I don't see why we would care about getting a time turner. I would rather we focused on developing our skillset rather than developing our skills if that makes sense. We should be finding and making spells, potions, artifacts. Developing our magic sense and learning weird and esoteric magics.
I think it would be cool to see if we can figure out some wandlore. I don't know what mechanical advantage it would or even should give us, but it is mysterious and that is enough for me!
--Side note: @Tabula Rasa On the character sheet under alchemy blueprints, I think the goggles need to be updated with the ? section revealing our discovery right?
Honestly, if we're going to go for a time turner I think our best bet is to get the schematics off of Nicholas, we know he has one after all and I think it's more likely for two reasons.
1) We can frame it as improving our alchemy and Nicholas is all about having a want/need for alchemy and after using the time turner, I can see Jacob having both.
2) From an out of story perspective, just giving one to us isn't very satisfying, whether that be Nicholas giving us one or The Ministry. Investing time and resources into making one would be a far better narrative.
I'd also rather do it this way so that we wouldn't be obligated to go to more classes, I'd like spend the time doing more cases, exploration or clubs instead of sitting in a room being boring.
Really disappointed in the creativity win, our biggest flaws have clearly been social with our extreme lack of empathy. Seems like empathy is gonna be a lot more impactful in the coming events as well, with lupin emotionally damaged and Harry a werewolf, I have a strong suspicion that we're going to put our foot in our mouth and do some emotional damage somewhere.
The only class Jacob might be interested in joining may be magical creatures. Otherwise, Jacob doesn't really give the slightest fuck about marks or points and we shouldn't either. They aren't how the MC could become a accomplished wizard.
Beside, losing our adventuring actions to just nerd more would be frankly dreadfully boring and not something i want this quest to turn into. We aren't Hermione and thank God for that.
The only class Jacob might be interested in joining may be magical creatures. Otherwise, Jacob doesn't really give the slightest fuck about marks or points and we shouldn't either. They aren't how the MC could become a accomplished wizard.
Beside, losing our adventuring actions to just nerd more would be frankly dreadfully boring and not something i want this quest to turn into. We aren't Hermione and thank God for that.
The only class Jacob might be interested in joining may be magical creatures. Otherwise, Jacob doesn't really give the slightest fuck about marks or points and we shouldn't either. They aren't how the MC could become a accomplished wizard.
Beside, losing our adventuring actions to just nerd more would be frankly dreadfully boring and not something i want this quest to turn into. We aren't Hermione and thank God for that.
Well, I don´t know how this is going to go for the next year, but if this is like the previous one we can pick at most one extra class and club at most.
Clubs and Rackets – Hogwarts is a castle with too many children to let them to their own devices for too long of a time. Good then that there is an abundance of clubs you can go to. Choose two (Or take one less action per monthly plan to choose a third one)
[ ] Quidditch Tryouts
[ ] Dueling Club
[ ] Potions Club
[ ] Club of Magical Creatures
[ ] Charms Club
[ ] Astronomy Club
[ ] Hogwarts Ancient Runes Club
[ ] Wizard Card Collectors' Club
[ ] Diagon Alley Arts Club
While you can't change your core subjects (Astronomy, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions and Transfiguration); Now that you start your third year in Hogwarts, you may choose three electives or take one action less each month to take a fourth one. Classes may be changed in subsequent years:
[ ] Study of Ancient Runes - The Study of Ancient Runes is a general theoretical subject that studies ancient runic scripts. It is taught by Professor Bathsheda Babbling.
[ ] Arithmancy - Arithmancy is a branch of magic concerned with the magical properties of numbers. Arithmancy is reportedly difficult, as it requires memorizing or working with many charts. The subject is taught by Professor Septima Vector. It is separated into normal Arithmancy and Advanced Arithmancy Studies, the latter of which is taught as a NEWT-Course.
[ ] Magical Theory - A subject taught in Class 67 on the fourth floor of Hogwarts Castle. It covers magic from a purely theoretical view.
[ ] Care of Magical Creatures - Care of Magical Creatures is the class which instructs students on how to care for magical beasts. Classes are held outside the castle.
[ ] Ghoul Studies - A subject taught to learn about ghouls like poltergeists, vampires, Veela, etc. and how to defend themselves from these creatures.
[ ] Divination - Divination is the art of predicting the future. Various methods are described, including tea leaves, Fire-omens, Crystal balls, Palmistry, Cartomancy (including the reading of conventional playing cards and the tarot), astrology, and Dream interpretations. Divination is described by Professor McGonagall as "one of the most imprecise branches of magic". Supporters of the subject claim that it is an inexact science that requires innate gifts like the "Inner Eye". Those opposed claim that the subject is irrelevant and fraudulent.
[ ] Muggle Studies - A class taught by Charity Burbage which involves the study of the Muggle (non-magical) culture "from a wizarding point of view." It also includes Muggle Art and Muggle Music. The only need for witches and wizards to learn about Muggle ways and means is to ensure they can blend in with Muggles while needing to do so.
So we may want to see whether we want to sacrifice a couple of extra actions per month, or if we want to change our schedule.
But there are a couple of things to be considered...
The first is that during this year we unlocked 2 extra actions per month though of exploration of Hogwarts, so it may not be that big sacrifice to do it.
And second is that we have access to potions that give us extra actions.
Blue Wideye Potion – Learning the Awakening Potion gave you an idea; it is clear that some of the ingredients act as a suppressant for tiredness and sleepiness. If you tweak the recipe and try to understand how the ingredients interact with each other… you may be able to make the potion more useful. If taken, it gives you one Personal Action more per potion. Can only safely consume one dose per month. Cost for ingredients: 5 Galleons per vial +1 Vial of Acromantula Venom.
Wideye Potion(Needed for exams at the end of the year) - Also known as the Awakening Potion, is a potion which prevents the drinker from falling asleep and could also be used to awaken someone from drugging or concussion. Gives you one extra action if taken. May come with side effects.It acts as an antidote for the Draught of Living Death. Cost for ingredients: 3 Galleons.
Yeah, Hermione is kinda not fun.
I like the indiana jhones/sherlock holmes jacob, trough i would train to get emphaty 5 Asap, being emotionally mature is an superpower in that world.
If the Animagus transform is 4k as a DC, I wonder how awful the 'unassisted flight' DC is, like Snape and Voldemort. Possibly as high as "Give the author a concussion first".
I always liked the idea it was a really odd use of high end Occlumency, which would be a funny thing.
If the Animagus transform is 4k as a DC, I wonder how awful the 'unassisted flight' DC is, like Snape and Voldemort. Possibly as high as "Give the author a concussion first".
I always liked the idea it was a really odd use of high end Occlumency, which would be a funny thing.
High end Occlumency probably involves a lot of self-delusion. Intentionally shaping your mind to make it not only impenetrable but incomprehensible as well. Like a mental version of a bear trap.
As such, unassisted flight is using high level Occlumency to delude yourself at will into believing the Earth's gravity has no effect on you as a concrete undeniable fact. And because you believe that so hard magic makes it come true.
If the Animagus transform is 4k as a DC, I wonder how awful the 'unassisted flight' DC is, like Snape and Voldemort. Possibly as high as "Give the author a concussion first".
I always liked the idea it was a really odd use of high end Occlumency, which would be a funny thing.
The animagus DC seems to be the daily work that goes into the transformation, requiring the correct conditions and not having to mess up for months at a time rather than the actual intellectual difficulty involved in the task.
If anything I would expect unassisted flight to have a lower DC but require higher levels of magical ability in multiple areas. Probably charms and potions/alchemy if I had to guess, maybe dark arts as well depending on how it's achieved.
If the Animagus transform is 4k as a DC, I wonder how awful the 'unassisted flight' DC is, like Snape and Voldemort. Possibly as high as "Give the author a concussion first".
I always liked the idea it was a really odd use of high end Occlumency, which would be a funny thing.
The thing is that not only Snape and Voldemort could use unassisted flight... A lot of Death Eaters in the Inner Circle knew how to do it as well, and the Order of the Phoenix also had several members who knew how to do it...
So its DC will probably be not that high, but it probably requires a high skill threshold
The animagus DC seems to be the daily work that goes into the transformation, requiring the correct conditions and not having to mess up for months at a time rather than the actual intellectual difficulty involved in the task.
In canon the Animagus transformation was exactly that, it required several really lengthy processes that were really luck dependent, and that if failed in any way made you restart the whole process...
First, you have to keep a leaf of mandrake in your mouth for a month, from full moon to full moon... If you chewed it, swallowed it or it fell off your mouth, you had to start from step 1
Then you have to spit the leaf in a vial and brew a potion in the light of the full moon, so if the night happens to be cloudy you have to restart the process.
Finally, you have to hide the potion in a quiet dark place and wait for the next lightning storm (if it gets disturbed while you wait you have to start from scratch), in this waiting period you have to recite a really lengthy incantation at sunrise and sundown (if you forget one day or you mispronounce it, and Amato Animo Animato Animagus, which is really a tongue twister you have to restart the whole process), and finally you have to get the potion and drink it during that lightning storm while reciting the incantation (so if you are not available during the lighting storm tough shit and return to step one)
So technically if the starts aligned you could get it done in a couple of months, and if you were unlucky you could have to wait several years.
What is curious is that in Uagadou school in Africa, you could be tutored to learn Animagus transfiguration at the age of 14.
If anything I would expect unassisted flight to have a lower DC but require higher levels of magical ability in multiple areas. Probably charms and potions/alchemy if I had to guess, maybe dark arts as well depending on how it's achieved.
That'd be a good shout, as researching how they're able to get so many students to learn the skill could easily help reduce the DC as there knowledge of the skill should be substantially better.
I wouldn't mind researching other schools more I'm general too, given they practice magic in different ways.
The thing is that not only Snape and Voldemort could use unassisted flight... A lot of Death Eaters in the Inner Circle knew how to do it as well, and the Order of the Phoenix also had several members who knew how to do it...
The thing is that not only Snape and Voldemort could use unassisted flight... A lot of Death Eaters in the Inner Circle knew how to do it as well, and the Order of the Phoenix also had several members who knew how to do it...
According to the wiki the only people who could do it are Snape abd Voldemort. But the wiki does note that Quirrell does it in the movies and the scene where the Death Eaters were flying in the movies, had them on brooms in the books.
I also don't remember any of the Order being able to do it and there's no mention on the wiki either.
That being said, it depends on if Tabula is leaning more on book or movie canon or just doing a mishmash that he likes.
None of that happened in the books. Death Eaters were on brooms and the order of the Pheonix just burst through the door. But Tabula could 100% change that in this story.
Peter and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
================================= Original timeline.
=================================
"Seko!"
The dark curse flashes through the air, shattering the girl's hastily created shield. Sirius ducks, trying to dodge it, but he is luckily a second too slow. Dark red spell hits his chest and he collapses with a muffled shout.
Sirius was an unwelcome surprise. After a decade without any news from Azkaban you were so sure that the prison broke him. Yet now, less than a year after his sudden escape, here he is, doing what he does best - causing problems and upsetting the status quo.
James' son and the girl with the Time Turner rush to Sirius with panicked shouts, but Ron -a smart, smart boy- keeps his eyes glued to you. Normally, this is when you'd knock him out and escape in the chaos, but as it is, you can barely stand.
Who knew that after spending 13 years in the animagus form of a rat, magic abilities deteriorate into almost nothing? After only a single relatively weak curse you're a wobbling, sweating mess and you doubt you could cast anything else at all.
Right, so negotiation it is.
"Sirius, the answer is simple, I just really didn't want to die." You give perfunctory nods to the kids. "Harry, Ron, er… the girl."
Weasley steps towards you and your wand snaps in his direction. "It's Hermione! You prick! What have you done to Scabbers?" He yells at you, before the girl, Hermione as you now know, drags him back with a muffled "Ron!"
"I, what kind of," Sirius finally found his words. It seemed he didn't expect to continue their last conversation. "What kind of stupid reason is that?!" Sirius yells. "You were a Griffindor, Peter, you were as brave as we were! And you were James' friend! Dying for your friends is what you do!"
"Friend?" you snarl back at him. "Really? Because it sure didn't feel that way to me!" You growl out. "More like you were friends, and I was your sidekick. Peter fetch-my-homework Pettigrew! Marauder go-grab-us-butterbeer!" You spit the words with the power of old resentment and hate that is finally being voiced. "Perpetual butt of the joke Wormtail."
You feel your emotions taking control of you and mentally take a step back. This isn't a therapy room and you aren't actually trying to get Sirius to understand. Sirius is your enemy and you're just stalling for time. Letting your emotions cloud your judgment will be a mistake.
With the way Harry is slowly creeping away from Sirius, wand ready and eyes furious, you don't really feel as in control of the situation as an armed adult wizard should.
"But that is what we all did to each other," Sirius almost pleads. His voice becomes thick with nostalgia and longing for the past. "Don't you remember? Stupid, immature, teenage jokes about James being whipped, Rem having a period, like a girl, or how I am-"
This is your moment. Harry seems to pay rapt attention to the story that includes his father, and Sirius is lost in his perfect past. You raise your wand and cast a curse.
"Flipendo."
That wasn't you.
The spell hits you square in the back and you're thrown against the far wall. Something in your chest snaps and pain jolts through you, but your instincts from the war override it. You get on your feet instantly, and a non-verbal, advanced shield charm blocks several spells from Griffindors and from the new enemy - a young Ravenclaw boy, who is climbing through the window into the room.
You do your best to ignore the horrible weakness from casting the shield charm and take a moment to analyze the battlefield. Three Gryffindor kids, one without a wand, all inexperienced fighters. Sirius, a powerful wizard, but without a wand and wounded. The nameless Ravenclaw, possibly inexperienced, perhaps has specialized equipment or perhaps a weirdo, considering the goggles. And against all of them is Peter Pettigrew, who forgot most spells and can barely cast those he remembers.
The world seems to come to a crawl as people explode into action. Several spells flash through the air, all exploding helplessly against your still shimmering shield. Sirius turns into Padfoot and lunges for your throat, moving as fast as any spell. And you? You just win.
"Accio Time Turner!" You grab the thing from the air and immediately activate it. You don't have time to calibrate it, so you can only hope you go back further than 10 minutes.
The last thing you see before time takes you is Padfoot's maw. He looks like a Grimm.
Omake time! I just couldn't pass up the writing prompt that Tabula Rasa gave.
"Who taught you to build these, Mr. Basques?" He asked, not taking your comment into account. Your teacher was trying to seem nonchalant about it, but he was studying you intently, trying to understand why you had any knowledge about Alchemy. "The map and the glasses."
Was just thinking about this line and did Snape think we might have gotten some lessons off of Sirius and/or Remus here?
The Maruders made the map, but surely they made other things at school, the map isn't a starting project after all. So if they did make other things then Snape would know about it. Then he shows up to the shack and see's Sirius unconsious and unharmed after we jumped in to help him and we don't associate with Harry and Co so it's not like we got caught up with them. So from his point of view, why are we there, why are we helping and where did we get the knowledge to make all this gear?
I don't know about you guys but I can see how Snape might come to that conclusion.
It ultimately doesn't matter, but it's interesting to think about at least.
I could see he having a knee jerk reaction being the why he ask, but any further evidence points to he coming with it on his own.
Jacob is a know factor, in abnormal capacity and in interests, So he comming up with an map is an unamusing coicidence more than anything.
I could see he having a knee jerk reaction being the why he ask, but any further evidence points to he coming with it on his own.
Jacob is a know factor, in abnormal capacity and in interests, So he comming up with an map is an unamusing coicidence more than anything.
The thing that probably surprised the most Snape is that we have that many magical items done by ourselves (Jacob has abnormal capacity and interests, but it is not like we brag aboutour skillset)... Basically because Alchemy seems to be a very uncommon skill for a student, as it is one of the few subjects that are not taught in Hogwarts until the 6th year IIRC.
That is also why the Weasly twins Protego Hats had such a good reception in the Ministry... I bet that Jacob and the Twins are the best Alchemists studying in Hogwarts at the moment, and for all of them it was mostly self taught...
[] Two outcasts meet up. – Exchange the Random Encounter for visiting Harry Potter in the infirmary. [] Level up – Chose how to spend your two new Attribute Points. +2 Creativity [] I might want to be focused – Use 2 TE for the duelling Tournament.
Present Date: 29th June 1994
Current Wand: Fagus wood, Phoenix feather core
The quidditch stadium was abuzz with excitement as the dueling club's yearly tournament was about to begin. The stands were filled with students in their last day of relaxation before they left the castle for summer vacations. But there were not only students attending; today was one of the few days for which Hogwarts opened its doors also for outsiders.
You were standing on top of the stage already, taking in the buzz and excitement around you that made your heartbeat quicken. Families, parents, and siblings were all over the stands, some you recognized, most you did not. A few of the teachers were sitting in the teachers block, but you could also see some witches and wizards up there that were only familiar to you from newspapers. Ministry officials had come to participate in the school fun as well today.
All and everyone had come to watch the 29 participants duel it out for the title of champion. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the field, and highlighting the vibrant colors of the robes worn by all duelists. Yours was not of the usual dark shade of the school robe, but a vibrant blue instead. Your mother had brought it to you this morning.
As your eyes roamed over the many people high up in the stands, they came to a halt on the two figures that you loved most in this world. Your mother was smiling down at you, waving happily and energetic. She wore a beautiful long dress in a darker shade of blue than you, but it was complementary to it, always the artist in need of matching.
The man next to her was not smiling. His face was a blank mask, like the sculptures that he formed in his free time. You raised your hand to greet both of your parents from the distance, then closed your hand to a fist, raising it high up in the air.
Somewhere from the left you heard excited shouting, your Ravenclaw friends taking that as a cue to clap loudly and call out your name. You turned to them and smiled brightly.
As the crowd settled in, Professor Flitwick took to the center of the field, his wand in hand. He was a small man, but his presence commanded attention even in this big a setting. He smiled as he looked up at the sea of faces before him. "Welcome, welcome, everyone! I look forward to the dueling club's annual tournament!" He began. Falling back into habits of Quidditch games, the students in the stand started shouting and clapping in excitement.
"We have an impressive lineup of duelists today, and I have no doubt that these fights will be fierce and thrilling. But I remind all of you that while we encourage healthy competition, safety must always come first! The prefects will be acting as supporting referees, and I urge you all to respect their decisions."
Four prefects had already set themselves up around the stage, their wands at hand. They were supposed to act quickly if anything happened. While they might give the spectators some sense of relief, you knew that they were there mostly for decoration purposes. Professor Flitwick was quicker with his wand than any of you were with your mistakes. He did not need any support.
"And with this, we will commence the 82nd non-consecutive dueling tournament. Let us hope for a grand spectacle!" As Professor Flitwick finished his speech, the duelists began to gather in the center of the field, each one wearing their respective house colors.
Only two of you were already on stage, waiting for this to begin. You were swirling the wand in your hand around, while looking over the elevated platform. Kevin Entwhistle was holding his wand firmly in his hand. He looked nervous. A Hufflepuff third year who had joined the club midsemester. You smiled at him and raised your wand to your head.
He did not return the gesture, instead raising his wand in between you like a knife.
The prefects, dressed in their own robes, raised their wands in their positions around the perimeter of the field, ready to intervene if necessary. The crowd was silent, waiting for the first match to begin.
The tension was palpable. Your heart was beating quicker.
Today you would fight without any of your gear. Nothing but the wand in your hand was admissible, but you wouldn't have brought them either way. You did not want any advantages here.
"Begin!" Professor Flitwick's loud voice drowned any other noise of the stadium. Before the spectators understood the meaning of the word, your wand had already moved forward.
"Diffindo." You spoke. A cutting charm crossed the stage instantly.
A few things happened at the same time; Kevin jumped back and evaded the spell that cut deep into the wood below him. At the same time, you saw one of the prefects who had moved in defense of Kevin. While the cutting charm was admissible, one would suspect that a novice might not know how to defend against it. The prefect had acted quickly to defend Kevin.
The defense charm had never interfered with the duel though because it was blocked by an even quicker spell that Professor Flitwick had cast. You saw the prefect turn to the Professor in confusion, but you did not lose time to it. The Professor knew what you were cooking up probably.
You would not be hurting Kevin, just beat him soundly.
Kevin moved up towards you and cast a spell, you did not care for it, just moving to the side to let it fly past.
"Diffindo", you said again. This time Kevin was too slow to move but was still not hit with the spell. Instead, it impacted on the ground right of him. The wood below was cut to his left and to his right now.
The prefect had not interfered this time. He too would soon understand what was happening.
Kevin and you had the first fight of the day and you wanted to use that to show everyone watching that you expected them to be creative today. You had been given a new surrounding today and you could very much use it to your advantage.
"Flipendo," you said next and saw Kevin raise his arms to braze against the incoming impact. But again, the spell missed him. It flew into the ground below. A push against thin wood that had been cut at both sides. The weight of the Hufflepuff added to the stress of the platform and under the combined weight, the wood broke.
With just a little bit of correct timing; and some careful application of how much you wanted repaired, you cast: "Reparo."
Kevin fell through the sudden hole below, only for it to close around him midfall. A moment later he found his upper body trapped above and his lower body below the stage. The wood had closed around his hips.
It was silent around you.
"We have our very first winner of the day. Jacob Basques joins the final 16 participants in the second round!"
You grinned at the one man, that you knew was watching your every movement most attentively. And there, high above you could see the stone-faced man next to your mother … smiling.
The Dueling Tournament is not a life-or-death situation. No maluses are played out after losing and advantage, instead we play out a simplified ruleset. There are two rules:
If attacking party wins a round with a difference of 30 or larger, the duel is won for the attacking party.
If defending party wins a round with a difference of 50 or larger, the duel is won for the defending party.
1d100+39 #Jacob Attack I = (38 + 39) 77
1d100+7 #Kevin Defense I = (92 + 7) 99
1d100+7 #Kevin Attack I = (49 + 7) 56
1d100+54 #Jacob Defense I = (56 + 54) 110
Present Date: 17th June 1994
Current Wand: Fagus wood, Phoenix feather core
Two weeks before the tournament, the morning after the madness of time traveling, it had been very difficult for you to get out of bed. It was Friday, the last school day before the exams. While your peers were using this last crunch time for their most important questions of the term, you had ignored any morning routine in favor of staying in bed. When you finally negotiated with yourself that it was time to wake up, you felt like you were hit by a ton of bricks.
Your muscles and bones ached terribly and felt like you shouldn't be moving anytime soon. Trying to strengthen your resolve, you laid there for a moment longer and gathered the energy to get up.
The night before you had faced your fears of losing and emerged victorious against all odds. You had solved a riddle of time paradoxes, saved lives, and stopped a dangerous criminal or two. You had fought against one werewolf thrice, but still somehow getting out of bed was the most difficult part of it all. You let a breath out through your teeth and pushed yourself up slowly to sit up and let your legs fall over the side of the bed, wincing at the pain.
This was your current limit, the most your body could go through. You did not need your fathers' words to know that you were too weak still, had been too coddled in inaction of the past to be able to do such a daring on the regular. Even though you were developing a new trait of athleticism, your magic was evolving at a rate too high for the rest of your physical shackles to catch up.
You took a deep breath and forced yourself to stand up, determined to start this day. There was no intention of following up into classes, you had bigger things to worry about today: for example, how to pull the robe down that was hanging on the wall next to your bed and put it on. You winced, trying to raise your arm to grab it.
The pain was not worth it.
In the end, you just kept your sleeping shirt and didn't bother to change out of your pajamas-pants and slippers. The map landed in your only pocket, and then you moved out of the bedroom into the Ravenclaw common room below as fast as you possibly could. It was a respectable snail's pace.
But neither of those things were a problem, no one was there to see you anyway, your classmates where most probably in the last DADA class with a very annoyed Professor Snape and the rest of the Ravenclaws? They were probably buzzing around somewhere else.
You made your way down the spiral staircase towards the entrance of the common room, but were surprised to find Luna Lovegood standing in front of the exit and looking up at you, as if she had been waiting for you.
She was holding a large jar filled with an unknown substance and wearing a dreamcatcher as a hat. "Oh, Jacob!" she exclaims, "I've been waiting for you! I've caught a Blibbering Humdinger and I need your help to study it. They're incredibly rare, you know."
You laughed at the unexpectedness of her words. Her eccentricity caught you off guard, no matter how often you were confronted with it. Sadly, you had barely the energy to stand, let alone study whatever it was that had caught Lunas attention, but she was smiling as excited as a child that had seen something fascinating for the first time.
Luna was a mirror for you in every sense of the word.
"Of course, Luna," you said, trying to hide the aching you felt. "But can it wait? I'm not feeling very well today."
Luna's face fell, her eyes widened. "Oh, Jacob, I'm so sorry. I didn't even think about how you might be feeling. Of course, it can wait. It must have been feeding on your dreams already!"
You shook your head. "No, I just need some rest. But thank you, Luna."
As you made your way to the stairs, Luna's voice followed you. "If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be in the greenhouse with my Blibbering Humdinger."
That made you come to a stop, frown in confusion, and turn around.
"Luna?" You spoke.
Her smile was filled with joy again: "Yes, Jacob?"
"What are you doing here?" You asked. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
She nodded along with your question, as if it was a sensible thing to ask her. "Yes, I should be!"
No further statement came forth. The fact that you had done this conversational spiel to many people before made you chuckle.
"Luna, you know that I asked more than that," you said. "Continue?"
"Oh, yes. I wanted to go to classes, but I was looking for a frame for the drawing I got from you. The Kelpie and the Thestral?" She said, taking one hand off the jar to show you a piece of parchment she was holding onto:
"I want to bring it home for the summer. And well, looking for a frame I discovered this Blibbering Humdinger in the common room this morning. If I leave it behind, it might hurt someone!"
You nodded in return. That was very sensible then.
Wait. "Luna, what is a Blibbering Humdinger?" You had never heard of such a creature.
Luna raised the large jar in her hands to you and said: "This here is one. It feeds on dreams and hopes of people."
You looked at the jar, intrigued despite your fatigue. "That sounds dangerous for you to be holding so closely," you said, taking a step closer to get a better look at the creature. It was quite fascinating. It looked like mundane sand to you. Maybe it was hiding? Or there was a transformation involved?
"Oh, it's not dangerous at all," Luna said with a wave of her hand. "As long as you keep it in a jar and don't move it too much. It's actually quite fascinating. The way it feeds on dreams is unique, and it's been known to help people overcome their nightmares!"
You nodded, still intrigued by the creature. "I'll have to take a look at it later, when I'm feeling better," you said. "Don't let it out before that."
"Of course, Jacob," Luna said, her smile brightening. "Whenever you're ready."
You were ready to move on but gave her a look of consideration first. Luna was alone for now, so no reason to not take her with, right?
"Follow me, Luna." You simply said and continued your way out of the Common Room. "And take the jar with you, we don't want any accidents while you are gone."
"Where are we going?" Luna asked.
"We will be visiting someone that had a rougher night than I did," you said.
As you walked through the castle, Luna followed you closely, the jar containing the Blibbering Humdinger clutched tightly in her hands. She chattered excitedly about the creature and its unique properties.
When you reached the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey gave you a stern look and asked you why you were out of class. But when you said who it was that you wanted to visit, she allowed you to enter, Luna in tow.
The patient of the day was no one else but the grand hero himself; Harry Potter.
Harry laid in a bed near the window, looking pale and weak. You could see the pain etched into face as he watched the outsides, dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he had not slept all night and been in a great deal of pain.
They boy had not noticed you yet. His arm was enveloped in a translucent globe and elevated on a pillow. The wound on his arm was visible through the shimmering globe, a big hole of flesh missing from his upper arm. The skin around it was red and swollen, and it looked black and infected already, even though less than twelve hours had passed since the attack.
The dark magic was taking hold in the wound, blocking any magical or mundane treatment.
When he finally noticed you, it took a moment for his expression to adapt.
"Harry," you said softly, approaching his bedside. "I've come to see you … and I brought someone for company, if you don't mind. This is Luna Lovegood, and she has something that might cheer you up."
Harry's eyes found yours when you walked up to him. He was sweating profusely. Despite this, the Gryffindor tried to bring up a smile, but it did not reach his eyes. "Hey, Jacob." He said, his breathing ragged and irregular. "Hey, Luna."
You took a chair and sat down next to his bed, soon Luna followed your lead.
"How are you feeling, Harry?" You asked in a low voice. If you were feeling exhausted and hurt, you could not imagine what the Gryffindor in front of you would feel like.
Either wanting to portray the hero that he had shown to be or just trying to conform with the expectations of society, you saw Harry smile more brightly at your question. This time, it did reach his eyes.
"I feel awesome. Whoever said, you don't want to be bit by a werewolf had no idea what a great experience this could be!"
His words made you chuckle despite the situation.
Luna moved forward in her chair, holding up the jar in her hands. "I've caught a Blibbering Humdinger and I thought you might like to see it. They're incredibly rare, you know."
Harry's face crossed into a state of confusion for one second, before looking over at you. It took him a moment, before the smile returned on his face. "Wow, that's amazing Luna. Thank you for showing it to me." He struggled to move up in his position but failed.
He fell back against the pillow, wincing in pain. " I'm not in much of a state to appreciate it right now. But thank you for thinking of me."
"Harry, how are you coping?" You asked, concern etched on your face. "You don't seem like you're in good shape."
Harry let out a weak laugh. "I'm fine, Jacob. Just a little tired and in a bit of pain. But Madam Pomfrey says I'll be back on my feet in no time. These things…" he said, looking at the wound in his arm. For a single moment, you saw hate and anger in his expression. It disappeared when he looked back at you. "Need a little bit of time to start healing again." The smile had returned to his face.
You couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. You had done everything that was possible during the night … but you knew that your obsession had blinded you before. There would have been more ways to resolve the situation and maybe some of them would have led to you out of the game, but Harry wouldn't have been bitten at all.
"I'm sorry, Harry," you said, bowing your head. "If I had acted sooner, maybe this wouldn't have happened."
Harry shook his head. "Don't blame yourself, Jacob. Professor Dumbledore explained to me what you did and … it was me that did not try to look for Sirius in the first place. I could have done my share of work."
You nodded but did not agree with his words. "Is there anything I can do to help? "
Harry hesitated for a moment before answering. "I was thinking all night about this. How did you find us? The professor explained that you had your own Time Turner, and that Professor Snape helped you catch Peter, but I don't understand how you knew where we were in the first place."
Luna turned to you, clutching the jar in her arms closer to herself: "Where you spying on them Jacob? You shouldn't be following people at night."
You shook your head with an embarrassed smile. "If you say it like that, I sound like a creep, Luna. I was not following anyone, but I had this with me." You said, pulling out your map.
Harry's eyes widened in surprise as you unfolded the map before him. "You have a Marauder's Map? I thought only we had one of those."
You looked at him in confusion: "A what now?" Then you processed his words: "You've also built a map like this? That's awesome! Can I see?"
Harry looked at the map in your hands with a mix of awe and envy. "I can't believe it. You built this yourself? I never thought I'd see another one of these. Can I take a closer look?"
While Luna helped Harry to study your map creation, you were instructed by Harry to take out this Marauder's Map out of his pack of clothing under his bed.
From above the bed, Harry continued talking to you, while you were fishing his map out: "This is amazing, Jacob. I had no idea it could be so detailed. It even shows more passageways and hidden rooms than mine! How did you do this by yourself?"
"Are the students souls trapped in here?" Luna asked from her place next to Harry.
You stood up with only a piece of empty parchment in your hand that you were holding up. "How does this work? Is it a riddle?" You asked instead, not responding to any of their questions until your own curiosity was satisfied.
"Oh, yes," Harry said, looking up from your creation. "Sorry, take your wand, tap it against the map and say …"
You nodded, following along his commands and spoke after him: "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
If it was not the most wonderful thing you had seen in your life, it was at least in the upper ranks. The parchment came to life with a sense of sass and style that made you believe their creators to be artists in their most pure form.
You opened it up to see a visually distinct and somewhat more limited, but just as alive version of Hogwarts. The map stretched out through most of the region that you had also included, missing out on some details and spaces, but just as correct in the answers as how to bypass certain riddles. Some spaces were drawn accurate to their proportions and highly representative of the real world, while others were barely sketches that looked like a lazy afterthought. The map in your hand looked like a mosaic of different people, one just as interesting as the next one.
But there was even one space, that you didn't add to your map yet: the headmasters office. Right now, it was visibly empty. And a quick look around the map towards to places where you would expect him otherwise, didn't allow you for more insights into Professor Dumbledors wherabaouts.
"Who build this?" You asked smiling. "It's gorgeous!"
Harry grinned in return. "That would be my father and his friends. My father was P-", but you interrupted him.
"Prongs," you said more to yourself than to him as the last pieces of a sad tale came together in your mind. "Black is Padfoot … and then there is the rat and Professor Lupin." You knew that they had been friends, keeping together so dearly that they had learned the Animagus transformation just to be with their friend. Had they built this map to safely leave the castle each month as well?
Deep in thoughts, it took you a moment until you realized that Harry had fallen silent.
"How do you know?" He asked, expression serious, smile gone.
You looked at him for a few seconds, unsure about his change of behavior before folding his map back together and placing it carefully on his night table. His eyes stayed on you the whole time.
You sighed. It had gone so well until now.
"I told you that I should have acted sooner," you said. "I started looking into Sirius Black about a month ago." And then, you told him everything. How you spent days in the library looking through old newspapers and articles, your theories about what was happening, how you had set out into the forbidden forest, the place where you saw Sirius Black … you told him of how much time had passed in your time of indecision. And you were honest about the fact, that you had hesitated because you wanted to find the answer yourself.
You told him about your many theories, of not being sure of Professor Lupins involvement and about the embarrassment of a conversation you'd had with him a few days ago.
It was difficult for you to open up about these things, to someone that was not your friend. But you owed the person in front of you because he had been hurt by your choices.
The first word that Harry said after having listened to you calmly was not what you expected. You thought him to be angry and to fault you for his circumstances. You expected that and invited his anger on to you.
"Thank you," he said instead. "You saved Sirius and thanks to you, he might be free soon." Harry raised his healthy arm towards you. "Professor Dumbledore told me about the manner of your time loop. You could have died, but you did your best to save my friends and Sirius, nonetheless. I will not forget this, Jacob."
You looked down at his outstretched hand.
A sign with heavy meaning, something any wizarding child would understand as a life-debt freely given. It started to sink in that there would be no anger to expect from him. No one would take it onto themselves to call you out on your failures.
His action aroused anger in you, that you had been failing to suppress. You had tried to see only the good deeds, the success of yesternight, but the only thing that was standing out in all of this was the catastrophic failures. You had lost to Pettigrew.
He had beaten you completely. All past versions of yourself had lost against all past versions of him. You had given it your all and still lost. The Time Turner that you had used for your loops was distinct from Grangers. You were not sure were your past-version had brought it in from, but it was a clear sign that it had been difficult to acquire. This was the best you had been able to do across unlimited resolution loops.
And you had lost. In the end had it not been for Professor Snapes help, your attempts would have been futile. Even with his help, Harry had been bitten and you had nothing to show for it. The Dementors had been used as captured slaves for unspeakable deeds and the rat was gone, without giving you any answers directly.
You slapped Harry's hand away carelessly when you answered: "I clearly failed. So, don't thank me."
Harry's expression fell as he looked at you with a mix of confusion and hurt. "I don't understand. I know it wasn't perfect, but you saved us all and caught Peter. You should be proud of what you did."
You shook your head, feeling the weight of your failure heavy on your shoulders. "I'm not proud of what I did. I should have acted sooner, or I should have been smarter about it and I definitely shouldn't have lost in a battle of wits. I let my obsession cloud my judgement and it nearly cost me your lives. I don't want your gratitude."
Harry looked at you with a look of understanding. "I know you're feeling guilty right now, but you have to remember that you did the best you could with the information you had at the time. You're not perfect, none of us are. And you can't blame yourself for anything that went wrong."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "It's not healthy to keep carrying guilt around with you." Harry looked to the side as he said those words. There was an undertone of understanding to his voice. "You have to forgive yourself, Jacob … and I forgive you too."
You looked at Harry.
"Thank you, Harry," you said, feeling nothing at all at his words. "But you are wrong. I can blame my mistakes and I will. I am sorry that I was not good enough to keep you healthy. I will not repeat such a mistake again."
Luna, who had been quiet during the entire conversation, spoke up. "Jacob, I think it's important to remember that we all make mistakes. No one can expect us to be right all the time."
You nodded, looking up at Luna, feeling more isolated in the room than you had before.
This time it was you who smiled, without it reaching your eyes.
"I know, thank you, Luna."
You had learned a lesson before, that you had not applied this time. Girzum had tried to trick you below Helga's Guardian Hall, deep inside the mines. And in failure he had taught you one very important thing. If there was someone with sharp teeth in the dark, lurking around you, you needed to either kill them or make them your pawn.
Pettigrew had escaped your judgement this time.
But you were planning on visiting Azkaban in the future either way.
What would change in the world if one rat lost its life in the process?
Present Date: 29th June 1994
Current Wand: Fagus wood, Phoenix feather core
The dueling tournament continued.
You had taken your time in the first round to show everyone that the space around you was as much a tool as the wand in your hand today and to their credit, some of the duelists had learned from that. You saw some different applications of the same philosophy in the first and second round that followed.
Cedric charmed a block of wood into an improvised Bludger, that flew around the quidditch field and annoyed his opponents just enough to be pieced up by Cedric's precision and skill. Tracey on the other hand, started a cutting terror attack and had soon pulverized most of the stage, until her opponent just tripped, not being able to keep up with the assault of spells. There was no Reparo needed. The wand stayed on the stage and the student fighting her broke a bone in the fall.
You watched a few more of the other fights but save Percy Weasley and a few older students none of them seemed like too much too handle. The red hair Gryffindor was in a league of his own today. This was his last act of his school life, and it looked like he wanted to make it count.
Your second round was against Melinda and you smiled at her and said sorry, before you transformed her into a cute little bunny. You took her up in your arms and carried her out of stage to save her the embarrassment of re-transfiguration in front of this many people.
As the tournament went on, the rounds went by quicker. And soon enough, the quarterfinals of the dueling tournament had arrived. You found yourself standing across the blonde Slytherin that you suspected liked and hated you in equal measures. Tracey had a fierce look in her eyes, determined to win and advance to the semifinals.
"Hey Tracey," you called out, a smirk on you. "I am very sorry for the loss you are about to face!"
"Oh please," Tracey shot back, rolling her eyes. "If you think that sounded cool, we need to use some of that time studying for a little experience on how humans actually talk, Jacob."
"Is that so?" you said laughing. "Well, I'll have to remember to bring my A-game then. I wouldn't want to disappoint with bad humor."
"That is sadly too late. You disappoint me every day, Jacob," Tracey quipped, shaking her head with a playfully sad expression on her face.
"Ouch," you said, feigning injury to your chest. "I guess that's just the price of being great, no idea how normal folk speaks."
Tracey laughed, raising her wand up at you. The prefects were setting the stage still, cleaning up the mess of the previous duel. You did not realize that the crowd was reacting to Tracey and your words, because you were focused on her instead. If someone did not take this cunning snake in front of you serious, they were always swallowed whole.
"Speaking of great," Tracey said, her wand at the ready. "How about a friendly bet? If you lose, I get all of your notebooks for the summer."
You chuckled: "And if I win?"
"Why plan for a scenario that will not happen either way?" She answered.
The word 'Begin' by Professor Flitwick was spoken at the exact same time as Tracey's 'Incendio'. The girl was scarry good at these soft skills, giving her more advantages in things outside her simple skill base. How else would a third-year pass into the quarterfinals. Besides you and Tracey there were only students of fifth year and up still in the tournament.
A transformed dragon took in the hit for you while you stepped around him. There was enough debris on the stage for all kinds of transfiguration by now.
"Ha! Good luck with that," you said, your own wand guiding the dragon up in the air to have Tracey focus on multiple things at once. You would most probably not use it, but it was always good to have a trump card. "I plan on being the one doing the defeating today."
"Flipendo," she said. Her next spell was cast as her wand snapped forward: "Incendio!" Birds flew up out of the ground debris as you countered both spells with more transfiguration.
Tracey had a very limited spell repertoire, but she was quick in their casting and her understanding was better than most. She was a talent in the making and with every fight, you saw her growth speed up further. The dueling club was awakening a monster in her.
"Alright, enough chit-chat," Tracey said, her eyes locked onto yours. "Let's get this show on the road."
"Agreed," you said, a determined look on your face. "Let's do this."
The crowd was shouting in support louder than they had before.
"Avifors," you said again, transforming more debris into birds. You cast 'Spongify' on some and 'Glacius' on others, mixing up birds that acted like rubber bullets once thrown at the opponent and others that were frozen at the core but not at the wings, only moving because the spell compelled them to fly.
"Incendio." Two ice birds intercepted it together, but the fire spell pushed itself through with violent force.
"Protego," you said, not moving from your position.
And with that, you had fallen into her trap it seemed.
"Flipendo!" Tracey shouted and you didn't need to look below to know it had not been directed at your body.
On a whim, you dispelled the Protego and pointed your wand down on the ground. "Immobulus!" You spoke.
Your spell hit the ground at the same time as hers did, but you were holding your breath for a full second afterwards until you saw that it had worked. The wooden surface below stood in place, one spell canceling the other out enough for it to not break.
Time for an offensive tactic. One of the birds attacked Tracey from the front.
"Protego!" She said and it crashed against her shield harmlessly. A rubber bird hit her from behind at the same time, while she was focusing ahead. It crashed against her leg, the impact disforming it into a soft mass that meshed around it. You released the softening spell at the right time, and it created a circle around one of Tracey's legs that looked like bird shackle.
Most things would try to fall into their previous forms in this situation. But for transfigured things there were other rules. In short, if your creativity and spell repertoire allowed for it, you could probably do anything. Pretty great this Transfiguration subject, really.
Tracey looked down at her leg and while it would slow her down. There was not much more to the bird shackle than that.
"Jacob, that is a very weird attack. Mind getting this off?" She asked, moving her leg forward to see if the shackle would fall off.
You smiled at her. "Honestly, I have no idea what will happen next. Sorry, if it hurts!"
Her confusion was evident.
A transfigured object could change its form if you had the right spells and intention for it. But what happened once you released the previous transfiguration? There had to be an addition of force-release afterwards, right?
The bird looking shackle that had closed around Tracey's leg turned back into wood. For one single moment it stayed in place. A circular shaped piece of wood around her upper leg, until the wood remembered that this was not its natural form and snapped back violently, pushing anything out if its way that was hindering it.
Tracey's leg was catapulted forwards and then, when stopped by the limitations of her body, it went up. Tracey made a full flip backwards following her leg, her shield breaking by the sudden loss of focus.
"Spongify," you said before one of the prefects had moved and cast it on the ground below Tracey. She hit the floor with force but bounced on it instead of hurting herself. Her wand was still in hand, but the duel was over.
The applause that followed was directed at the two of you.
"You can still have one of my notebooks," you said.
1d100+39 #Jacob Attack I = (78 + 39) 117
1d100+16 #Melinda Defense I = (51 + 16) 67
1d100+39 #Jacob Attack I = (86 + 39) 125
1d100+21 #Tracey Defense I = (78 + 21) 99
1d100+17 #Tracey Attack I = (26 + 17) 43
1d100+54 #Jacob Defense I = (60 + 54) 114
Present Date: 28th June 1994
Current Wand: Fagus wood, Phoenix feather core
When exam week arrived, you were as prepared as one could be, having studied diligently all year. Throughout the week, you were found lounging in the common room or wandering the castle with Nally. You were trying to evade the stress some of your classmates were feeling, and instead took the time to enjoy the final days of the school year and soak up the sun outside.
You were feeling relaxed and confident while lazing around. You free time was only interrupted by exams or by one of your friends with their last-minute desperation for studying and exam preparation. You helped sometimes, but often enough you were just trying to recuperate from the stress your mind and your body had gone through. You couldn't remember another time that you had looked for summer vacation this badly.
As the week progressed, the tension in the castle rose as the exams got harder and the stakes higher. Unfazed of that, you were breezing through each exam with ease and grace. Only one other student showed similar prowess across all exams. But while she had not been that attentive to you in the past, in shared exams you noticed Granger paying much more attention to you now.
You did not talk to her, having enough energy spent on talking to one Gryffindor already.
It was the morning of the day you would receive your grades and the Ravenclaw table was buzzing with excitement and nervous energy. Anthony, Terry, Padma, Morag and Su were all huddled together around you on the table, discussing their predictions and speculating on how they had done.
"I think I might have done alright on the Charms exam," Anthony said, pushing his glasses up his nose. Where had those come from? You had never seen him with glasses before.
"I think I aced the Potions exam," said Terry with a grin. His expression was bright, and you knew that Potions was the one subject he had been most afraid of. After Granger, it was probably him who would have the best grades of the year.
"I'm just hoping I passed the Transfiguration exam," said Padma with a worried look on her face. Su put an arm around her and hugged her closely.
"I'm sure you did well, Padma," she said reassuringly. "You've been working really hard all year."
"What about you, Jacob?" asked Morag. "You haven't said much about how you think you did."
You looked at her but continued eating the sandwich you were biting into. "What about me?" You asked, still chewing happily away at the cheesy mass inside.
Morag sighed annoyed. "Yeah, sure. Why did I ask even?" She took a crumb of bread from her plate and threw it at you. It was very unexpected, and it hit you straight in the eye.
You laughed and cried at the same time, almost choking on your sandwich. "Ouw!" You shouted.
"You are always such a little …" Morag started in a loud voice, but as she saw that Professor Flitwick was getting closer, she continued in a whisper. "… unbearable shit! I just asked you a normal question. Why do you make every conversation so difficult, Jacob?"
While Morag still looked annoyed, the Ravenclaws around you were all laughing or chuckling in some manner.
"I have done nothing of the sorts. I am just old and bad of hearing," you said, raising your hands in defense.
Morag was still looking at you annoyed, but she couldn't help her lips from moving up as she tried to suppress a smile.
"Well, no need to answer that," Anthony said. "I don't think I could handle seeing Jacob get a less than perfect grade on anything really. Because then the rest of our futures look bleak."
Thankfully the conversation turned to other topics as you finished your breakfast.
A few hours later, the grades were posted, and the students gathered around the notice board to see their results. You wanted to take your time, but in the end, you walked over to the notice board to follow your friends. All of you crowded around the notice board, looking for your respective names.
You saw yours, nodded at the grades and turned around to leave again.
But a voice caught the others attention before you had been able to escape the encirclement.
"Jacob Basques... Outstanding in all exams," Anthony read out loud.
"Wow, I told you he wasn't doing any studying the last few weeks," Padma said to Morag next to her.
"I guess that gives Ravenclaw the record for top student back," said Su. "Or wait … Granger also has all O's. What happens in this case?"
"Ah man", Terry said, breaking the conversation. "I got an Acceptable on Potions. Bloody Snape. I thought I would ace it!"
Anthony laughed and said: "I mean, you got an A in potions. A for A-cing?"
Present Date: 28th June 1994
Current Wand: Fagus wood, Phoenix feather core
The semifinals had arrived. The last round for the four best duelists of the tournament. In one leg Percy Weasley was going to oppose a fellow seventh year with the name of Marcus Flint. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. The other leg had you as a Ravenclaw and Cedric Diggory as a Hufflepuff contestant.
A perfect end to the dramatic tournament.
"One student per house is left. And as we all know, the winner is awarded with a hundred points to their name. With this it is still possible for either Slytherin, Gryffindor or the Ravenclaw house to win the house cup …"
Your attention fazed out at Professor Flitwick's spiel about house points. It was news to you that there were house points to be rewarded here, but it was difficult to care for something like that, when you were standing across your next hurdle.
Cedric Diggory had his wand at the ready. And while the fifth year had underestimated you when you had first joined the club, his demeanor had changed drastically over the last few months. There was no pushover left this late in the tournament. Anyone could win it now.
Well, anyone that carried the name Basques, that was.
You broke free from the trance you were falling into and looked over the field, to bring your focus back. The quidditch stadium was filled with an electric energy. The stands were packed with more people than before, all eager to see the final rounds of the tournament. The sun was shining brightly still, casting a warm glow over the field and highlighting the vibrant colors of the robes worn by the duelists.
Cedric Diggory stood opposite of you, also wearing his house colors.
As you stood there, you and Cedric shared a moment of mutual respect, a silent understanding that this was going to be a tough and challenging duel. You both raised your wands and took your positions on the stage.
"Are you ready, Jacob?" Cedric asked, his wand at the ready.
"Always ready," you replied, your wand also at the ready.
"Well then, let's show everyone what we're made of," Cedric said with determination.
"And with this," Professor Flitwick's voice shouted over the loud cheers, his voice magically carrying to any corner. "We will commence the semifinals. Let us have two more grand rounds today! Begin!"
Every round before had been an onslaught of rapid spellcasting. Everyone tried to put in more spells than their opponents to just win by overwhelming them.
This one between you, was different.
No spell was cast. You both stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. The crowd had grown silent as well, waiting for the first move to be made. The tension was palpable as you both studied each other, looking for insights in the others planned tactic.
Cedric was the first to make a move, casting an unknown spell that caused a gust of wind to sweep across the stage. Some of the debris was swept into the air and thrown at you. He was going to throw a lot of pointy things at you with his first move.
You countered it by transforming those in your path into bats.
The wind pushed the newly formed bats quicker than they could fly themselves, rushing by you on all sides and sending them swirling upwards into the stands. You gave the bats enough of your attention for them to fly up higher and not hit anyone.
The next spell that Cedric threw at you pulled a piece of the ground from the stage and threw it onto you as well. While you were not sure, what he had planned, you knew that it was dangerous countering something twice in the same way against Cedric.
"Reparo!" You said instead, quick enough to stop its movement midair. The large piece of wood was caught between two spells, one moving it forward and once backward into its original position on the stage.
"Flipendo." Both you and Cedric said at the same time, throwing more force against the object. This time it was too much for the piece of wood and it broke under the pressure from two sides. Splinters of wood exploded into all directions and only a hastily erected shield saved you from nasty cuts.
You had not seen any spellcasting, but suddenly a large goat was on the stage in between Cedric and you, charging at you. It was surprising, but not a challenging attack. Why was it then that when you looked past the goat and over at Cedric, you saw him smiling confidently? You could tell that he had trapped you somehow.
Your mind was catching up with everything at once. It would be no problem to defend yourself against the goat with the shield you had already erected … which meant, Cedric wanted you to keep the shield up?
Half a second passed.
But why?
If he wanted you to keep your shield up, he wanted you to focus on what was before you. That meant that there might be something behind you that he wanted you to not see in time.
Sneaky bastard was stealing your tricks.
You released the shielding charm, focusing on the still active 'Reparo' from before. Splinters and wooden pieces around you came back to live as the spell was rejuvenated by your will. You could feel the magic spring back to activity, grabbing all the pieces of the large block of wood that would soon push against the charging goat to find its way back into the ground.
This freed you up to turn around and shout: "Lapifors!"
There behind you was a second goat that had almost reached you. It had already crossed all distance and jumped into a bodycheck, ready to ram into you when your spell hit it. You caught the former-goat-now-rabbit with one hand and turned around fluidly to Cedric again to throw it into his direction.
The now airborne rabbit flew above the first goat who was being plastered through the ground by your 'Reparo'. When the rabbit had flown halfway between you and Cedric, you released your transfiguration spell, having it turn back into the goat again that Cedric had created to attack you from behind.
Cedric was quick with his reaction. He threw himself forwards on his knees and moved his wand upwards to release his transfiguration spell. In the last moment, the goat turned to wood that fell over Cedric who ducked under the debris in one motion.
He evaded your fast paced counter by being just as lightning quick as you were.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
You could see the determination and focus in Cedric's eyes, but you knew that it was misplaced. You had already won this.
"Would have been quite embarrassing to lose to that really," you said, putting your wand down to have Cedric relax.
The Hufflepuff kept his wand between you, but asked: "Why?"
"I had planned the exact same thing."
It took Cedric one moment to understand what you were trying to convey. He moved around like, when he finally put two and two together. But it was too late. The flying bats that you had transfigured first, had gone a wide circle around the stadium, hidden from his view to attack from behind.
They flocked into him as one, having him focus on saving his wand against them and opening his back to you.
It was the first time that you cast the most basic dueling spell for the day: "Expelliarmus," you spoke.
Under loud cheers and applause Professor Flitwick declared you the winner of the first leg of the semifinals.
You looked over at Cedric after having dispelled the bats into dead wood. He was sitting on the ground shaking his head in disappointment. When you walked over to him, he was smiling and joined the clapping for you, before taking your hand to help him up.
"A little bit frustrating to lose right before the finals," he said after getting up on his legs again.
"That was a lot of fun though," you answered. "That was really really fun."
Cedric chuckled. "Yeah, actually. That was great. I almost had you there."
"Exactly," you said and laughed. "Almost!"
1d100+39 #Jacob Attack I = (90 + 39) 129
1d100+40 #Cedric Defense I = (69 + 40) 109
1d100+34 #Cedric Attack I = (65 + 34) 99
1d100+54 #Jacob Defense I = (99 + 54) 153
The final round of the dueling tournament had arrived, and everyone was eager to see the showdown between the two finalists, with you representing the Ravenclaw blue, and Percy Weasley the Gryffindor red.
As you walked out onto the stage, you couldn't help but notice the determined look on Percy's face. Again, he looked part stiff broom just as he did oftentimes, and you couldn't resist the urge to needle him a bit.
"Looks like someone's taking this a little too seriously, Percy. You sure that you were not looking for a ballroom with that pretty outfit of yours?" You shouted over the stage as the two of you climbed onto it on opposite ends.
Percy scowled. "This isn't a joke to me, Jacob. I've been working hard all year to get here."
"Well, then I think you can be very proud of yourself," you replied, still smiling. "You don't get to lose to a third year every day!"
But Percy wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Stop embarrassing yourself and let us start this."
Professor Flitwick walked to the center of the stage, his wand in hand. "Welcome, welcome, everyone! We are here to witness the final round of the dueling tournament. The winner will be awarded with a hundred points to their house."
The students in the stands began to cheer, excited for the end of the event. The red corner of the crowd was drowning all others out with their loud support. But their antagonizing shouts gave you only more energy.
"And with this, we will commence. Let us have a grand finale! Begin!" Professor Flitwick said, as he cast a spell. Blue and red sparks went over your heads up into the air, resulting in a big firework just above the two of you. A large lion and an eagle battling above you in the sky.
You and Percy both raised your wands to your faces.
"I saw your grades posted," Percy said, smiling just a little bit for the first time. "I am glad that you are not squandering your talent even though you still lack focus."
His wand moved. "But that will come in time," he said as a spell left his wand. It was not the first time you saw Percy cast a silent spell, but it was always the same challenge to find out what he was attacking with.
This time you had carefully followed the movement of his wand to anticipate it.
"Protego," you said, letting the binding charm fall harmlessly against it.
Over the span of the next few minutes, you tricked Percy multiple times. You distracted him from above and had a seemingly downed bird attack him from below once he was not looking. You tried brute-forcing your way through his shields and you closed the distance between you to provoke a combat of reflexes.
And while some of the tricks worked, in the end they were just tricks. His spell repertoire was much larger than yours and he was able to hide his intentions by casting some of them silently. It was a losing battle from the very first second.
The embarrassing finish came when you blocked a transfiguration charm that was directed at you. The moment you were focused on that, Percy cast a spell that ended the duel in just one instance: "Silencio."
It hit you in the shoulder. Your scream of frustration was simply a muted movement of your mouth.
"Winner, Percy Weasley. And with this I award a hundred points to Gryffindor!"
The cheering that ensued would have drowned out your shout either way. It was the loudest thing you had ever been part of.
With a heavy heart, you lowered your wand and walked over to Percy, who stood victorious on the other side of the stage. You could see the satisfaction and pride in his eyes, and you couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger. But you pushed it aside and forced a smile onto your face.
You stayed silent, extending your hand for a handshake until the Gryffindor released his spell. "You deserved to win." You said.
Percy took your hand and gave it a firm shake. "Thanks, Jacob. You put up a good fight," he said, a hint of support in his voice.
"Yeah," you replied, trying to hide the disappointment in yours.
Percy looked at you sympathetically. " You're a talented duelist, Jacob. I will be gone from Hogwarts now, which means you will be the closest to a champ left."
You nodded. This was just a setback. You'd come back stronger next year. "Thanks, Percy. I appreciate it," you said, before turning to walk off the stage.
Some of the cheers and applause of the crowd was directed at you, but you didn't look up.
The year was over now. And while there was much in form of success, there was a lot of room to grow into next year still.
Right now, though?
You just wanted to sit down and do nothing for a while.
1d100+39 #Jacob Attack I = (10 + 39) 49
1d100+45 #Percy Defense I = (91 + 45) 136
New Perk aquired: Boundless Ambition I - You are continuously honing your skills in the art of dueling and are becoming a force to be reckoned with. Your quick thinking and creativity in the face of battle have become your greatest assets. Whether it's through clever spellcasting or strategic use of your surroundings, you always find a way to come out on top. +5 to all combat rolls.
+ 156 Exp.
Present Date: 30th June 1994
Current Wand: Fagus wood, Phoenix feather core
As you packed your things into your old trunk, you couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. While you were always sad to be leaving Hogwarts, you were also looking forward to travel home. At least for a while.
You looked around the dorm room, taking in the empty beds and the memories that lingered in the air. You couldn't believe how much you had grown and changed since you first arrived at Hogwarts. This year you had even made new friends, you had solved a hundred riddles that had all been unbelievably fascinating and you had learned about the past of your family … you took a book with a thousand empty pages in it and put it on top of your neatly folded clothing.
This had been such an interesting year. But right now, you just wanted to be lazy and be home with your family for a time.
You closed your trunk and picked it up. With a deep breath, you shouldered it and made your way out of the castle, joining the other students. The sun was shining bright over the hills and the lake. A goodbye for its students, some soon to return, others to set out into their grown-up lives.
You felt the castle touch you with its magic, bidding you a nice trip. It made you turn around to Hogwarts and smile brightly. "I'll be back soon, don't worry," you whispered and followed your friends down to the Hogwarts Express. The train was still waiting at the station, steam billowing from the engine.
As you walked down the path leading to the station, you thought back. There were some frustrations in your heart. A few that you were consciously working on and others that you were pushing away for now. But there were also many positive emotions that made you love and cherish your life. You weren't sure what the future was holding for you.
But you knew one thing; this had been a very fun year indeed.
End of Book 1.Thank you all for the journey up to this point. We go on a break now.
Just joking! How about we start with Book 2 right away?
There are many things for you to do this summer! Chose 3 actions out of the following for the first month of summer vacation. Usual monthly planning is suspended due to follow-up effects of the obsession trait. Jacob will take time to relax. You will have most unused choices (and some additional options) in the second month.
Vote in plans, please.
[ ] A fathers journey – Your father is going to travel a lot this summer. Nicolas Flamel seems to need his help now more than you remembered from your childhood. If you want to spend more quality time with your father, you will probably need to accompany him on his travels. Go and join his daytrips whenever you can.
[ ] A mothers travel – Your mother has had many paintings commissioned over the last few months that she wants to deliver on. She will be attending some events and visiting old friends. Big social commitments that she would like to have you around for. This sounds like something that you would rather not do, but you want to spend time with your mother. Go and accompany her whenever it fits.
[ ] A Grandfather's obsession – Nicolas Flamel looks much worse than he did during winter break. The old man's life is coming to an end it seems, but it seems that his obsessions don't care for his physical state. He es working on many projects at once. You are still torn on what you feel towards him, but he is family. Go and help him whenever you can.
[ ] Ravenclaw meeting – Morag and Padma are going to be in France for a few days with their families. Morag wrote you about it. Ask Nicolas for something to travel with and go to Paris to show them the Place Cachée. You haven't been there in a year, so it might be fun!
[ ] My birthplace – Somewhere deep below the island, there is the place of your creation. You will search for it and see if it is still activated. You don't know what you will do once you find out if souls are still getting trapped or not … but it might be time to confront this devil.
[ ] The sea below – You have everything that you would need to travel the sea around the island. Go into the water and discover what the world looks down there.
[ ] I am here and now I am there – You know of a spell that allows for teleportation of oneself from one location to another. Now that you have enough space and no legal limitations, why not learn how to apparate?
[ ] Friendly visitors – Ask one or multiple friends to come over for a day trip onto the island. Specify who you want to invite. Possible list: [Justin Finch-Fletchley, Megan Jones, Tracey Davis, Padma Patil, Morag Macdougal, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot]
Three-hour Moratorium!As always, please take time to discuss the chapter and the vote first.
Jacob won until Percy single-handedly defeated him with silent spells and just being a better duelist. At least Jacob would know how the best would fight like and he would be obsessed in trying to fight with silent casting if he can help it. Though the fact that Jacob will be going to Azkaban for some unfinished business and beneath the Black Lake for the same purpose shows a lot of dark deeds to be done before he finishes his NEWTs.
We didn't spend time with mommy last time. So i definitely want to do it this time. Jacob's parents don't have lots of time left in this world. It might also be good for social and meeting new interesting people.
