Wizards, Witches & Demons

by Neas1

The Shattering leaves humanity on the verge of extinction. Using their magic, they hide in their schools and sanctuaries. Demigods stalk the lands, bringing with them rot and pestilence, but perhaps not all is lost. Some mages find they have been gifted with grace, giving them strength to rival even those who would call themselves Gods.

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1: School Life

I looked down at my table and saw a variety of initials scribbled on it. Pulling out my quill, I got to work adding my own. It was an old one, with the tip dulled from use, but would suit my needs just fine. With the Professor absent, boredom began to take over. A few of the other students were conversing loudly with each other, but I paid them no heed.

I'd barely gotten through the "S" before Professor Newt stumbled into class. "My apologies for the tardiness." he spoke while taking deep breaths.

Professor Newt was an elderly wizard, with a head of thinning silver hair and a beard to match. His face was wrinkled due to old age, but softened by kind, twinkling blue eyes. He was generally well-liked by the student population. He could be strict at times, but was always fair and understanding.

"Is everything all right, professor," one of the students asked.

"Nothing for you to worry about, Mildred." he replied. "Open your textbooks. Let's make the most of the time we have left."

The professor took a few moments to set up the table in the front of the classroom with magic materials before continuing.

"We will be taking a look at the Oculus Potion," he announces once done, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "Since you had some unexpected free time, I'm sure everyone here took the time to read over the homework I assigned you yesterday? We can crack on with it with no problems?"

The class erupted in oohs and ahs, to which Professor Newt only replied with a small smile. The list of excuses ranged from, "Sir, I, uh, had a thing," to, "Herbert ate my textbook, Professor."

"Herbert?" Professor Newt replied with skepticism. "Your frog?"

"Well, sir. There was a mishap with a spell, and, well, he kind of got big, like really big."

"Ah, so you are the reason for Professor Selwyn's cat getting eaten," Professor Newt replied with a serious face. "I would not want to be in your shoes, Mr. Taylor."

Professor Newt continued the class, waving his wand and lining his table with a variety of magical ingredients. "Since there were extenuating circumstances, I guess a short recap is in order," he added, clearly not having expected us to do the assigned homework.

"An Oculus Potion enhances and/or restores one's vision. Rather simple, I know, for a seventh grade class, but because of its simple nature, its uses can vary widely. I expect everyone in this classroom to be able to brew it, even if only to use it to spy on your neighboring students' answers during exams," Professor Newt explained, while giving a look towards Craig Taylor, the student with the enlarged frog, towards the tail end of the explanation.

"One time, sir," Craig replied.

"Uh-huh," Professor Newt said, clearly not believing a word he said. "One does not need an Oculus potion to see through your lies, . Unfortunately, you have a tell, my dear boy. Your voice raises two octaves when you fib."

"It does not," Craig answered in a hushed whisper, which I happened to catch.

I had already read the homework assigned, so I had a barebones understanding of the Oculus Potion. While Professor Newt carried on with his explanation about potions and their miraculous effects, I pressed on with my efforts to scratch my initials into the brittle wood of my desk. Just above my own sorry attempt at vandalism were the initials R.W carved into the desk haphazardly.

I was only halfway through when a golden light to my left caught my attention. Turning towards the window, I catch sight of a small golden light leaving a trail of gold flakes in its wake.

A snitch? I muse, but toss the idea out almost immediately. Quidditch hadn't been played at Hogwarts for years by this point, not since the Shattering anyhow.

The light almost seems to notice my gaze, switching directions and floating my way. It easily passes through the window and hovers gently before me. I lift my hand, placing it underneath it, allowing it a place to rest.

"Cassian Stillwater!"

I feel a sharp pain in my abdomen, which grabs my attention. I turn to look at Lily, the student sitting next to me. I raised my eyebrows in a questioning manner, only to receive a flick of her head, which was motioning towards Professor Newt.

"Perhaps a hearing amplifying charm would suit you more, Mr. Stillwater?" Professor Newt asked with a smile, getting a chuckle from the students as well. The students who were all now staring at me.

"If you're done vandalizing school property, Mr. Stillwater, then perhaps you can share with the class which of these ingredients one would not originally use when making an Oculus Potion?" Professor Newt said while waving his hands over the ingredients.

From reading the textbook, I know the Oculus Potion has four main ingredients. Infusion of Wormwood, Stewed Mandrake, Ground Unicorn Horn, and Powdered Bilberry Root. I could spot them all on the table, but there were a few others also present that I couldn't place.

But my eyes were drawn to one ingredient in particular. Noxshade Berries. They were sitting on the table, mixed in with the others.

The berries themselves were a deep midnight blue, almost black, with a glossy, reflective surface that gave them a metallic sheen. They were roughly the size of a large pea, about 1 centimeter in diameter, and under moonlight, they would even emit a faint, eerie glow, making them easier to spot at night.

The reason they stood out to me was because I'd learnt of the berries effects the hard way, unfortunately. Most kids get a rash from Poison Ivy, while I got temporarily blinded for the better part of a week due to eating Noxshade Berries. Memories steadily came back to me of being given a potion to drink to restore my eyesight.

An Oculus Potion? I wondered.

"Today, Mr Stillwater," Professor Newt said.

"Noxshade Berries, professor," I reply, not 100% sure of my answer.

"Correct," Professor Newt said, using gloved hands to show the Noxshade Berries to the class.

He continued the lesson while holding them. "Noxshade Berries grow in clusters on twisted, thorny vines. The vines are covered in sharp, thin thorns that are almost invisible to the naked eye, making the harvest of these berries particularly dangerous."

"Handling Noxshade Berries without the proper protective gloves can cause a tingling sensation in the fingers, followed by temporary numbness, and when ingested will result in the consumer's eyes taking on a dark, black color, which is followed by temporary blindness."

While the Professor continued with his explanation, I looked for the golden light. I checked my table, underneath it, and scanned the classroom, but found no signs of it. It had disappeared, with no trace.

Disappointed, I focused my attention on the lesson once more. Professor Newt was continuing his explanation.

"Professor," a voice called from behind the classroom. "Why are we wasting time learning about potions that increase eyesight instead of, say, things that could actually help in a fight against the invaders?"

I didn't need to turn around to know who the voice belonged to. It was Percy Gries. He was well-known among the students and faculty for being a troublemaker. Not so much in the sense of making trouble for trouble's sake, but more the fact that wherever he went trouble followed.

He described it as being unlucky.

Like most, he had lost people in the Shattering. Believe it or not, he had once belonged in the house of Hufflepuff. Always happy, always smiling. Now, his face was continuously locked in a stern gaze. His attitude had taken a large shift, and the sorting hat had even commented as such, changing his house from Hufflepuff to Slytherin.

He had straight black hair cut short, along with piercing blue eyes. His goal in life had shifted to only revenge, not that anyone could blame him. Everyone had a similar story to his nowadays, but each reacted to it in their own way.

I still had my mom and sister, but others were not so fortunate.

Instead of getting angry, Professor Newt actually seemed excited to have some interaction from the students. He turned to face us before continuing. "Let's say someone cast the Conjunctivitis Curse on you, Mr. Gries. Well, the Oculus Potion is the remedy."

"Which I wouldn't be able to make… cause I'm blind," Gries added, rolling his eyes.

Professor Newt was well-versed with Gries' antics. "If all you look for are problems, Mr. Gries, then problems are all you'll find. Knowledge of potions can, and will, save your life."

"Let me finish," Professor Newt added, raising his hands before Gries could interrupt him again.

"The primary use of the Oculus Potion, yes, is to restore vision for individuals who have lost it due to magical accidents or injuries. When applied as drops directly into the eyes, the potion works to heal damage to the ocular tissues and nerves, but the magic of potions is their use can be modified to better suit your needs."

"What would happen to an Oculus Potion if we added the previously mentioned Noxshade Berries into the mix?" Professor Newt asked us.

I remembered the Professor's earlier words. He had asked me which of the ingredients was not originally intended to be added to the Oculus Potion.

He continued talking before a response could be given. "A modified version of the Oculus Potion can temporarily enhance night vision. This variation is often used by the Wardens who need to see in low-light conditions during their expeditions outside the safety of the barrier that keeps Hogwarts safe. Normally, a simple Lumos spell can light your immediate surroundings, but will leave you exposed to that which lurks in the dark. A simple altered version of the Oculus Potion is the remedy for that."

At the mention of the Wardens, my curiosity piqued. Judging by the expressions of the rest of my classmates, so was theirs. The Wardenwere, after all, the only people to have left the safety of Hogwarts in 2 years.

"Now, you lot are a ways away from being able to tinker with and change the nature of potions. That takes years of practice and experience, not to mention losing your eyebrows a few times," Professor Newt added. "On a separate note, I have a wonderful recipe for a hair regrowth potion should any of you need it. Fret not, it is safe. I made it myself."

"I assume you'll be joining the Wardens come next year, Mr. Gries?" Professor Newt asked.

"I'd join them now if I could," Percy replied, determination in his voice.

I had no doubt about that. This was our last year of school. Come next year, we'd all be given a similar choice.

"Don't be in such a rush to throw your life away," Professor Newt replied. "The point is, Mr. Gries, potions can be just as effective, if not more, than spells. With enough time and preparation, of course."

Satisfied, Professor Newt turned towards the materials once more. "Now, where was I? Ah, yes," he added while picking up a small, red berry from the table of ingredients.

"Now, since The Shattering, access to ingredients has become somewhat limited, and so we've had to adapt, so to speak, but we've also gotten access to new materials from these other worlds, and these ingredients have given us a variety of new way to create new wondrous concoctions."

The professor paused, picking up something from the table. "Take this plant for example. This berry is not native to Earth. When the Shattering occurred and our world merged with the others, lifeforms were not the only thing to enter. Various flora entered as well, spreading just as voraciously. As we began a war for our own survival, so did the various plant life."

"This plant is not native to Earth, but we've been able to find its name in various papers retrieved from the outside world. It's called a Rowa Fruit."

I take another look at the small fruit the Professor carried in his still-gloved hands. It wasn't anything spectacular by any means. It merely looked like a small, round, vibrant red berry. Having learnt my lesson with Noxshade berries though, I wasn't about to stick it in my mouth.

But knowing so little about what happens outside Hogwarts, I continue to listen to the Professor's words.

"When taken at face value, it seems rather innocuous, which it is. This Rowa Fruit is useless on its own, but when mixed with a Four-Toed Fowl Foot and a Gold Firefly, you get," the professor paused to pick up an avian foot that was gold and glowing. "A Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot."

"And what does this Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot do?" the Professor asked the class. "Now, that is a good question. See, we believe it increases the accumulation of strength. The creatures that overtook Earth in the shattering grow stronger when defeating enemies. Not just us, but each other as well. They absorb the strength of those they slay and add it to their own."

"Now, the absorption isn't perfect, much like energy is lost to heat or sound, but this helps-"

The Professor's words were interrupted by the booming bell, indicating the end of class and the beginning of lunch. The once quiet kids turned into a cacophony of noise as they hastily scrambled to grab their belongings, already forgetting much of what they learnt in the lesson.

"Yes, yes, be on your way," Professor Newt spoke above the noise. "Tomorrow we will be making the Oculus Potion, so I would advise actually going over the assigned homework," he hastily called out to the fleeing kids.

I took my time packing away since I wished to speak with Professor Newt, only to see him already standing in front of my desk. "A word, Mr. Stillwater," he says.

Professor Newt waited for the kids to leave before continuing. He looked around from left to right, checking for any eavesdroppers.

"I've got the stuff," he says while looking extremely shady. "But it will come at a cost," he adds with a mischievous grin.

"How much?" I ask, fear creeping in.

"Not much," he replies. "My storeroom needs a good cleaning. I trust you're up to the task."

Relief washes over me. If that was all I had to do, then I'd clean the storeroom ten times over. Not that I'd admit that though.

"You drive a hard bargain," I reply while I pretend to think it over, but eventually cave. "Deal!"

"I only have enough for one cake, so do be careful." Professor Newt adds. "You don't know how hard it was to get those damn elves to part with some eggs."

Eggs were the last ingredient I needed to bake a cake. It was my sister's birthday soon, and I wanted to surprise her. Forget about magical ingredients, even normal ones were hard to get, with most being used to feed the hundreds of kids being protected by Hogwarts.

"You can use the class on Saturday morning to do the deed," Professor Newt adds. "Just clean up after yourself."

"Thank you, Professor," I replied, genuinely grateful.

Professor Newt had always made sure to take care of me and my family while we stayed here, which wasn't easy considering I was the only one capable of using magic. Muggles being allowed on the grounds of Hogwarts was only allowed due to extraordinary circumstances.

"How's your mom and sister doing, by the way?" the Professor said. "I've been meaning to visit, but things have been a bit crazy lately."

"They're all right," I reply with a smile."Sophie has been asking when you'll visit. Can I tell mom to set a plate for you this weekend?"

"I will try my best," he replied with a smile, but I could see that he was tense. "Which reminds me, I still have my own present to find as well."

Lucky for Sophie, Professor Newt's presents were always great. After the Shattering, Sophie had been struggling with nightmares, and so was given an enchanted necklace for one of her birthdays. It was kind of like a dream catcher, but one that actually worked. Since then, she never had nightmares again.

"But for now, off with you," Professor Newt spoke. "I hear the cafeteria is serving pizza today," he added with a wink.

I finished packing my bag and headed for the door, only for the Professor's words to stop me. "Also, 10 points from Gryffindor for vandalizing my desk."

Even with the point deduction, I had a smile on my face. Heading out the door, I hear the telltale snicker of Serena. She was lounging outside the door, waiting for me.

She had dark black shoulder-length hair, along with striking green eyes that matched well with the green accents of her robes, not that I'd ever tell her that. Her robes were also clean and pressed, as opposed to most students who were using hand-me downs nowadays.

"Teacher's pet now, are we?" she said as I entered the hallway, giving me a sideways glance. "Never took you for the sort."

"Don't you have some animals to torture or something," I reply, already breaking into a brisk walk to the cafeteria.

Pizza was a rare commodity nowadays, but they tended to treat us to a nice meal every now and then. Whether it was to raise morale, or just hide how bad things were on the outside, I couldn't say.

How the cafeteria had the ability to make it when the ingredients probably no longer existed, or at least were extremely scarce, was a mystery to me.

One of the five principal exceptions was food, which meant that it could not be created from nothing. Food could be summoned or teleported from somewhere else, as long as you knew the approximate location. It could also be enlarged, or even multiplied, but food could not be made from thin air.

I know you can conjure sauces, wine, and potable water, or you could conjure things like snakes and birds, but I wasn't wholly sure if you could use them in cooking. Maybe something to look into actually.

Serena matched my stride, walking with me shoulder to shoulder.

"Animal torture is at 3," Serena replied. "Right now, I'm grabbing lunch with a friend."

"You have friends?" I reply with fake shock. She scrunches her nose at me, and I give her a chuckle in return.

"You joining this weekend?" I ask. "Sophie would love to see you."

"Sure," she replies. "Count me in."

She seemed to be deep in thought when answering, so I slowed my pace. "Everything all right?"

"Wardens went out yesterday. A few didn't make it back."

Is that why the Professor was late? I wonder, before catching the meaning behind Serena's word. Her brother had recently joined theWardens.

"Is Daniel okay?" I ask.

"A few cuts and bruises, but fine overall. Physically, at least. He's been muttering crazy things ever since he got back, though. They're watching over him for now."

If Daniel only had a few cuts and bruises then he was lucky. The kids had another name for the Wardens, which was Deathrow. There were a lot of students, like Percy Gries, who would volunteer to join, mostly for revenge. But the other way to get into the Wardens was to be sent there as punishment. Daniel was a part of the former group, having volunteered.

"Listen, if you can't make it, that's fine," I said. "I'm sure Sophie will understand. You should make sure your brother is all right."

"Nah, a nice distraction will be good," Serena replies. "Something normal for a change, you know."

She still seemed distracted, so I pressed on. "Something else?"

"I heard my dad arguing with a few other Professors last night," she replied.

"Really?" I ask. "What about?"

"I only caught a little bit, but something about the outside," she replies. "I tried asking, but he wouldn't answer. The last time I saw him this serious was the Shattering. All I know is things outside aren't that great. Wizards are being pushed back into the sanctuaries."

"And you would be correct, Ms. Selwyn," an aged voice rang out.

I turned my gaze around, looking for the source of the voice, but saw nothing but a large painting adorning the wall. It was a portrait from some old wizard I knew nothing of. He noticed my gaze, looking at me in confusion.

I was about to ask the figure in the painting if it had spoken, but stopped myself when I saw a transparent head pop out of it.

"My quarters are filled with the ghosts of the departed. All who have nothing to do but speak of their woes. It's terribly morbid there, I'm afraid. Would not recommend it," the transparent head spoke. "They seemed to have had the wits scared out of them."

I jumped back, grabbing my chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack, Nick."

"What are they saying?" Serena asked, much more calm. "Do you know what happened?"

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find out soon enough," Nearly headless Nick said while the rest of his body exited the wall. "I will say, though, when even ghosts fear what roams outside, then perhaps one should rejoice at the safety afforded to them by Hogwarts."

I thought of Percy Gries and his determination to leave the school. I turned my gaze to Nearly Headless Nick, who had his arms behind his head while silently floating down the hallway.

"What are they afraid of," I ask. "Aren't you guys already dead?"

I feel Serena staring at me. Is it rude to talk about dying to ghosts? I wonder, but wait for Nearly Headless Nick's answer anyway.

He looked my way, and I swear I could see fear in his pale, transparent face. "There are worse things than death, Mr. Stillwater," he replied while lazily disappearing through a wall.

AN - I might change things.