September 6
After waking up and getting dressed me, Daphne, and Tracey all make our way out of the Slytherin Common Room and begin heading towards the Library. Once there we take a table hidden in the back behind a bookshelf and pull our History books out of our bags.
"So... any idea where to start with our studying?" Asks Tracey, unsure on how to go about studying it seems.
I think about it for a moment, thinking of how I'd do it if I was still in my old world and I decide to bring up my old way of studying for exams.
"Hmm we can start at the beginning of our textbooks and go through each chapter one by one until we can recite all the important bits of it by memory," I respond, going off of how I studied in my previous life and applying it to this world.
They both look at me briefly before nodding hesitantly and opening their History books as I continue on, "Once we think we've got it memorized well enough the other two will ask questions that you'll have to answer correctly, we'll do this over and over until each of us has that chapter down easily and move on to the next to repeat." I tell the both of them as they begin reading through the first chapter of their History of Magic book, myself following soon afterwards.
Thankfully it seems my intelligence stat is good for memorizing as I'm finding it incredibly easy to commit each sentence to memory after only one or two read throughs. Once I do so I ask Daphne and Tracey to ask me some questions.
"When did the Gargoyle Strike happen and what kind of strike was it?" Asks Daphne, her eyes scanning the textbook to memorize it herself.
"The Gargoyle Strike happened in 1911 and is known as the Gargoyle Strike of 1911. It was a 'wildcat strike' meaning that the unionized gargoyles were no longer working without authorization from the union itself. There is even a quote saying that the 'the wildcats were winning' meaning that things were going the way of the gargoyles on strike." I explain, both of the girls being surprised at how easily and detailed I'm able to answer the question.
Once I finish speaking we hear a small clatter of books towards the end of our table and turning our heads to look over we see Hermione there, peering at us briefly before going through her books.
We decide to ignore her being there and continue going over our study of the first chapter. Both Daphne and Tracey getting through the first chapter to the same level as me while I also managed to memorize the second chapter on top of the first.
"Uh.. um... excuse me?" We hear a small and trepidatious voice from the other end of the table and Hermione is there looking at us, her hand raised as if wanting to ask a question.
"Yes?" Daphne asks, genuinely confused at why a Gryffindor would be talking to us.
"W-would it be ok, if I studied with you all?" Hermione asks nervously, her eyes switching between each of us and the floor.
Personally I've never been a fan of early book Hermione, way to annoying and snobbish about how much she knows. But... she is genuinely smart and could help out with increasing my Intelligence and Wisdom, should probably give her a chance for a little bit.
"I don't mind," I start by saying, catching Hermione by surprise momentarily, "but it'll have to be another time, next class is gonna start soon and I'd rather not miss what is apparently a Professor that can barely speak." I finish by saying, much to Hermione's confusion but Daphne and Tracey's amusement.
"Oh you'll get it once you have the class Hermione," interjects Tracey, "I had Professor Quirrell's class earlier this week and the guy has a terrible stutter constantly throughout the class. The room also reeks of garlic at all times too, though an older student said he had a run in with a vampire so that makes some sense." She finishes with that little tidbit of knowledge.
"I... see," Hermione responds somewhat confused but moves on. "So umm... when should I come by to study with you all?" She asks nervously.
I think about it for a moment, going over what kinda schedule I'm gonna have to work with since I need to keep up with Astronomy with Professor Sinistra as well. "Lets meet up here on Sunday. Its a free day so we can spend most of the day going over everything we've learned throughout this week and what we'll be learning over the next week." I say before adding on, "We can even make that a weekly thing to meet up and study all together."
Both Tracey and Daphne nod at this, accepting that it works for both of them and can only help them out.
Hermione looks very surprised at people who are willing to study as much as she usually does and hastily agrees. "Y-yes! I'll be here waiting on Sunday then." Her smile is surprisingly infectious as I smile in response as she continues on. "I'm gonna go now, gotta prepare for class quickly." She finishes saying and begins hurriedly gathering her things and rushing out the door.
[ 10 Affection with Hermione]
As we then start gathering our things Daphne asks, "Is there a reason you were so willing to lend her a helping hand with studying?" I look over at her briefly before answering, "Just... she seemed lonely at the Gryffindor table, none of the others would talk to her and seemed to actively antagonize her for wanting to learn so I figured I'd show them up and give her a chance."
Daphne and Tracey both look at me for a moment before smiling. "Yous just a big softie ain't ya Rin~?" Teases Tracey, her finger poking me in the cheek for a moment before I swipe her away goodheartedly, hastily making my way out the Library while looking over my Quest completion.
[Quest Cleared]
[Rewards: 50 EXP, Slightly better understanding of History of Magic]
The exp was the most important part of that, really need to get my Level up quickly so I can start purchasing some Perks and gain strength faster. Though I'm not sure exactly what to get first other then the [Gamer's Mind] and [Gamer's Body].
We quickly make our way over to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and take our seats. Tracey wasn't lying as the smell of garlic is absurdly high and definitely worth the warning on powering through it.
"H-h-hello class. I-I am Professor Q-quirrell and I w-will be your Defense Against t-the D-dark Arts Professor." The sorry excuse of a Professor and holder of Voldemorts spirit in the back of his head says. "This w-will be one o-of if not the m-most important c-class you'll be a-attending during your t-time in this school."
Dear god this is so annoying. How has anyone learned anything with someone like him teaching? Or is it that they just use their textbooks with him just supervising? Eh I'll find out soon I guess.
"Th-this class will m-mostly be s-spent going over the d-different dark c-creatures and s-spells that you'll b-be facing throughout y-your lives," he continues going over a brief list of creatures and spells, most of which I already have some pretty good knowledge of.
[Skill Acquired]
[Beginner Defense Against the Dark ArtsMastery: Rank Troll(T): Passive Skill: Grants 5 Str & 5 End and 10% effectiveness to all Defensive spells]
At least I still get this, means I can at least master this and break through on my own.
"I-if you all p-pay good attention i-in this class, you'll b-be able to defend y-yourself from a-anything and anyone." He continues stuttering his way through the class, finally reaching the end as Daphne and me make our way out the door quickly.
"Oh god, that. Was. So. Bad." I say dramatically, causing Daphne to laugh softly at my expression as we make our way back to the Slytherin Common Room.
As we enter we watch as Malfoy is surrounded by his buddies who then go quiet when we enter, watching as me and Daphne confidently wander over to a seat by the glass feature that peers into the Great Lake.
Taking out the book on Mana Sensing that Professor Flitwick gave me I open it and begin reading.
'Being formed within the soul whenever a creature comes into being, mana retains vitality. It is also a sentient energy which always moves from one location to another and looks for material elements to inhabit. Similar to life-force, mana has the basic which lingers the maintenance of all matters. As such, it could be found externally in both animate and inanimate objects, aside from the personal spiritual body of a user. Mana could be drawn to make use of in spellcasting as an alternative resource for magical energy.' The book says. Aside from some grammatical errors it definitely seems good to know and it even gives examples of other forms of Mana Sensing that I might be able to learn later. The big ones being Clairvoyance, Scrying, Divination, and Weakness Detection.
[Skill Update]
[Mana Sensing: Rank (Max): Passive Skill: Allows for sensing of all Mana in the surrounding space. Range increases by Int/2] -- [Mana Sensing: Rank (Max): Passive Skill: Allows for Sensing of all Mana in the surrounding space. Range increases by Int/2. Allows for identifying different spells, enchantments, and runes by sight once Player has learned them]
Definitely an improvement and it seems I can upgrade skills even without ranking them up just by learning more things about said skill. Interesting way to increase my abilities.
As I continue going through the book I hear some footsteps coming closer and look up at the same time as Daphne and we see Malfoy standing there attempting to look intimidating.
"Yes Malfoy?" I ask, going back to my book. Malfoy glances at me briefly but then goes and speaks to Daphne, "Daphne, I would like to apologize for my behavior towards you lately. It is unbecoming of a Noble Scion of the House of Malfoy to speak in such a way to the Heir of another Noble House." He says in what could almost be an actual apologetic voice.
Daphne sits there for a moment looking contemplative before answering back, "I can accept your apology Malfoy," she says, to which Malfoy smirks lightly, "but on the condition you apologize to Rin here as well." She gives him this one condition and Malfoy freezes in place. I can almost hear the thought of apologizing to a mudblood such as myself causing the greatest of pauses in his mind.
"You can't be serious Daphne," he says incredulously, looking at Daphne like she's crazy. "Why would I apologize to someone like her?" He asks in retaliation, his tone quite clear on what he thinks of such an absurd task.
"Why wouldn't I be serious Malfoy? Rin is my friend and you've done nothing but antagonize her at every turn, even now you refuse to acknowledge that she's right here," Daphne points out causing me to smirk and speak up as well.
"Daphne its fine. I expect nothing from those of Malfoy's ilk as it is." I say to her, standing up from my seat and grabbing her by the arm and pulling her alongside me back to our dorm room.
"Theres no point in trying to get anything out of people like Malfoy, Daph," I tell her as I begin to get changed out of my Hogwarts robes and prepare for bed.
"I know... I just don't like him talking to my friends like that, especially since he knows how to do it when no teachers are looking." She says sadly. Gosh she's just adorable in her.
"Don't worry about it. If it ends up being an issue you can owl his mother and I can grab Professor McGonagall or Professor Sinistra. They both seem to like me a lot so they'll most likely believe what I say," I tell her, hoping that she knows that as much as I appreciate it, it really won't be necessary.
"Fine Rin, you owe me though if he keeps it up," she teases to which I agree. And thats the scene that Tracey finally makes it back to.
"Do I wanna know what you two are talkin about?" She asks looking between the two of us while making her way to her bed to get changed as well.
"Rin was just saying that if Malfoy keeps up his antics then we'll go all out on bringing all the teachers and his mother in to take care of him." Daphne tells her, causing Tracey to chuckle a bit.
"Go to sleep chuckleheads." I holler at them from behind my curtains as I turn off my light as well to the sound of both of their laughters before they go to sleep as well.
September 7
Our Flying lessons happen today and we are instructed by Professor Snape during the morning Feast in the Great Hall to make our way out to the Quidditch grounds alongside all the other first years. I'm marginally excited for these for the skill but can't say I'm wanting to Fly around on a broomstick.
"Welcome class," an older woman with frazzled white hair says as all of us first years make our way to the Quidditch grounds. "I am Madam Hooch and I'll be showing all of you how to ride a broom for the first time today. Assuming any of you have an aptitude or interest in it you'll be able to take additional classes here every other Saturday for the rest of the school year." She finishes up once we all form into lines out on the grounds.
She begins waving her wand causing large amounts of broomsticks to fly out and place themselves at the right side of each student on the ground.
"Now I want everyone to hold their hand out over the broom and say 'with feeling' the word Up! Ok?" She asks after giving the instruction.
We all begin holding our hands out over our brooms and a resounding chorus of "Up!" Happens from everyone here. Along with a thrum of brooms going between shaking on the ground, vibrating erratically, and for the very few flying up to their owners hands.
I'm one of the few that the broom flew up to of course, with my stats and skills its only natural that I'd be capable of it at this point.
Madam Hooch awards 5 points to Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw for each having a student able to do so on the first try, the Gryffindor that did it was Harry, and the Ravenclaw was Terry Boot.
After everyone is finally able to call their brooms to their hands, Madam Hooch then instructs each of us to mount the broom, "Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle — three — two — one. Phweee!" The sound of the whistle goes off and everyone kicks off the ground at once. Roughly half of us managed to continue upwards on the first try with others struggling quite a bit.
As I look down and watch the others continue attempting to rise I hear the oh so good ding of a new skill.
[Skill Acquired]
[Beginner Broomstick Flying Mastery: Rank Troll(T): Passive Skill: Grants 5 Str & 5 End and 10% effectiveness to Broomstick Flying]
Not quite the stats I'd like but more is always good no matter where they end up going.
"Haha looks like Longbottom can't get up off the ground!" I'm broken from my musings by the sound of Malfoy's voice once again. Looks like he just can't help himself when someone else is struggling.
"Shut up Malfoy!" Great comeback Harry... not. Well its not really my business to get involved.
Ignoring the lot of them I begin to lazily fly myself around the Quidditch Pitch, occasionally bobbing myself up and down or side to side. After the first lap others notice me and begin to follow, starting with Tracey primarily, Daphne seems to struggle a lot with keeping the broom steady as she moves.
"Need some help Daph?" I question with a somewhat cocky smirk on my face as I begin circling her as she slowly moves along.
"Rin," she says through tightly gritted teeth, "I will murder you if you don't quit distracting me," she threatens, continuing to struggle with every movement.
Letting out a bark of laughter I taunt her again, "Don't be threatening me with a good time Daph~" and zoom off and away with Tracey laughing from the small distance away from us she is.
I hear Daphne mumble something as I fly off but ignore it as I begin to climb higher and higher, eventually hearing Madam Hooch, "Miss Fraener! Get back down here this instance!"
I look back down and notice that I've somehow unknowingly climbed almost twice as high up as the stands are for the Quidditch matches. Taking a moment to bash myself for not paying attention to that I then begin slowly bringing myself back down, seeing everyone else watching with some like Malfoy and Ron jealously glaring for being able to control the broom so easily on my first try. Daphne and Tracey though are both laughing at my now embarrassed face for being called out by Madam Hooch.
"S-sorry about that Madam Hooch." I say sheepishly, "I got a little to into it and wasn't paying attention."
Madam Hooch looks at me briefly before nodding, "Its alright this time Miss Fraener. But be sure it doesn't happen again, would rather not risk you falling off the broom and getting hurt ok?"
"Yes ma'am." I answer before flying my broom off over to Daphne and Tracey. "Jeez, you two couldn't have warned me I was going to high?" I ask them, thoroughly embarrassed at having done that.
"It was funny though," Tracey says in between little chuckles, her face red from having been laughing. I then quickly swish my broom off to the side and bump into hers, causing her to wiggle and wave back and forth for a moment as she flails to regain her balance as she yells. "Aahh! Why would you do that Riiiin?!"
"I don't know what you mean Tracey~," I say teasing her back, sticking my tongue out at her and quickly zoom off into lapping the pitch again.
[Quest Alert]
[Quest: Madam Hooch is away escorting a student to the infirmary. Someone has released the enchanted Quidditch Bludgers, evade them until Madam Hooch gets back]
[Quest Reward: Beginner Broomstick Flying Skill Rank up, 500 EXP, 10 Affection with Madam Hooch, 10 to any stat]
Wait what?
Suddenly a hear a yell from behind me and as I turn a whizzing sound flys past my shoulder, slightly grazing me but I manage to keep moving. "Shit shit shit." Expletives spewing from my mouth as I quickly begin weaving up and down as well as side to side.
"Come on, just keep moving." Easier said then done me. Thankfully I can feel [Mana Sensing] helping out now that I'm paying attention to it. Each Bludger is packed with Mana and is merely becoming easier to keep track of them as we continue moving.
Another whizz past my head breaks me from my thoughts and I begin rising higher up, going past the stands and past my previous height. I can hear slight bits of people yelling up at me along with sensing the Bludgers getting closer, and just as they're about to catch up I suddenly drop the broomstick, pushing the tip of it downwards.
Pointing the broomstick straight down, I begin dive bombing with the Bludgers hot on my heels once again. I can see the ground coming closer and out of the corner of my eye I see Madam Hooch appear back on the pitch with Daphne and a couple other students bringing her back quickly.
Smiling that my Quest is about to end I time myself to almost hit the ground and pull up hard. My broom straightening out faster then its meant to, my feet brushing against the grass before I then tumble off the broom as it snaps in half, from a combination of me pulling back to hard and the speed of changing direction so quickly, to roll through the grass and hearing back behind me, "Finite Incantatem!" And the sudden thud of the Bludgers as they drop to the ground.
[Quest Cleared]
[Rewards Received: Beginner Broomstick Flying Skill Rank up, 500 EXP, 10 Affection with Madam Hooch, 10 to any stat]
[Skill Rank Up]
[Beginner Broomstick Flying Mastery: Rank Troll(T): Passive Skill: Grants 5 Str & 5 End and 10% effectiveness to Broomstick Flying]
/
/
[Beginner Broomstick Flying Mastery: Rank Dreadful(D): Passive Skill: Grants 5 Str & 5 End and 15% effectiveness to Broomstick Flying]
[Level Up]
[5 Stat Points Gained]
[Level Up]
[5 Stat Points Gained]
[ 10 Affection with Madam Hooch]
[10 Stat Points for any Stat]
[Which stat would Player choose?]
Oh wow, not what I was expecting for the first day of Flying class. Then again I guess thats on me for not expecting the unexpected? Or is that the possible concussion talking?
"Rin!" "Miss Fraener!" I hear the voices coming from further away and raise my head to look over towards them just in time to see Daphne, Tracey and Madam Hooch standing and crouching next to me. Unsurprisingly the other students are standing around further away looking on in suspense.
"Ya, whats up?" I respond with, adrenaline coursing through me as I try and sit up but am gently pushed back down by Madam Hooch.
"Stay laying down dear, I'm going to levitate you to Madam Pomfrey and excuse the class for the rest of the day," She begins waving her wand and I can feel my body rising up slowly. "My my, if I'd known this is how class was gonna start this year I would've had Madam Pomfrey here from the start." I hear her say as I can feel myself begin to drift off to sleep, the adrenaline wearing off quickly now.
"Rin? We'll be with you the whole time ok?" I hear Daphne say and I think I nodded? Getting hard to think at this point it seems.
"Ya, and we'll sneak some candies in so you have something good once you wake up," That one could only be Tracey, who else would think candy is good for waking up to.
Crap, becoming too difficult to keep going.
[Which stat would Player choose?]
And this thing is so annoying. God, why can't my luck be better then this?
[Player has chosen Luck. Distributing 10 Stat Points to Luck]
Me and my fat thoughts.
Salutations peoples~ wow, Rin had an exciting couple of days it seems. Definitely gonna have to be better prepared after this don't ya think?
Anyways onto business. Now that we've got the first day of each class outta the way the story should begin speeding up as well as updates slowing a bit, I'm gonna be aiming for a chapter a week so should still be pretty regular and should make the chapters longer as well by doing so. Also I was thinking of making a separate fic to show off the list of Perks available for Rin to buy in the Perk Shop, now that they've got some more level points I'd like to really start exploring what kind are available in there besides the ones I've talked about so far. Any thoughts or concerns you all have?
Keep doggos fresh~ Caenis out~