Magical Origins
Author Notes: So, I read an interesting review about why this story is called 'Magical Origins,' and I want to say I'm about to dig deeper into the reason behind that. You will notice many hints regard 'Magical Origin's throughout Year Six.
I'm also sorry for the long wait. I'll be working on my other stories. Kind of stuck on Aspect of the Wolf, to be honest. Try to decide to do the Wrath Gate or the Blue Dragon crisis. I hope everyone enjoys the chapter!
Year 6: Children of War
"You think Ron Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, and Draco Malfoy are Death Eaters?" Lupin said sarcastically as if Harry and Lily were telling a joke.
Harry summoned an emergency meeting with his Vassals and allies to discuss what he and Lily had learned down their Voyage in Knockturn Alley.
"Mooney, this is serious," Sirius said seriously.
"I don't think Voldemort would recruit sixteen-year-olds into his army," said Lupin.
"Regulus was fifteen when he joined the Death Eaters and took the mark," snaps Sirius.
Regulus was younger than Sirius. Under pressure by their mother, Walburga Black Regulus joined a cause he wasn't ready for and one that cost him his life a year into the fight.
"Regulus only remain with the Death Eaters before he back off," said Isabelle. "We never found his body either, so we couldn't give him a proper burial, but we know he's dead. He only lasts a few days on the run."
"Still, you're talking about children being used in war," said Lupin.
"You really think Voldemort care these are children?" said Harry. "Ron Weasley has hated me for years, convinced I'm some Dark Lord in training. If Ron believed there was a choice between siding with Voldemort and or me, he would choose Voldemort."
"That's ridiculous," said Lupin.
"I don't think so," said Lily. "Ron has some blind hatred towards Harry and is deluded over the fact that Harry is some evil dark wizard. Ron would not hesitate to choose the Dark Lord over Harry if these two came into conflict."
"I think it would be wise to keep a close eye on things for now," Isabelle said, wisely, ending any further argument. "The fact doesn't change; three young Hogwarts students were seen in Knockturn Alley with persons unknown. Ron and Ginny followed an unknown wizard into Knockturn Alley of their own free will. Draco Malfoy met with Mr. Borgin and had to resort to threatening him into cooperating for reasons unknown. Something is happening, and we should keep our eyes and ears open on the situation."
"I'll inform the Aurors office that a group of Death Eaters was seen gathering in Knockturn Alley. Have them conduct another raid on their homes and residence," said Sirius.
Lupin looks off to the side, unhappy where this was going. It was almost as if he refused to believe children would be apart of the war.
The next day, they quickly arrived at the Hogwarts Express.
Aurors were station all over the station to ensure the children would arrive safely at Hogwarts. Aurors were also going to be present on the train as well and within the compartments.
Artemis arrived at Hogwarts in the morning. She apparated at Hogsmeade before returning to Hogwarts. Artemis did warn Hogwarts security had been seriously upgraded.
Harry and Lily were no longer the Quidditch Captains, even if they technically were. Dolores Umbridge had overstepped her boundaries and authority when she stripped them of their Quidditch privilege. Professor McGonagall would want to speak to Lily about reassuming her duties as Quidditch Captain. Harry doubt Snape would even talk to him again. Not after what happened the last time they spoke.
Harry and Snape haven't spoken or set eyes upon each other since their last Occlumency lesson.
Harry question if he would ever fly in the Quidditch Pitch again. Before Voldemort's return, Harry dreamed of playing pro and headlining the World Cup.
Now because of the war, his priorities have changed.
Harry sits down, reading his Book of Shadows.
He looks at the water power and was trying to see what else it could be used as. Water had amazing healing qualities. Harry's never shown much interesting in being a healer.
Harry turns the page and sees something that startles him.
Harry reads it and sees it was an old-style picture that wasn't moving as was common in the wizarding world. Four people were facing what looks like a giant face of a black dragon.
The dragon looked almost demonic.
Harry looks at the picture and couldn't understand why this was in his Book of Shadows.
He turns the page and sees only one word on the page.
'The Source'
Harry didn't understand what was going on with this picture but couldn't help but feel it was tied to Voldemort for some reason.
Harry booked his book away and was quickly ambush by his children. Reina and Gabriel quickly jump on Harry, who happily begins picks up the twins.
Harry didn't know much about being a father, being only sixteen years old, but he did what he could for his children. Regardless of what the future holds for him and Artemis, he would always love his children.
Harry finally understood why his parents sacrifice their lives to save him. Harry knew at this very moment, if Voldemort had shown up at his door, he would throw himself at Voldemort so his children would live.
Sirius had gotten his kid's toy broomsticks. They were having fun flying around the cabin on their toy brooms.
After playing with his kids, Harry felt tired as he lies on his back. Allowing his children to sleep on his stomach as the two were exhausted.
Two days later, Harry and Lily had their belongings in a trunk and in a bag. They arrived at King's Cross Station and quickly boarded the train.
They weren't the only ones who arrived early. Countless families had arrived early to see their children off safely. Aurors were station all over the station and within the train itself.
"We should be more careful of Ron this year," Harry said as he places his trunk under the seat. Harry opens the cage allowing Hedwig to rest on the stand meant for owls.
"I find it troubling that he would take the Black along with Ginny," said Lily.
"Ginny has been obsessed with me for years, and Ron has been completely blind, believing I'm a Dark Lord in training because I'm a Slytherin," said Harry.
Lily said nothing, knowing how obsessed Ginny Weasley has been over Harry Potter. Lily remembers back in her fourth year. Ginny was making plans for her wedding with Harry, the youngest Triwizard Champion in history.
It was creepy to see the young thirteen-year-old witch dreaming of the most famous wizard in the world. It got even creepier when Ginny was plotting to poison Daphne Greengrass's drink once she learned she was attending the Yule Ball with Harry.
Thank Merlin, they lived in separate houses because Ginny began to develop a deep hatred for Daphne Greengrass when she walked with her arm around Harry's during the Yule Ball.
Ron, every year would label Harry as a Dark Lord to anyone who would listen. Some students, like Seamus, listen to Ron believing him. They mostly believed the prejudice lie that every witch and wizard in Slytherin took the Black and became Dark Wizards and Witches.
Harry and Lily started playing wizard chess. They did this knowing they were unable to dual on the train without risking destroying everything. Once in a while, an Auror would walk past their compartment without saying anything.
Chess was a thinking game, where every move had to be calculated with meaning… each sacrifice serving a greater purpose towards the king.
"Have you've ever wondered?" Lily suddenly said during their third game.
"Wonder what?" Harry asked as he moves his knight to block Lily's bishop.
"What is the 'king'?" said Lily moving her rook.
Harry paused as he thinks about Lily's question.
"Never really thought about it, to be honest. Our land has many kings and queens," said Harry.
"True, and many of them were terrible. Historians would enter a heated debate over who was the most terrible. My question is regarding… what is the significance of the 'king,'" Lily said, holding her white king upwards.
Harry looks down as he stares at his own king.
The purpose behind chess was to protect your king. Was that not true in life? Where there something important to protect?
"Hard to say," said Harry.
"Philosophers are renown wisdom and guidance, but sometimes I find their words too cryptic," said Lily.
"A philosophers' meaning isn't supposed to make sense at the start. It's to make you question and think of the answer so you can learn," said Harry.
"Sounds like Ravenclaw," said Lily.
"You don't like learning?" said Harry.
"Not really, only things I'm passionate about," said Lily.
Harry was the same way, not really interested in learning things he didn't enjoy.
"What do you think Voldemort is plotting?" asked Lily.
"Don't know," said Harry.
"You must have some idea," said Lily.
"All I know is, he's become desperate. He's been defeated twice and is baffled over the fact he cannot defeat me," said Harry.
"Does this have something to do with his newfound powers?" Lily asked as she presents the latest on the Daily Prophet.
Voldemort was on the cover. How his picture was taken was anyone's guess, but his new image was something out of a nightmare.
Dark smoke rose from his body with gleaming orange-red eyes. An entire wizarding community had been destroyed with hundreds of dead for an unknown reason.
Some believed Voldemort wanted something within the village. In contrast, others believed that Voldemort was making a point that he was unstoppable.
The Daily Prophet also talked about Harry Potter, who now hailed as the 'Chosen One.' The one who was destined to destroy Voldemort once and for all.
The Daily Prophet reminded everyone even though Harry Potter has bested the Dark Lord twice, he was still a Hogwarts student. Even though Harry didn't make any promises, it was said once he graduates, he would vanquish the Dark Lord.
"It's like you're in the paper every day now," said Lily.
"I hate it," said Harry.
Harry was already considering wearing his invisibility cloak during his time at Hogwarts.
"What do you think Dumbledore is going to be teaching us?" asked Lily.
"No idea. Though I wonder why he's waited till now to teach to prepare against Voldemort," said Harry.
The compartment door slides open as a young third-year Hufflepuff girl stood there.
"Excuse me, but Professor Slughorn wants to see Lily Morris and Harry P…P…Potter in compartment one," said the girl blushing.
Harry and Lily look at the girl before they turn to look at each other.
Harry and Lily headed towards Compartment One, located at the train's front next to the train operator.
Harry and Lily enter and see Professor Slughorn sitting at a table with several other students' present.
Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood were present. Cho Chang was also present. Ernie MacMillian, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff were seated together. Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass, Tracy Davis were seated together.
There were a couple other students present whose name Harry didn't know.
"Come in!" Slughorn said happily.
"I trust you know everyone! Cormac McLaggen! And this is Marcus Belby! This young lady tells me she knows you!"
Harry groans upon the sight of Ginny Weasley.
"Help yourselves!" Slughorn said happily.
Ginny made an attempt to make room for Harry to sit next to her. Instead, Harry chose to sit next to Blaise and Daphne, with Lily sitting next to him. She refused to sit near her housemates.
"I was telling young Belby about the time I taught his Uncle Damocles at Hogwarts. Outstanding wizard in his youth. His Order of Merlin most well-deserved. Do you see much of your uncle, Mr. Belby?" said Slughorn.
Marcus Belby had taken a large mouthful of pheasant. He was caught off-guard by Slughorn's sudden question.
"Anapnea," said Slughorn calmly.
"Sorry, sir. Not really, no," said Belby nervously.
"I can understand that," said Slughorn, looking questioningly at Belby. "I doubt he invented the Wolfsbane Potion without considerable hard work!"
"I suppose," said Belby. "He hasn't really stopped by much. My dad said he works too much and ignores his family."
That was clearly the wrong thing to say.
It was as Harry suspected. Everyone here was because they were or had ties to someone famous, popular, or with wealth.
"Now you, Cormac," Slughorn said, allowing Belby to breathe in relief. "I happen to know you see your Uncle Tiberius. He has a rather splendid picture of you two hunting nogtails in, I think Norfolk?"
"Oh yeah, that was fun," said McLaggen. "We went with Bertie Higgs and Rufus Scrimgeour in the summer – before he was elected as the Minister of Magic."
"Ah, you know Bertie and Rufus too?" beamed Slughorn, now offering a small tray of pies. Belby didn't get his looking somewhat hurt.
Zabini's mother apparently was a single witch but renown for her beauty. She had countless suitors seeking her hand in marriage. Apparently, she had beauty, wealth, and connections.
The Greengrass family was well known as one of the Twelve Families. Daphne Greengrass had already earned a reputation of being a powerful and skilled witch with a promising future.
Tracy Davis was here because her father is a well-known wizard. A skilled Curse-Breaker and Archaeologist who has discovered ancient magic.
When Slughorn spoke to Neville, it was an uncomfortable ten minutes for him. His parents, respected and well-known Aurors, were tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband and brother-in-law.
Everyone was an interview about their family connections, who had some ties to being famous in one way or another. Harry knew Slughorn was saving him for last.
"Harry Potter! Where to even begin?" Slughorn said as he turns to Harry. "The Chosen One, they are calling you now!
Everyone's eyes turn to look at Harry.
"We all know about that terrible night. The loss of Lily and James was devastating. But your own achievements are remarkable as well. Fought a Basilisk in your second year? Repelled a hundred dementors with a single Patronus! Becoming the youngest Triwizard Champion in history! Of course, last year when you fought He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the Atrium of the Minister of Magic! You truly are remarkable young wizard Harry!"
McLaggen let out a cough mimicking the appearance like he swallowed something down the wrong pipe. It was clear it was amused skepticism.
Harry wasn't sure what to say regarding these matters.
"I didn't repel the dementors alone," Harry said quickly. "Lily helped me."
Lily glares at Harry in frustration at being put in the same spotlight.
"Remarkable!" said Slughorn. "Two thirteen-year-olds repelling a hundred dementors! No wonder why Cornelius Fudge was afraid of you. Your skills and reputation only keep growing! I understand Miss Morris is the best potioneer of your generation as well!"
If Hermione Granger was here, she would have flushed a shade of red in embarrassment and anger. Hermoine hated anyone who bested her in academics.
"Potions is second nature to me," said Lily.
"Just like Lily!" Slughorn said proudly. "Lily Potter was perhaps my best student who learned potions. Why she learned faster than I could teach! Had she lived, she would easily be one of Europe's top potioneers. Remarkably gifted witch, Lily."
Slughorn's voice trailed off as he looks down. Clearly getting lost in his memories.
"We'll be arriving at Hogwarts within ten minutes," the train operator's voice said in the compartment. "Students are to secure their belongings and prepare for inspection. You will wait in your compartments until you've been cleared."
"Oh dear, is it that time already?" Slughorn said hastily. "All of you better get to your belongings."
"What do they mean we're going to be inspected?" asked Daphne.
"New protocols this year cause of the war," said Slughorn. "Aurors will search your belongings for any dark or dangerous artifacts. Hurry now. The Aurors will begin their search soon."
Everyone quickly gets up and returns to their compartments.
Harry and Lily stood by their trunks as two Aurors open the door.
"Tonks?" Harry said in surprise.
"Hiya, Harry!" Tonks said happily.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked in surprise.
"I've been stationed here at Hogsmeade," replied Tonks. "Don't worry, we're making sure you are who you say you are… and you're not carrying anything dangerous."
The process was quick. The Aurors did mostly spell check and cast spell to ensure nothing was hidden or concealed. They were cleared as Tonks led Harry and Lily to Hogsmeade station.
Harry and Lily got on the carriage.
They rode in silence as they look at Hogwarts and saw the castle had undergone a change. The dark clouds made the castle look almost gloomy. A reminder of the dark times that lie ahead.
Harry and Lily went to their respectable tables, sorted in different houses when they arrived at Hogwarts. Harry sits down at the Slytherin table with Lily at Gryffindor.
Harry had no doubt that Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley, and Ginny Weasley were Death Eaters.
Lucius Malfoy was in prison. If the Malfoy's rumors were true, they had lost face within the Wizarding Community and with the Dark Lord.
Ron Weasley has always hated him. Labeling him as a 'Dark Lord in Training' whenever they were near one another. Ron spent his entire academic career, spreading countless lies about Harry in hopes of having him expelled from the school.
On the other hand, Ginny Weasley was another mystery as to why she would take the mark. Ginny has been obsessed with Harry for years. Her mother has been fixated on having the two enter an arranged marriage without Harry's consent.
Mrs. Weasley already attempted to make a false Will in Harry's name, so Ginny would get everything if something happened to him.
Harry couldn't wrap his head around why Ginny Weasley would join the Death Eaters. Sure she was a pureblood, but she's never been a dark witch.
There had to be something else on why Ginny would join with the Dark Lord.
Harry slowly pushed these thoughts aside and focus on the Welcome Feast.
Countless First Years were sorted into their respective houses. When it was over, Professor Dumbledore stands before the podium to address the student body.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore said warmly.
The students gasp out loud upon seeing Dumbledore's right hand. It was blackened and dead-looking. As if a terrible curse had been placed upon his hand.
"Nothing to worry about," Dumbledore said happily as he moves his sleeve over his hand to hide his injury. "Now… to our new students, welcome. To our old students, welcome back! Another year of magical education awaits you."
"His hand was like that over the summer when he came to see me," Harry mutters as he stares at Dumbledore.
Harry had thought that the curse would have been dealt with by now. Apparently, it grew worse over the summer.
Some of the Slytherin's heard what Harry had said but made no comment.
"Mr. Filch, our caretaker. Has made a list banning items from a shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes…" Dumbledore said half-heartedly.
"Those wishing to play for their Quidditch House Teams should sign up with their Head of House. Furthermore, any bans or punishment regarding Quidditch last year… is no longer in effect."
Many Slytherin's clapped upon Dumbledore's words, knowing that Harry banishment from Quidditch given to him by Dolores Umbridge was now void. They believed they had a shot at winning the cup once again.
"We are also looking for Quidditch Commentators, as Mr. Lee Jordan graduated last year. Those who seek to commentate are to see Professor McGonagall."
"On another happier note, please welcome back to Hogwarts, one of Europe's greatest Potioneers and an old colleague of mine… Professor Horace Slughorn. Who has agreed to reassume his old post as Hogwart's Potions Master. In the meantime, Professor Snape will be taking over as Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Snape did not stand up when his new post was mention. He simply raised his hand lazily before he returns to drinking his goblet.
"Before you go seeking the comfort of your beds, there is something more serious I need to tell you. All of you were searched on the train before entering the castle. I believe you all have the right to know why.
"Once, I knew a student. A gifted young student like many of you sat in this very hall and walked these very corridors. His name was Tom Riddle. Gifted, talented, intelligent, and cunning… I once taught him, hoping he would grow to be a great wizard. Today… he no longer goes by the name of Tom Riddle. He is known by another name. That name is… Lord Voldemort."
Many students gasp out loud upon hearing the Dark Lord's name. Some had violently flinched in their seats, even some of the teachers.
Professor McGonagall looked very pale as she tried to hold herself together.
Professor Sprout let a gasp.
Professor Flitwick fell off his chair.
Hagrid had crushed his goblet upon hearing the Dark Lord's name.
"Voldemort has a very long history of manipulating and forcing others to do his bidding. His greatest power is spreading fear. In the end,… his greatest power… is you. But you know… happiness can be found even in the darkest of places."
Here Dumbledore waves his left hand, turning out the candlelights.
"If you remember, turn on the light," said Dumbledore.
Dumbledore waves his left hand again, causing the candle lights to burn once again.
