Chapter 5

The new term started quickly, with Harry feeling like much of his spare time was going into Quidditch. Wood was working the team harder than ever. Even the endless rain that had replaced the snow couldn't dampen his spirits. The Weasleys complained that Wood was becoming a fanatic, but Harry was on Wood's side. If they won their next match, against Hufflepuff, they would overtake Slytherin in the house championship for the first time in seven years. Quite apart from wanting to win, Harry found that he had fewer nightmares about his parents' death, which had sprung up from his interactions with the mirror, when he was tired out after training.

However, Wood delivered them bad news during a particularly wet and muddy practice session. He'd just gotten very angry with the Weasleys, who kept dive bombing each other and pretending to fall off their brooms.

"Will you stop messing around!" he yelled. "That's exactly the sort of thing that'll lose us the match! Snape's refereeing this time, and he'll be looking for any excuse to knock points off Gryffindor!"

George Weasley really did fall off his broom at these words.

"Snape's refereeing?" he spluttered through a mouthful of mud. "When's he ever refereed a Quidditch match? He's not going to be fair if we might overtake Slytherin."

The rest of the team landed next to George to complain, too.

"It's not my fault," said Wood. "We've just got to make sure we play a clean game, so Snape hasn't got an excuse to pick on us."

Which was all very well, thought Harry, but he had another reason for not wanting Snape near him while he was playing Quidditch. While Dora was correct, and perhaps Snape was innocent, the facts weren't clear, and he still worried that Snape would try to do him in.

The rest of the team hung back to talk to one another as usual at the end of practice, but Harry headed straight back to the Gryffindor common room, where he found Ron and Hermione playing chess. Chess was the only thing Hermione ever lost at, something Harry and Ron thought was very good for her.

"Don't talk to me for a moment," said Ron when Harry sat down next to him, "I need to concen—" He caught sight of Harry's face. "What's the matter with you? You look terrible."

Speaking quietly so that no one else would hear, Harry told the other two about Snape's sudden, sinister desire to be a Quidditch referee.

"Don't play," said Hermione at once.

"Say you're ill," said Ron.

"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested.

"Really break your leg," said Ron.

"I can't," said Harry. "There isn't a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor can't play at all. Besides, I'm pretty sure Dora's going to be there, especially after I write to her about this. That should be enough. If Snape tries to get me, she'll get him."

**HP**

Dora tiredly made her way home after a long day of training. In some ways, life was better now than it had been the past six months. She was officially an Auror Trainee instead of a Cadet which came with a rather solid pay increase, which was good because now she could actually afford her apartment and other living expenses, even if she wasn't making enough to put much in savings, and now she was firmly in the program, so unless she suddenly became completely hopeless at something or did something truly wrong, she would not be removed from the program. When she became a full-fledged Auror, she'd receive another substantial raise and at that point she'd be making more than enough for her lifestyle.

On the other hand, while she wasn't getting physically run to the ground doing magical and physical workouts and dueling for large parts of the day, she was now being mentally pushed to her limits, having to learn a lot of complicated information.

Over the first six months, Cadets became physically and magically fit, learned dueling techniques and formed/honed their battle instinct, studied the history of the aurors and the dark arts, studied magical law, started working on occlumency, and were trained and tested out of crisis avoidance and de-escalation of force, which meant she was now down with one of the twenty one assessments needed to become an auror in full, though if she passed twenty of those assessments, she'd automatically pass the last one: Resilience Training. The idea or joke was that it took resilience to get through Auror training, so passing all of the assessments counted as the last assessment.

In her first six months as an Auror Trainee, there were still physical fitness workouts in the morning, but now it was just a normal workout to maintain or slightly improve fitness conditions, and was generally no more than an hour. They still dueled a few times a day, though they now were also starting to learn how to duel in more extreme conditions like in the dark. They continued to study magical law, the history of the dark arts, were working on occlumency, which they would test out of by the end of the six months, and were continuing advanced defensive magic. However, they were now being introduced to legilimency, were pushing harder into advanced defensive magic, and were starting advanced transfiguration and advanced charms. By the end of this next six months, she'd have to try and test out of history, magical law, occlumency, dueling/battle instincts, dueling in the dark, and advanced defensive magic.

Now, she'd still be expected to keep up her studies into advanced defensive magic, and continue to hone her dueling abilities, an auror's education was never complete, but assuming she passed the assessments, she'd be further along on the path to becoming a full auror.

She made it into her flat and happily plopped herself down on her sofa, feeling like she was relaxing for the first time that day, which was mostly true. She had some readings she needed to do for the following week, but for now, she just wanted to rest. Besides, tomorrow she was going to watch Harry's Quidditch Match and she would enjoy supporting him, even if he was going up against her House, but she also felt better being there just in case someone tried anything like in the previous game.

Harry's letters about Snape being a referee showed how much he was worried about being attacked, and while she knew that he was trying to keep an open mind when it came to Snape, he obviously still was Harry's number one suspect for attacking and being a potential thief. It didn't help that Harry had said he felt like Snape was always around wherever he went, and that Harry felt like Snape was reading his mind . . . which Dora knew that Snape could be very well doing, though he shouldn't be. She was split on whether to tell Harry that Snape was a known legilimens, which would surely only turn him against the potions professor even more, or if she should try and keep the peace for a bit longer, since it was likely that Dumbledore had tasked Snape with protecting Harry. He had mentioned that he was doing so when Dora talked to him at Christmas, but she knew convincing Harry at this point seemed dubious at best.

She sighed, looking at some of his most recent letters. Most of them still contained the lighthearted banter that she was used to with him, and now, clearly taking her request of him at Christmas seriously, also included stories of some of the small and lighthearted pranks he'd played on people throughout the school . . . turning Malfoy's hair pink, likely with the Weasley twins' assistance, having all the professors break down in uncontrollable laughter during dinner, or her personal favorite, a babbling potion in the Slytherin table's drinks.

There were the other parts of his letters that drew her interest. He hadn't told her about his Invisibility Cloak during Christmas, but he'd told her since then, and mentioned how he was using it: sneaking into the Restricted Section of the library, and setting up minor pranks. She was quite proud of both uses, amused with his rebellious actions, and she was looking forward to when he actually learned some Shadow Magic, for then he'd truly be able to cause some chaos. She kind of regretted that she'd never learned any, but then again, she might be able to find a book or two on the subject in the Auror's Library, which was quite large and had quite the focus on advanced and obscure magic, potions, and plants. She had no doubt that unless she went back to NEWT style study sessions, she could spend years moving through the Auror Library and still find something new to learn between the various subjects. Elemental magic hadn't been something on her radar to learn as a student, and now she had enough new things to learn. That was something to think about when she was done with Auror Training though. Until then, she had enough on her plate.

Still, the overwhelming nervousness pervaded his letters, and she wished she could do more for him. She hadn't been there for the first quidditch match and no official report had been filed, but if she observed anything this time, she'd initiate a report herself to try and get aurors or MLEP members to investigate. She only hoped nothing happened.

**HP**

Dora was making her way into the stands, intending to sit with the staff when she noticed Ron Weasley and a girl that must be Hermione Granger making their way to the stands not far from where the Professors were sitting. Deciding to have a little fun, she morphed herself into a rather nondescript student and crept up to where they were sitting next to another Gryffindor first year.

"Now, don't forget, it's Locomotor Mortis," the girl that Dora thought was Hermione muttered as Dora watched Ron slip his wand up his sleeve.

"I know," Ron snapped. "Don't nag."

Dora grinned and then morphed herself into a perfect clone of Minerva McGonagall.

"I hope I didn't just hear and witness two first years conspiring to use a leglocker curse on someone during this match," Dora said sternly, her face set in a disappointed scowl.

"P-p-professor!" the girl exclaimed looking horrified to have not realized McGonagall was right there.

"Of course not, P-professor," Ron replied shakily. "We were studying charms before this."

They both looked so horrified and nervous that Dora couldn't help but start laughing and let her morph back to her natural looks, though she quickly morphed away her mousy-brown hair into her preferred spiky pink.

"Tonks!" Ron exclaimed, looking irritated, and the girl gaped at her.

"Oh, that was too good," Dora said, wiping a tear from her eye. "I just couldn't help it. You two were too easy to sneak up on."

"Y-you're Tonks?" the girl asked, hesitantly, looking a bit unsure at Dora.

"Yep!" Dora replied brightly. "I assume you're Hermione Granger?"

The girl nodded.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Harry's told me quite a bit about you," Dora said.

Hermione blushed slightly, still giving a rather appraising look at Tonks.

"He's talked about you a lot too. He said you're training to be an Auror?" Hermione inquired.

"Yep, which is part of the reason I'm here," Dora said firmly. "I want to see Harry play, but I also want to make sure nothing like last time happens again," but then she smiled widely. "I don't think there's much to worry about though."

"Why not?" Hermione asked, looking a bit upset at Dora's cavalier attitude.

"Because Professor Dumbledore came to watch the match today," Dora said, nodding towards where the Headmaster was taking a seat in the faculty section. "Harry will be just fine."

"Blimey, I don't think I've ever seen Snape look so mean," Ron said to them. "Look they're off - Ouch!"

Dora glanced to see a blonde-haired boy had poked Ron in the back of the head. Dora didn't need introductions to know this was Draco Malfoy, who was technically her cousin.

"Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there."

Malfoy grinned broadly at Crabbe and Goyle.

"Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want a bet? What about you, Weasley?"

Dora scowled, her hair turning slightly red. He was just like every other pureblooded bully she'd known when she was a student. Ron and Hermione ignored him, watching as Snape awarded Hufflepuff a penalty because Goerge Weasley had hit a bludger at him. Dora smiled at Harry as he circled the game, looking for the snitch. He really did look very comfortable on a broom.

"You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" said Malfoy loudly a few minutes later, as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty for no reason at all. "It's people they feel sorry for. See, there's Potter, who's got no parents, then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money—you should be on the team, Longbottom, you've got no brains."

"You might want to avoid trying to bait a fight out of them, cousin," Dora said, turning to Malfoy with a scowl on her face. "As an Auror Trainee, I'm afraid I will have to testify to the Professors that you are attempting to bait fights in the Quidditch stands. It would be a real shame if you get banned from attending all future Quidditch matches."

Draco looked at her, having apparently not even noticed her sitting on the other side of Ron, Hermione, and the other boy that must be Neville Longbottom. His nose upturned seeing her hair returning to its normal color. She could tell he knew exactly who she was.

"You're no family to me," Draco replied coldly.

"I believe your mother is my aunt, whether you want to admit it or not. Regardless, I'm here to watch a match. You can continue to try and cause trouble and I will escort you from the stands and straight to the Professors or you can shut up and leave well enough alone. The choice is yours."

Dora focused back on Harry and started cheering as Harry suddenly went into a spectacular dive, streaking towards the ground like a bullet. Harry streaked right past Snape, barely missing him by inches, and then pulled out the dive, his arm raised in triumph, the snitch clasped in his hand.

The stands erupted; it had to be a record, no one could ever remember the Snitch being caught so quickly.

Around Dora, Gryffindors were erupting in cheers, embracing each other and shouting about the victory and how Gryffindor had just taken the lead, both in the Quidditch Cup and in the House Cup. Dora smiled, happy for Harry. The only bummer was that she wouldn't get to watch him fly longer.

She watched as Harry jumped off his broom, and then had a quick talk with the Headmaster. Dora used this time to make her way out of the stands and over to where the Quidditch locker rooms were. It wasn't long before the Gryffindor team started making their way back, and she grinned as Harry came into view, surrounded by his teammates. She was tempted to tease him as he had the three chasers mostly surrounding him, one of them, Spinnet, she thought, ruffling his hair fondly.

His smile widened and he hurried towards her. As he got close, she moved forward and once again pulled him into a fierce hug, enjoying being able to hug family again. She pulled back and ruffled his hair.

"Wotcher, Harry. You were fantastic out there! You just might end up being better than Charlie was."

"Please tell us," Fred started.

"That you'll write that down," George continued.

"And send it to Charlie," Fred finished with a grin.

"Make sure he knows Harry's a first year, too," George added.

"He'll never live it down," Fred said happily.

Dora rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm going to write that to Charlie. That was a given. You two are becoming too stale. Too predictable."

Harry's eyes widened in shock as the twins put their hands over their hearts, giving her a look of deepest betrayal.

"You wound us!" Fred cried out.

"I'm just telling you how it is," Dora responded dispassionately. "Find a great way to prank Charlie, and then I will revoke my egregiously hostile words."

Fred and George nodded seriously. "Of course, oh mistress of cruelty," George intoned, and the two twins followed the rest of their teammates into the locker room.

"Did you just manage to insult the twins and yet get them to take revenge out on Charlie instead of you?" Harry asked in awe.

"We might need lessons from you," one of the girls, Angelina, Dora believed, said in awe, while the other two nodded in amazement.

"What can I say?" Dora said with a grin. "I've got a gift."

Harry laughed, and then Dora sighed.

"I should probably be going. I just wanted to see you, and let you know how impressed I was with your flying. I assume that you have a party to get to," Dora said with a grin, and Harry nodded.

"That's quite likely," he replied before smiling. "I'm glad you were able to make it, and it's great seeing you, Dora."

Dora nodded and then pulled him into a hug before she let him go into the locker room and she returned home, ready to relax the rest of the day away before hitting the grind for Auror training again on Monday.

**HP**

Harry looked at the pages he'd copied from the Shadow Magic book as well as one of the defensive magic books Dora had recommended. After the previous day, he felt like it would be prudent to see if he could figure out a trick or two to help him defend himself or others.

After Dora had left, Harry had gone and changed out of his Quidditch gear, and by the time he was returning his broom to the broomshed, he was alone. His plans to put his broom in the shed and go immediately to the after-quidditch party were derailed when he saw a hooded figure, clearly trying to avoid being seen, walking into the Forbidden Forest.

Harry had decided to follow, realizing that the figure was Snape, and what he discovered made him nervous. He learned that Snape was trying to get information on how to get past Fluffy and then how to get past whatever protection Quirrell had put in place to protect the stone. To Harry, this was definitive proof that Snape was the one trying to steal the stone, which meant it must have been Snape that had tried to hurt or kill him at the previous Quidditch match.

Ron and Hermione had both agreed with Harry's assessment and also been properly horrified to think that perhaps the only two things stopping someone from stealing the stone was Hagrid's pet . . . and Quirrell. Harry had quickly sent off a letter to Dora, but he didn't have high hopes that she'd see things his way, especially since he only had his word after overhearing only part of a conversation.

Regardless, doing what she'd told him to do and learning some of the defensive spells she picked out for him didn't seem like a bad thing, and if he could figure out anything to do with Shadow Magic, maybe he could give him a way to escape a bad situation.

He looked back at chapter one, which he'd been pondering for the past couple weeks. He'd even found a book on introducing and summarizing the basics of elemental magic in the library that he read to help him understand.

'Shadow also known as Darkness , like all magical elements exists naturally in nature from as small doses as the shadows objects create in natural and artificial light, all the way up to the complete darkness one would find in a cave or artificial room with no forms of light. Thus, a Shadow magic user can both draw strength and magnify their spells utilizing the natural elements. This allows practitioners to create effects far greater than they normally could and also allow them to conserve strength in the short term compared to using their own magic if the element is present in large enough amounts.

Like many elements, it is often easier to start off manipulating that which exists in nature before attempting to enlarge or generate the element yourself, whether through your own magic or through a proficient understanding of the forces of nature. However, Darkness Magic, reasonably, is at its weakest during the day or when light is available, and since simple spells like lumos or the fire-making spell, incendio, can help reduce the amount of darkness in an area, it is of greater importance to learn how to enlarge or generate darkness that can be used to power the caster's spells, especially if the created darkness cannot be simply lightened away.

Enlarging Darkness is the first method one should turn to if a practitioner needs to find more Darkness elements to perform their spells. This method involves taking what Shadows or Darkness already exists and using magic from within as well as possibly magic from elsewhere to enhance or enlarge what exists, directly increasing the power available. This is done through the spell Auget Tenebras with the wand movement seen in the figure below.

One must be specific with their intent while using Auget Tenebras because their will and intent will directly effect how much the existing Darkness expands and how dark the existing and enlarged Darkness becomes. The more power one puts into the spell either personally or drawn from the environment, the more resistant to common spells and even Light elemental spells the Darkness will be. Light is the true counter to Darkness just as the opposite is true, and it takes equal strength and will to counter what a practitioner of either elemental magic can accomplish.

Generating Darkness is your second option and it should be done sparingly,, especially for novice users since it requires more initial energy from the caster, and the amount of energy needed directly correlates to how much darkness needs to be created in order to cancel out whatever light has limited or removed the Darkness in said area. Everything is directly proportional and inexperience can lead to failure and magical exhaustion at the minimum. Generating darkness uses magic from the caster's body as well as manipulations of other elements or energies to create darkness where little or none existed. The spell is Obtestor Tenebrae and the wand movement is shown in the figure below.

As with enlarging Darkness, one must be very careful and be extremely specific with their intent and will. It is highly recommended that novices in elemental magic learn to enlarge Darkness and then move on to Chapters 2 through Chapters 5 before coming back to work on generating Darkness, though there are benefits to mastering Darkness generation before moving on.'

Harry thought about what he'd read, knowing he'd read it several times. While the wand movements and words weren't terribly complicated, he did know it was more complicated than it seemed. He'd certainly already tried both spells and had nothing happen, but he was more confident in future attempts. He'd read that to be able to cast elemental spells, one needed to understand the element and then combine that understanding with will, intent, and power.

Harry had found some other books in the library that helped explain the element or at least how Darkness is perceived, but Harry knew now that while those explanations were important, his own experiences could help him understand better. He knew Darkness. He knew what it was like to be locked in a cupboard with nothing but the dark. He knew what it was like to fear the dark before eventually embracing it because he had no other choice. He knew what it was like to only have a minimal amount of light that came through the edges of the door, torturing him. That was his physical understanding of Darkness, but he also understood it differently. He knew what it was like to hate himself because everybody else seemed to. He knew what it was like to hate others because they only showed him how to hate. He knew what it was like to hide himself away behind various faces or personalities, hoping to conceal himself or deceive others to convince them that he wasn't who they seemed to hate. To convince others he wasn't a delinquent, convince his teachers that he wasn't as smart as Dudley, attempt to convince his relatives that he wasn't a freak. He hadn't thought of Darkness like that before, but now he was realizing that it was imperative to think of it if he truly wanted to learn this type of magic, and he would learn this type of magic.

He thought about it all. How the dark could conceal everything, how it could change people's perceptions, how it could create fear, how it could also create safety. Harry pointed his wand at the shadows from the dorm furniture in the room that were being created by the fading sunlight coming through the window.

Harry took a breath and cast the spell.