Ok, I stand corrected on the word learnt. It still sounds wrong to me so I'll never use it.
And yes you are correct this chapter is a little late, my family reunion/vacation took an unexpected turn that left me unable to write as I intended.
As always, I own nothing! Just playing with someone else's toys.
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Chapter 36
Hermione was restless. Normally she and Luna would sit and talk at times like this but at the moment that was impossible due to the training Luna was undergoing with Chinthliss. She was glad her… sister… she did like the sound of that… she was glad that her sister was getting the help she so needed.
Chinthliss had sent them an update; it had arrived as they were getting ready to move to the hotel that was hosting the award ceremony for Harry's racing season. A silver/gold ball about the size of a large beach ball had appeared near them in the driveway, and Shar had explained to them how to 'accept' what amounted to a magical telegram.
As they placed their hands upon the ball Chinthliss's voice filled their heads. "Greetings Grangers, I imagine you are anxious for any news of Luna." The voice paused for a moment as if the speaker was gathering his thoughts. "We have completed an assessment of her 'sight', it is one of the most powerful we have come across in recent years. Powerful enough to see even the most gentle of changes within the flow of magic…"
He paused again. "The best way I can give you a frame of reference is to think of magic as an ocean surrounding you. Normal magicals, those that do not learn to use mage sight, are much like a person floating in the water with their eyes closed, they are aware of the presence of magic around them but not able to 'see' or feel the ebbs and flows within it.
"When one has learned to activate their sight, they become more aware of the 'flow' that surrounds them allowing them to navigate more freely, much like the instruments in a ship or submarine. As a person uses the sight more they are better able to understand and fine tune their personal instruments, increasing their sensitivity. Unfortunately for those that learn the ability without having such a gift bestowed upon them naturally, they often never master using it at a higher level except when in a meditative state. However for those such as Luna, that is not an issue. Once mastered the ability becomes highly sought in many fields within the magical world regardless of level, though the lack of the meditative state is seen as an advantage.
"Most people we find with this form of natural ability, if I may continue with the nautical theme, are some place along the line from a commercially available depth finder to a very low end sonar. Luna on the other hand, is more along the line of cutting edge equipment, able to sense even the ripples caused when something disturbs the flow on the smallest scale. The problem is she lacks the ability to process the myriad of information she is being provided with."
"We will be endeavoring to provide her with the tools she will need to filter that vast input of information. Unfortunately this will take some time, and I feel that this must take precedence over all other concerns for Luna at the moment as leaving it unaddressed could greatly hamper her ability to continue her non-magical as well as magical education."
"I propose that she remain with us for the next few weeks for intensive training. If all goes to plan, I believe she will have the basics down before Christmas. If you consent please have Tannim or Harry send a reply. I will then make the arrangements for her assessment testing to be moved from Monday to a point just before our departure back to England."
It hadn't taken long for the discussion between our parents before they approached Tannim and, after asking a few questions about the form of training she was receiving and what it entailed, had him send an affirmative reply.
That had been interesting to watch. Tannim had walked into the one car garage that seemed to hold more tools than anything else, and sat cross legged on the floor. She felt the air grow… heavy somehow then after about a minute he lifted his arms toward the ceiling and a ball of silver and gold formed between his hands and a moment later it zipped away into the distance.
She was nearly vibrating with questions as he stood and walked toward her brushing the dust off his legs. He chuckled. "It was a basic communication spell, one capable of reaching Chinthliss wherever he is be it here or Underhill. You'll learn that or something like it soon enough."
By late afternoon they were settling in to the largest hotel room she had ever been in! They were put on the same floor as the rest of Harry's team in a two bedroom suite, it was really a shame that Luna had missed it.
The next morning Shar gathered her and her mother after breakfast and took them shopping for something to wear to the ceremony. She ended up with a beautiful gown, that was off one shoulder and just a shade or two darker than ice blue. It was gathered just slightly at the waistline behind a snowflake made of rhinestones. Her mother's face lit up the moment she had seen her wearing it, tears threatening to slip from her eyes.
Her father on the other hand… If it hadn't been for her mother, she may have spent the evening locked in her room upstairs! He had grumbled the entire time between when he had first seen her walk into the room in the dress, till her mother had threatened his manhood if he didn't behave. He still glared at every man who dared look at her… but she decided she could live with that.
The evening had started off like she had expected, boring. After all it was an award ceremony and that wasn't much different from some of the 'professional' functions her parents attended.
It was just after the meal that the feeling of the crowd began to change… they began showing a highlight reel for the year… Suddenly it wasn't like any function she had been to, good natured jibes flew across the room, claps and cheers erupted as events from the last year were relived. The more intense or chaotic the scene on the track, the louder the applause or harder the jibe.
The same atmosphere continued as awards were handed out, be it applause and cheers for things like Rookie of the Year, or best Pit Crew (won by Fairgrove!), or laughter ringing out for awards for things like most ridiculous paint, and most innovative excuse (won by a man that had two teams entering one race. When they turned up for practice both cars were sporting the same number… After dealing with the embarrassing accident, he had quipped that it was all part of his nefarious plan as it would increase his share of championship points!). Near the end she was stunned to find out that Harry had taken the runner up in overall points, missing the win by less than a handful of points.
Just as she thought the night was coming to a close she noticed Harry and a few others excuse themselves. Soon music could be heard and they were all invited to continue the party next door in an adjoining ball room at an after party sponsored by a group of team owners, including Fairgrove.
She followed the crowd over to see Harry's band, Gas Can Alley, up on stage. She spent the rest of the night dancing and laughing, Harry's friends made sure she had a great time and never lacked for a dance partner, much to her father's displeasure in most cases.
Hermione glanced back at the clock, a little after three. She sighed as she was too wide awake to even think about sleep. Maybe a walk would help? Something to drink from the coffee shop? The front desk had said it was always open. She slipped on a pair of jeans and her trainers under her oversized sleep shirt and headed downstairs.
Harry sat with his back against the stage, they had already moved everything back to the truck other than one small tuning amp and his favorite guitar. He ran his hand down the neck and ran through a few chords, finally settling into a song.
That is where Hermione found him. When she stepped out of the elevator she had heard the sound of a lone electric guitar floating through the air and followed it. She peeked around the corner to see only Harry present, he was still wearing what he played in, a pair of well-worn jeans and dark t-shirt... but unlike while he had been onstage playing, his cap had returned. He looked comfortable, eyes closed and head back against the edge of the stage as he played.
She crossed the room quietly, and moved a chair within a few feet of him and sat, and while she didn't recognize what he was playing, it was good… soothing, some form of blues, she thought. So she sat quietly and listened as he played drifting from song to song.
"I trust you are enjoying yourself, Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione sat a little straighter, startled by his voice. His eyes had never opened...
He spoke again as he continued playing. "Chinthliss gave me this guitar… He wanted to do something special for my eighth birthday, it's a 1962 Fender Stratocaster built by Rene Martinez to be just like 'Number One', Stevie Ray Vaughn's favorite." He chuckled. "The guys in his band called it his 'First Wife'. He was so happy when we found out that the physical therapy for my hands was done… They still get stiff sometimes and a little sore, but nothing major… playing helps… He wanted me to have something special, and my birthday was coming up… so, he tracked down the man that took care of Vaughn's guitars, and asked him to build this one."
He played, silent for a bit. "It's a 1962 body, and 1963 pre-CBS rosewood D neck… with 1959 pickups… I don't usually bring it with me… Mom packed it for some reason…" His voice trailed off again.
She smiled softly. "How did you know it was me?"
"Only so many people it could be," he said with a shrug. "I know Mom drug Dad upstairs after we loaded the truck, and the rest of the band is probably bending their elbow upstairs… and I wasn't invited to that as I'm too young to drink… Chinthliss is with Luna and Lady Ako… you're too quiet to be Sirius… and if you would have been someone from the hotel come to run me off, you would have done it as soon as you came in." Not to mention the faint smell of her shampoo, she seemed to prefer something that smelled like mangos… but she didn't need to know that.
She shook her head. "I couldn't sleep… I'm used to having Luna to talk to…"
"I'm glad she found your family… And you found her," he said.
"Why did you help us?" she asked, shocked as the question tumbled from her lips.
For the first time since she came in he stopped playing, his eyes opened and he looked at her. "Because you needed it," he replied simply. She continued to look at him, confusion evident. He sighed, started playing again, shut his eyes, then spoke. "When I was younger, someone helped me… I try to do the same, when I can. He's… He's special to me. He does a lot of good… and never asks anything in return. What I do with my foundation grew from what he did for me, so did my wanting to help you."
She sat quietly and listened for a while, absorbing the fact that she owed this mysterious person as much as she owed Harry. Eventually she asked another question. "Can I ask you about the magic you use? They've given us some information about the styles…" Her voice trailed off.
His eyes opened slightly. "It's a personal choice. One that is influenced most of the time by the type of magical use you are around… Normally that would be family… or opportunity… That's how my father learned, he didn't get the chance to attend magical classes when he was our age… Chinthliss didn't start teaching him till he was almost sixteen."
Hermione was confused. "Wait, Tannim was Chinthliss's student? Why didn't he get an invitation to a magical school when he was younger?"
Harry leaned his head back against the stage. "My dad grew up outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma… The U.S. is a lot younger than England, and the majority of the populace is on the coasts, so most of the detectors grew out from the larger cities there. The magical detectors weren't the best in America… still aren't, really. Not that it would do any good in some areas… There are zones around that no matter how good the detectors are, they don't work right. Areas where a major event has happened, you may learn more about those types of things in your future studies, or where Underhill is directly connected… They work kind of like jammers… fouling the system. Tulsa is part of one of them… Those types of things were cleared up or mapped out long ago in Europe, here however, it's still an ongoing process."
His fingers continued to dance on his guitar as he spoke, "Dad got caught on the edge of an issue that required a Guardian during high school… a really nasty mess, that is when he found out about magic. Chinthliss began teaching him not long after, even gave him the name Tannim, it means 'son of Dragons'."
"Is that why his parents don't know about magic?" she asked.
"Basically," he said. "It's strange; on some level I'm sure they understand, I mean they overlook a lot of odd happenings… They even use the name Tannim, and not the name they gave him… When he first joined Fairgrove things were different, more wild especially in certain areas… Chinthliss likened it to the wild west… the only universal law was the Guardians, and they've always been rare. It was changing, especially as some of the newer communications technology was used more, but putting a support system in place was… is… a slow process."
He took a deep breath as he changed the tune he was playing. "The U.S. is a large area, not to mention that the system ended up including Canada and a chunk of Mexico. It had to deal with many different forms of government both magical and non, not to mention the American Indians… that was another huge issue all to itself… Technology like radio (and later television), the proliferation of the telephone… that communication helped improve things… Brought them together… families that had separated in the move westward reconnected, those bonds helped bridge the local governmental gaps… It was an important step, one that provided a stabilizing influence when problems arose, something that was especially important when the Allies figured out that magic was being used by the Nazis during WWII…"
He heard a sharp intake of breath from Hermione. "Grindelwald… but… that was… nobody ever said he was a Nazi… and Dumbledore…"
It was Harry's turn to be confused. "Who?"
"Gellert Grindelwald, the Dark Lord, Dumbledore captured him in 1945…"
Harry shook his head. "No, I don't think that I've heard of him… I was talking about Karl Wiligut… He and his people were followers of the old Germanic ways, and worshiped Wodan (a counterpart of Odin, sort of like Jupiter, and Zeus), they were part of the Nazis. Was he a member?"
Hermione shrugged. "I-I don't know, I've never heard of Karl Wiligut."
Harry shook his head again. "Ok… anyway… WWII drove home the fact that there was a possibility magic and non-magical means could be used in concert again…" He paused for a moment. "Well, it's not like they hadn't mixed on the battle field before… Just that the scale of things was expanding. Once magicals…. restricted themselves… they conserved their power, normally it had been weather and battlefield manipulation only if absolutely necessary as their full strength would be needed if another magical turned up. These people had taken things to an entirely new level… thankfully there were only a few of them, and they were not trusted within their own ranks. Things could have been much worse… they were responsible for the initial experiments with what is now known as Heavy Water… but that is neither here nor there."
He shut his eyes and began playing again. "Early on there was a compact with the U.S. government and the Seelie Courts, Keighvin's and the others, to guard against magicals tampering with elections as well as a mutual protection pact. From that pact grew the system today, it's still a work in progress… but it's getting better."
"You make it sound like the majority of the early leaders here knew about magic," she said.
"A fair few of them did," he replied. "From what I have learned, at least five members of the Continental Congress were wizards."
That threw her for a loop. "Silas Deane, from Connecticut, Isaac Low, New York, Edward Biddle, Pennsylvania, Thomas Johnson, Maryland, and John Rutledge, South Carolina… And quite a few are involved today…"
"My… That… that's amazing!" she stammered. "I'm happy magicals seem to take an interest in the world here… Can you believe the people at Hogwarts know almost nothing about the outside world?"
"So I understand," he said, "and that won't change until something forces the issue. It was on the verge of happening in the seventies, when that terrorist… What's his name Voledman…"
"Voldemort… they don't say the name though. They call him He-that-can-not-be-named," she supplied.
"Yeah, whatever… They think a diaper wearing toddler destroyed him too." He shook his head. "There is a saying here, when all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail. The unfortunate fact of it is magic can be a very versatile hammer… think about it, they've had refrigeration, of a form, for hundreds of years, non-magicals… my grandfather remembers having an Icebox and using it before they bought their first refrigerator. They can move amazing distances in next to no time, fly, heal most anything… they don't think anything like that is possible without magic. They are complacent… and until recently they could afford to be. It is dangerous for magicals to rely too much on magic… it makes things easy… too easy in most instances. As a people they stop striving to accomplish new things, and become stagnant. Content with the way things are…"
He stopped playing and opened his eyes, looking at her. The intensity she saw seemed to burn into her. "The outside world is changing, much quicker than they could ever imagine. It won't be long and their world will crash into the outside one, and without understanding what is happening when it does… it will be a disaster… That is why your government asked for our help when this mess with the tournament happened, they want to help them before something happens that is beyond anyone's ability to correct. If they can to begin to integrate into the outside world then so much the better, allowing them to hide in plain sight… When your government talked to my parents and Keighvin they said they are approaching a breaking point. One where they may be forced to take other actions… To protect their citizens."
He stood slowly, slinging his guitar behind him. "Every year a few like you return to the outside. Not many, but a few. Some with their OWLS a couple who went on to get their NEWTS… some of them are even in government service. They are the ones that deal with the fallout from what the magical government leaves in its wake… I had a chance to talk with Mr. Higgins when I was last there, do you know what the standard procedure is for when a non magical is somehow impacted by the magical?"
She shook her head, but had a strong suspicion. "They mess with their memory… removing, or tampering with them… Something that has been proven even more dangerous to non magicals as their minds don't have the natural defenses against magic that a magical person does, or not as much anyway… In most cases it hasn't been bad, a few lost hours… mostly attributed to an excess of drink, stress, or an accident. However in some cases, it has resulted in partial, or complete amnesia, psychotic breaks, mental breakdowns… worse…"
She was almost in tears, it was something that could have easily happened to her and her family.
"There are other ways to handle those issues when absolutely necessary… most of the time people will rationalize what they have seen on their own given the chance, still that doesn't give magicals the excuse to be careless." She nodded her head again.
He offered her his hand to help her stand. "Come on, it's late and it's the weekend. Plenty of time to talk about these things later. Let's get you upstairs," he said pulling her up. He wrapped up the cords for his tuning amp, picked it up and walked with her toward the door. "Back to your question, I chose to learn the same style as my family. That became even more important when I started traveling further and further to race, it allows the scheduling flexibility I need… It's more of an apprenticeship I guess..."
He looked pensive for a moment. "Wand users have a spell for everything. Just look at object manipulation, for example, there are spells to: push, pull, levitate (several different forms of that ranging from making things weightless, to repelling each other, or flying), they even have one specifically to flip an object… I can do the same thing by tweaking one spell, but unless I have done it many times before, or something very close, it will take much more time… it's a trade off, and a difference in philosophy. Take mage sight, like Luna uses, most wand users never learn to access it, however for us it is one of the first things we learn."
Hermione stopped walking. "You can use mage sight?"
He nodded. "Yes, I'm not good enough to do it without meditation. It's an essential part of the way we train, the second thing we learn is shielding. Both disciplines have bonuses, and both have weaknesses. Take your time making your decision, ask questions. The best advice I can offer on choosing a style of magic, follow your heart… then choose something that you think suits you, and that you would enjoy."
As they walked on Hermione asked another question. "Harry? Have you ever heard of a House Elf?"
Albus sat at his desk talking with the other headmasters, making small talk while waiting for their final guest to arrive. The painting above the door, of a previous headmaster, moved a hand to gather his attention, signaling that Minister Fudge had arrived.
He stood and said, "Ah Minister! Please do come in," just as the door began to open.
The portly man grumbled a greeting as he entered. "Madam Maxime, Karkaroff. Albus? Why have you dragged me out here?" he asked as he made his way to the unoccupied seat. "I am a busy man, I don't have time for your games!"
"I assure you that I have no intention to waste any more of your time than necessary Cornelius, but due to circumstances surrounding the entry of Mr. Potter and the creation of this new magical school..."
Fudge seemed to spring from his chair. "The Ministry does not recognize this so called school! Potter is a muggle! And despite the… defection of those-"
Albus stood, glaring at the man. "Cornelius! You forget yourself!" He glanced toward the other headmasters, and leaned forward close to the man's ear. "Whether you wish the school existed or not, it does!" he hissed. "We..." He sighed, then amended quickly, "I have handled things poorly! Now we must endeavor to make the best of the situation!"
He stood straight. "Now, what I wished to speak with you about is the Yule Ball. Madam Maxime, originally you proposed dates other than the traditional evening, citing that the placement would not allow ample time for travel over the holiday… Cornelius, you insisted on using the host country vote for the traditional date. Igor you wished for the traditional, as well. I however did not vote as I saw it as a personal choice for my students, as they were free to stay and participate if they wished or travel home as normal."
He took a deep breath. "However with the inclusion of another school things have changed. Headmaster Chinthliss informed me that it would be impossible for Mr. Potter to attend on the appointed evening." He spoke quickly before Cornelius could interrupt. "Mr. Potter is heavily involved in charity work that culminates on that evening and throughout the next day. It is a charity that deals with hospitalized and orphaned children, and as it is he feels that those obligations take precedence."
Igor spoke. "Surely they could get along without him this once."
Albus shook his head. "Alas, I do not believe that to be an option as he is the head of those charities… and I do not believe he feels it is something he can give up for something like a Ball." He continued, "With the inclusion of Headmaster Chinthliss's vote it becomes tied. Because of this, I feel compelled to vote as well, to break said tie. He has suggested a number of alternate dates, and yes some of them do correspond with some of the other dates we have discussed… So instead of the night of the 24th we will need to settle on one of them."
Fudge stood. "Now see here! This is unacceptable! Plans have been made!"
Albus smiled, as did Madam Maxime. "All of which can be changed, quite easily I might add. We have not even publicly announced the date as of yet."
"But-but," Fudge stammered. "The contracts with…"
Albus put this argument to rest as well. "If you remember, both parties performing expressed their wish for another evening as well. I believe they would quite easily accept the changes." His smile grew. "It will allow many of our students not to be forced to choose between attending such an amazing event with their friends and peers, and spending what precious little time is available with their family. Something I am sad to say I had not fully taken into account, an error on my part to be sure."
It took almost two hours of debate that continued into their evening meal for them to settle on an alternate date, the first Saturday night after the break. Albus caught a still angry Minister on the way out. "Cornelius? A moment more before you leave?"
They both bid the departing headmasters goodbye, then returned to their seats. Albus reached into his desk and withdrew a bottle of Firewhisky and poured them each a drink. "Cornelius, I sent out a message this evening to the Hogwarts Board of Governors, announcing my retirement as headmaster effective at the end of the year, as well as the appointment for my successor. Though that is only dealing with the paperwork, as Minerva will be taking over all but my tournament duties immediately. I will be returning to the classroom as Transfigurations Professor for the foreseeable future, and of course that will also allow me to be available in case she has any questions."
Fudge looked stunned but before he could speak, Albus leaned forward. His eyes were no longer those of the doddering old grandfather, a fire he had not seen in a long time was there. "When I leave this office I am sure that Hogwarts will be in the best of hands, no matter what the likes of Lucius has to say. He was one voice on the board, and I know that he has used his position and wealth outside the board to intimidate many members. It will happen no longer! As retiring headmaster, I am taking up my right for a seat on the board, and as his seat was the last to be confirmed I have informed him his services will no longer be required!"
Cornelius squirmed, he knew exactly how much pressure Malfoy could bring to bear, especially on the Governor's seat held by the Ministry, and if he had been dismissed... he would be hearing from the angry man in short order… he probably already had an owl waiting! Albus continued, as the man silently cursed to himself. "I will see that any undue influence of board policy ceases!"
He sipped his drink, then spoke again. "I have also decided to withdraw myself from my position within the ICW as well, and seeing as the resolution I put forth for how the next representative to the ICW would be chosen has never passed… I have chosen a successor for that post as well. Someone I trust implicitly to do the correct thing, and be a credit to the position."
Cornelius's grip tightened around his glass, his voice came out strained. "Dare I ask, who you have chosen?"
"Certainly! He is a man beyond reproach, and a very good friend, Amos Diggory, father of the Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory! He took a good amount of convincing, but he saw his way clear to accept in the end. He will accompany me to be instated just after the third task. I rather think he and his wife are looking forward to it. With Cedric about to graduate, I think they view it as something of an adventure!"
Cornelius snarled, gulped down his drink and sped from the room.