Harry Potter - Another Dark Lord

The compartment rattled. Lanterns flickered. Fire spheres illuminated the closed room. The train lurches began to slow down. Pinning his fist against the window, black eyes noticed the darkened surrounding. No school's view was present. Mikhael frowned, the hour and place didn't match the normal procedure. The train jerked, the car swayed. Luna held the boy tight. The ceiling lamps oscillated before dying, one by one.

Thin wisps of steam escaped the blond witch. Fires grew in intensity, fighting against the cold. Despite the return of normal temperature, the girl stayed in a clinging position. A violent shake transferred from the end to the top of the Hogwarts Express. The orphan kept his friend close. It was dark outside. Window trims vibrated. A scream from another car resonated through the closed door.

Slimy and scabbed hands half opened the entrance. A pulse of telekinesis finished the work. The cloaked figure bowed. It stood low. The same kind as the ritual adept remembered. After receiving the ex-prisoner permission, the dark guardian continued its patrol. No chill had contacted the fascinated adventurer. She stayed, fixing with big eyes the other compartment's occupant.

The fighting stare contest could have continued longer if not by the intervention of a newcomer. A man in shabby robes entered the car with his wand extended, brimming with white light. His face looked tired and gray but his eyes were alerted. Seeing the duo in perfect condition, the exhausted man seemed relieved and confused by the strange magic floating. He presented himself as the new professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts and offered a triangle of chocolate to counter any side effects of the creature's passage.

The orphan was suspicious and waited for the professor to exit the room before checking the food for poison. The silver chain didn't heat up. It was safe. Still, his hand had to stop the witch from eating it without questioning anything. Her reasoning was the gut feeling she trusted. Moreover, this portion of chocolate came from a new tab, and why a professor would poison its students after presenting himself.

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Sweet sounds of a choir rose on the air when a flash of lightning bleached the night sky. The first-years sorting had finished some time ago and the music traveled through The Great Hall. At the High Table, the heads of houses welcomed the presence of the new professor. The caretaker stood to the side as his cat in his arms switched her tail and head. Both, master and animal scanned the crowd, but stayed longer on Potter and Ginny's sights.

As the choir's song concluded, the headmaster rose and beamed over the sea of black hats. " Welcome ! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts ! I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair... ", the aura filled the Great Hall, warming. At the sound of throat clearing, the old wizard continued, focused on his message.

" Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the DarkArts. Good luck to you, Professor. As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid ! ", the wizard watched at the multiple reactions his small talk engendered.

Next to Mikhael, Draco was stunned. The fork had stopped middle way. Taking advantage of the situation, the orphan caught the last beef slices on the welcoming banquet.

With amus.e.m.e.nt, the headmaster waited for his staff to finish his goblet weaving before proceeding to the next news which turned the old wizard's expression grave. " Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts at the request of the Ministry of Magic will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban. Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circ.u.mstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. ", bowing his head in compassion the headmaster sat back for the end of the feast.

Whispers about the creature's presence filled every conversation. Catching Harry's eyes, Draco feigned a dead faint over and over. Crabbe laughed hard while Goyle stuffed himself with the remaining dessert. The news of the savior reaction to the new guardian spread wilder. The orphan had heard the scream on the train, but didn't expect it was from Potter. As the one that banished the previous dark lord, how could the same wizard failed at the contact of such a creature, wondered the orphan. It was another proof that this savior stuff was a scam, and only the dead parents' preparations had made something to banish the dark lord.

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As bridge and castle glimmered in distance, a disillusioned student saw the new professor for Care of Magical Creatures emerging from the Forbidden Forest. The half-giant dragged a fistful of dead ferrets by the tail, humming a happy song. The joyful man reached his hut without noticing ripples on the black lack's surface.

The invisible wizard was training his floating spell above the water. His fire and conjured weapons rotated around him and the speed generated wind blow over the lake's surface. Jumping in the air, accelerating the descend or modifying the trajectory was easily done with magic. The orphan wondered why he never trained it, floating in a single direction wasn't flight.

The combination of weight modification and wind charm allowed him to accelerate, it was faster than a broom. The most difficult part was the mobility, changing course in an instant. Either he generated an invisible and sturdy shield to help his footing or he focused strong pulling force toward the new direction and his body had to endure the effort and pressure. It worked, but he felt there were better ways. Dropping into the water, the student relaxed along the giant squib.

Swimming to the lakeside, magic conglomerated around the wizard's back. The form wasn't refined and it lacked strength, but the idea was taking form. Another project was the materialization of magical wings which would allow him to fly like a bird instead of his strange air walking. Step by step, he focused on each feather, the muscles and bones that would support his aerial moves.

The amount of magic spent for the invisible, material and ethereal wings was huge, but the result satisfying. In seconds, the student reached the astronomy tower. Sitting on the top, the orphan took a breath, dispelling his new magic. Appreciating the light on the lake next to the forest and wizard building, the disillusioned wizard call for the house-elf Barpy.

A quick glance into the creature's mind helped the student to keep watch on the school activity. The food prepared for breakfast, the school classroom cleaned or the headmaster own asking for surveillance, nothing could escape the third-year. Memory and confusion charms to remove the mind check, the student let the elf wonder why it was on the tower roof before it started cleaning damaged stones.

Dark wraith gathered at the shadow of the forbidden forest, reporting their findings and actions to the true master.

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The office was a gloomy and dimly-lit room found in the school dungeons. The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colors. The office had a fireplace. In a corner, there was a cupboard containing Snape's private stock of Potions ingredients.

For the first time in three years, Mikhael entered willingly his head of house personal space. The potion master allowed his student to sit while he put down a jar of dead c.o.c.kroaches. Facing the older wizard, the orphan stated his d.e.s.i.r.e, not to have private potion lessons as he asked in first-year, but his wish to participate into the All-England Wizarding Dueling Competition in October 18-21 for the underage category, the junior duelists.

With a sneer, the older wizard sent a stunner under the desk only to be shocked at the shield appearance. There had been no signs, no wand motion nor chant. Tapping his finger against the desktop, the wizard calmed down. The black orbs stared at the man, wand pointing toward the ground. The potion master knew the mind of this student. It was a deranged world of cold and gray ashes, unique yes, but it wasn't enough for the awareness the student displayed. The man didn't expect the orphan to be this vigilante. He needed the headmaster's input. The request was put in pending.

Under the pretext of separating rotten and good Flobberworms for potions, the head of house dismissed the young snake.

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Students gathered around Hagrid. Slytherin and Griffindor shared this outside class. The enthusiasm of the half-giant seemed contagious as many bore happy faces, especially on the lion side. Leading them toward a small paddock near the Forbidden Forest, the professor invited them to the iron rack decorated with dead ferrets. The flies buzzed on the corpse while the students had to sit among the pumpkin patch.

Saddened by the fact none of the students had succeeded to open their book, The Monster Book of Monster, without being attacked, Hagrid turned and disappeared into trees. Mikhael didn't show his docile book, a bit of his intent was enough to calm it down. Keeping some assets hidden was a habit. That class and Study of Ancient Runes was something he was looking forward this year. It would help him to make his knowledge fully his own, not just memories.

Draco shook his head then put his arms around Crabbe and Goyle's necks. " God, this place is going to the dogs. Wait until my father hears Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes. ", the blond wizard tilted his nose toward the forest path the professor took earlier. The two comrades on his side commented with some 'that's right' and 'Yes, yes' when Potter started to defend the professor.

Eyes widening in fear, Draco stepped back and pointed behind the lion. The savior jumped at the dementor's mention, wheeled in fear, finding, nothing in his back. The three green robes engaged into making eerie sounds before breaking up into laughters. Potter reddened, embarrassed returned to his group while the redhead patted on his shoulder when strange beast emerged from the trees.

It had the torso, hind, legs and tails of a horse but the front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle. The orphan studied the creature as students stepped back in fear. The prideful animal didn't scare him, the wings on its back held similarities with his new spell. The wizard advanced to examine it closer. One deadly stare to paralyze the animal was enough to freeze it.

The professor presented the creature as Hippogriff, wondering what to do as a student was concentrating on the beast wings. Hagrid thanked the green robe's appreciation for the class and coaxed the beast to the center of the paddock. The half giant wanted for the other student to get a better look while he explained the behavior and conduct needed to follow when encountering such a specimen.

Mikhael didn't hesitate to be the first to ride the animal for a flight. Activating two of his third eyes, nothing escaped his magical sight. The way the muscles contracted and expanded according to the wind pressure and flight position was recorded into the student mind with great precision. The orphan developed his flight magic with intent and guesswork, but thank to this experience he improved with leaps and bound. Still, he would observe other birds for a deeper understanding.

At the end of the flight, when the green robe descended to let others experienced the aerial activity, Draco taunted Potter for the ride. Both sprinted toward the beast without bowing. The previous snake didn't do it so they thought it wasn't necessary. The beast didn't make a sound when its steely talon slashed down on the frozen students. Draco a bit closer and faster than his opponent received a heavy hit. Blood blossomed on the blond robe.

Seeing the situation, the orphan focused his magic to form a shield protecting Draco. The second attack from the beast failed against the magical layer. A binding of snakes nailed it to the ground. Following the professor's instruction, the orphan accompanied the wounded to the hospital wing. The victim wanted to accuse the orphan for not saving him earlier, but stooped at the cold pressure and an emotionless recall of the bodyguard job ending last year because it wasn't 'funny' anymore.

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Professor Vector was a witch with long, thin black hair with a fair skin color. She often wore red robes with a matching pointed hat. The class started with an introduction to Arithmancy, a discipline that studied the magical properties of numbers, including predicting the future with numbers and numerology. The latter part didn't interest the green robe since he didn't believe in fate, but the magical properties of numbers had some importance for rituals and runes.

Sided with Greengrass, the ritual adept noted keywords, notions and applications. Like the previous year, the bushy hair rose her hand at every question asked by Vector. The reference book, Numerology and Grammatica helped the students to understand some probability calculation and religious power over numbers like 8 for infinity, 7 for god, 6 for the devil and maybe, 5 for the man like the five senses. Mikhael noted a strange progression. If man started with five, maybe magic was the six, so wizards are devils. Maybe, the passage by the devil was necessary if one wanted to ascend to godhood then transcend to something infinite, a greater plane of existence.

The blond green robe and the ritual adept whispered about the class and the Weasley trial. That event went to the Daily Prophet during the summer, but only in a small article. The girl was interested, but she had to answer question about herself. The orphan played a little game of guessing. It was a good exercise. The snake was sly and it improved his social skill far better than his normal interactions. Seven invisible daggers patrolled the classroom as the duo listened and played the words game.

After months of his magical maturity, Mikhael knew he was at a decent level of magical prowess. He could in theory, defeat or kill any opponent with cunning ambuscade, but the probability for it was low. He needed more experience in frontal confrontation with opponents able to cast spells at him. Thanks to the conversation flow, he learned about Daphne sister's blood curse. If she had a good bargain, he could search for a cure.

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The last elective Mikhael selected this year was the Study of Ancient Runes. It was the study of runic scriptures, or Runology. That class was mostly theoretical that studies the ancient runic scripts of magic, however classwork and homework involved plenty of practice translating runes and could allow runes engraving for testing the students ability to replicated or demonstrated their knowledge.

The strange aspect of this lesson was the presence of Granger. The green robe was sure to have seen her going to the Muggle Studies. At the common room in the Dungeon, Zabini confirmed the presence of Granger to his Muggle Studies. Mikhael added another log to the fire. The two youths were rejoined by Daphne and Tracey. The group sat in two green and gold sofas around the fireplace. It was new for them, to get the orphan input about his d.e.s.i.r.e to enter the All-England Wizarding Dueling Competition.

The requirements were to be above eleven and the guardian consent for taking part in the Junior circuit. If the four of them competed in this national event, it would help them sharpen their skills and bring prestige to their family and house. The champion would have the award, in addition to the medal, to duel the senior champion to demonstrate his full abilities. Moreover, if many of the Slytherin won high places, wouldn't it show their superiority to the lion house, the orphan added when Draco and his gang sat in.

Invisible pressure dissipated. The black eyes smiled, his attempt to imitate the leader of light was successful. The effect wasn't an oppressive one, but it encouraged people to accept his words. It wasn't a strong effect, it felt for them as if they get the day with their favorite clothes, relaxing. It didn't force them to agree with him, it made them more susceptible to his words and intentions.

Before going to the seven-floor, the young wizard wrote down in his notebook.