Hermione found herself extremely nervous as they sat waiting for Lysithea. Dorothea had suggested that they take a breather and go over what they had learned. Hermione had done so.
Magic was, in the Garreg Mach tradition, seemingly used primarily for warfare and combat. There was very little utility or use for spells that were designed to maim and kill in ordinary life. Hermione, with her several years of magical training under her belt, had no trouble at all grasping and using the magic. The incantations, as it turned out, were specifically designed to be without a wand. Once she grasped the words, she found that she had no trouble at all summoning forth fire.
The problem she was facing, at this point, was the nature of it. This wasn't whimsical or charming; she was being trained to kill. And the thought somewhat unnerved her. She was concerned that she would accidently hurt Lysithea. When she voiced her concerns to Dorothea, she simply laughed.
"We have Priests here." She explained. "They can use their Faith to heal her. Besides, she's a tough little cookie."
Faith? She had no idea what she meant by that. She made it sound like they had some kind of healing magic, but Hermione had not stumbled across any information of how that was supposed to work. She was so busy trying to learn and understand this new form of magic that she had little time to learn more about the Church and its practices. Indeed since Professor Byleth had told her that she would be sparring with Lysithea she had been thinking of nothing else.
Dorothea seemed to think the best method of calming her down was gossip.
"Lysithea is a little young." Dorothea said thoughtfully. "I don't think she's ever even had a boyfriend. I mean, not that there are a whole lot of men worth looking at IN the Golden Deer House-"
Hermione wasn't really paying attention.
"I mean, MAYBE she would be interested in Claude." Dorothea said. "But he's such a flirt… I'm not sure Lysithea really likes that kind of person. Now, Claude HIMSELF loves difficult women… I'm always seeing him trying to talk to Ingrid, from the Blue Lion House. Ooooh, have you not met her yet, Hermione? She's wonderful."
Hermione found herself befuddled by the fact that Dorothea, of Garreg Mach, was no different than so many of the other girls at Hogwarts. Some things didn't change, regardless of school or world. However, she did have to admit that she was indeed very curious about one very particular person's relationship drama.
"Do you know anything about Edelgard?"
Dorothea turned to look at her. She looked somewhat contemplative. "Hmph." She said. "Well, I know Claude is always making jokes about Dimitri and Edelgard- that's Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, the Head of the Blue Lion House. He's really… well, he's very nice, let's put it that way, but Edelgard…" She shook her head and shrugged . "She doesn't really have time for that, you know? I've noticed that she's been really stressed out lately… she's going to be Emperor one day, you know?"
Hermione had know that she was an Imperial Princess, and the heir. But she had never heard of her before referred to as the future 'Emperor' before. The title had a striking intimidation to it. In her mind she saw Emperor Edelgard sitting on a throne, starting contemptuously down at her. The mere thought made her shudder, although she was not quite sure why.
"She told me that she's not interested in marriage, because of her position." Dorothea said. "She wants to marry for political gain."
"What?" Hermione said, startled, staring at Dorothea in horror. The differences in culture between Garreg Mach and Hogwarts were quite distinct, but little tidbits like that, thrown out of nowhere caught her completely off guard. Dorothea nodded, clearly understanding her feelings.
"Yes, that's what she told me." She said. "She would love to have a dalliance for her own pleasure, but to her the state of her Empire is more important. It's all she's really thinking about, all she's working towards. Love is the last thing on her mind."
Hermione silently processed this information. At last she spoke.
"That's so sad." She said. "She sounds like… a very lonely person." Dorothea smiled. It was the most grim smile Hermione had ever seen from her.
"Yes." She said. "I… worry about her a lot. You know? I mean, not just for her sake… the decisions she makes will influence the entire continent."
Hermione's thoughts had gone in a different direction. For all intents and purposes, right now she WAS Edelgard. It would be very easy of her to misunderstand Fodlan's political structure and undermine a delicate political situation. She had been here long enough to understand that although the three powers were very cordial to one another and currently at peace, that long standing tensions between them still cast a very long shadow. She found herself wondering what Edelgard's personal views were, regarding the other countries and students. Surely she was already thinking about what she would do when she rose to the throne. (When what that be? Hermione wasn't sure)
If it hadn't been for the generosity of Lady Rhea, and the fact that she was surrounded by Academics who knew her very well, Hermione doubted she would have been recognized as not being Edelgard. If she had been anywhere else, she likely would have been declared insane or locked up. What did Fodlan do to the insane? She wasn't sure, but it couldn't be pretty.
She wondered if Edelgard was as out of place as she felt. She doubted it. She wouldn't be forced into classes. Dumbledore would be sure to look after her. But then again, she was a Princess. Who knew how she would act in a school like Hogwarts, where she had no real authority?
…
The students, not having been ordered to bed, crowded around them, chirping incessantly. Edelgard had taken a seat around the fire, her legs crossed, taking in the excited faces and words being thrown at her.
"Hermione would never-"
"That was so cool-"
"So brave-"
"My friends." Edelgard said. "There is nothing brave about what I have just done. I simply did what was right. That is all."
She sat patiently as the explosion of questions came at her. Harry and Ron, who knew her a bit better, stayed relatively quiet, but the others, who by this point understood that she was not their old House Mate Hermione Granger but a stranger wearing her skin.
She stared around at these people and took in their emotions. Their thoughts and feelings. All of them swelled around her in mind and melded together. These kids were not just happy: They were ecstatic. These students hated Umbridge with a furious passion, and to see her finally gotten the better of, in front of an entire classroom, was euphoric.
She raised her hand and the crowd around her fell into a silent hush. All around her she could clearly see the words inscribed there. (Lord Voldemort has Returned)
"The only power a King has." She says. "Is that which his people give him. There exists no tyrant that cannot be overthrown by his people. A strong, united people for a good just cause will always triumph over a corrupt government that seeks to obfuscate the truth by any means necessary."
She fell silent as the excited faces turned to puzzled looks. It seemed that political philosophy was not a focus in Hogwarts' curriculum. She allowed them a moment before she continued.
"If you wish to see the last of Umbridge." She said. "It must be made clear that you think her intolerable."
"But we're just students."
"And this is a school." Edelgard interrupted. "Your education should come first, above all else. She entwined her fingers together and stared down at them. "You are the reason this school exists. It is your duty to ensure that you are taught."
Seamus Finnagan snorted. "You're not a student."
Edelgard regarded him coolly. "In my own world, I am." She said softly. "And I have been blessed by the most wonderful teacher imaginable. I do not know what I would do without him, truly." She considered the crowd. Their intense excitement had seeing Umbridge be humiliated had given way once Edelgard made it clear that she wanted them to take action. They disliked the idea of taking the reigns themselves. This angered her.
"No one is going to build your future for you." She said. "Only you can do that. And you need to start by actively fighting back against Umbridge, and her agenda. Only then can we stop Voldemort-"
"How do you know that Voldemort has returned?" A student piped up. "You're not from here."
"I believe in Harry Potter." Edelgard said, with conviction. "And everything he has told me."
Everyone turned to look at Harry Potter. He shirked about uncomfortably. Edelgard's eyes narrowed.
"Harry." She said. "Is what I said true? Has Voldemort returned? Has Dolores Umbridge and her people hidden the existence of his return?"
He hesitated for a minute, and then answered. "Yes."
"That settles it." Edelgard said simply.
"I want to see proof-"
"What proof do the Ministry have that he has not returned?" Edelgard answered. "The answer is rather simple, in my eyes. A student here died. Do you deny it?"
"The Ministry wouldn't lie to us?"
Edelgard stared at the girl who had spoken. "Has Dolores Umbridge ever lied to you?"
There was no answer. Edelgard didn't need to hear it.
"Firstly, we need to arrange an alternative to Defense Against the Dark Arts classes." She said. "I am no expert, I only have what I have been told by Harry and Ron Weasley to go off of, but from what I understand… You are not being trained to defend yourselves against magic, is that correct?"
There were a lot of nods.
"Then I propose." Edelgard said. "That a good first step for us, as a House, is to teach ourselves. I have already seen your library. There is nothing stopping us from studying spells and practicing them-"
"Wouldn't that be dangerous?"
Edelgard smiled. "How else would you learn?"
…
Hermione had found herself increasingly interested in the reality of Edelgard's personal life. "Can you tell me anything about her political beliefs?"
Dorothea laughed. "Honestly, Hermione." She said. "How would I know that? I'm just a commoner."
"Well, what is she working to do?" Hermione asked. "What are her goals?"
"Maybe you should ask Hubert." Dorothea said idly. Hermione shuddered.
"No thank you!"
Dorothea laughed. Hermione did not. She caught sight of Professor Byleth striding toward them with a tiny, white haired girl trailing behind. She recognized the girl immediately as Lysithea.
"Hello." Byleth greeted. Dorothea and Hermione responded just as politely. Lysithea, however, did not. She was eyeing Hermione with something that looking somewhat like disdain.
"Babysitting the new girl?" She asked. "What a waste of my time."
Hermione felt a strong surge of anger well up in her. "Excuse me?"
"I don't have time to walk an amateur through the basics." Lysithea said haughtily. "Dueling you with you is a waste of my time."
Hermione was more taken aback if anything: Lysithea looked rather like a normal, sweet unassuming girl. But she was incredibly harsh. She looked to Dorothea for guidance.
All she got was a 'Good luck!"
"Now." Byleth said. "I want no accidents. Lysithea, this is for her benefit."
"Hmph." Lysithea said, as she turned and took her position. Hermione followed suit, feeling an intense sense of nervousness welling up within her.
"You will battle using magic only." Byleth told him. "Hermione, I want you to put everything you've learned so far into this duel. Lysithea…"
"I will." Lysithea said, her voice somewhat bitter. Hermione found herself recalling, out of nowhere, that she had learned that Lysithea was one of Jupiter's Moons in Astronomy. The thought made her smile. Lysithea scowled at her.
"Now… begin!"
A/N
It took too long to get this out, blegh. Preparing for new job, and YES it is better than the last one. Thank you all for your continued support. I've recently set up a website of my own and will be reviewing media content, so please ask if you're interested in that.
But until then… be sure to review!