Hey everyone,
So I can honestly tell you that I am REALLY looking forward to 2018. I might have a potential move in the works, there are two movies that I am really excited for that will come to the cinemas and, naturally, KINGDOM HEARTS III WILL FINALLY RELEASE! Honestly, I have been waiting for that game since forever.
Happy new year,
Venquine1990
Chapter 35
A Simple Chapter
3rd of November 1993
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Miranda Wicked's POV
The Weasley family has been one I have always held great respect for and the way they are holding themselves together, even after a chapter like the one we just went through, does nothing to lessen how I view them. If anything it, to me, has allowed others to see the greatness I have seen in each Weasley I have studied with.
And while I am in my Sixth year, which makes it so that I am exactly in between Percy's year and the twins', did this never bother me as I still got to spend 3 years with their older brother as well as got to see their eldest brother graduate. And it was mostly the incredible high scores that Head Boy William got that first got me interested.
And while I never really got close to any of them, do I still have a few memories of when they would approach me instead or where we accidentally met in-between classes or during breaks. And while they might not know it, have I been sending them looks of support, respect and admiration through most of the reading.
I do, of course, have my own friends and most of them are well-aware of my respect for this wide and varied family, yet not even my closest friend, Aisha, who I consider my sister in all but blood, knows exactly why I have this strong sense of respect for this incredible family. And considering her own past, that's only better.
Not many people who go to Hogwarts in our year know this about Aisha, but the school itself is her sanctuary. It's where she can express herself and let go off all the magic she is actually forbidden from casting when at home as her family holds up the strict rule that magic cannot be cast until one is a lord or lady of their own home.
And Aisha's upraising is no different. Where at Hogwarts she can make friends, hang out, have fun and learn new activities, at home she is instructed on practically everything. And if I have to believe her – which I do – her overly demanding parents would even chose what she likes to eat if they were ever given such a chance.
And my life at home, at least at first, really wasn't much better. I am actually Muggleborn and my parents raised me to go to one single school, where certain lessons, etiquette and forms of behavior were a must. And when I got accepted, all my parents could understand was that I would be going to a Boarding School.
Because of this, they tried everything they could to teach me how to be a respectable teenage witch, yet while they managed to find many honorable sources and plenty of material of which the description of witches put them in a very favorable light, did it become very obvious very fast that the sources weren't relevant anymore.
This I realized only an hour into the train ride, when I heard a few of the conversations of those who were passing me by. At the time, I had been taught that a young witch was to wait until an older witch grants them sanctuary to their resting place or seated area. A Hufflepuff Prefect, within that same hour, told me this info was very, very wrong.
I went with him and he told me to tell him everything I had been taught in the four months I had known myself as a witch. He had, after I had told him all this, told me all these notions were either true in other countries – most of them on the other side of the globe – or were old-fashioned, outdated and no longer relevant.
He and I then made an effort to fill a picture book with evidence that my parents had been wrong as well as a guide on more recent, English magical customs and after I sent this to my parents, after a week of enjoying myself as a First Year Badger, did they finally ease up on how they felt I should behave and carry myself.
This is the whole reason Aisha and I are such close friends. While Hogwarts truly is her sanctuary and while I am the rock that holds her strong even when she wants to break down and cry in my arms, have I also taken on the role of bodyguard for her against anyone who wants to abuse the strict, crazy life style her parents enforce on her.
Yet because I am neither violent nor discriminating of anyone around me, have I managed to gain the respect of those who tried this and have they respectively backed off and ceased their attempts. And whenever I am not enjoying classes, helping and laughing with my friend or doing other stuff, I admire the Weasleys.
And because of that admiration, when Harry Potter asks the very loaded question of: "So, who reads?" Do I make sure that no one else has a desire to do so before I raise my hand and say: "I will." And while some heads turn, do most of those who recognize me seem to experience a sense of relief as they see me walk towards the book.
The Headmaster awaits me at the stand with the book and sends me a smile that proves he is happy with me deciding to do this now and from the corner of my eye, do I spot Professor Sprout sending me a proud smile herself. I smile back at them both, thank the Headmaster for conjuring a glass of water and start to read.
The Portkey
And while I have been living in the Magical World and have learned about things like this long ago, do I still feel a hint of excitement rising up within me. I also notice sounds coming from the hall, indicating that others are sitting forward, obviously feeling the same excitement. This makes me smile and I happily read on.
Harry felt … Fred groggily.
"I still don't get how you're always able to keep us apart, Harry." One of the twins then says and I personally agree with the ginger. Harry, on the other hand just laughs and says: "I grew up with those two. And they changed their locks time and time again. Even if it failed after a while." At which most of us laugh before I read on.
They dressed … "very good."
At this I notice Mrs. Lupin look at the woman known as Aunt Rosie and when the latter looks back, does Mrs. Lupin ask: "Shopping trip to catch up on lost time at the next break?" And the two women smile, while I also notice Mr. Potter and his brother-in-law cringing in sync and apparent fright, which intrigues me as I read on.
"Where're Bill … Harry winced.
I wince as well as it almost happened to me during my tests earlier this year and Aisha actually had to be taken to St. Mungos after a few weeks of test runs, having left a big chunk of her hair behind, as well as a large gap of skin. And while I push back the memory of seeing her new scar for the first time, do I read on.
"Er – splinched?" … Privet Drive.
"That's not a bad description. It's just not entirely accurate as the parts didn't end up on the pavement, they were left hanging there where their owner was previously at. Though the same can't be said if said owner indeed splinches a leg." Minister Fudge winces at the end as he says this and others join him in this as I read on.
"Were they … but safer."
"What about Shadow Travel?" Someone suddenly asks and everyone turns to Harry. And the look on his face makes me wonder if he's currently experiencing the sensation as he says: "It is amazing. The shadows feel like an extension of me, but not my body. They feel like an extension of my emotions. Though that does make it dangerous as well."
"Dangerous how?" His father asks worriedly and Harry winces as he says: "Dangerous in the way that I am better off doing it when I am experiencing neutral or happy emotions. If I am determined or exhilarated, the shadows will make me feel confident in my determination or make me feel as if they are shivering with my exhilaration. But if I am sad or feeling endangered - I really shouldn't Shadow Travel." And the way that he says that convinces everyone and makes me read on, not wanting to know more.
"But Bill … he can."
At this Mr. Weasley snickers and says: "Trust me, boys. I'm sure you'll be doing the same thing in the next book. It's just something all witches and wizards do when they get their license." At this the twins share a look, nod and then chorus: "Yeah, you're probably right." Making the rest of their family laugh as I read on.
There were … of you!"
Yet this makes me look at Mr. Weasley with a raised eyebrow and the man says: "Molly, even with the incident of the last chapter, do I doubt that I will join you in telling the boys to destroy their inventions. They worked hard on it and I wouldn't force such a thing on them." The woman looks shocked and Lee mumbles:
"Maybe it's time for the book." While looking at the twins. Yet the two look at their mother and chorus: "No." Shocking most of us before one of them says: "We won't give her the book, Lee." And the other goes on: "We won't let her destroy that too." And the woman seems horrified that they think that as I read on.
It was … more O.W.L.s!"
"You know, that just doesn't make sense to me. I mean, you obviously invent stuff, not just that candy, but probably some of the ingredients and that does indeed take a lot of research, investigating and theorizing, so – why not prove that knowledge gaining through your OWLs?" Mr. Potter then asks and the twins sigh at this.
"Because our inventions are like our legacy. They're something that we created, that is practically 100% us and our work.""OWLs? NEWTs? Tests like that? Who's to say that in 20, 30, maybe even 50 years, there won't be seventy to more students with the exact same scores as us.""It's just not us, it's not something we can leave behind."
At this Mr. Potter nods in understanding, while my own eyes are wide and Mrs. Weasley is looking at them shell-shocked, Fred having said the first bit, George the second and the two of them having chorused the end, yet then Mr. Potter asks: "That makes sense, but – can't you at least try to get the best scores you can achieve?"
At this the twins share a look before Harry says: "That would be a good idea. I mean, your scores might not be yours and yours alone – but they are something that can give your parents reason to gloat about the genius of their kids – in ways that other parents can understand." And this seems to intrigue the twins as I read on.
All in … is litter…"
"That really won't be a good idea for much longer." Mss. Rosie suddenly says and we all look at her as she says: "Muggles are becoming more environment aware and friendly. They are already planning ways to learn how to separate paper garbage from metal and glass. They're planning to make their streets cleaner and cleaner."
This is something I can attest to as I know that the government is planning something with the Defra to become a thing between now and two years or so and the woman says: "In the years to come, if Muggles find a bit of broken glass or an old shoe, they'll throw that in their respective garbage tanks, which are out on the street."
This really make the adults share worried looks and then Mrs. Longbottom says: "I guess we'll need to teach the Travel Department how to merge a Muggle -Repellent charm with the Port Key spells from now on then." And the adults nod, all of them looking relieved at a solution like that, Fudge especially, and I read on, relieved.
They trudged … level ground.
This really seems to annoy the boy in question and he mutters: "I don't know – how to feel about that. On one hand it's proof that Dudley has truly stopped his little hunting game, don't ask. On the other, it proves that Quidditch just isn't enough to keep up my stamina, to keep my physique." Yet at this his Team Captain asks:
"Is that really such a bad thing?" And while I know he asks this because of his love for the sport, does Harry nod and say: "My control over the Shadows is linked to both my physical and my emotional health. The better my health, the longer and better I can tap into my powers." At this Wood cringes and mutters: "Ah, I see. Good point then."
Yet then, to mostly everyone's confusion, does Harry turn to Granger's brother and the young boy nods as he says: "Next break, don't worry. We'll start right where we left off." And while I feel shocked that such a simple looking boy can be Harry's training partner and wonder about his skill, do I read on.
"Whew," panted … them followed.
Instantly the attention of the elder half of Hufflepuff is drawn and most of them, as well as those who know Cedric and are friends or familiar with him from other Houses. Yet for some reason, does Cedric seem a little hesitant in his interest and there is a grimace on his face that really confuses me. And so I focus back on the book.
Mr. Weasley … around seventeen.
This instantly makes Oliver Wood glare at Cedric, yet then Angelina hits him over the back of the head and says: "Stop that. Harry's your boyfriend in this realm and in the books, you were just too chicken to take your chance. Harry, in the book, is allowed to find other boys handsome." And the boy sulks as I read on.
He was … feel uncomfortable.
At this Harry cuddles closer against his father's side and mumbles: "So glad you guys are back in my life. Now that I am an orphan no more, my title sounds even stupider than it did before. And before any of you say anything, who wants a moniker that reminds them they're without parents?" This instantly silences everyone.
Mr. Black happily wraps an arm around his son's shoulder and says: "I am glad too. I really wish I could offer your book-self the same, but that doesn't change how happy I am to have my family back in my life." He then turns to his mate and says: "All of my family." Making Mr. Potter smile at him lovingly as I read on.
"Ced's talked … Harry Potter!"
And instantly Cedric groans and mumbles: "I knew it." As he lets his head fall onto the plate in front of him. This draws everyone's attention and yet Mr. Longbottom asks: "Amos still so selective in his hearing, huh?" And the boy groans: "You have no idea." Before he groans again and the man nods before he says:
"Amos has had that problem for as long as I have known him. It actually started when he and I first came to Hogwarts. If anyone talked about Hufflepuff, he would only hear the good stuff. So if Snakes were to insult the House, he would utterly ignore them, thus foiling their needs to anger him. That was the positive side of it."
He then sighs and shakes his head as he says: "But whenever it came to something competitive and it was about someone he cared about, he just wouldn't hear anything that could lessen a potential victory. And it seems the same can be said here. I doubt Amos, even in the book, has heard about the Dementors, he would just ignore it."
This really amazes me and makes me look at Cedric as the boy is leaning over the table, his upper body hiding his plate from sight and his eyes closed in annoyed acceptance before Mr. Longbottom says: "I'll make sure he gets it back under control. I did before and I'll do it again." At which Cedric smiles at him gratefully as I read on.
Harry couldn't … better flier!"
"You just stopped bringing the Dementors into the story, didn't you?" Mr. Longbottom asks the boy, who answers: "Probably around or after Christmas. At around Easter at the latest." Mr. Longbottom nods and says: "Invite him over when you get the chance." At which Cedric sighs, sits up and nods before I read on.
"Must be … are there?"
"We got to go?" Luna then suddenly asks and her sister asks: "You're surprised about that?" To which Luna nods and says: "Daddy doesn't get a lot of invitations to events like this. Officials don't like him reporting his views on them." At which said officials, like Fudge and Madam Bones cringe in guilt and I read on, grimacing.
"Not that … semidarkness, waiting…
"I'm going to assume that the hill itself was covered with the Repellent charm?" Mss. Rosie asks, yet this is answered with another cringe and Madam Bones mumbles: "We probably didn't consider it. We probably thought the early morning time wouldn't make it necessary." At which the other woman nods in understanding and I read on.
"Three…" muttered … a voice.
Yet at this Harry grimaces and he says: "I will never be able to properly use that." We all look at him and he says: "It's in the description. A lot of swirling color. That could actually affect my Shadow ability, especially that early in the morning. If I ever use a Port Key in the early morning or late night, it will utterly disorientate me.
Those timeframes will give my powers a boost, to then be thrown in a magically created opposite of that will make my powers go haywire within me and will make it hard for me to control my physique. I will always tumble, I will always fall. Only at noon or the middle of the day will I be able to properly learn how to use one."
"How can your powers be that affected? You have barely used them since you first came to Hogwarts." Someone at Gryffindor table asks and Harry answers: "They can, because I had to use them for the better part of my youth. They became a vital part of me before I was even seven." At which the lad cringes and nods.
I then look down and say: "Percy Weasley, you should read the next chapter." This shocks and confuses the lad, yet Dumbledore seems to know what I mean and says: "Indeed, it will be good for you, if you wish to continue living up to your dream of working at the Ministry." At which the lad shrugs and walks over.
Happy new year.
So, that was an interesting, simple and yet very useful chapter. It slightly improved and deepened the bond between the Weasleys, it gave a hint of what happens between Harry, the Gang and the Squad, gave a surprising purpose to an unexpected member of said Gang/Squad and gave further depth to Harry's powers.
Personally, I am VERY glad that this chapter is at the end of 2017. There are plenty of heavy chapters in other stories and this one just feels like a breath of fresh air. So I really hope that all those who loyally read all my updated chapters each and every month will be able to appreciate the easy nature of this chapter.
Happy New Year,
Venquine1990
