Chapter 3. Card install

Severus felt the class was very different from Hogwarts. If Hogwarts was like 'follow the teacher and learn', in Fatum academy it was more like 'experiment on your own. The teachers may help… or not' kind of way. For Severus, it was not that bad. He always liked to study alone in the library… well with Lily of course.

He sometimes thought about how she was doing but always tried to shove it right back to the corner of his head. Lily was not his friend anymore and he knew it.

Still, with Lily in his thoughts, he was quite enjoying his time in Fatum academy. There were no marauders, no Slytherin friends. Just him and the class. He didn't get that close with other students but working in the kitchens made him famous. Sometimes he had been asked by students what was today's dinner.

Eventually, it was all good for him in his new school.

Potions were the easiest subject for him and dueling was also fun. But the subject Severus took a liking to was Card install. Last week He and the class learned about the theory of the Cards and finally today they were going to try installing it.

"Now remember, the card is different from the wand," Leo said walking casually around the classroom. "The cards don't need any swish or flicking. You just need to accept the soul from the card and carve its soul into yours."

The explanation was hard to understand, but the incantation was easy enough.

Severus put his card on flat ground and tried the spell-like Leo said. He could feel the card's magical power glowing brightly.

『Install.』 He said waiting for something to happen.

But to Severus's utter disappointment nothing happened. No glowing of cards, no magic circles. Not even a twitch. Noticing that Severus was having a hard time Leo carefully walked to him to see what the problem was.

"You're trying too hard Severus. Pull out your strength and just accept the magic."

"I don't think I have that much strength." Severus gritted his teeth. He was frustrated that the card was not activating like he thought it would.

"Well, just don't fight the soul. Ok?"

"Right."

Muttering to himself, Severus once again tried to install the card but had no luck that day.

Severus left the class feeling a little upset. He was looking forward to installing his card but failed miserably. Severus looked down at his time table to see his next class was dueling which was held in the field.

"Severus! Wait up!"

Looking back Severus saw Shirou was running to catch up to him.

"Hello Shirou, how was your day so far?"

"Fine, what about you?"

"Oh… it's okay I guess."

Talking with Shirou was comfortable with Severus. It was not like talking to Lily who made his heart pound. Still, it made him happy that someone cared for him.

They reached the dueling field. The sun was shining brightly and students were sitting on the shade of trees. As soon as the bell rang they all gathered around in the middle.

"Hello, class. Welcome to another class of dueling." Ms. Scathach, the dueling teacher, said looking down at them with a beautiful smile.

She was one of the prettiest women Severus ever saw. Blood-red eyes with Purple hairs made her look like royalty.

Like always they paired into groups of two and started to duel all around the field. Severus paired up with Shirou as always.

"Let's start, Shirou." Severus never won a duel against Shirou Emiya. Today Severus hoped that he may win for the very first time.

Severus attacked first with the standard stinging hex but Shirou deflected with no difficulty. Severus then fired a Leg-Locker Curse but Shirou deflected it again. This attack went for 10minutes while Severus tried to penetrate Shirou's defense.

'Reducto! Locomotor Mortis! Sectumsempra!'

Severus shot spell after spell to Shirou but not even one could break his defense. It made Severus mad. He was showering curses but nothing affected the red-haired wizard. Not even Sectumsempra, the strongest spell he made so far.

Shirou's golden eyes moved rapidly catching every movement Severus was doing.

"Stupefy!" The moment Severus stopped his furious attacks Shirou fired a well-placed stunner into Severus's chest finishing the duel.

Walking over to Severus Shirou pulled him back up.

"You're improving Severus!" Shirou said smiling brightly. "I thought I was going to lose today!'

Scowling Severus swept the dirt clinging to his cloth. "You're just saying that to make me feel better." He muttered.

Shirou smiled sheepishly.

"I mean it when I said you are improving quickly."

"Well….. It's not enough. I mean how do you deflect and dodge all those spells? Sorry to say this but you can't even do nonverbal spells and the only spell I heard you do was Stupefy!"

It was true. Last week, Shirou defeated Severus with only Stunners. Severus never heard Shirou do other spells. Except for Transfiguration where Shirou taught other students.

"Your right. I can't do any nonverbal spells and I can only do the simplest spells in magic." Shirou said. "You see I'm not talented in magic what so ever. I may never be more than a third rate magician."

Severus just gaped at Shirou. "Bu- But you are the strongest student in the school and you also teach Transfiguration! You're the best wizard I've seen in my life!"

Shirou eyed Severus, not with sad eyes but cheerful hopeful eyes. "I thank you for saying to me like that but I am trash in magic. Even in Transfiguration, there is a limit."

Severus didn't know what to say. He looked up to Shirou because he thought he was perfect in everything. He had a beautiful girlfriend, best in cooking and dueling, and he smiled all the time as if nothing bothered him.

Now Severus knew Shirou was just another human being. A man who knew the world was not fair.

"I'm… I'm sorry for asking."

"Don't be. I already accepted my strengths and weaknesses. Besides, it does not stop me from pursuing my dream. I just need to work harder than others." Shirou said laughing a little.

"If you don't mind, may I ask what you want to be?"

Shirou stopped laughing and stared at Severus's black orbs. Severus could see the flame and steel that burned determination in Shirou's golden eyes.

"I'm going to be a hero of justice."

-Старац у планинама-

Dinner was a disaster. Unfortunately, Shirou had some kind of mission to do so Severus was all on his own. He went down to the kitchen two hours early skipping classes.

Thankfully, two hours was enough for him to make a decent dinner. It was not perfect like Shirou's but he did the best he could do. It made him think about how much far behind he was compared to Shirou.

'I'm going to be a hero of justice'

Shirou's dream was not an easy one to forget. Severus thought Shirou was going to be a cook or maybe a teacher. He never thought some superman was what Shirou dreamed of.

Severus knew superman was not a good example but still he couldn't figure out what Shirou meant.

"Hey, Severus! Can you give us some beer?" Chulainn called.

"Ok, wait a minute." Shaking his thought about Shirou he ran toward the back of the kitchen.

Bringing out some beer glasses and a bottle Severus walked towards the teachers who were having a conversation. It seemed quite important as they whispered in hushed voices.

"Here Professor Chu."

"Thanks, kid. Wanna join?"

"No thanks sir, I don't drink alcohol."

"Huh. Well, come here if you ever want to drink."

"I'll consider it sir," Severus said politely.

Returning to the counter. He plopped down on his chair and looked at the happy faces of students and teachers. Severus secretly smiled. This scene was not going to bore him at all.

Going back into the kitchen he made a dish for himself with leftover food. He readied to eat his dinner when a small voice was heard from the counter.

"Mother we are back."

He turned his gaze to the counter but couldn't find anyone there. Thinking that he was mistaken Severus returned to his dinner.

"Mother? Are you there?"

Sighing, Severus stood up and walked back to the counter.

There, wearing a black hood and cloak was a small girl. Severus could not help but think that the girl was adorable. Green eyes met black and they stared at each other.

'It looks like Lily's eyes…' Severus thought sadly.

"You're not mother? Who are you? Where is mother?"

"Um… Who is this 'mother' you're talking about?"

"Mother Shirou of course."

Severus was dumbfounded. "But Shirou is a boy… isn't he?"

"Yes, but Shirou is still mother Shirou. Do you know where he is?"

"He's out on a mission. Did you need something?"

At that moment a growling sound came out from nowhere. Terrified of the sudden noise Severus whipped his head to see where the noise was coming from.

"U- Um…"

The small girl tried to say something to him but was shushed by Severus. The growling didn't stop and Severus started thinking it may be an invisible lion.

He was about to pull out his wand when a small cold hand grabbed his arm. He looked down to see the small girl, who was holding her tummy. That made Severus understand where the sound was coming from.

Trying not to laugh he led the girl into the kitchen and made her sit in his chair.

"Here, eat." Severus said simply.

"Th- Thank you…"

The girl ate the food in a hurry. Severus watched as the girl devoured his dinner. It was strange. He hasn't eaten anything tonight but seeing the girl being fed made him feel like he was full. Maybe it was because she had Lily's eye color.

Severus soon figured out she had a large appetite. He readied the pan and started the fire. He had no idea why he was doing this for a girl he just met but grilled the steak anyway.

"Have some steak."

"Thank you….." Said the girl blushing a little. Severus could see she was a shy girl.

Sitting beside her Severus tried to make a conversation.

"So, what's your name?"

"Jacky Ripperdoe."

It was a cute name. Severus couldn't help but think that it matched the girl perfectly.

"Can I call you Jack?" Severus asked.

"Ok…"

Jack was too cute. She looked just like a perfect doll.

"…Can I have some more please?"

"Ok."

That night he didn't eat anything. Still, it felt like his hard-cold heart was filled in a long while.

- Wong tuwa ing gunung-

The next day he went to the field. It was a P.E. class and he was looking forward to strengthening his body. Shirou said that P.E. was important in dueling and Severus wanted to be stronger. Stronger to prove himself to others.

In P.E. class Chulainn taught hand to hand to combat. It was strange seeing wizards running around the field but Severus accepted thinking it was going to be worth it.

"Today I want you to pair up and practice the Self-defense I taught you last week!"

Unfortunately, Shirou was not back from his a mission so Severus waited until he could pair up with someone else.

Surprisingly someone tapped on his shoulder. Turning around he saw the Jack looking at him with those cat-like eyes.

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

Jack tilted her head looking confused.

"I mean, how old are you? You look too young to be in this class." Severus said. In his eyes, she looked like she just reached thirteen.

"Seventeen."

"In that height? You must be joking." Severus scowled. He never thought a little girl was going to lie to him. "Stop lying and tell me your real age."

Jack puffed out her cheek.

"Seventeen. You and we partner."

With that, she walked across the field and crouched. Not wanting to hurt a little girl Severus pulled all strength from his arms and waited. Without warning, Jack ran towards Severus at lightning speed and grabbed his robes.

In less than a second Severus was lying down on the floor. Jack was on top of him pressing her knee into his chest while holding a fist over his eyes.

"Seventeen." Jack climbed off him and walked back to her place.

Severus was stunned. Jack was stronger and faster than he thought she was. Severus stood up. This time bringing his senses to its limits he waited for Jack to make her move.

Severus was down on the floor before he could squeak 'Stupefy'.

Seeing that Severus was being floored by Jack, Chulainn came over with a big smile.

"Oh, excellent Jacky! I see you kept up your training!"

"Yes, uncle." Jack replied with no emotion.

"Severus, you are lucky to have Jack teaching you hand-to-hand combat," Chulainn said sounding a lot like Slughorn. "She is one of the best fighters in the school."

Severus just groaned at where he was lying. His body ached all over, P.E. with Jack was one hell of a nightmare. He hoped that Shirou would come back from his mission quickly.

- પર્વતોમાં વૃદ્ધ માણસ-

Severus sighed in relief as he escaped his P.E class thirty minutes earlier. He made his way down to the kitchen to make lunch. There was little time left so he decided to make something simple.

There was enough milk and sugar. He made huge amounts of milk ice-cream.

Cafeteria doors swung opened and in came Jack and her class. They were all sweating. It looked like Chulainn made them run around the field for a half-hour.

"What's for today?"

"Milk ice-cream I hope it's okay?"

Chulainn nodded with a big smile.

Everybody loved the ice-cream and wanted more. Especially, Jack, she followed me as I walked around to serve the students. She licked the ice-cream in a record of seconds and asked more with her adorable eyes.

Severus didn't like being followed around but her strength never missed his sleeves.

After one hour of serving the ice-creams were all out and Severus started cleaning the cafeteria. Jack remained while licking her last cone.

"Class is going to start in about 20minutes don't you have to go?" Severus asked scowling a little. He had a hard time walking around while Jack pulled his sleeves with unbelievable strength.

Jack looked at the clock and casually pulled her bag over her shoulder.

"I'll see you at dinner… Husband." She said with no emotion.

With that, Jack walked out of the cafeteria still licking her ice-cream.

"W…hat?"

In slow response, Severus figured out what he heard and started to gawk at the place where Jack was moments ago.