The next day, Harry woke up with the crisp smell of snow in the air. It was Christmas! Harry grinned as he pet Amber gently. "Happy Christmas, Amber."
§§Happy Christmas, Speaker.§§ Amber hissed back in reply.
Harry moved to get out of bed, heading out into the Common Room. Professor Snape had set up a small tree with some ornaments and the other students who remained at school were sitting around. Harry could see one of them sipping a cup of hot cocoa.
"Happy Christmas!" Harry called out to the others, getting back a mumbled holiday greeting in return. He could see some packages under the tree, heading over to curiously check the tags.
A couple of them were to his fellow Slytherins, but Harry noticed a couple that were for him, bringing them to his favorite chair and sitting down.
Starting with a green gift wrapped in emerald ribbon, Harry saw it was from Draco and carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a small box, and within was an ancient book that Harry had never seen before.
"The Pureblood Guide to the Regal 40: How Blood Stays Pure" Harry read the cover, seeing the book was very old. He held in a squeal of delight, but then felt guilty. He hadn't gotten Draco, or any of his friends, anything for Christmas. He thought of the pile of gold in Gringotts, and vowed next time he could get to Diagon Alley he'd get more of it out than the handfuls he had grabbed at the start of the year. That way, he'd be able to get them HUGE presents next year.
Grinning to himself as he imagined his friends' looks when he bought them something expensive, he moved to the next package. This one had a silvery paper and a label from Neville. Inside, Harry found a batch of Honeyduke's Chocolates. Harry opened one and nibbled on it, happy for the sweets. Alongside the chocolates, Harry saw a silvery quill, with a small note.
"Harry, I noticed you still use inkwells and normal quills. Everlasting Quills are much better, try it!
- Neville"
Grinning, Harry set the Quill aside and looked at the next present. This one was from Ron, as it seemed like he had been sent a large sweater for Harry, embroidered in green and silver and with a large "H" on the front. Harry beamed, quickly putting it on under his robes.
As he was reaching for the last present, there was a hooting sound as an owl flew into the room. Its feathers looked like they were made of ink, and the tips were a deep crimson color. "Merlin's ruddy beard, Potter. What did you do to have to have someone send you a Deathguard Owl?" The fourth-year said, peering over. "Those things can only be sent as a return service, not directly. Who sent you that?"
Harry took the large envelope from the leg of the massive owl, who let out a deep hoot and took off, disappearing into one of the holes that Harry knew from experience led out of the dungeons. Those were one of the first things he had explored, after all. Harry peered at the envelope, and spoke. "Mister Ollivander."
"Bloody hell, Potter." The fourth-year muttered, before going back to his book. Harry saw a deep, tumultuous magic around the letter, and panicked a bit when it touched his own magic. However, the fear was for naught as it retracted and disappeared.
"Some sort of magical lock?" Harry muttered under his breath, before opening the letter.
Dear Mister Potter,
As promised, I will share the information that I know of with yourself. This information, of course, is bound by Merlin's Decree, and thus I cannot, and will not, share it without cause or reason to.
Your magic is something I have not felt in many, many years. Not since the time of my father, who, upon meeting a young child with incredible magical potential, stated that he would not rest until he found a wand that matched with them.
My father explained to me when I took up the mantle of wandmaker that the child was the hardest case he had ever seen. His magic is what we call "Wild", a feral magic that seems to act on its own will.
Not only that, but your magic seems to have attached itself to your family magic; I could feel traces of it about you. You will need to try to summon your family magic eventually, and see what your Wild magic has done with the Potter Family legacy.
But, the most important thing I have to tell you is about your Wild Magic. It is dangerous when not used correctly, and when angered it can roil and rage like a monsoon of magical power. Have you ever felt like you had animal instincts? Or perhaps gotten angry, too angry at something that should have been dealt with in words? Those are symptoms of the Wild Magic puppeting you.
You must learn control of your Wild Magic, lest it control you. However, when you successfully learn how to control it, you will find yourself with power that rivals even Merlin himself; for Merlin himself was a Wild Magic user.
Keep an eye out, if you did not already know, for symptoms of Feral Shifting Syndrome. If you do not know what that is, please check library books, and read up on the information about it. It could be crucial to know if you have it or not, as Feral Shifting Syndrome is rare but more common in those with Wild Magic.
Harry saw the last part, and groaned. If he had sent a letter to Mister Ollivander at the start of the year, he may have had more time. But the crisis was over now, as the boy sighed, and continued to read.
The last drop of information I wish to give you is that of the magic within your eyes. I could see you examining my magic. This is because I have similar magic within my own eyes. You have Mage's Sight, Mister Potter. A rare gift, and one that you will find not many understand. Where many can simply feel magic, you can see, and with practice, interact with it. You need not keep this knowledge a secret; as Mage's Sight is hailed as a healer's gaze and can be used to save many who are ill. A certain Heir Longbottom might be interested in your ability.
With that, I will take up no more of your time. If you find the parts necessary for a new wand, be sure to send them to me immediately. Good luck at school, Mister Potter. And have a Happy Christmas, or Happy Yule, if you follow the Old Ways.
With Care,
Garrick Ollivander
Harry moved to fold the letter and set it aside, but after he finished reading it, it heated up in his hand. Dropping it quickly, the paper burst into flames as a pulsing M could be seen within the magic of the letter. Was this Merlin's Decree? It had to have been… the decree saying that advanced magical knowledge could only be passed down by word of mouth.
Harry sighed, as he saw the ashes of the letter flutter to the ground. He noticed all of the other Slytherins doing their own thing, making Harry prompt, "Did you see that?" The older student peered over his book, looking at Harry. "See what, Potter?"
"The letter bursting into flames." Harry said. Did the letter exist at all? Was he seeing things? What was going on? Harry's nervous jumping to conclusions was silenced by the older student, who shrugged and spoke up, "The letter was protected by a privacy charm. When you opened it, none of us could see you or the letter." The boy waved his hand, returning to an essay he was writing.
Harry mentally filed the idea of "privacy charms" into his mind before looking down to Hermione's gift which awaited him patiently.
After reading Ollivander's letter, the gift seemed so normal. Harry grabbed it, and gently opened the package. Inside was a muggle-made book with a bookmark stuffed into it. "Lords and Ladies: The Modern Nobility". It seemed to be a muggle nobility book, as Harry flipped to the page the bookmark was placed in. At the bottom of the marker, Harry could see Hermione's writing.
"Happy Christmas, Harry! I found this book and saw it mentioned an old family named the Potters. Maybe you're related! Wouldn't that be wicked?"
Harry looked on the page, and sure enough, he saw the section.
"One of the oldest of the noble families, the Potter line was founded by Marquess Ignotus Peverell in 1266 AD. Currently an extinct line, the Potter Family was stated to be distantly related to the older lines that made up the convoluted royal families of the Middle Ages."
Harry blinked. Peverell. Where had he heard that name before? Shaking his head, Harry closed the book. He'd read it later. Eventually. Probably.
Harry sighed, and hopped out of the chair, double-checking under the tree. Seeing nothing else for him, he headed back to his dorm.
Wild Magic. Harry thought about it as he relaxed in his bed, petting Amber gently. It did make sense; his magic always did seem wild and chaotic. It roiled and frothed when he was angry or excited, and it always felt like the magic in others was far more ordered and calm.
Sighing once more, Harry rubbed Amber behind her eyes as the snake happily coiled around Harry's arm. He started to think of the letter's contents, and the Potter Family Magic. How would he even begin to summon that? Did it require a ritual? Harry considered, leaning back gently, as Amber looked up at him. §§Is something the matter, Speaker?§§
§§The old wandmaker sent me a letter saying I had something called Family Magic. With you in the library so much, did you ever find a book about something like that?§§ The snake seemed to chuckle, as close as a snake could chuckle, at least.
§§I am only in the library at night, when students are asleep. I read what books I could reach and even then it's not that much that I understand, Speaker. I have heard of no such thing, but perhaps you could find out some information. And if you wanted, we could make it a game.§§
Harry perked up at that. §§A game? Isn't reading already fun?§§
§§Of course it is, for you. But I mean a game to get to the library… my Christmas present to you is to show you of the hidden passage I found, that goes from these very dorms and lead all over the castle.§§
Harry seemed surprised, enough to drop the hissing accent and speak back in English. "Christmas present? But I didn't get you anything, Amber."
The snake seemed nonplussed, and responded, §§You have given me a home, and let me feed off your magic. Look how sleek my scales are, how powerful and large my coils have grown. I am no longer a simple snake, but your companion, Speaker. I wish to offer you something to show you gratitude for the gift you have given me.§§
Harry saw the large snake move her full coils onto the bed, showing off that she was almost ten feet long and had coils the thickness of a football. She hadn't shown her full size to him in several months, Harry realized, as she was indeed absolutely enormous now.
§§That's incredible, Amber. You're beautiful.§§ Harry hissed back.
§§Thank you, Speaker. I hope that now that you have gotten your animal form, we can enter the passage together. I know how much you loved exploring with me before.§§
With that, the serpent slid off Harry's lap, and headed towards the wall. Without missing a beat, Harry hopped off his bed, turning into his small, juvenile fox form. His three tails twitched behind him as Amber slithered to the wall and a small carved snake at the base of one of the bricks.
§§Is that the passage?§§ Harry's muzzle had a harder time with the hissing, but he was able to still speak it, as Amber nodded. Pressing her snout against it, the lone serpent-carved brick seemed to flicker with magic. The brick slid away to reveal a hidden passage, dimly lit by what appeared to be a type of glowing stone.
The massive snake slithered inside, the thickest part of her coils barely passing through with less than a millimeter to spare.
§§If you get any larger, you won't fit.§§ Harry snickered, his fox form making the snicker sound rather unique.
§§As I believed as well. But the passage seems to be exactly my size no matter how I grow.§§ Amber hissed in return. §§The question is if your fat little fuzzy body will fit.§§ She added with her own serpentine snicker.
Harry huffed, and hopped over to the brick, pushing himself in. The hole seemed to be just barely enough, his hips passing through and pressing inside the corridor, which seemed to be a rounded tube-like tunnel that was large enough for Harry's human self to crawl in, if he wanted. As his tails passed inside, Harry saw the entrance slide closed.
§§Do you think this passage is in every dorm room?§§ Harry hissed, following Amber as she led him down the tunnel.
§§It does. I have followed it to all of the dorms, it appears that this tunnel was meant specifically for snakes such as myself. It's only though luck that you are small enough to fit, Speaker.§§
Harry looked around, the carved bricks having depictions of snakes and serpents upon them. It was beautiful, with small gems set into the eyes of the snakes providing light. Amber continued leading Harry through the tunnel, exploring the passage together. She showed him the route she took to the library, but stopped at a sloped tunnel that went down.
§§What's that direction, Amber?§§ Harry asked, as Amber seemed to refuse to go down it, or even look down that direction as they passed.
§§Something ancient. It seems to call to my very bones, telling me it is not my place to go. The magic is strong and dangerous. We should never go down there.§§ Amber said seriously.
§§But…§§
§§Speaker. I say this for your safety too. Whatever is down there is ancient, a part of this castle that none should disturb unless the most dire of circumstances happen. That is what I feel in my very essence. These tunnels could very well be the domain of whatever that is, but it tolerates us using them as long as we do not stray into its sanctum.§§
Harry seemed confused, the emotion showing even on his fox muzzle. Amber gave a gentle, hissing sigh, turning and looking back at him. §§Speaker, I say this because I do not wish to see you hurt. Perhaps a time will come where we can explore that passage, but for now, we can not and should not.§§
Harry sighed, giving a little foxlike whine. §§Fiiiiiine.§§
§§And no planning on sneaking down it when I'm not looking, either.§§ Amber said with indignant hiss as she continued forward in the tunnel. Harry huffed, having been thinking exactly that. Giving an indignant yip, he followed Amber.
§§Sometimes you act like my mom.§§
§§Sometimes, Speaker, I have to.§§
Harry sighed, his ear flicking. For a second, he thought he heard crying from down the tunnel.
-Author's Notes-
Merry Christmas, for all those who celebrate! I find it rather interesting this chapter falls on the day before Christmas Eve. Seems we're following Harry in more ways that one!
If you're interested in being one of the betas, send me a message! This chapter was betad by Levitress and Kaminton.
There will be another chapter on Thursday, as per usual!
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.