Greater Things CH 7

A/N (5/18/23): I'm going to change the inventory list so that it only keeps track of specialty items just because if I put everything it would seriously take up too much space. Reviews are scarce lol so I'll only feel motivated to write the next chapter after I see another review~

A/N (9/2/23): UMMMMM ooops I didn't realize how much time had passed lol … new update tho? -most of it was pre-written so I'm going to have to go back to try to remember what I had planned for the story


Normal Speech - regular text

Thoughts & Memories - italicized text

Non-English/Non-Human Language - bold italicized text

Game Announcements - bold text


Chapter 7

Arelia's POV

I had just finished classes, my last being Defense Against the Dark Arts. Which was awful by the way. The room stunk of garlic and the Professor? Quirrell was it? He stuttered so bad no one could understand him.

On the other hand, I managed a truce with Draco Malfoy of all people. It went a little something like this:

"Potter, I see you got into the house of the duffers-what a waste!"

"Hi Draco! How are you today? Excited for classes?"

As everyone stared at me in confusion.

"Potter, have you gone mad? I just insulted you!" in outraged confusion.

"Oh psh, we're friends, aren't we? That's what friends do silly! They tease each other!" I said sickeningly sweet.

Draco at that point slowly started to back away while I cackled internally.

"You're a nutter!" He points an accusing finger at my face.

I can't help it and burst out into laughter. I bring an arm around Draco's shoulders and drag him into the classroom and plop him down next to me.

The audience we managed to gather, heard me say, "We're going to be best friends!" to the sounds of struggling and mild yelping.

Safe to say by the end of class I managed to threa-convince Draco to come to my study group!

The rest of classes seemed to fly by. Since we had Herbology with the Gryffindors, I paired up with Neville and Hermione again and sat with Draco in Astronomy (not that he had much choice in the matter but he didn't put up much of a resistance either!) History was a bit of a bore but hopefully I can use it as future nap times! After all, wrangling unwilling Slytherins was tiring!


Narrator's POV

While Arelia was adjusting to her classes and doing homework during study hall…

The four heads of houses were gathered in the teacher's lounge. Minerva McGonagall was sipping tea primly, sitting next to Pomona Sprout idly chatting with Filius Flitwick. Severus Snape watched from beside the doorway, waiting for the remaining staff to come in.

In walks Septima Vector and Bathsheda Babbling gesticulating wildly in enthusiasm-though it was unclear what exactly was being said-their excitement was evident.

Aurora Sinistra walks in with what look like star maps, occasionally peering up to make sure she didn't bump into anyone or anything before quickly greeting everyone.

The remaining staff were unfortunately unable to make it. They had their own classes to teach after all.

"Ah my dear professors, let's get started, shall we?" The headmaster asks grandly as he walks in with a twinkle in his eyes.

Ah, the annual staff meeting was starting.

"Shall we start with the first years? Why don't you go first Severus?"

"My snakes are fine, Messers Crabbe and Goyle might need some remedial tutoring but I will see to that." Snape replied curtly.

"Filius?"

"Oh! My first years are quite adjusted! I'm quite excited to see their progress!" He chirps.

"Minerva?"

"The first years are fine. I have high hopes for Ms. Granger!" She declared, to which Snape scoffs in return.

"That child will not go far with that attitude of hers. The constant need to show off her pitiful knowledge in front of others," he said derisively.

"She merely needs time to adjust!" McGonagall rebutted, "It's only the first week afterall!"

"And don't get me started on Longbottom! He's a disaster in the classroom!"

"Well, my first years aren't the only ones who need help! Messers Crabbe and Goyle could do well with a bit more studying! Maybe you should have them join Ms. Potter's study group!"

"Bah, Potter can barely pass in my class and she wants to lead a study group? Absurd!"

"Did you hear about what happened between Ms. Potter and Mr. Malfoy? I think we should start a betting pool!" Filius interjects enthusiastically.

Before the arguing could descend any further,

"Severus, Minerva, we can discuss this all later but let's finish with Pomona's first years." The two aforementioned merely scowled at each other.

"Oh, the dears are wonderful, a few got a bit homesick but nothing a small chat couldn't fix! My, Ms. Potter is proving exceptional from what I hear from our colleagues!"

"Ah yes, how is Ms. Potter doing?"

"Incredibly talented in Charms, just like Lily!"

"Exceptional! You should have seen the needle she transfigured! The detail!"

"Hrmph, no special talent but just might be passable."

"Well, that sounds, wonderful! Onto the second years…."

The teacher meeting would go on for two more hours, winnings to bets were handed out and enthusiastic gossiping was being exchanged but no further mention on a certain Potter.


A week goes by and a letter is sent to Arelia Potter at breakfast.


Arelia's POV

Dear Arelia, I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Hedwig.

Hagrid

Then a quest pops up:

Quest Alert! Visit Hagrid!

Visit the first friend you made in the Wizarding World!

Hidden Objective:

?

Success:

+1 to STR

?

Would you like to accept?

YES / NO

I scribbled back a quick "Yes, please, see you later!" sent via Hedwig of course.

At five to three I left the castle and made my way across the grounds.

Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door. When Harry knocked, they heard a frantic scrabbling from in- side and several booming barks. Then Hagrid's voice rang out, saying, "Back, Fang — back."

Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open.

"Hang on," he said. "Back, Fang."

He let me in, struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound.

There was only one room inside. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

"Make yerself at home," said Hagrid, letting go of Fang, who bounded straight at me and started licking my ears. Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked. Hagrid busied himself with pouring boiling water into a large kettle and placing black little cakes onto a plate.

The cakes were hard, shapeless lumps with raisins that triggered a Ping! as I tried to eat them. We made idle chit-chat talking about how classes had been going and how it was making rounds with the professors of my 'prodigal talents'-which I was not expecting. A few moments later, my eye caught a newspaper with the headline "GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST" I cast a quick 'OBSERVE' on it as I couldn't read the text from where I was sitting and it said:

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown. Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day. "But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you," said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon.

More on page 3.

"Hagrid!" As I go to pick up the newspaper, "Look! that Gringotts break in must have happened while we were there! Hagrid watched me staring intently at the newspaper and quickly started to shuffle it out of view and quickly offered me another rock cake.

I read the story again. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied earlier that same day. Hagrid had emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen, if you could call it emptying, taking out that grubby little package. Had that been what the thieves were looking for? Had Hagrid collected that package just in time? Where was it now?

All these questions occupied me as I trekked back to the castle.

Ping! Quest Complete!

Visit Hagrid!

Hidden Objective: Gringotts Break In: Story Line Unlocked!

Rewards:

+1 to STR

+1 to INT

Ping!

+1 to STR for managing to eat Hagrid's Famous Rock Cakes!


As I walked into the common room, I see Susan and Hannah studying on some cozy looking couches by the fireplace. I walk up to them and greet them warmly and tell them all about my visit to the gamekeeper. In return they told me about how Draco had gotten into a scuffle with Weasley and how he had challenged him to a duel! I almost couldn't believe those two idiots. Apparently, it was scheduled for tonight. Oh well, let those two work out their problems on their own, right?

The next morning, we head into the Great Hall for breakfast. I sit across from Susan and Hannah and reach over to grab some eggs and bacon (bacon for my dear girl Hedwig). Ernie leans over to us and goes, "Did you hear? Weasley and Malfoy got caught by Filch! They both lost 50 points! We're in second place now for the cup!"

The girls and I exchange a look and roll our eyes. The Weasley-Malfoy rivalry is quickly becoming legendary.

"Come on, we've got flying class today! "

"Ohhh, I'm so nervous!"

"Don't worry, Han, it'll be okay~"

We were paired up with the Ravens for this class. Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, grey hair and yellow eyes like a hawk.

'Well, what are you all waiting for?' she barked. 'Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.'

I cast a quick 'OBSERVE' at the broom stick and it read:

Comet 120

Condition: Fair

Uses until next condition: 6

+1 to flying skill when equipped

'Stick out your right hand over your broom,' called Madam Hooch at the front, 'and say, "Up!"'

'UP!' everyone shouted.

My broom jumped into my hand at once, but it was one of the few that did.

After another try, Susan's broom gently raised up into her hand. while Hannah's broom just shivered slightly.

Madam Hooch then showed us how to mount our brooms without sliding off the end, and walked up and down the rows, correcting their grips.

'Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard,' said Madam Hooch. 'Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet and then come straight back down by leaning forwards slightly. On my whistle – three – two – one –'

We all kick off and end up floating in the air at various heights. When the world freezes in a familiar greyed out tone.

Flying Mini Game!

The goal of this mini game is to catch all of the snitches before they hit the ground! They will be falling from the sky at different rates so keep that in mind!

While this isn't a mandatory mini game, this is a one-time only game that will have effects on your story line later.

If you choose not to play, some story lines will be closed off to you.

So, would you like to play?

[YES]/[NO]

I tentatively hit the 'YES' button. And a loading screen appears before my eyes. There are three little hearts in the upper left corner and some zeroes on the right. There is blinking text in the middle that says: 'To start the game, please mount your broom!'

I quickly mount my broom and kick off. I see some small golden balls start to ball from the sky and maneuver to catch them. The first few are pretty easy but then it starts to speed up. I'm racing around the pitch trying to catch them, when I see one in my peripheral fall to the ground and a big buzzer sound rings out and one of the hearts in the corner greys out. I mutter an expletive and hurry to catch the rest.

With the last of the snitches caught, I touch down on the grass. 'FINISH' flashes across the screen and my vision goes grey once more.

Congrats!

You've caught 29/30 snitches!

You've earned:

+ A Nimbus 2000

+ A chance to try out for Hufflepuff's Quidditch team

+10 LVL to flying skill

+1000 exp

My vision returns to normal and I'm surrounded by exciting chatter as Madam Hooch comes up to me with a wide grin. "Potter, have you ever heard of quidditch?!"


Name: Arelia Lily Potter

Level: 22 (1750/2200)

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]

Flying (LVL 10)

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