Chapter 15: An Enchanting Time
A/N: Thank you for my first review, and it got me thinking a bit as to the debate of rules vs story-telling especially when you're talking about D&D. While I admit this story will be more on the story-telling side, I will try to make combat situations more free-flowing and make more sense at the same time. I have always tended to write combat very detailed and trying to follow a more rules-based combat system makes that happen even more so. I still don't own a thing.
An interesting house rule that I and some DM s have adopted over the years is that Summon Monster can summon a monster whose CR is equal to the level of the spell. This creates more versatility in the spell and makes the list make a bit more sense. Summoning Good creatures is still a Good action and Summoning Evil is still an Evil action. (Cr ½ can be summoned at a 1d2 using Summon Monster 1, 1/3 1d3 and so on)
To be read upon the books glow...
Congratulations are in order once again! As you probably have been able to tell, this book is designed with a plethora of enchantments for the reader's benefit. I have personally designed this book to glow when the reader has either studied enough magic to be at a sufficient level of Advanced proficiency as measured by my own standards or has encountered enough 'Adventure' that they would need access to more Artistic skills. To those who have more experience, the enchantments should have allowed you to read up to your level, if not cast the 'key anew' spell inscribed on the very last page. The designs have been more organized towards those who would be now considered Novices in the Arts, but those more advanced will definitely enjoy the healing enchantment on the book and the ability to write new spells without hours or days of research. For my fledgling Novices, while it is unlikely that you will be able to cast the second echelon just yet, consider the spells carefully as you don't want to end up like one of my more interesting colleagues and make Prestidigitation a ninth echelon spell.
Harry had researched the numerous tables in the back of the book before heading to the school and had made his choices at least a dozen times over. Taking the more recent events into account, Harry had chosen two spells of the first echelon, since research into more cantrips would take very little time or energy. The first fired a nicely sized orb of acid, which Harry knew could be deadly if placed well. The second could summon a broad list of creatures many of which Harry had never heard of but knew would come in handy in a fight. The Author had strongly suggested the Formians as a good start. Ant-like creatures who were a very strong defensive line for an Artist. It was highly unlikely the school was near a nest of Formians as most planes most laughingly (according to the Author) called the Prime Material were Neutral and they stuck to Lawful planes. However, a summoner had to be very careful as to who or what they summoned, after all, mindful creatures took note of who summoned them and for what purpose as did most Artists allies and summoning a demon was a horrible idea for most Artists.
The others came back from dinner, Hermione carrying a tightly bound book grinning with success. "I think I figured out what's behind at least the door! And how to stop it, we haven't gotten much time until everyone else comes back from dinner." Harry nodded, "I've prepared as much as I can. How about the other challenges?" "Remember when McGonagall said only a grandmaster could get past hers?" Ron said smiling, "I've figured out it's chess! We're going to have to play a tough game, but I think I can do it." "That's 3 out of 7, I just wish we knew more." Neville said, "We'll be fine if we keep our wits about us," Draco said, looking more nervous than his words said then took a breath, "But listen, .No matter what happens, we do this together." "Agreed." The others said, and with that they headed for the third-floor. By keeping eyes both forward and backward, they managed to duck into classrooms and behind statues, the invisibility cloak could only fit three at a time and would take entirely too long. Thankfully to Nevilles watchful eye, they just barely avoided Peeves. Hermione asked for Harry's flute from Hagrid and just grinned at all of their questions.
Finally they reached the open door and tried to remain quiet, but the door creaked and groaned and they heard loud growls. A large three headed dog picked up it's head. "That's... a large dog." Ron said wisely, "Look at it's feet." Draco said, "I'm too busy looking at it's heads." Neville replied. Hermione took the flute firmly in hand, "I'd give you all a lecture about the Cerebus, but right now I've got a job to do. Let's get to that trapdoor." She started to play, not much of a tune, but the large beast began to fall asleep. "I don't-" Ron started but Hermione shushed him with her spare hand. They walked quietly over to the door and Harry and Draco opened it up and peered in. "I knew I should have prepared Feather Fall..." Harry moaned quietly. Draco raised an eyebrow, "Someone's got to try it." he responded. "Let me," Harry said, "Conjura Forsia, Arcanus Securus" He cast and a shimmering glow surrounded him then faded. "This will protect me, for quite some time. Hopefully it will help with the fall. I'll call if we can get down safe, but if you don't hear me, get Dumbledore an owl and get McGonagall here." Draco nodded and Harry jumped.
He fell down, down, down and then thump, he landed on something soft. It felt as though he had hit some sort of plant. "It's okay!" he called up to the light the size of a postage stamp. Draco followed right away, followed by Ron, Neville and with a loud bark, Hermione. "Oh god," Neville said, "Look at our feet!" There feet were being tangled by the plant. "This is Devil's snare!" "How do we get rid of it!" Ron screamed as the plant wrapped further up to their waists. "Fire! So... INCENDIO!" Neville shouted, the plant burst to flame near him and released him. Neville jumped to a damp wall away from the plant as it struggled to keep the fire off it's self. "Hermione, how do I control the fire more than a jet of flames?" he shouted. "Same spell almost, incendio personalis, focus on keeping it under control!" she responded, "INCENDIO PERSONALIS!" Neville shouted, a yellow fire sprung up and he prodded the flame at the plant, away from where the others where. If it could have screamed, it would have, but baring that, it unraveled itself from the others and they ran to safety with Neville. "Good Herbology Neville." Draco complimented. "Thank you." Neville responded.
They found a stone passageway, and Harry was reminded of Gringotts. "Can you hear something?" Ron whispered. Harry listened, A soft rustling and clinking seemed to be coming from up ahead. "Think it's a ghost?" Ron asked. "I don't know sounds like wings to me." Harry responded, they reached the end of the passageway and saw before them a brilliantly lit chamber, its ceiling arching high above them. It was full of small, jewel-bright birds, fluttering and tumbling all around the room. On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door. "Do you think they'll attack us if we cross the room?" asked Neville, "Maybe... hang on, let me go first again." Harry ran across the room but nothing happened. The other three followed him, the door wouldn't budge, not even for Hermione or Draco's strongest Alohomora spells. Harry looked up at the birds, "Wait a second... those aren't birds, those are keys! Winged keys!" Harry looked around the room and found a number of brooms. "Oh no," Hermione looked crestfallen, Harry was reminded that Hermione was top of their class in all houses except one class. Flying. "No worries, we've got this." Draco responded. Harry, Draco and Ron mounted their brooms. Neville had decided he would stay firmly on the ground, also not doing to well in Flying lessons either. There were hundreds of them, Hermione told them to look for a big, old-fashioned silver key, as the key was likely modeled after the lock with an inscription on it 'Sera' meant lock according to Hermione, so they should look for 'clavis'' if they could.
Harry noticed something after several minutes of weaving through the whirl of rainbow feathers. A large silver key. Harry started chasing after it. "I've found one, help me out!" he shouted to the others, pointing it out. It had bright blue wings and something about it seemed odd. Draco was chasing it with him, with Ron following them, finding it incredibly hard to see. "We've got to close in on it." Harry called out, and Draco nodded, flying away and flying at a perfect angle to drive it towards Harry. Harry took his shot and grabbed it. Inscribed on the key was 'Clavis'.
Forcing the key into the door, they moved to the next room, Ron was raving about Harry and Dracos skills, "You two should try out for seeker next year! That was amazing! I guess maybe I could try out for secondary keeper or chaser... My brothers are way too good of beaters for anyone to get in their shoes..." "Not now Ron, it's your turn." Hermione stopped in and gestured to the room. They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard. Ron grinned, but then looked puzzled. "The problem is, we're on the side of black and white has yet to make a move!" he said. He walked up to knight, "Do we – er- have to join you to get across?" Ron asked. The knight nodded. "We've got to take the place of the pieces..." The others watched him think. "Right, so... Who wants to be the king and do bummer all but hopefully be the safest?" He said. Draco laughed, but Harry did look to Neville, "There's no way any of us are stepping out of the battle over any of the others. Just keep us as safe as you can." Neville said, and Hermione nodded as well. "In that case, Harry, bishop, Neville rook or castle, Draco take a knight, Hermione, Queen." Hermione blushed at that but they all nodded, "What about you?" "I'm also going to be a knight." The chessmen listened and the pieces left the board. "Remember don't move unless I tell you, we have to take it in turns, white should go any minute now..."
The game began and Ron seemed to be playing well, keeping all of his pieces moving and safe. Harry had to marvel at his level of play. He managed to keep all 5 of them capturing and somehow out of danger at the same time. But as the game went further, Ron had a grimmace on his face. "What is it Ron?" "I've got two to mate, but I've got to sacrifice a piece, otherwise this game could go for hours and I just can't think that many moves ahead to see who would win it. We're kind of in a hurry aren't we?" The others nodded, "Then after I move-" Hermione gasped, "Yes, it's me, after I move, Draco move to mate. Do you see it?" Draco looked at the board and then saw the spot he had to move to and nodded. "Good. It's too bad none of us know how to heal, now here we go!" Ron made his move and got trounced by the white knight. Hermione screamed but stayed on her square. Draco made his move and the white king took off his crown and threw it at Harry's feet.
"We need to bring him up to Madame Pomfrey." Neville said. "One of us needs to go. Three on one is still good." "You're kidding me, right? This is Voldemort! Or Professor Quirrel! There's no way three are a match for either of them." "You're just as much a match with 4 as you are 3. I'll go." Neville said, "You're worth 12 of any one of us here Neville, besides how are you going to get up with Ron?" Neville flushed a bit and smiled, "There's got to be a way up... I can use the brooms." They nodded and Neville cast Wingardium. "I may be back shortly, if so I can provide a surprise attack." Neville headed off one way and the others headed further down.
"We've got Quirrel and Snape left, here's betting Quirell's is the most horrible." Draco said. Harry and Hermione nodded as they reached another door. They pushed it open to a horrible smell, and a larger troll then the other one, wielding an ridiculously large club roared at them. The three smiled to each other and got to work. "I can't believe he thought that would be effective." Draco complained as they moved forward again. "Most adult wizards don't use the basic spells they learned and focus mainly on combat spells. At least, according to most of the books I've read." Hermione commented. There was nothing very frightening in the next room, just seven differently shaped bottles standing on a table in a line. A purple fire sprang up before then and a black one ahead.
"Look!" Hermione seized a roll of paper lying next to the bottles, Harry and Draco read over her shoulder. The poem was interesting to say the least and confusing to say the most. Hermione laughed, "Brilliant!" said Hermione "And truly fitting Snape. This isn't magic at all, it's logic and everything we need to solve the puzzle is on the paper." "So how do we know which to drink?" asked Harry. "Race you." Draco smiled, "Boys." Hermione sighed and the two focused on the paper and the potions in front of them. Hermione clapped her hands and smiled to Draco. "Solved it." "Point to you then." Draco bowed out of her way. "The smallest bottle will get us through the black flames, towards the stone, this rounded bottle will take us back."
"There's only enough for one of us..." Harry said. "I bet it refills." Draco responded. "So who's first?" Hermione asked. "Do you have to ask? I'll go first." Harry responded, "Third time pays for all." "Get ready, it could be just Professor Quirrel, could be Voldemort, could be both." Draco said. Harry nodded. "If it doesn't refill, take the one to go back and go straight to the Owlery to get Dumbledore." The two nodded and suddenly Harry found himself being hugged by Hermione. "You're a great wizard, you know." "I'm not as good as you," said Harry, embarrassed. "Me!" said Hermione, "I study! I do silly experiments with the basic spells that have probably been done before! There are more important things – you know... you're my first real friends? It's been more magical than anything I've studied!" Harry stammered and Draco just smiled, "Harry does have a way of bringing people together. But come on, we're taking too much time."
Harry took a deep breath, picked up the smallest bottle, drank and shivered. "It feels like ice flooding through my body... ugh." He braced himself, "Here I come." He walked through the fire but could not feel the flames. Then he was on the other side, in the last chamber. There was something here, but it wasn't Quirrel, it wasn't even Voldemort. In the room, there was only a mirror.