Disclaimer: I own nothing. My views on magic have been influenced by Japanese-jew. If you've not read his stuff...do.
Chapter 3
Harry Potter awoke early the next morning to the sounds of snoring from his roommates. Excited as he was for his first day of training in real magic, it was a wonder that he slept at all.
He went to get himself ready for the day, and soon the rest of his dorm mates had arisen. Harry and Neville who had grown up together already knew each other quite well, but Harry used the time to learn about Dean and Blaise.
Dean was a Muggleborn from Upton Park. His father was an artist and his mother was a waiter at a local diner. Harry learned that Dean too loved art, but his art was music, particularly the violin which Dean had brought with him.
Blaise was from a long line of Italian purebloods. His grandparents had escaped Italy before Mussolini came to power, and now his mother owned a chain of successful apothecaries but his father had passed away when he had turned eight.
Neville and Harry were fast friends. Harry's father James was a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army Magical Forces, and Neville's father was a Senior Auror in the Ministry of National Law Enforcement, but they had been in the same class at Hogwarts and both James and Lily and Neville's parents, Frank and Alice, had been happy for their child to have a playmate the same age.
They had gotten to be such good friends that since Harry was only a day younger than Neville, their parents began celebrating their birthdays together.
As they left for breakfast Harry told his two new friends about his family. Harry's father was in the military and his mother was in the Ministry of Magic as a spell researcher.
"My godfather's Sirius Black," he continued as they found some seats in the Great Hall. "And then there's Uncle Remus and Uncle Peter, they were all really good friends with my father back when they were here. They're pretty much family so next year I'll have to look after my cousins."
"Hang on, not Sirius Black, the one that's on the dueling circuit. He's ranked like twenty-fourth in the world"
"Yeah, my dad takes the piss out of him for not reaching the finals yet."
"I watched his quarterfinal match last season," Blaise responded. "It was incredible, bad luck for your godfather though. Who knew that Simon Lee from the States would know the Devas."
"What's the Devas?" Dean asked.
"It's a Hindu spell from an ancient Ayurvedic healing spell," an accented voice answered. "Sorry, I'm Parvati Patil. And the spell came from one that regenerated limbs, but was adapted to grow extra arms."
"Right," added Blaise. "So this Simon guy grew two extra arms, slapped duelist shields on 'em, and was batting away Black's spells."
"Nasty little shock that was for Uncle Sirius," Harry chuckled. "Mum made fun of the look on his face for the next month."
They continued to chat as they ate their breakfast until they were interrupted by Professor McGonagall with their schedules.
Group A: Brown, Granger, Longbottom, Patil, Potter, Thomas, Vane, Zabini
M & W:
Charms and Magical Theory 8:00 - 9:30
Biology 9:45 - 11:15
Lunch
Transfiguration 2:00 - 4:00
T &Thr:
Mathematics 8:00 - 10:00
Herbology 10:15 - 12:15
Lunch
Potions 1:30 - 3:30
Offensive and Defensive Magic 3:45 - 5:45
F
Charms and Magical Theory 8:00 - 9:30
Biology 9:45 - 11:15
Lunch
Transfiguration 2:00 - 3:00
World History 3:00 - 6:00
"We have to learn maths and biology here?" Dean whined.
"When the worlds merged, the Crown instituted its education requirements here," Hermione's voice answered.
"Also this way, if you want to go to Muggle uni to get a higher degree you can." Harry added. "S'what my dad did. That's how he's an officer in the army now. Anyway we don't want to be late for class, so we'd best get going."
Despite leaving the Great Hall early for class, they arrived at their Charms classroom with only a few minutes to spare. They would have been late had Hermione not asked a portrait for directions.
When they entered the class, Parvati ran over to a girl, one who looked remarkably like her but in Ravenclaw colors, and started chatting excitedly. A pair of brunette's entered and waved to Hermione, before going over to join Parvati.
"That's her twin that Parvati's gone to talk to," Hermione supplied to Harry and his friends. "And those are my roommates, Lavender Brown and Chelsea Vane. Their nice enough, I suppose."
Soon enough the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs entered. Harry waved to Draco and waved him over so that they could chat, but they were interrupted by the professor, a bright young woman who appeared to be in her late twenties.
"Welcome," she said. "To Charms and Magical Theory. You may put your wands away, the first few session of this class will not be practical. You will learn your first charm next week, but this week we will be talking the basics of Magical Theory. I am Professor Merrythought Let's jump right into this. Can anyone tell magic is?"
Hermione hesitantly raised her hand.
"Yes," the professor looked down at her roll sheet, "Ms. Granger?"
"Is...is magic energy, professor?"
The professor smiled, "That's not a bad guess, but no magic is not energy, at least not by the definition that energy has according to physics Ms. Granger. The reason Ms. Granger's answer is not correct, class, is that there is no correct answer. We have a decent idea of how magic works and how to use it, but we have no idea what it is."
She waved her wand and images of magical creatures appeared in the air.
"What we do know is that the magic inside of our bodies is distinct from the magic everywhere else in the universe. The why will be answered on Friday in your World History class, but sufficed to say the way we use magic is unique. Yes, Mr. Nott?"
A brown haired boy from Slytherin had raised his hand.
"What do you mean its unique, Professor?" the boy asked.
"I was just getting there, Mr. Nott," she replied. "I suppose I should say the fact that we USE magic is unique, because for magical creatures, the magic has affected them. However with a wand we are able to affect magic. To explain this fully I will have to discuss the mechanics of wand use."
With a wave, the schematics of a wand appeared in the air and she launched into an explanation. When a wand chooses a wizard it creates a magical bond with them similar to that which exists between a wizard and his familiar. This bond allows our internal magic, which could normally only affect ourselves or have a very weak effect on actual world, to have a very strong influence on universe.
The first wizards to use a wand had varying luck with their magic and it took extreme focus and determination to develop the first spells. But after a time because wizards would cause the same effect again and again magic began to adapt, and would respond to the internal magic and thus the first modern spells were developed.
"These days," she explained, "spells are created when a group of witches or wizards, or fewer depending on the individual strength of the mages, impress upon to the external magic a specific result dependent on a specific type of internal magic."
At that moment a ringing noise sounded, "Ah!" Merrythought said. "It appears we are out of time, well, till Wednesday children."
And with that class ended and the children headed to Biology. Time passed and the children moved from Biology to Lunch and then from Lunch to Transfiguration.
As the classroom filled up a man with salt-and-pepper hair stood and flicked his wand. Professor Landon wrote itself into the board.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome young ones. I teach Transfiguration for 1st through fifth year, and I suppose I have the honor of formally teaching the lot of you your first spell. Though it would be more appropriate to call it a charm. Can any of you tell be what the difference between a spell and a charm? Yes, Mr. Finch-Fletchley?"
"Charms are better liked, sir?"
"Very clever Mr. Fletchley, but no. A charm has one specific use, while a spell is variable. Now if any of you have Madame Goshawk's book you will know that all spells require intent and focus. Since spells can have a variety of effects they require a greater degree of intent and focus. There are really only seven main spells that are required for a Transfiguration N.E.W.T., they are known collectively as the Universal Spells of Transfiguration. However these spells are incredibly complex and far beyond any of your capabilities, so we will start with charms."
Landon flicked his wand and matchsticks flew to each of the desks. "This is the matchstick to needle charm, and the incantation is in your book."
Harry reached into his bag, as he pulled out his book he studied the tiny matchstick in front of him. He flipped open to the right page and read it over.
The book gave the incantation, Carcarorcus, and a brief explanation of the spell. Along with a moving diagram of the wand motion.
"Many commonly used spells have appropriate incantations so as to enable easy recall of the spell," the book read. "The matchstick to needle charm does not fall into that category. Beginner's charms are seldom used in adulthood, thus are given ludicrous and often times made up names. When casting the charm draw a straight abrupt line parallel to the matchstick. The specificity of the charm lessens the need for intent and focus, but you must still have a sufficient amount of both."
Harry pulled out his wand and aimed it at the matchstick. He murmured the incantation and swept his wand over the stick. The stick turned gray for a moment before reverting back to its original form.
"Almost, Mr. Potter," the professor commented from the front of the room, "Nice try to you also, Granger, you as well Li. Can you all tell me what you were thinking of? No? That's why none of you succeeded. You all forgot about intent and focus."
Harry looked back down wondering what the professor meant about intent and focus. He concentrated on the matchstick and tried again. This time the matchstick changed shape, resembling a little wooden needle. It retained its shape for a slightly longer time before once again turning back into a matchstick.
Irritated, Harry looked up to see Landon's face. "Try again Mr. Potter, and this time really think about what your intent is."
"What my intent is?" Harry thought to himself. "What the hell does that mean?"
He looked back down at the matchstick, focusing on it. He though about what he was trying to do, and pictured a needle in his mind. Once again he muttered the incantation and performed the wand motion. He felt a tingle from below his stomach to his arm.
This time the matchstick shifted into a needle. It stayed that way for a solid twenty seconds before turning back into a matchstick.
"Well done Mr. Potter," the Professor said. "Take five points for Gryffindor, anyone else that manages to perform the spell by the time class ends, take two points for your house."
He picked up Harry's matchstick, "This also brings us to a good lesson. Transfiguration IS NOT permanent. More powerful wizards can make the spells last longer, but they all fade eventually. So remember, Transfiguration is NOT permanent."
He put the matchstick back on Mr. Potter's desk. "Continue practicing please, try and get the spells to last longer."
A/N: I realize that there hasn't been much action. Expect some in the next chapter. Also if you have the time or inclination please let me know what you think.
