"Well… this isn't good!" Chris said eloquently.
He and Draco were in one of the classrooms practising the Vanishing Spell, and something alarming happened. While Chris was practising his spell work, an arc of purple lightning shot between his fingers and instead of vanishing his chair… well…
Where the chair once stood, there was now a heaving mess of papers, bugs, dust, dirt, water, potions and many other things normally vanished all fused together, seemingly at the molecular level, standing in the middle of the room.
"What in the name of Merlin is that!?" shouted Draco, backing away. Chris looked at his fake wand, or rather his hand, and blinked.
"I have no idea. Maybe I did the wand movements backwards?" Chris said. But he knew this wasn't a true. Technically speaking, he didn't need to do the wand movements. Something must be happening with his magic. "Can you try and vanish that?"
"Sure. Evanescent" Draco said, and waved his wand at the pile. About one fifth of it vanished, but the rest remained.
"Well, that didn't work. Maybe we should get a teacher?"
"Agreed… Um, you stay here and make sure it doesn't… come alive… and I'll go get McGonagall" Draco said, before leaving the classroom at a run. Chris sat down on one of the few chairs they didn't vanish, and looked at his hand.
'My magic is acting up. I swear I saw a purple spark. Was it that weird energy around my core? Is it effecting my magic now? So many questions I can't answer. Not like I can find a book on it or ask someone. Ugh!'
Draco returned with McGonagall, who took one look at the mess and vanished it with a wave of her wand. She then asked what happened. Chris explained that he and Draco were practising the Vanishing Spell, when instead of vanishing the chair, all that stuff appeared.
"Hmm, Mr Malfoy, how about you head back to the common room. I'll take Mr Johnson to the Hospital Wing for a quick check up" McGonagall said. Draco shot a worried look at me, before his face went expressionless and he nodded. Chris recognised the mask that Draco wore in front of teachers and non-Slytherins. After he left, McGonagall looked down at me. "Did you notice anything odd about your spell work Chris?"
Chris knew she was a part of the Order, and she could be trusted. She already knew he was from another world.
"Yes, ma'am. While I was casting there was a spark of purple between my fingers. It's almost like it caused the opposite of what I was trying to do" he said. McGonagall nodded thoughtfully.
"I'd be very careful about casting spells at the moment, in that case. Who knows what will happen the next time you try to clean your dorm or dry ink on your homework" she warned. Chris nodded in understanding, and McGonagall led me to the Hospital Wing, where Madam Pomfrey gave me a once over.
"You're correct in your analysis, Mr. Johnson. You'd make a good Healer. It appears the strange energy surrounding your core is fluctuating slightly. Nothing dangerous, but it appears to be causing adverse effects on your spells," Madam Pomfrey said, conjuring a small table with a feather on top. "Try to levitate that feather for me"
Chris shrugged, and without taking his wand out, he waved his hand at the feather and muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa"
There was a mighty crash as the table shattered under the sudden weight of the feather. Chris jumped as it followed the remains of the table and slammed into the stone floor, sending vibrations. Chris quickly cancelled the spell, and stared at the damage he had caused in shock. Even the teachers looked a little unnerved.
"I might have to ask someone else to cast a drying charm on me next time it rains, or else I might be in danger of causing a flood" Chris said dazedly.
The next day, Chris saw something in the newspaper that brought a myriad of memories flooding back.
MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED
FIRST EVER HIGH INQUISITOR
With a gasp, memories of rules, fireworks, swamps, a giant, a vanishing room, winged horses, fighting between two groups, and finally the visage of a stone archway. It felt like he had lived through an entire year, when in reality he had only locked up for a second. It was enough for Draco to notice, who looked up from his breakfast.
"What is it Chris?" asked Draco, looking over his shoulder at the paper. "Oh yeah, Dad told me in a letter that Fudge was appointing Umbridge as High Inquisitor. He said to stay on her good side, I'd suggest the same to you"
"Thanks for the advice" Chris muttered, before he went back to reading the newspaper.
In a surprise move last night the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time," said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley. "He is now responding to concerns, voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve of."
This is not the first time in recent weeks that the Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding School. As recently as 30th August, Educational Decree Number Twenty-two was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.
"That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone so the Minister put in Umbridge, and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionising the teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts."
It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalised with the passing of Educational Decree Number Twenty-three, which creates the new position of Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
"This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the falling standards at Hogwarts," said Weasley. "The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post and we are delighted to say that she has accepted."
The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.
"I feel much easier in my mind now that I know Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation," said Mr Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. "Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and are glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation."
Among those eccentric decisions are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the employment of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid and delusional ex-Auror, "Mad-Eye" Moody.
Rumours abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts.
"I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step towards ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose our confidence," said a Ministry insider last night.
Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts.
"Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office," said Madam Marchbanks. "This is a further, disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore."
(For a full account of Madam Marchbanks's alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page seventeen.)
Chris sighed, and rubbed his nose. Now that he could remember the events of fifth year, he realized that being here in the flesh showed things to be even more horrifying then in the book. The boy closed the paper the tossed it to the side, picking up his bacon and munching it. After a second, he pushed his bacon away and stood up.
"I lost my appetite. I'm going for a walk." He said. Draco nodded, and Chris left the hall. As he walked out the doors, he felt a ball of static attach to his back. He scanned it, and identified it as a tracking charm. Instead of getting rid of it, he pretended he didn't notice it and kept going.
He headed up the staircase, with the intention of wandering around until his pursuers decided to reveal themselves. After a bit, he walked down an empty corridor, when he knew that something was about to happen. He stopped, and pretending to be looking out the window. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the stonework warping slightly, as if light was bending around something.
After a second, a spell was shot off towards him, and Chris ducked, dodging the spell. Reacting instinctively, Chris shot a stunning spell from his right hand at figure that was invisible. It impacted, and the invisible figure collapsed.
"Fred!" yelled another voice. A spell shot off from his left, and Chris barely dodged it, and sent a stunning spell at the second invisible figure, who raised a shield. The shield dropped and the figure, who Chris assumed to be George Weasley, sent a blue spell at Chris.
Chris covered his hand in the purple energy, and caught the spell, which caused it to cancel out. This shocked the Weasley twin long enough for Chris to take him out with a stunning spell. After catching his breath, Chris dragged two second twin over to the first one he knocked out, and used the purple to deactivate their invisibility charms. Afterwards, he whispered "Incarcerous" and bound them with ropes, before awakening them with Enervate.
"What happened?" groaned Weasley Twin 1. He noticed Chris, and struggled against the ropes. "Let us go you little Death Eater!" he shouted, waking up his twin.
"Okay, 1) I am not a Death Eater, and 2) you guys attacked me. Now, I like to think of myself as a nice guy, so I'll let you two go, only if you promise not to attack me in the future" Chris said.
"We weren't attacking you" Twin 2 said. Chris raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, technically speaking we weren't. We were only going to turn you pink and glue you to the ceiling"
"I don't like pink. It doesn't go with my eyes" the 20 year old said with a deadpan expression. "Look, just promise not to try and prank me again and I'll let you go without reporting you to Snape"
"Alright, fine. We won't try to prank you. Only wanted to have a little fun" the Twins grumbled in unison. Chris nodded and (remembering to use the fake wand) vanished the ropes and gave them a hand up.
Just as Chris made to walk away, to get to his first class, the twins spoke up, "Hey, how did you stun us without your wand? And you caught my Projectile Puke spell with your bare hand."
Chris winced and turned around. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice that. Look, I can't tell you that. It's a big secret. Just, don't tell anyone"
"What's in it for us?"
"Oh god, I really don't have anything to offer you. Seriously, this information CAN NOT get around. Please, just keep it to yourselves!" Chris begged. The two looked at each other in silence, before they nodded.
"Alright, but sooner or later you gotta let us in on what's going on with you. Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back, and all that" Twin 1 said, while Twin 2 nodded in agreement.
"Fine, come find me later. I gotta get to my Ancient Runes class. See you" Chris said, before jogging off to his class. On the way, he berated himself for letting his wandless abilities show. And catching the damn spell? What the hell was he thinking? That memory recovery must have really messed up his common sense. He was surprised the Stunning Spells even worked, and Incarcerous. Maybe his magic was done fluctuating?
Chris received his homework for the highlighted runes. He got an O in that, which surprised and pleased him immensely. After the class, Professor Babbling commended him on his work and he met up with Draco and went to Potions, where his moonstone essay was handed back with an E in an upper corner.
"I have awarded you the grades you would have received if you presented this work in your OWL," said Snape with a smirk, as he swept among them, passing back their homework. "This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in the examination."
Snape reached the front of the class and turned on his heel to face them.
"The general standard of this homework was abysmal. Most of you would have failed had this been your examination. I expect to see a great deal more effort for this week's essay on the various varieties of venom antidotes, or I shall have to start handing out detentions to those dunces who get a 'D'."
He smirked as Draco sniggered and said in a carrying whisper, 'Some people got a "D"? Ha!'
Chris did quite well on his Strengthening Solution, and after handing a vial to Snape, he stayed back afterwards asking Snape what uses the Strengthening Solution could be used for.
"Ingested, it gives a boost in physical strength, and it can be used to strengthen weapons and materials if applied correctly" Snape answered curtly, before dismissing Chris. After lunch, Chris had Arithmancy with Hermione, who he nodded to with a polite smile. She seemed surprised by his kindness, and gave a slight smile in return.
After class, which was basically them learning how numbers can influence the world around them, and why many magical families only have one or two children, he had Defence Against the Dark Arts. Chris walked alongside Hermione and started up an idle conversation about Arithmancy and different uses for it when combined with different areas of magic. Hermione seemed very happy with this conversation topic, and they got into a very animated discussion about the possibilities. They had to end their conversation when they got to the classroom, as Ron Weasley was giving him the stink eye. Chris made a scene of saying goodbye with a nice smile before heading off to sit with the Slytherins, many of whom looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Umbridge was humming and smiling to herself when they entered the room. Draco asked why he was talking to 'the mudblood', and Chris calmly explained he was discussing Arithmancy with her. He also let slip a small warning about using that word. Before Draco could reply to this, Professor Umbridge had called them all to order and silence fell.
"Wands away," she instructed them all with a smile, and those people who had been hopeful enough to take them out, sadly returned them to their bags. "As we finished Chapter One last lesson, I would like you all to turn to page nineteen today and commence 'Chapter Two, Common Defensive Theories and their Derivation'. There will be no need to talk."
Still smiling her wide, self-satisfied smile, she sat down at her desk. The class gave an audible sigh as it turned, as one, to page nineteen. Chris wondered dully whether there were enough chapters in the book to keep them reading through all this year's lessons and was on the point of checking the contents page when he noticed that Hermione had her hand in the air again.
Professor Umbridge had noticed, too, and what was more, she seemed to have worked out a strategy for just such an eventuality. Instead of trying to pretend she had not noticed Hermione she got to her feet and walked around the front row of desks until they were face to face, then she bent down and whispered, so that the rest of the class could not hear, "What is it this time, Miss Granger?"
"I've already read Chapter Two," said Hermione.
"Well then, proceed to Chapter Three."
"I've read that too. I've read the whole book."
Professor Umbridge blinked but recovered her poise almost instantly.
"Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counter-jinxes in Chapter Fifteen."
"He says that counter-jinxes are improperly named," said Hermione promptly. "He says 'counter-jinx' is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable."
Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows and Chris knew she was impressed, against her will.
"But I disagree," Hermione continued.
Professor Umbridge's eyebrows rose a little higher and her gaze became distinctly colder.
"You disagree?" she repeated.
"Yes, I do," said Hermione, who, unlike Umbridge, was not whispering, but speaking in a clear, carrying voice that had by now attracted the attention of the rest of the class. "Mr Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively."
"Oh, you do, do you?" said Professor Umbridge, forgetting to whisper and straightening up. "Well, I'm afraid it is Mr Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger."
"But…" Hermione began.
"That is enough," said Professor Umbridge. She walked back to the front of the class and stood before them, all the jauntiness she had shown at the beginning of the lesson gone. "Miss Granger, I am going to take five points from Gryffindor house."
There was an outbreak of muttering at this.
"What for?" said Harry angrily.
Hermione whispered something to the boy, but he ignored her.
"For disrupting my class with pointless interruptions," said Professor Umbridge smoothly. "I am here to teach you using a Ministry-approved method that does not include inviting students to give their opinions on matters about which they understand very little. Your previous teachers in this subject may have allowed you more licence, but as none of them - with the possible exception of Professor Quirrell, who did at least appear to have restricted himself to age-appropriate subjects - would have passed a Ministry inspection…"
"Yeah, Quirrell was a great teacher," said Harry loudly, "there was just that minor drawback of him having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head."
This pronouncement was followed by one of the loudest silences Chris had ever heard. The young looking man facepalmed, now knowing what happened in those detentions.
"I think another week's detentions would do you some good, Mr Potter," said Umbridge sleekly.
Breakfast on Tuesday brought some entertainment as Angelina Johnson (no relation to Chris) reacted to Harry Potter's detention. She was shouting so loudly, that McGonagall came over to bring an end to the racket. Chris decided to just ignore this and eat his breakfast. He was worried about the Twins. They kept shooting him looks, and he knew that he would have to bring them into the secret. Dumbledore would surely not approve.
Chris pondered over his dilemma during Charms, and when he got to Transfiguration, all thoughts of the Twin Dilemma was pushed from his mind when he saw that Umbridge and her clipboard were sitting in a corner.
Chris sat down, and hid his grin as he knew what was going to happen.
Professor McGonagall marched into the room without giving the slightest indication that she knew Professor Umbridge was there.
"That will do," she said and silence fell immediately. "Mr Finnigan, kindly come here and hand back the homework - Miss Brown, please take this box of mice - don't be silly, girl, they won't hurt you - and hand one to each student…"
"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge, employing the same silly little cough she had used to interrupt Dumbledore on the first night of term. Professor McGonagall ignored her. Seamus handed back Chris' essay; Chris took it without looking at him and saw, to his relief, that he had managed an 'A'.
"Right then, everyone, listen closely - Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again I shall put you in detention - most of you have now successfully Vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have got the gist of the spell. Today, we shall be…"
"Hem, hem," said Professor Umbridge.
"Yes?" said Professor McGonagall, turning round, her eyebrows so close together they seemed to form one long, severe line.
"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspec…"
"Obviously I received it, or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom," said Professor McGonagall, turning her back firmly on Professor Umbridge. Many of the students exchanged looks of glee. "As I was saying: today, we shall be practising the altogether more difficult Vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell…"
"Hem, hem."
"I wonder," said Professor McGonagall in cold fury, turning on Professor Umbridge, "how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."
Professor Umbridge looked as though she had just been slapped in the face. She did not speak, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard and began scribbling furiously.
Looking supremely unconcerned, Professor McGonagall addressed the class once more.
"As I was saying: the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be Vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with your mind on your dinner. So - you know the incantation, let me see what you can do."
Professor Umbridge did not follow Professor McGonagall around the class as she had followed Professor Trelawney; perhaps she realised Professor McGonagall would not permit it. She did, however, take many more notes while sitting in her corner, and when Professor McGonagall finally told them all to pack away, she rose with a grim expression on her face.
Chris didn't bother to stick around and see what Umbridge had to say, as he already knew what was going to happen. Plus a Slytherin hanging around after class would have looked suspicious to the Almighty Righteous Ron Weasley.
When he walked down the lawns towards the Forest for Care of Magical Creatures with Draco and a small band of Slytherins, they found her and her clipboard waiting for them beside Professor Grubbly-Plank.
"You do not usually take this class, is that correct?" Chris heard her ask as they arrived at the trestle table where the group of captive Bowtruckles were scrabbling around for woodlice like so many living twigs.
"Quite correct," said Professor Grubbly-Plank, hands behind her back and bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I am a substitute teacher standing in for Professor Hagrid."
"Just wait until I tell about all the rubbish that oaf tried to 'teach' us" Draco whispered to Chris. He turned to him with a cool expression.
"Draco, if you tell any lies about Hagrid, I'll tell everyone about your Bugs Bunny briefs" He threatened. Draco went pale, and nodded. He glared slightly at Chris, but he ignored it.
"Hmm," said Professor Umbridge, dropping her voice, though Chris could still hear her quite clearly. "I wonder - the Headmaster seems strangely reluctant to give me any information on the matter - can you tell me what is causing Professor Hagrid's very extended leave of absence?"
"'Fraid I can't," said Professor Grubbly-Plank breezily. "Don't know anything more about it than you do. Got an owl from Dumbledore, would I like a couple of weeks" teaching work. I accepted. That's as much as I know. Well… shall I get started then?"
"Yes, please do," said Professor Umbridge, scribbling on her clipboard.
Umbridge took a different tack in this class and wandered amongst the students, questioning them on magical creatures. Most people were able to answer well.
"Overall," said Professor Umbridge, returning to Professor Grubbly-Plank's side after a lengthy interrogation of Dean Thomas, "how do you, as a temporary member of staff- an objective outsider, I suppose you might say - how do you find Hogwarts? Do you feel you receive enough support from the school management?"
"Oh, yes, Dumbledore's excellent," said Professor Grubbly-Plank heartily. "Yes, I'm very happy with the way things are run, very happy indeed."
Looking politely incredulous, Umbridge made a tiny note on her clipboard and went on, "And what are you planning to cover with this class this year - assuming, of course, that Professor Hagrid does not return?"
"Oh, I'll take them through the creatures that most often come up in OWL," said Professor Grubbly-Plank. "Not much left to do - they've studied unicorns and Nifflers, I thought we'd cover Porlocks and Kneazles, make sure they can recognise Crups and Knarls, you know…"
"Well, you seem to know what you're doing, at any rate," said Professor Umbridge, making a very obvious tick on her clipboard. Harry did not like the emphasis she put on 'you' and liked it even less when she put her next question to Goyle. "Now, I hear there have been injuries in this class?"
Goyle gave a stupid grin. Draco hastened to answer the question.
"That was me," he said He paused when he saw Chris' warning look. "I disrespected a Hippogriff after Professor Hagrid warned me not to."
"A Hippogriff?" said Professor Umbridge, now scribbling frantically. Chris noticed that Harry had a shocked look on his face that Draco wasn't more of a… bastard.
"Well, thank you very much, Professor Grubbly-Plank, I think that's all I need here. You will be receiving the results of your inspection within ten days."
"Jolly good," said Professor Grubbly-Plank, and Professor Umbridge set off back across the lawn to the castle.
When Dumbledore called him to his office for one of their long overdue classes, Albus announced that today he would be examining the purple energy itself under Mage Sight. According to Albus, Mage Sight was when a wizard pooled their magic into their eyes. Many couldn't do it, as it was technically Wandless Magic, and Chris planned to learn it himself.
"Now, Christopher, could I get you to draw out the energy please?" Albus asked. Chris nodded, and concentrated on coating his hand in the purple electricity. Albus' eyes seemed to glow bright, and he peered at his hand.
"Fascinating… the energy appears like a waterfall under Mage Sight, as if the energy is cascading from your hands, vanishing, then appearing at the top again! It almost looks like soul magic, yet vastly different at the same time" Albus said, blinking his eyes and turning off the Mage Sight, his eyes now back to normal. He pondered for a second, "Yes… that does sound catchy. What about we call the energy the Cascade?"
"Hmmm, that fits I suppose." Chris said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Yes, well, today we'll be focusing on your precision spell casting"
"Another thing sir, well… The other day, I was jumped by the Weasley Twins, and out of instinct I started casting wandlessly and caught one of their spell" Chris said, looking sheepish. Albus sat back in his chair and scratched his beard.
"That is troubling. However, I have known the Weasley Family since Arthur Weasley was a student here… they can be trusted with the secret, especially as the Weasley parents and quite a few of their children are members of the Order" Albus said. Chris nodded in agreement. He had nearly forgotten that. His memories of the 5th book were still all muddled up.
"I hope so. I really can't keep dodging those two. Every time they look at me I'm afraid they're telling people about my abilities. God, this is so stressful. How am I supposed to deal with this? Even in a world of wizards, witches and magical creatures I'm weird!" Chris said, leaning on Dumbledore's desk and placing his forehead in his hands.
"You're not weird, Chris. You've found yourself thrown into unique situation most cannot handle. You have done remarkably well in keeping a calm mind so far. It would be a waste to let yourself fall into self-doubt." Dumbledore said, his voice calm and even. Chris looked up at the wizened wizard, and saw him looking at him piercingly.
"I know. It's just…"
"Just nothing. You cannot change what has happened. The best you can do is make due until we can find a way to get you home" Dumbledore said. Chris looked down at his feet for a few seconds, before looking back up and nodding. "Good. Now, let us continue your training. I hear you're doing well in Ancient Runes. Let's practise some inscribing rather than spell precision. You deserve an enjoyable lesson."
And enjoyable it was. It was in this lesson that Chris learned how to inscribe and how to channel his magic into the rune to charge it. He had inscribed it into a sheet of parchment, and when it was charged the rune glowed softly. To test it, Dumbledore cast several exploding spells at the parchment. While the table around it broke, the parchment took several spells before the rune was overwhelmed and exploded.
"Very good for a first attempt!" Dumbledore said, waving his wand and repairing the table, while vanishing the parchment pieces. Chris grinned, and thanked the old wizard before he left.
It turned out Chris didn't have to wait long to let the Twins in on the secret. They cornered him one morning on the way to Breakfast, and dragged him into an unused classroom. Chris pondered for a second just how many classrooms there were in this school.
"Alright Johnson. You've been dodging us for too long. Time to fess up." Said Twin 1, while Twin 2 nodded in agreement. Chris sighed.
"Yeah, I have been kind of avoiding you, but only because this is a massive thing. Dumbledore told me that you can be trusted since you're involved with the Order" Chris said. The twins looked at each other, eyebrows raised, probably wondering why a Slytherin knew about the Order.
"So, what's the story?"
"Okay… you see, I'm not really a transfer student from Australia. And I'm not 15, I'm actually 20. Yeah, it's a trait in my family that I look younger then I really am" Chris said, noticing the shocked looks the twins shared.
"So, if you're not from Australia, where are you from?" asked one of the twins. Chris already lost track of which one was Twin 1 and which was Twin 2. He needed to find a way to distinguish them. He took a deep breath before answering.
"I'm from another universe"
There was a pause, and the twins stared at him, before they grinned.
"Nice one, Johnson, but you're not getting out of it that easily."
"I'm not lying. Before school started, I appeared in London in a blast of purple lightning. I was taken to Saint Mungos, and Dumbledore made me a Ward of Hogwarts. Since I only just appeared and I somehow had a core of an adult already, I needed training. I was given tutoring, but when school started up they decided I was only up to 3rd-4th year. I'm just trying to get along this year until Dumbledore can find a way to send me back! The reason why I can cast wandless magic is because my core is big enough to handle it." Chris said.
The two looked at each other, and seemed to be communicating telepathically.
"What makes you think we'd believe that?" asked one of the twins. Chris groaned in frustration, and took his wand out before throwing it to the side.
"Cast your strongest, most violent spell at me. Make it one that can't be stopped by most shielding spells" he said. The two looked at him in aghast, before nodding. Twin one took his wand out, and shot a sickly yellow spell at Chris. He summoned the Cascade to his hand, and covered it in the lightning, before catching the spell. As soon as it touched his hand, it vanished. The twins stared in shock.
"Can anything from this universe do that?" Chris asked, breathing heavily. That spell took a lot of the Cascade to stop. The twins looked at each other. "I can help you with pranks if you keep my secret"
The twins grinned, looking at Chris with calculating eyes.
"Deal"