Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
It's too rational for wizard children. I'll allow it, however, because you are the Chosen One.
Harry Potter and the Scabbard of Excalibur [AU]
- Location
- Somewhere with a Thousand Watchful Eyes
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Attempt to Match Her - Although no longer done out of irrational pride, Harry will inflame his competitive zeal - in the hopes that having a classroom rival might prove beneficial for both of them, driving them to do their best to learn and excel. It's still difficult for things to not become personal, though.
[X] Attempt to Match Her - Although no longer done out of irrational pride, Harry will inflame his competitive zeal - in the hopes that having a classroom rival might prove beneficial for both of them, driving them to do their best to learn and excel. It's still difficult for things to not become personal, though.
-[X] Sit with her during lunch and tell her that the way she is really trying hard has made him want to do really well too!
don't want to make a enemy or a rival out of her
edit: Wait @Birdsie do we need to write in for this or will we do it automatically
-[X] Sit with her during lunch and tell her that the way she is really trying hard has made him want to do really well too!
don't want to make a enemy or a rival out of her
edit: Wait @Birdsie do we need to write in for this or will we do it automatically
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[x] Attempt to Match Her - Although no longer done out of irrational pride, Harry will inflame his competitive zeal - in the hopes that having a classroom rival might prove beneficial for both of them, driving them to do their best to learn and excel. It's still difficult for things to not become personal, though.
- Location
- Poland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Attempt to Match Her - Although no longer done out of irrational pride, Harry will inflame his competitive zeal - in the hopes that having a classroom rival might prove beneficial for both of them, driving them to do their best to learn and excel. It's still difficult for things to not become personal, though.
Why not, good way to spend time.
Why not, good way to spend time.
[X] Attempt to Match Her - Although no longer done out of irrational pride, Harry will inflame his competitive zeal - in the hopes that having a classroom rival might prove beneficial for both of them, driving them to do their best to learn and excel. It's still difficult for things to not become personal, though.
Love the idea of Peter being the assistant transfiguration teacher. So much of this AU simply makes sense. With so many students of course there should be multiple teachers. This is the first time I've read about a decent, three dimensional Pettigrew and I love it. It makes sense that he's a transfiguration prodigy having learned something like the animagus by himself.
I really wish we had a character sheet though to keep track of things. Can we have the discord link too to join the discussion?
Love the idea of Peter being the assistant transfiguration teacher. So much of this AU simply makes sense. With so many students of course there should be multiple teachers. This is the first time I've read about a decent, three dimensional Pettigrew and I love it. It makes sense that he's a transfiguration prodigy having learned something like the animagus by himself.
I really wish we had a character sheet though to keep track of things. Can we have the discord link too to join the discussion?
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
Of course. Here it is.
[X] Attempt to Match Her
- Location
- Iran, Tehran
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Attempt to Match Her
TaliesinSkye
Occasional Editor
- Location
- Northeast Ohio, United States
Well this looks like a landslide XD
I do hope that Harry and Hermione can wind up studying and working on things together. That'd be a nice outcome.
I do hope that Harry and Hermione can wind up studying and working on things together. That'd be a nice outcome.
To be good in Dark Arts we need to be decent in Charms and Transfiguration right? And knowledgeable in other primary subjects?
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
Alright, I believe that's sufficient - this vote is pretty one-sided! On the next chapter of the Scabbard of Excalibur, Harry, his friend Neville, and his rival Hermione will participate in the dreaded class of Potions... but that update will come later tonight, or perhaps tomorrow, so wait patiently.
Rolen von Keng
Sleeping Green Bear
- Location
- The Wilderness
We will not just attempt to be her match, but surpass her!!!
We shall be the learner for now...
Edit: Ah gollyfuck, the vote is over. Welp, eh, at least what I wanted won. Gotta take what victories I can.
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The Potions Master
Birdsie
Sharp Talons Cleave The Worthy
- Location
- Poland
The Potions Master
After explaining his idea to Geist and running through the potential avenues of conversation that might develop from it, the spirit of the Dark Lord had been unusually quiet and seemed to snicker and chuckle every now and then, the sheer torsion of his attempts to prevent himself filling Harry's mind with a cacophony of hisses and wheezes.
It didn't matter, though - it was already lunch, and Harry approached Hermione at the Ravenclaw table as she was finishing up her meal. At that moment, as Harry was opening his mouth, Geist cut in with one, final remark.
Don't forget that Hermione has social anxiety.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry casually greeted the girl. In response, she chewed her food a little faster, swallowed, and put down her utensils in preparation for the conversation. "I heard that you have social anxiety."
"H-Harry?!" She went red in the cheeks, and several Ravenclaws - especially the older ones, started coughing and turning away. Across the room, Professor McGonagall noticed the commotion and narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. He couldn't fathom why Geist would feed him wrong information - to make fun of him?
"Sorry, I'm stupid, I didn't mean to say that." Hermione was staring at him with eyes open wide, but the furious scarlet blaze on her cheeks abated a little. "It slipped out on its own. Anyway, uh..."
Compliment her intellect and work ethic, then say it inspired you. Don't be stupid - you shouldn't need me to talk to a girl.
"Right, so, I saw how much work, effort, and thought you put into everything you do - especially magic. And it, uh, kind of inspired me to do better myself, and work even harder than I already was. So, basically, thank you."
Her jaw was hanging open.
"Uh, no problem."
Harry marched away back to his own table.
You screwed up when you mentioned her social anxiety.
Harry frowned deeply. Shut up.
---
As it seemed, Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons, in a trapezoidal chamber that was much larger than any classroom they'd seen thus far, most likely because much of the space was occupied by shelves and storage cabinets for various ingredients and objects. It was colder down here than up in the main castle, a chilly breeze flowing through the tunnels, and it would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls.
After sitting down behind their desks - Harry finding himself relatively close to Neville and Hermione both, the latter of whom kept giving him odd glances - they only had to wait for a minute before Professor Snape arrived in the classroom, long black robe trailing behind him like a wraith's ghostly tail. Although he was relatively young, maybe the age of Professor Pettigrew, Snape's face was covered in wrinkles of subtle anger and dark smudges that seemed to be the remnant of some kind of potion brewing. His long dark hair was greasy and uncombed. His robe was, however, immaculately clean and buttoned-up.
Professor Snape didn't greet the class. He didn't even so much as introduce himself or write his name on the blackboard, expecting everyone in the room to already know him. He started the class by taking the roll call, and he paused at Harry's name.
"Ah, yes," he remarked softly, "Harry Potter. Our new... celebrity."
Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black like charcoal and utterly without any kind of human warmth, so much so that Harry was reminded of the ghost he'd seen sometimes at the Dursley household. They were cold like a blizzard, and empty like the void of space, and made you think of dark tunnels.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," Snape began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word - it seemed that he had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
More silence followed this speech. Harry and Neville exchanged looks with raised eyebrows.
"Potter!" the Professor snapped abruptly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
"Draught of Living Death."
At that, Snape's mouth opened - as though he were already prepared with a response - then closed, as soon as he processed the words that came out of Harry's mouth. However, without another second passing, he grilled Harry once more, "And what are its effects?"
"It can induce a deathlike slumber in the consumer."
"And if you wanted to reverse this process, what would you use?"
"Uh," Harry paused, and there, he needed to think for a moment and jog his memory; Geist provided the first syllable of the word he was looking for, as a prompt, and Harry finished; "Wiggenweld Potion. Although there are also probably other things that I can't think of that might work."
Snape's eyes narrowed.
He's challenging you. He expected you to be completely unprepared. He used to work for me, and I don't approve of bullying children - I'll help you out.
"Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
"In the stomach of a goat," Harry paraphrased Geist.
"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"They are, uh, the same plant," Harry said. "It also has plenty of other names."
At that, Snape looked almost surprised for a moment - surprised by the amount of knowledge that Harry seemed to possess, though Snape had no idea that Harry was cheating. As their eyes met, with Snape's challenging Harry's own, the boy felt an indistinct pressure - like a thousand, sharp prickles - stabbing into his brain.
He winced, teeth grit, scar burning. A moment of focus repelled the needles and caused Snape to take a step back. He looked shocked, but covered it up, faster than almost anyone noticed. It didn't seem like anyone had much of an idea as to what occurred - but Harry did. Snape had attempted to read his mind! He was a telepath!
Hideous. What's become of you, Severus?
"What are you all staring at!?" Snape snapped at the class, fists balled up. Everyone in the class flinched at the volume of his voice, booming and echoing across the room like thunder. "Write this all down, you incompetents! It will be important for the course!"
There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment, and in a second, the entire class was noting down the essentials of the conversation. As this happened, Snape went over to his desk and sat there, writing something himself. Over the noise, Snape shouted, "And two points will be taken from Hufflepuff House for your cheek, Potter."
"B-But I didn't do anything!" Harry complained.
"Another two points!" Snape amended. "And six more, if you speak again without permission, Potter. I will have silence and peace in my classroom; I will not tolerate any disturbance from you simply because you are famous among your peers."
At that, Harry didn't have any choice but to stop speaking and watch Snape as he wrote something into the teacher's faculty journal. His hands rested at his sides as he sat, hopeless and gormless, looking around as people wrote. It seemed to draw Snape's notice, as he looked up with a nasty sneer.
"Didn't I instruct you to make notes?"
"I-I'm sorry," Harry apologized and fumbled for his writing utensils. A second after he spoke, Harry realized that Snape would take away six more points from Hufflepuff for daring to talk back, but it seemed like Snape wasn't actually that cruel - or, maybe rather, he was more occupied with his writing.
---
Ah - well, I think we can all agree that Potions was rather terrible. He's an arrogant git that Snape, isn't he?
Although normally, Harry would let Snape's insults go, it can't be denied that the removal of points affects the entirety of House Hufflepuff. As a loyal friend to his Housemates and, more importantly, a rational and decent person, Harry's determined to make Snape pay for this somehow.
[ ] Complain to Dumbledore - It's a complaint about a staff member's behavior, and Harry is already spying for him, so there's a good reason to visit the Headmaster.
[ ] Complain to McGonagall - At the same time, it'd be a terrible idea to waste Dumbledore's time with a topic so completely puerile.
[ ] Complain to Sprout - It affects the good of House Hufflepuff if Harry is singled out and causes harm to everyone as a result. Inform Professor Sprout instead - she's almost certain to be the most sympathetic to your plight, as well.
[ ] Malicious Compliance - Harry will dedicate more focus to studying Potions, Alchemy, and similar topics over most other subjects. His intent is to master the First-Year syllabus before the end of the month so that Snape will have a nasty surprise. He'll also comply with the Potion Master's demands, but always in the most malicious way.
Up next, Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Black, and that's it for this day of the week. After that, we'll skip every class every day and assume that Harry is studying normally until we encounter new classes (such as Astronomy, Herbology, etc,) and meet its teachers, and then we'll skip every class unless a class has important data. It'll hopefully be a little easier from that point on, as I'll be able to write summaries of what Harry's learning and we'll progress in the plot a little faster.
Also, Harry wishes to stop relying on Geist for advice in social interaction with peers, because a recent trend shows that Geist will attempt to prank Harry should he over-extend on the ghost's kindness, but he doesn't have any ideas on how to accomplish this.
[ ] Ask Neville for Help
[ ] Ask Ron for Help
[ ] Ask Des for Help? - Are you really that desperate, however?
[ ] Write-in
Daphne and Hermione are out; the former's in cahoots with the Death Eaters and it'd be weird to inform the Death Eaters that you're hopeless at social interaction, and the latter is the crux of the problem; the person you're trying to talk to.
Also, do not hesitate to join the discussion on Discord, which can be found here.Also, I've been told that I should open a Patreon to help support myself - does anyone agree with this?
After explaining his idea to Geist and running through the potential avenues of conversation that might develop from it, the spirit of the Dark Lord had been unusually quiet and seemed to snicker and chuckle every now and then, the sheer torsion of his attempts to prevent himself filling Harry's mind with a cacophony of hisses and wheezes.
It didn't matter, though - it was already lunch, and Harry approached Hermione at the Ravenclaw table as she was finishing up her meal. At that moment, as Harry was opening his mouth, Geist cut in with one, final remark.
Don't forget that Hermione has social anxiety.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry casually greeted the girl. In response, she chewed her food a little faster, swallowed, and put down her utensils in preparation for the conversation. "I heard that you have social anxiety."
"H-Harry?!" She went red in the cheeks, and several Ravenclaws - especially the older ones, started coughing and turning away. Across the room, Professor McGonagall noticed the commotion and narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. He couldn't fathom why Geist would feed him wrong information - to make fun of him?
"Sorry, I'm stupid, I didn't mean to say that." Hermione was staring at him with eyes open wide, but the furious scarlet blaze on her cheeks abated a little. "It slipped out on its own. Anyway, uh..."
Compliment her intellect and work ethic, then say it inspired you. Don't be stupid - you shouldn't need me to talk to a girl.
"Right, so, I saw how much work, effort, and thought you put into everything you do - especially magic. And it, uh, kind of inspired me to do better myself, and work even harder than I already was. So, basically, thank you."
Her jaw was hanging open.
"Uh, no problem."
Harry marched away back to his own table.
You screwed up when you mentioned her social anxiety.
Harry frowned deeply. Shut up.
---
As it seemed, Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons, in a trapezoidal chamber that was much larger than any classroom they'd seen thus far, most likely because much of the space was occupied by shelves and storage cabinets for various ingredients and objects. It was colder down here than up in the main castle, a chilly breeze flowing through the tunnels, and it would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls.
After sitting down behind their desks - Harry finding himself relatively close to Neville and Hermione both, the latter of whom kept giving him odd glances - they only had to wait for a minute before Professor Snape arrived in the classroom, long black robe trailing behind him like a wraith's ghostly tail. Although he was relatively young, maybe the age of Professor Pettigrew, Snape's face was covered in wrinkles of subtle anger and dark smudges that seemed to be the remnant of some kind of potion brewing. His long dark hair was greasy and uncombed. His robe was, however, immaculately clean and buttoned-up.
Professor Snape didn't greet the class. He didn't even so much as introduce himself or write his name on the blackboard, expecting everyone in the room to already know him. He started the class by taking the roll call, and he paused at Harry's name.
"Ah, yes," he remarked softly, "Harry Potter. Our new... celebrity."
Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black like charcoal and utterly without any kind of human warmth, so much so that Harry was reminded of the ghost he'd seen sometimes at the Dursley household. They were cold like a blizzard, and empty like the void of space, and made you think of dark tunnels.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," Snape began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word - it seemed that he had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
More silence followed this speech. Harry and Neville exchanged looks with raised eyebrows.
"Potter!" the Professor snapped abruptly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
"Draught of Living Death."
At that, Snape's mouth opened - as though he were already prepared with a response - then closed, as soon as he processed the words that came out of Harry's mouth. However, without another second passing, he grilled Harry once more, "And what are its effects?"
"It can induce a deathlike slumber in the consumer."
"And if you wanted to reverse this process, what would you use?"
"Uh," Harry paused, and there, he needed to think for a moment and jog his memory; Geist provided the first syllable of the word he was looking for, as a prompt, and Harry finished; "Wiggenweld Potion. Although there are also probably other things that I can't think of that might work."
Snape's eyes narrowed.
He's challenging you. He expected you to be completely unprepared. He used to work for me, and I don't approve of bullying children - I'll help you out.
"Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
"In the stomach of a goat," Harry paraphrased Geist.
"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"They are, uh, the same plant," Harry said. "It also has plenty of other names."
At that, Snape looked almost surprised for a moment - surprised by the amount of knowledge that Harry seemed to possess, though Snape had no idea that Harry was cheating. As their eyes met, with Snape's challenging Harry's own, the boy felt an indistinct pressure - like a thousand, sharp prickles - stabbing into his brain.
He winced, teeth grit, scar burning. A moment of focus repelled the needles and caused Snape to take a step back. He looked shocked, but covered it up, faster than almost anyone noticed. It didn't seem like anyone had much of an idea as to what occurred - but Harry did. Snape had attempted to read his mind! He was a telepath!
Hideous. What's become of you, Severus?
"What are you all staring at!?" Snape snapped at the class, fists balled up. Everyone in the class flinched at the volume of his voice, booming and echoing across the room like thunder. "Write this all down, you incompetents! It will be important for the course!"
There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment, and in a second, the entire class was noting down the essentials of the conversation. As this happened, Snape went over to his desk and sat there, writing something himself. Over the noise, Snape shouted, "And two points will be taken from Hufflepuff House for your cheek, Potter."
"B-But I didn't do anything!" Harry complained.
"Another two points!" Snape amended. "And six more, if you speak again without permission, Potter. I will have silence and peace in my classroom; I will not tolerate any disturbance from you simply because you are famous among your peers."
At that, Harry didn't have any choice but to stop speaking and watch Snape as he wrote something into the teacher's faculty journal. His hands rested at his sides as he sat, hopeless and gormless, looking around as people wrote. It seemed to draw Snape's notice, as he looked up with a nasty sneer.
"Didn't I instruct you to make notes?"
"I-I'm sorry," Harry apologized and fumbled for his writing utensils. A second after he spoke, Harry realized that Snape would take away six more points from Hufflepuff for daring to talk back, but it seemed like Snape wasn't actually that cruel - or, maybe rather, he was more occupied with his writing.
---
Ah - well, I think we can all agree that Potions was rather terrible. He's an arrogant git that Snape, isn't he?
Although normally, Harry would let Snape's insults go, it can't be denied that the removal of points affects the entirety of House Hufflepuff. As a loyal friend to his Housemates and, more importantly, a rational and decent person, Harry's determined to make Snape pay for this somehow.
[ ] Complain to Dumbledore - It's a complaint about a staff member's behavior, and Harry is already spying for him, so there's a good reason to visit the Headmaster.
[ ] Complain to McGonagall - At the same time, it'd be a terrible idea to waste Dumbledore's time with a topic so completely puerile.
[ ] Complain to Sprout - It affects the good of House Hufflepuff if Harry is singled out and causes harm to everyone as a result. Inform Professor Sprout instead - she's almost certain to be the most sympathetic to your plight, as well.
[ ] Malicious Compliance - Harry will dedicate more focus to studying Potions, Alchemy, and similar topics over most other subjects. His intent is to master the First-Year syllabus before the end of the month so that Snape will have a nasty surprise. He'll also comply with the Potion Master's demands, but always in the most malicious way.
Up next, Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Black, and that's it for this day of the week. After that, we'll skip every class every day and assume that Harry is studying normally until we encounter new classes (such as Astronomy, Herbology, etc,) and meet its teachers, and then we'll skip every class unless a class has important data. It'll hopefully be a little easier from that point on, as I'll be able to write summaries of what Harry's learning and we'll progress in the plot a little faster.
Also, Harry wishes to stop relying on Geist for advice in social interaction with peers, because a recent trend shows that Geist will attempt to prank Harry should he over-extend on the ghost's kindness, but he doesn't have any ideas on how to accomplish this.
[ ] Ask Neville for Help
[ ] Ask Ron for Help
[ ] Ask Des for Help? - Are you really that desperate, however?
[ ] Write-in
Daphne and Hermione are out; the former's in cahoots with the Death Eaters and it'd be weird to inform the Death Eaters that you're hopeless at social interaction, and the latter is the crux of the problem; the person you're trying to talk to.
Also, do not hesitate to join the discussion on Discord, which can be found here.
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- Location
- USA
[x] Complain to Sprout - It affects the good of House Hufflepuff if Harry is singled out and causes harm to everyone as a result. Inform Professor Sprout instead - she's almost certain to be the most sympathetic to your plight, as well.
This is the kind of thing we should go to our Head of House about.
[X] Ask Neville for Help
Surely Neville can help us interact with kids much better!
This is the kind of thing we should go to our Head of House about.
[X] Ask Neville for Help
Surely Neville can help us interact with kids much better!
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Malicious Compliance - Harry will dedicate more focus to studying Potions, Alchemy, and similar topics over most other subjects. His intent is to master the First-Year syllabus before the end of the month so that Snape will have a nasty surprise. He'll also comply with the Potion Master's demands, but always in the most malicious way.
[X] Ask Neville for Help
[X] Ask Neville for Help
[x] Complain to Sprout - It affects the good of House Hufflepuff if Harry is singled out and causes harm to everyone as a result. Inform Professor Sprout instead - she's almost certain to be the most sympathetic to your plight, as well.
Makes for a good opener, if this doesn't work we can always escalate. No idea on the social thing.
Edit: Feel like we should not go for malicious compliance for we are already spending our time on Hermione and dueling no need to spread ourselfs thin
Makes for a good opener, if this doesn't work we can always escalate. No idea on the social thing.
Edit: Feel like we should not go for malicious compliance for we are already spending our time on Hermione and dueling no need to spread ourselfs thin
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- Location
- USA
Malicious eats into other stuff we want to focus on. We don't have unlimited time and all. Charms/Duelling + being Hermione's rival is already plenty enough as is.