Chapter 2: Studying

A/N: My apologies for directly quoting the book, I found no other way of the epic conclusion of this chapter without using the book itself. I did try some deviation here and there and you can likely tell when Hagrid does not sound like himself.

Do I look like Ms. Rowling? DO I LOOK. LIKE MS. ROWLING? No. I do not. I don't own D&D.

To Whomever so holds this book,

Greetings and fine Salutations! While those versed in the subject are likely to find my use of space vexing to say the least, those fresh souls to theories of the Arcane will enjoy the prose I put to these pages. Yes, here within lies some few secrets of the Arcane Arts that I have picked up. Those that you will likely put up with in protecting you will simply call it "Magic" and to the lesser-versed you are traditionally now called a "Wizard". This being not my primary spell book, I have imbued it with a few extra properties to assist you in training yourself in the Arts. For now, let us call this an 'experiment', though all users of the Art know that experiments are not taken as lightly as some of our... lesser-versed companions might believe. Within, I shall guide you among the most common Spells, Spells that I have created and use myself, and the act of spell creation. I have no wish that you take the same steps to power that I have, but I have scribed 64 spells ranging in utility. Those who are more well-versed might think the choices of spells be interesting but again, for now, call this an experiment. I ask that you peruse this guide if you wish to take serious steps towards the Arts, in if not to kindly hand this to someone of power.

Now, in beginning our study, the first several pages are filled with what are called "Cantrips" or the simplest spells every Artist must study and dissect... If you are a teacher. Learners of these Cantrips essentially cast them, play around with them and joke with them. I suggest you do a bit of both if you have this book as your sole source. If you are unable to cast see Table A for reasons I thought of and responses as suggestions for your next steps. Once you have begun, TAKE YOUR TIME, the Arcane Arts are not something to step into quickly and lightly...

As punishments went, the time spent in his cupboard poring over the book was probably the best in Harry's life. It took him about 6 seconds to cast the spells he could cast, and he could not WAIT to get more experienced in order to read and cast more. The books odd enchantment or perhaps his level of magical understanding kept him from reading any basic spells beyond the so-called 'cantrips'. He wanted to cast more of the interesting spells but "Sibru Incanterous Acidious" sounded like a bad idea and even the Dursley's would not appreciate the idea of a "Ghost Sound" rumbling through the house. What has interesting was that the text suggested that just by having the book on his person, he could forego the most basic materials. Every night he would pore over these basic spells and decide what he wanted to test the next day, and every day began with a quick detection of magic which would always reveal HP on the floorboards, having been laid there invisibly, and that the spellbook squirreled away was burning brightly with incredible, now overwhelming almost. He was about to cancel the spell as there was nothing else to detect when a resounding yell of "BOY. BREAKFAST." rang out, Harry sighed and canceled the spell and ran to make breakfast. There was a horrible smell coming from the sink and the tub was full of dirty rags swimming in gray water. Harry was about to ask, when he remembered a suggestion from the author. 'When up against a puzzle, a problem or any task, try to think about what the most likely solution is for yourself and then act accordingly. At first you may have to adjust but hopefully even the hardest of tasks will prove easy for you soon enough.' Harry realized it was of course, hand-me-downs, the gray water suggested either dye or most likely paint. This so soon after Dudley had gotten his brand new Smelting uniforms led Harry to believe these were to be his for Stonewall high. "Those will work just fine for you boy."Aunt Petunia said to him as she noticed him staring. "Now quit ogling your uniform and make breakfast!" Harry almost smiled before remembering where he was and made breakfast as the day began. They soon heard the mail come in and after a brief argument, Harry found himself looking at a letter addressed to him.

Mr. H. Potter.

The Cupboard under the Stairs

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging, Surrey

Turning the envelope over, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter H. Quickly called back into reality by his uncle, he went back and handed off the letters besides his own. This proved to be a mistake as at the end of a fierce argument Harry found himself listening to an odd conversation. At the end of the day, he found himself in a new bedroom, a hand-me-down of course, but still. The next few days were strained, hectic and downright scary. After an incredible experience with letters raining down the fireplace like bullets Uncle Vernon looked ready to burst. Harry packed away his book surrounded by clothes, reasoning that they might be away for some time and that even though he couldn't touch the clothes at the bottom of his bag now, he could still have his book and his 3 prepared spells. He didn't think he would get to prepare anymore, but a Detect Magic, some Prestidigitation and a bit of Resistance couldn't hurt.

As they drove to who knows where, Harry wondered again who had been writing him and if they knew about the book in his bag. Finally, it was Monday, the day before his birthday, and somehow they had ended up in a small two-room shack. Harry was curled up on the floor, with the thin blanket he had found, keeping his bag firmly inbetween his two arms as he counted the minutes to his bedroom. Three minutes, Two, odd sounds coming from outside. Thirty seconds... 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... BOOM. The whole shack shivered and Harry sat bolt upright, staring at the door and preparing to throw some Prestidirtation at whomever was knocking at the door.

The person at the door knocked again. Dudley woke and said something stupid as Uncle Vernon came running into the room with Aunt Petunia close behind running to her precious son. "I warn you- I'm armed!" Uncle Vernon said as he readied the rifle in his arms. There was a pause in the knocking and then SMASH! A giant of a man came inside the room, then fixed the door, then turned to face them all.

He mumbled something about tea and then sat on the Sofa, making Dudley and his mom run behind Uncle Vernon. Harry just stared at him as he talked to him, aegued with his Uncle and then bent the rifle without too much consideration. Harry found himself with a cake in his hands as he was introduced to Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. He asked for tea again, but then looked to the fireplace, bent over it and suddenly... there was a roaring fire. As the giant sat back down and rummaged in his pockets for some sausages, a poker, a teapot, some mugs and some amber liquid he drank from. "I'm sorry... I keep trying to reason out who you are but all I can connect you with are the letters. Are you from wherever the letters are coming from? I mean... H for Hogwarts makes sense..." Harry started and then stopped as the giant took some tea and spoke up. "Call me Hagrid, everyone does. Seems you know all about Hogwarts, well I'm the Keeper of Keys up that aways." "Er – no... I haven't" Harry responded. "You mean... You don't know about Hogwarts? What about yer parents? Where they learned it all?" "All... what?" Harry asked. "ALL WHAT? Now wait jus' one second! Do you mean ter tell me," he growled at the Dursleys, who were now cowering against the wall. "That this boy – this boy! - Knows nothin' abou' – about ANYTHING?" "Hang on, I know maths, reading.." He looked to the Dursleys, then back to Hagrid who was waving his hand dismissively. "About our world, I mean, your world. My world. Yer parents' world. I mean, they're famous. You're famous." "...What world? I'm not.. My parents weren't..."

… "You never told him? I was there! An' you've kept it from him all these years?" "STOP! I FORBID YOU!" Yelled Uncle Vernon in panic. "Ah, go boil yer heads, both of yeh," Hagrid sighed. "Harry – yer a wizard."

Harry stared at Hagrid and frowned in concentration... He looked at the Dursleys again and made his decision. "I knew that already. I am what you could call a Wizard. Are you?"