Chapter 10 - Hidden Things

Many thanks for the reviews.

Sakura Lisel: The curse is not on Petunia and while she would certainly like to escape the house, leaving will require financial independence which was thwarted years ago by becoming a housewife.

Stylo1: 'They' refers to the new consciousness who took over Harry Potter. I can see how the description was confusing. At the time, I wanted to avoid the male/female pronoun.

September 1, 1991 continued...

Blue skies and green fields span as far as the eye can see. On one grassy knoll anchored by a 15-foot tall stone monolith, Kiran Singh leans against the white chalky exterior.

Though concealed by an unremarkable outer covering, inside lies a dense core of variscite. Across the globe naturally occurring deposits which coincide with magical fauna, flora, and beings transform the dormant blue-green mineral into highly coveted ley lines. No matter the scale, whether small insignificant acts or wondrous awe-inspiring feats, one ley line could dramatically bolster charms, jinxes, hexes, curses, and even runes. Nodes, a considerably rarer manifestation where ley lines converge, are exponentially more powerful than their solitary counterparts.

For more than a thousand years, each generation of wizardkind embarked on a senseless bloody quest and despite a long history of fleeting ownership none could ignore the tantalizing allure of power. With one rampage after another and having no discernable end or beginning, weary battle fatigued combatants discarded past restraint for honorable warfare in order to win at any cost. Vicious cycles where friend became foe and foe became co-conspirator before eventually turning into the next victim was of common occurrence.

Unsurprisingly, other magical beings and beasts are also susceptible to this allure. Augureys, pixies, trolls, giants, house elves, vampires, acromantulas, dragons, erklings, goblins, and more all wage war in one manner or another against other species as well as wizards. Inevitably, they all fail too. However, at least the goblins used their keen intellect to leverage the failure. In the last rebellion nearly two centuries earlier, long fractured goblin clans united across the globe thus swelling their numbers and easily mirroring hoards from the 16th century. Their sweeping trail of death and devastation throughout several countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia was a great shock as many did not believe they were credible a threat as their population was widely known to have declined following the past rebellions. Only the timely intervention by the ICW (International Confederation of Wizards) in finally offering a treaty had stemmed further acts of war. Though still a pyrrhic victory, it provided the means to ensure rigid global dominion over the wizarding economy along with the swift, perpetual elimination of wizard run banks. Of course, this required a major concession in acceding control over substantial acreage teeming with ley lines across multiple countries.

Cynically Kiran thinks, 'A senseless bloody quest…how many bodies have fallen in the pursuit to possess ley lines?'

For wizardkind at least even if blood is never spilled and lives are no longer on the line, the cost persists. It only changes form in losing one's livelihood. The Ministry of Magic exacts exorbitant taxes on lands known to have either ley lines or nodes all the while anticipating failure to pay just so they can quickly reappropriate, resale, and repeat. Even the vaunted Hogwarts castle, grounds, and surrounding Forbidden Forest fall prey to the Ministry's schemes. Anyone with connections to Hogwart's Board of Governors is already aware that a large percentage of tuition goes toward this tax. Overall enrollment suffers twofold as few parents can afford to pay plus the fund for orphans or disadvantaged youths isn't robust enough to handle more than a handful each year.

Far too many know that the wizarding way of life within the UK is a broken, corrupt mess and yet they are still content with being silent observers.

'I won't be lumped into their ilk.'

Artificial ley lines exist. The phenomena of creating more can be easily repeated provided that variscite is buried in large quantities under magic enriched soil. Ironically, muggles were the key as modern advancements enabled synthetic manufacture of the rare mineral. Ultimately, this means that none are beholden to the Ministry and they can be stopped if not for one unexpected obstacle, Harry Potter.

The boy says, "Wait, let's think this through. Once done, it can't be undone. All the good, bad, and ugly that comes with the reveal needs to be considered first. Until then, I won't agree to letting this discovery loose out into the world."

Implying that permission to share is contingent upon his agreement only engendered resentment. That day marked the beginning of Harry's change from a once close, respected ally to an unwitting adversary.

It's illogical, but Kiran can't help himself. Only a mere fluke in gardening unlocked the secret to magic potential in squibs and three short years to truly establish a connection with magic. As a man who has seen more than fifty years pass quicker than the blink of an eye, he is quite conscious of his mortality. There's no escaping this fact or the question - 'If not now, then when?'

Squandering time and opportunity is no longer acceptable. Having power comes with certain obligations and helping those in need should not be ignored.

Black wavy shoulder length hair gently blows in the wind as deep brown eyes set on a dark mocha complexion spot five ant-like figures walking in the distance. Before long three boys and two girls, all who would have entered Hogwarts today as first year students were they not squibs, come to stop just a few feet away.

Pulling on his occlumency barriers to affect a serene and controlled countenance, Kiran says, "Feel free to sit down and take a breather. No one expects the long trek especially considering that we're in London. Since space is at a premium, you'll find that most rooms and spaces within the Consortium have been magically altered to provide more space. Anyway, welcome to the Consortium's outdoor training ground. My name is Kiran Singh. Though from this moment forward, you may only address me as Journeyman Singh. Similarly, this applies to both your peers and superiors where you will first state their title immediately followed by their last name. The prescribed uniforms weren't chosen arbitrarily; each color signifies a skill level of which there are three. All neophytes, like you, are untrained initiates and will wear the color white. Transitioning to the next stage of a journeyman requires a comprehensive knowledge of all the arts along with superior skills when performing them. As you've already guessed, journeymen wear the color cream tan. The master level is our highest and most difficult to attain. You must create an impressive worthwhile phenomena that demonstrates the advancements of our order. Afterwards the founding members will assess your work. If found to be significant enough, then we will grant the designation of master and the masterpiece will be kept as a possession of the order. At the moment, we have many candidates including myself aspiring to gain a mastery, however, there are none which actually hold the title. Any questions so far?"

A young girl wearing a matching white top and pants with long auburn hair and striking blue eyes timidly raises her hand.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Tanya Winters, Journeyman Singh."

"Excellent memory, Neophyte Winters. Please continue with your question."

"How many members fall under neophyte and journeymen?"

"Great question, your entering class within the eleven year old age group holds 37. However, previous instruction has not and will never exclude on the basis of age. As a relatively new order, many may not be familiar with us and expanding awareness as well as trust is an ongoing objective. Within the last two years, we've grown to 115 neophytes not including your class and 23 journeymen."

"Any more questions?"

When no hands rise, Kiran says, "Okay moving forward. Today's lesson serves as your first introduction to squib friendly magics. First, let's clear up some misconceptions. Who can define wizard, muggle, and squib?"

A boy with curly brown hair and green eyes instantly raises his hand high in the air.

"Yes, what is your name?"

"It's Garrett Weiss, Journeyman Singh. Wizards have functional magical cores. Muggles have no cores, and squibs are unable to use their magical core."

"Thank you Neophyte Weiss. With the exception of muggles, here at the Consortium we heartily discourage the more traditional definitions associated with wizards and squibs. Not only are they outdated, but also egregiously misguided. The existence of our order, it's members, and what you will learn today are a testament that the world's perception is wrong. Perhaps a small demonstration is in order."

Within the space of a breath, Kiran's face becomes a blank slate as if the light cordial expression didn't exist seconds earlier. After taking a deep breath and slightly shifting his legs into a lunge position, he launches into the air soaring ever higher. Unbelievably, he continues ascending until at least more than thirty feet away his trajectory now angles downward. While in free fall, he gracefully descends onto the ground in a crouched position. Instead of turning around, he does three sequential back flips and on the fourth soars high once again in the air eating up another twenty feet of distance. This time he lands with his right hand and knee touching the ground whilst the left knee lunges forward and his left arm extends behind him closed into a tight fist.

Ever so slowly his head raises allowing everyone to see a slight smirk gracing his lips. This action breaks his pupils' stupor which causes them to break out into explosive cheers and clapping.

Breathing noticeably harder, Kiran stands proudly before them.

A thin black girl with brown hair styled in a low afro and a wide infectious smile feverishly waves her hand.

"Yes, and what is your name?"

If possible, her smile widens even more before she replies, "Jessica Phillips. How long until we can do that too, Journeyman Singh?"

"Another good question, Neophyte Phillips, and one without a clear cut answer. This actually carries on to how wizards and squibs are defined. Indisputable fact, both have magical cores. For wizards, their core affects change in two directions, inward and outward, whereas squibs can only do the former. In time you'll realize, this isn't as narrow as you might believe. We have magic potential, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Here's a question - how did I leap so far in the air and land without injury? The obvious answer is magic. As for the logistics, the ascent required reduction in bone mass while the descent was a little more complicated in strengthening my muscles and bones plus slightly altering my inner ear to compensate for the changes occurring within my body. Achieving the leap took a large investment of time and research into how the body operates. Of course, all of this was built on one core principle - you are only as strong as your mind and determination. I can help with the first in providing tools like meditation and occlumency. But, the determination is up to you."

Kiran passes his heavy gaze on each pupil in the hopes that all understand the long road ahead.

"From this moment forward, absolutely no talking unless I specifically request a response."

"Now, close your eyes."

"Take a deep breath in through your nose."

"Hold it in. Keep holding. Okay, slowly breathe out through your mouth."

"Allow your thoughts to drift away with the wind. Let the tension fall away like sand sifting through an hourglass."

"Concentrate only on maintaining this breathing rhythm."

"You are almost there. Clear your mind. Relax your muscles."

"Now feel the cool refreshing soil beneath your feet. Do you feel a slight tingling sensation at the bottom soles of your feet?"

"Aye." A moment passes before all five voices utter an affirmative.

"Wonderful, ever so gently coax this tingly sensation up through your toes."

"Take your time. There is no rush. It must come willingly."

"That's right, keep going. Like an empty cup keep filling yourself and don't stop until you are overflowing."

This time verbal responses take considerably longer, but after ten minutes all five pupils though visibly exhausted are successful.

"With each measured breath, slowly begin letting the sensation go."

"Not all at once. Bit by bit until it is all gone."

Additional time elapses before Kiran states, "Everyone open your eyes. Excellent progress. We'll take a short breather and snack break. Magic can be found all around us in the air, trees, birds, and more though generally in small quantities. However, it collects and always goes to ground. What you just felt moments ago is what we like to call earth magic. Now that you know how one kind feels, I think it will be far easier to feel your own."