ron has no idea where I am." Ingrid shook her head,
"I think you two need to lead normal lives during the day. At night, once your dorm mates are asleep, create a double to sleep in your bed, and then come down here. Endurance potions will get you through a couple of hours of practice and a couple of hours of work. If you keep disappearing, people are going to wonder what's happened. When you get detentions, I'll arrange for you to serve it with me or Gregorio, and you can work on your papers then. Although when this all comes out into the open, we can't say anything about the detentions, or I'll end up in trouble too." Harry nodded, taking one folder.
"I'll see you in class then," Ingrid said, handing the other folder to Carmen before she vanished.
"You go shower and change, and then let's head back to the common room," Carmen ordered. Harry nodded, and strode into the fire,
"take me home."
Ten minutes later, he emerged, dressed and ready to return to the Gryffindor common room. He concentrated and reappeared in his dorm. He'd barely appeared when the door swung open and Dean walked in. He quickly cast an invisibility spell on the folder, as Dean looked over at him. He grinned at Dean and then headed down to the common room, weaving an elaborate spell as he went. The contents of the folder he carried would simply seem like his most recent Transfiguration essay to all but him.
He settled down in the almost deserted common room and pulled out the array of different entrance papers. As he looked over them, he thought about what he wanted to study. At the top each spectrum were Potion Masters, Herbology Masters, Master Charmers, Transfiguration Masters, Master Translators, Arithmancy Masters, Muggle Experts, Master Divinators, Master Healers, Master Animal Managers, Master Defense Specialists, Master Spell Crafters, Master Lawyers, Professors of Magic, Astronomy Masters, among many others. Then, in the muggle side of it, he could study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Acting, Art, Music, Languages, History, Culture and Geography for secondary school, and then at a university level, Harry could learn muggle law, medicine, archeology, accounting and engineering among others.
Studying muggle biology and chemistry could come in handy in potion brewing and spell casting, as would mathematics. He remembered most of what he'd learned in those subjects in primary school. The others weren't quite as important, although interesting. He also wanted to try for Defense Specialists, Spell Crafters, Healer, Potions, Transfiguration and Charms. There was no Dueling degree, or he'd go for that. He'd only have time for one course, especially if he wanted a Masters by the time he left Hogwarts. That meant it would be best to try for one of the magic oriented ones, and the ones most likely to help him in applying to be an Auror would be Defense Specialist, Healer and Spell Crafter. Spell Crafting was fun, but took years of dedication and work to create even one perfect spell. Healing would land him in the healing side of the Auror program, which meant he wouldn't get to use his other specialized abilities. That left Defense Specialist.
He put the rest away and took that piece of parchment only. After looking around the room, and spotting only Carmen and two first years, he set to work.
Harry grinned as he read through the questions. Many of them were open-ended questions, inviting for a full length explanation. This was more interesting and fun. He began filling it in, carefully answering each question. As he worked, he wondered how it was going to work. They couldn't evaluate his practical work if he wasn't there, only his theoretical. Shrugging, he dismissed the matter and continued filling in the questions.
Harry slid into his seat in the DADA classroom, waiting. As his friends joined him, Harry gave them all warm smiles. His head snapped around as Ingrid's voice pierced the chatter.
"If I may have your attention?" The simple sentence, though quiet and uncommanding, brought instant silence.
"Thank you. I am Professor Cortez," she informed them, "and I will be teaching you for the next two months. We will be starting with looking at shielding techniques. Any questions." One Hufflepuff boy raised his hand, and then spoke at her nod,
"What do you mean for the next two months? Are you leaving after that?"
"No, I'll be teaching the first through fourth years for the following two months and then I'll switch back to you. My husband and I are alternating teaching, so that it doesn't become boring," Ingrid explained, "any other questions?"
"No? Very well, let's begin. Can anyone tell me what a shield is?" Harry raised as hand, along with half the class.
"Miss. Abbot?"
"A shield protects the caster from harmful curses or spells," she answered.
"Not quite, but close. 3 points to Hufflepuff. Miss. Granger?"
"A shield protects something or someone from any spell or curse," Hermione recited, "although some shields are designed to protect against physical or mental attacks."
"Correct, five points to Gryffindor. Can anyone tell me about the different types of shield?" This time only Harry's, Carmen's, Hermione's and Hannah's hand went up.
"Miss. Cortez?" There was a murmur as people suddenly put two and two together, figuring out that Carmen was somehow related to their new teacher.
"There are the three basic types; magical, physical and mental shields, which protect against their namesake. They are further divided into three categories; body, direction and wall shields. Body shields protect the entirety of something from all directions, direction shields shield someone or something from one direction, and wall shields create a wall shield. Body and direction shields are used to shield smaller items and people, but cannot shield buildings or large items," Carmen explained.
"Correct, five points to Gryffindor. Can anyone tell me the different ways that shields work?" Harry was the only one to raise his hand this time. He knew that Carmen knew the answer, but this wasn't supposed to be her specialty.
"Mr. Potter?"
"There are four types of shield; deflection, reflection, absorption and dissipation. Deflection is when the spells or attack bounce off the shield, going in another direction. Reflection is when the spell is reflected back at the caster. Absorption is when the shield absorbs the power of the spell or attack and stores it to help it block more. Dissipation is when the spell or attack just vanishes upon touching the shield or can't get through. Dissipation is the most common shield, while the least energy absorbing is deflection. The rarest and most draining is absorption. Absorption shields can only be used against spells and mental attacks, while reflection and deflection can only be used against spells. Dissipation can be used against all three types of attack," he answered. It wasn't strictly true, he could reflect a mental attack on him, and he would end up inside his attacker's mind, instead of the other way round. There were also some very ancient, powerful and draining absorption shields that would allow him to absorb the energy into himself for use. There was even an ancient Grecian shield that worked in reverse, letting spells through it and then trapping them inside.
"Correct, five points to Gryffindor," she agreed, "now, can anyone tell me the most common shield? Miss Bones?"
"Isn't it the Protego shield? The minor dissipation body shield?"
"Yes, five points to Hufflepuff," Ingrid nodded, "can anyone here cast it? Mr. Potter?" Harry drew his wand,
"Protego!" The shimmering shield appeared around him, before fading as he released it with a second spell.
"Very good, Mr. Potter. Ten points to Gryffindor. As you heard, the incantation is Protego. Please pair up and take turns casting the shielding spell," Ingrid instructed. Harry paired up with Carmen, and the two of them set about cursing each other, each spell vanishing as it touched the shield. As they had moved to a dark corner of the room, none could see the small differences in the shields they cast. They worked on controlling how far away the spells were from their bodies.
Pity she can't give us more advanced work, Carmen sighed, all our classes are boring.
Look at it this way, we practice the basics so our more advanced spells will have better foundations, Harry pointed out as he cast a stunner at her, but I agree with you. At least we'll have work more to our level soon.
Thankfully, Carmen sounded bored as the stunner vanished, mere centimeters away from her nose.
I'm coming over, get back to doing the exercise, Ingrid warned them. Harry cast a shield at just above the level that most of the class would manage. A petrifying spell bounced off it as Ingrid walked over.
"Well done, Mr. Potter," she said to him aloud, so have you decided what you're going to try for?
"Thank you, Professor," he replied, Defense Specialist. I'm trying for my Mastery by the time I leave Hogwarts.
Knowing your level of work and your reputation, I wouldn't be surprised if you can get the Mastery by the beginning of your seventh year, Ingrid remarked, what about you Carmen?
"Can you block a stunner?"
"Stupefy!"
Healer and Potions, Carmen replied, basic level in both.
"Very good."
Suitable to your talents, Ingrid approved as she walked away.
Later that night, Harry was seated with Ron, Hermione and Carmen in a corner of the common-room.
"Since we're going to continue the DA, when should we have the first meeting?" Harry asked softly.
"A time when we're sure everyone can make it," Hermione said at once, "which means either late at night or in the weekend. But since we have to be back by nine pm, it leaves only the weekends in case we need a long meeting."
"Saturday then, Saturday morning, because I've arranged Quidditch try-outs on Saturday evening," Harry said.
"Have you posted it?" Ron asked eagerly. Harry nodded,
"it's up there."
"How are we going to alert people to it?" Carmen asked.
"Harry can change the date on his coin, just in case people still have it," Hermione quickly reminded them, "and we'll spread the word, discreetly. I mean, we can't get in trouble really, Umbridge is gone. But it might be best to be careful, keep word from Snape, Malfoy and the others." Harry nodded, pulling the coin from his pocket and changing the numbers.
"What about those that left Hogwarts last year?" Ron said softly, "Fred, George and the others."
"Well, Fred and George could come in handy," Harry said slowly, "you know, they could come up with ideas for training. What better way to learn to see traps then to be hit by a lasting prank every-time you missed?" Carmen grinned,
"They'll definitely learn. Especially if we make sure it lasts a couple of weeks," she grinned.
"They might be able to devise some battle weapons as well. You know, fake wands that bite off hands or something," Ron suggested eagerly.
"May as well invite the others," Hermione agreed, "they can help train the younger students."
"But only if they're not part of the Order already," Carmen reminded them, "we don't want the Order tracking our progress. If they know, Voldemort is bound to find out somehow."
"Surely you don't think that someone could be spying for Voldemort in the Order, do you?" Hermione said softly, looking worried at the idea.
Harry could feel Carmen panic slightly but she looked calm on the outside. "No, of course I don't but you can never be careful enough. It wouldn't do to have Voldemort know our plans." Carmen smiled. Hermione nodded.
"So, does anyone remember who was in DA last year?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded. "I kept the list in my trunk just in case." Harry nodded. That sounded like something she would do.
"Ok, well, if everything is sorted out, I'm going to go to bed. Classes took a lot out of me." Ron yawned to support the statement. Hermione agreed and together they went upstairs.
Harry cast a light silencing spell on him and Carmen so that no matter how close a person got, the conversation would be too soft to understand. They could talk normally though.
"You have to be a little more careful with how you word things," Harry said, leaning back and smiling lightly.
Carmen grinned. "I know but sometimes it's hard to remember what they know and what they don't." Harry nodded.
Harry, Carmen. Ingrid said through their link.
What is it mother? They said together. Harry could feel Ingrid's amusement.
Sometimes you two are so alike that it scares me. Go to bed and come to me when everyone is asleep. I have news.
What kind of news? Carmen gave voice to Harry's thoughts.
You'll just have to see when you get here. Don't forget to make the double. They knew better then to ask further.
"I wonder what kind of news she has for us…" Carmen sounded a little far away, telling Harry that she was thinking deeply.
"She didn't feel worried so it can't be something bad."
Carmen nodded. "Maybe she has the results entrance exams." They grinned at each other and went to their room, promising to tell each other when they would go.
"What is it, mother?" Harry asked as the two of them entered the room. Ingrid looked up,
"I have something from a close friend of yours," she informed them, rising gracefully, a broad grin on her face.
"Who?" Carmen asked.
"A certain mad inventor," Ingrid remarked, waving her hand at two boxes on the table.
"Brian!" Carmen squealed, and raced over to them. She ripped open one of the boxes, to reveal a pair of grey boots. Carmen blinked. Harry blinked. They both blinked. (A/N: Lol, I couldn't resist it)
"Boots?" Harry asked, disbelieving, "we already have boots."
"Hang on," Carmen was examining them, "I think I know what these are!" She pulled off her shoes and slid into the boots. She zipped them up and then straightened. She clicked her heels together, and there was a soft whooshing sound. She was hovering several inches of the ground, red flames burning from the bottom of her boots.
"Hover Boots," Ingrid explained, "not new technology really, but Brian's tweaked it a bit, combined a few techs. They can fly, as well as using water propulsion in water, and they'll change designs to match whatever you're wearing." That last had been demonstrated when they'd changed into black school shoes to match her Hogwarts robes.
"Useful," Harry remarked, slipping on his own.
"They are, of course, lined by manticore and dragon hide," Ingrid continued, "as per normal, and enchanted for comfort and protection."
"Naturally," Carmen said dryly. Harry rolled his eyes,
"do you know when we'll get our exam papers back?" he asked. Ingrid shrugged,
"it should be in the next few days, as you sent it yesterday. I have passed on the request to keep it all under wraps," she added, "and away from the Ministry and Dumbledore." Harry nodded,
"good, I want to get started."
"I never thought I'd see the day when Harry Potter wants to study," Ingrid teased him, "I seem to remember having to argue with you about it a lot." Harry stuck his tongue out childishly, before grinning,
"I'm getting really bored in my classes. There's nothing to do." Carmen nodded,
"same here. And it's hard to make things harder by altering spells slightly in other classes, where the teachers could notice." Ingrid shook her head,
"there's not much you can do about that. But for now, we could start on our practices?" she suggested.
"Sure."
A/N: there that's finished. Hopefully you liked it, and I've given Harry something to do now.
E/N: Hey. Sorry that it took so long for Lady Urquentha to update. She was just stuck but I helped her through it. I'm so great. (distant mutter of "ya right") Anyway, Chapter 12 is coming up way sooner then Chapter 11. Trust me. ;)