Disclaimer:
No, I don't make money from this. And no, I still don't own the rights to Harry Potter. Yes, I would love to receive them for Christmas. That or a lifetime supply of cookies.
.:/*\:.
Again.
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes. She drew all focus inwards and to the core of her magic. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes and watched the swirling lights of the wards, tracing them once more with her mind before letting her magic flow into them.
A base layer to stabilize the uneven ground. A modified hook layer to connect to the ley line that flowed beneath the castle, and allow the Wards to draw power from it. A surrounding guarding array to protect the connection, with a series of nasty curses built in along with several hooks for the rest of the wards to fall back on if it became necessary. And then the foundation stones arrays: a collection of layers designed to both augment and stabilize the magic that flowed throughout the castle. Luckily, only one foundation stone was damaged or Hermione thought she might just die trying to fix the Wards.
Focus.
"I am focused!"
I would not be pestering you if you were.
Hermione gritted her teeth as the pressure behind her eyes grew another notch. She took another breath, her hands itching to press her fingers against her temples or the bridge of her nose. Anything to release some of the pain.
The foundation arrays also were built with a series of hooks. These were guarded by a series of very powerful curses, and Hermione once more wondered how the Death Eaters had managed to avoid tripping those as they went about their rampage in the castle.
Hermione. Stop.
"What?"
Stop. This is no good.
Hermione frowned as she pulled her magic back. "What do you mean?"
You're too tired. Your mind cannot stay on the task any longer.
Hermione swallowed hard.
"I need to get this right."
And on the day, you will. I will make sure of that. Your understanding and technique are already far beyond any apprentice your age. Your focus needs work, but at this moment in time, it is your body that is betraying you.
"How so?"
You are not physically able to channel the magic you need. Both because you are still suffering lingering effects from your war wounds, and you have never had to work with such a large amount of power.
"So what do you suggest? I'm passing my NEWTs next week, and the Ministry will be turning up to assess Hogwarts just ten days after that."
You and the school will be ready. Do. Not. Fret.
Hermione could almost see a finger wagging at her. The Master Ward had gotten into her head so much over the past few days that she could almost imagine what physical reaction it would have - had it a human body.
Your power levels are evolving nicely.
Hermione let herself fall onto the chair the Room of Requirements had just made appear behind her.
"Care to explain that statement?"
Your physical training is pushing your magical boundaries. After all, mind, body, and spirit are very much related and play on each other's strengths.
"You mean that my physical health impact on my magical levels?"
More than that. The fitter you become, the greater amount of power you can handle.
"So the more I train, the more powerful I get…"
Somewhat. Your potential for power is set. The only thing you can change is whether or not you reach that potential.
Hermione nodded to herself then winced as the movement set off her headache once more.
I would recommend going to Professor Snape and requesting some pain relief. We will continue tonight.
"I can't tonight. Master Hagdar has asked me to join him in his workshop. I think he wants to make sure I'm going through the exercises he set for me."
Very well. We will continue at a more opportune moment. Off with you.
Hermione pushed herself to her feet and gathered the Master Ward before making her way out of the room. She slowly walked to the dungeons, hoping that Snape would be there.
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione looked up to see her Charms Professor standing in the middle of the corridor.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Just a bit tired, I guess," Hermione replied with a small smile, before she ducked her head to rub at the back of her neck. "I've been working with the Wards…"
Silence greeted her words and Hermione looked up to see her diminutive teacher watching her.
"You worked on the Wards? On your own?"
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "It was a simulation, Professor. Not the real thing."
"A simulation?"
"The Master Ward and I have been working out which wards are essential and what kind of power will have to be added to mine to finish the re-casting. It's mostly theory work, but we've started some practical work. I'm being coached through the precise warding patterns to make up for my lack of actual knowledge and experience."
The Charm teacher's gaze flickered to the Master Ward that Hermione was carrying in her hand, and Hermione had to resist the rather strong urge to tuck the slim notebook out of sight.
"But are you alright, Miss Granger?" Flitwick insisted.
"Just a slight headache. I was just on my way to Professor Snape's office to see if he has some headache potions."
Hermione could see the half-Goblin wanted to say something more, but wasn't sure how to go about it. Finally, he shook his head and grabbed the witch's forearm.
"I would like to do something for you, Imrae."
Hermione straightened instantly at her teacher's use of her Goblin name.
"If you will let me," the Charms master continued, "I will report what you've told me to the Headmistress. You should go to Professor Snape and then take a nap until lunch."
"A nap? Professor, I'm not three years old!"
"But you are working with especially strong magic. Along with everything else that is happening. Both Severus and Bathsheba have mentioned that the Ministry has put you on the spot once more by organizing all your NEWTs at once. If any of us had the time and the strength, we would take the Wards over for you."
"Except that you can't," Hermione smiled, "because I'm the only one with access to the Master Ward."
Professor Flitwick sighed and Hermione moved her arm in his loose hold so she could grasp his forearm, too.
"I will follow your advice, Professor. I know that sleep can do wonders for mind, body, and spirit. And I thank you for taking the one duty you can for me."
Her teacher smiled and let go of her arm before he shooed her down the corridor. Hermione couldn't help but laugh slightly as she walked away. The rest of her walk down to the dungeons was uneventful and she soon found herself knocking on the Potion Master's office door.
"Enter."
The growling and definitely fed up tone had Hermione cringing before she even pushed the door open.
"Good morning, Professor."
The scoff she received told Hermione his morning had been anything but. The man was bent over paperwork, scribbling furiously. For a moment, Hermione wondered if he was letting his hair grow. She couldn't remember the end of the dark lengths ever brushing against the parchment he wrote on…
"Stop hovering and tell me what you want."
Hermione swallowed hard.
"I have a slight headache and I was hoping for a vial of pain relief."
Snape finally looked up from his work. He frowned as he saw her in his office then pointed at the chair on the other side of his desk. The young witch chose to obey rather than face the wrath or the scorn of the dark wizard opposite her. As she sat down, he reached for his wand and flicked it towards the storage cupboard. The summoned vial clinked softly as it settled on the wooden top of the desk.
"Drink."
Hermione did as ordered, not bothering to check what she had been given. If he had wanted to kill her, the man had had plenty of opportunities before today. The relief was nearly instant, and Hermione sighed as she let herself lean back into her uncomfortable seat.
"Now tell me what you've been doing to undo weeks of recovery."
Hermione frowned slightly at that. "Nothing. I was just training."
"Just training would not have you look like death warmed over," Snape scoffed. "What did you do?"
"I was training. Nothing more, and nothing less."
Hermione knew she sounded like a petulant child, but there was absolutely no way she would allow the dark wizard to compromise his own recovery for her. And she knew he would insist on taking over most of the warding if he knew that's what she'd been doing.
"Do not make me use Legilimency on you, Miss Granger. Because I will."
"Master Hagdar has requested I join him in Uzugarg this afternoon. Although he didn't say why, I can only assume it has to do with my apprenticeship. I may or may not have been training for that meeting."
The Potion Master shook his head then returned to his work. Hermione said nothing as she watched him through her eyelashes. There was something about this whole situation she just could not understand.
"Why are you being nice to me?"
"Am I?"
Hermione nodded slowly. "You are. Even when you're grumpy - whatever the reason for your mood this time - you go out of your way to avoid biting my head off for no reason."
The young witch frowned even as the words tumbled from her lips. This was not the kind of thing you should say to the Potion Master of Hogwarts if you wanted to keep your head attached to your shoulders.
"What have you put in that headache potion?"
"What headache potion?" Snape smirked. "You came asking me for pain relief. Given the set of your shoulders, I decided to give you one of my personal brews - a mix of joint and muscle relaxant, magical stress reliever, and a very mild sedative."
"You are putting me to sleep?"
"That potion will not put you to sleep unless your body really needs to rest. It will just make you feel…"
"Spacey," Hermione finished with a half-smile.
Snape shrugged as he returned once more to his pile of paperwork. But a flick of his wand transfigured Hermione's hard and uncomfortable wooden seat into a soft and plush armchair, complete with footrest. The young witch just sat there for a while. She had no idea quite how long, although she suspected lunch had come and gone by the time she felt awake enough to straighten from her slouch.
"Remind me to check what you offer me to drink from now on."
"You should always check food and drinks you receive, where you have not personally seen to the production of the ingredients."
"That would mean checking everything that is supposed to pass my lips," Hermione grumbled, and Snape's pointed look told her that was exactly what he was expecting.
"You're crazy," Hermione said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
The dark wizard huffed slightly as he signed yet another piece of parchment, moving it to a growing pile to one side. Hermione stretched in the armchair, eyes closed as she studied the pleasant tingling that spread through her body. She would have to try and get the recipe for this potion. Either that or she would have to convince Snape that she was in constant need of it.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
Hermione looked up at the dark wizard then consulted her watch.
"I still have a couple of hours before I need to leave for London. Which reminds me, do you need anything from Diagon Alley, since I'll be passing through?"
"I do not. Supplies for the degenerates will be sent over in the usual fashion."
Hermione chuckled and was about to say something more when a knock sounded.
"What now?!"
"Are you always this pleasant with students who are in need of help, Severus?" Minerva McGonagall rebuked as she opened the door.
"Headmistress, you should know that the student body learns very early that it is conducive to our good health not to disturb the Potions Master unless a substance of an acidic nature is very rapidly eating through our dragonhide gloves. And even then, it is best to wait until said substance has reached our skin."
Snape huffed a laugh. "What she said."
The Headmistress looked from her Deputy to her favorite cub and shook her head.
"I fear you are slowly turning my student into a Slytherin," the older witch finally said.
Hermione bit her bottom lip as she turned to look at the man beside her, but the dark wizard smirked and said nothing more.
"Now, Hermione," McGonagall said, "Professor Flitwick came to find me earlier to give me an update."
The younger witch turned swiftly to her former Head of House, eyes wide. But the older witch smiled at her.
"He mentioned that you had been training some and had come to Professor Snape for a headache potion. I trust you are feeling better?"
Hermione nodded her head slowly, and McGonagall's smile grew imperceptibly. So there was a bit of snake within the old lioness. It was something Hermione would need to keep in mind.
"Filius also mentioned that you had been summoned to Uzugarg?"
"Yes, Master Hagdar wants to see me."
"Well, please pass the greetings of Hogwarts to your master and ask him if there is anything we might be able to do in the near future to help your clan. After all, it is not every day the school can boast to be welcoming a Goblin."
Behind her, Snape groaned.
"Do not involve the girl in your political games, Minerva. She has enough on her plate as it is."
"This is not politics, Severus. This is an exercise in relationship building. Gringotts and the Goblin nation could prove powerful friends."
"Politics," Snape muttered.
Hermione just smiled and nodded.
"I'll be sure to pass along the message. Is there anything I can fetch from Diagon Alley for the School?"
"No, my dear. Everything is due to be delivered within the next week. And with all the major repairs nearly finished, I would say we are on schedule. If we are lucky, you'll be able to pass your NEWTs in a school that does not resemble a building site."
Hermione nodded again, before she pushed herself to her feet.
"Well, I'm going to put in some revision time before meeting with my Master. If any member of the staff needs something picked up from London, be sure to let me know."
The two Professors nodded and Snape waved her away from his office. She had barely closed the door that they started talking, but the muffled quality told her Snape in particular did not want her to listen in. With a small smile, the Gryffindor witch made her way to the Library.
.:/*\:.
Hermione Apparated right outside the doors of Gringotts. Every Goblin in the place must have known she was coming. The guards waved her right through and a teller discreetly pointed her in the direction of the doors leading to the carts before he started with his next customer. The Goblin maneuvering the cart did not even ask her where she wanted to go and took her directly to Uzugarg. Once in the Goblin city, Hermione made her way through the crowds to the workshop. It was still quite different for her to look down at so many people. She wasn't a particularly tall witch, and she had the misfortune of being friends with two rather tall and gangly wizards. She was usually looking up at them.
The walk to the workshop was entirely uneventful. Hermione wondered if the novelty of the udur in the ranks of the Ukerim had really worn down that quickly, or if it was some kind of polite thing that Hermione had not yet encountered. Although she wanted to fully grasp the customs of her adopted nation, she had not yet had the opportunity to do more than quickly skim a few sections of the books Hagdar had given her. The doors to the workshop were wide open, and Hermione entered watching with a smile as Bjorker and another Goblin worked the forge.
"Hey, Imrae. Our master stepped out for a few moments. He said you should just wait, he won't be long."
"Okay," Hermione nodded. "Can I ask what you're doing?"
"Ukerim has received a commission, and all the Clan forges have been drafted in to help with checking armors and weapons in preparation for battle."
"We're going to war?"
"Not war as such. We don't have that kind of manpower. However our skills are often requested by other Clans or even nations to help with problems of a militaristic nature."
"So, we're mercenaries?" Hermione said.
"Extremely knowledgeable and well-paid mercenaries," Bjorker grinned.
Hermione couldn't help but grin back. She stood to one side and watched as her fellow apprentice took a long pair of pliers and reached into the forge to pull a red-hot piece of metal.
"Katana," Bjorker explained. "The blade chipped and I had to fix it. I've already done that part. Now all that's left is insuring that the strength of the blade won't be compromised."
Even as he spoke, the young Goblin reached for a hammer and Hermione took a step back and covered her ears as her friend lifted his tool to strike it against the metal in front of him. He beat the steel in rapid succession, his movements fluid and even, turning the blade minutely each time, and Hermione watched as the metal went from a bright orange to a duller red before Bjorker dumped it in a large bucket of water.
"Ah, Imrae. Glad you could make it."
Hermione turned and lowered her hands as she watched Hagdar come through the open doors.
"It is good to be here, Master."
The Goblin waved her toward her desk and Hermione went to take a seat.
"I've received your message," Hagdar started. "Will you go ahead with it?"
"I will, Master. As I mentioned to the Deputy Head just yesterday, I'll get all the NEWTs out of the way and concentrate on my apprenticeships. The two NEWTs I really need will be tested on the first day. Anything after that is just extra. And I can always retest in a few years if I really want to."
The Goblin nodded his head.
"Well, there are a few things I wanted to talk to you about. First of all, have you started on the physical exercises I have sent you?"
"I have, and I would like to request more. The Master Ward of Hogwarts is monitoring my magic levels and it has seen a noticeable rise since I started getting fitter."
"Good. The humans always seem to forget that everything is connected in this world. But we will rectify that in you. Can I assume you have started working on the School Wards?"
"I'm being coached through the basic steps, yes. I don't really know what I'm doing. Just the motions."
"This is one way of learning just like another. I should have mentioned it before. You need to develop a color code for your arrays."
"The Master Ward is teaching me the code used for the School Wards. I think I will keep that code until the end of my apprenticeship."
From the other end of the workshop, Bjorker started to hammer at the katana some more and Hermione turned to watch him for a moment.
"This is the other reason I needed you to drop by. We need to get you the rest of your gear, and for that, we need your measurements."
Hermione nodded and stood. She may not have done as much reading about her adopted nation as she wanted, but she had gotten to the basics. She had a katana back at Hogwarts, but it wasn't hers. And she didn't have the bow that was supposed to come with it, as per Ukerim bylaw.
"If I may, Master?" Hermione said as she gave the Goblin a small smile. When he nodded at her with a questioning look, she continued. "I would like to request a ko-katana, with only a slight curve. I would make the sword my backup blade and wear it at my back. I think I would be more comfortable with a tanto as my primary weapon. I am still uncertain as to what role my bow would take in my personal weaponry as I already own two wands…"
"I see my fellow apprentice has done her homework," Bjorker said as he set the sword he was working on down onto a rack on the wall. "With your permission, Master, I'd like to work on Imrae's weaponry."
Hagdar looked between his apprentices and noted their smiles with a grin of his own.
"Very well."
And the older Goblin stepped back to let Bjorker take all the measurements he needed from Imrae.
"I gather with a tanto as primary," the young Goblin commented as he grabbed a tape measure, "you're going for speed and stealth over brute strength."
"Actually, more like magic and stealth," Hermione said as she stood straight while Bjorker started to scribble numbers on a sheet of paper after each measurement he took. "I have no idea if I am a naturally fast person or not. But I know I have human magic, so I might as well integrate it into my fighting style."
"Good point."
Bjorker went as far as measuring her fingers and feet, noting the numbers down on his paper. He then motioned for Imrae to sit.
"Will you want to keep your flexibility when in full armor?"
"Yes, definitely. I don't think I would adapt to restricted movements. Most of all, my elbows and wrists must be free. Wand work sometimes requires subtle movements and if I'm making it a fighting strength…"
"If this is what you want, Imrae," Hagdar said, "I would recommend using the Shadowmancer design as the base."
Bjorker nodded and went to a large cupboard. Hermione watched as he opened a filing drawer and quickly looked through the many pieces of paper inside. He pulled out a small file and brought it back to Imrae's desk. He then spread several sketches across the desktop. Hermione looked between the pictures. It was an armor design.
The breastplate seemed to start just above and end just below the chest. The right side of the armor was protected by a simple shoulder guard and a short and basic-looking vambrace from elbow to wrist, with a gauntlet finishing the look. By comparison, the left arm seemed entirely encased by armor. A heavy pauldron linked to a full rerebrace-vambrace-gauntlet set up, made of interlocking pieces and covering every inch of the arm from shoulder to fingertip. A tasset covered the hips down to about mid-thigh, and greaves protected the lower legs.
"Okay," Bjorker said, "first you should know that shadowmancers are what we call our special forces."
"Special forces?" Hermione asked, looking between the two Goblins. "You mean, like Her Majesty's SAS?"
"Of a sort," Hagdar answered after a look from the younger Goblin. "The shadowmancers are trained to work behind enemy lines, as small independent units or even solo, to gather information and/or carry out strikes against targets where a larger force would draw too much attention."
"The shadowmancers pride themselves on being the masters of stealth. Legend has it that the true masters could bend shadows to their will, to provide cover for them."
There was more than just a touch of awe in Bjorker's voice, and Hermione smiled.
"Hence the name, I assume."
Bjorker huffed a bit and ducked his head. His face darkened and Hermione thought she was seeing a Goblin blushing for the very first time. Apparently, some physiological reactions traversed the divide of race.
"Young Ukerims across the ages have dreamed to be picked to join the ranks of the shadowmancers. They are considered the best our Clan has to offer."
Hermione nodded slightly. She then took a closer look at the design. Seeing his comrade refocusing, Bjorker did the same.
"The whole thing looks unwieldy on paper, but the plates are made of reinforced dragon leather and not metal. Tradition dictates to keep black as the main color and choose one accent color to be used sparingly. And each user generally wants to have some details added to it. I know one shadowmancer who requested for his set of armor to be made with a lion motif. Yellow-brown became his accent color and the top of the pauldron and the shoulder guard were shaped to resemble a lion's paws. His tasset was doubled with lion skin and a tail was even added to the back. The designer even managed to mount retractable claws into the gauntlets.
"In your case, I want to lose the rerebrace and shorten the pauldron to leave your upper arm from just under the shoulder to just below your elbow free. I will also shorten both gauntlets so they don't interfere with wrist movements. Any questions up to now?"
As he spoke, Bjorker had started to sketch out a rough outline of Hermione's armor. He'd already altered everything to fit a human, but Hermione shivered as the figure on paper wore nothing under the rather revealing leather armor.
"What do I wear beneath that thing?" Hermione half-grumbled, not used to showing so much skin.
"Corset and tight-fitting trousers for everyday use," Bjorker said even as he added those details. "A mail shirt in combat."
Hagdar chose that moment to step forward, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Bjorker has requested to make your armor his Journeyman Work, Imrae."
The witch looked at Bjorker, who nodded.
"I'd be honored," she finally said.
Bjorker extended his arm to her and they clasped each other's forearms.
"You won't be disappointed. By your leave, Master…"
Hagdar nodded and Bjorker gathered the Shadowmancer plans and his initial sketches and notes and left the workshop.
"I have never seen this youth as eager to work on a piece. Bjorker is a naturally gifted craftsman. I would not be surprised if this armor turned out to be Master quality. Now, I'm sure Bjorker will be in touch to finalize the design. But for now, I think we should discuss your apprenticeship."
Hermione sat at her desk as Hagdar grabbed a chair for himself.
"You have said that you will use the Wards coding systems as your training warding code. And I see that you have already looked into your options for weaponry. I have done some homework myself. As you know udur are not exactly common."
Hagdar grinned, showing his pointy teeth, and Hermione could not help but return the gesture.
"Now, I have come across a couple of things that you need to look into. First is dual-weapon fighting."
At this, Hagdar indicated Hermione's forearms.
"I know that you already use two wands. I have no idea if you have tried using both at once."
"I have. Actually, Professor Snape showed me a few things during a session. He based his lesson on Muggle boxing."
"Hmm. A good start, but not quite adequate for what I have in mind for you. Because we also need to account for your bow, tanto and katana and their places in your armory."
"As I have noted, Master. I have no idea what I would use a bow for…"
"And this is what you will need to work on over the coming week."
Hagdar clapped a clawed hand on her shoulder and Hermione watched him as he went to his own desk to retrieve two leather scrolls, and a thin book.
"The scrolls are your assignments for the week. At this moment, given you now have to revise for all your NEWTs and work on your School Wards, I will let you get away with a minimum of one hour of running a day. We need to build your stamina. If you have time, you can add some general exercising to your running. One of the scrolls gives you examples of exercises you can work into your routine."
"And the other scroll, Master?"
"That is for you to send back to me after you have worked out how you would prefer to fight. Your pre-assessment form will be logged in the Clan archives. You should know that Saarkhai Stazishi has requested for you to take your preliminary fight the week following your NEWTs. He will then revise your wishes to what will suit best. Until you attain the ranks of journeywoman, you will be expected to follow this style of fighting. After that time, you will be able to decide if you think another style would be more suitable."
Hermione sighed as she added the meeting to her mental calendar.
"Your time will not always be so precious, hopefully," Hagdar offered.
"I have always looked forward to the beginning of the school year, but never before because it will mean less work." Hermione tapped the book. "And that is?"
"A short theoretical introduction to dual weapon fighting. You should review it before filling your pre-assessment form. It also contains a series of exercises that can help you to determine a style for you. Just bear in mind that it was written with blades in mind, not wands."
Hermione nodded, summoned Quebracho, shrunk her homework, and put it all in her inside pocket.
"Will you want to see me next week?"
"No, Imrae. I think we can set our next meeting to the weekend before your NEWTs. And I will be present during your test with Stazishi. Everything will be fine."
Hermione nodded and gave her Master a half-smile. The Goblin smiled back and then sent her on her way. As she walked slowly back into Uzugarg, Hermione wondered if there would really be a time in the near future when she would be able to just sit down and do nothing for longer than an hour.
.:/*\:.
Author's Note: Well, I'm done with Nano 2015. I just about managed to beat the deadline, although the novel I wrote for this isn't complete yet. Probably another 5 to 10 thousand words to go. Thanks to everyone who PM'ed me over November with encouragements to keep writing. You know who you are :)
Hope this instalment of Path of Power is worth the wait for you guys! As usual, thanks to windsongspringheart for betaing the chapter. Any mistakes that remain are my own.