Do I really have to wear this?" Vesta asked as she stood in the centre of my room, a blindfold over her face. The blindfold was charmed so that she couldn't use magic to ensure she couldn't cheat and see what was happening around her. I pushed back her hair, exposing her ears, which she generally kept half-hidden under her locks.
"Would it kill you to have patience and prepare for a surprise?" I replied as I moved around my room, gathering the items I needed for today. While getting her to where I needed us to go was going to be tricky, mainly as I didn't want others to know where we were headed or for them to attempt to track us, I had a method. The issue was ensuring that she didn't learn the details about it for now. In time, I was sure she'd prod enough information from me over my methods that I'd be forced to reveal some of my more hidden abilities, but until we were officially betrothed and I had her swear a vow of silence over my powers – something I would do for hers when she reciprocated – keeping her blinded to some truths was needed.
"This had better be worth it," she muttered under her breath, though I was pleased to see her not repeat an attempt to remove the blindfold.
"It will be, and whatever happens, I need you to keep hold of my hand and not draw your wand," I explained as I slid my fingers between hers.
She inhaled sharply, the lack of sight no doubt enhancing the sensation of my touch. We didn't hold hands much in public, nor even when in private, as I was slightly uncomfortable with doing so. However, for how I intended to move us through Hogwarts, it was needed. The fact that I felt her heart beat a touch faster was nothing more than an unexpected bonus.
I guided her towards the wall of my dorm, and with my other hand, reached out and touched the shadow that formed because of our bodies. The barest hint of effort had me connect to the Fearann na Scáthanna, and I took a step into the Shadow Realm.
"Watch your step," I said as I made sure she lifted her foot as she followed me.
She frowned at my words, no doubt confused as she would know we were walking towards a wall in the room and not the door that led into the Third-Year corridor. As her toes slipped through the barrier between this world and the shadow one, she shuddered to a stop and gasped. "Dom?"
"It's okay," I said soothingly, "trust me."
This was a big step for her as she had to know I was up to something, but had no way to know what, and, as such, I stayed still waiting for her response. Her face was as calm as she could make it, but I saw the flickers of emotion that danced in the muscles under her skin as she considered my request. A smile spread on my face as she resumed moving forward, pleased at her placing faith in me.
I helped her slowly into the Fearann na Scáthanna, making sure not to fully enter the realm until she was right beside me. I had tested taking creatures into the realm before, wanting to see how it would work and what, if any, special conditions would be needed. The first experiment, which was a stunned cat I had borrowed from a muggle village near Dunscaith one weekend last winter, had gone well. At least until I had woken the blighter.
The moment it recovered and could see where it was, the damn thing panicked and ran off. I lost it somewhere in the realm, but since I was using the Fearann na Scáthanna near my home, the chances of anyone else discovering it were so slim as to be statistically impossible. Add in that, from everything Aífe had taught me, creatures made this realm their home and preyed on those dropped here without protections meant I let the beast suffer for running.
I had kept the five then Seventh-Year boys whom I had interrogated and then disposed of in the realm as well, using them as guinea pigs to see how others would react to exposure to the realm. They had suffered an unending cold that they couldn't understand, but generally, they had been fine. At least until I had removed their blindfolds.
Three of them had seemed fine at first but had slowly started to degrade mentally during their extended stay in the realm. The other two… well, even if they had been returned to Hogwarts after I had interrogated them, they would never have made full recoveries. The sensations of the Fearann na Scáthanna had cracked, shattered, and then broken their minds, leaving them little more than husks by the time I disposed of them. In many ways, what I had done was a mercy as their suffering ended not long after I released them into the Forbidden Forest. The final act of mercy hopefully manifested if the Acromantulas devoured them quickly.
"It's cold," Vesta mumbled as the entrance to my room and the real world shimmered closed behind us. She slipped closer, pressing her side against me for warmth and protection.
"I'll keep you safe," I said, giving her hand a firm squeeze to reassure her.
I ignored how cheesy the little exchange had been and the grunted half-chuckle that slipped from her at my response. I wasn't trying to be corny, but it had seemed the right thing to say in the moment, and if it helped her endure this journey, then I was fine with saying such things.
"Where are we?" she asked as I guided her slowly forward through the Fearann na Scáthanna, easing us along a familiar path through the shifting shadows and partial, shimmering pools that offered glimpses of the real world through them.
"Somewhere special," I replied. "I can't tell you everything yet, not until after we're formally betrothed, and even then, I'll need you to swear a vow about this place. However, if you can do so, then I promise that, before the year is over, I'll show you where we are properly."
"Okay." Her reply came quickly, and at least to my ears, without a hint of fear or trepidation. Almost as if she wanted to prove to me – and possibly to herself – that our betrothal was something she was fully committed to. The conviction in her voice made me smile, and I used my fingers to lightly stroke her palm, making her gasp softly. "Stop that!" She hissed, though without much conviction.
"You want me to let go?" I teased as we moved, stepping on a surface that she'd never be able to see even with the blindfold removed.
"No! J-just stop teasing me."
I shifted my head closer and brought my lips close to her ear. "My dear Vesta, I haven't even begun to tease you," I whispered in a voice that, hopefully, sounded like an earthy growl.
Her free hand came around her body, and she slapped at me; her palm striking my chest. "Stop that!" She hissed again. "This isn't fair."
"I would promise to let you blindfold me as we move, but I fear what liberties you might take while doing so."
She stopped, her hand clamping down on mine firmly as her brow creased. "Dòmhnall Fionnlagh MacLeod! I remind you that, beyond the fact that we are still young, I am a lady of House Malfoy. I would never abuse such freedoms with anyone, certainly not my intended."
"You say that now," I retorted before moving forward, leaving her with no choice but to follow along. My hand wasn't going to let go of hers, nor was she willing, it seemed, to let go of me.
"I'll get you back for this," she mumbled as we moved, her steps understandably cautious and uncertain. I stayed quiet, feeling it wiser to keep teasing and tormenting my betrothed. Beyond it being far too easy to do so currently, it would spoil the reason I was bringing her through the Fearann na Scáthanna this evening.
It took longer than I would've liked for us to move through the shadows as I guided us to the pool that I wished to exit through. Understandable, but still irritating. Thankfully, as time passed more slowly here, while it might've felt like we'd spent an hour wandering in the dark to her, barely a third of that had passed in the real world.
In time, the distortion would grow more pronounced, but already I was abusing the time variance to study. In here, I could focus on non-school subjects, or at least those not related to active classwork, like the selection of non-electives for Fourth Year and plans for certain places in Hogwarts and beyond its grounds. However, none of that was important for today.
I placed my hand on the pool that I knew would let us slip back into the real world near our destination and watched as it shimmered. Through the pool, I looked out into the empty room, pleased to see that, as always, it was deserted. Pushing my hand through the pool, my head then emerged in the room, and I smiled. I had no idea what the room had been used for before, but it was almost devoid of anything and, thanks to the elves, was kept reasonably clean and clear, making it the ideal exit when travelling to this section of the castle.
"This way," I said, guiding Vesta out of the Fearann na Scáthanna and back into the real world. She shuddered as the warm air of the castle washed over her and, even though she couldn't see me, turned towards me.
"Why did you make us travel like that, whatever that was, if we weren't leaving the castle?"
I chuckled and gave her hand another squeeze. "Because where we're going is a surprise," I replied, my smirk growing into a grin as she frowned at my continual avoidance of clear answers. "Come on," I added, guiding her towards the door of the room.
Stepping out into the corridor, I was pleased to see it was still deserted. I could've attempted to enter my destination directly via the Fearann na Scáthanna, but given the peculiarities of the room in question, I found it easier to simply emerge near the entrance and go from there.
"Wait here," I said as I made sure she was leaning against the far wall.
Her fingers grasped for mine as I slipped free of her hold, and a flicker of fear and confusion raced over her face before she got control of herself. I burnt that image into my mind, enjoying seeing her so needy for my presence, and walked along the corridor.
After doing so the required times while focusing on what I wanted to appear, the door to the Room of Requirement shifted into sight. "Come on." I grasped her hand and pulled her forward, opening the door and easing her through it.
Once inside, I stepped behind her and reached up, slowly working to remove the blindfold.
Vesta blinked, adjusting to the light before gasping at the sight before her. The room I had crafted was drawn on memories of the finest dining halls I had ever seen. Either in person in either of my lives or through any medium that existed.
The walls were clad in dark, polished walnut panels, each etched with fine tracery in delicate gold leaf—swirling patterns reminiscent of old French Baroque artistry, intertwining serpents and fleurs-de-lis in homage to House Malfoy's storied heritage. Above, a ceiling of enchanted crystal reflected soft, starlit light from a magical sky, giving the illusion that the cosmos itself had bent low to observe the occasion. At the centre, a singular chandelier of enchanted glass floated without a chain or fixture, its many facets catching candle-like light and scattering it into amber and violet hues that danced across the room's luxurious features.
Underfoot, a plush carpet of forest green and silver—Slytherin's proud colours—covered the stone floor, embroidered with the House Malfoy crest, newly rendered to include the golden fleur-de-lis entwined with the obsidian serpent. The room's centrepiece was a circular table of black marble veined with pale gold, upon which sat a delicate arrangement of silver-dusted roses and bluebell flames in crystal holders, flickering without smoke.
Two high-backed chairs faced each other, upholstered in deep green velvet, trimmed with silver braid, their legs carved in the likeness of serpents coiled protectively around their noble occupants. At one side of the room, an ornate cabinet—dark oak with a mirror-like sheen—held refreshments suited to young aristocrats: crystalline goblets filled with elderflower wine, hand-crafted chocolates charmed to burst with chilled mist when bitten, and fruits that glimmered faintly under enchantment.
Every detail was precise and carefully curated. Even the air was perfumed—lightly— with notes of jasmine and myrrh, a subtle fragrance of old magic and noble dignity. Soft strains of a string quartet played from an unseen source, the music delicate, ancient, and composed in the style of Versailles' courts.
"What? How?" She spun, her eyes wide with wonder and shock as her hands grasped my arms. "Where, by Morgana, are we?" She demanded almost breathlessly.
I chuckled and brought my hands up, placing them on hers. "We're still in Hogwarts."
She blinked several times, confusion and disbelief still surging through her thoughts. "But how?" She shifted her head slightly to one side, glancing again at the decor of the room behind her. "This… how did you find this?"
I kept laughing as I took her hands into mine and eased them from my arms. "What makes you think I didn't make this?"
She scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she looked back at me. "You are many things, Dòmhnall, but you're not this powerful. Not yet, at least."
My head tilted fractionally to one side and I tsked. "I probably never will be. This room, which I'll explain about, don't worry, uses magic I don't truly understand. I think it was made by the Founders, or at least Rowena Ravenclaw," I explained, using the most obvious reason for the existence of this room as the story for why it existed.
Vesta's jaw slipped a touch, and her mouth fell open. She gaped like that, her lips shifting in an oddly amusing mockery of a fish trying to breathe, as her mind fought to process what I'd just said. "This… No!" She let go of me and spun around, once again taking in the opulent sight of the room I'd crafted for tonight. "This can't be!"
She spun again, her eyes dancing with energy as a wide, unrestrained and unrepentant grin devoured her face. "You found one of the Founder's hidden places?!" She asked, her tone dripping with incredulity and astonishment. "How? When? Why?"
I chuckled at the rush of one-word questions that flowed from the confused and amazed young Slytherin. Moving to her side, I gestured with one arm towards the table. "Perhaps we might sit first and celebrate your birthday, and while we do so, I'll answer your questions," I said, not even trying to hide my enjoyment at shocking her so fully that she had abandoned any hint of composure or refinement for the moment.
Vesta blinked, and in the time it took to do so, recovered her composure. "Yes, that is probably the best idea," she replied, an undertone of excitement still present in her voice.
I offered her my arm and then escorted her to the table, letting her take the time to marvel at what the Room had crafted for me. Her gaze fell on the carpet as we walked, seemingly marvelling at the fact that her House crest was displayed so prominently on it.
"How long did this take to create?" She asked with an air of wonder, her eyes drinking in the finer details of the carpet and the rest of the room. For a moment, she paused, and I wondered if she was going to remove her shoes to test the plushness of the thread underfoot. She didn't, but I suspected she might once the meal was over and her amazement at where we were lessened a touch.
"I'll tell you all that and more once we're seated," I replied, lowering my mental training enough so that I could enjoy her behaviour and let her see me doing so. "I do hope I got the markings of your family crest right."
She paused and turned, a wide smile on her face as she shifted closer. "It's perfect," she whispered breathlessly as she placed her free hand on my chest. "Almost too perfect, but that is what I've come to expect of you," she added, her breath lingering on my skin.
There was a moment where I feared she'd kiss me. I wasn't fearful because of being kissed, but over our age, the fact we weren't officially betrothed yet, and as much as I had integrated the other self into me, the fact I had memories of another life in which I had been far older than her. I rarely had to concern myself with such worries, as I considered myself Dòmhnall more than that other person, but the memories were inside me and could, such as now, rise enough to cause me consternation.
She turned, a spark in her eyes and a quiver at the corner of her lips as she did so, and resumed walking towards the table, half-dragging me along with her. As we reached it, her fingers slid along the black polished marble and traced a vein of gold that ran around the edge.
"Bluebell flames don't flower at this time of the year," she muttered as her gaze shifted to the flower arrangement in the centre of the table. I didn't reply, instead letting her lazily cover the last few steps to her chair.
Once there, I slipped free of her and eased the high-backed chair out so she could sit. It was more common in the magical world to use a spell to shift a chair like this, but I found the personal touch of doing so better, and the delighted smile she offered as she moved to sit suggested she approved of my choice.
After she was seated, I moved around the table, reaching my seat. The dark velvet shifted perfectly around my body as I sank into it, and I smiled over the flowers at Vesta. "Kadic," I called out, and a moment later, my Head Elf appeared. "Please bring the drinks to us," I said to him.
He bowed deeply but remained quiet, remembering my instructions to stay silent unless asked a question directly this evening. I was using him to delay Vesta from asking a school elf about the Room. I hadn't hidden that we were still in Hogwarts, so she would soon enough begin peppering the first elf she could get about this room, but I didn't want to make it too easy for her to discover the truth of the room, and possibly even find the entrance herself. The effort placed in doing so was just as rewarding as the final discovery after all.
"I do hope you aren't trying to get me intoxicated," Vesta said with a sly smirk as she watched my Head Elf move to the cabinet at one side of the room.
"I assure you that tonight's beverages are suitable for our age and setting," I replied, skirting around the question a little. There were several types of wine and lighter alcoholic beverages in the cabinet, but nothing that should, so long as we drank in moderation, see us inebriated. It was, after all, unsightly for someone like myself to be placed in such a condition.
Vesta nodded and waited for Kadic to return. When he did, she held up her glass and let him pour some of the elderflower wine into it. I watched as she sipped the wine carefully, examining the taste before offering me another smile. "Delightful."
I smiled back even as Kadic filled my glass. "A toast, if I may, to my betrothed on her birthday. When I first met you, I was uncertain how to regard you. I knew of House Malfoy and had heard several things about them. While some were true, I find myself sitting here now, with you, delighted almost beyond words that I am to be bound to you. You are an enchanting, wonderful young lady with an almost perfect sense of how to read any situation and control it with your grace, poise, and beauty."
Vesta's face had reddened as I'd spoken, and she was a little slow to respond when I finished. "Th-thank you," she said, her cheeks so red they looked like they were burning. "You certainly have a way with words," she added, using her glass to hide her face as best she could.
"I try."
I placed the glass down and looked over at her. "Now, before Kadic brings us the starter, let us see what your first question regarding tonight's festivities will be," I said before leaning back.
I could tell her mind was awash with queries about the room, how we had gotten here, and a dozen other things. I would answer as many as I was prepared to, and to the best of my ability, without ruining the chance for her to discover the full truth for herself. However, as I awaited her first burst of inquiry, one hand slipped into my pocket, and I grasped the small box there.
The dinner was, I suspected, all she would expect for her birthday, but it wasn't all I had prepared. It had taken some work, sending owls to the jeweller and artisans, and a few visits one weekend, where I could sneak away for a few hours via the vanishing cabinets, but I had seen something I felt she would adore that was made for her.
"How did you find this room?"
I smiled, having predicted a question like that would be where she started, and before answering, I took a sip of my wine. "I cannot say exactly where I first learnt of a room such as this, and I should be clear that what you see before you is but one facet of the room, but I was able to locate it by having Kadic speak with the school elves. That they knew of it, by a rather amusing moniker, I might add, and were willing to tell Kadic where the entrance was located was enough for me to access it for the first time."
I put my glass down as I watched her. She was controlling her expression better now that the initial shock of the room I'd prepared for her birthday dinner had passed. Still, I already had a fair idea of the thoughts rushing through her head.
"This place can be other things?"
I nodded. "It can, and once we finish our meal, I will demonstrate that to you. For now, I ask that you be patient regarding the matter."
"Fine. Why do you think it was made by the Founders, specifically Ravenclaw?"
"Look around you," I replied, spreading my arms and gesturing at the walls of the private dining room we found ourselves within. "The creation of a room such as this, a place that can be, possibly, anything one wishes if they know how to activate it, is something only the most powerful of witches and wizards could achieve. When we consider that, along with the fact this is Hogwarts, and that Rowena Ravenclaw was considered a prodigy of almost unrivalled intelligence when it came to charms and rituals, it isn't difficult to conclude she had at the very least, a large hand in the creation of this place."
I was sure she had used her Diadem when designing it, and I couldn't help but be infuriated by Voldemort's corruption of it for his horcrux. Yes, there was logic to his doing so, as it came across as a way to stick it to the other Founders, but it was a disgrace to damage something of such power and legend in the way he had. If I were in his place, though I had no interest in creating a horcrux, at least not currently, I would use something minor and unimportant and secure it somewhere no one would ever find. The obvious choice would be a coin tossed into the deepest oceanic trench on the planet, but that would only work if I never needed to recall it.
"I suppose that is true," Vesta responded slowly with a gentle, single nod. "However, if this place was crafted by Ravenclaw, then it should stand to reason that the other Founders crafted places for themselves as well." She leaned forward, a small grin of excitement slipping onto her face. "Meaning the Chamber of Secrets and Salazar Slytherin's Scriptorium are probably real."
"Yes, I agree with that; however, finding the entrance to those places would be difficult, to say nothing of gaining entry."
She chuckled. "For the first, you're right, but I think you can handle the second." One of my eyebrows rose slightly in question. "I've heard you speaking Parseltongue," she explained. I felt a flicker of confusion and concern rush over my features at her words. The way her eyes lit up and her lips twitched upward made clear she'd seen it. "Don't worry, I don't see a problem with you doing it, but up until now, I didn't know why you were speaking to stone snakes. Based on this room," she sighed as if captivated by the beauty of the room, "I now get it. You found this place, or knew of it, before you started Hogwarts, and had been searching for Slytherin's hidden places ever since arriving."
I stared at her carefully, my mind working through her words and the issues behind them. It seemed that she'd been observing me more closely than I'd realised from the moment we'd arrived at Hogwarts in First Year. I'd not bothered using Parseltongue since those first few months, or more accurately, not when anyone was around or within the Slytherin Chambers. It seemed, however, that she'd been aware of my actions and remained curious about them ever since.
"I hadn't realised that I had your attention even back then."
She shrugged. "You weren't the only one. I knew I'd have to marry someone, or at least be betrothed to them, by the time I turned fifteen at the latest. My parents, thankfully, were willing to grant me some freedom to examine the choices before me, along with suggesting certain names to me that I might consider."
"Was I on that list?"
"Of course." I nodded, pleased with her honesty. While there was a part of me that disliked that she, and others, had been interested in me at that time simply because of who I was, and the power they knew I had and would also gain because of my title, it was the way of the world. "As I am sure I was on a list you had for possible brides."
"No comment." I didn't really have a list, per se. More that I knew that I would be forced to deal with betrothals from a certain point, and I had resigned myself to accepting it was something I would have to endure. That Vesta had come along and proved herself suitable in the ways that mattered to me currently was a surprise to be sure, but one that I had no regrets about. Well, none save a certain daughter of House Black, though that had been a pipedream that I never saw being fulfilled.
"Were the Blacks on it?"
"Narcissa was," I replied honestly, though while avoiding her eldest sister, whom I was sure Vesta was referring to.
"I see." Vesta took a moment as if adding my answers to some mental sheet she had on me, or possibly her rivals for my attention and affection. "When did you discover this room?"
"Back in First Year, and I have enjoyed using it as best I can." I looked around almost conspiratorially. "I have to be cautious about entering it as I don't want others discovering this place and restricting my access to it." So far, I only knew of a dozen others who were aware of the room.
All of them had now graduated from Hogwarts and had been members of Ravenclaw, though I had no idea when they discovered the room. What I did know, thanks to using Kadic to spy upon them – something he enlisted some of the school elves to help with, I had later discovered – was that they had only ever used it for research purposes. A sort of private place to conduct experiments that their professors might not have approved of.
I'd never interfered in their work, preferring to let them do as they wished, as they didn't discover the Room of Lost Things. However, this year, with the last of them gone from the school, and no sign they had passed on information about the room to others, I had entered their workshop.
While the room seemed secure, I only had to think about what room they had used in a vague sense while moving outside to have the entrance appear. Inside the room had been generally clean and sadly devoid of any books or parchment that might hint at their purpose here. Only a hit of residue in some of the cauldrons they'd used remained, but I couldn't easily examine the substances, nor with my limited and unimpressive understanding of potions, nor had I risked testing what remained. As such, the room they had crafted was abandoned, though not before I placed a few charms to alert me if another entered that particular room as a method to discover if others knew of the Room of Requirement. Or at least the workshop crafted by the now-graduated Ravenclaws.
I would have preferred to place a charm over the wall containing the entrance; however, the Professors and school elves would likely sense it, as might students in the higher years. I simply had to remain cognisant of the fact that the RoR wasn't mine alone, which was why the Room of Lost Things had been all but gutted of anything and everything of value that I could take without drawing attention to it. Which now included the Diadem, secured as it was in the special case the Goblins had made for me.
I would have to discover if there was a way to remove the horcrux without destroying the Diadem, but I wasn't going to do so anytime soon. There was a chance that Voldemort might sense this, and I didn't want to risk him turning his focus to me before I was even a tenth of the way to being ready to face him.
"Smart," Vesta responded. "As is whatever method you used to bring me here." Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward slightly, her fingers grasping the goblet in her hand a touch tighter. "However did you do that?"
"As I said, I will explain it to you in time, and the conditions for doing so. I ask that you leave the matter be, as much as you can, given your inquisitive nature," I added with a chortle. "It is, in some ways, something linked to Clan magic." Not entirely the truth, but given the ward core of Dunscaith, not a complete fallacy.
"Very well, but I expect everything to be explained once I meet your conditions. And that, if you can, you teach me how to use that magic."
"If possible, I will."
She smiled warmly, the chance to learn something that she knew to be rare magic seeming to call to her. Whether that was because it might mean more power, or because she simply wished to know something that most others didn't, wasn't important. What was, was the fact that she was trusting me enough to wait.
Kadic reappeared at that moment, cutting off her from asking anything more; two trays floating at his side. I watched as the trays moved to where Vesta and I were sitting before coming to rest in front of us. With a click of his fingers, the cover for the tray vanished, and with another click, he disappeared, leaving us to our starter.
The dish was Starfire Consommé, a magical broth made from mooncalf bone as stock and infused with crushed Starfire blossoms. Those blossoms were known for their faint glow and gentle, pleasing scent. When added to the broth before us, they added a light, yet subtly rich seasoning which went along well with the various herbs and the soft-braised Ashwinder egg, which provided some warmth and a hint of spice to the dish without overwhelming the other ingredients.
"How?" Vesta asked with a look of shock and surprise flickering over her features.
I smiled back at her as I picked up my silver spoon. "I remembered how much you enjoyed this in Venice and had Kadic find someone capable of making it for us fresh today," I replied. As my spoon stirred the broth, the liquid seemed to shimmer like stardust, meaning it had been made to perfection. Given the cost of hiring a private chef to handle the food without having them know where the meal was taking place, it should do, and the price I paid, beyond being a small fortune for a single meal, was more than worth it.
"Thank you," she replied gently, a wisp of emotion in her words. I nodded and left her to savour her soup as I did likewise. While it was an incredible dish, I wasn't as attached to it as Vesta had become. Still, the way she almost whimpered as she savoured her first spoonful made the expense of the dish and chef worthwhile.
We ate in relative silence from there, only the sounds of beautiful orchestral music – gathered from the finest muggle and magical composers and all with soft, relaxing, almost ethereal elements to them – played in the background.
As I finished the broth, I placed my spoon on the tray beside the bowl and waited for Vesta to do likewise. While I did, my hand again slipped into my pocket, and I grasped the case inside. I kept it there until she had finished, and when she placed her spoon on the tray, I waited patiently for Kadic to appear.
Once he had vanished with the trays and their empty dishes, I stood and moved around the table. Vesta watched me carefully, with no hint of concern in her gaze, just curiosity. As I neared her, those eyes drifted for a moment to my hand that remained inside the pocket in my robes.
"As much as I am sure you are enjoying the meal, the room, and everything that comes along with it, I do not feel as if such a moment is sufficient for your birthday," I said once I was beside her seat. She looked up at me, one brow rising slightly in question. Her gaze returned to my pocket as the hand there came out, revealing the case I had been grasping. "Happy Birthday."
She took the case slowly, almost as if she was uncertain about something, and I smiled to reassure her. I watched as she opened it, the case clicking as the latch released, and then she gasped slowly, her free hand coming to her mouth in an attempt, unneeded in my mind, to hide her shock.
"Dom… this is…" Her words came out slowly and lacked structure.
I moved closer, shifting so I was beside the now-opened case. I already knew what was inside, since I'd been the one to commission the piece, but I was glad to see her surprised delight at the gift. "Not enough?" I asked teasingly.
"No!" Her head snapped from one side to another as she blurted out the word. "It's perfect! Thank you!" She shifted, standing and moving closer to me, her hand holding the case almost reverently. "Can you?" She asked as she held the case up.
I nodded and took it, letting her turn. As I reached for the pendant inside, she turned and lifted her hair, exposing the back of her neck. The pendant was an enchanted one, with the design based around the sigil for House Malfoy.
The metal, coloured a deep indigo, was sourced from merchants in France and polished to an almost mirror finish with intricate gold filigree. The front of the pendant bore the crest of her House: a striking golden fleur-de-lis which was encircled by a coiled black serpent.
On the back of the pendant, the words of her House – Fierté, Puissance, Loyauté – were engraved. However, the design was more than that, as every engraving carried with it subtle protective charms. She would already have such charms on other items of clothing, but one of the unique ones for the pendant was linked to a thin bracelet I wore. If danger ever befell Vesta while she wore the pendant, my bracelet would heat up and be engulfed in a faint but visible green light to alert me of her situation.
I hoped that touch wasn't going too far, but I felt it was the least I should have added since, while there was still around half a year until we could make things official, I had no qualms about being formally betrothed to her. She was slowly blossoming into a beauty that, at least in my expectations, would rival and surpass her mother, a woman of grace and elegance who embodied what it meant to be noble without ever acting cruel or intolerant.
After placing the case on the table, I shifted my arms over her shoulder, moving closer to her than I perhaps ever had before. While we were accepting of our betrothal, I made sure to maintain my distance to avoid any hint of impropriety. Yet now, as I moved the chain that held the pendant around her neck, I smelt the hints of roses in her hair and could hear her breathing as my fingers placed the pendant against her skin.
Once the chain was secured, I stepped back and waited for her to turn. She didn't straight away, instead looking down at the pendant now that she wore it, but when she did turn, a wide, delightful smile covered her face while her eyes were filled with emotion. "Thank you," she whispered.
I nodded in reply, choosing to remain silent so she could savour the moment. It seemed, however, that she wasn't prepared to do just that, and before I was able to shift back, she'd closed the distance between us. I stayed still as she placed a light, chaste kiss on my cheek. "I'll never take it off," she whispered before pulling back, her smile seeming to brighten the room to an almost mythical degree.
"Then I'm glad I had charms placed into it to protect it from the elements," I replied with a half-chuckle. I didn't dwell on the kiss, choosing to see it as nothing more than a measure of how much she adored my present and instead kept my focus on her. "It will also alert me if you're in danger," I continued, lifting my arm to show her a thin bracelet made of the same metal around my wrist: the one free of my torc.
The bracelet was thin, but the sigil of House Malfoy was clear to see, and her eyes somehow brightened further as she caught sight of her family crest. "This way, if something happens to you while you're wearing the pendant, I'll know about it and come to your aid."
Vesta stared at me, the look in her eyes one I couldn't quite decipher. "Thank you," she said again, one hand coming up to lightly press against the pendant. "For this evening and everything it means."
I smiled back at her, understanding her meaning. To her, my actions tonight made clear that I was committed to our engagement and wouldn't back out. I'd never had any intention of doing so, but I wondered if she feared I might; mainly because of the chance that one of the trio of Black sisters was offered to me. She didn't know that Narcissa had been so offered and that I'd rejected the chance to take her hand.
Perhaps it was a mistake to reject Arcturus' offer, but I felt my relationship with House Black was secure enough that it wouldn't offend him, and so far I'd not gotten any hint it had. Given that Narcissa and her sisters weren't from his lineage, it was easier to reject her hand in place of Vesta's, and Arcturus had actually approved, at least seemingly, of the news of my conditional betrothal to Vesta Malfoy. I suspected he saw it as a way to further tie me to House Black without directly doing so, as Andromeda was, currently, betrothed to the heir to House Malfoy, and I was to become Lucius' brother-in-law, forming an alliance between our three families.
Yes, my betrothal granted me access to her family, in particular her brother, whom I dearly wished to keep from Voldemort's clutches – because of his skill as a wizard, a politician, and with financial matters – but the more I came to know Vesta, the more that benefit slipped down my reasons for wishing to marry her. I knew I was too young to fully be prepared for what marriage to a magical noble meant, but I had a good idea of the requirements from the memories of the other life, and now, with her at my side, I had a reason to fight and win against all foes beyond a simple desire to change the fate of this world.
… …
… …
I sighed loudly, making clear my disappointment and annoyance with my opponent as I lowered my wand. "I had hoped when I granted you this opportunity that you might, in some small way, have improved yourself. I see now that I was mistaken to hold out such hope."
Across from me on the duelling platform, lying on his rear as smoke rose from his robes and looking utterly ruined, lay my second cousin Ruarc O'Conor. He had made the brave but ultimately foolish decision to challenge me even when the difference in our house ranks, never mind those for our year, was significant. I had accepted his request on a simple condition, that if he lost by more than three points, then he would submit to my control over our year within Slytherin and make no active attempt to countermand any instruction or order I gave him, or that came through one of a handful of others on my behalf.
I'd used that condition, or ones similar to it, with many in my year in Slytherin, and just as with Ruarc, defeated them handily. The reason was twofold: first, to bring the ever-decreasing number of dissenters under my sway, and second, to remind others that there was a pecking order in our house.
The duels weren't the only method I'd been using to bring order to my year, but the most expedient for me when dealing with boys. Most of the girls in my year in Slytherin were already under my control. Or more accurately, under the sway of Vesta.
She was skilled with a wand and brilliant in class, yet ever since her birthday, I had seen that her true power didn't lie in anything school-related. No, Vesta Malfoy was a budding master, or should I say mistress, at moving, controlling, enticing, and convincing others to align with her goals without ever openly making it clear that was what she wanted. What made things so bloody obvious to me was that since her birthday, she had moved to fully and unreservedly back my intentions, and knowing of my moves to secure control over Third Year, as her brother had done with Fourth Year, she had all but handed the female Slytherins to me on a silver platter.
Now, I didn't mean that in any way beyond declaring and then proving she could influence the Slytherin girls into supporting her intentions was the barest of effort. Something the now-defeated Ruarc was an example of.
While he had never had any hope of defeating me in a duel, and had, until mid-November, along with several other boys, been avoiding duelling me or anyone in my inner circle, he had become more agitated in recent weeks. Now, as we stood just a few weeks from the Winter Break, he had come to me and boldly claimed he would defeat me, accepting my conditions without much hesitation. It was only last night when I spoke to Vesta that I realised what had brought about the change.
Ruarc was smitten with a Fourth-Year girl, one in Narcissa Black's circle of friends, who had a younger sister in our year. By using that sister as a medium, Vesta had manipulated Ruarc into believing that he could earn a date with his crush if he defeated me, and that I was avoiding duelling others in my year because I was under the influence of a dark curse. None of that was true as I was choosing duel publicly with anyone in my year to avoid rumours of my improvements leaking to Lucius, but Vesta had crafted a narrative, in only a few weeks, that had convinced Ruarc and others that it was.
Thanks to my betrothed's work, I now had almost complete command over the Third Year Slytherin boys and had even seen some Second Years lingering around in an attempt to use my influence, and that of my inner circle, to gain power in their year. I was holding off on helping those Second Years as I wanted to determine their worth, but so long as at least a few showed potential, I would be using them to expand my control into their year. First, however, I needed to ensure I had domination over everyone in mine, or at least those within Slytherin, and with Ruarc defeated, only about a dozen boys continued to resist my efforts, and that group was, unsurprisingly, centred around Amycus Carrow.
It wasn't a shock that Carrow was the centrepiece of the resistance; his status as heir to House Carrow granted him influence beyond what most could achieve, and several of those who remained by his side came from Houses sworn – either as vassals or allies – to House Carrow. For now, I was willing to allow his resistance to continue, but I intended to crush it and him entirely by the time the April Break rolled around. I didn't want any distractions as I focused on the end-of-year duelling tournaments.
I had several methods for taking down Amycus, but what I felt would be the most efficient wasn't possible. I couldn't repeat the trick I used with those then Seventh Year boys last year, now, not with the case still active with the DMLE. While I wasn't being approached by the DMLE's investigators anymore, I knew their eyes were still upon me. The fact that the boys had begun to disappear not long after the attack on me created the only possible thread for them to use. However, as an accepted Chief and with the backing of the Wizengamot protecting me until I passed my OWLs, there was little the Ministry could do to force me into telling them everything they wanted to hear. Not even a suggestion by the Headmaster was enough to convince me to give away my protections of rank and title.
Now, I understood that rejecting Dumbledore's request wouldn't be something he approved of, and might see his gaze focus more squarely upon me, but it wouldn't yet be at a level I had to be deeply concerned about. At least I hoped it wasn't, as having him monitoring me – via the various agents he had in Hogwarts and beyond – would put a major crimp in my plans for the next few years.
I pushed aside those concerns and, after holstering my wand, moved over the duelling platform to Ruarc. The boy was still on the ground, though he was now sitting there with a few of his friends gathered around him in support. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alihandra Montague watching, the faint flicker of amusement and respect – or at least that was how I perceived it – dancing on her features. She had been the Prefect who had chosen to monitor this duel, as she had done with several of the others I'd had over the term, and I suspected I knew why.
Beyond irking Bella, who had become more distant from me since Vesta's birthday, Alihandra was no doubt monitoring my actions both to see how they could benefit her influence in the senior years of Slytherin and to report back to her Lord, and probably her betrothed Finn Dalcassin, one of my former mentors and the heir to his Clan. I ignored her presence and didn't respond when she offered the barest of nods in respect at my complete dismantling of Ruarc, and kept moving towards the downed boy.
"You have some skill, O'Conor, but not enough," I said once closer, not bothering with empty platitudes to ease any bruised ego. "I hope you remember and will abide by the terms of this duel?"
He glared up at me, though with far less fire than he'd displayed even just before our duel had begun, a little over five minutes ago. "I do," he replied wearily before breaking eye contact. "I acknowledge you as the master of our year, and will not move against you within these walls unless commanded to do so by my Chief."
"Good." I extended my arm, offering to help him rise. After all, while I needed to beat down those like him that would be little more than tools for me in the coming years, I wasn't going to keep them down. If I did, then they could never become more than pawns without hope of rising in power and influence.
Ruarc stared at my arm and open palm as if inspecting them for some hidden danger or lurking threat for a few moments before accepting the offer of help. As I pulled him to his feet, the friends around him, all of whom had already accepted my domination over our year, stood as well. They were even less important than my second cousin, but might still serve some use, though for all of them, even those in my inner circle, I remained wary that they might side with Voldemort over me because of their Chief or Lord's decision. The only person I knew wouldn't betray me, or at least I hoped never would, was Vesta, though even that wasn't certain until we were married and magic made her bond to me stronger than that of the one she held for her house and family.
Everyone else, even Arcturus and House Black, couldn't be considered a certain ally in the coming war. However, the more I worked to ensure my control over those around me and had them grow to respect and fear me, the more likely it was that when push came to shove, they would continue to back me while their Clans and Houses either remained neutral or provided nothing more than lip service for or against my actions.
That was what I expected from most Clans and Houses, as, apart from being the most common path taken by most great magical families across most of the world during the Wizarding World War, standing with me would mean openly defying Voldemort and Dumbledore. While to many doing so against the former would seem safe, at least in the early years of the war, standing against Dumbledore openly, and supporting others in battle against the aged and powerful wizard, was a dangerous road to travel down.
"If you wish help with improving, either find me one evening when I am here and free or join the various groups I've arranged," I offered. The groups were controlled and run by my friends, and helped us determine which, if any, of the lower ranks in our house had potential that could be encouraged and exploited. That went beyond the groups for duelling, as we already had the lists of who performed well in each subject based on our observations and the academic tables that came out every month or so. Still, I knew that duelling was the most important area to focus on as there was a war coming, just one that no one else was even close to realising was brewing.
"Thanks," Ruarc replied slowly, something in his tone suggesting he wasn't certain about the offer. Understandable, given he'd just lost a duel five-zero in less than five minutes to someone he didn't like, but I expected him to get over it. If not, then he would be cast aside as a piece of no worth.
After giving him a nod, I stepped down from the platform and moved towards one side of the room. As I walked, several in the room watched me. Those from Fourth Year were trying to gauge my strength and skill in preparation for the duelling tournament, while those in my year or lower looked on with expressions covering everything from admiration to fear. I ignored them all, and even Alihandra as she shifted in her position, watching me carefully as I walked, and moved to the group of those I considered friends.
"I knew you'd gotten better, but that was impressive," Angus MacLean commented, drawing a few nods from those with him.
"Do you wish to test your skills?" I asked calmly and with genuine interest. Angus was the fifth-ranked male duellist in our year in Slytherin and was currently thirteenth overall. As such, he was a worthwhile opponent from within my year and house to spar with, though I didn't expect to need to draw on any of the more rigorous training I'd endured privately to defeat him with relative ease.
"Perhaps another day," he replied, side-stepping the offer without outright dismissing it. "If I accepted the offer now, I fear the response from your betrothed," he added, gesturing to my right.
Looking in that direction, I saw Vesta entering the room, a warm smile on her face as our eyes met. Her fingers, as they seemed to do almost all the time, moved unconsciously to lightly touch the pendant I'd gifted her for her fourteenth birthday, while at her side walked Xeno. The Raiju was brushing against her leg affectionately, all but marking her as part of his family, which she was in several ways.
"I'm brave but not that brave," Angus added with a chuckle as I smiled back at Vesta.
"She's scary," another in the group muttered, drawing agreeing sounds from others. I ignored the comment, not wishing to bother Vesta with it nor attempt to counter it, as I had to agree. Vesta Malfoy was not only the singular most beautiful girl in our year, but also the most dangerous. Since she was mine, I feared nothing about her. Honestly, I found her abilities and the air she moved with impressive for one our age and appealing for how it would help me in the future.
"Later then," I replied to Angus, just catching his nod of agreement before moving away from the group.
"I had hoped to see your duel," Vesta said once she was close enough, the girls with her shifting away to grant us some privacy in the slowly getting crowded room. "However, it seems I was late in arriving."
"O'Conor wasn't one I needed to work to defeat," I replied as I offered her my arm. "Thankfully, it seems the lesson I wished to impart has been taken to heart."
A hint of a smile, one that caused a few of the girls with her to tense, crept onto her lips. "Good. I do hate it when people forget their place," she commented as she placed her hand on the crux of my elbow. "Or when they need a reminder of it."
"She doesn't mean that in a bad way," I said to the girls nearby, trying to ease their concerns. None of them was in the top ten girls in Slytherin for our year, but all were in the upper half of our year group. A few came from Houses that were equal or more politically and potentially magically powerful than House Malfoy, but as even the most important were nothing more than nieces of the Lord or heir of their families, they weren't able to challenge Vesta for power, particularly since Vesta had all but made it official that she was betrothed to me.
"Of course, I don't," Vesta agreed, though in a tone that made clear that she could mean it as such if she wished.
I allowed a soft chuckle to escape my lips as we moved towards the door. Vesta could be scary, but that was fine. She knew how to use that effect with ladylike grace and cunning, and it would only help me grow my power in the coming decades.
… …
… …
"Merlin, that was boring."
"What? How could you think that? The idea of not needing a wand to cast spells is awesome!"
"But it lacks grace, refinement, and power."
"Says you."
I rolled my eyes at the back and forth that was just beginning to fire up between Benedict Fletcher and Stephen Nott as they, along with myself and several other Slytherins, moved away from the classroom we'd just emerged from. The lesson there had been the last of the introduction classes on non-elective courses we could choose if we wished for Fourth Year, and had been the base unveiling of shamanistic and Indigenous magic of other countries.
The Professor, Aisling Stormrider, was a well-travelled person if the number of artefacts, gizmos, and gadgets in her classroom was anything to go by, and she talked about everything with a passion that was beyond anything I'd seen from any professor I'd had before. However, for all the wonders of her class, only one section of it had stuck in my mind: the various methods for unlocking one's Animagus.
Now, to be fair, the talk of spirit magic, of working in harmony with the natural world and using ancestral knowledge, which, in many cultures, predated the usage of wands brought to Europe by the Roman Empire, was intriguing. If I had the time in later years or more acutely, if I didn't know that Voldemort would soon begin his rise, I would have been interested in exploring the subject in far more detail. However, I did and thus couldn't afford to go gallivanting off around the world learning from the myriad of cultures that existed within it.
That said, as I had an affinity for wandless magic, there was likely still something in the class that could be of use to me. However, long-winded rituals, sacred songs and chants, and the use of talismans and sacred items held little appeal. If Professor Stormrider had focused more on what was possible with wandless magic, then I'd have paid more attention to her class, or at least the parts not dealing with Animagi.
The Professor focused on the various cultures around the world that invoked what Europeans would class as Animagus transformations, and while there were some variances between the places, it was easy to see commonalities between the methods used.
Those from Central and South America, Africa, and Asia all often used items to enhance the methods of discovering someone's Animagus – or as they called it, Spirit – form. Be that masks used by Aztecs, Incas, and other similar cultures in the Americas, through enchanted bones and pelts used in many places in Africa, to tattoos used by some Asian cultures, these were all physical methods to boost the chances of learning an Animagus form, or in their words, forming a spirit bond with a beast.
Of those methods, only the idea of tattoos caught my attention. There was, unlikely as it might seem, a chance that there could be some overlap with fleshcarving. However, to use such a method, I'd have to speak with someone from that culture – regardless of which was chosen – and not only convince them to let me learn the markings they placed on their bodies to help with forming spirit bonds, but reveal my Clan's magic. That was a huge no-go for me, as even though I suspected there were others across the world who could do something similar to fleshcarving, I wasn't going to reveal magic that had existed in my clan since its founding to outsiders. Not without some insane conditions that, even now, I wasn't sure anyone could ever hope of coming close to, never mind passing.
Many of these other cultures placed importance on fasting or deep, long-lasting meditation to commune with the spirits. That was, perhaps, a more traditional and less structured approach to the matter than the use of mandrake leaves in the European method. Professor Stormrider made clear that, according to the research she'd done over the decades, choosing this method, while having the potential to take far longer than a month with a mandrake leaf in one's mouth, seemed to allow the witch or wizard to form deeper, more intense and powerful connections with their animagus form.
That idea held some appeal to me as I knew my Animagus was something magical with a 4-X rating. Whatever beast it was would be powerful, and if I could find a way to call on some or even, in the highly unlikely event, most of that power without transforming, it was something to consider. Anything that offered me a potential edge in the coming battles and wars was something worth pondering. When I added in the Professor's warning about powerful beasts, the method seemed even more appealing.
According to her, the higher rated a beast, the more dangerous it was to control. However, if an Animagus bond was formed while the witch or wizard was still young – and by that, she meant in their early twenties – then the bonded creature would also be young and thus be able only to be controlled better, but allow the witch or wizard to gain more power from their beast. She did warn against attempting to form a bond before we graduated because, if we had, as she called it, the unfortunate luck to bond with a powerful magical beast, we might lose our minds to the creature. I, however, wondered if she was missing something.
If the younger one was when they made their bond and learnt their animagus form, the younger the beast would be. Add in that it would grow more powerful alongside us, and we could learn its powers as it matured, I felt that trying to find my Animagus was a worthwhile project to carry out before graduating. I mean, if the Marauders of the other timeline were able to complete the process while in Fifth Year, and this was a more magical timeline and I had a better understanding of myself and my magic than them, I should be able to carry out the transformation before I started studying for my NEWTs.
The issue, however, was choosing where to head to learn a different, more spiritual method to unlock my Animagus form. Many of the smaller city-state cultures and empires of Central and South America weren't really an option. Because of colonisation attempts by European magicals during the centuries before the Statute came into effect, most weren't open to outsiders. Merlin, there were regular rumours that some of those cultures, such as the Aztecs, who controlled much of Central America, actively captured those from other nations and sacrificed them to their gods.
Africa seemed more of an option, though I knew exactly nothing about the kingdoms, tribes, and cultures there once one headed south of the Sahara. Egypt was an option, and the priest I met during the summer after First Year might be willing to help. However, I couldn't be certain of that as the Egyptians were very protective of their magic, particularly anything linked to their history and heritage.
The best option might be to head to North America and seek out one of the more lenient native tribes there. However, like with Africa – and even the cultures of the Far East that had an interest in spirit bonds for Animagi – I knew little to nothing about them. What made them seem a better option was the fact that they were, at least in name, members of the Magical Union of North America. There should be a handful that would be open to teaching their ways of forming spirit bonds to outsiders. Yet for all the options, I would have to research the matter, and even then, there was no certainty that things would go the way I wished.
Just because a culture seemed open to teaching outsiders didn't mean they would when I visited. My title would count for even less beyond Europe than it had in the Greek Free States, Egypt, or the Italian Trade League, to say nothing of the fact that I was still a child. Anywhere I went, I would require a witch or wizard to accompany me, which meant bringing them in on my intentions. Then there was the issue that I only had, at most, two months to achieve success with a foreign method. If I couldn't, then I'd have to abandon the process, which might see those teaching me deny me the chance to ever return.
"Hogwarts to Dòmhnall? You in there?"
I turned and looked at Godwine, who had asked the question. "I am, and I don't think I will be taking this course next year, though it isn't uninteresting," I replied, answering both his questions and the one that had come from Lasadh a few moments earlier that I had ignored just long enough to draw Godwine's inquiry.
A quick review of the stream of thought that had focused on the external world revealed I had missed nothing of importance while focusing my energy internally to review the recently completed class. The ability to do this was one that I was pleased about as it helped me review issues or focus on other, more important matters when I was unable to do so outwardly. Most often it was used during my classes, though not to the same level of inward focus as I had just done so, the Professors might notice and deduct points from me for not paying attention.
"So what are you going to choose?" asked another of the group that we were moving in. While some were able to hide it, others didn't, and I sensed the attention of several people, not just those in my group, listening in with interest.
I supposed that made sense given that positions in the non-electives went by order of placement in the final year tables, with each course limited to, at most, half the students in our year. With me still standing fourth overall academically and the clear top duellist, I was all but assured of any class I wished to take. The issue was, at least beyond how the classes were held on weekday evenings and thus limited to no more than five of the options, that taking them not only dug into my free time but also added to the pressures of homework and assignments, with a risk of lowering one's overall grade because of the non-electives.
"For now, I'd only say Druidic Magic and Combat Arts are likely to be chosen," I replied calmly, even as I re-engaged the other mental stream to review the introductory classes we'd had over the semester.
Druidic Magic – or as the class was more formally called, Elemental Magic and Ley Line Manipulation – had been one I'd been certain of ever since the introductory lecture. Not only would the class seemingly focus on Celtic traditions, but the study of Ley Lines and how to enhance one's abilities with elemental magic held appeal. Understanding better how to use my affinity for fire magic was worth exploring, and I suspected the lessons could help with lightning and possibly even shadow magic since those could be seen as more advanced branches of elemental magic. Add in that I had confirmed that Dunscaith was built on the crossing point of three Grade 3-classed ley lines, and the class was a no-brainer for me.
The same held for Combat Art - Magical Combat & Duelling Strategy formally, but for slightly different reasons, however. While I was uncertain how much of the coursework would be usable beyond formal duels, the chance to examine and study magical warfare with a focus on tactics and styles used in past wars and battles was likely to be illuminating. I needed to learn how war was fought in the magical world to see how I could prepare for the coming chaos, and possibly see if there was anything I knew from the other lifetime that I had memories of that could be adapted for combat with magic.
For the other classes, it was harder to be certain of what I would choose. Not least, as I was limited to five in total, and only if the Professors were able to design the timetable to allow that to happen. Of the remaining possibilities, the lecture we'd just emerged from sat about the middle of the list, though far enough away from the top three or four possibilities that it was highly unlikely I'd take the course.
Of the others, courses on Astral Navigation and Dreamwalking, Mythical Cartography and Magical Geography, and the Ethical Study of Necromancy and its Dangers were at the bottom, with the first listed being the most unappealing class of the non-electives. At least to my discerning gaze.
That wasn't to say that none of them held any appeal, just that the study of those subjects led down roads I didn't currently see much use for in the coming decades. If I had need of that knowledge, then, provided I was able to, I would find someone to either teach me privately or serve in my ranks to advise me on the matters.
That left four possibilities to slide into three potential slots: The Art of Warding & Protective Magic, Alchemical Arts & Philosopher's Craft, Ritual Magic & Arcane Ceremonies, and Magical Engineering & Enchantment Crafting.
The Art of Warding & Protective Magic focused on the basics of warding, curse-breaking, crafting defensive barriers beyond shield charms and the like, and overcoming curses if one accidentally was afflicted by one. Everything there sounded interesting, and what was mentioned in the introductory lecture seemed intriguing. The only issue, and it might well be a major one, was that the Professor who taught it wasn't as openly enthusiastic about teaching it to children as the other Professors were. That wasn't to say he had been bad, just that he lacked the panache to be a great educator.
Alchemical Arts & Philosopher's Craft headed down a road where my talent didn't lie, as it was based on the study of Potions, Herbology, and even the understanding of magical materials. However, the potential benefits of what could be learned down that road were obvious. I never expected to one day be able to craft a Philosopher's Stone, however learning the methods that went into crafting and transmutation via alchemical methods might prove useful to me in the future. Particularly as it related to understanding the magical properties of various metals and gemstones.
Ritual Magic & Arcane Ceremonies, as the name made clear, focused on rituals and ceremonies. I already knew that Lasadh would be taking the course, as half the books he seemed to always be reading were on those subjects. Given his family was renowned for producing individuals skilled in the crafting and use of rituals, that was hardly a shocker.
The course itself would seemingly teach one how to craft magic circles and other shapes that were used in rituals and ceremonies. There would be some crossover with Shamanistic Magic, Arithmancy, and The Art of Warding & Protective Magic. For the first, different cultures used varying methods for their rituals, because Arithmancy was supposedly used by almost all cultures and was one of the few unifying concepts in the magical world, and as rituals could be adapted into the creation of wards and runic protective schemes.
There would also, and this was something that caught my attention, some focus on magical bloodlines in relation to certain abilities and powers, such as those possessed by Veela and Merpeople, or the usage of Parseltongue. The hints that in later years one would craft a ritual to study their magical heritage also caught my eye, as perhaps, as unlikely as it was, such a ritual might grant me some hint into the origin of the fleshcarving tome or even the Fairy Flag that were in Dunscaith.
Magical Engineering & Enchantment Crafting was perhaps the most interesting yet hardest to take to a level where it could be truly useful. The ability to create items imbued with magic that sustained itself was downright provocative. The idea of crafting something akin to the Vanishing Cabinets I used to move between my chest and Dunscaith or learn the underlying ideas that the Marauders of the other timeline had used to craft their map – something I would pay a small fortune only to have made but own – was akin to offering someone the keys to the vaults of ancient gods. Even just learning how to create golems or animated armour that could survive against most spells in battle was beyond tempting.
The issue, however, was the sheer amount of effort and time delving down that road would consume. More so, potentially, than any of the other non-electives. That said, there was a clear crossover with rituals and ward creation, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes because of the need to 'code' sequences into anything that was created, and an understanding of Transfiguration as you were altering the behaviour of whatever was created.
"I think everyone better give up on dethroning you then," Godwine offered good-naturedly after I'd revealed my two certain choices. "At least within the rules of duelling used in Hogwarts."
"Probably beyond that if Elemental Magic offers him a way to draw on Xenocrates abilities," Lasadh added, drawing the attention of a few in the group, and not just because he'd lifted his head from the book in his hands. One that, from the title, seemed linked to runes and rituals.
"Morgana's saggy tits, you're right," Angus MacLean agreed with a grumble. "If he could ever move like his familiar, we'd never be able to strike him."
"I'd remind you that you haven't yet struck me with any spell," I observed, making sure to smile openly so as seem arrogant. "And you are one of the top students in our year."
"Just you wait," Angus shot back, wagging a finger in my direction, "come the tournament, I'll at least make you work for a victory."
I chuckled and turned my attention towards the path we were walking as we made our way slowly back to the Slytherin Chambers. "At least you're wise enough to pick realistic goals to aim for first. I'd hate to see you push for the impossible and grow angered for failing."
"Argh!" Angus snarled under his breath, drawing chuckles from our group.
"Just ignore him," one of the others – a lad from a cadet branch of Clan Ross – said, clapping Angus on the shoulder. "We'll get to see someone beat him in the tournament, just wait."
I smirked, amused by the comment. I'd started the year tenth in the betting pool for winning either of the Junior tournaments and remained there for wands. For swords, I was now considered fifth most likely to win since I'd begun defeating Fourth Years in the club with a slowly growing ease.
For both clubs, I was pushing myself in private, using the Vanishing Cabinets to return home each weekend, and even some weekday evenings, to train myself on the course that I'd created for myself. I could feel the difference whenever I duelled one of my yearmates, but I knew I still had ground to cover. Even though I'd defeat a few Fourth Years with a blade, doing so with a wand was an even greater challenge.
Beyond them having another pathway open that I didn't – a gap that grew more minor with each passing year as the boosts of a new pathway decreased depending on one's potential and mine was as highly rated as was possible without reaching the levels of someone like Merlin – they had a better understanding and control of their magic. To overcome that, I needed every advantage I could get, be that training myself as hard as I could whenever I had the time, or by using the arrays I was carving into my flesh.
The next of those would be getting added at the start of the upcoming Winter Break, and I was curious to see what the tome suggested after I had carved the latest array – one that built on previous ones and further enhanced my ability to resist and recover from injuries, poisons, and curses – would be.
… …