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Wands and Warframes

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Healing and Christmas
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    • Healing and Christmas.



    Dora feels positively tiny standing next to Varzia Dax, and she seems tiny next to the Tenno that are her primary customers, in their Warframes. Apart from the sweat accumulating in her boots and trickling down her face, most people wouldn't know that she'd just been undergoing a sparing session that makes even the most vigorous duel she had during her NEWT DADA seem like a walk in the park.

    "Hello, how can I help you?"

    A warframe, she thinks it's an Ash, replies, "Can I see what you have for sale?"

    "Certainly, be warned that we only trade for Aya."

    "Ah, thank you anyway then."

    "You're most welcome, please come again."



    Once the Warframe leaves sight, Dora ducks and dives over the makeshift counter. The whistle of a training sword passing behind her telling her it was the right move.

    "Better, you should have also left behind a present."

    Dora lunges to one side and tries to bring her wand up, only to have the sword painfully impact her arm, and taking a kick to the face.

    "Get up, you were too heavy on your leading foot. Better to roll than try to recover. Telegraph your wand movement less as well, I saw it coming before you were even finished with your lunge. Well get up, or do you want me to beat you on the floor?"

    Dora scrambles to her feet, her metamorphic ability causing her to stumble, and taking a sword to the back of her leg for the trouble.

    "Pay attention to your surroundings, you can change your shape, it will be invaluable on uneven terrain, but only if you know where you are. Again."



    Dora tries to run, not that it's ever helped during the last 3 months, but at least she's moved up from "Which part of the dregs of society were you found in, to Greener than even the greenest recruits."

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    "Pay attention!" Minerva fires a stinging hex at the back of Dora's hand.

    "Sorry, I had a hard day with Varzia."

    "That's no excuse for sloppy work. Again, matchstick to needle."

    Dora watches in despair as Minerva casually waves her wand twice and all 30 matchsticks turn to needles and then back to matchsticks. For a moment she wishes she was back with Varzia, then her bruises remind her of just how hard that is. Trying to mimic Minerva, she waves her wand and 3 or 4 matchsticks change correctly, one sprouts, and 2 disappear.

    "Slowly, take your time, just do it in one sweep. You are controlling your intent and your visualisation."

    "But I'm exhausted."

    "Do you really think you'll be well rested when you have to do this for real? This was the first thing you learnt as a first year. It shouldn't take any concentration to do one, all you're doing is doing one after the other smoothly."



    "One by one." With a point, Dora changes a match to a needle, then back, her tongue stuck out in concentration.

    "One by one. Wait, this is the same as point casting and silent casting." – She looks up – "Professor, is this the same as point and silent casting?"

    Minerva smiles, an effect that is somewhat spoilt by the misshapen lumps growing out of her back and head, "Well done, it took you long enough to realise. Now use that realisation."

    Slowly she runs her wand alone the line of matches, and each one changes into a needle.



    "Good, again, a little faster."

    Doing it successfully, Dora shakes her head, "Why do I feel so stupid?"

    "Because you've just realised how skills learnt in one lesson apply to another. We all feel stupid learning that particular lesson. Now, two passes, match to needle and back to match."



    This exercise has a few failures at the end where she'd not got her visualisation correct to start with.

    "Good, I want this perfect and natural by tomorrow."

    "When am I going to find time to practice this? Also, where am I going to find matches?"



    Minerva smiles and waves her wand 8 times, each time an alternating row of matches and needles appears. Another 8 waves, and they all change to the other shape, and finally, a single pass of her wand and they all vanish again.



    Dora's head hits the desk, "That's my next exercise isn't it."

    "It is. All the more reason to get it right by tomorrow. Oh, and you're going to start learning to shoot from Digger in the morning, so sleep well."



    As Dora leaves, Andromeda comes out from behind one of the walls, "Don't you think you're being a little hard on her?"

    Minerva shakes her head, "Not for a mastery. The basics must be absolutely second nature before the real education starts. She's only just getting there with that."

    Andromeda raises an eyebrow, "A Mastery?"

    Minerva laughs, "What else do you think 3 years of daily personal tutoring by an acclaimed Mistress of Transfiguration would result in?"

    "Honestly, I hadn't considered it."

    "Well, Varzia has said that Dora will be a Dax by the time she leave, or she'll die trying."

    "Oh dear, I should talk to Pandora and Natah about ensuring that Nymphadora has an Oro then."

    "And what about your own conundrum, oh Master Healer?"

    Andromeda just glares at Minerva before stalking out of the room.

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    Natah stares at the two pods that contain Harry and Kitty, they computers say that they're both fine. However, neither of them have woken up yet.

    "Penny for your thoughts?"

    Natah turns to see Pandora floating a little behind her, "I still don't really understand that idiom. But, my thoughts are that they should have both woken up already, or at least moved into their Warframes."

    "What do the two healers say?"

    "They're fine, they just need time."

    "Then, maybe you need to stop thinking about the technology and start thinking about the people. They're supposed to be married yes? Yet they are sleeping separately."

    Natah turns back to the pods, "I don't want to lose them. The pods will keep them alive even if nothing else."

    "You said that physically, they're healed. That means that they can survive a day or so out of the pods. It's been three months, so why not try something a little different?"

    Natah shakes her head, "I can't think of anything else, and I can't find anything in the archives about this either. If this doesn't work, we'll need to brave the Zariman. It's still very much tied to the void, and is being picked over by the Grineer."

    "I know, I've been directing Tenno there since they brought it out of the void. I'm just glad that Luna and Hermione aren't skilled enough to venture into its depths yet."

    Natah nods, "If they Tenno don't make sufficient progress, I may have to visit myself. They've been saying that they need to use their void abilities to seal rifts all over the ship. You know how fragile they are, even if they can retreat to their Warframes."

    Pandora just places a hand on Natah's frame, "I know, just remember that they are all adults and can be mostly trusted to make their own decisions. Now do you want to make the bed, or should I conjure one?"

    "I'll make it, I'll place it between the pods so that if they have problems it's easy to move them back in."



    It doesn't take long for the two Tenno to be places side by side in the bed. Pandora links their hands before stepping back to watch them with Natah.

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    Harry wakes up feeling whole and comfortable, in a way that he'd never be able to describe to other people. Like one of those things that looks complete, and functions as though it's complete, until you add that extra little bit. Then suddenly everything just looks more complete.

    Spooning him from behind is Kitty, who also wakes up.

    "Mmm, I could get used to this." She whispers into his ear.



    The moment is shattered by Natah starting to cry, "You're awake, I was worried that there was something wrong."

    Harry lifts his head up, "Huh?"

    "You've both been unconscious for 3 months, and it's been a day since we put you in the bed together."

    Whatever he was going to say goes out the window when Kitty nibbles her ear. Harry shivers as she stammers, "S…sorry, K's j…just distracted me."

    Pandora takes Natah's arm, "Come on, I think they need time to become reacquainted."



    Briefly, Harry is thankful for Pandora. That feeling lasts until Kitty licks her ear again, and she's reduced to a puddle of sensations.

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    "Kitty, that is totally not fair. Every time I got close to being the initiator, you did that thing with my ear and I just go completely girl."

    Natah looks up from the terminal that she's been working at for the last hour. Having not even managed to complete one of the 5 minute tasks on her list.

    "Harry, Kitty."

    Harry smiles broadly at Natah, "Hey Mum, can you tell Kitty it's completely unfair to do that thing with my ear?"

    Kitty punches Harry in the arm, "Don't listen to her, she's just upset that I not only had my wicked way with her. I'd also done enough research to know what I was doing."

    "Research, is that what you're calling it now?"

    Natah sighs, "Given that the closest I've ever come to having a partner is Ballas, I do not have an opinion."

    "Oh, yeah, sorry."

    "Why are you sorry? I didn't have a soul then, and it was the closest I'd ever come, not that it ever happened."

    "I think I picked it up at school, I know Hermione certainly apologised a lot."

    "How are you both feeling?"

    "I feel great, Kitty?"

    Kitty bounces for emphasis, "I feel better than ever. I can't wait to see what's changed."



    Natah shakes her head and smiles, "Well, first of all, we need to check your Warframes and abilities. Same as we did before."

    Kitty steps back and behind Harry, suddenly nervous, "Do we have to?"

    Harry turns around and pulls her into a hug, "Yes we do, would you rather find out here or when you're on a mission in the middle of Grineer territory?"

    Kitty shudders at the close call she had when she was first woken from stasis, "I'd rather find out here, but…"

    "I know, I can't imagine what it was like for you. But you've been using your Warframes for how long now? How about we just do stuff in our Warframes, like the assault course, or even some studying."

    Kitty punches Harry in the shoulder, "You and your studying. Fine."

    Natah nods, "No tests for a few days while you get used to using a Warframe then."



    It doesn't take long for the two of them to leave that part of the complex, though once they get into some of the natural caverns, their progress slows as they start chasing each other through the tunnels and rocky features. Once they arrive at their arsenals, the first problem pops up.



    Harry transfers into his Oberon and turns to see how Kitty's doing. As she transfers in, he stumbles to his knees as he's pulled from his Warframe. Frowning, he transfers back into the Oberon, and Kitty drops to a knee cursing. After a lot of toing and froing, they manage to both be in a Warframe at the same time. As long as they're holding hands, that is. Together they run back to the research room.



    "Mum!"

    Natah looks up from her notes, "Yes?"

    "We have a problem."

    "What sort of problem?"

    Kitty just pulls her hand away with a yank, making Harry stumble out of his Oberon.



    "I see. Well, you can both join Nymphadora in the day while she's helping Varzia and training. It will be good for you to actually have training as operators."



    Harry and Kitty both look at each other and try to bolt, which doesn't work as even once one of them has got around 20m away in their Warframe, they're pulled out as their Warframe continues. Over the next hour, they find out that after 100m it feels like someone is trying to tear something out of their chests, and at 200m they cannot continue as the pain drives them to the floor.

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    Over what's left of the next 3 years, the two healers work alongside Pandora and Natah to study why Harry and Kitty are having so much trouble.

    Harry and Kitty both get to the point where they can roam the solar system separately, as long as the void jumps aren't too big.

    Nymphadora, completes her Transfiguration Mastery. Also, alongside Harry and Kitty, she qualifies for the enhancements and implants that Dax were given. Though, given how extensive they are, all three of them choose not to go ahead with those changes.

    At some point, they also find time to celebrate Christmas.

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    For the first time ever, Strata Relay was hosting the first ever Tenno Christmas Party. The event was open to all 3000 Tenno and all of the staff that they employ, with pre-cooked Christmas meals being sent to the other Relays for the staff that couldn't make their way to Strata. The Sinistra family had certainly pushed the boat out, conjuring tables and chairs on every level of the relay, with a Warframe stand behind each chair. Level 1 was reserved for the staff and those Tenno who had accompanied Natah, Hermione, and Luna into the void, along with the guests. Pandora somehow managed to even drag Xeno out of his research in the basement of the Rookery.



    Natah stands and walks over to the Holo pedestal, "Good afternoon everyone. Thank you all for coming. Most of the Tenno will know Harry, by reputation if nothing else. The only baby to survive the Zariman. A few decades ago we discovered where Harry was born when they communicated with us. For them only 10 years had passed since his disappearance, and they hadn't yet exhausted all of their methods of trying to contact them. The event that we're here for is called Christmas after one of the Deities worshiped on their world. It is supposed to celebrate that Deities birth. Part of this tradition is the sharing of gifts amongst your loved ones, something that I will leave you to participate in after we have all eaten. The meal is another tradition, where we all come together to share food with friends and family. That is what we all are, family. As such I would also like you all to welcome some new members to our family, Hermione Granger, and Luna Lovegood are new Tenno, I'm sure at least some of you have seen them on the regional chat servers. I'd also like to introduce you all to Pandora Lovegood, who I'm sure you've all become familiar with over the last 10 years as she's been taking on the role of Lotus when I'm busy with my own research. Aurora Sinistra and her family are Vassals to Clan Potter, and so are part of the extended family along with Dr's Granger and Granger, Minerva McGonagall, and Xenophilus Lovegood. As this is a yearly event on the planet that Harry was born, we will be repeating this event every 81 years, to match. To our employees who don't have life extending treatments, I hope that if you have children, they will be able to join us at the next event. Finally, all of the food is real food, not printed or textured, just cooked and then served to individual serving platters, there is also a glass of an alcohol called Champaign in front of each of you. Please, everyone that can, join me in a drink to the health and prosperity of the Tenno.

    "Eat, Drink, and be Merry.

    "I've just been told that these things are Christmas Crackers. They are designed to be opened by two people at the same time. Apparently you both hold one end and pull, the winner is the one that has the central portion attached to their end piece. Inside you will find a mini gift, a hat, and a joke."



    The meal went down an absolute treat, though the flaming dessert was very nearly a disaster as some of the Tenno took it upon themselves to try and set the other desserts on fire, using flame throwers. Once they were all satiated, the gifts were brought out.



    Andromeda looks at the three gifts she's just been given, it's clear that two of them were wrapped before they came here, as the colourful wizarding paper, with its bouncing penguins and stars, sticks out in stark contrast to the box that's neatly wrapped in gold film. Curiously unwrapping it first, she is surprised to see that it is a box. Inside the box is two small antimatter reactors and nanite factories.

    "Ted, what's this?"

    "Dromeda, I know you. You're asking every bloody question under the sun about what it's like to be Sentient. You were exactly the same before we eloped to Gretna Green and got married over the anvil. Same when you were deciding whether to become a healer or not. This is me saying that I will join you if you decide to go ahead with it."

    That was the last that Ted was able to say for the next 10 minutes as Andromeda pulls him into a hug and kisses him so hard, and long that other people are starting to get embarrassed by the time they finish.



    Dora looks down at the two gifts she's been given. One is obviously from her parents, and is a couple of books on the process of becoming an Auror. Though, she's seriously considering becoming a bounty hunter or something like that, she's still got till she graduates to make up her mind, though. The second gift says it's from Harry and Kitty. Opening it she's confused to see 4 fist sized metal orbs, along with a data chip. Reading the chip on her data slate, she sees that it contains a letter.



    Dora,



    Thank you for training with us over the last year, and thank you for becoming our friend. The four orbs are the blueprint for an Equinox Prime Warframe. As part of the gift, we are willing to take you into the Void to try and meet with the Man in the Wall and make your own deal, the same as Hermione and Luna have. If you haven't decided by the time school starts again, you'll need to wait for the next holiday in case there's any complications for us while we're doing this.



    Harry & Kitty.



    Dora just stares at the letter and absently wipes a couple of tears from her cheeks as her smile becomes painfully wide.



    Around the table, other gifts are given, often more practical than fun, but it's the thought that counts.
     
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    • Intermission 2
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    • Intermission 2



    "Master," Quirrell coughs and spits some blood into a hanky, "the honour of hosting you is becoming too much for my body."

    "What of the unicorn blood?"

    Quirrell coughs again, "I need heart blood, but the Unicorns have become more adept at hiding since the last hunt where they gathered at that structure in the forest."

    "This is disturbing, they shouldn't be able to hide from you. Copy down this ritual, then find someone of weak will, preferably magical."

    "What will the ritual do?"

    "Why? It will pit your willpower against the person in the other circle. The winner takes the health of the loser, while the loser takes all the ills, including curses. Just remember to stop before they die, otherwise you'll take on their soul too."

    Quirrell swallows, hard, "Master…" licking his lips he tries again, "Master, is this, is there no, what about."

    "Quirrell, you came to me for power. Yet now you're getting a taste of it you're quailing like a first year?"

    "No Master, it's just…"

    "Such a very large step? Come now, you were willing to take the life of a Unicorn, what's the life of a person that's fallen to vice in comparison?"

    "But my lord, it's soul magic."

    "Only if you let it go on too long. I can trust that your moral fortitude won't go that far, can't I?"



    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Silvana shudders as something she can't put her finger on changes. Yawning, she stretches and then pauses. The lead stallion of the unicorn herd comes over and nuzzles her face, and she brings her hand up to stroke its head. As she does, she freezes as the fact her hand is a light shade of green registers.

    "How?"

    The unicorn just nickers as her legs go weak and she collapses to the floor. The forest is still loud in her senses, with the nearby Grineer spreading their poison across the planet. After a while Silvana stirs and stands on shaky legs due to the shock of having a body again. As she does, the stallion nudges her of balance. Reflexively she steps back into the first tree she planted after she returned to earth, and her human sight vanishes once more as her sense of the forest and its inhabitants expands to encompass the entire forest.



    Unseen due to the vegetation covering it, the cairn that covered Silvana's remains sinks into the ground slightly. The stone marker that was placed at her head lists slightly away from the cliff edge.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    With the Wizengamot, ICW, and school all having a recess at the same time for the new year celebrations around the world, Albus wakes at the late hour of 8am. Staggering over to his desk he looks at the enchantment diagrams for the Mirror, then yawns. Rubbing his eyes with one hand he shakes his head ruefully, obviously he's too tired to work on it today, so tonight he'll take a dreamless sleep at 10, and then move the mirror tomorrow.



    Making his way down to the great hall in his nightshirt, he stops when he enters as there aren't as many teachers as he expected. Making his way to his chair at the round table they use over Christmas, he helps himself to some bacon and eggs before looking over at Septima,

    "Vector," must observe proprietaries in front of students, "have I already missed Minerva?"

    Septima cocks her head to one side and narrows her eyes, "She has Christmas off, as well you know. Don't bother looking for Aurora either, she's dealing with family business all Christmas."

    "But what about the thing?"

    "I have no idea what you're talking about."

    "Sorry, I misspoke."



    After consuming some food and drink, Albus feels somewhat brighter as he looks around the table at the staff and students that are wintering in the castle. While he does, he starts to feel somewhat nostalgic as the scene reminds him of his youth, and how around half the school would stay for the holidays. Their parents would floo to Hogsmeade to meet their children over the holiday. His own parents did that more than once while he was a student here. However, two large wars within 50 years have taken their toll on the population leaving each year with a fraction of the students that should be here.

    As the first tear rolls into his beard, Albus makes himself a sandwich, "Excuse me everyone, but I fear this has just become a working breakfast. I hope to catch up with you all over the rest of the holiday. Those of you doing your NEWTs, remember that you need to take breaks over the holiday, even the staff are doing that."



    Once he gets back to his office, he pulls a leather-bound photo album from the same drawer he's keeping the philosopher's stone. Sitting back, he allows tears to fall as he looks at the photos of every friend and acquaintance he's lost over the last two wars. Fawkes flutters over to perch on the back of his chair and croon to him.



    The next day Albus moves the Mirror of Erised to his own office, as without his deputy, he can't afford not be available to the rest of the staff. The school paperwork sits accusingly on his desk while he tries to concentrate on getting the enchantments just right.

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    Croaker picks up the metal, plastic, and glass rectangle and waves it at Shade, "What am I looking at here?"

    Shade shakes his head, "Honestly, I don't know. All I know is that Gringotts are starting to use these everywhere."

    "How do they use it?"

    "Again, I have no answers I'm afraid. It's taken us two months just to get this one sample. It takes less time to prepare for looking in their vaults than it does getting these."

    "Will they know it's missing?"

    "Almost certainly, but the magic we used seems to have rendered it inert. From what we can tell, there's absolutely no magic involved."

    "Why so much prep time?"

    "They never put them down in any of the public or human areas of the bank. None of our goblin contacts were even allowed close to them either. The goblin that had this had a habit of putting it down for a couple of seconds at a time." – Shade pinches the bridge of his nose, "We had to invent a brand-new switching spell that would only work if the object didn't have any contact with a living creature."



    "How about your investigation into the ripples in the veil of death?"

    "Frustrating. Every time we think we've got something that works, we find out that it's just detecting the same things we are. Namely the veil itself, or rather where it interacts with the world. Whatever is causing those ripples, we can't detect it."

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    "Ironclaw"

    "Yes Director?"

    The Director hands over a tablet, "I believe that this is one of yours."

    Ironclaw's eyes narrow and he growls softly, "Where did you get that from?"

    "A representative from MIM5 delivered it in a Jiffy bag. There was a letter attached."

    "I see, and where did they get it from?"

    Wordlessly the Director hands over the letter.



    Director,



    I hope that your coffers have grown since our last contact. A contact in the DOM was able to recover this during the course of their work. We have produced a mock-up using state of the art technology that looks the part but will not turn on. As you are probably aware, HMG keeps a weather eye on the magical world after the last civil war spread outside your own borders. The existence of beyond cutting-edge technology in your own hands has raised a few eyebrows. However, we would be willing to turn a blind eye to your own use of it, if you in turn would consent to allowing a few of your people to work with SoS certified researchers on unravelling the secrets of this technology.



    Sincerely



    M



    It takes everything Ironclaw has not to snarl at the Director, "What is our position on this?"

    "We can not evacuate, we can not survive if the non-magicals choose to wipe us out. Even with the deal with Simaris we can't meaningfully fight back. There are 5,000 goblins living here, and we are the largest colony that we know of. 100 years ago I'd have said fight back. Japan changed that."

    "You think they'd use a nuke?"

    "If we fought back? I don't know, but I can't bet our peoples lives on no."

    "So what do we do?"

    "Contact the people that let us have this technology."



    Ironclaw rests his weapon on the floor, which for a goblin is the same as a human slumping, "I don't like this."

    The Director lays his knife on the desk before walking around and placing a hand on Ironclaw's shoulder, "I know, it goes against our traditions and instincts. However, it's the same as hunting dragons. It is not dishonourable for one goblin to retreat in the face of a dragon even though it can be for a band."

    "I see. And the non-magical world is now the dragon."

    "Indeed, including the ability to fly and breathe fire. What of our expansion?"

    "The first tunnels have been inhabited and we have already seen an increase in pregnancies. We should be seeing a doubling of our population in the next 200 years."

    The director nods, "Good. At the next board meeting I'll table drawing up genealogy charts. If we're lucky, the fact that Straightseam hasn't returned yet means they've got permission to establish a colony. If we have that permission, we'll name a new clan, and allow goblins from around the world to send members."

    Ironclaw nods, "Would you like me to send an owl?"

    The Director smiles, "Thank you for your initiative."
     
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    • Decisions
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    • Decisions


    Sitting on a crate behind Varzia's shop, Dora stares at the tablet in her hands with its chat message written out, before looking over at her Christmas present from Harry and Kitty.

    "It's just two or three years here. Finish school, come back, and…"

    "And what?"

    Dora looks up in alarm, to see Digger leaning against a crate, "I was just talking to myself."

    Digger nods, "I could tell. Do you want to talk about it?"

    Dora's hair slowly turns rosy, and she looks down at the tablet in her hands. Swallowing hard, she slowly starts to talk, "What if I'm too old? Harry and Kitty gave me this present, but I'm 20 now. What if that's too old? What if I accept and he says no, or I go insane. What if I don't do it, and you all forget about me by the time I can come back again."

    Digger sits down next to her, "You can always go the Sentient route."

    Dora shakes her head, "Except I can't. My biology changes too much, because I'm a Metamorph. I had one of the Dax implants done, and it just slid out of my body."

    "What about the brain implants?"

    Dora grimaces, "We haven't tried. Though the nanites are fine. It's just, here nobody is asking me to look like other people. I've not had anyone try to get into my pants either."

    Digger grins, "I can't tell if that last is a good or bad thing."

    Dora laughs, "It's definitely a thing. But it really depends on who we're talking about if it's good or bad."

    Turning more serious, Digger takes Dora's hand, "Dora, this isn't about what if's or age. Space Mom is now Tenno in truth, and she's older than all of us. It's about family. As that's what we are, a massive, dysfunctional, family. Those blueprints are an invitation to the family. Most of us never get to know anyone well enough to consider inviting them into the family. Maroo, Teshin, Varzia, maybe Legz, the family on Demios, that's about it really for most of us."

    "Why though?"

    "Reputation, we're 'immortal' mercenaries that work for anyone. Nobody wants to get close to us in case they get caught up in one of our bounties or missions. Even Maroo and Varzia used to keep their distance, even though that's changed in the last decade. So the question you need to be asking yourself is 'Do you want to be part of our family?' Not worrying about the risks and what if's."

    Wordlessly Dora looks down at the tablet, and hesitantly presses the send button.



    {Changling} Hey, Digger, you have one of the new Railjacks. Do you think you could help me visit Wally?



    Digger blinks a few times as he looks at the private message, "Wait, you wanted to already?"

    Dora nods, "Uh huh."

    "So what was that conversation about?"

    "It was me talking through my fears and worries. Like an emotionally mature person should do."

    Digger laughs, "Emotionally mature, you?"

    Dora turns her nose into a pig snout and sticks her tongue out at Digger, "Yeah, have to act my age occasionally."

    "Come on, we'll let Maroo know where we're going. I think I've got a spare frame or two you can use until your Christmas present is built. They're not prime frames though."

    "Why do you have spare frames?"

    "Feeding to the Helminth, it can extract abilities and graft them onto another warframe."

    Dora looks horrified, "Why would you do that?"

    Digger shrugs, "They're not alive, as they've never been outside digital storage. And don't take Harry or FairieQueen's warframes as normal. They're not. Most of us only get a few flickers of memory from some of the frames that used real people, like Umbra. But even there, they have no soul. You can find the occasional frame still kneeling where one of our brothers or sisters left at the end of the war and they still haven't woken up yet."

    Dora puts a hand on Diggers shoulder, "I'm sorry."

    "It not like you did it, and it's still better than Narmer. Some of us had to find our brothers and sisters on Lua, and give them a permanent death. That was hard, as they joined Ballas and worked to oppress the peoples in the solar system. If there's one thing that nearly all of can agree on, it's freedom."

    "I'm here if you want to talk about it."

    Digger smiles, "Nah, I'm fine. It's not like I can get traumatised by that stuff. Come on, lets get you into the Railjack."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Dora swallows hard as she looks out at the swirling mist of the void. Cadius is just moving himself into the lander, and it's getting close to her last chance to leave herself. Suddenly, her reflection in the viewport looks left and right before beckoning her closer.

    Curiously, she leans forward and puts a hand on the glass, even as the old stories of the fae run through her head. As her hand touches the glass so does her reflections. Suddenly it winks at her before grasping her hand and tugging.

    "Wa…" Dora cuts off as her reflection holds a finger up to its lips and points behind her.

    As she turns around, she can see the Railjack sitting there, in the void. As she watches, the hull becomes clear where the view port is, and she can see herself touching the glass. Digger standing beside her gesticulating.

    A deep voice echoes from behind her, "Well now, isn't this a surprise. One of my children came home."

    Dora spins around, to see a massive wall, with her reflection sitting on top of it, laughing.

    "What? Children?"

    Her reflection does a backwards summersault, "Why yes, my children. They took them away, broke their agreements, and killed my subjects. So I got more, a simple bargain, power and rescue or not. Half chose rescue, half chose not, and half chose me. So, what about you? What will you choose?"

    "Wait, how is this a choice?"

    Her reflection sweeps her arm across the length of the Railjack, "You're still protected from me even now, and you can choose. It's a one time offer, accept my gift and your birthright and become one of my children in truth. Or don't and see where your choices take you."

    Dora glances back at the ship.

    Turning back, Dora nods, "I accept."

    Turning away, Dora shakes her head, "I'll take my chances."

    Jumping on top of the wall, Dora joins her reflection.

    "Shake on it?"



    Dora holds out her hand and shakes the hand of her reflection, and suddenly she's back on the railjack.

    "Dora, are you ready?"

    Dora looks at her hand, "Oh, right, yes sure."

    "Dora, are you alright?"

    Dora turns to look at Digger and nods, "Yes, yes I am. Let's do it."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Harry looks up in surprise from the navigation console on his Railjack, "Mum! You're coming with us?"

    Natah nods, "I am indeed, I received a letter from the goblins that needs my personal attention."

    "Anything I need to be aware of?"

    "I don't think so, unless you want to start taking on Lotus responsibilities that is."

    Harry blanches slightly, "Um, I'll leave that to you and Pandora if that's ok."

    Natah laughs, "Of course, how are you and Kitty getting on?"

    "Better again now that we can put planets between us. Don't get me wrong, I love being with her. It's just… We're both used to being able to change our living spaces how we want."

    Natah nods, "I see, like all of my children, you are both used to living alone and being able to make your own decisions with your own spaces. Maybe you should spend some time living with some of your school friends to see how their parents live together."

    Harry nods, "Could do, though I'm not happy with how long that would keep us from home."

    "I understand, but it's much like going to school. There's nothing to stop you from visiting occasionally, though the time difference will mean you have more to catch up with than contribute."



    Deciding to change the subject, Harry asks, "How're Andromeda and Ted getting on?"

    "Haven't you been meeting them for your sessions?"

    Harry sighs, "We have, but she's Healer Tonks during that time. It's bad enough that she keeps asking us about our sex lives."

    Natah reaches out and ruffles Harry's hair, "Oh Harry, you could just meet her socially." She then laughs when Harry flushes red, "I love how innocent all of you still are. You know that Andromeda and Ted have been married for over 20 years."

    Harry turns to his mother and blinks, "What?"

    "Harry, I swear, sometimes you are too innocent. They are Dora's parents, and she's over 20 years old now."

    Harry blinks, "She is, isn't she. 20 years is a long time for normal people isn't it."

    "Don't tell me, you've been treating that time as you would here."

    "Well, yes. How many times do you think I've killed Vok Nor now? Let alone some of the other generals."

    "You really shouldn't be."

    Harry sighs, "I know, it's just. We don't get to know people outside our family. I know Kitty has her fashion business, but even there, she can go years between seeing her customers."

    Natah nods, "Once you've finished school for the year, I'll see about setting you up with some longer-term contracts. Maybe living with a colony for a few years will help with that."

    "Thanks Mum."

    "Now, how's Dora settling in as a Tenno?"

    Harry smiles at her cheekily, "Don't you already know the answer to that, Lotus?"

    Natah swipes at him, "Oi, you know that everyone treats me like their mother."

    Harry laughs, "She's adjusting I think. Digger's the one you'd really want to talk to. I do know that she's kept her sanity, which is a plus. But she's struggling with the fact her body is fixed unless she changes it. I think they were doing some last minute hunting to try to complete Chroma so that she has something that can change on the fly in addition to Equinox. I know she struggled with the need to kill almost as much as Hermione did."

    Natah nods, "They were, I think Kitty gave Dora her railjack."

    Harry nods, "Makes sense, we can't exactly maintain two of them. Though, I'm going to try and make some more landers when we get to Luna base. Mainly because Kitty and I are likely to have different schedules."



    From behind them, Kitty speaks up, "Speaking of Kitty, I've got my stuff loaded, though I'd like it if we could pick up another three frames next time we head home."

    Harry nods, "I'll make sure to add the modified arsenals for everyone. Are Luna and Hermione making their own way there?"

    Kitty nods, "Yep, I think Dora's hitching a ride with Hermione."

    Harry turns to navigation, "Cy, takes us to Luna base."

    Cy's voice comes over the speakers, "Ordis is requesting entry."

    Harry raises an eyebrow, "Tell him he's welcome aboard."

    "Disconnecting in 5…4…3…2…1."



    As the railjack smoothly leaves the drydock, Ordis comes floating up to the flight deck in the chassis he used during the Narmar crisis.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Dora flinches as her pod is floated out of Hermione's Railjack into Luna base. Intellectually, she knows she's sleeping in there. But emotionally she's not ready to face that philosophical quandary. Instead, she turns away and draws her wand to look at it once more.

    "Are you ok Dora?"

    Dora looks up at Hermione in her new Nezha, Titania standing behind her somehow sulking, "Yeah, I guess. It's just seeing my pod like that. It's just hard to believe that's really me in there."

    Hermione nod vehemently, "Oh yes, it gives me the willies every single time. I think it's why most Tenno aren't allowed on Lua until they're ready to wake up. How are your implants going?"

    Dora sighs, "I don't know, and I don't want to know. I do know that the brain implants worked, as I can now see all the displays and the HUD in the warframe. Including Ammo. Did you know that turning off the HUD used to be a challenge that Lotus gave Tenno on some missions?"

    Hermione shudders, "I didn't, and I don't want to know what it would be like without the map."

    "How are you getting on with the mandatory classes?"

    Hermione puts her head in her hands, "Eternalism sucks. I thought I was good with math, but the proofs for that are still doing my head in. And the Cephalons are no help."

    Dora laughs, "And here I thought that the math behind navigation coordinates is hard."

    Hermione nods, "That's because it is hard. Roofie still can't do them. Why do you think so many people keep them on sticks. I'm learning about Eternalism because of the Ten Zero, you know the Corpus or Grineer have brought it half way out the void. Their scientists are coming up with new theories and math to describe what's happening, and why they can see another land on the other side. Math that's currently beyond me."

    Dora's energy colour turns blue as she slumps, "I feel stupid."

    "You're not stupid, you've just got other interests. Come on, let's go and find our personal armouries. Harry said that she was going to give one to each clan member with 20 berths for our warframes."

    Dora perks up, "Yeah, that sounds better than moping around. Let's go."



    Titania points at Hermione, "Hermi mine now?"

    Hermione laughs, "Once we get to our room, sure."



    Titania sprints, bounces and jumps her way to the armoury as the other two laugh and follow her.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Aurora smiles at Minerva as they sit down to the returning Feast, her chassis is safely floating in her quarters and her ports concealed by the shapeshifting abilities of Natah's race of Sentient. As they enjoy the food, they both spare a glance for Harry, Hermione, and Dora, who are sat at their respective tables, chatting quietly with the other people at their tables. Though Dora seems to have a lot less people chatting to her than normal. Once the last of the stragglers make their way through the door, Albus stands up.

    "Good evening everyone, and Happy New Year. I don't have any specific announcements, though I should remind everyone that the Potter Clan, are wearing a full body prosthetics. Please don't enquire as to the circumstances why. Also be aware of the fact that they do have built in protective reactions. Tuck in everyone."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Andromeda smiles as she steps out of the floo at St Mungo's, her sensors already mapping out the hospital and everyone in it. As she makes her way past the reception, the Director bustles up to her.

    "Healer Tonks, how did your patient get on?"

    "She has made a full recovery, thank you for asking."

    "May I ask what the malady was?"

    Tonks nods, "They accidentally recreated an Akkadian marriage ritual, and it went wrong. I'm just thankful that Gringotts sent a healer with us, otherwise we'd have lost them."

    "You worked with a goblin healer, did you learn anything from them?"

    "Yes."

    "Can I expect to see a paper on their techniques soon?"

    "No."

    "Great, I loo… No?"

    "Correct, no. They were shared in confidence, and I am not going to betray that confidence. Now, I need to get ready for my clinic, so if you'll excuse me."



    Andromeda sweeps past the Director with a massive smile.
     
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    Harry stares at the garishly wrapped package on her bed. Cautiously she pokes it with a finger, only for the paper to rip and expose the contents. Shaking her head, Harry picks up the package and finishes unwrapping it, to reveal a silvery fabric sized for a human. Though, the amount of void energy she can sense would suggest that it's something else. Pulling out a scanner, she drapes the fabric over a chair and scans it. Yep, void energy, almost identical to that used by Invara in fact. Probably useful for her Operator, but not that useful at the moment.



    Grabbing some books, Harry makes her way down to the common room to do some revision on what they were doing before Christmas. There he finds Hermione staring at a book in consternation.

    "Hey Hermione, what's up?"

    Hermione looks up before picking up the offending book and lobbing it at Harry, "It's this book."

    Deftly, Harry catches the book, "Hogwarts a History? This was your favourite book."

    "That book is a stinking pile of trash. The author is heavily biased, and not only misrepresents facts from other books, but also outright fabricates stories that are contradicted in earlier editions."

    Tossing the book onto a table, Harry goes over to hug Hermione, "What brought this on?"

    Hermione materialises an Orokin computer and concentrates to pull up a 1st edition copy of Hogwarts a History, "I scanned this in the library before Christmas, but I didn't think to scan my own books." A second panel opens up next to it, "This is a comparative of this edition with the one by Bathilda Bagshot, red text has been removed, green added, and strike through changed. I didn't even realise it was a copy, as the original is titled 'An Abridged history of the Founders and their School.' From 1383."

    "Hermione, what happened?"

    Hermione sniffles into Harry's side, wishing that warframes could cry, "Oh, it's horrible. I traded scans of the library here to Cephalon Simaris for unlimited credit in his store. It only took me the time between when we returned and Christmas to do 70% of the library. He sent me the digital translations of the older books and a program to translate new scans, and compare them to existing works. I scanned this overnight and I can't believe they're lying like this. It's not even lying like the Corpus and Grineer do, where they leave out bits of information, or phrase things in a way that make them look better. This is outright fabrication and revision of history."

    "What are you going to do about it?"

    "I don't know, what can I do?"

    "You tell me, you're 18 now."

    Hermione slumps, "Don't remind me. I listened to Padma and Lavender last night before curfew, and their gossiping makes even less sense now than it did before Christmas. Anyway, what about you and Kitty?"

    Harry laughs, "She's getting used to being the general dogsbody, not quite what they had in mind, but she's helping Anna with the reception, and filling in as a dental assistant when one of the other two are out."

    Hermione clips him around the head, "I meant your relationship."

    "That, is between the two of us."

    "Arse."

    "Yep, now what are you going to do about the books?"

    Hermione sighs, "I'm going to talk to Minerva first, as we're the only ones that can read the translations at the moment."

    "There you go, you've got the first step of an idea."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Natah floats up Diagon Alley as she disables her stealth systems, somewhat glad that she's got a morning meeting at Gringotts rather than later in the day. This time around, she's far more aware of the dampening effect the magical protections are having on the local EM spectrum, with only visible light being unaffected. What her sensors detected as noise in the spectrum is actually the satellite communications that are used by the non-magicals. Just so attenuated that they are almost invisible against the natural background of the universe. As she walks up the steps to the bank, a hint of the terrestrial radio signals they're using for audio and visual transmission becomes detectable. There she stops, as the guards start to look increasingly nervous, and calculates the size of receiver that would be needed to magnify that signal to a useable strength.

    Eventually Ironjaw walks out of the bank, "Ahem, Natah, would you please follow me into the bank, as you're making the guards nervous."

    Natah looks down, "Why are they nervous?"

    Ironjaw coughs, "Simaris has been trading streams of Tenno missions with us, and you feature heavily in some of them."

    "Oh. I'm flattered, I think."

    Ironjaw leads the way into the bank, "You should be, we're a very martial culture."



    Natah just nods and follows him into a meeting room, where Ironclaw is chatting, as politely as goblins get with people they don't respect, to a man wearing a suit.

    "You asked for a meeting?" As she draws attention to herself, the suit looks at her mouth open, and starts to visibly shake as she towers over everyone in the room.

    Ironclaw turns towards Natah, "We did indeed. This is a representative of the British non-magical government. They recovered one of our data slates that the magical government stole."

    "What does that have to do with me?"

    The suit takes a couple of deep breaths, before he stands and bows, "I am agent Smith from MI5-M division, we want to work with the goblins of Gringotts to understand and eventually reproduce the tablet they're using."



    Natah looks at the ceiling as she uses the systems in Luna base to look through what electronic records are available. As she does, she tries to model out what's likely to happen if she gives the government access to the math and physics that the Corpus use for their computers and communications technology. Each time, she predicts that they open an unstable portal to the void within 50 years, or a world war begins that ends with the planet being scoured of life as they adapt the things they've learnt into weapons.

    As she finishes her 30,000'th simulation, Natah looks down at him, "No."

    "May I ask why?"

    "You don't yet have the mathematical basis needed to understand the technology, let alone reproduce it. Additionally, your society isn't ready for the ramifications of understanding that mathematical model of the universe."

    "What would we need to do to prove we are ready?"

    Natah just smiles before she reactivates the cloaking device, "Colonise the solar system."



    While the goblins and agent Smith are saying their goodbyes, she connects to Luna Base and, after bypassing the security, starts the systems making a digital storage device, along with programming in an automatic recall addition for the data slates. That way if the device leaves a certain area around the server, it will automatically return to digital storage. With that done she makes her way down to the server room where the charging stands are for the data slates. There she makes some modifications, so that each slate will be transferred into digital storage to have it's recall system added. By the time that's done, the device has been made.



    Dropping her cloak, she calculates the coordinates for a void gate to take her into the production hall for Luna Base, and has the new device pushed through the other end. Around her, goblins stop what they're doing and draw weapons, though they stand back while they're waiting for reinforcements to arrive.

    As she now has an audience, and on a whim, Natah floats into the air while she plays some music she made up on the spot. As she does, the digital storage device slowly emerges from the portal and floats serenely over to the server and reactor. As if conducting a symphony, she carefully inserts the device in the power network in such a way that the goblins would need to understand the underlying technology to disconnect it without turning off the server.



    Just as the guards are running into the server room, followed by both Ironclaw and Ironjaw, Natah turns to face them before bowing in mid-air, "There you go Gringotts, your Data slates can no longer be stolen. If I have to come back, I will be authorising a retrieval mission with the local Tenno."



    That said, she darts through the void portal, and braces herself just in case it causes problems. When it doesn't, she dances and giggles like a loon in Luna base, "Take that Ballas you bastard, trying to use the void to dispose of me. I've worked out how you did it, and nobody is ever going to use it against me again. And thank you for your gift Wally."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Dora sits, in her Equinox Prime, in the waiting room of the DMLE along with the other Auror hopefuls. In theory, she's already passed all of the entrance requirements, however, there are the interviews and practical tests to go through first.

    Rosier looks over at her after doing a mental headcount, "Tonks, is that you?"

    "Yep, like the new look?"

    Rosier laughs, "What happened, did you finally refuse to bed someone who could actually do something about your leading them on?"

    Dora looks at Rosier strangely, "What are you trying to imply Rosier?"

    "As if you don't know you were the biggest damn tease in the school. Strutting around and showing everyone what they could have."

    Dora looks around the rest of the room at all of her old year mates that are looking to get a cushy, but prestigious job here, "Is that really what people thought."

    A slightly older witch puts her hands up, "Whoa, leave me out of it, I graduated three years ago."

    One by one, the other four boys nod, and Tabiner says "Yeah, I remember you put Dickman in the hospital wing for a week, just for asking you to Hogsmeade."

    Dora tries to look at them all incredulously, "You think I did that just because he asked me to Hogsmeade?"

    Walla nods, "That's what he said. He even bought you flowers too."

    "Those flowers had Amortentia on them. That's why I put him in the hospital wing."

    The other witch looks at her body language before shuffling closer to the door while muttering, "I'd have done the same thing."

    Rosier laughs, "Come on, everyone knows that you occasionally need to give a girl a bit of a push."

    Dora's Equinox ripples into darkness as it shifts from the brighter day for into its night configuration, "So how would you feel if a girl did that to you?"

    "I'd be flattered, free tail. Course, if she was the wrong sort my family would sort it out later."



    The door opens and a grizzled old man with a peg leg stands there, "Right you lot, I'm your examiner today. If you'll all come…" He trails off as Dora's fuse finally burns through and she activates Equinox's second ability, Rest & Rage, putting all of the wizards to sleep. Remarkably quickly, the old man draws his wand, and then points it at the ceiling as Dora points her Stradavar Prime at his head in a smooth motion.

    "They're just asleep, not dead. They're the sort that think it's ok to potion someone you're interested in, with Amortentia."

    "Miss Tonks, you can lower the weapon now."

    "It's Dora of Clan Potter now." Dora indicates at the witch with her other hand, "Hey, I never did get your name, but the jobs yours. I don't think I'd make it through basic before putting a hole through someone."

    Dora activates the ability again as the boys start to come around, and the old man huffs, "If you don't stop doing that, I'll need to arrest you."

    Dora laughs, "Honestly, I'd love to see you try. I do have to ask, what would you be arresting me for?"

    "Assault with a deadly spell."

    "Really? It's not even magic."

    "I don't have time for this. Right, come on, you might as well get started on the exam while I sort out some Auror's to deal with them."



    It would be three hours later that the old man would return to find the boys still asleep, and Dora lazily leaning against the wall while a number of Aurors cower to either side of a ruined door, and a hole straight through the floor into the office below. Behind him comes a very happy looking witch.

    "Why haven't you lot dealt with one witch?"

    "We tried, but our stunners bounced right off. Then we used something more lethal, and she did that." The Auror points to the ruined door and floor.

    "Right, we'll the interview time's over."

    Dora calls from inside, "Oh thank the void, I was starting to go stir crazy here. Well, I'm off to hand in my mastery certificate, and I'll be back tomorrow."

    "Oh no you don't lass."

    "Why? I was going to apply for a bounty hunting licence. What did dad call them again, oh, that's right. I'm going to apply to be a hit-wizard. As you can see, I can safely subdue and defend a target until help arrives."

    The old man smiles, "I like you, you've got spunk. You'd have made a good Auror."

    Dora nods, "I wanted to be one, for a long time that's all I wanted. But I've found my family, and I can't help them if I'm tied down here. Besides, I think I dig Digger."

    Dora giggles as she gets up and leaves.
     
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    "Master, did you hear?"

    "You'll need to be more specific Quirrell."

    "The armour is a full body prosthetic."

    "We knew this already."

    "Master, what if it's more like a possession?"

    "I see, yes, that would indeed allow us to combat them if needed. How are you feeling now?"

    Quirrell grins wildly, "I'm sorry I doubted you Master. That ritual…"

    "Indeed. Come, we have a charms professor to get drunk, and how are your contacts coming along with the dragon egg?"

    "The egg is on the way from Romania now, it should be here in March."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    It's halfway through February when Neville comes hopping in through the portrait. Blood splattered lightly all over his face and robes. Trotting behind him comes a satisfied looking Whisper. As laughter sounds around the common room, Hermione glances up and casts the universal counter before looking back at her work.

    A second later she looks up again, "Neville, are you alright?"

    Neville gives a horrified grin, "I am now, thanks for releasing me. And Whisper, you are such a good kitty."

    One of the Weasley twins shouts, "What happened?"

    Neville laughs, "Draco happened. He caught me outside the Library, said that he needed someone to practice on. Whisper took offence to him attacking me. Sliced his wand to ribbons, and left some deep scratches on his face and arms."

    The other Weasley throws him a chocolate frog, "Here, you deserve that. What happened to the timid little thing that started in September?"

    Neville scoops up Whisper, who starts to lick his face clean, "Whisper happened. It's easier to be brave when he's always around. Not to mention that he won't let me mope either."

    Hermione shakes her head before looking up again, "Neville, have you done the familiar bond ritual with Whisper yet?"



    Neville glances at the chocolate frog card while he thinks, before chucking it on the table between Ron and Dean. Swallowing the head of the frog while Whisper successfully steals one of the legs and runs off, he finally responds, "Um, no? I can't say I've ever heard of it."

    "Oh, well it's in Uncommon Summoning as an example of a ritual that's taught to all children in their first year of education. See, right here…" Hermione spins one of the panels she's been reading from, before remembering that it's literally only Harry and her that can see those panels in this room.

    As the lights on her Titania turn rosy, Hermione pulls over a sheet of parchment and an oversized quill, "Um, I'll just copy it out for you. Just remember to actually flick through the book in the library, at least chapter 1 where the ritual is."



    As she's writing, Angela Spinnet, one of the chasers for the Quidditch team, sits down next to her, "What does the ritual do?"

    "Huh? Oh, it bonds their spirit to your soul so that they will age with you rather than at their natural rate. There's apparently other rituals you can do after that so that you can share senses, or send spells through your connection to them. But they're in another book I haven't found yet. Given that I've scanned 89% of the library, excluding the restricted section, it's quite possible it's not in the student accessible parts of the library. Then again, as this book is written in Middle Scottish Gaelic, it could also be that it no longer exists."



    From the table that Ron and Dean were sitting at, there's a loud exclamation of, "I knew I'd read that name somewhere. Nicholas Flamel worked with the Headmaster on the discovery of dragons blood."

    With that interruption, everyone else looks over before going back to what they were doing.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Kitty's looking for a particular patients file, and has been looking for the last 10 minutes. According to the computer, they last came in 5 years ago, and Amelia needs the x-rays that were taken at the time. Of course, the practice has been refurbished twice, the appointment book has been replaced by a computer, and the receptionist that did the filing retired. The problem is, it's not the first time this has happened this week. When she started here just after Christmas, this was all new and fun, and quaint. Now it's just frustrating, as they could have had the whole thing scanned and indexed in minutes, except Earth doesn't have that ability so they can't use it. She could just ask Danjell or Amelia, but again they're not supposed to know. To make matters worse, the patient is next on the list, and once they go in, she only has minutes left to find it.

    With a frustrated huff she puts the current box of records back on the shelf with a huff and calls out, "Where are you, you void sucking file."

    Much to her surprise, a box on the other side of the room falls off the shelf, spilling its contents over the floor, as a single file flies out to her hand. She's so surprised at the appearance that she stands there for a good minute before Anne leans around the doorway, "Kitty, have you found the file yet?"

    Looking back over her shoulder, Kitty closes her mouth with a click, "Uh, yes? Yes, here you go. I, um, had some trouble getting it out… Here, I'll just tidy up the other files and Sue can take this one in for Emma."



    Less than a minute later, there's a soft crack of displaced air, and Kitty spins around, bringing up her amp before quickly lowering it when she recognises the style of robe. The person flicks their wand out, and Kitty's arms and legs stick together. Just as she's about to call her Nezha, the person finishes casting another spell at her before slashing their wand and dispelling the spell.

    Pushing back her hood, Hestia smiles, "Sorry about that. My name's Hestia Jones, and I'm with the Improper Use of Magic office. We detected some accidental magic here, and as this isn't a residential address we're obliged to investigate. Did you witness the person that performed the magic?"

    Kitty opens and closes her mouth as she tries to understand what was just said.



    {KittyKavat} @MissKitty, Um, someone says they're from an improper magic office, what do I do?

    {MissKitty} Did they say why they were there?

    {KittyKavat} Something about accidental magic.

    {MissKitty} Be as honest as you can without revealing the other universe.



    Hestia speaks up, "I'm sorry to push you, but if you don't answer in a moment, I'll be forced to call an Auror to take you into custody."

    Kitty shakes her head, "Uh, sorry but I honestly have no idea what you meant. I only moved here at Christmas. What's an Auror, and what's accidental magic."

    This time it's Hestia's turn to stare at Kitty, "How can you have got to 18 without knowing about that, even if you have just moved here? Where did you take your NEWTs?"

    Kitty shakes her head, "I don't know what NEWTs are. And why would I know what those things are? Harry said I could use the Potter vaults when he invited me to his clan, but I've never been there."

    "Have you at least taken your OWLs?"

    Kitty shakes her head, "Sorry, I don't know what they are either. I'm still learning about English customs and rules."

    Hestia growls, "Let me see your wand."

    Kitty spreads her hands, "Sorry, I don't have one. Harry does though."

    Hestia pinches her nose, as the spell showed that the young woman in front of her has enough magic to use a wand. Though that's all it told her, which is odd, "Ok, can we start again please. My names Hestia Jones, did you see anything strange happen?"

    Kitty nods, "Um, yeah. I was looking for a file and it flew out of this box to my hand. Um, aren't you worried that someone will come in here?"

    Hestia shakes her head, "No, I've placed a mild muggle repelling charm on the door. Ok, how old are you?"

    "A few years older that Harry, I was 11 when he arrived as a toddler. We sort of grew up together."

    Hestia pinches the bridge of her nose, "You said Potter clan earlier?"

    Kitty nods, "Harry invited me in just before Christmas when I decided to accompany him here."

    With a much kinder tone, Hestia slumps as she continues, "It would have to be Potter. Right, did Mr Potter say anything about Rip-Van-Winkle?"

    Kitty shakes her head, "I don't remember anything like that. But he's been coming here for several years, so he could have said something about it and I've just forgotten."

    "Ok, first of all, would you tell me your name?"

    Kitty nods, "Kitty of clan Potter."

    "Ok Kitty, did anyone else see what happened?"

    Kitty shakes her head, "No, I was the only one here."

    Hestia breathes a sigh of relief, "Thank Merlin for small mercies. Do you know what the Statute of Secrecy is?"

    Kitty shakes her head again, "Not really, Dan and Emma have mentioned it, which is why I'm staying with them."

    "Who are Dan and Emma?"

    "Um, they're the owners of the practice. Danjell and Amelia Granger, their daughter Hermione goes to Hogwarts with Harry."

    Hestia nods again and pulls out some parchment and a quill, "Very well, could you write your name here please so that I can owl you some information you need to know. You'll probably also get a request to visit St Mungo's to have your age determined. I have no doubt you'll also be given the various potions you'd have been given as a child to help protect you against some of the magical diseases."

    Kitty looks up from the parchment, where she has 3 attempts to write her name with the unfamiliar writing instrument, "Um, what? Why would you need to do that?"

    "Because you will need to undergo a magical education, or have your magic bound."

    "Um, would this be a bad time to say that Harry and I are married, at least that's what Healer Tonks said."

    Hestia rubs her forehead, "Yes." She looks down at the parchment, "Don't worry about any more of your name, you've got Kitty written. That will be enough for the owls, and we can add Potter ourselves. While I appreciate that you can't help accidental magic, if you have another bout before you start your education. Please note everyone that's around, as we need to make sure that the statute of secrecy is upheld. Right, I'm off back to the office to fill in all the paperwork."



    Hestia waves her wand at the files, and they all pack themselves in the box. Next, she removes the charm on the door before apparating away, leaving a bemused Kitty behind.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​

    Amelia puts a slow cooked stew, with dumplings, on the table and takes a seat, "Kitty, how are you doing after earlier?"

    Kitty looks up from where she's ladling the stew, she helped prepare this morning, into a bowl, "Um, which bit of earlier?"

    "The one where Hestia visited."

    "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. It was more surprise than anything."

    Dan nods and swallows his mouthful of food, "I'm actually surprised you haven't had a bout of accidental magic already. Hermione used to have them every few weeks. Not that we knew what they were then."

    Kitty raises her amp, "It's this. It works on magic the same way it does on void energy. Well, that's what Harry's said anyway."

    Amelia smiles at Kitty, "Any idea what caused your accidental magic?"

    Kitty nods, "I couldn't find a file, because it was in the wrong box after the last redecoration you had done. All I could think about was the fact we could have scanned and indexed or even digitised the whole thing back home. Like most such frustrated outbursts, it was a silly thing to get so stressed over, and it's probably just the tip of the infested hive, that's been building for a while…"

    Kitty trails off when both Danjell and Amelia look towards the front door together. Putting his napkin down, Dan gets up, "I'll get it, apparently you warrant a personal visit."



    A moment later he comes back with Hestia and two wizards, the one on the left smiles, "Good evening, Mrs Potter, Mr and Mrs Granger. Sorry for just dropping by, however it was felt that a personal touch would be better than an owled message. I am Senior Auror Scrimgeour, and you've met Miss Jones. The other gentleman is Healer Oakden." He looks around the table, "Would you mind if we sat down for this?"

    Kitty looks over each of them, "What exactly is this?"

    Scrimgeour nods approvingly, "This is verifying that you have been subject to the same effects that Mr Potter has been subject to, and thus fall under the Rip-Van-Winkle law. It is also to verify your marital status for our own records. As this is a known address of an underage witch, we felt that it would be better to conduct these tests where you're more comfortable than ask you to find your way to our hospital. Once that's done, myself and Healer Oakden will leave you with Miss Jones, who will give you the pamphlets we promised, as well as give you a brief verbal explanation of our world and what will be expected of you."

    Kitty glances at the Grangers, who nod, before replying, "Uh, ok? Is there anything I need to do?"

    Healer Oakden nods, "Just sit still for around 5 minutes, as I have already read up on the spells I need to cast. Before I begin, do you know Healer Tonks?"

    Kitty looks surprised, "I do, how did you know that?"

    "That makes things easier, were you the one she treated over Christmas?"

    Kitty looks at the other two magicals, "Ah…"

    The healer nods, "I understand. Patient, Healer, confidentiality. The director is most upset that she's not willing to share what she knows of Goblin healing techniques. Well, I'll begin."



    In the end it only takes 4 minutes before they're left with a potion for Kitty to take a few hours after they finish eating, along with Hestia to explain what will be expected of her educationally and socially. An explanation that goes on well into the night, and even then, they're left with the same booklets that were given to Hermione.
     
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    • Probing Attacks
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    • Probing attacks




    Yana is happy because her Hermione is happy and she's been able to visit the local forest while her Hermione plays in another frame. Especially being able to play with the little not Titania's that flit around from flower to flower.

    As Yana daydreams about how she could bring more of this forest to her own forest, her Hermione suddenly slumps to the floor as a red light hits them out of nowhere.

    A moment later, someone nudges them with their foot before shouting, "Ow! Merlin that hurt!"

    Another voice says, "Well, what did you expect? This is supposed to be armour after all. Come on, you're paying me to help put her in her place, so we need to get her out of the corridor."

    "Right, then we can get her out of her armour and teach the bitch a lesson about her place in the world."

    A third voice, this one belonging to a girl, "I'm not sure about this, I mean isn't that Potter's armour?"

    Yana begins to become concerned when her Hermione doesn't start to stand up, as she can feel that she's still here, just not responding to anything. As the voices continue to speak she tries to disengage the civilian locks and enable her shields, or something.

    There's the sound of a sneer in the first voice, "Then he shouldn't have lent it to a mudblood. Something like this should be in the hands of a pure blood."

    The girl's voice sounds further away, "Um, didn't Professor McGonagall say that the armour was for our protection, not hers?"

    "What, are you scared?"

    "It's just, I thought we were going to teach her a lesson about showing up Ravenclaw and being a know it all. This is going too far, I'm out!"

    As the first spell cuts into her body, Yana begins to panic as she can't move while her Hermione is still here.

    A forth voice adds, "Yeah, me too, I thought we were just going to make her miss a few classes or something."

    A fifth voice accompanies several sets of footsteps from the other direction, "Yeah, well you should have thought about that before you discussed your plans in the common room. When we're finished with her, there'll be one less mudblood in the school."

    The first voice sounds worried, "Wait, you can't do that, do you have any idea how bad that would look?"

    The second voice is receding as it sounds resigned when they say, "Malfoy, I don't think they care. This is going a bit beyond a prank now."

    Yana starts to panic as she's hit by an explosion, and her Hermione still doesn't move. Her brief flight into a wall allows her to see her attacker, all of whom are taller than the humans her Hermione goes to classes with.

    A pulse of light hits her in the side, cutting deeply as her eyes glow with realisation. They're taller, and she can get smaller. She might not be able to move, but her butterflies know what to do.

    As a spell punches through her chest, one of the attackers shouts, "Merlin, what does it take to get through that armourrrrrhhhhh!"

    Yana feels a surge of happiness go through her as she activates her transformation and sends out her butterflies to kill her assailants. She might not be able to move, but she can still defend her Hermione.

    As the screams of her assailants echo through the halls, Yana goes back to daydreaming about chasing rabbits and fairies around her own forests.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    Minerva scowls as Severus rants to the headmaster, "Albus, something needs to be done about those two first years, and the pet cat they brought."

    Albus looks up from the medical report Severus shoves in his face, "Hmm, what would you have me do exactly?"

    "Suspend them, force them to attend without their armour, make Granger leave her butterflies behind?"

    Minerva shakes her head as she glances around the staff meeting, "Severus, I know you have four of your 6th years in the hospital wing, but Fillius has one there too. It's also clear from their wands that they were attacking Miss Granger with lethal spells before Aurora and Filius arrived at the scene."

    Severus shakes his head, "They say they were just defending themselves, and there's no evidence of any sort of lethal attacks on Miss Granger's armour either. The sort of spells that you say were used would have left a mark."

    Filius snorts, "Defending themselves from an unconscious first year."

    "Maiden has lost an eye, and Macks is currently under stasis while his family searches for a Healer that's willing and able to restore his ability to father children. Weakman and Harvey are both going to carry permanent scars, despite the fact that there's no dark magic in the wounds."

    Filius nods, "Miss Roland has suffered similar wounds too. However, Miss Granger was stunned unconscious at some point before the attack on her person began. I was able to verify the magic once the two of us had dealt with the butterflies. A simple enervate after that returned her to consciousness, and she was able to return to her normal size. What I think happened is that these five students. Students that I'll note are all of them are pure bloods, and thus can't be legally forced to give memory or veritasium evidence until they have been charged with a crime. I think they stunned her from behind to prevent themselves from being identified in Miss Granger's memories, and then sought to take out some misplaced aggression."

    As the conversation continues, Quirinus Quirrell frowns at the fact that Miss Granger came out of the entire ordeal unscathed.




    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    A few weeks after that incident, Harry stumbles as he's forced out of his wisp in one of the little used corridors of the school.

    Quickly, he disables the civilian lock on his amp and shielding while he looks around the corridor cautiously.

    A moment later, a red spell splashes off his shields, and Harry instinctively returns fire down the corridor.

    When there's no sounds of a body hitting the floor, or any sign of anyone else around, he focuses on the chat.

    {Harry} @MissKitty I think someone just tried to attack me.

    {MissKitty} Where are you?

    {Harry} 4th floor by the Friday stair.

    {MissKitty} I'll be right there.

    {TheFairyQueen} I'm coming too.

    {Lights} Miss Granger, you will do no such thing.

    {TheFairyQueen} But I can help.

    {Lights} If they knock you out again, Yana is likely to actually kill someone.

    {Yana} 😛👻🐰🐰🦄

    {Lights} Merlin damn it! Why did we have to give Yana chat again?

    {Yana} Bunnies!

    {MissKitty} So she can call us if she's in trouble again.

    {Yana} 💢💥

    {MissKitty} No Yana you can't just blow up the student's

    {Yana} 👼🐱‍🏍🗡⚔

    {TheFairyQueen} No Yana, we can't do that either.

    {KamaChameleon} Can you guys take it to squad chat or something, as some of us are working here.

    Harry relaxes slightly as Minerva flies down the stairs from the dungeon, "I haven't seen anything else moving since I was attacked."

    Minerva nods as her own senses show the area is clear, "Well it's better safe than sorry. How's your wisp?"

    With Minerva keeping an eye out around them, Harry connects to his wisp with his implants, "I think she's just a little confused about why I'm out here. I'm going to try transferring back now."

    Minerva nods, "Go ahead, there's nobody around."

    Harry tries to trigger transference, only to meet resistance before bouncing back to the real world, "It's not working. But it's not like something's messing with the transference signal."

    Minerva picks up the wisp with both arms, "Let's get her back to the lander and we can see if it's localised."

    {MissKitty} @Lights @TheFairyQueen can you start checking for magic that could force Harry out of his Frame?




    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    In the Gryffindor common room, Hermione's working on copying out her homework from her computer to parchment while shrunken down as a fairy. At the same time Yana is using the butterflies to play with some magical wooden blocks that have pictures and letters on them.

    "C.A.T. Cat! Meow."

    Hermione smiles as Yana finishes pushing the blocks together with the right picture, and they make a tinkling noise before the picture animates and they announce the word she's just spelt.

    They're one of a few toys that Aurora bought for Yana once she realised that Yana is basically a child.

    As she's carefully carrying her quill across the parchment to the inkwell, in order to avoid smudging her writing, Ron and Dean both sit down in the corner she used to hide in.

    As the two of them pull out their homework, Dean leans over, "Can you believe that Hagrid has a dragon egg?"

    Hermione's eyes dim twice before she diverts to her computer and activates the record program. Keeping half an ear open to the conversation, she continues back to the inkwell.

    Ron shakes his head, "Not at all, they're highly illegal outside registered sanctuaries, as they're untameable and almost impossible to keep without breaking the statute."

    Dean raises his eyebrows, "Really?"

    Ron nods before his expression sours, "Ugh, Potions, can't we just play chess?"

    Dean shakes his head, "I'm not getting another detention because you're allergic to homework. Homework first."

    Seamus walks over and plops down next to Dean, "Hey guys, what's going on?"

    "R.A.B.B.I.T. Rabbit!"

    Ron scowls, "Will someone please take those blocks away!"

    From the other side of the room a prefect calls, "At least she's learning something!"

    As Ron starts to grumble, Dean softly says, "Hagrid's got a real fire breathing dragon egg."

    A wide smile comes over Seamus' face, "Cool."

    Dean nods, "I know right."

    Ron shakes his head, "It's not cool, he could get into real trouble with one. My brother Charlie works on a dragon preserve, and he said that they become dangerously territorial really quickly."

    "D.R.A.G.O.N. Dragon!"

    Seamus shakes his head, "Ron, you don't get it. It's a real dragon. I grew up muggle like, and they're just fairy tales in that world. Ma used to tell me about dragons, fairies, and unicorns, but it was hard to believe her."

    Dean looks up from his own homework after a couple of minutes, "Still, don't you think it's a bit convenient that Hagrid won a dragon egg at the same time he was talking about Fluffy."

    "U.N.I.C.O.R.N. Unicorn!"

    Ron stops glaring at his homework for a moment, "Yeah, now you say it that does sound suspicious. That and how easily you tricked him into admitting that Fluffy will fall asleep to music."

    As the boys continue to talk about their misadventures, Hermione opens up the chat as she keeps trudging over the parchment with the quill that's like a tree trunk at her size.

    {TheFairyQueen} @Everyone I think you should look at /dev/tfqt/usr/tfq/recordings/gcr-92-04-09-001 it's still recording so make sure you open it view only.

    {Yana} U.N.I.C.O.R.N. Unicorn! 🦄

    {MissKitty} Well done Yana, but you should be in the play channel.

    {MissKitty} This is worrying, Aurora, can you check in on Hagrid over the Easter Holidays.

    Seamus puts his quill in his ink pot for a moment, "Ron, didn't you say that you saw Snape limping just before the Quidditch match in November?"

    Ron nods, "I did, do you think he was trying to get past Fluffy?"

    Dean looks up, "Seems reasonable. I bet he wants the stone."

    Ron nods, "I bet he's getting desperate, remember what Hagrid said about the unicorns disappearing?"

    As the portrait door swings open, the three boys look up and quickly turn their faces down to their homework as Neville walks in with Whisper balanced on his shoulder. Behind him comes the Weasley twins.

    Spotting Hermione's computer, he makes a beeline to her stuff, "Hey Hermione, how are you getting on."

    As Hermione returns to normal size, Dean coughs, "Bollocks."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    Minerva settles into a chair in the headmaster's office, "Albus, I think we're going to need more help with the stone."

    Albus leans back in his chair, his eyes sparkling slightly in the candlelight, "What makes you say that?"

    "I know that there's at least one group of students that have already found out what's been hidden, and how to get past Hagrid's pet."

    Albus nods, "We always knew that was a possibility. That's why the Devils snare is next. As long as Fluffy isn't attacked, he won't ado more than bark at the students."

    Minerva shakes her head, "That's not what worries me. The students found out because Hagrid let it slip when they were talking about one of his acquisitions. Apparently they weren't the first people he shared it with."

    Albus shakes his head, "No, we can't. It's too much of a risk to bring more people in on the secret. Too many people know about it all ready."

    Minerva huffs, "Well, at least let me ask the Potters to keep an eye on the students that I know know. I just know that they're going to do something stupid if we don't."

    Albus raises an eyebrow, "And why not your prefects?"

    Minerva just stares at Albus, "Really? You do remember that they're all Gryffindors, don't you?"

    "I haven't forgotten, no. But why do you believe these other student's would be better than the prefects?"

    Minerva smiles, "The stone would have absolutely zero interest for them, and I have absolutely no doubt that none of the puzzles would be even remotely challenging."

    Albus removes his glasses to clean them, "I presume you are speaking of Ms Potter and Miss Granger?"

    Minerva nods, "Indeed, though they're both full members of clan Potter."

    Albus frowns and thinks for a long moment, "Very well, but you're not to let them know what the stone is."

    Minerva smiles, "They won't hear it from my lips."
     
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    • Easter
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    • Easter

    Aurora slips and slides her way across the wet grass towards Hagrid's hut. As she nearly goes arse over tea-kettle once more, she curses under her breath, "Why oh why can't I just fly out here?"

    A couple of minutes later she takes a step off the grass and onto the mud outside Hagrid's hut, only for her foot to slide out from underneath her, sending her sliding into the slight dip caused by regular traffic.

    After her surprised scream, the door to Hagrid's hut opens to reveal a nervous Hagrid, "Professor Sinistra, are you all right?"

    Aurora carefully pushes herself to her feet, "It only hurt my pride. I wasn't expecting the grass to be quite this slippery."

    Hagrid nods, "Aye, it gets like that sometimes. Your shoes certainly don't help either."

    Aurora looks down at them ruefully, "You're right. Though, to be fair I'd have brought my walking staff if I'd realised how bad it was. But it was one of those afternoons where you have a couple of hours free time, and it looked nice out so I figured I'd come and see how you're doing."

    Hagrid looks down at his feet, "Ya needn't do that, ah'm just fine."

    Aurora carefully draws her wand and uses it to clean herself off, "Hagrid, you've barely left your hut for the last couple of weeks. You've got smoke pouring from your chimney, and your curtains are closed, yet it's more than comfortable out here."

    Hagrid mumbles almost as loudly as most men speak softly, "You were always a kind one weren't you." In a more normal tone he says, "No, really, I'm fine. I've, er, just got a project in my hut."

    Aurora smiles up at Hagrid, "Oh, anything interesting?"

    Hagrid shakes his head, "Not really, 's just a dragons egg." Then he frowns, "I dinna mean to say that."

    Aurora sighs, "Hagrid, you're really too good for your own good. Come on, let's see it and you can tell me all about it."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    Grim faced, Ironjaw walks into the Director's office with a tightly wound scroll, "Director, I have important news from the goblins that left with healer Straightseam."

    The Director looks at the scroll, "What's the news? And why did it take them so long to send us a reply?"

    Ironjaw takes a deep breath, "I'll answer the second question first. According to this letter, their owls were all killed or captured by the Grineer during the early days of their negotiations. After that, Earth was almost cut off from the rest of the solar system by most of the Tenno flocking to the Zariman Ten-Zero to try and push the Grineer and Corpus out of their birth place."

    The Director shakes his head, "What of our own letters?"

    Ironjaw looks down at the scroll in his hands, "None of the guards survived longer than a year there. There was a Ghoul outbreak and they died defending the settlement long enough for the civilians to retreat."

    "And Healer Straightseam?"

    Ironjaw hands over the letter, "It would be better for you to read his own words yourself."

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    Director, care of Ironclaw

    My apologies for the delay in sending you an owl, as it appears that my personal missive was never delivered. I will summarise that missive at the end of this letter, but suffice to say that my wife and I had long discussions about our decisions.

    The reason it has taken so long for me to get word from the surface is the Grineer interdicted the planet and threatened to destroy the local relay station. A threat that has only just been resolved with a judicious amount of violence.

    The Cetus enclave have agreed to allow our people to join their settlement, though they have been told that it would be unwise to attempt to create a colony outside the shields until we have not only established ourselves, but also have the capability to not only hide from the Grineer, but also defend ourselves from them. A sentiment that I am forced to agree with given what I've learnt about this systems ability to detect things from well beyond the reach of our magics.

    Currently, our people are sheltering inside the derelict Orokin tower along with the majority of the Cetus population as the ghoul infestation continues to rage uncontrolled beyond the shields. The occasional Tenno that pays a visit for resources or weapons is not enough to deal with the level of infestation across the plains. They have asked me to request a block of platinum 1 foot on a side. With that they believe they will have enough to pay the bounties needed to clear out the infestation and make the village safe to live in once more. If you agree to this, then send the platinum to Ullok son of Furrad as he is now of age.

    Enclosed with this letter is a data cylinder with the details of an informal currency that the Tenno use. This currency is based on reputation and allows them to access goods and services that can't be bought for credits or resources. The Lotus and I all agree that this would be the best way for the new clan to trade with the wider solar system. The Sinestra family, as vassels of Clan Potter, have already started to use this system to great effect.

    Signed

    Healer Straightseam

    Personal note.

    After three years of deliberation, Urana and I decided to join Clan Potter as Sentients along with our child. Part of this decision comes from a desire to allow for a continuity of contact with Clan Gringott. One of the Lotus' personal owls should be delivering my formal request to the clan chief at the same time this letter reaches you. If my request is accepted, my children will take on the role of advisers and liaisons between the new clan and the Tenno. It is my hope that their involvement will increase both the profits and honour of both the Tenno and the Goblin Nation.

    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

    The Director looks up from the letter, "I see, and the platinum?"

    Ironclaw shrugs, "Already sent out of my families coffers, I will be seeking reimbursement through favours and services rather than goods, as the Potter accounts have been good for us."

    The Director laughs, "Of course they have. I'll talk to the clan chiefs about giving you a minority share in the new clan."

    Ironclaw shakes his head, "I would much rather be allowed to start my own guild."

    The Director coughs violently, "What?"

    Ironclaw smiles widely as he nods, "I wish to start the Technicians Guild."

    The Director clenches his teeth for a moment, "What of the Potter accounts?"

    "I am still a fully paid up member of the Bankers Guild."

    "I will bring your request to the Council."




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    Dora glances over at Digger as she sends a message to squad chat

    {KarmaChameleon} 😊😍

    Digger nods, "Are you ready?"

    Dora nods, "I am, do you have your shields up?"

    "Of course."

    {KarmaChameleon} 😊

    Dora adds, "Just checking as Hermione has been stunned, and Harry was forced out of their warframe."

    Slightly chidingly Digger points out, "Dora, this isn't my first turn around the sun. I'm more worried about you, as we don't know what will happen if transference is forcibly ended for you. You should be fine though, as Alad V has been kidnapping warframes for study, even before we started to wake from the second dream. That's why I made sure you had a couple more warframes before I even considered allowing you to take any missions here."

    "Digger! I am a trained Dax and I have a Mastery in Transfiguration too."

    Digger raises a hand, "Dora, I'm not questioning your ability. I'm talking about the chaos of the battlefield. All of us die occasionally, every single one of us. If they manage to hit you with something that knocks you out of your warframe, then you could just be dead."

    Digger takes Dora's hand, "Dora, I don't know if you realise the implications of this, but the Zariman was a colony ship, and my family was one of thousands onboard. We… You know we found the Zariman, what you probably don't know is we found out how many people were on board." Dora shakes her head, "There were around 100,000 civilians on board, 25% of them were under 16, and 18% under the age of 11. There were only around 8,000 survivors of the Zariman, and Harry was the only one under the age of 11."

    Dora shakes her head, "What are you getting at?"

    "I'm getting there Dora. Before the New War there were nearly 4,000 Tenno, now there's only slightly more than 3,000. Everyone else died. Everyone. You, Hermione, and Luna, you're all special because you're the first new Tenno we've ever had, and the first additions to our number for over 100 years. That's why we locked you all out of places we know Alad might be able to capture you. It's why I helped you get Chroma so quickly. Well, that and the fact I like you."

    Dora shakes her head and pulls Digger into a hug, "I like you too you big lunk. Now come on, this is a capture mission, except we're not allowed to digitise Fenris Greyback as he needs to stand trial."

    Digger affects a lisp, "Yes Misstress, is there anything else Mystriss."

    Dora hits Digger on the shoulder before starting to circle around the hideout, "You've been watching far too much Earth media."




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    Harry startles a little as Kitty winds her arm around his as they walk into London Zoo. "Kitty, why are we here again?"

    Kitty laughs, "Anne, at work, said it was the sort of thing we're supposed to do on a date. So here we are. One of our customers is a Goth, at least that's what he said he was anyway. Anyway, he said that the best place to find the sort of clothes he was wearing is Camden Market, which is just a short walk away from here."

    Harry groans theatrically, "You and your clothes."

    Kitty smiles, "They might have some plushies that you've never seen before."

    Harry shakes his head with a laugh, "Fair point."

    Kitty thumps Harry in the shoulder, before double checking the civilian lock on her amp, "Hey, how are you getting on at school?"

    Harry sighs, "Honestly, it's all a bit basic. Don't get me wrong, I'm learning a lot. It's just I don't think they're really set up for teaching someone who has mastered over 300 different hand to hand weapons, and the math is so basic that we don't even teach it at home."

    "Harry, I didn't mean your school work. You've been using wisp for a few months now, and I've never known you to stick to one warframe for that long."

    Harry leans against a display with some brightly coloured birds in it, "I'm coping. I'm just glad that wisp isn't a prime frame as she's still only able to express feelings. I'm not sure I could handle a Yana."

    Kitty shudders, "You don't need to tell me that. I think my Nezha is starting to develop emotions too, and he's a prime."

    Harry shakes his head as he goes to push away from the railing, "Let's not think about that for now."

    Impishly, Kitty stands on tiptoe and nibbles Harry's ear, "How about we hurry through the zoo then see if we can find a nice dress to put you in."

    Harry shivers at the feel of Kitty's hot breath on her ear, "Kitty! That's not fair!"

    Kitty just smiles as she leads Harry off to look around the zoo.

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    "Albus!" Minerva slams her palm on his desk for emphasis, "Hagrid has a Merlin damned dragon egg in his hut and all you can say is, 'would you like a lemon drop?'."

    Albus looks up at his deputy mildly, "What would you have me do then?"

    "Your job as headmaster. Or don't you care about Hagrid or the schools finances?"

    "Have you let Kettleburn know that we have a dragon on the school grounds?"

    "You know as well as I do that he would be oath bound to report it to the Ministry as soon as he found out about it. As soon as that happens we get hit with a massive fine and Hagrid takes a one way trip to Azkaban for endangering the Statute of Secrecy by raising a 5x creature without a licence. If it officially comes to my attention, or the bloody thing hatches I'll have to do the same thing."

    Albus spreads his hands, "I'm sure that it will resolve itself on it's own."

    Minerva shakes her head, "Oh no you don't. I know as well as you do that Charlie Weasley is a Dragon Handler. But I will not have you endangering his younger brother because you don't want to do the job yourself."

    Albus leans forward, suddenly serious, "Minerva, I really can't be seen to do anything about the dragon egg. I am looking after the stone out of respect for my Master, and we all know that one of Voldemort's followers is trying to steal the stone. At the moment they believe me to be oblivious of their attempts on the stone, and so they're not doing anything to endanger the students. If I act overtly that may change."

    Minerva stares at Albus for a long moment, "Fine, then I'll deal with the egg myself, and I'll be changing my own defences too."

    "Minerva, you can't…"

    "Watch me." With that she whirls around and storms out of the office.
     
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    • Change of plans


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    On the first evening meal after the end of the Easter break, Minerva sits at the top table serenely as Albus stands up, "Good evening everyone. I have a last minute announcement to make. This morning I was informed that Mr Hagrid has taken a leave of absence to pursue a unique opportunity at a Dragon Sanctuary in Norway as part of gaining his Mastery in Care of Magical Creatures. By all reports he should be back in time for next year, until then Professor's Kettleburn and Sprout have agreed to take on the management of the Forbidden Forest. For our NEWT students, I have been told this may mean you have a more hands on lesson occasionally."


    As he's talking, Minerva uses her main chassis to scan all of the students in the school and upload their details to the small AI inside her redesigned trap, sorry defence of the stone, so that it won't kill any students brave enough to attempt to navigate it.


    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​


    Albus opens the door to the third floor corridor and stops in horror as he spots the empty room. Turning back to Minerva he growls, "Minerva, where's Fluffy?"


    Minerva smiles sweetly, "He's back in the forest where he belongs, and maybe if he'd been there all the time we'd still have a herd of unicorns."


    Albus flinches at that dig, as he's already started getting enquiries about when they're next going to have unicorn hairs in stock. "Fine, but he was also here to stop the students from being put in danger."


    Minerva laughs, "You think that would stop them? Even I worked out that Fluffy wouldn't even slow them down if they did any sort of research. Especially given that I know for a fact that a couple of first year Gryffindor's were told directly by Hagrid, and now my entire house knows. I just added a more comprehensive locking charm to the trapdoor instead."


    Albus sighs as he has to run through a few unlocking spells before he identifies the particular charm Minerva used. As the trapdoor lifts he sends a light into the darkness, followed by a softening charm. Jumping down he passes through the devils snare, the second deterrent against the students.


    Marching forward, a quick conjuration and a switching spell gives him the key to the room of keys and allows him to pass into a small metal room with an 8 foot tall glass wall directly in front of him. Directly in front of the wall is a pillar that holds an illusion of some description, and past that he can see another room with a metal pillar rising from a 6 foot deep pit and up a shaft so tall he can't even see the top when he leans against the glass.


    While he's looking around, Minerva touches the illusion and the ground lurches underneath them and his stomach feels like it's being pulled into the floor. A few seconds later the feeling stops as they rise up through the floor of another room.


    Looking around Albus can't help but be impressed, especially when he sees the large window at other end of the room, "I suppose that was some form of lift, though I didn't see any ropes and pullys."


    Minerva nods as she walks over to another pillar with a similar illusion, "Something like that, in the same way that the levitation charm is like a flying carpet. Come on, I'll show you the authorised route and demonstrate how the exit will be protected if an unauthorised person is detected."


    Albus shakes his head and walks over to the large window, before gaping as he looks down at a large four story tall tower made from glass that stands in the middle of an open space that could easily double as a decent sized plot of land for a wizarding family. "Minerva, what in Merlin's name is that?"


    Minerva smiles, "That, is a ventilation tower designed to prevent invaders from being able to enter the room at the bottom without a guard noticing them. It also allows for emergency ingress in the event of a power failure. I've got my chess pieces walking around as guards, and they will trigger a lockdown if they detect any unauthorised people."


    "Unauthorised?"


    Minerva touches the illusion and the floor of this half of the room starts to drop down, revealing that the glass wall is entirely seamless. "Yes, like introducing people to the portraits, except more sophisticated."


    Back at the ground level Albus follows Minerva through two doors that are pretending to be metal walls and he frowns, "Minerva, this seems to be remarkably easy for something you said is supposed to be secure."


    Minerva smiles, "That's because you're with me. The only other person in the school that's authorised to go through the security here is Aurora. I've added you to the student list so that the guards don't try to kill you."


    Albus splutters, "But she's not in on the secret. And how's Quirrel supposed to feed the troll?"


    Minerva shrugs, "I released it and replaced it with a reprogrammed Zanuka Hunter, you and I are the only people on it's authorisation list." She stops in front of a grid of light and points at it, "This is a laser detection grid, if anything breaks the beams then the alarms will go off and the exit to the next room will be sealed."


    Before Albus can ask about it, Minerva walks towards the lights, and they wink out, so he quickly hurries after her. He's catches up just as she's touching another illusion and a door opens to reveal the room at the bottom of the tower with a set of stairs leading down a hole. As he walks around the hole he can see the wooden door that leads to the Troll's enclosure. Suddenly, the floor seems to slam together with a loud bang, before rising up to remove any indication that the stairs ever existed.


    While Albus is recovering from the shock, Minerva calls over from an illusion that's attached to the wall, "That is what will happen if an unauthorised person is detected. The way out can be opened by myself or Aurora, otherwise you'll have to ensure that all living things have been removed from the entire area, and wait half an hour for the 'magic' to determine that everything has been repaired and reset."


    Albus swallows hard, "What happens if someone's already on the stairs when the system goes off?"


    Minerva sighs, "They die if they're between the bits of floor that are closing. For yourself and students, it's the only thing that's lethal in here. Oh, the Potters aren't registered as students for this trap, as they wouldn't forgive me if I made it too easy on them."


    Albus stares at the floor in dismay as Minerva leaves. It's only after she's been gone for a few minutes that he realises he's alone. Drawing his wand he works through his rather extensive education on transfiguration, and removing transfigurations on both the floor and the glass wall. Eventually he sighs and moves on to more destructive spells, before finally admitting that Minerva has been thorough with her protections.


    Then he tries to apparate back to his office, and amends that to very thorough.


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    Harry looks up from her homework as Fred and George stagger into the common room in tattered robes while supporting each other.


    "What happened to you?"


    From the other side of the room, the chasers from the Quidditch team call out, "What she said! I thought you were going to challenge Professor McGonagall at chess."


    Ron looks up from the chessboard he's staring at, "You hate chess!"


    One of the twins shrugs, "She changed the game on us, and gave us a detention with Professor Sprout."


    One of the sixth years chuckles, "How long did it take you to get caught?"


    The other twin promptly says, "30 minutes."


    Another sixth year asks, "How long after you figured out how the illusions work."


    Both twins opt to walk up the stairs to their dorms rather than answer the question.


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    Quirell sends a blasting curse against the glass wall in front of him as the lighting enchantments in the room turn red for the fifth time as his disillusioned transfigured creature proves that the disillusionment charm isn't good enough to get past the lights.


    Turning on his heels he stalks out of the door and past the bypassed traps to the 3rd floor corridor.


    When he gets back to his room he gives in to his need to curse. "Damn that stupid oaf. McGonagall must have found the egg."


    "Even so, she has left a way through."


    "What did you see my lord?"


    "The top of the tower is open."


    "But the guards."


    "Were fooled by the disillusionment. A disillusioned broom or carpet would allow you to reach the top of the tower without detection."


    "What if there are defenses in the tower?"


    "That's what divination is for. Procure a black mirror and we will try again in a few days."


    Quirell nods, "Yes Master."


    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​


    On Lua, Hermione's in her Harrow as she looks at Harry with a pained expression while Yana watches American cartoons on one of the data slates. "We're going to have to look out for the idiots aren't we."


    Harry nods as he carefully forms a component for his latest project, "Probably, at least getting past the trapdoor is challenging now. Well, challenging for most students."


    "Why did she put a Hunter past the tower?"


    "Probably because it's designed to capture organics."


    "I hadn't thought of that. Do you think we should keep watch from inside the tower or past it?"


    "Past it, as I doubt anything in the tower is actually lethal."


    Hermione nods, "Do you think Minerva thought the tower would be a challenge to us?"


    Harry shrugs, "Possibly, we've both got frames that are well known to trivialise Corpus and Grineer defenses. Not as bad as Loki, Wukong or Ivara, but still better than most of them."


    "It's being able to fly isn't it."


    "In your case, yes. For Wisp, being invisible while airborne and a couple of seconds afterwards is what does it. That's ignoring the fact I can just transfer out and walk through the void."


    "At least she closed all the obvious security holes the Corpus usually leave."


    Harry shakes his head, "You're still working through the inner system where they train their rookies. They're not security holes, they're just poor maintenance. Once you get into the outer system, where just surviving requires better training and ability, they're much better at ensuring that everything is maintained."


    "We've got exams starting in a few weeks, how do you want to handle it?"


    "It's not like we need to sleep. Trade off alternate days?"


    "Sure. Do you think you could smuggle a Helios into the restricted section of the library?"


    Harry just gives Hermione a look before he goes back to his project.


    Hermione throws her hands up, "Ok, fine. I'll rephrase it. Will you smuggle my Helios into the restricted section of the library and set it to scanning the books please?"


    Harry laughs, "Sure."


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    Kitty grumbles as she compares the name on the file to a name on her sheet. Finding the right name, she pulls a sticky back barcode off of the sheet and sticks it onto the file before putting it into the correct box and scanning the barcode on the container, tapping the add file button on the laptop she's using, and then scanning barcode on the box.


    Why she thought that complaining about the files was a good idea, she has no idea. Oh, wait. She didn't, stupid accidental magic.


    Anne calls from the reception, "I'm just going on my break, can you watch the desk?"


    Kitty closes the laptop and puts it, the scanner, and the sheets of barcodes on a shelf in a flurry of activity, before she scampers out of the records room. "Sure."


    Anne chuckles as Kitty takes the seat, "You prefer being bored out here than in there?"


    Kitty nods, "At least I can get some studying in when it's quiet."


    "There is that, but you also have to deal with customers."


    "Customers are easy. Filing is hard."


    "Well it won't be once you're finished."


    "My big mouth and Me."


    Anne pats Kitty on the shoulder, "You got the idiom the wrong way around. It's 'Me and my big mouth'. I'll be back in an hour."


    Kitty groans as Anne grabs her bag and leaves the surgery.
     
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