Chapter 2: Train ride and sorting
"Ursa, who was that?" Iris asked, her voice cold.
"That my dear was Ronald Bilius Weasley, the sixth born son to the Weasley family. A pure-blood family." I replied with a hint of disdain. "Most of his family is okay just watch out for his mother, Molly Weasley, she's very manipulative. From what I've heard shes been feeding her husband Love potions since their time at Hogwarts."
Both Hermione and Iris shared a look, a silent conversation seemed to be passing between them. Finally it was Hermione who spoke. "And what are Love potions?"
"Love potions, are powerful and highly dangerous substances, which caused the drinker to become infatuated and obsessed with the person who gave it to them. My advice to the both of you would be to learn spells that can detect traces of potions in your food and drink. Another piece of advice would be to never accept anything from a stranger or friend without checking it first." Once again the girls shared a silent conversation before turning back too me.
"You wouldn't happen to know any of those detection spells would you?" Iris asked.
"Unfortunately I do not, but once we get to Hogwarts we should be able to find some in the schools library." I replied.
"Hmm." Hermione said. The next few minutes were spent in silent contemplation, interrupted only by the sound of a train whistle. A moment later and with a sudden lurch the train was moving.
"Would you girls like to practice some spells? I think it would be a good way to pass the time." I asked, than waved my wand at Iris's glasses. "Reparo." I announced, and her damaged glasses quickly mended themselves.
[A skill has leveled up]
Most of the train ride was spent with the three of us practicing spells or reading books. I spent that time casting Alohomora and Colloportus, the unlocking and locking charms on our compartment door. Between castings I would ask the girls questions, such as their favorite food, favorite color, and when they were born. The only thing interesting that happened was when Draco knocked on our compartment door. With another cast of Alohomora the door opened revealing a short boy with blond slicked back hair.
"Its true than what they're saying?" he asked looking at the three of us. I raised an eyebrow, than motioned for him to continue. "Iris Potter has come to Hogwarts." I saw Iris gulp and could tell she was getting uncomfortable. "This is Crabbe and Goyle, and I'm Malfoy." Draco took a step into our compartment. "Draco Malfoy."
Clearing my throat I stood up and spoke, "Hello cousin, my name is Alioth Ursa Lestrange. Perhaps you've heard of my mother, Bellatrix Black." then I gave a friendly smile that didn't reach my eyes. Draco's breath hitched and his own eyes widened slightly.
"A-ah, hello cousin, would you mind introducing me to your friends?" he said, a quick Observe told me he knew of my mother and was weary of me.
"No I don't mind at all." I answered, than pointed at Hermione and Iris. "These two pretty young witches are Hermione Granger and Iris Potter. Don't let their appearances fool you they're both quite brilliant." By the time I was done talking they were both blushing red. Draco looked less than impressed.
"She's a filthy mudblood isn't she?" Draco growled out while looking at Hermione. "I can tell just by looking at her." Draco turned his gaze from Hermione and looked at Iris "You'll soon find that some wizards and witches are better than others, Potter." he turned his gaze and looked at Hermione again. "You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." Hermione looked like she was on the verge of tears. Draco turned his head back to Iris and said "I can help you there." Draco than held up his hand for a handshake. Iris looked at Draco's hand and her frown deepened
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks." the angry frown that appeared on Draco's face was adorable.
"You'll regret this, Potter." Draco said.
"Will she now?" I responded while giving Draco a crazy eyed smile. Draco flinched, than glared at me.
"Watch your back cousin."
"I will, you should do the same little dragon." I answered than smiled at my cousin's new nickname. Draco scoffed at us before walking away, he was soon fallowed by Crabbe and Goyle. Once again I closed the compartment door and locked it with a spell. It was quiet, the silence only broken by Hermiones quiet sniffles. It would seem Draco's insults caused more harm than I thought. Moving swiftly I set down next to Hermione and gently wrapped her in my arms. "Don't take anything that jerk says to heart Hermione. I know you'll be a great friend." I said than started rubbing small circles in her back. Slowly her shaking subsided and her breathing steadied.
"That word, mudblood, what does it mean?" Hermione asked with a low tone. With a sigh I answered.
"The term mudblood is a highly derogatory term. Its used mostly by pure-blood supremacists who see muggle-born and half-bloods as third-class citizens." With that I let me answer sink in.
"So he basically called Hermione the N word?" Iris asked. With a snort I nodded, than returned to my seat.
"That's horrible!" Hermione exclaimed. "Surely his parents would have taught him better than that, right?"
"Were it so easy... his parents are both pure-blood racists, and his father is a terrorist who got off scott free." I said.
"You called him cousin..." Iris said, her voice trailed off.
I nodded, "I did, you, me, and him are related through the Black family. Making all of us cousins."
"I see..." Iris trailed off, her eyes unfocused. "I don't know how to feel about that." The rest of the train ride was filled with each of us reading up on our school books. Eventually a train whistle was heard and we were told to leave our belongings on the train. We had finally made it to the Hogsmeade train station. The train slowed down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. I shivered in the cold night air, then noticed a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, then I heard a voice:
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Iris?" Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads."C'mon, follow me – any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" We followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path. Nobody spoke much. "Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here." There was a loud "Oooooh!" The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. "No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. I was followed into my boat by Iris, Hermione, and a blond level one Neville. "Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then – FORWARD!"And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over us as we sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
I myself paid little mind to the castle as I focused on the text box floating in front of me.
[Relationships: by gaining relationships with others, special perks can be unlocked]
Iris Evens Potter: Relationship 25/100. Perk: hidden.
Hermione Jane Granger: Relationship 15/100. Perk: hidden.
Void: Relationship 20/100. Perk: hidden.
Draco Lucius Malfoy: relationship -5/100. Perk: hidden.
Once across the lake we found ourselves at a small dock in an alcove underneath the castle. From there we fallowed a long staircase up and into a large foyer. To our right was a pair of massive wooden doors that presumably exited the castle. Eventually I saw Hagrid, level forty talking to a stern woman named Professor Minerva McGonagall, level sixty two.
"Firs' years for yah' Professor." Hagrid said.
"Thank you Hagrad." was her reply. The rest of what she had to say was ignored as I used Observe on every one of the first years. Eventually as a group we were moving again and another set of large wooden doors opened for us. This was the dining hall, and it was filled with well over a hundred people. I heard Hermione say something about the ceiling being bewitched to show the night sky. Not to mention the floating candles giving of a bright warm glow. Before we were sorted the Headmaster, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the man with too many names stood to address the students. He said something about the forest and third floor being off limits, yet once again I was too destructed reading his level to care. Albus Dumbledore, level one hundred. I had a long way to go before I could catch up to him.
"Now than, when I call your name you will come forth. I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses." Professor McGonagall said. Before she could continue I gave Iris's and Hermione's hands a comforting squeeze.
"No matter what house we get sorted into we'll stay friends, I promise." I whispered to the girls.
Iris Evens Potter: relationship +5
Hermione Jane Granger: relationship +5
" Alioth Ursa Lestrange." Professor McGonagall called out my name. With my head held high I walked forward and set on the wooden stool, and the sorting hat was unceremoniously plopped on my head. Before the hat could even speak another window popped up in front of me and the world seemed to freeze.
[Choose your house]
Gryffindor: bravery
Hufflepuff: loyalty
Ravenclaw: knowledge
Slytherin: Ambition
Of all the houses to choose from Ravenclaw would be the best for me. You see, I coveted knowledge above all else and believed that knowledge was power. So I made my choice.
"Ravenclaw!" yelled the Sorting Hat. With polite clapping I made my way to my houses table as my robes gained a blue trim to them. Hermione's sorting took a few minutes but eventually she too was sorted into Ravenclaw. When she set down next to me she gave a beaming smile. One which I returned with a small smile of my own.
"That's two, one more to go." I whispered. Hermione nodded. When Ronald Bilius Weasley was called I payed close attention, wondering where the hat would send him. It was no surprise what happened next.
"Slytherin!" yelled the hat, and the school was shocked into silence. A Weasley, in Slytherin? Ronald begrudgingly made his way to the Slytherin table, his face contorted in rage. Draco's own sorting was also surprising, no one expected him to be placed into Gryffindor. Finally Iris's name was called and the students fell into hushed whispers. Her sorting was the longest taking almost ten minutes, and when it ended I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Ravenclaw!" yelled the hat and Iris came and sat next to Hermione.
"So, how'd you do it?" I asked in a conspiratorial tone. Iris smiled at us and said,
"I asked the hat to put me with my friends." Hermione and I smiled at her.
"Let the feast began." called Dumbledore, and food magically appeared on the table. Iris's mouth fell open: based on her small stature I could only assume she had been poorly fed most of her life. This brought about another burst of rage, which was forced into a cool hatred by Gamer's Mind. The Dursleys would pay that was for damned sure. But for now I had a friend who needed me.
"Eat as much as you want Iris, we won't judge you for it." I said, giving her a kind smile. She gave me a smile in return and began piling food on to her plate. Hermione frowned and gave me a pointed look. 'Later.' I mouthed. She begrudgingly nodded before returning to her food. As I looked around the table I noticed a distinct lack of fruit and vegetables. "House elves I would like a bowl of fruit and a glass of orange juice. No pineapple." After a few seconds and with a pop a bowl filled with chopped apples, bananas, grapes, peaches, and lemon slices appeared in front of me. A cup OJ appeared a moment after that." The other Ravenclaws around me looked at my food than down at their plates filled with heavy, greasy dishes.
"How did you do that?" one of them asked. I couldn't help myself.
"Magic." I stated, than gave them jazz hands. The snorts and scoffs I got in return were great. "In truth I asked the House Elves, the castles maids and butlers, to give me something more healthy too eat." I than took a sip of my orange juice. Mm tasty.
"Whats a House Elf?" One of the other first year Ravenclaws asked. Time to flex my teaching skill once again.
"A house elf is a magical being which is immensely devoted and loyal to the one designated as their master. They will cook for them, clean for them, and do many other things for them. House elves were usually found in the employ of old families and must do everything that their masters commanded unless they were freed. House elves could use their own brand of wandless magic, which was very powerful. They also made wine, funnily enough. Unfortunately, many house elves are seen as little more than slaves even though they see their masters as family. It is also highly illegal to try and free a house elf from his master or mistress." By the time I had finished most of the great hall had been paying attention to my speech.
[A skill has gained 3 level]
"Well done Mr. Lestrange!" Called the squeaky voice of our diminutive head of house, Professor Flitwick. "You are quite well informed, and know how to hold an audiences attention. 10 points to Ravenclaw!" I smiled a little at that.
"Thank you Professor, I endeavor in all my tasks." I replied.
"Show off." Hermione said good naturedly, then stole one of the grapes from my bowl of fruit.
"I try." was my reply. Eventually desert came and went and Iris looked like she was on the verge of a food coma. "Looks like someones ready for bed."
"I didn't know food could taste so good..." Iris said with a smile on her face. Hermione and I shared a look and we both frowned. We stayed quiet for now. Eventually a prefect, Penelope Clearwater, stood up and called for the first years to fallow her. Penelope gave a long speech about the school and about Ravenclaw house but I was once again too distracted to listen. My eyes were looking at the new mini map that had just appeared on my HUD, along side a health and magic bar and a compass. To the far right of my HUD, just below the mini map was a small quest log. The only current quest was: Tutorial: get to your room in Ravenclaw tower and sleep in your new bed. Reward: 1 level up. Easy enough. The entrance to the common room was located on the west side of Hogwarts at the top of a spiral staircase located on the fifth floor. And was hidden behind a door without a doorknob or key hole, but had a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle.
In order to enter the room, a person must answer a riddle asked by the eagle knocker. Penelope grabbed the knocker and banged it once before lowering her hand. Slowly the bronze eagle came to life, fist with a flap of its wings than with a over exaggerated yawn.
"Its that time of the year again I see." said the eagle in a cool feminine voice. "Very well lets see if any of you can answer this riddle: Silence fills the empty grave, now that I have gone. But my mind is not at rest, for questions linger on. I will ask, and you will answer: What am I?" My face had gone pale upon hearing that particular quote. How in the hell had the bronze eagle heard it. Over the next few minutes several students had attempted to answer the not riddle. Pushing my way to the front of the group I decided to answer her riddle with one of my own, perhaps this would work, or perhaps I was just about to make a fool of myself.
Glaring at the bronze eagle I spoke in a clear and loud voice, "Now the gate has been unlatched, headstones pushed aside; corpses shift and offer room, a fate you must abide!" the group had gone quiet and looked at me like I was crazy, the bronze eagle on the other hand looked at me with intrigue. "What am I?" I asked, "I am the Grave-mind."
The eagle gave me a sad look and said "Young man, your not supposed to be here are you?" I just gave the eagle a smile and said:
"When life gives you lemons you do what you can with them."
"I see." said the bronze eagle.
"What the bloody hell are you two talking about?" exclaimed a clearly annoyed Penelope.
"Nothing you need to worry about, mortal." said the bronze eagle. A moment later the door opened and we were allowed inside. I was the fist inside and ignored the looks and whispers of the other children. The Ravenclaw common room was a wide, circular room with graceful arched windows that punctuated the walls which were hung with blue and bronze silks and a midnight blue carpet covered in stars, which was reflected onto the domed ceiling. The room was furnished with blue tables, chairs, and a divan. Next to the door leading up to the dormitories stood a tall statue of Rowena Ravenclaw made of white marble.
There was also a library located in a niche in the common room, which was connected magically to the main library. If someone were to look out the windows during the day, I'm sure the view would be spectacular too. After all being able to see the school grounds, great lake, forbidden forest, quidditch pitch, herbology greenhouses and surrounding mountains would be amazing. For the next few minutes we were allowed to mingle with one another while we waited for our head of house to arrive. It was around this time that Hermione dragged me to the library niche for a little chat.
"Okay spill it. Whats going on with Iris?" she whispered in a bossy and demanding tone.
"Based on the evidence so far, it looks like Iris was, or still is living in an abusive home. She yearns for attention, has most likely been physically and mentally abused and seems to have been starved." I finished my whispered speech with a tired sigh. "The best we can do is be there for her and maybe report our finding to our head of house."
"Wouldn't she feel betrayed if we told anyone this behind her back?" Hermione asked.
"Most likely, I think we should improve our relationship with Iris before we do anything about this, if we're not careful we could lose her as a friend forever." I answered.
"I guess you're right." Hermione said with a frown. With that I noticed Iris walking over.
"What are you two doing over here, all alone?" Iris asked, while giving us a suspicious look. I smiled and had the perfect cover.
"Hermione was just confessing her undying love for me." I lied.
[A skill has been created]
Lying- LVL 1 (00.00%)
Lying is the act of tricking someone with words or actions.
Both girls faces exploded into red blushes, though Iris's seemed more from anger than anything else. "No fair, I was going to confess to his! Um – I mean, you didn't hear that." Iris said than turned and sprinted away. I wasn't sure how to feel about that so I turned and saw that Hermione had disappeared as well. By the time I left the niche it would seem Professor Flitwick was just about to finish his speech to the fist years.
"And further more each student in Ravenclaw will be given a private room. Simply fallow that door there and pick a room, remember girls on left, boys on the right." Flitwick, level 75, said while waving his hands in excitement. I myself was lucky enough to get room seven. Once inside I cast colloportus on the door and explored my room. Fist was the queen size bed next to two end tables, than came the large dresser next to a full length mirror and empty book shelf. Finally came the desk and chair besides another door located to the back left of the room. Opening that door revealed a bathroom with a toilet and a large tub, I could also see a shower head above the tub. The bathroom and bedroom were lit by floating candles. At the base of my bed was my trunk. A large black rectangular prism, furnished with a silver lock and emblazoned with the Lestrange family crest.
Opening the trunk I began levitating my belongings out. My clothes went into the dresser, my school supplies went into the desk, and my books went into the book shelf. Casting Observe on everything gained me another level up and also revealed that several of my books were in fact skill books. I'd check those out in a moment. First things first, I stripped down into my undergarments and stared at my reflection in the full length mirror. I was basically a tall, wide shouldered toothpick. It was time for a workout, a One Punch Man workout. For the next six hours I did 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 squats, and ran in place for 10 kilometers. All the while attempting to figure out harder and harder math equations in my head. Finally I did 100 stretches to end my workout.
[STR has risen by 10, DEX has risen by 10, VIT has risen by 10, INT has risen by 10.]
I didn't even feel tired. "Hay Void you've been rather quiet, what do you think about all this?" I thought. Rather than getting a feeling, I saw a new pop up appear in front of my face.
[I've integrated myself into your game, basically making myself a quest giver and companion.]
I stared at the text for a moment before nodding, "that should make things easier for the both of us." Once again I stared at my reflection, noticing the beginnings of muscle mass appearing on my young body. The small clock on my HUD told me it was about two in the morning. Still plenty of time for what I had in mind.
"Instant Dungeon: create. Instant Dungeon: create. Instant Dungeon: create." it took a few tries but eventually the skill did pop up.
[A skill has been created.]
Instant Dungeon: Create- LVL 1 (00.00%)
a place to grind skill, spells, and abilities, in a somewhat controlled environment.
I did the same thing for ID: Escape as well.
[A skill has been created.]
Instant Dungeon: Escape- LVL 1 (00.00%)
a way to safely exit an Instant Dungeon.
[So what do you plan on doing now?]
"I think we should fight some zombies in an instant dungeon. But first let me put on some clothes."
[You do that.]
Once I was fully clothed and had my wand in hand I was ready for my first trip into the dungeon.
"ID: Create: zombie Hogwarts." I said, and the world reacted. The candles above me flickered for a moment before taking on a silver tint. The rest of room seemed to decay before my very eyes, and a thick smell of rot filled my nose. It was difficult not to throw up, yet somehow I managed to keep my meal down. Slowly I walked to the door in front of me that would lead into the hallway and listened. For several moments I waited while hearing groaning voices and shambling feet on carpet. I wondered if I would get a skill-
[A new skill has been created through a specific action.]
Eavesdropping- LVL 1 (00.00%)
Your ability to secretly listen to a conversation without getting caught.
There it is. Anyways, I pointed my wand at the door and cast Alohomora and waited for the click as it unlocked. Slowly I pushed it open and snuck out into the hall. To my left, blocking the way leading down into the common room, were three zombies in school robes. All of them were bent over on their hands and knees and were eating a rotting corpse of another student. These zombies were all level one. Gathering about a quarter of my magic I focused on the spell I wanted to use and cast "Diffindo." the severing charm. A wide arc of red energy fired from my wand and slammed into the three zombie first years. The closest one to me was bisected horizontally and lost both his arms and upper torso. The ones on the left and right only lost an arm. Slowly zombies two and three stood up and began walking towards me. With another use of "Diffindo." both their heads were removed from their bodies.
[A skill has leveled up, A skill has leveled up.]
Moving forward I looked closer at the slowly dissipating corpses. A new window popped up asking me if I wanted to turn on auto loot. I chose yes and felt several somethings enter my inventory. Opening my inventory I saw this:
[Inventory]
Rotting Human flesh: 6
Wand fragments: 3
cloth strips: 9
Knuts: 12 (moved to money)
When I heard more groaning coming from the common room and the private rooms I decided to err on the side of caution. I stepped back into my room, locked the door with Colloportus, and quietly thought, "ID: Escape." When I appeared back in the real world I checked my HUD clock. It would seem no time had passed while in the Instant Dungeon. Slowly my hungry eyes looked at my little library, I had books to read.