The Celestial Guidance

by FlyingPixie (Lady Lyssa)

Disclaimer: Everything in this fic belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling (save for my impersonations of Fate, my OCs and my plot). If I were her I would not be here writing on this site, I would be hurrying up and writing the next book! Part of my descriptions of entering a trance is based slightly on the works of Robert Jordan and Tamora Pierce.

A/N: This story takes place in Harry's sixth year, after OotP. H/G, R/Hr, PG-13 rating.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Eternity of Twilight, for pointing out a mistake last chapter, which was fixed right away! :D She also noticed that Ginny mentioned Voldemort in her letter, and that she would be more likely to say you-know-who. I was going to explain the difference in later chapters, and still will, but I'm going to clear it up here as well. In my opinion, Ginny is a tough girl. Add this to Hermione's influence, and I think that she will be the next in the books to say Voldemort. It is my opinion that, especially after the Department of Mysteries (when she realized that there is a war going on), I believe that she will change her ways, either over the last school days or at the beginning of the summer. Even if J.K Rowling isn't doing that, this is what is happening in my story! Hope that cleared up some issues! If anyone else notices any mistakes, don't hesitate to tell me, even if it is a grammatical one (I'm a perfectionist... and I won't bite) Thanks again!

Now on to the chapter!

Incrementum Veneficus

Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than his pupils; it is moreover a way to win the favor of the teacher unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one in later life. It causes men to seek a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position ... It will be said that the joy of mental adventure must be rare, that there are few who can appreciate it, and that ordinary education can take no account of so aristocratic a good. I do not believe this. The joy of mental adventure is far commoner in the young than in grown men and women. Among children it is very common, and grows naturally out of the period of make-believe and fancy. It is rare in later life because everything is done to kill it during education...The wish to preserve that past rather than the hope of creating a future dominates the minds of those teaching the young. Education should not aim at the passive awareness of dead facts, but at an activity directed towards the world that our efforts are to create.

- Bertrand Russell

Like the previous time, Merlin led Harry to the center of the room.

"Today I will teach you some very basic wandless magic, but you must first learn to reach your magical core without my help, and call upon the different types of magic you possess."

Harry was perplexed. "What do you mean by different types of magic?" When he had gone down into his core, he had only seen white light.

"There are eight different categories of magic in the universe. First, there is vis veneficus, or natural magic. This type of magic is green, and is found in the growing plants all around us. Any spells or potions used that are generally associated with herbology will usually use this category of magic. However, don't be fooled. The colors of curses, charms or spells have nothing to do with the color of their counter-part branch of magic "

Harry nodded, it made sense.

"The next category is curato veneficus, or healing magic. All living beings have this blue magic in them, to some extent, which allows small bumps and scrapes to heal. Some healing spells and potions will allow the user to mend things at a much faster rate than it would take in real life, or even heal things that would otherwise never have been possible to heal.

"However, only natural born healers, or wizards and witches who have used the Dark Arts to increase their potential, have enough of this branch of magic to self-heal major wounds, or even go so far as to heal another person. Healing magic used to be extremely common among witches and wizards, but is now extremely rare. The last known natural healer lived nearly 700 years ago. That is, not including Voldemort and yourself, and Dumbledore is rumored to possess more than the average wizard."

Saying that Harry was surprised that he was a natural healer would be putting it mildly. When Merlin had mentioned that he would be trained in the Healing Arts, he had expected to learn something more along the lines of Madam Pomfrey's work. Then again, he should have guessed. After all, when had he ever been one to be normal?

"The next branch of magic is the vox veneficus. This red magic includes both curses and counter-curses." Merlin raised his hand to silence Harry, who appeared about to speak. "As strange as this may sound to you, curses and their counter-parts share the same branch of magic because their magical compositions are very similar to each other! The difference between them is slight, but enough for one to eradicate the other."

Harry thought back to his textbook from last year, Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard (he grimaced as he tried not to think about his previous Professor, absentmindedly rubbing the back of his right hand). He had just re-read the text-book the day before, after the incident with Dudley's gang, and remembered one of the chapters towards the back of the book outlining the magical compositions of curses and their counter-parts. It had been very brief and lacked a lot of the usual details found in defensive textbooks, but Harry had noticed that the two had been similar.

Merlin waited for Harry to finish this thought-process before continuing (again, Harry was not entirely sure if he wanted to know if Merlin knew what he was thinking), "The next category is mutare veneficus, or the transfiguratory magic. This, of course, covers any spells or potions dealing with transfiguration, including the Polyjuice Potion." At this, Merlin's eyes shined even brighter.

"What about animagus transformations? Would it use this type of magic?"

Merlin smiled; he loved the questions he was receiving from his charge. They were well thought-out and showed that Harry was taking his training seriously.

"For the most part, it does, but we will get into animagus transformations another day. The next class of magic is phylacterium veneficus, or charms magic. This orange branch of magic deals with all charm-related spells. This is the first branch of magic you will be taught to use. Another branch of magic is divinatio veneficus, or divinatory magic. This purple magic deals with the Inner Eye, and any divinatory magic, as well as part of your Second Sight capabilities."

"Second Sight?"

"You will learn about this later. The next class is tempestus veneficus, or weather magic. Most wizards and witches do not use this type of magic, which is found more in nature than anything else. This indigo magic, however, can be used by select few to have control over the elements. You, of course, possess the ability to use it –"

Harry smiled; this would definitely come in handy.

"– and so does Voldemort."

Harry's face fell. Oh well, so much for that theory. Merlin noticed this.

"You seem to keep forgetting what I say: Voldemort has the ability to use it, but he has not yet trained himself to the level of proficiency needed to have complete control over the raging elements, which is essential. You still have a chance, if you work hard, to gain this control before he does, but I warn you that it will not be easy."

The twinkle in his eyes was gone, replaced with cold-hard determination to win, mirrored in his charge's eyes as well.

"The next and last type of magic is incrementum veneficus. This is white magic, found in every living being on this earth. Of course, magical beings possess much more, but every being has some."

"Every being? Even muggles?"

"Yes, in order to live, every living being must have some of this magic. The Avada Kedavra curse drains the victim's life force magic, or white magic, and this is why the killing curse works on muggles as well as wizards."

Harry smiled internally. If only the Dursley's knew that they possessed the very thing they hated with their entire being!

"Is this the type of magic I saw in my core?" Harry asked, still a bit perplexed.

"Yes it is. In a way, this magic can be considered magic in its purest form, and includes all other branches of magic. However, muggles have so little of this magic that they won't be able to perform even the slightest of spells. The more a person has, the more powerful they become. For example, squibs have more magic than the average muggle, but not as much as the average wizard. This is why, with a lot of training, some squibs are able to perform the most basic of spells, but no more than this."

Harry reflected on all of this, trying to allow his brain to grasp all of the information he had just been given, when a thought struck him.

"Why do I have to learn how to call upon the different types of magic now, and never had to Hogwarts?"

Merlin looked amused again. "A very good question. You did not have to learn it at Hogwarts because your wand automatically separates your magic for you every time you say a spell. However, now that you will be using wandless magic, you will have to learn this for yourself."

"Why do I have to learn wandless magic then? Isn't using a wand easier?"

"There are three main reasons for using wandless magic. First off, it is more powerful because the magic is pulled directly from its core, rather than being distilled by having to go through your wand. Secondly, if you are ever caught without your wand, and are attacked, you will still be prepared. Lastly, not all types of magic can be used with a wand, such as animagus transformations, healing and divination. This is why these magics are quite rare, and require a lot of power. You will need to be able to draw upon these types of magic in order to use them."

Harry nodded; this made a lot of sense.

"As you explained them, you mentioned colors. Is there a reason they are divided like that?"

"Mages long ago found this system the easiest to grasp, since it had taught to seven year old children. What can I say? The system stuck."

"Why was it taught to children?"

Merlin sighed, and Harry anticipated another long explanation. "In the olden days, magic was taught to children as soon as their magic revealed itself, which varied between five and eight years old for the most part. At that time, all wizards learned wandless magic. However, when Miladrius Diktrius invented the wand, wizards realized that this was a much more efficient way to do magic. It did not require as much power, nor as much concentration, and was much easier to teach to children. People became lazier and lazier and became accustomed to using wands. Children went to school at age eleven to begin learning magic, and memory of how to use wandless magic became lost, save in several very old books. They had no need for very powerful spells, and the fact that the wand was less powerful did not bother them too much. Any more questions, or shall we begin?"

Harry couldn't wait. This was the chance he had been waiting for. He would finally learn how to do wandless magic, or at least the basics behind it. "No, let's start right away."

Merlin nodded, having expected as much.

"Harry, I need you to enter a trance. You must relax your body and empty your mind. If you ever have trouble because of your emotions, then picture a void and put any excess feelings into this void. Don't lose hope if you have trouble, you probably won't get it today, let alone on the first try. This will become easier with practice."

Harry nodded, and sat down on the floor (he might as well be comfortable). He closed his eyes and let his breathing slow until he could barely hear it. He focused and did as Merlin had instructed. He emptied his mind and relaxed his body. Every few minutes he would have to scratch an itch, or would have to move his body to get comfortable, before re-starting. The process was long and cumbersome, but not once did he hear his mentor complaining. It had been a lot easier to enter the trance when he was aided by Merlin's spell!

I can't wait to see how well Harry will accomplish this...

After nearly an hour had passed, Harry had finally (to his absolute joy) managed to enter a complete trance.

"Now you must reach the core of your magic."

Harry entered himself and found the same magical tendril as before. He followed it and reached his core quickly. The magic was just as brilliant as before, and mesmerized his just as much, and Harry doubted he would ever get over how magnificent this was. Once he had found it, Merlin continued.

"Before you is incrementum veneficus. You must divide the magic into the different sections we talked about, and pull out a tendril of phylacterium veneficus (the charms magic)."

Harry wasn't sure of what exactly to do, and decided that following his instincts would be the best course of action. He focused on the magic and slowly he saw different sections appearing. He willed an orange tendril to draw out from his core. On his third attempt, a tendril pulled out.

"Once you have the magic, I want you to grasp it firmly and exit your trance. Do not lose the magic. When you are fully alert again, I want you to cast wingardium leviosa on me."

Harry did as Merlin told, but just as he had left his trance, he dropped his hold on the magic. He makes it seem so much easier than it really is. Having no other option, he relaxed his mind again and tried to enter a trance. Ten minutes later, he was in his core, and had drawn out the magic. He took a deep breath and exited his trance, holding the magic as tightly as he could. He did it! He had kept the magic! In his joy of having completed it, he accidentally dropped it again.

"Don't worry. Relax and try again. It might take some time." In truth, Merlin had trouble keeping his amazement out of his voice. He had actually managed to exit the trance with the tendril still with him. Sure, he had dropped it after, but that wasn't the point. Merlin knew that this boy would be performing amazing feats of magic without even realizing it. His potential was, amazing! Even after Merlin had seen him break the bonds on his magic so easily, he hadn't expected this. After all, it had taken himself an entire day to get to where Harry was.

During Merlin's contemplations, Harry had already reached his inner core again, pulled out the magic, and exited his core, this time focusing entirely on the tendril and not letting his elation muddle his hard work. Once fully conscious, he pushed the orange strand towards the other wizard, yelling the incantation. Merlin soared fifty feet into the air before hitting the ceiling. When Harry noticed Merlin's predicament, he quickly let go of the magic.

This wasn't the smartest thing to do, as it caused Merlin to begin a fifty-foot downfall. Thankfully, Merlin had planned it through, and used a spell to slow his descent and land gracefully on his feet. A blush stained Harry's cheeks as he realized what he had almost done. Merlin hadn't been joking when he had said the wandless magic was more powerful!
Despite the pounding in his head, Merlin smiled. His eyes shone with pride. When Harry saw that he wasn't angry, he smiled as well. He had done it! However, his elation was short-lived.

"I want you to try that again. This time faster, and without the yelling. I want you to be completely silent."

Two hours of intense work later found Harry literally dripping with sweat. He had covered charms (using objects Merlin had conjured rather than the old man himself) and moved onto transfiguration without yelling the incantation before Merlin realized that Harry was exhausted and decided to give him a break.

"You should take a break now; I'll see you again tomorrow. You did much better than I had expected! Don't forget to practice during your waking hours, especially over how much power you pour into the spells. Control will come quickly with practice."

Harry didn't have time to question his words before his exhaustion took over.

Another chapter up! Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks to all those that reviewed my last chapter! They really meant a lot to me! I want your opinions (include them in your reviews): most of my chapters from now on will include a lot of training. Will this anger a lot of people, or do you enjoy his training? Please review and tell me what you think!

Review Responses:

HellHound: I'm glad that you're enjoying this!

mysticruby: Glad you liked the letter! I was worried that people wouldn't. Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!

Harry/Ginnyfan4ever: I spelled it right this time! Hope you liked this one too! More Ginny next chapter I promise.

Dr. Gero: Thanks! I really appreciate it! I like Quality too (so if you happen to see any mistakes, please point them out). It never even occurred to me to have Parseltongue spells! The idea is totally awesome, and I would love to have it in my story (because I love Parseltongue too) but I don't think it will be possible since he doesn't speak with wandless magic... Don't worry, I'll figure out a way. The gears in my brain are already spinning! Thanks for the review!

Lady of the Dragons2: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! More Sirius and Ginny next chapter, I promise!

andrea10: Thanks! Hope you enjoyed!

jeff: thank you! Hope the rest of the story is too your liking as well!

Cia1: Thanks! Hope you enjoyed!

Kungzoune: Just when it was getting good! :D Thanks! Hope you enjoyed the training!

Phoebe-H: Thanks for not pressuring me! More Ginny and Sirius next chapter, I promise! Hope the training was everything you expected! Did you like the quote? Took me FOREVER to find it! lol Thanks again for all your help!

Ted M. Hammett: Glad to know that you're reading on. Hope this chapter was everything you expected! Don't worry; I don't plan to give up on this story any time soon. I'm so pleased to know that you think I have talent!

Eternity of Twilight: Thanks again! I didn't even notice my mistake until you pointed it out (obviously) and wouldn't have noticed it even had I read it over ten times. Which is why it is MY mistake! lol Don't worry, I don't find it rude at all! It's just constructive criticism! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

What you can expect next chapter: Harry reads Ginny's letter, some Sirius and more training, probably with Salazar! Please REVIEW and give me your opinions! I love constructive criticism, but flames will be shredded and put into my cat's litter box.