Earning His Stripes
"...Among the iconology of wizardkind, stars and moons feature most prominently - especially on clothing," Professor Binns recited, reading from an ectoplasmic tome. Although his voice was as dry as cracked leaves and unpleasant to listen to, he didn't possess the same, faintly irritated drawl as Professor Snape. "Any idea why?"
A hand shot up. Then, another.
"Mr. Potter?" With a huff of annoyance, Hermione lowered her hand. "Did I get your name right?"
"Yes, Professor," Harry confirmed, then continued. "Um, essentially, it's because most of the wizarding cultures in the world nowadays are descended, or related, to our British culture of wizardry. During Julius Caesar's foray into Albion - in 55 BC, I believe - his armies brought along a number of priests and patricians that we, nowadays, descend from. However, after remaining on the Isles, those wizards meshed together - culturally and magically - with the native population of druids and Celtic magicians. And those magicians believed, even back then, that celestial objects possessed great power: particularly stars, and the moon."
"And what of the sun?"
"Although worship of the sun was very common during those times, especially among the native Muggles, and wizards believed the sun to be a source of greatness, splendor, and luck, they didn't call upon it per se. They feared that its scathing rays might judge them too harshly." He didn't have the slightest clue what any of that meant. He was simply reciting the textbook passages from memory. It was the fifth paragraph of page three-hundred and seventy-five.
"Hmm, good. Twenty points to Huffle... yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Another thing, Professor - about the sun, I mean."
"Yes?"
"The sun god of the Roman Empire was known as Sol Invictus, meaning 'unconquerable,'" she said. "It was commonly believed that by using magic to openly call upon the sun was an invitation for one of the Powers into our world, and one that might feel challenged by the deed."
"Adequate description, yes, very good. Ten points to Ravenclaw."
The remainder of the lesson passed on uneventfully. Professor Binns spoke a little bit about the crunchy particulars of druidic cultures and behaviors, their magical abilities, and the mostly forgotten aspects of their rites. He also reminded everyone that Merlin was, technically, a druid. After class, Hermione caught up with Harry and Neville.
"I see you've been reading at night again!" she called out, a lace of affront running through her tone.
"Now that I've fully automated the process of doing my homework, I have plenty of free time," Harry replied with a casual, nonchalant drawl. He checked his fingernails playfully for any dirt, smirking. "I'm simply that good at magic, Hermione. Today, the Astronomy OWLs; tomorrow, the NEWTs."
"Oh, stop being a bull," Neville said, rolling his eyes. A common feature of bullying attempts - with emphasis on attempts, as Harry expertly parried any concrete insults or jinxes tossed at his back - was somehow tying them back to the theme of cows, given the scar spots on his body. It turned out that Malfoy had been mostly correct. Alas, even his friend Neville picked up the treacherous habit of calling Harry a slanderous bull or ox, mostly in a joking fashion; Harry permitted it, even though he disliked it.
"And where's your beret?" She squinted at his suspiciously barren head.
As though synchronized through the same clockwork wind-up mechanism, Neville and Harry simultaneously glanced down the hall, toward Luna Lovegood. The young girl was now enjoying total popularity among her First-Year peers. It wasn't entirely due to Harry's enchanted beret, but one couldn't deny the effect was definitely amplified. Under the right light, it almost looked as though Luna wore a small blueberry on top of her head. Apparently, Professor Sprout approved heartily of Harry's idea, assigning him even more points for displaying the true spirit of Hufflepuff by magnanimously sharing his greatness with others.
She'd worded it a little differently.
A blaggard, you are.
What's that?
A wizard insult. You wouldn't get it.
Harry shivered a little. As the days passed, Geist spoke to him less and less, although he maintained a regular regimen of beating the crap out of Harry's mind to get him to raise his Occlumency barriers quicker. It seemed the ghost was becoming more of a passive observer as time went on, and as a result, sometimes Harry could have difficulty recognizing whether something that Geist had said was actual, directed words, or simply his own background thoughts temporarily running on a particularly dry pessimism.
"Hey, Asmund."
"Harry," Asmund nodded.
He was alone, unaccompanied by Nova or Dusty, apparently returning from classes. It was the perfect opportunity to ask him.
"Find out anything about what happened to Dusty?" Harry asked in a hushed voice.
"...I... yeah, sort of," Asmund replied. "I've already told Dumbledore all I know. There was an intrusion, on the night it happened. The Aurors are discussing Polyjuice. And then someone died, apparently, but it wasn't a teacher or a student, so it had be one of the Aurors."
"And not a Dementor?"
"'Coz Dementors don't die," Asmund answered with a dry tone.
"Right. Well, see you later."
---
Anyway, now that January's behind you, select your actions for February and March. Here's your curriculum --
Astronomy (43P/Wolf–Harrington, Stellar Correspondences - Advanced, Drawing Stellar Correspondence Charts, Astrological-Animal Blessings)
Charms (Cheering Charm, Peeling Charm, Water-Float Charm, Spark Charm, Charmitorium, personal training w/ Flitwick)
Defense Against the Dark Arts (Review, General Introductory Daemonology, Advanced Ghost Banishing)
Herbology (Magical Trees, Exotic Mandrake Extract, Snowflake-Biting Column Tree)
History of Magic (Development of Wizarding Industry in the 1200s, Wizengamot Decree on the Three Enchantments, Goblin Decrees, Other Ancient Artifacts of Britain)
Potions (Introductory Explanation of Alchemy, Basic Alchemical Oil, Enhanced Variants of the Forgetfulness Potion)
Transfiguration (Magical Alphabets, Basic Rune Chart (Futhark), Lesser Switching Spell, Human Transmutation, Fingernail to Blade)
At the moment, you've got 2.5 Gnosis. As such, you may afford these, but nothing else:
[ ] Removal of the Accursed Name [1 Gnosis] - The name of the Dark Lord Voldemort is deprived of its magical power, and is no longer considered a taboo. As a result, the people of the world can speak it without Geist knowing, and he no longer derives any benefits from it. As a result, you can also say it as much as you want - the Dark Lord no longer possesses any significant power over the thread, although he may act disgruntled should you bully him too much. It doesn't seem like Geist cares overmuch.
[ ] Removal of the Envious Curse [1 Gnosis] - Remove the curse on the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. As Sirius appears to be holding down the fort competently, this won't have much effect, but it's still a charitable act for future generations. Geist grumbles slightly but in his usual apathy, doesn't seem to care.
Do you wish to continue the investigation, or continue studying?
[ ] Study Even More [+1 Gnosis]
-[ ] Any particular focus for your studies? (Particular spells, domains)
[ ] Resume Investigation - Hm, the new information brings some facts to light. Maybe you should question Sirius or Ms. Nettlebane? Alternatively, you can attempt to eke the information out of a busy Auror's mind using Legilimency, while under the guise of Invisibility!
-[ ] Target (Write-in)
As a reminder, you're still providing Dumbledore with regular astrological charts. There's been nothing abnormal happening according to your predictions, and nothing is going to happen. Here's some other ideas of stuff you can do to spend the time:
[ ] Dueling Club - It's late into the year, sure, but Professor Flitwick's been urging you to go and show off your talents. With your current skills, you'd probably be able to give some of the Fourth Years a run for their money.
[ ] More Cooling Off - Hang out with your friends and do some fun things together.
[ ] Contemplate Death - How are you going to defeat a super-ancient super-being? Read up some books and tell Neville about your ideas.
