A/N: Haven't had many reviews on the rewrite (only 1! shoutout to catalis) so please let me know what you think! Should the plot go slower/faster? Do you have any ideas for events that could occur? Or any specific elements you would like to see? (aka a favorite weapon?) LMK! Also has it been a week since the last chapter already? Time flies it felt like only yesterday lol
Normal Speech - regular text
Thoughts & Memories - italicized text
Non-English/Non-Human Language - bold italicized text
Game Announcements - bold text
Chapter 6
Arelia's POV
I woke up bright and early the next day. Got dressed and ready for classes and woke up my two roommates, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot. I quickly let them know I was heading down to the common room and asked if they wanted to join me. We had really hit it off the night before and I was looking forward to hanging out with them some more.
We head down to the common room together and notice that Gabriel was already there and seemed to be waiting for us first years. He waves us down and greets us cheerily.
"Good morning! It seems you're the first ones up in your year. Let's wait for the rest of your year mates and we can head down together!"
"Will we get our schedules today?" Asks Susan.
"Yup, Prof Sprout will be on her way in just a second!"
I nod and motion for us to sit on the couch to wait. I pull out my advanced charms book (charmed to look like the first year book) and start reading whilst subconsciously practicing the wand motions.
I notice Professor Sprout enter the common room and quickly stick my wand behind my ear and snap my book shut-not noticing Susan and Hannah's shared look. The rest of my year mates had also made it down.
"Good morning First Year Hufflepuffs! I am Professor Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff House! I'm happy to see you in our illustrious house. We have a long and virtuous history of loyalty and hard work. And I hope to see all you strive to emulate the best of our house! I have your schedules here, and I hope to see you all work hard in your classes! If you ever need a listening ear, know I am here for you any time!"
She gave a quick wave of her wand, and our schedules flew over to us.
I noticed I had Charms and Potions with the Ravenclaws, Herbology and Transfiguration with the Gryffindors, and Astronomy and Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins.
I quickly compared my schedule with Hannah and Susan and realized that we seemed to have different schedule.
"We'll have to study together since we share some classes," Hannah gushed.
"Maybe we can do it after classes, maybe the weekend?" Susan quietly suggested.
"Sure!" I replied enthusiastically. Any excuse to do magic, am I right?
Quest Alert! Interhouse Study Group!
Make friends with at least one person from every house and convince them to join your study group!
Success:
+2000 XP
+5 to CHA
+?
Would you like to accept this quest?
YES / NO
I hit the 'YES' button, mentally going over who I've met so far and who I could potentially coer-ask, ask to join my study group.
I feel Hannah tugging my arm, snap back to, and notice that the rest of the first years were leaving and heading toward the great hall. We quickly catch up with Susan, who was waiting for us.
As I'm about to take a seat at the Hufflepuff table, the Weasley Twins drag me over to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the protests of my roommates.
"Now, now ladies," Twin one, I'm guessing Fred but I'm not sure.
"We've got important business with," Twin two.
"the ever- beautiful,"
"and infinitely charming"
"Girl-Who-Lived," they finished together, with cheeky grins.
I roll my eyes at them exaggeratedly and tell my roommates not to wait up for me.
They sat me down between them and started piling breakfast on the plate in front of me while talking animatedly to each other over me. The other Gryffindors at the table stare at me, more like at my scar, before I let out a delicate cough. The twins settle down and someone, who I assume can only be their brother, starts sternly lecturing them about manners, troublemaking, what-have-you.
I look around and quickly spot Neville and give a quick greeting.
"Hey Neville! Good to see you, have a good night?"
Before he could respond, a strident voice interjects, "You can't sit here! You're not a Gryffindor! It says in Hogwarts: A History that each house is designated a table for meals!"
"Indeed, Ms. Potter. Might I ask what you are doing here?" A voice from behind me asks.
Shit.
"Ah well, Professor McGonagall! Well see it's like this…. (I quickly try to come up with an excuse, Ah ha!) I wanted to invite some of my friends to go study with me! Maybe form a study group? I just hadn't gotten around to asking just yet!" I bullshit (but not really!) through my teeth.
"Hmm… I see. Carry on. Oh and, 1 point to Hufflepuff for house unity." She hands out the schedules to her first years (agonizingly slowly) and walks back up to the dais where the other professors were having breakfasts.
I glare at Fred and George for nearly getting me in trouble on my first day!? They quickly put both hands up with a sheepish grin to which I roll my eyes.
"You're forming a study group?" I hear to my right and I look over at Granger who has a wistful expression on her face and an excited gleam in her eyes.
"Er… yeah. I was going to invite Neville but you're welcome to come too." I say slowly. She beams at me and asks, "When should we meet?"
"How about this Saturday at like 9ish? We'll be done with classes for the week so we can go over everything at once…"
"See you there!" She rushes off clutching her books to her chest.
"What about you, Neville? Wanna join?"
"Sure, but… I don't think I'll be much help to anyone..." He replies meekly.
"No worries, Nev! It'll be fun, you'll see."
"Hey! How come you didn't invite us?" George(?) asks with a hand over his heart and an exaggerated wounded expression on his face.
"Yeah, don't you love us?" Fred adds in, with wounded puppy eyes and a pouted lip.
I flick them both in the forehead and tease back, "Oh, you knuckleheads actually study? I thought there was only fluff between your ears." They gasp in fake offense.
"Finally someone to keep them in check! I'm Angelina Johnson, by the way, nice to meet you." I shake her hand and tell her in a stage whisper, "Well someone's got to, they might hurt themselves if someone doesn't keep an eye on them." We start giggling and to add to the hilarity the twins huff and pretend to walk off, which sets the nearby students off into laughter.
I quickly finish eating and excuse myself and start towards the exit of the Great Hall. I turn into a slightly obscured alcove and pull my 'Map of Hogwarts' out of my inventory and open it. For reference, let me explain how it works. I will set a destination on the map, and a pin is added. Then, in the corner of my vision is a simplified version of the map with arrows telling me if I'm going in the right direction.
I quickly set it up to find my first class: Charms.
I was the first to arrive in the classroom and decided to take a seat in the middle. The classroom was interesting. There was a podium at the front with lots of (what I assume to be) charms books as well as two chalkboards on each side. The seating was set up in an amphitheater style, curving along the half circle room. The wall had posters of various wand movements and a quick observe showed them to be simple posters to my disappointment:
Poster
This is a poster of the 'Swish and Flick' wand movement.
If you like this poster, you can buy more at Tomes & Scrolls in Hogsmeade
I quickly got distracted by the arrival of the rest of the students as well as Professor Flitwick.
Quest Alert! Impress Professor Flitwick!
Show off your skills!
Bonus Objective: Help your fellow students!
Success:
+1000 XP
+5 LVL to Charms Skill
Failure:
Everyone thinks you're as dumb as a rock
-5 to CHA
Would you like to accept this quest?
YES / NO
I hit the 'YES' and another pop up came into view.
Ping! Trace that Wand Movement!
This minigame is a quest only mini game and you've got one shot!
Professor Flitwick will demonstrate the wand movement.
In front of you will be a slightly transparent outline and all you gotta do is trace it with your wand tip!
Get it right five times in a row and you win!
Would you like to start?
[START]
I roll my shoulders back and prep myself, I've got this!
Ping! Minigame Complete!
The class was about halfway over, and Professor Flitwick came up to me with an excited skip to his step, "Since you were able to cast the light and levitation charms, why don't you go help your fellow students. I'd also like to see you for a bit after class!"
Susan nudges me and asks, "How'd you get all the spells right on the first try, have you practiced them already? Can you help me?" "Me too!" Hannah jumps in. I nod with a smile, recalling my previous reading and explaining as best as I can.
Susan manages the Lumos charm but not the levitation charm, whereas Hannah does the reverse. Before they could try again, a chime rings signaling the end of class.
"Don't worry, we can go over it again on Saturday!"
"Don't forget class! Homework due next class is twelve inches on the history of the Nox charm! Ms. Potter stay after for a bit!"
The class quickly emptied with me motioning to Hannah and Susan to go ahead.
"Ms. Potter, I was very impressed with your performance in my class today. For students that manage to get ahead in their studies or show prodigious talent, I like to give them bonus work and let them learn advanced spells and early admittance to the dueling club. Since you're in your first year, I'll settle for teaching you a new spell every month! How does that sound?"
"That sounds awesome! Thanks, Professor!"
"Keep your studies up or I'll be forced to rescind my offer!"
"I will, I promise!"
"Off you go now!"
Quest Complete!
Impress Professor Flitwick!
Bonus Objective: Help your fellow students!
Success:
+1000 XP
+5 LVL to Charms Skill
Bonus:
+2 LVL to Fighting
I smirk to myself happily, if every class is like this-I'll be super powerful in no time!
Unknown's POV
"Why isn't the girl showing more ambition?! I would've thought that giving her this power would allow her to become twice as powerful as she is now!" The mysterious figure from before voices in outrage.
"Maybe she needs some motivation... Ah ha! I know exactly what will push her in the right direction! We just need to plan for the right moment." Another exclaims.
Arelia's POV
Next is Transfiguration with the Gryffindors.
I follow the map towards the north tower and see most of my classmates seated but I still had time to spare and saw that the seat next to Neville and Hermione was available. I quickly sat down and used the few minutes I had to look around. The room was set up like a typical muggle classroom with individual desks with a slot cut into the wood for inkwells and quills.
The cat sitting on the front desk abruptly changed into Professor McGonagall. She looked at us severely.
"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she said sternly. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."
Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again. We were all very impressed and couldn't wait to get started, but soon realized they weren't going to be changing the furniture into animals for a long time.
Oddly, I wasn't given a quest for this class, but I still managed to change my matchstick into a pointy, shiny needle with a wicked swirl going down the shaft.
The professor gave me a 'rare' smile. I helped Neville and Hermione out as well when they had seen my needle. I also remind them of the study group on Saturday.
Next is Potions with the Ravenclaws! I quickly set up the map to point towards the Potions classroom, somehow making it before the rest of my classmates. I take a moment to look around, casting 'OBSERVE' from the random ingredients on the shelves to the enchanted chalk?
The tables were set up so that there would be two people per station with a cauldron in between as well as space for chopping, slicing, dicing, and whatever else needed to be done. Since Susan and Hannah shared a station, I sat with a girl from Ravenclaw named Padma Patil, she was pretty chill, I liked her. She told me her family had apothecaries in India and so she had a huge interest in Potions. She confided in me that her sister wasn't as interested in the family business, which was apparently a waste, especially since she was more naturally talented at the subject. I invited her to join the study group and her sister as well, if she wanted to join. I figured this would be two birds and one stone-at least in terms of the quest.
Professor Snape slams the door closed with a flourish as he walked in, robes billowing dramatically behind him.
Quest Alert! Impress Professor Snape!
He hates you, so try to make him hate you… less?
Success:
1000 XP
+5 LVL to Potions Skill
+?
Failure:
Snape hates you forever
-5 to WIS
Would you like to accept?
YES / NO
I hesitantly select the 'YES' button.
My vision fades to black. Oh no not again! I'm frozen again and can only watch myself react.
"Ah, yes," he said softly, "Arelia Potter. Our new — celebrity."
Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black like Hagrid's, but they had none of Hagrid's warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion- making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but we caught every word — like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
"Potter!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
But then I see I have choices to choose from? Like a quiz?
A. Draught of Living Death
B. Draught of Peace
C. A lethal poison
I chose A and it flashed green. Snape's lip curled angrily as he bit out, "Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
A. The potions cupboard
B. The stomach of a goat
C. The stomach of a sheep
This one I was feeling cheeky and chose A again (flashed red? Uh oh)- though that seemed to make Snape rather angry. "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?"
"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
A. They are different plants with the same use
B. They are the same plant and also go by aconite
C. They are different plants with different uses
I chose B hoping that I hadn't failed my quest.
Luckily, that was the correct answer as Snape just grumbled out a, "Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"
My vision fades to black, and I can move again when I regain sight.
Snape had us start a simple boil cure potion. I was lucky enough to have practiced this potion ahead of time, so it was just a matter of making sure I took the cauldron off the fire before adding the porcupine quills. Snape swept up to our table with narrowed eyes and after a minute of silence walked away to another station. Padma and I exchanged relieved glances, not nearly relaxed enough to sigh out loud.
"Bottle your potions up, anyone who blew up their cauldron owes me twenty inches on what they did wrong! When you've finished cleaning up, get out!"
"Potter! Stay behind!"
Quest Alert! Quest Complete-KINDA?
Professor Snape does seem to hate you less, so you pass on a technicality, yay.
Success:
+1000 XP
+5 LVL to Potions Skill
+Lily's Potion Journal
Ping! Level Up!
"Here take this, now leave." He shoves a wrapped bundle in my arms as I stare at him in confusion and then slowly walk out.
And so ended our first day of classes.
Current Stats
Name: Arelia Lily Potter
Level: 22 (750/2200)
Species: Demigod
HP: 3200
MP: 3200
(As your mana grows, so too does your HP, currently +100 for every level)
Active Buffs:
Clearsighted (+5 to INT, +5 to WIS)
Holly & Phoenix Feather Wand (+2 to all STATS}
Active Debuffs:
NONE
Titles:
Girl-Who-Lived (equipped)
[+10 to LUK, +5 to CHA)
Stats:
STR - 22 (+12)
AGI - 21 (+2)
DEX - 23 (+2)
INT - 25 (+7)
WIS - 21 (+17)
LUK - 4 (+22)
CHA - 41 (+7)
Remaining stat points (currently three for every level increase): 66
Skills (Abilities That Otherwise Normal People Do NOT Have):
Observe (LVL 8)
[Can only be used on objects only- currently only gives brief description and effects]
Basic Charms (LVL 20)
[Currently 20% Chance of Success, 50 MP Per Spell]
Basic Transfiguration (LVL 15)
[Currently 15% Chance of Success, 75 MP Per Spell]
Basic Potions (LVL 40)
[Currently 40% Chance of Success, 5 MP Per Potion]
Basic Defense Against the Dark Arts (LVL 20)
[Currently 20% Chance of Success 50 MP Per Spell]
Basic Astronomy (Level 50)
[Currently 50% Chance of Success)
Basic History of Magic (LVL 40)
Fire Manipulation (LVL 20)
[Currently 20% Chance of Success]
Food Generation (LVL 1)
[Currently only 10% Chance of Success]
Fighting (LVL 27)
[Currently 270 HP damage for every hit]
Perks (Available Points: 3):
Metamorph
Be a Metamorph just like Tonks was!
Friends All Around
Your ability to make friends is unparalleled, turn enemies into allies with this perk! Permanent +30 to CHA
Inventory:
72G 67S 33K
Lasso of Truth
Hestia's Scroll
Hestia's Brazier
Hestia's Grimoire
Lily's Potions Journal
Map of Diagon Alley
Map to Camp Half-blood
Map of Hogwarts
3x Work Robes -Now Hufflepuff Themed!
1x Pointed Hat
1x Winter Cloak
1x Dragon-hide gloves
1x Brass Scale
1x Crystal Phials
1x Pewter Cauldron
1x Telescope
1x The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1
1x A History of Magic
1x Magical Theory
1x A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
1x One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
1x Magical Drafts and Potions
1x Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
1x The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection