Sloth: Thanks for the review guys. Here's the next chapter. It's the long, boring, explanation chapter. At least to me. I do hope you enjoy the little plot twists in this one.
Please don't forget to hit the little green button at the end of the chapter.
Enjoy. :)
The Non-Action Explanation
.
"Swords you say?"
"Yes Professor Dumbledore. That's what the boys said. They managed to fight off Death Eaters with them. Some of the bodies that remained showed signs of behind cut." Arthur slouched in his seat, his mind wandering to his long lost son. He wished he had been there to speak to Ron, but the boy had escaped with his friends in a cloud a smoke. The next time he saw Ron, he would make sure he'd be able to speak to the boy.
"Have you heard anything like that Professor?" Lupin asked the Headmaster. The old wizard looked thoughtful before answering.
"I have actually. Though this is the first time I've heard of it being used in England."
"So what exactly is it?" James Potter asked. The black haired man was slightly bitter about not being able to go and assist his fellow Order Members. But as this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, he had to remain at Hogwarts during the attack. He too wanted to see Harry. He had given up hope of finding his son, blaming himself for Harry running away in the first place. When Lily told him she saw him, his heart was torn between believing her or not.
"From what you've told me when young Draco Malfoy transfigured his sword I can only assume it is the Shikai, or Release Spell. It is a form of ancient magic practiced most commonly in Japan. Wizards there are sometimes trained like warriors; similar to their samurai ancestors. The Shikai is very powerful, allowing one to transfigure their wand into a blade. This blade would permanently be their tool for magic. However, the blade is never the weapon's true form."
"What do you mean?"
"You see, when the Shikai is first preformed, the caster's wand will shatter. The wand's core merges with the caster's own magical core, forging a weapon that matches the caster's personality or magical preferences. Sometimes the weapon will be only able to cast a single spell, the same used to first activate the Shikai. For example, from what Lily has told me, it is most like that when he first achieved the Shikai, young Harry casted the blasting charm: Bombarda. And young Draco most liked used the snake conjuring charm: Serpensortia."
"Are you saying there is no incantation for this Release Spell?" Minerva McGonagall asked.
"No. The Shikai is merely a complicated ritual. What's more, the Shikai gives the caster a personal bond with their weapon. When it is first formed, the caster can give their weapon a name. Something that comes from the heart or important to them. When the weapon is sealed, it becomes a sword, and by giving a one word command, followed by the weapon's name, the sword takes on it's true form, releasing a great deal of the caster's sealed magic."
"And that's why it's called the Release Spell?" Sirius asked. Dumbledore nodded firmly.
"It is a very powerful magic. What's more, these weapons have a second, more powerful form. This second form can take years to master. The Shikai Maxima is said to transform the weapon into a greater tool, sometimes combining with the wielder or becoming an organic creature. Not only does this maximize the caster's magical core, but it also gives them more power than before. However, this second form can be quite exuberating to the caster. Sometimes, after being used, the caster's magical core would almost completely diminish and only a long period of rest can help replenish it."
"If these are so powerful, why don't more wizards attempt it?" Sirius asked.
"Ah, yes, a very good question Sirius. You see, in order for one to use the Shikai, you must be trained at a young age, while your magical core has yet to be influenced by any other type of magic. Or, if you had not performed magic in a significant amount of time, you could attempt the Shikai as well. Another reason why we do not practice it is because it has a fifty six percent failure rate. And should one fail to achieve the Shikai, they would be nothing more than a muggle because your core would be destroyed. That danger alone can discourage wizards away from attempting the Shikai."
"And they are so young," McGonagall whispered softly, her maternal instincts kicking in. "It sounds too dangerous for them to attempt that. Who would even be foolish enough to teach children this…this…ritual?"
"Ah, I know of only one English wizard to be able to perform the Shikai. His thirst for knowledge led him to discovering the technique and he spend several years trying to master it. He was the only known person to successfully use the Shikai while having years of magical practices. And though I wish he would join in our effort, I am unable to change the man's wish to be a neutral party."
"Who are you talking about Professor?" James asked, "Maybe if we can find him, he might try and convince these kids to join the war. I bet I could persuade him." James added casually as he put his feet on the table. McGonagall swatted his feet away and he retreated, creating great amusement.
"Ah, but as much as I wish to, I know he will not make his students do what they do not wish. Further, he may not like speaking to you James."
"What? But we've never met."
"Ah, but you have. Or did you not recall your missing rival during your seventh year?"
James paled. "Are…Are you saying that Snivellus is this great Shikai teacher?"
"Yes indeed. Severus Snape is the great English Shikai Wizard. I had become aware of this when Severus came to me to withdraw from Hogwarts. He had attempted the Shikai on his own and it nearly cost him his magic. He wished to venture the world to learn more about cultural magic. He must have taught these four the last time he was in London. Though, last I heard, he was still in Japan, most likely interacting with the Japanese Ministry."
"This is very interesting and all," Moody started, "but what are we going to do with them? We can't just let four untrained wizards go around with magical swords. They could get someone killed."
"Ah yes, we cannot have that now. However, I believe they've been able to do well on their own so far. I believe that Diagon Alley calls them the Four Blurs."
"Four Blurs?" James muttered. "At least they have a name."
"I believe it is best to get them into Hogwarts for their protection. The Death Eaters will most likely retaliate against them now. And while they are at Hogwarts, they can partake in the curriculum. Perhaps they will even join the Order."
Arthur and James sat up expectantly. Alastor Moody scoffed at the idea. "Well Arthur, James, congratulations. Your sons have become magical sword wielding hooligans with Malfoy and a muggleborn."
.
.
.
"This place is a mess." Autumn commented in disgust at the run down, empty shop.
"Well it hasn't been the same since it closed down." Fred defended.
"Poor Zonko, how we've missed thee."
"I don't even know why you'd want to open a shop here." Red said as he adjusted his cap. Somehow, they had managed to let Fred and George convince them to come to Hogsmeade, where they wanted to put a shop where the old Zonko's joke shop was. They had said that they were too busy at their shop and with the Order that they didn't have time to run a second shop. However, they thought the four of them running the second shop would be a great way for Red to repay them for breaking George's wand and stealing from them. He had been furious at them for that, but Raven and Bleach managed to hold him back.
There were some perks to this though. They twins said that not only would they get paid for their work, but they'd always would be able to help themselves with anything they wanted. Autumn also pointed out that they would be able to stop stealing from Diagon Alley. At least until things blew over and they wouldn't have to worry about Death Eaters or Order Members looking for them there. However, he was still suspicious of them. He doubted they'd change that much in ten years. Weasley Wizarding Wheezes was proof of it. They were up to something.
"Hogwarts students of course." Fred answered.
"They come to Hogsmeade all the time."
"They'll definitely stop here for our products..."
"Because we've tested them…"
"At school."
"Do you two ever get tired of that twin speak thing?" Bleach asked from where he sat on the counter.
"No." they replied simultaneously. Raven looked over at his friends.
"Group huddle."
"Ok, so what do you think?" he asked. Red opened his mouth, but Raven quickly cut him off. "Unbiased comments only." The ginger pouted.
"Well," Autumn started, "I think it would be nice to make an honest living for once." The boys stared at her. "Only until the war blows over. All of Diagon Alley knows we go there every day and it won't be long before the Death Eaters start staking out to catch us. At least if we're here, it'll be harder for them to find us."
"True, but what about the Hogwarts students," Bleach added, "Particularly the guy who looks like Raven without his glasses on and the red head working five shops down from here. You don't think they'll rat us out to their parents? Parents who are in 'Chick-Fill-A'."
"Please don't call it that, you'll make me hungry."
"Look, we've got to look at the pros and cons of this." Raven said. "We work here, we can avoid Death Eaters. The Four Blurs aren't well known here. Secondly, we've got access to all of the Twins products. That Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder can come in handy. Thirdly, we can get information."
"Information? For what?"
"In the event we do have to pick sides. It's best to know about both sides. Plus, I'm sure the students have stuff on the castle we could use." A sly smile formed on the raven haired youth. The others soon got what he was implying and smirked as well.
"Raven, you never cease to impress us." Bleach grinned.
"What about the sneaks? None of us can use the memory charm. I'm not even sure I can trust those two, let alone a bunch of kids."
"Red you never trust anyone outside the four of us. It's time you start." Autumn retorted. "We can get to that when it comes. Besides, we can always use some disguises, and our caps pretty much make it impossible for people to recognize us."
"So then it's agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"….."
"Red!"
"Oh all right, but I'm telling you, if I see one too many red heads I'm leaving."
They broke their huddle and turned to the Weasley twins. "We'll do it."
"Excellent."
Oh, how they would wish they had listened to Red.
.
.
.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Not now Dudley." Nicholas Potter said as his cousin sat down next to him. He had been spending an awful lot of his time sitting in front of the fireplace since his mother had claimed to have spotted his twin. It had been a touché subject for the Potter family. Harry had been missing for ten years. Or rather, five years before he was proclaimed dead. His mother had been devastated by the lost, to the point she ran to her estranged sister for comfort. She had blamed herself for Harry's disappearance, saying had she only paid more attention or treated him better he would have stayed. The only good thing that came from it was Lily and Petunia's rekindled relationship.
He felt Dudley looking at him and gave his cousin a dry look. It had come off as a surprise when Dudley got his Hogwarts letter. He had always seemed normal. At first the two didn't get along, Dudley being a spoiled brat and him being a hot tempered fool. However, Hogwarts had the power to change people and through various adventures like the Sorcerer's Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, and the Triwizard Tournament, they became close friends. Along with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, they were known at the New Marauders.
"You sure Nick? You've been out of it a lot lately. This has anything to do with what happened at the restaurant?"
He sighed. Dudley was starting to become persistent. Another thing no one imagined Dudley having. "Maybe."
"You think she's right? That Harry's alive."
"Maybe. It's just…my parents have just come around. Mum was finally getting the restaurant off the ground and Dad was beginning to go back to work. They looked everywhere for him for five years. They almost got divorced over it. And now some git is going around looking like him…You should have seen my mum when she came. She looked so desperate…like she really wanted it to be him…" He stared at the fireplace, his hazel eyes wavering between emotions.
"There's more isn't there. You're worried that this might actually be Harry."
"Have you been talking to Hannah Abbot about child psychology again?" Nick asked. Dudley just shrugged and the hazel eyed boy sighed. He rubbed the scar on his forehead. Normally, doing this would mean Voldemort was near, in a bad mood, or both. However, tonight, it was merely part of an ongoing headache.
"We were terrible to him Dud. Every since the day I got this stupid scar, my parents gave everything to me. I'm the Boy Who Lived, the savior of wizard kind. I ended up being a spoiled git. I treated Harry like a House Elf and not a brother. If he didn't do what I wanted, I'd call for my parents and they'd make him do it by quilting him into it or by swatting at him. We'd forget his birthdays too. His birthdays! How can you forget a guy's birthday when it's the same day as yours?" He sighed in frustration, covering his face with his hands. "We didn't even know he was missing until a week later. I don't blame him for leaving."
"Really? That's new for you. Normally you hex anyone who makes fun of your parents."
"I said I wouldn't blame him for leaving. I never said anything about not hexing him for what he did. If he's alive, and never bothered to show him face, not even a letter, then I'm going to hex him into oblivion before dragging his ass to my parents. Being smothered to death by overly affectionate parents is punishment enough."
Dudley broke out laughing, watching his cousin fume. Dudley's loud laughter brought a small smile to the boy's face. If Harry was alive, he was determined to do what his parents couldn't and bring him back.
.
.
.
"Mum, I'm off to bed."
"Hmm, oh, very good Ginny." Molly Weasley said softly, but she made no move from her seat. Ginny sighed and left the room. It was to be expected really. Her mother rarely left her seat, always staring out the window, holding the ratty, old stuffed bear as if it were a life line. She knew mom was keeping hope strong, wishing for Ron to come home or be found, but sometimes it was better to move on. She'd rather have a dead brother than a mother who was slowly dying. It was a cruel thought, and she hated herself for it, but it was the truth.
Walking into the room she once shared with Ron, she walked over and sat on his bed. They still kept it, even after all these years. Though most of the room had changed, she kept Ron's half of the room the same as it had been ten years ago. Nothing had been misplaced or picked up. Some of the toys stilled littered the floor, which drove her OCD wild. Every day she would dust that side of the room to keep it clean. Sometimes she would come in and see her mom sitting on Ron's bed, looking around like a lost soul or simply talking as if he were there.
With a sigh, she picked up the useless wand that was sitting on her nightstand. Her thoughts traveled back four years ago, when she last used it. She had been tricked by a cursed diary given to her by that no good Malfoy. It sapped her magic each time she wrote in it, taking comfort in Tom to heal her emptiness. She was a fool for thinking something like that could replace her brother. Near the end of her first year, she was taken into the Chamber of Secrets, where she would have died if Nicholas Potter hadn't arrived in time. He saved her life that night. However, she had been drained of nearly all her magical powers. The Healer said she barely had any left to cast a simple levitation charm. If she were to ever use her magic again, she could die from the trauma a shattered core would cause. Of course this only further threw her mother into depression.
She laid herself down on Ron's bed, and though she was oversized, she felt comfortable on it. Putting the wand back where it was, she turned off the desk lamp. Not a second later she heard her mother's voice.
"What do you mean you saw Ron!?"