AN: Been a while, but definitely ready to post the next chapter of this story. As always, thanks for all the support, and I love to hear what you all think or any thoughts you have on this story or the HP world overall. Special thanks to Thrivean for helping to beta this chapter. It was quite rough when I sent it to him, and he definitely helped clean it up majorly.
Nightwing2013 - Most stories do tend to make Ginny a cat person. Considered it myself, but decided to go in a different direction for her this time. Timeline is definitely very volatile right now. While there is still 2ish years left till Voldemort's defeat in canon, it's definitely a possibility that he is defeated earlier in this story, or as the war really heats up, it's possible that things take longer once Voldemort is forced to adapt a bit. Ron and Hermione were a bit left out last chapter because I had them still recovering/unconscious. Originally, I wrote them in with some changes, and then realized I was going against what I'd mentioned of their injuries, so yeah. They'll be making their reappearance very soon. Twins worshipping either Loki or Dionysus? Fair thought. Definitely should include in story, who they might have gained some favor from.
emilysouoza221b - I'm going with static/agnostic. They do exist whether anyone knows about them or not. The closest comparison to how I'm viewing them is like the Daedra from Skyrim. They're on a different plane of existence and can basically view/affect multiple different realities/timelines. I touched on different beliefs/gods early on in the story. Effectively, the people of this universe don't fully know. Some theorize that Hades and Anubis, for instance, could be one and the same, with the god just portraying himself/itself differently to different people for whatever reason. Others think that they are different and that you could have the favor of both Hades and Anubis. Whether Anubis could affect a champion of Hades? Debatable. In theory, being favored by the gods provides protection in more ways then people think. Sure, they get their mortal gifts/powers, but at the same time, they gain divine protection from other deities. Could a god still destroy a champion of a rival god/goddess? Probably, but there would likely be some sort of cost to doing so, and the circumstances would have to be rather different.
Mando-Vet - Yeah, Bella is going to be a menace to the Death Eaters. You almost have to feel bad for them, and then you remember they are Death Eaters and deserve no mercy.
Guest - Yep, the Horcrux threat is over, but I have some fun plans for showing just how much of a monster Voldemort has become.
WinkingSkeever - The Dursleys will be explored soon, but time is moving rather slow in-story right now.
Sully152 - Thanks! Glad you picked it up and are enjoying it.
Chapter 71
Angelina glanced around slightly as she sat down at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. She hid her grimace at what she saw, wishing that they could have just skipped breakfast or eaten in the kitchens. Alicia gave her an understanding look, also looking a bit uncomfortable.
The atmosphere in the student body was a bit charged with so much having happened since the battle at the Ministry only four days previous. It didn't help that the participants had mostly been secluded in the hospital wing. There were many that wished to demand answers about everything that had happened, wanting to understand the massive change that had taken place in their world. Yet many also found themselves rather intimidated by the now battle tested students, whose injuries almost seemed like a badge of honor.
It also didn't help that while some of them were still recovering, others from the Consortium were rather short with those who only now wished to show their support. Throwing in those like Angelina and Alicia, who had gained patronage and a familiar from the ordeal, only seemed to drive a greater wedge between the survivors and the rest of the school.
It would have been bad enough with just those that were 'vindicated' in Harry's claims being verified against those that had called him insane. However, you also had those who hadn't cared all that much before, but now were forced to do so. Some were coping well enough, but others had become rather snappish, and angry. Though whether that anger was directed at the Ministry or at Harry for not solving the problem, it depended on the interaction.
There were those that saw the power shifting and were trying to take advantage of it, whether that was by showing support for Harry or simply trying to make others look badly, it didn't matter.
Lastly, of course, there were those that were too prideful to apologize for their previous disbelief and scorn, and were even now doubling down on their distaste for all things Harry Potter and those that associated with him. Their stance was generally that he might have been right, but he still should not have done any of what he did. They believed he should have not challenged the Ministry, and should not have spoken out. They seemed to believe, foolishly, that if he hadn't pushed the issue, that the Ministry might have solved it before it became public. They seemed to have some blind faith that the Ministry had been working on the problem, despite denying Voldemort's return publicly. Morons, the lot of them.
Consortium members had generally banded together, providing a shield against the general students for those that had fought. Yet, even the Consortium had some internal conflicts with some of their members seeing the hardship that the others had faced. Some were now hesitant to still remain with the group, while others bemoaned not being able to participate . . . Neither of these sentiments were exactly welcome to the survivors.
Still, it made things a bit awkward in the Great Hall, even at their own House table. While they were no strangers to attention, be that from Quidditch or supporting Harry in the Triwizard Tournament, this was different. They had always been admired and hated almost equally for their skill on the Quidditch pitch. They had experienced far more hate and general disappointment when they supported Harry in the Triwizard, which had then yielded more respect after Harry started performing well.
However, those emotions were nothing compared to what they witnessed from others in the school now. Now, they experienced a weird mixture of emotions that ranged from awe and almost worship all the way down to extreme disgust and hate, with everything in between. It was stifling to the two girls, and she knew others in the Consortium were dealing with it as well, boys and girls.
Angelina could look everywhere and see that some desired her far more than before, while others held nothing but contempt. Some wanted to check on them, apologize, and restart friendships, looking all too eager to get back into their good graces. Others wanted to talk, but only to try and then demean their achievement of surviving, confident that they could have done just as well or better.
Even now, as she looked around, Consortium members were grouped together, almost trying to cocoon themselves away from many of the others. Ginny had braved the Slytherin table today, sitting with Astoria, Hazel Quentin, and Kalina Hornbeam, the four girls chatting happily. Angelina could see, though, that they were shielded by Daphne, Tracey, Haley Quentin, and the other older Slytherin Consortium members who were almost daring someone to say something.
Then again, Angelina wouldn't expect anyone at that table to say anything now. Malfoy's actions, and those that helped him, had been well publicized at this point. Malfoy had disappeared, though people didn't realize it was because of the deal he'd made with Sirius. However, the rest of his group were still waiting for their trials and were being held at the Ministry now. With Malfoy's group gone, a large portion of the most vocal blood purists had been removed. There were still plenty in Slytherin, but a clear message had been sent on what bravado and failure would yield, and for now, they were publicly cowed.
Angelina's spirit rose a bit as Fred, George, and Lee came walking in, talking boisterously, joking. The three had done their best to try and remain the jokesters in the school, using humor to help people relax, just as they had always done. Still though, Angelina could see the nervousness in George's eyes when he locked sight of her. He'd been very affectionate and protective since their return. Fred wasn't much better, and when they weren't trying to spread some mischief, they alternated their time between being with her, sitting next to Ron's, Hermione's, or Katie's beds, or bugging Ginny or Harry.
Angelina and Alicia both grinned as Lee broke off from the twins and moved to the Hufflepuff table, where a beaming Susan Bones was tucking some hair behind her ear and rising to greet him. The battle had certainly helped to push a few couples together, those that had been on the fringe, often flirting with each other. George sat down right next to her, giving her a peck on the lips, and putting his arm around her a bit possessively, which she had no problems admitting that she rather liked. Fred sat next to Alicia, and gave her a peck on the cheek, much to her laughter, and she pushed him away as he grinned.
"So, have you ladies seen our fearless leader this morning?" Fred asked. "We didn't see him when we were coming down, and Neville said he'd already left."
Angelina and Alicia exchanged startled glances, having just assumed Harry was still sleeping. He should have been down soon, since some sort of announcement was to be put out this morning by the staff, mandating everyone at least make an appearance before the end of breakfast.
"Ah, I wouldn't start the search just yet," George said lightly, grinning as Harry walked in, chatting easily with Bellatrix and a stern-looking Mad-Eye, who had his staff in hand and was using it like a cane.
Silence took the room, as everyone stared at the three, with many looking at Bellatrix and whispering. Her innocence had been announced in the paper yesterday, which had caused quite the stir, but few had believed the rumors that she was actively recovering in the school, even if many had seen her.
Bellatrix eyed them all cooly, before Harry rolled his eyes and dragged his godmother in, a soft smile overtaking Bellatrix's features as she chided him. Mad-Eye snorted, shaking his head and hobbled in behind them, his magical eye spinning wildly, scanning them all.
"I can find my own seat, you know," Bellatrix stated dryly.
"If I didn't guide you to your seat, you'd stand there and glare at everyone all day," Harry retorted, and Angelina, Alicia, Fred, and George all snorted.
"Bah, I'm sorry," Bellatrix said with a sigh, and Harry glanced at her in confusion.
"What for?"
"You somehow got your unfortunate sense of humor from your mother," Bellatrix replied with a straight face, and Harry chuckled.
"Lucky that," Harry shot back cheekily. "Otherwise I could have ended up with the Black sense of humor, and people already think I'm a big enough nutjob."
Bellatrix laughed.
"Harry, Alastor, Professor Black," Dumbledore addressed with a smile, causing eyes to widen around the room. "Perhaps you can save this spirited conversation for later?"
The three separated, with Bellatrix moving to sit next to a grimacing Snape, while Mad-Eye sat next to McGonagall. Harry returned to the Gryffindor table and sat down on the other side of Alicia, giving her a quick side-hug as he did so, and then shooting a wink towards Angelina and George.
Dumbledore smiled around the room. "I'm afraid I must take a few minutes of your time before you all start what I hope will be another wonderful day of learning."
Students glanced at Dumbledore and then back at Bellatrix, who was dishing up some eggs onto her plate, looking unbothered about the announcement.
"First, as you must have surmised, I have finally found a permanent staff member to take up teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. So, please welcome Professor Bellatrix Black."
Dumbledore clapped politely, along with most of the staff and many of the Consortium members, who had interacted with her sparingly while visiting their friends in the hospital wing. The rest of the school was either silent, staring at her, or clapped somewhat politely with the others, looking uncomfortable to do so.
"And now, Professor Black has a few announcements of her own," Dumbledore continued, giving an 'after you' gesture to Bellatrix who glared at him before sighing and standing up, glancing out at the student populace.
"Good morning, as Professor Dumbledore said, I will be your new Professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts," Bellatrix stated. "In light of the current situation outside of these walls, the Headmaster and I, along with the Ministry, believe that there needs to be greater focus on personal and home defense. With that in mind, Professor Flitiwck and I will be holding additional lessons on defensive magic five nights a week right after the evening dinner. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. However, another option that has yielded proven results is to join Mr. Potter's Grim Consortium, which will be continuing and is open to all as well."
All eyes turned to Harry and he nodded, though Angelina noticed that a fair number of people were scoffing or staring at him like he was inconsequential. Eyes turned back to Bellatrix who gave them all stern looks.
"These lessons, whether through Mr. Potter's Consortium or with Professor Flitwick and I, will be focused on defensive magic that will help you and your family survive should you find yourself in a dangerous situation. We will also go over home defense, including basic wards that you should be able to put over your house, as well as other protections to use. I advise you to take these opportunities seriously. Your life or the lives of people you care about might one day depend on how you prepare."
Bellatrix sat back down, and returned to her food as Dumbledore nodded solemnly.
"Thank you, Professor Black, for those wise words. Now, also in the field of defense, but with a focus on joining the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry, please lend your ears to Auror Lieutenant Alastor Moody."
Mad-Eye rose to his feet, leaning on his staff. His magical eye swept over the room, looking for threats, while his normal eye held the students' attention.
"With the rising threat, the Ministry is in need of witches and wizards who wish to step up and join the Department of Law Enforcement," Mad-Eye growled out. "The Ministry is also committed to keeping Hogwarts safe and preventing the loss of life. To help manage both goals, the current crop of trainees will be taught here at Hogwarts. This creates an opportunity for the sixth and seventh years interested in joining the Department. For those interested, you will be allowed to observe what the trainees go through, and will have dedicated hours yourself where we will be training you and preparing you for entering the DMLE after you graduate Hogwarts."
Murmurs, both excited and nervous, echoed around the room at Mad-Eye's words.
"What sort of training?" one voice from the Hufflepuffs rang out.
"You will undergo the normal assessments and aptitude tests that all applicants for the DMLE undergo," Mad-eye answered. "Depending on your acceptance, you will start undergoing a generalized basic training for all members before you will be split into specific groups depending on what branch of the DMLE you were accepted into. With the Death Eater threat, combat training will be a large focus for all members of the DMLE, regardless of title."
"Character and aptitude tests?" one Ravenclaw asked, almost affronted. "Aren't you desperate for anyone you can get? I mean, not many people want to join the DMLE now of all times."
Mad-Eye glared at the boy.
"It doesn't matter how desperate you might think we are, lad," Mad-Eye said. "Every person who joins right now might end up in a fight, might end up having to watch my back or the backs of someone else. We don't need someone who thinks they can be an Auror right now only because the standards might have dropped. If you don't have the aptitude to be an Auror, you won't be. If you don't have an aptitude to serve in the MLEP, then you won't. Putting you out there when you don't have the disposition or skills is just asking the Death Eaters to kill you and anyone that might be with you."
The boy swallowed, a bit flushed and embarrassed, ducking his head.
"Any other questions?" Mad-Eye demanded. "No? Good. Those interested, stay after and come report to me."
"Bloody hell," Alicia groaned. "This opportunity is fantastic, but I already have sooo much on my plate!"
"Katie's going to be pissed she missed this," Angelina muttered.
"She can join once she's out of the hospital wing," Harry said confidently.
"You're already doing excess training with Harry, the Consortium, and who knows who else," Fred pointed out to Alicia. "I'm sure you could skip all this."
"The problem is what they'll be missing out on," Harry disagreed. "It's not just the training."
"What do you mean?" George asked with a frown.
"Everyone in that group will be looking to go into the DMLE," Alicia answered. "Those are our future coworkers, both in whatever department we work and the adjacent ones. By not doing this, we're missing out on opportunities to get to know the people who might be fighting by our side, and the people we'll network with, both inside and possibly outside of the Ministry."
"They also don't want to give the perception that we're better than that training," Harry added with a sigh. "Everyone already wonders about us, and we're very close to so many people in that department. Dora, Sirius, Mad-Eye, Alexis, Rick, Kingsley, the Longbottoms, Lexie . . . We don't want to give the perception of favoritism, that we can not do this extra training and just walk into a spot."
"I guess I didn't think of it like that," George admitted.
"You should head over there, Leash, if you're going to," Harry pointed out, seeing the crowd gathering around Mad-Eye. "We can all try and help figure out our schedules tonight in the hospital wing. Between NEWTs, OWLs, mage studies, elemental studies, and gods knows what else, we'll have a lot on our plates."
"I'll come with you," Angelina said, standing up with Alicia.
"But I thought you wanted to be in the Quidditch League?" Harry asked in shock.
"I do, but a backup wouldn't hurt," Angelina said.
"Like you won't make the league," George scoffed.
"Still, it wouldn't hurt to see about it," Angelina returned, smiling at her boyfriend. "With Voldemort back . . . I'm honestly not sure how the Quidditch League will handle things. There was a time during the last war the league was on a hiatus. I should prepare for that to happen again."
"That's fair," Fred admitted.
"Well, then let's go," Alicia said brightly, and the two girls joined the decently sized crowd around Mad-Eye.
His good eye glanced at them briefly, and Angelina would have sworn that his expression softened, but she might have been imagining that, seeing him looking just as much of a mean bastard as Dora would mention he could be in training.
Angelina smiled at her fellow Consortium members, Phoenix Barnwood, Avis Lastefelt, Ryan Wolfs, Cho Chang, and Jericho Rook, and then gave a friendly nod to her roommate, Veronica Tidwell. She was a bit surprised to see roughly three dozen people having gathered. She couldn't help but wonder if there were more because people wanted to do their part, or if this was normal, and it was just that most of these people would have washed out in a normal year. She certainly knew the DMLE didn't hire this many people each year, even counting only half of them graduating in the next few months.
"This seems to be everyone," Mad-Eye observed gruffly. "Before you leave, you'll add your name to the roster on the table. I will be talking with your Heads of Houses, and learning schedules to best find a few hours each day that will work for everyone. Our initial focus is going to be conditioning and general spellcasting ability. Aptitude and character evaluations will follow. How well you learn will determine how far you get in this program. Your first report time is tomorrow at 0600. Be prepared for exercise. You have been warned."
There were a few grumbles, mostly from the sixth years present in the group. Angelina suspected that all the seventh years who had planned to apply for the DMLE knew a bit of what to expect, and might have already started morning workouts to ensure they had the best chance of passing. There were also a few Quidditch players beyond just her and Leash, so they too likely were no strangers to waking up for a workout.
Angelina signed her name up right after Alicia, getting an approving nod and slight smile from Mad-Eye.
As they were making their way out though, a voice cut through Angelina's pensive thoughts on her future.
"So, the two favorites deigned to join the rest of us hopefuls for entrance to the DMLE," a voice said scornfully.
Angelina turned to see one of her Ravenclaw yearmates, Jonathan Bates, glaring at them.
"Gods forbid you give any of us a chance. No, you have to make sure you're the favorites here," he continued. "The Angels of Death can't just rest on their laurels and connections."
Angelina gaped at him for a moment, and noticed there were several others who were nodding in agreement, glaring at the three of them.
"So, because they decided not to rest on nepotism and still think they have room to improve, you would judge them?" Cho asked, scowling.
"You're no better, Chang!" a Hufflepuff seventh year, Laurel Michaels, accused. "You seem to think because you dated Cedric for all of a half year that you felt his loss the hardest. You didn't! Then you defend these three? Those who backed Potter against Cedric?"
"Cedric competed against them!" Cho nearly shouted. "He didn't hate them! He didn't see them as enemies! One of his biggest regrets was not stamping down how you lot treated Harry and them during that whole fucking fiasco! Don't you tell me that I don't miss Cedric, you stupid bint! I clearly knew him better than you."
"Bah, just another girl to jump into Potter's harem," A Slytherin seventh year, Tyson Lawson, sneered. "You all are so ready to jump in bed with him that you forgive him for being a fucking murderer. I saw what he did to Graham!"
"That piece of shite put my family under the Imperius Curse! He got me tortured!" Angelina snarled. "I'm glad Harry fucking killed him. If he hadn't done it, I would have. He turned my friends against their boyfriend, against all their friends! Fuck Graham Montegue! I hope he's enjoying punishment in Hell."
"Harem?" Alicia asked in disgust at the same time.
"Figures a Slytherin would defend a Death Eater," Kenneth Towler hissed.
All around, voices chimed in, yelling, accusing. Some were shouting in support of Harry or Angelina and Alicia, or in support of the Consortium as a whole, against those who just seemed hateful or jealous. Others were just very House oriented, hating on Slytherins or Gryffindors, regardless of the fact it mattered very little and that there were members of all Houses on all sides.
Alicia and Angelina were just short of blows with Tyson and two of his friends. Everything in Angelina was itching to draw her wand and show them what she thought of them supporting their old Death Eater friend.
Right as wands were being drawn, a stern voice interjected.
"That is enough!"
All the students stopped, and stared over at Bellatrix Black, who was glaring at them, daring them to continue on and ignore her.
"You haven't even started the prep program and you're at each other's throats," Bellatrix said in disappointment. "At least save it for the dueling ring, where you can show your mettle. Now, disperse before I decide to get creative with my punishments."
Most of the group took one look at her, and fled in fear, still not sure of what she would be like, and only knowing what Bellatrix Lestrange had been like.
Bellatrix eyed the last few who hadn't run off, which was Alicia, Angelina, and the three Slytherins who were glaring angrily at Bellatrix. She eyed them with indifference.
"I'd move along if I were you," Bellatrix advised them coolly.
The three Slytherins looked like they really were considering having a go at all of them, but then seemed to realize that they were not only outnumbered, but facing opponents who were known to be skilled. Draco Malfoy's crew had underestimated them, and he was gone. Being delusional would only yield loss.
Angelina glared as the three hurried off.
"Stupid fools," Bellatrix muttered, looking after them. "All they accomplished is letting us know that they are likely in Voldemort's pocket."
"Well, he's been a moron for seven years," Angelina said angrily. "I'm not surprised."
Bellatrix grinned.
"Back to the hospital wing?" Alicia asked, eyeing Bellatrix, whose smile faded.
"Yeah, yeah," Bellatrix said, glaring sourly at Alicia. "You can go ahead and beat me there, why don't you? Lina here can walk me back. We can get some bonding time, godmother and goddaughter."
Angelina's eyes widened a bit, and she felt some warmth rise up, and Alicia smiled and nodded. Alicia then started walking off in the direction of the hospital wing, with only one glance back at them, a smile still on her face.
"You wanted to talk with me?" Angelina clarified.
"Of course," Bellatrix said with a wave of her hand. "Harry's told me about you. Dora's told me about you. Sirius's told me about you. I deal with your sister over there in the medical ward." Bellatrix threw a glare over at Alicia's retreating form. "Even if she's great, I'm still fed up with her right now."
Angelina giggled. "Alicia can be the scariest of us all, even though she's probably the sweetest."
"She'll be a great healer, that's for sure," Bellatrix muttered. "She's got steel. Anyway, I've heard about you, but we haven't really talked, just the two of us. Figure if Lils adopted you, even if posthumously, and Sirius got to claim you as godfather, then I get to claim you as goddaughter. So, let's go for a walk . . . a really long walk. Then, maybe you'll even let me go for a quick lap around the quidditch pitch on a broom."
Angelina beamed, knowing they'd get scolded later, but this was well worth it.
**HP**
"Just you tonight, Harry?" Dumbledore queried with a polite smile.
"Well, Alicia and Madam Pomfrey were busy yelling at Angelina and Aunt Trixie," Harry replied with a grin. "Angelina's earned herself a punishment cleaning the hospital wing, and Trixie is trying not to get dosed tonight, so yeah, just me."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I thought I saw them flying down at the pitch. Bellatrix never had your sister's drive to play the game, but she was still a good flyer and Quidditch player. In a way, I'd say she was like you, in that regard. Though I personally think you are the better flyer."
"Er - thanks, Professor," Harry said, a bit caught off guard at the compliment, and also enjoying being compared to Bellatrix in a very normal way. "Professor, what are we going to be doing in these lessons? Learning about what Voldemort did to make his body almost invulnerable?"
"Oh, no, that would be a bit of waste to spend this short amount of time on," Dumbledore said lightly. "The Department of Mysteries and I already have a fair idea of what Voldemort has done, though I would not presume to know everything. The trick is countering those rituals, but, alas, I fear that is outside your realm of experience at this time. No, I feel it is time I take a greater hand in you, and your family's education."
Harry felt some excitement rise. "What will we be learning, sir?"
"Oh, a little of this and a little of that," Dumbledore replied back with a smile, and Harry's excitement faded.
"With all due respect, Professor," Harry said. "I'd prefer to know exactly what we'll be working on. My schedule, and the schedules of all my best friends and family, are about to get very busy. I know what Aunt Trixie, Mad-Eye, and Dora will teach me. I know that they might not be at your level, but I know that together, we have a chance. I'd prefer to know, rather than possibly waste time I could be spending with my friends and family."
Dumbledore eyed him with a look of surprise, before he finally nodded slowly.
"Very well, Harry," Dumbledore acknowledged. "Forgive this old man for not truly knowing what it means to be young and yet have the right priorities. I intend to improve your fundamental grasp of magic, which will in turn help you with fighting an opponent like Tom. However, the main focus of this time will be learning how to enhance and combine elemental magic."
Harry felt his excitement grow again. He didn't really know anything about combining elemental magic. He knew the basic ideas behind mixing certain elements, like using wind to enhance fire, but even that wasn't really combining elemental magic. He honestly hadn't even been sure that it was possible to combine elements.
"We can actually combine elements, sir?" Harry asked, eagerly
Dumbledore chuckled, and then in his hand, he conjured a ball of shadow. Harry was impressed with the wandless conjuration of shadow, but that wasn't exactly new to him. He frowned, and opened his mouth to ask, when suddenly the shadow orb started pulsing with a sort of black lightning. The lightning and shadow weren't simply apart, but existing, like Harry would have expected. The lightning flowed around and through the shadow, and they seemed connected on some level that he didn't understand.
"Wow," Harry murmured, eyeing the mixture of his two main elements. "Is this possible for all of them?"
Dumbledore shook his head, and dispelled the orb as he lowered his hand.
"Tell me what you know of the elements, Harry."
Harry frowned thoughtfully.
"Well, there are ten of them," Harry started off simply. "Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Lightning, Ice, Time, Sound, Light, and Shadow."
"Good," Dumbledore said with a slight smile and a nod to continue.
"Used correctly, they are drawn from the environment and natural ambient energy of the world," Harry continued. "While they can be produced by the body, this is more akin to our own wizard magic."
"So what can you derive from that?" Dumbledore asked.
"That the spells themselves are simply powered by a source, whatever that might be," Harry answered, knowing this. "What makes connecting to the elements in their natural form different is that the exhaustion is mental or physical, not magical. It's all about the will of the caster and their strength to their arcanum."
This was the basics of elemental magic. One had to have a connection to the element, an understanding of it, which was called an arcanum. Knowing the theory of elemental magic would get you nowhere if you didn't understand the element itself. There were many ways to think of an element, but the closer you were to true understanding, the stronger your arcanum, and the more powerful your magic would be.
"Do the elements mix?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry frowned. "I guess, some could. Ice and Water, for instance, are the same, but in different forms."
"And yet they are different elements," Dumbledore said. "Why is that?"
"Because they behave differently in magical theory," Harry answered. "They just fundamentally have different magical properties."
"Why do you think that is, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, with a patient smile.
Harry thought for a moment. "Well, the difference between water and ice is basically just temperature."
"And how else can you think of temperature?"
"Energy," Harry answered, understanding. "The elements are different forms of energy."
"Exactly," Dumbledore said, pleased. "If you can start to understand that, then you can learn how to combine energies. Do you believe all the various elements are compatible?"
"No," Harry answered immediately. "Fire is the complete opposite of ice and water, and are not compatible."
"What happens if you were to mix fire and water?" Dumbledore queried.
"Well, either the water would evaporate or the fire would be doused," Harry answered, wondering where Dumbledore was going with this.
"And what is the byproduct?"
"Er, steam?" Harry asked.
"And can steam be useful?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I guess, yes," Harry admitted. "Concealment, sure. I guess if the steam was hot enough, it could cause burns as well. Though, that doesn't mean all of them can be combined. Light and Darkness are complete opposites. You decrease one by having the other."
"Correct," Dumbledore agreed. "Some energies cannot be combined, or at least we have not yet devised a way to do so. I personally believe that all energies can be connected and used together, but it's our lack of understanding of the world that limits our abilities. Nicholas theorized that it was the natural order of our world, and that other realities had different rules."
"Er, Nicholas?" Harry asked, a bit lost.
"Flamel, Nicholas Flamel," Dumbledore answered kindly. "Perhaps the most brilliant mind I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and working with. While not a Grand Sorcerer, he did publish some of the greatest magical theories on the use and connection of elemental magic."
"So, I have to learn how to connect whichever elemental energies I wish to use in order to combine them?" Harry clarified.
"A succinct simplification," Dumbledore agreed. "In practice, you effectively are creating a whole new arcanum, a new connection to the mixing of both elements, which is what makes it quite difficult."
"Another arcanum," Harry muttered, a bit dejectedly. "It's hard enough finding the arcanum needed for a normal element, let alone a weird conjunction of two."
"Difficult, yes," Dumbledore agreed, "but I believe this is within your abilities, Harry. You have a gift with elemental magic, perhaps even greater than your talent with offensive and defensive magic. With your favor with the deities, you have advantages that Voldemort cannot comprehend."
Harry frowned, not sure he agreed, but figuring he better hope that Dumbledore was right.
"I've given you a lot to think about," Dumbledore said. "For now, let's focus on the lightning element. While we work on this element, think about how you might combine it with your darkness."
**HP**
"Tonks, multiple attacks at family homes," Mad-Eye briefed quickly, his staff in his hand. "We're going to the Bones residence. Caleb's team is going to Vance's place. Proudfoot's team is off to Scrimgeor's. Other attacks are going on, so once we've gotten the situation underhand, we move on."
"Who's guarding the castle while we're gone?" Dora inquired, falling into step next to him, with Kelly joining them as well, looking a bit nervous, but determined. Dora's new familiar, Cocoa, ran after them, growing from his current puppy form to an almost adult-sized grim.
"I sent a notification to Harry," Mad-Eye admitted. "His Consortium is mobilizing to watch the school."
"We're trusting teenagers?" Kelly demanded, looking troubled and displeased.
"No other options," Mad-Eye grumbled back. "We might be the school's guard, but they need all hands on deck right now. Half the homes being attacked tonight are members of the DMLE, those off shift who would have been our reserves. The rest of the DMLE is responding to those attacks as well as the ones on notable businesses and other Ministry leadership. Dumbledore will be here to defend the school as well, unless the snake faced bastard makes an appearance, in which case he's on standby to engage Voldemort if sighted. Right now though, we don't have the bandwidth to leave Aurors behind. Our government is under siege, and if we don't mobilize everything, tonight could spell our eventual defeat."
"I understand," Kelly responded grimly, still looking troubled, but resigned to the circumstances.
"Good," Mad-Eye said, as they made it to a special place that Dumbledore had created in the wards for them.
The spot would allow them to apparate within the Hogwarts grounds down to the gate. There was still no way to apparate into or out of Hogwarts, but the Aurors or other DMLE personnel that might be at the school couldn't afford to run all the way from the castle down to the gate in case of an emergency. This spot helped with more rapid deployment.
All three disapparated, appearing near the gate, but still inside the protections. They swiftly made their way out through the gate, reaching the end of the Hogwarts protections, and then Kelly and Dora both touched Mad-Eye's staff, before he apparated them away.
They appeared just up the hill from a stately manor. All three could see spells impacting the wards on all sides, wearing them down, preparing for the breach.
"There has to be nearly twenty enemy combatants," Kelly murmured nervously. "Do we have additional backup coming?"
"From where?" Mad-Eye retorted grimly. "O'Donnel, you're with me. We're going to go down, and ambush the closest group of Death Eaters. Tonks, stay up here and pick them off. We're going to hit the right side. When we get down there, O'Donnel and I will pick the two closest targets. You drop the farthest ones, and then transition to the second group. We'll move over and mop up whoever manages to evade your long distance casting. When you don't have any more targets, move counter clockwise to our rotation around the property to get at the rest of them."
"Tonks can't be by herself, sir," Kelly protested.
"She's not," Mad-Eye returned firmly. "She's got her familiar, and we can't afford to operate as a team of three. Let's go."
Kelly didn't look happy, but she seemed to understand now was not the time to argue with her superior, and that they didn't have many options. Dora glanced about, figuring the spot was as good as any, with the area around Bones Manor being generally a field. Mad-Eye had brought them to the highest point that was nearby, other than being on the roof of the manor itself. Their main advantage was that they were also in a small section of woods on this side of Bones Manor, meaning that they would be concealed while they moved up to engage the Death Eaters. Could the Death Eaters spot them? Of course. If you can see the enemy, they can see you. However, the trees and the darkness of the night would certainly make it hard, without the Aurors firing off spells like the Death Eaters were doing.
Dora waved her wand, creating a sort of platform for herself to lay down on, and a small set of barriers at the front for both stability and some cover. She focused her power through her arm, and lengthened her wand into a comfortable staff, and then got down onto her belly, allowing her to observe all the combatants.
The group that Mad-Eye and Kelly were moving towards, consisted of four Death Eaters, one of whom was looking out into the woods, acting as a watch for them, but not very well. He was clearly distracted by the others, constantly glancing back to see how it was going. The second group had five, with one also acting as the watch for their rear, while the other four attacked the wards. She focused on their rear guard first, lining up the shot, and then she transitioned over to the next target, and then the one after that.
If she was fast enough, she could get at least three of them before the others realized that they were under attack, maybe even a fourth if the Death Eaters didn't react very well. With most of them not looking in her direction, the survivors wouldn't even realize where she was until she had hopefully taken care of at least one more, making the remaining one easy pickings for Mad-Eye and Kelly.
Dora positioned herself back towards the first group, seeing that Mad-Eye and Kelly were ready to move. She took stock of the two furthest targets, practicing the transition from one to the next, and then took a slow breath, drawing her magic forth, and she cast an advanced bludgeoning spell, before making the swift transition and firing a second one.
Her two spells flew forward, the dark grey spell blending well in the darkness. The rear Death Eater must have seen something, since he seemed to twitch, but his hesitation cost him as both of her spells flew past him, the first one smashing into the furthest Death Eater. It struck him hard in the back of the head, throwing him down and forward, out cold. The second spell struck the second Death Eater in the small of his back, just below the base of his neck, and he too fell forward hard just as Mad-Eye and Kelly launched a volley of spells that took out the remaining two Death Eaters. The rear-guard had raised a shield, but Mad-Eye's elemental spells had ripped through it and smashed into the man, sending him flying. All four were quickly stunned and bound by the two on-ground Aurors, while Dora focused back on the second group.
She took a breath, focused her power again, and then let loose one spell, then another, then a third, and then a fourth. They fell in succession, with the one on rear-guard taking the spell to his face, a widening of his eyes the only sign he realized, too late, that he was being casted at. Then, two more Death Eaters fell, Dora's spells hitting them in the small of their back, just below their necks. The fourth managed to avoid the worst of Dora's spell, but was still clipped, and a resounding crack signaled his arm breaking. He let out a scream, while the remaining one unhurt glanced about, looking for their attacker. Dora fired three more quick spells, and the Death Eater raised a shield, managing to protect himself from all three. However, his focus had gone to Dora's location, making it child's play for Mad-Eye and Kelly to fire a volley of spells which took him out from the side, and also brought down the injured Death Eater.
They had no time to celebrate as it seemed the Death Eater bombardment had finally broken through the wards. Several spells from the other side impacted Bones Manor, explosions blowing holes in the walls and roof. Dora glanced at Mad-Eye and Kelly, seeing them running towards the Death Eater group closest to them.
Dora stood up, and returned her wand back to its standard size. Cocoa brushed up against her and then shadow traveled them to the opposite group from where Mad-Eye and Kelly had gone. There were five Death Eaters firing blasting curses into manor, jeering and cheering as they did so.
Dora fired off her own blasting curse, hitting one of the Death Eaters in the side, sending him flying with a scream, and the other four barely managed to avoid her concussion charms, before they fired a volley of dark curses back at her.
She vanished, appearing behind them, once again, and fired another blasting curse which sent another one slamming hard into the ground, a gurgling sound escaping his throat. She conjured a set of boulders to shield her from the three killing curses sent her way. She then transfigured the dust into sharp rocks, which she then launched at one of the Death Eaters, who only partially shielded himself, some of the projectiles digging into his skin and making him cry out in pain.
Dora's wand was a blur, as she conjured shields and fired spells, keeping the three Death Eaters on their toes, trying to find some way to defeat her, despite having numerical advantage.
The tide turned as an advanced stunner came out of the manor, smashing into the Death Eater on Dora's right, dropping him immediately. Cocoa jumped out of shadow, landing on the back of the left Death Eater, who had been injured by Dora's transfiguration. He sank his teeth into the back of the man's neck, clamping down hard, his weight bringing the Death Eater to the ground with a scared and pain filled cry. Dora capitalized on her changing fortune by transfiguring the ground into vines which immediately grabbed the remaining Death Eater's legs and pulled his feet out from under him, causing him to face plant hard. Dora then swiftly hit him with an advanced stunner, ending the fight.
Dora glanced at the manor where a man and woman slowly came out, eyeing the area warily. She recognized Alder and Ira Bones, Amelia's brother and sister-in-law. She'd never been formally introduced, but she'd seen them in the department, visiting, before.
"Auror Tonks," Dora called out, and they nodded in understanding as an explosion sounded from the other side of the manor.
"Amelia!" Alder called out, and the two turned to run through the house. Dora stunned and bound the five Death Eaters' bodies for good measure, and then latched onto Cocoa, who transported them over to the remaining group.
Dora's eyes widened, as she saw Kelly groaning against the side of the manor, bleeding profusely from her abdomen. Amelia and Mad-Eye were fighting together, trying to contain Voldemort himself, who had a vicious smile on his face as he fired dark flames, spears of ice, and wind scythes at them.
Dora jumped into the fight, firing her strongest blasting, explosive, and cutting curses. Voldemort snarled, swiping his wand, and knocking her spells away, and returning with two dark curses she didn't recognize. Her strongest shield saved her life, but just barely. Voldemort fired a greenish lightning bolt at her, and the earth erupted in front of her, taking the spell, and likely saving her life.
Mad-Eye sent jagged boulders straight at Voldemort, while Amelia was still busy fighting Voldemort's cursed flames with some conjured foam. Voldemort blasted the boulders apart, and then sent the shrapnel at Mad-Eye, along with a cruciatus curse. Dora raised a barrier, to protect Mad-Eye, but was then unable to shield herself from Voldemort's incredibly fast air whip, which blasted her back, and threw her into the manor hard, knocking the wind out of her and dazing her.
Amelia and Mad-Eye redoubled their efforts, desperately trying to throw everything they could at Voldemort, who's red eyes were glaring maliciously at his opponents. Voldemort screamed, his power exploding out in some sort of storm of dark energy, and Amelia and Mad-Eye were both thrown back.
Amelia then screamed as she wasn't able to completely shield herself from a dark cutting curse, which slashed her across the face. Mad-Eye, however, managed to save Amelia from the next curse, by raising an earthen wall in front of her, putting himself, alone, before the Dark Lord.
Dora stumbled to her feet, still a bit dazed, but desperate to help her mentor, and family member, the uncle-figure who had saved her life. Before any of them could cast another spell, a lightning bolt came flying at Voldemort from behind, and the Dark Lord's body almost seemed to morph, avoiding the strike, just barely.
He snarled, turning to his new attackers, and Dora sighed in relief, seeing Dumbledore, but she was also surprised to see that it had been Harry who had fired off the lightning bolt. Harry fired off two bolts of dark energy, and Voldemort raised his own dark shield, but Harry's spells blew the shield away and smashed into Voldemort's chest, throwing the Dark Lord back.
"Family patronage," Dora murmured in awe.
Voldemort glared, his wounds knitting themselves together. Dumbledore stepped forward confidently, but he need not have bothered, for the Dark Lord gave one last vengeful look before he was gone.
"Dora!" Harry called out in concern, running towards her, and she gave him a light smile, as Astra barked a greeting, which Cocoa returned.
"I'm okay, little brother," she assured him. "What are you doing here?"
"Chasing Voldemort from battlefield to battlefield, it feels like," Harry responded with a grimace. "I went to help Alexis, once Astra alerted me that her home was under attack. Dumbledore went with me."
"Since I wouldn't let him go alone," Dumbledore added, reproachfully, looking at Harry, who shrugged unrepentantly.
"Is she okay?" Dora asked in concern.
"Yeah, she's fine," Harry replied quickly. "Her place is destroyed though. Anyway, while we were dealing with her attackers, we got the patronus that Voldemort was at Emmline Vance's place, so we went there."
"Sirius and Lexie were supposed to be there," Dora gasped, worried.
"They were," Harry answered with a grimace. "Sirius really shouldn't have been there, but he's still alive. Banged up, and now definitely going to be in St. Mungos, but alive. Lexie saved him. Emmeline . . . lost an arm. Voldemort got her bad while we were fighting off his Death Eaters, and then he left after Dumbledore intervened. We were trying to finish up the stragglers when we got alerted to Voldemort being here, and came as soon as we could."
"Just in time," Dora admitted.
"Well, we're not done yet," Mad-Eye interjected. "We have more people still under attack. O'Donnel's down. I just sent her and Amelia off to St. Mungos. Tonks, are you still good?"
"Yeah, let's go," Dora said, nodding at Mad-Eye. "We've still got a job to do."
"Aye, that we do, lass," Mad-Eye said. "You're part of the team for tonight, Harry. What I say goes, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Harry responded fiercely.
"Good," Mad-Eye growled proudly. "We'll go to Scrimgeour's place next."