Harry Potter and the Scabbard of Excalibur [AU]
Convention of Tears
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
Convention of Tears
Among the Inner Circle's additions to the Hufflepuff Basement was something called simply the 'Gathering Room.' A relatively large, airy chamber with magical ventilation and no windows, and only a single door. Inside, there was an arrangement of comfortable chairs and a round table. As young as he was, in comparison to most of the gathered people, Harry felt slightly out of place, like a kid dressed in his father's business suit, not quite certain of what he was supposed to do. After some greetings and jovial banter, as well as the spreading of free bagels and coffee, the Head Boy, Anthony Barr encouraged Harry to begin presenting his case.
He spoke at great length, sparing not even the slightest detail or minor piece of data.
His only exemption was the fact he didn't mention any of Geist's involvement in the events because he wasn't certain how people might take the information that a Harry Potter, the infamous Chosen One, was walking around with the Dark Lord's voice stuck in his head. They'd probably think he was crazier than they already believed him to be.
Anthony looked around, then located Myles Lastark, the Head of Investigation. "Do you mind?"
"I've already done some looking into this, but didn't locate anything of particular note aside from what Harry's already said," the boy answered mildly. "It's actually pretty mysterious. I'd suppose the culprit was using this opportunity in which Dementors were relatively available to test some magical device on them."
"That seems to be the motivation, yes," another person supported.
"But I have no idea what the device's purpose is," Myles added with a shrug. "Restriction? An experiment by some enterprising sorcerer to make a device helpful in breaking out of Azkaban? I can't even say that much."
"That'd be, like, super-illegal," Nova cut in.
"Yes, quite," Anthony said. "It's unlikely to be a student. Otherwise, there'd be no need for a disguise. All it'd result in would be a stern reprimand, as with Dusty."
"Why disguise as a Hufflepuff, then, and who's done it?" Harry asked.
"Dusty's known for faffing about with that kind of stuff," Asmund said. "That's probably why."
"Might it be last year's terrorist?" someone questioned.
"Unlikely." Another person displayed, then copied and spread around, a chart of Astrology for everyone to see, scintillatingly clear and with an English translation of its results. Alongside it was a Ministry Department of Magical Law Enforcement report, penned by a high-ranking Auror, saying their investigation was concluding the Azkabanite was unlikely to attack Hogwarts again or strike at any public targets within the next year. It suggested patrolling and maintaining increased divinatory enforcement in AFBM zones, or 'Areas Frequented By Muggles.'
"And your case is that we should resolve this conundrum?" Anthony questioned. Seated on his right, Asmund was distractedly playing with his wand, using it almost like a chisel to carve away strips and chips of wood from the table.
"Yes. It affected one of our House with disciplinary action, so it should be an issue we take interest in," Harry said elegantly.
"Of course," Myles said. "I'll pick up this evidence and pass it onto some people I know."
"In any case," Anthony said, "We ought to secretly forward this to Dumbledore, in case he might've figured something out."
"Does Dumbledore get involved in stuff like this?" Harry blinked. "And do we really have such good contact with him?"
"Of course he does," Anthony replied. "Things such as these happen every year."
"Part of the magic, they say," Asmund muttered as he stood up.
"So, the meeting's concluded," the Head Boy finished, also standing. "Until the next, everyone."
As Harry vacated the room and moved upstairs to participate in the daily breakfast in the Great Hall, Geist spoke up with unusual volume and tenacity, as though subtly irked by something that Harry hadn't fully perceived.
I am not going to complain...
But? Harry drew an eyebrow.
But informing Dumbledore's a terrible idea. You do realize they'll inform Dumbledore about your Cloak of Invisibility, and from there he'll spread it to the faculty? It was your sole advantage against every teacher, except maybe Snape.
Speaking of, how did Snape know I'm wearing the Cloak? And tear it away from me?
He's undead.
Ha!
No, seriously, that's the only explanation I can think of. You're wielding a powerful, I dare say primordial, artifact. It should grant you the same powers of concealment as Death's own robe, according to legend. Did you know that Death can't be astrologically predicted? I'm sure you've noticed, and before you cut in - oh, sure, danger can be predicted - and once danger reaches a sufficient level, Death is certain. But you can't actually predict the day or the hour with complete certainty, as they say. Your chart might say that you're completely safe, only for a piano to fall on top of you from nowhere. Wanna know how I know?
Because you died even though you knew you shouldn't have?
Exactly. Fate is so goddamn predictable until it comes to the subject of Death. The one matter that wizards can never seemingly crack. The ghost cleared his throat, mentally. It was an odd sensation, and an even stranger sound, as it was purely inside of Harry's thoughts.
Anyway, that Cloak should make you as invisible to all of a living being's senses as possible, including the metaphorical living world. If Snape's able to see through, he's got some power that's incomprehensible to us, or he's simply not alive. Only dead things can see Death. Hindsight is twenty-twenty.
Oh, man, are you using linguistic metaphors as thaumaturgical foundations? Flitwick said not to do that.
Flitwick's stupid. Guess what, Harry? The sun isn't literally made of gold, and the moon isn't all cheese.
Wait, but alchemically, isn't the moon sil-
Shush. Be quiet, before I use Legilimens on you.
Stupid Geist.
Breakfast occurred without any major interruption. Harry chatted with Neville and several other boys in Hufflepuff, mostly about Quidditch. He'd stopped getting second looks ever since he moved some of his cursed skin patches into slightly less visible places.
Once he saw her standing up from her seat at the High Table and leaving, presumably to teach Transfiguration, Harry swiftly approached McGonagall, permission slip in hand. She noticed him out of the corner of her eye, and frowned sternly, not slowing down her tread. He managed to catch up anyway.
"Excuse me, Professor."
"Mr. Potter, how can I help?"
"I'm sorry to bother you," he apologized genuinely. "Do you mind signing for this?"
As Harry held out the paper, she actually paused her inexorable march to peek at his permission slip. She adjusted her glasses minimally, squinting at the writing, then her frown deepened. "Animagus course, Mr. Potter? Why should I?"
"I'd really like to be an Animagus."
"I have not yet heard a response to my question, Mr. Potter," McGonagall replied harshly. "Becoming an Animorph is no small undertaking. It requires exceptional dedication and skill in Transfiguration. Did you know that insufficiently skilled Animagi often have issues turning back into their human form?"
"I know! But I promise I'll study."
She gazed at him for the longest time, expression flat.
"If you manage to get an Outstanding in Transfiguration this semester, and maintain your coursework diligently in Astronomy, completing the OWLs to my satisfaction, I will consider your plight, Mr. Potter," she said, in a weary tone. As he smiled, she immediately undercut his joy, speaking in a forbidding and warning tone, "However, should I hear even once of incomplete or foolish homework - or Merlin forbid, a school rule violation, you can say goodbye to the Animagus Course. Am I understood?"
"Yes'm."
"Good." She moved on, leaving his paper unsigned.
Hm, the old crone's got some fire in her belly, Geist remarked casually. You shouldn't bother with the studying she demanded. I can teach you to brew a most subtle pheromone that will ensnare her senses and get her to sign without any fuss. Even if you remark on it afterward, she'll be utterly convinced she simply changed her own mind.
Um, is that ethical?
What, controlling people's actions to do what you want? Sure. If they're stupid enough to obstruct your path of ultimate justice, it's not only ethical to do, but unethical not to do it. You'd like to transform into a phoenix, right? I'd rather have you possess a stable Animagus form as a phoenix than waste time on trivialities.
I... would that even work? The signature can't be faked.
It can't be faked, but nobody said that it can't be compelled.
I'll consider it...
A skeevy feeling came over Harry as he considered the idea. It'd be akin to poisoning, or even using the Imperius curse to puppeteer McGonagall's actions before making her forget the signing. The signature couldn't be faked, but nobody said that it couldn't be compelled... There was something dark and inhuman in those words.
"Hey, let's go," Neville tapped him on the arm, breaking him out of his reverie, "Charms is in five minutes."
---
[ ] Dedicate Yourself - It's not like McGonagall's demands are irrational or exceptionally difficult. She's merely demanding that you devote more time towards Transfiguration to ensure your own safety! Apply yourself and give in to her command.
[ ] I Heard A Rumor... - Apply Geist's dubious solution instead, learning how to brew the subtle yet effective Mind-Scouring Potion, then use it on Professor McGonagall to get her to sign your permission slip. It saves you a lot of time to spend on other things instead, such as breaking through to another level of power in your Legilimency.
Anything else you'd like to do before the next turn of actions begins? Only relatively minor actions that may be completed within a week.
[ ] Write-in
Among the Inner Circle's additions to the Hufflepuff Basement was something called simply the 'Gathering Room.' A relatively large, airy chamber with magical ventilation and no windows, and only a single door. Inside, there was an arrangement of comfortable chairs and a round table. As young as he was, in comparison to most of the gathered people, Harry felt slightly out of place, like a kid dressed in his father's business suit, not quite certain of what he was supposed to do. After some greetings and jovial banter, as well as the spreading of free bagels and coffee, the Head Boy, Anthony Barr encouraged Harry to begin presenting his case.
He spoke at great length, sparing not even the slightest detail or minor piece of data.
His only exemption was the fact he didn't mention any of Geist's involvement in the events because he wasn't certain how people might take the information that a Harry Potter, the infamous Chosen One, was walking around with the Dark Lord's voice stuck in his head. They'd probably think he was crazier than they already believed him to be.
Anthony looked around, then located Myles Lastark, the Head of Investigation. "Do you mind?"
"I've already done some looking into this, but didn't locate anything of particular note aside from what Harry's already said," the boy answered mildly. "It's actually pretty mysterious. I'd suppose the culprit was using this opportunity in which Dementors were relatively available to test some magical device on them."
"That seems to be the motivation, yes," another person supported.
"But I have no idea what the device's purpose is," Myles added with a shrug. "Restriction? An experiment by some enterprising sorcerer to make a device helpful in breaking out of Azkaban? I can't even say that much."
"That'd be, like, super-illegal," Nova cut in.
"Yes, quite," Anthony said. "It's unlikely to be a student. Otherwise, there'd be no need for a disguise. All it'd result in would be a stern reprimand, as with Dusty."
"Why disguise as a Hufflepuff, then, and who's done it?" Harry asked.
"Dusty's known for faffing about with that kind of stuff," Asmund said. "That's probably why."
"Might it be last year's terrorist?" someone questioned.
"Unlikely." Another person displayed, then copied and spread around, a chart of Astrology for everyone to see, scintillatingly clear and with an English translation of its results. Alongside it was a Ministry Department of Magical Law Enforcement report, penned by a high-ranking Auror, saying their investigation was concluding the Azkabanite was unlikely to attack Hogwarts again or strike at any public targets within the next year. It suggested patrolling and maintaining increased divinatory enforcement in AFBM zones, or 'Areas Frequented By Muggles.'
"And your case is that we should resolve this conundrum?" Anthony questioned. Seated on his right, Asmund was distractedly playing with his wand, using it almost like a chisel to carve away strips and chips of wood from the table.
"Yes. It affected one of our House with disciplinary action, so it should be an issue we take interest in," Harry said elegantly.
"Of course," Myles said. "I'll pick up this evidence and pass it onto some people I know."
"In any case," Anthony said, "We ought to secretly forward this to Dumbledore, in case he might've figured something out."
"Does Dumbledore get involved in stuff like this?" Harry blinked. "And do we really have such good contact with him?"
"Of course he does," Anthony replied. "Things such as these happen every year."
"Part of the magic, they say," Asmund muttered as he stood up.
"So, the meeting's concluded," the Head Boy finished, also standing. "Until the next, everyone."
As Harry vacated the room and moved upstairs to participate in the daily breakfast in the Great Hall, Geist spoke up with unusual volume and tenacity, as though subtly irked by something that Harry hadn't fully perceived.
I am not going to complain...
But? Harry drew an eyebrow.
But informing Dumbledore's a terrible idea. You do realize they'll inform Dumbledore about your Cloak of Invisibility, and from there he'll spread it to the faculty? It was your sole advantage against every teacher, except maybe Snape.
Speaking of, how did Snape know I'm wearing the Cloak? And tear it away from me?
He's undead.
Ha!
No, seriously, that's the only explanation I can think of. You're wielding a powerful, I dare say primordial, artifact. It should grant you the same powers of concealment as Death's own robe, according to legend. Did you know that Death can't be astrologically predicted? I'm sure you've noticed, and before you cut in - oh, sure, danger can be predicted - and once danger reaches a sufficient level, Death is certain. But you can't actually predict the day or the hour with complete certainty, as they say. Your chart might say that you're completely safe, only for a piano to fall on top of you from nowhere. Wanna know how I know?
Because you died even though you knew you shouldn't have?
Exactly. Fate is so goddamn predictable until it comes to the subject of Death. The one matter that wizards can never seemingly crack. The ghost cleared his throat, mentally. It was an odd sensation, and an even stranger sound, as it was purely inside of Harry's thoughts.
Anyway, that Cloak should make you as invisible to all of a living being's senses as possible, including the metaphorical living world. If Snape's able to see through, he's got some power that's incomprehensible to us, or he's simply not alive. Only dead things can see Death. Hindsight is twenty-twenty.
Oh, man, are you using linguistic metaphors as thaumaturgical foundations? Flitwick said not to do that.
Flitwick's stupid. Guess what, Harry? The sun isn't literally made of gold, and the moon isn't all cheese.
Wait, but alchemically, isn't the moon sil-
Shush. Be quiet, before I use Legilimens on you.
Stupid Geist.
Breakfast occurred without any major interruption. Harry chatted with Neville and several other boys in Hufflepuff, mostly about Quidditch. He'd stopped getting second looks ever since he moved some of his cursed skin patches into slightly less visible places.
Once he saw her standing up from her seat at the High Table and leaving, presumably to teach Transfiguration, Harry swiftly approached McGonagall, permission slip in hand. She noticed him out of the corner of her eye, and frowned sternly, not slowing down her tread. He managed to catch up anyway.
"Excuse me, Professor."
"Mr. Potter, how can I help?"
"I'm sorry to bother you," he apologized genuinely. "Do you mind signing for this?"
As Harry held out the paper, she actually paused her inexorable march to peek at his permission slip. She adjusted her glasses minimally, squinting at the writing, then her frown deepened. "Animagus course, Mr. Potter? Why should I?"
"I'd really like to be an Animagus."
"I have not yet heard a response to my question, Mr. Potter," McGonagall replied harshly. "Becoming an Animorph is no small undertaking. It requires exceptional dedication and skill in Transfiguration. Did you know that insufficiently skilled Animagi often have issues turning back into their human form?"
"I know! But I promise I'll study."
She gazed at him for the longest time, expression flat.
"If you manage to get an Outstanding in Transfiguration this semester, and maintain your coursework diligently in Astronomy, completing the OWLs to my satisfaction, I will consider your plight, Mr. Potter," she said, in a weary tone. As he smiled, she immediately undercut his joy, speaking in a forbidding and warning tone, "However, should I hear even once of incomplete or foolish homework - or Merlin forbid, a school rule violation, you can say goodbye to the Animagus Course. Am I understood?"
"Yes'm."
"Good." She moved on, leaving his paper unsigned.
Hm, the old crone's got some fire in her belly, Geist remarked casually. You shouldn't bother with the studying she demanded. I can teach you to brew a most subtle pheromone that will ensnare her senses and get her to sign without any fuss. Even if you remark on it afterward, she'll be utterly convinced she simply changed her own mind.
Um, is that ethical?
What, controlling people's actions to do what you want? Sure. If they're stupid enough to obstruct your path of ultimate justice, it's not only ethical to do, but unethical not to do it. You'd like to transform into a phoenix, right? I'd rather have you possess a stable Animagus form as a phoenix than waste time on trivialities.
I... would that even work? The signature can't be faked.
It can't be faked, but nobody said that it can't be compelled.
I'll consider it...
A skeevy feeling came over Harry as he considered the idea. It'd be akin to poisoning, or even using the Imperius curse to puppeteer McGonagall's actions before making her forget the signing. The signature couldn't be faked, but nobody said that it couldn't be compelled... There was something dark and inhuman in those words.
"Hey, let's go," Neville tapped him on the arm, breaking him out of his reverie, "Charms is in five minutes."
---
[ ] Dedicate Yourself - It's not like McGonagall's demands are irrational or exceptionally difficult. She's merely demanding that you devote more time towards Transfiguration to ensure your own safety! Apply yourself and give in to her command.
[ ] I Heard A Rumor... - Apply Geist's dubious solution instead, learning how to brew the subtle yet effective Mind-Scouring Potion, then use it on Professor McGonagall to get her to sign your permission slip. It saves you a lot of time to spend on other things instead, such as breaking through to another level of power in your Legilimency.
Anything else you'd like to do before the next turn of actions begins? Only relatively minor actions that may be completed within a week.
[ ] Write-in
- Location
- Russia
[X] I Heard A Rumor...
[X] Dedicate Yourself
All that extra Transfiguration learning can only be beneficial in the long run to have done.
All that extra Transfiguration learning can only be beneficial in the long run to have done.
[X] Give Up On Being An Animagus For Now
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Attempt to use the resources of the Hufflepuff Inner Circle to find a discreet mentor who will instruct you on how to become an Animagus with full confidentiality.
At the very least I think that finding another way to become an Animagus is worth trying.
As it stands, there's also the fact that becoming a secret Animagus is massively more advantageous than being a known one.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Attempt to use the resources of the Hufflepuff Inner Circle to find a discreet mentor who will instruct you on how to become an Animagus with full confidentiality.
At the very least I think that finding another way to become an Animagus is worth trying.
As it stands, there's also the fact that becoming a secret Animagus is massively more advantageous than being a known one.
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TaliesinSkye
Occasional Editor
- Location
- Northeast Ohio, United States
[X] Dedicate Yourself.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
- Location
- Where Jokes Die
[X] Dedicate Yourself
Why take an unnecessary risk? Drinking Baruffio's would leave fewer tracks, I think.
Why take an unnecessary risk? Drinking Baruffio's would leave fewer tracks, I think.
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Give Up On Being An Animagus For Now
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Attempt to use the resources of the Hufflepuff Inner Circle to find a discreet mentor who will instruct you on how to become an Animagus with full confidentiality.
sunk costs are sunk.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Attempt to use the resources of the Hufflepuff Inner Circle to find a discreet mentor who will instruct you on how to become an Animagus with full confidentiality.
sunk costs are sunk.
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Can someone tell me why you guys aren't even considering the idea of looking for another Animagus mentor who will help us while avoiding registration?
If we are not registered then we can do the Phoenix teleportation thing freely from inside and outside the castle without anyone being the wiser, and we would also have an ace in the hole in the case of capture or a tight situation, one that others won't be able to see coming.
In contrast, being a known Phoenix Animagus will give us some clout (We will be getting plenty of that from our OWLs in Astronomy and Astrology) and let us teleport around the castle and around people (which is practically a non-advantage since we have the Marauder's map and can just avoid such people).
Not to mention the fact that by making this sort of promise to Mcgonaggel we are hinging all of our chances of becoming an Animagus on good grades and good behavior and honestly? Leaning into Transfiguration is frankly not a necessarily appealing prospect.
There's also the fact that unless we actively prevent it, Dumbledore will become aware of the Invisibility Cloak (if he isn't already) and spread the information forward among his staff, yet practically no one is voting to prevent this possible outcome.
I'm really struggling to understand the thought process here at all.
If we are not registered then we can do the Phoenix teleportation thing freely from inside and outside the castle without anyone being the wiser, and we would also have an ace in the hole in the case of capture or a tight situation, one that others won't be able to see coming.
In contrast, being a known Phoenix Animagus will give us some clout (We will be getting plenty of that from our OWLs in Astronomy and Astrology) and let us teleport around the castle and around people (which is practically a non-advantage since we have the Marauder's map and can just avoid such people).
Not to mention the fact that by making this sort of promise to Mcgonaggel we are hinging all of our chances of becoming an Animagus on good grades and good behavior and honestly? Leaning into Transfiguration is frankly not a necessarily appealing prospect.
There's also the fact that unless we actively prevent it, Dumbledore will become aware of the Invisibility Cloak (if he isn't already) and spread the information forward among his staff, yet practically no one is voting to prevent this possible outcome.
I'm really struggling to understand the thought process here at all.
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[X] Lealope
💯
But alternatively
[X] I Heard A Rumor...
💯
But alternatively
[X] I Heard A Rumor...
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- Location
- Ostren
[X] Lealope
- Location
- United States
[X] Dedicate Yourself.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
- Location
- California
[X] Lealope
Gabbie
That One Writer
- Location
- Italy
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Find an Animagus Mentor who will help us stay unregistered
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
Yeah, i agree with that guy.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
Yeah, i agree with that guy.
OctarineShrike
Avatar of Mandos
[X] Dedicate Yourself.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
[X] Ask the members of the Inner Circle to avoid mentioning your Invisibility Cloak to Dumbledore and if possible, to avoid mentioning you altogether.
