AN:
DJ Khaled: Another one!
I'm seeing some interesting questions in the reviews so I'll address them generally:
Q: Why is Darrow doing what he is doing/Why not tell Nick/Why the speech?
A: I was sure I had made it clear that while Darrow is a god he is still affected by Magic. (If I didn't I apologize, its easy to miss things)
He is unsure if an Avada Kadavra will kill him but a Stupefy will lay him flat like anyone else. Even if magicals can't kill Darrow they can knock him out and permanently keep him in suspended animation. Bye Bye wannabe God. So he has to be fairly cautions.
If a bunch of magicals were asked to join a potentially morally ambiguous empire in a different reality with promises of them being able to live as they want or salvation who do you think they would trust?
A. The Quiet kid from Ravenclaw that no one knows about or
B. The scion of a powerful and rich family that cares for its employees and friends with an excellent reputation who won the Tri-wizard tournament brought glory to your house and literally spanked a bunch of wannabe death eaters/dark lord.
I think most people would choose B, I know I would. Also Darrow is at the point in his abilities that he feels confident he can take some risks.
Q: Why isn't Darrow banging everything that moves?
A: Get your minds out of the gutter his classmates are 14. He maybe manipulating them to potentially become future minions but for now they are still 14.
Darrow wants to prepare them for the upcoming battle. Let the Gryffindor and Hufflepuffs die not his future minions. Overall Darrow does care about the HP world they were one of his favorite fandoms before he got ARTY.
Q: Why Money?
A: Because money makes the world go round! :) Even for a God everything is easier when you have money. You can pay people to do things for you! Also armies need to be paid.
Thank you all for you input it is appreciated and please don't be surprised if I 'steal' some of your suggestions.
Story inspired heavily by 'Cruel To be Kind', '12 Steps To Omnipotence', 'Rise of an Empire' and a million and one other fanfics. If you see stuff and think that it's similar to another fanfic. it's probably because we read the same story and I liked that plot line or idea.
BEWARE this is a 'Gary Stu, wish fulfillment, power fantasy type story.
Thank you for reading!
Enjoy
Chapter 12:
Scene Break
Year 6, Day 77: Harry Potter Universe, November 1994
Professor Aurora Sinistra couldn't help but scowl inwardly at both her potions and divination colleagues sitting at the conference table.
Trelawney's bumbling and nonsensical attitude combined with her unkempt appearance grated her to no end. Her wild and puffy hair looked like a dam bird's nest, did the witch not know how to perform any cosmetic charms or did she simply not care, she probably didn't care.
Normally she wouldn't even bat an eye towards the seer and avoided her babbling at all cost however for today's staff meeting the divination professor made the awful choice to sit next to her.
It took everything she had not to cast a bubble head charm on herself, the odor was pungent whether it was from not showering or that brew the seer kept drinking Sinistra couldn't tell and honestly didn't care.
At least the greasy gaunt appearance of the potion master sitting across from her could be excused to an extent. She understood that between his own research, supplying the potions for the infirmary and all the classes, especially the bumbling exploding nature of the younger years, the man was spending most of his time either surrounded by fumes or literally over a cauldron.
Still it wouldn't kill him to actually use his skills and brew something to take care of the oily nature of his skin and hair.
A few treatments, some cosmetic charms and a wardrobe update and Snape could turn out to be decent looking, maybe even attract the attention of a witch or two. Maybe getting laid would finally relax his stick up the ass personality.
'Oh Merlin!' How did she even get on this train of thought? She herself needed to get laid…and soon. The lack of male eye candy in the last year was disappointing.
At least two years ago that fool Lockhart was here. He was certainly easy to look at and while the man certainly exaggerated his prowess with a wand he most certainly did not exaggerate his …well let's just say other wand skills.
No sooner that she finished her thought the door swung open.
"Apologies for the delay!" said the headmaster as he and Professor McGonagall entered the room.
"Another meeting with the board?" asked the arithmancy professor, Septima Vector.
"The board, concerned parent and ministry officials." He answered curtly.
"What is that ten in a week?" Moody chimed in.
"More and there will be more to come." Answered McGonagall. "Some you will have to attend as well, at least the heads of houses."
"Yes the boy certainly has a way with words and reporters don't he? Fancy himself a politician?" Moody gruffed out roughly.
"The article about him and the champions in the prophet by that Rita Skeeter certainly didn't help things." Septima added.
"Between that and all the concerned letters we now have to answer are we ever going to get time to actually prepare for classes?" Snape sniped in.
"We all have received letters of complaint Severus, though I wager that the viewpoint and drivers of such complaints are of a different nature than yours." Flitwick said sharply as Snape scowled.
"As is typical, most of my student's parents are former Ravenclaw's themselves and it seems most strongly agree with the opinions of their children. Though I do have a feeling that with each letter sent out the claims got a bit more embellished." He finished with a sigh.
"I understand your concern. Mr. Miercuri's speech has undoubtedly caused a lot of controversy in both inside and outside the school. We all have been inundated with letters from concerned parents and unfortunately so have the board and the ministry." The headmaster answered.
"Before we move on to the today's agenda what can you all tell me about Mr. Miercuri? Have we somehow missed this fiery nature? Have we failed to notice something that's happened to cause such discontent?" he asked.
"You mean outside of the unusual events in last 3 years?" sarcastically replied the ancient runes professor Bathsheda Babbling.
"Enough! We will get into that shortly." McGonagall cut in. "I will start by giving a bit of history on Mr. Miercuri."
"Mr. Darrow Miercuri was added to the Hogwarts roster in late of August 1991. He, as a an American born wizard, was not part of the normal process as the Book of Admittance wrote his name only after the headmaster decided to accept him. I know because I checked myself."
"Then how did he get in and why did he come here instead of staying across the pond?" asked Septima, she couldn't help but be intrigued.
"Mr. Miercuri was strongly recommended by the board of governors specifically Beatrice Boringson and several ministry officials. His paperwork and British wizarding residency was established sometime in June of 1991." McGonagall answered.
Sinistra had never really given it any thought before but now she was thinking what probably everyone around the room was thinking. Funnily enough it was Snape in his snarky tone that expressed it out loud.
"So we are dealing with a bratty rich Yank with delusions of grandeur whose daddy bribed everyone along the way to get him into Hogwarts. Oh joy!" said Snape "Let me guess his family is moving here for 'business interests'?"
"Well…yes." McGonagall said indignantly. Obviously she did not like what Snape's tone was implying.
"That is only speculations Severus. And I have to say I do not like what your tone is implying about Mr. Miercuri. Recent events aside Mr. Miercuri has been a model student. He frequently tutors the younger students and shows them around the castle, his academic performance is consistent with his marks being excellent in each class." He said defending one of his brightest students.
While as the head of Ravenclaw he was a bit shaken that he did not realize the scale of discontent from his students he also understood where they were coming from.
"Don't try to deny it as head of house I have access to his full record. In charms alone it's quite obvious that he has mastered the current year curriculum and likely most of fifth year as well. Assuming he continued his performance this year I was going to nominate him for prefect in 5th year." Professor Flitwick rebutted and paused for a moment to let it sink in.
Before he could continue the transfiguration professor spoke up.
"I can say the same for Transfiguration. He was able to grasp theory fairly easily and while there were a few hiccups at the beginning I can say he has come into his own on practical application as well." McGonagall added.
"The same with arithmancy. He was a delight in my class last year and by the end of the year we were already discussing 4th year material. I fully expect that he has already mastered most of the 4th year material during the summer. I also expect he will continue past OWL and get his NEWT in arithmancy." Added Septima.
The same confirmation continued for pretty much each professor that had Darrow as a student, including a reluctant Snape who only confirmed that Darrow was surprisingly 'Acceptable' in potions.
The Headmaster looked around the table. "Is that all? Anything else?" At his questions he saw the charms professor fidget so his gaze focused on him, eyebrows raised behind his glasses inviting the professor to speak.
Flitwick took a deep breath.
"Darrow is also an exceptional duelist. The summer before at the age of thirteen he entered and won the 5-point match southern France 17 & Under tournament."
The headmasters couldn't help but harden his gaze. Flitwick continued all eyes on him.
"He didn't just win. He smashed his competition, literally. He lost only one point with all but one of his opponents ending up in the infirmary. He won the final with one shot. Earning the nickname of 'Le Marteau de Marseille'." he paused for a moment.
"The Hammer of Marseille." Septima repeated slowly in English.
Suddenly a chill permeated around the table as all noticed the change in the Headmaster's eyes.
Gone was the gentle and supportive face of the elderly reassuring leader, replaced by the cold calculating gaze of the hardened warrior.
The only wizard You-Know-Who had feared, the sorcerer that took down Grindelwald, the man named as the second coming of Merlin himself had for a few brief and silent moments surfaced.
The feeling went as quickly as it came as the Headmaster returned to his normal self with a small smile.
"So, to me it seems like we have an ambitious, academically inclined student who might not be challenged enough in the curriculum and who seems to not be getting the recognition he deserves." The Headmaster summarized.
"Luckily, the Tri-Wizard tournament will offer enough of both of those to keep Mr. Darrow busy for the school year. I fully expect that you will all do what you can to help prepare all of our champions for the tournament, within the school curriculum of course." He added.
Everyone silently nodded. So the headmaster continued.
"Now that was the easy part of our meeting. Due to the numerous complaints about bullying, unfair house allocation points and many others the board wants action from the staff on how to rectify the situation. And that is why I have asked you to clear your schedules for this afternoon." He paused for a moment.
"We will, as the muggles say, brainstorm what actions we should take and procedures to implement to satisfy both concerned parents and board members."
Sinistra let out a loud sigh and luckily she was not the only one. This was going to be a long and boring evening.
Scene Break
My head peaked out from behind the tree and immediately see a flash of red fly my way forcing me to jerk back.
'Surrounded on all sides.' I think as I lean my back against the tree. My Ravens coordination, aim, awareness and strength of their blows had drastically improved.
Part of it was practice and part of it was puberty. They had matured a lot over the summer and so had their magic.
I wasn't anywhere near to going all out on them but the intensity of our sessions had increased.
At first the group was a bit annoyed with me since I didn't share my discovery with them and they didn't even really believe me about the Dementor until I showed them my Patronus.
Though things calmed down when Luna brought things to a new perspective.
'I would have preferred to earn a spot in the tournament by myself. I'm sure there will be harder puzzles to solve than that one. They might even ask you to catch a nargle! It's very hard I've tried for many years they're very quick!'
With a just a few words their mood changed from upset to embarrassed.
It's not every day that Luna makes more sense than you do. Still I can't blame them I was once that age, they are still maturing.
So they poured a lot more effort and energy into practice.
We kept our little club hidden, restricted to just us but attendance was in full every time.
The recent events and the world cup had lit of fire under their butts. Ravenclaw pride was at stake
I took a deep breath and prepared myself. 'I need a distraction.'
I levitated a thick rotten branch in front of me and threw it to my right side wile I sprung into motion going left with a shield ready.
Three red blast hit the branch and one 'Thumped' on my shield.
Still running I drop the shield and with a quick twirl I transfigure 3 Raptors who sprint towards the trees behind which my opponents were sheltering.
Almost immediately I see two skinny tree roots rise and try to tangle the beasts.
'That's probably Padma.' I catch a red flash from the corner of my eye which I bounce back to its source hitting Ash dropping him unconscious.
Two of the raptors were now tangled. Larry and Michael stepped out from behind another tree.
"Confrigo!" they both shout and with a piercing scream the two Transfigurations turn back into leaves.
My fast Stupefy, Incarcerous chain drops them both and I spring up a shield just in time to absorb another spell.
I see an unnatural flock of dark small birds rush out from behind a tree and swarm the last beast pecking at its head. The beast starts trashing and screeching.
I take cover behind some overgrown roots.
"Diffindo!" and the beast turns back into a cut up leaf.
'They are really getting better at dealing with the Raptors.'
I concentrate and feel where each of my opponents are located. With a long twirl all the leaves on the ground swirl into a chaotic vortex blanketing the area and obstructing everyone's view.
I concentrate for a moment and chant 'Felixfor Alta' transfiguring two dozen cats and send them to where my opponents are hiding.
Their feline steps are silent, the leaves vortex providing visual cover.
It doesn't take long before I hear a chorus of screams.
"EKK! Get off me!"…"Bloody cats! AAAUH! STUPEFY!"… "Evanesco! FINITE!"…"Son of a Bitch! AHH! GET OFF!"
I smiled and made my move. I ran to the side where Mandy was hiding, seeing the girl try to throw off the cats that kept jumping on her.
"Incarcerous!"
"AHHHH!" She screamed as she felt ropes suddenly restrict her motions. By the time she hit the ground I was already between the trees that hid Padma and Andrew.
My Immobulus froze Andrew just as he tried running and a quick flick turned one of the cats near Padma into a drooling raptor.
"AHHH!" she yelped, tripped and fell. "I give, I give up!" she said as the Raptor inched closer and sniffed her hair. Expelliarmus sends her wand to me.
"Evanesco!" I hear once more loudly. And see a scratched up Terry get rid of the cats surrounding him.
I look at him amused as his hair is sticking all out from having a cat claw around his head.
He wastes no time and starts casting at me. I feel the strength behind the spells, probably angry at getting scratched up. I block them all with my wand and thrust forward freezing him in place like Andrew.
'Now there's only one le…' I don't have time to finish my thought as I hear and feel a spell hit me in the shoulder from... above?
"Expelliarmus!" My wand flew out of my hand. Reacting quickly I duck and roll to the right avoiding the follow up spell. I extend my arm and like a Jedi reaching for his light saber with the force the wand flies back in my hand.
"I give up!" I hear a dreamy soft voice from high above.
"Luna how did you get up there?" the girl was perched up on a branch high up at top of the tree her leg lazily swinging.
"The cats were very mean, meaner than the Wrackspurts that sometime follow me around so I jumped away from them and laded here." She continued smiling as if it were the most obvious thing.
'Right ... the boots.' I thought.
I looked around and most of the frozen classmates had cats sitting on top of them or rubbing against them.
"Right lets get you down. I think we are done for the day!"
I dispelled all the transfigurations and released everyone from the spells and we floated Luna down safely.
"We all did well today. Everyone's using the environment more!"
"You still whooped us mate!" Michael said.
"You all had gotten used to my Raptors so I thought I'd change it up…have to think on your feet never know what you're opponent will throw at you." I paused.
"Mean little things! They got all in my hair!" Padma complained.
"Yes, well I guess you could say the Cat caught the Raven today!" I said, paused, looked at them expectedly and then unable to hold it burst into snorted giggles.
Mandy and Padma, made to say something but just let out a deep sigh. Ash and Larry just frowned. Andrew rubbed his forehead. Michael just shook his head and Luna giggled.
"You're jokes are terrible mate." Terry said not amused.
I just giggled harder.
Scene Break
Surprisingly or maybe I should say unsurprisingly the next few weeks in school were quite tense between the houses.
The Slytherins, unfortunately without a champion of their own, had resorted to supporting Cedric. Not that he didn't deserve the support. Cedric was by far the most popular boy in school.
He had friends in all the houses, was approachable, had a great pedigree, classic good looks and his marks were in the top 5 for his year. He oozed the Hufflepuff qualities and while Harry might have been The-Boy-Who-Lived, Cedric was the Hogwarts Golden boy.
Malfoy's group tried to start the whole Potter Stinks badges thing but it didn't stick. Since my speech seemed to inflate house rivalries the whole of Gryffindor was backing Potter with almost the same fervor that Ravenclaw was backing me.
That and the fact that the moment my housemates saw the badges they loudly mocked and ridiculed the Slytherins for being too dumb to get any of their names in the tournament meant that beyond Malfoy's group none wore the badges nor did any of the Puffs.
While Potter kept denying that he put his name in the tournament most seemed too assume he did it the same way I did which garnered some respect from Ravenclaw house.
There was still some tension between Ron and Harry that could be seen, if you knew them well enough to notice, but not as much as cannon would have it. Either this Ron didn't care as much or maybe my speech changed his perception about the events.
Remarkably there were quite a few Hogwarts students supporting Krum though those were the mostly die hard Quiddich fans.
As for the Miss Delacour, if you were to ask, all the Hogwarts boys supported her. Why? Because she was hot and so were the rest of the girls that came from Beauxbatons and teenage boys will do just about anything to get with a hot girl.
The Headmaster had eventually called for an assembly where he gave a speech explaining that there were no hidden yearly challenges and that the past years had some unfortunate and completely coincidental events which saw students rise to the occasion of responsibility.
He then went to explain that for the first time in history there had been a review of past points awarded resulting in removal of points from Gryffindor that Harry, Hermione and Ron were awarded at the end of the first year.
It had been decided that while very courageous their actions had broken the rules, resulting in the Cup being awarded to Slytherin for that year.
This of course resulted in a lot of boos and shouting from the lion's table and cheering from the snakes coupled with polite applause from the rest.
The Headmaster refused to elaborate further and with a tone that left no arguing, announced the matter closed with the points for the remaining years staying the same.
Lastly the Headmaster announced that the school will be taking a zero tolerance policy on pranks and bullying. With professors Sinistra, Vector and Moody, who the head master emphasized was a retired AUROR, forming a special committee tasked with investigating all reported and suspected instances.
With the allowance of the ministry, to go as far as being able to administer veritaserum if required in severe cases.
He also made sure to emphasize that any students caught and proven to have committed such acts could be suspended and failed for the year regardless of their academic standing.
The Ravenclaw table exploded with applause.
This was by far the most shocking news it seems that a lot of students had written home about what happened at the speech and about the various complaints that cropped up. In turn, concerned parents apparently flooded both the school and the ministry with their outrage.
Dumbledore had not been able to cover it up since, well, two high ranking ministry officials and their lackeys were able to corroborate the stories which in turn led to heated meetings between the education department, the board of governors and the professors.
The older Ravenclaws had taken to reviewing and teaching me 5th & 6th year spells on Tuesday & Thursday evenings. I was past that, I'd crushed most of the charms material the year before, you have to love Occlumency still way it was a good review and practice.
Still theory is theory and just because you know something doesn't mean you are able to use it on the drop in a stressful situation.
Students are still students so half the time it wasn't even full on practice.
We also gossiped a lot, who hooked up with who, who got hotter over the summer, who likes who, over and under the shirt snogging, typical teenage stuff. Overall it gave a chance to connect with my older peers and make the house feel like they were involved in the process.
As well it was in one of these sessions a week before the first task that I got the confirmation I was waiting for.
"It's dragons!" Lucas said as he strode in the classroom we took over for our practice sessions.
"What?" I asked pretending to be confused.
"The first task is dragons. Andrew Kawalski's cousin, he's in third year, is Mathew Hoffernan, 7th year in Durmstrang. Apparently Karkaroff pretty much just up and told Krum in front of all of them."
"So can we trust that? He could be lying to his cousin, he could have been put by Karkaroff to leak the info to us!" remarked Bethany Bullhard, 6th year.
"I think it's true. It would match up with a few strange things. Snape got us just last week to write an essay on the use of dragon blood. And I heard that Hagrid assigned a full essay on dragons to all 4th years taking his elective. The man never assigns essays." I respond.
"Yea plus I went to check the library for books on dragons and get this; all the books that even have the word mentioned even in passing have been checked out by all students, not just Hogwarts." Added Lucas.
"So does that mean I'll have to defeat a dragon? Those things are mad resistant to magic aren't they?" I asked.
"No clue, I just know it's dragons." Said Lucas.
"Well good thing we have our own library. Seems like I have to do some research this week." I said. Inwardly I was smiling, things were as cannon so far.
The rest of the evening was spent trying to get as many reference books on dragons as we could.
Scene Break
Year 6, Day 88: Harry Potter Universe, November 1994
On the morning of the task things happened pretty much as cannon but with me there. The champions knowing the task was dragons were all nervous. So I decided to be a little cheeky.
"Come now, everyone looks so nervous. It's just a bunch of little lizards we'll be facing. They'll only be trying to eat us not kills us." I said happily.
"You should smile more, especially you Fleur you don't look good with a frown." I said throwing her a little wink.
Before she could retort Rita Skeeter barged in and started taking photographs, catching Harry and Hermione in an embrace which was sure to piss off Ron.
Victor predictably chastised Skeeter but before he could finish the headmasters and Crouch walked in.
Everyone got their dragon as in cannon with the difference being that I got a Norwegian Ridgeback.
Cedric went first then Fleur followed by Krum and Potter with me going last.
I also suspected from the sounds of the crowd that approximately the same strategies were used to get the eggs.
Cedric transfigured a dog to distract the dragon, with medium effect but in the end he did get the egg with only minor burns. Fleur enchanted the dragon to sleep only for it to wake half way through and light her skirt on fire but she as well got the egg. Krum blinded the dragon and only lost points for making the dragon break the real eggs.
As for Harry it must have been the same exciting ordeal not only was the crowd going wild he also took the longest. I noticed the stands were destroyed in the exact same way as it was shown in the movies from what I could remember. The horntail escaped its chains and chased Harry around crashing into everything. Eventually Harry shook it off his tail and grabbed the golden egg.
Finally my name was called.
I entered the arena and saw the Norwegian Ridgeback. It was bigger than I expected. I would like to say that I was not nervous but I would be lying. I wasn't nervous that I could get hurt. I doubted a dragon would be able to actually hurt me if I went into god mode.
No, I was nervous as this was a mother fucking magical dragon and it looked scary as fuck! I focused my Occlumency and regained my composure focusing my mind.
Then I started moving.
The dragon wasted no time in spewing hot flames after me. I twisted, jumped, ducked and rolled to avoid the flames.
I moved fast, my focus sharp and my godly instinct enhanced every movement giving me unnatural grace for a fourteen year old.
To the crowed it must have seemed like I was floating from place to place, my robes smoothly billowing around me adding to the well-orchestrated mirage.
The faster I moved the slower the dragon seemed allowing me to evade flames by a hair's breadth. I continued the dance keeping the crowed enthralled and angering the dragon.
Seeing its strategy to roast me from afar was not working the giant lizard started to close the distance between us.
Closer and closer it came, flames billowing, screeching, stomping and swiping its wings with no effect. Still I need it closer and when we were nearer the entrance wall, opposite the wall where the egg was, where it seemed like I was trapped I did one ducking twirl under a swing grabbing a rock from the floor.
The wall behind me and dragon's head in front. A tense stalemate, each daring the other to move.
'GASPS' could be heard from the crowd as they collectively held their breath thinking me a goner.
The dragon reared its head back the telltale sign of gathering the hottest flames it could muster to roast me alive.
Before it could complete its action I transfigured the rock in my left hand into very dark sunglasses. Putting them on I pointed my wand at the dragon's eyes and yelled for all to hear:
"LUMOS SOLARIS MAXIMA"
The beast let out an agonizing scream and toppled over to the side as the full brightness of the sun blinded it.
The whole arena was bathed in the bright light with the crowed escaping the brunt of it only because I made sure to direct most of the power towards the dragon and not let it fully out around me.
Even so it took a few moments for the crowed to regain their vision.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who can still see it seems that with a simple spell Mr. Miercuri has reversed his fortune and retrieved the golden Egg. The dragon is still blinded it seems and so is half the crowd!"
Ludo Bagman commented filled with wild excitement.
The crowed, well mostly Ravenclaw, and those that were not agonizing about their eyes, went wild. I may have handed out sunglasses to my housemates and asked them to wear them when it was my turn.
'Didn't want to blind my Ravens now did I?'
I couldn't help but bask in the glory of it all.
I held the Egg up and bowed and waved to the audience turning to each section. As I was getting the applause and accolades I deserved it seemed the dragon somehow rolled around closer to my position and the smart little bugger that it was figured out where I was located.
Suddenly it stopped trashing, rolled upright and took a snarling breath ready to unleash hell and melt me down right as my back was towards it.
The crowd shouted once more but they were too late. Fiery hell was already unleashed.
Had this been any regular wizard this would have been the end of it but I was no regular wizard. I was a God. Faster than it should have been possible I turned, the spell already leaving my wand and a yelled once more:
"AUGMENTI SPUMA MAXIMA!"
A foamy, misty torrent was unleashed from my wand catching the dragon flames just in time. The hot mixed with the relatively cold foam exploded in a hot sauna like steam that almost instantly enveloped the full arena.
The shocked crowed quickly turned to panicked silence as one was barely able to see two feet in front of them.
"Pietram Transforma Totalus" and then a loud thud and crashing sound was heard.
The first to recover was Dumbledore. With a few waves of his hand the steam was cleared and visibility was restored.
The crowed was greeted by me standing on top of the stony statue wing of the dragon collapsed on its side holding the egg in one hand up for everyone to see.
The crowed for a split moment unsure what to make of it until someone, I believe it was Terry Boot, started shouting:
"He KILLED THE DRAGON! DARROW DRAGON SLAYER!" the students went wild.
"DRAGON SLAYER!" chants filled the arena. Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and maybe not so surprisingly Durmstrang students were shouting the loudest.
The dragon wasn't actually dead. At least I think it wasn't. I merely used my foam to cancel the flames then encased the dragon in thick foam which I then turned to stone.
I was pretty sure the dragon handlers will be able to revert the creature soon enough before it would actually die.
Funnily enough I got ten all around with an 8 from Karkaroff for using the same blinding trick as Krum. Regardless I was still in the lead.
Scene Break
The celebration in the common room was pretty wild. Some of the older years snuck in butter beers and fire whiskeyand made them available to all 4th year and above students but I saw a bunch of firsties were able to sneak in a few drinks here and there which means the other years also managed to snag a few sips as well.
The articles from Skeeter were similar to what I expected, especially the one showing Hermione and Harry, the only other difference was that I had my own blurb on the front page showing my brilliance and of course naming me The Ravenclaw Rival to The-Boy-Who-Lived. She definitely knows how to stoke the fires.
"AHHH, TURN IT OFF!" screamed Mandy. To which I closed the golden egg.
"What in Merlin's beard was that?" asked Bethany Bullhard.
It was me, Mandy, Terry, Michael and Bethany in our practice classroom. Bethany was going to go over the some of the 4th year charms and also help us with some arithmancy homework when Mandy suggested I try to open the egg first.
"Eh…I think I know what it is." I say.
"You know what that blasted high-pitch screeching sound was?" asked Anthony.
"I think its Mermish."
"What how is that Mermish? Isn't Mermish supposed to be all enchanting and what not" retorted Mandy.
"Well it is but only underwater." I retort.
"And how would you know that?" Mandy continued.
"You guys know I go swimming in the lake quite often right? Well there is a Mermish village there. I've talked to them and this is how they sound when above water. Underwater it makes a lot more senses."
"Mate, we all admire your need to exercise but you do know we all think the lake is super gross right?" added Anthony.
"And smelly!" Bethany jumped in.
"Oh come on, it is not that bad! Besides I shower and Scourgify after every workout session!" I said indignantly at the implications.
"And we are all grateful for it. Now back to what's important. Do you know what it is saying?" Terry added a bit annoyed.
"No I will have to put it underwater to understand what it says." I respond.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get to it!" Terry urged.
And so we went and dunked the egg in water and found out that I would have to recover something from the Mermish creatures.
Soon after that we settled into the same rhythm as before. Mostly studying, researching and bonding with my house mates.
I tried asking the Mermish what the task would be about but they said they were not allowed to tell me and AEGIR did not know either.
One thing I changed is I increased the frequency of my swimming. Not that I needed preparations but I had to make a show of it. Due to my natural godly affinity towards the element in general it meant that I did not mind spending more time in the water after all:
Water is good.
Water is soothing.
Water is life.
But most of it allowed for a sense of privacy I sorely needed.
While daytime was spent in classes and 'politicking' with my housemates or other students the nights I often ducked out for a few hours here and there to check up on things in the other universes that and to practice Occlumency and Legilimency with Cato.
I had a lot going on and yet as I was once again floating in the middle of the lake indulging in its calming effect another problem popped to the front of my mind.
"Crap, I have to take someone to the Yule Ball!"
AN:
It's Sunday and I'm working as hard as I can to complete the remaining material I have left. I won't have as much time next week and things will unfortunately start to drag on.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.