Chapter 27: Chapter 27— The Prank War [2]
~Fun Fact: Did you know that the Snitch used to be a real animal before the bird was driven into extinction after which it was replaced with the snitch ball.
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Leaning my head to the right, I narrowly dodged what I presumed to be a weakly powered 'Jelly-Legs Curse' sighing in relief as it streaked past the left side of my head. The same could not be said for the second year Ravenclaw student in front me who upon being struck by the spell, collapsed to the floor grumbling in annoyance.
"Damn it!" He began, fumbling for the rolls of parchment before him. He couldn't stop a smile from forcing itself across his face as he stood up chuckling.
'Ah, the joy of pranks…'
Looking around myself, the sight before me could only be described as complete and utter mayhem. The Hogwarts corridors were generally packed but when pranks were added to the mix they became even more crowded— not to mention the noise. I whirled around to face my attacker, locking eyes with a pompous looking Slytherin first year.
"Now what do we have here," I said in an amused voice. "Don't you have something better to be doing right now?"
"You've been going around showing up those with true magic and that doesn't sit right with me." He said icily, gripping his wand tighter.
'No matter where you go you can't escape idiocy, huh…'
"So, are you going to let me pass?" I asked him, looking out of my peripheral vision for any accomplices he may have, relaxing slightly when I found that he had none.
"When hell freezes over," He replied, spreading his feet as he readied his wand.
'Well, here we go…'
Flicking my wrist, my wand shot down my arm and into my hand as fast as lightning. I pretending to cast a spell and causing the boy to flinch.
'Pfft, amateur.'
"Rictusempra!" He intoned, flourishing his wand in my direction.
I leapt to my left, rolling to my feet before turning to face him.
"Petrificus Totalus!" I said, sending a burst of purple energy at the boy.
The spell hit its mark, causing the unnamed Slytherin to freeze before toppling over; his body completely paralysed. I walked over towards him with a cocky smile on my face.
"We could have avoided this had you let me pass," I said, looking down at his annoyed stone grey eyes. "Better luck next time!"
I walked away, leaving the boy positively fuming on the floor.
*****
A few hours later, my classes for the morning had finished and I was wandering around the halls after lunch. There wasn't any rhyme or reason to my path, I walked wherever I pleased. Making my way over to the courtyards, I felt a light breeze skim around my robes causing it to flutter around my ankles. The Hogwarts courtyards surely were beautifully maintained. Peering around, I could see students of all houses spending their time amongst their friends. Inhaling the crisp air through my nose, I walked along the paved pathways that led around the courtyards.
'Defence against the Dark Arts next,' I thought with some apprehension. 'I don't know whether or not Quirrell is a skilled Wizard or a lacklustre one but either way, I can't ignore the fact that he has fucking Voldemort glued to the back of his head.'
My calming and peaceful walk through the courtyard was disturbed by my own thoughts, the previous calm I felt giving way to a heavy unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.
"Fuck," I growled, turning around and walking back the way I came. "I need some stress relief."
There was an hour left until the DADA lesson and I needed to work through my fear and apprehension lest I cause Quirrelmort to become suspicious of me. I stalked my way past several students and up even more flights of stairs until I reached the seventh floor. Eventually, I stopped walking and peered around myself, noticing that nobody seemed to be looking at me. I began to pace back and forth with only a single thought in my head.
'I need somewhere to blow off some steam.'
As I walked past the section of door for the last time, a brown door materialised in front of me. I grasped the golden handle, my palm tingling at its coldness. Stepping through the door and closing it behind me, I spoke out to the room.
"Hey room, can you make it so that no-one else can come in?"
I felt the energy in the air pulse in assent. Slipping my wand into my hand, I felt the thrum of my magic grow alongside my unease as I faced the straw dummies in front of me.
'Well, better get this over with.'
*****
"W-Werewolves are amongst the most dangerous creatures in this world," Stammered Quirrell, his insistence on acting the part of an imbecile never ceasing to grind on my nerves. "H-However, it is not for the reasons many of you think. I-It is due to the fact that for 29 days of the month, they are as human as you or I; a-allowing them to blend in with both Muggle and Wizard kind alike."
A sombre silence spread across the classroom as my own eyes widened in response to Quirrell's proclamation. I had never thought of it that way. To me, Werewolves were simply a Wizards-only problem yet I ignored the fact that being a Muggle and a Werewolf were not two mutually exclusive things.
"O-Once a person is bitten by a Werewolf, they become one. W-Werewolf bites cannot be treated and must instead heal on their own. U-Upon the complete healing of the wound, the person becomes what is known as a Lycanthrope— more commonly known as a Werewolf."
At that moment, the direction of the wind changed, causing a foul smell to envelop the room.
'Morgana's saggy tits!' I exclaimed mentally, holding a hand over my mouth and nose. 'What the fuck! Does this man never clean that god forsaken turban?!'
There were similar reactions around the class ranging from several disgusted looks to the outright upheaval of one child's stomach contents. The poor boy, who I assumed to be Anthony Goldstein, was currently throwing up in the corner of the classroom. I spared him a sympathetic look before Quirrell spoke up.
"M-Mr Barak, would you be so kind as to escort Mr Goldstein to the hospital wing?" He stammered, vanishing the vomit with a wave of his wand.
I calmed myself before replying as innocently as I could. "Not a problem sir."
Getting up from my seat, I walked over to Goldstein who's already pale skin was sallow and sickly.
"Off we go mate." I said kindly, picking the boy up by his elbow whilst being careful not to get his sick on my robes.
"I-I don't feel so good..." Anthony trailed off, walking with uncertainty towards the door.
"Don't worry man," I replied. "I'll get you to Madam Pomfrey's."
Crossing the door's threshold, Anthony and I began walking towards the hospital wing as I hoped with all my heart that he wouldn't throw up between now and then.
*****
Today was a peaceful day for Madam Pomfrey. It was the start of the year so the number of admittances to the ward could be counted on a single hand. Currently, the Matron was placing an assortment of potions in her cupboard so that they would be ready for future use. However, her work was disturbed by a first year Hufflepuff who was accompanied by a Ravenclaw. Tearing away her gaze from the cupboard for a moment, she looked at the two boys— one more sickly and haggard than the other.
"Set him right here please," She called out, motioning to the bed closest to her. "So, what can I do for you?"
The young Hufflepuff before her seemed to struggle for an answer, his face going through several different emotions before settling at a hesitant one.
"I don't know how to put this ma'am, but we were in Professor Quirrell's class when an incredibly unpleasant smell spread around the classroom. I felt really sick but Anthony here had it the worst. He was throwing up in the corner of the classroom so Professor Quirrell asked me to bring him here."
Madam Pomfrey turned her gaze to the boy, completely bemused. She grabbed her wand off of the table and began casting a diagnostic spell on the first year Ravenclaw boy before her. Once she had finished, she raised her eyebrow in mild intrigue before turning back to the young Hufflepuff.
"I don't see any problems Mr…" She trailed off, waiting expectantly for the boy to clarify his identity.
"Barak ma'am. Aayan Barak." The boy replied, looking up at her with intelligent midnight-coloured eyes.
"As I said before, I see nothing wrong outside of a bout of nausea. There isn't anything that I can give him besides bed rest," She said strictly. "Tell Professor Quirrell to ventilate his room so that we do not have a repeat of this, young man."
The boy nodded at her before replying, "Will do. Thanks for taking care of him ma'am."
"You're very welcome Mr Barak," Replied the stern Matron, sparing the child a small smile. "Now, back to class. Off you trot!"
She watched the boy leave the ward before walking back to the table and continuing stacking the vials of potion into the cupboard.
*****
Walking back to the common room with my friends after the DADA lesson, I fell towards the back of the group, happy to listen to them talk.
'But are they really your friends?' Thought a side of me that I tried my best to ignore. 'Because you're never all that honest with them and even if you were, you talk to them in such a patronising way that the term "friend" is practically meaningless.'
I felt tendrils of guilt worm their way into my chest.
I had been plagued with these thoughts upon befriending Harry all those years ago. I knew that I didn't really belong to this world. That I was someone who was dropped into it one day and decided to manipulate the lives of those around me for something as simple as altruism. However, if I let the guilt consume me, everything that I had done would be for naught.
'Yes, yes they are.' I answered back with certainty. 'And I'm not lying to them, just withholding certain things that I know they're not ready for.'
"... he's just not a good teacher!" I heard Justin declare vehemently stomping his foot and bringing me back to reality as he turned to me. "What did you think about today's lesson Yan?"
I stood there completely stunned for a moment before recollecting myself.
"The content was fine but Quirrell's apparent lack of confidence seems to make his stammer far worse," I said. "It doesn't help that because of it, around two thirds of the class completely switch off during lessons."
"See!" Exclaimed Justin, spreading his arms out. "Yan agrees with me."
The rest of the group looked around at each other before Zacharias spoke up in his always superior tone.
"I'd have to concur," He began. "Quirrell, by Ministry standards, is an average teacher. But there are other factors outside of being able to teach the Ministry approved curriculum that makes one a good teacher. The ability to captivate the class, making lessons engaging for the students, and being able to articulate yourself properly. All of these factors must be taken into account when deciding on whether or not a person is a good teacher and Quirrell sadly lacks all of them."
There was a silence before everyone hummed in agreement.
"Now, enough of this," I said in an attempt to defuse the situation. I'd rather not have everyone fall out over something inconsequential as this. I knew first hand how cruel children could be. After all, I'd been posing as one for my entire life. "Let's head back to the common room and drop off our stuff before heading to the library."
There was a collective groan at that. I suppressed the urge to shake my head, was this not the house of the hardworking?
"Now, none of that." I began, looking around at everyone. "I'm not forcing any of you to do anything. If you want to study, come with me and if you don't, you can go and do your own thing until dinner. It doesn't make any difference to me."
I peered around at the faces of my friends, they all paused; glancing at each other somewhat guiltily.
"I agree." Said Neville, with uncharacteristic confidence. "Yan has never forced anyone to do anything they don't want to do and if you do miss out on anything he recommends, it's your loss."
"Alright then," I said, turning on my heel in order to hide my smile. "Let's hope we get to the library before Granger steals the good seat."
'Neville has come a long way from the extremely shy boy I met all those years ago.' I thought appreciatively.
*****
After a successful study lesson with the rest of the puffs, I was wandering around the castle before dinner.
'Why are you playing Prankster with a bunch of kids?' The snide voice in my head said, rearing its head up once again. 'You know that there are better things for you to spend your time on. You're in a world of MAGIC for Merlin's sake!'
I froze, momentarily stunned by the revelation. I knew it to be true so what was I doing? Pandering to all the little caprices and wants of children as if there weren't more productive ways to spend my time? I snorted derisively at the thought, before I felt yet another prong of guilt stab its way into my chest once more as I thought of Harry, a boy who had slowly but surely become a little brother to me. Not everything that had occurred in the last few months, even the last decade of my life, was a waste of time. Being a Prankster would also provide me much needed cover from Dumbledore and his scrutiny. I didn't know what he would do if he saw me as a threat to creating his ideal martyr. It was much better for me to paint myself as nothing but a harmless prankster instead of an up and coming Dark Lord.
On the topic of the Prank War, it had got off to a magnificent start— that was unless you were a student being pranked. It was a few weeks after the announcement and the teachers had to explicitly order us pupils to not cast any sort of spells in the corridors. That only resulted in students coming up with more implicit and imaginative ways to prank students. A favourite seemed to be the 'Stickfast Hex'— a hex that was designed to stick the target's shoes to the floor, causing them to trip when attempting to walk. This was an extremely effective hex to use when in the crowded corridors of the castle; one could never be sure who had cast the spell if you were in the right position.
*****
The weeks flew by and were filled with pranks, laughter and merriment as well as children doing their best to escape the ire of Professor McGonagall who was prowling the castle like a hawk— or more accurately a Gryphon. Over the last few weeks, the castle was abuzz with liveliness. A stark but not unwelcome change from the quiet nervousness that was almost palpable in the castle at the start of the year. That however was to be expected, it was the start of the year after all and with it came the arrival of new and scared little children. The first years in question had finally seemed to settle in and eventually decided to partake in pranking their friends and enemies alike. The most surprising change of all was Hufflepuff's newfound confidence. No longer was the house filled with an air of nervousness and shy kids who were all too happy to accept the label of being the leftovers who didn't make it into the 'Big Three'.
'Well, this has also helped me project my persona out towards the masses.' I thought appreciatively.
I took the duration of the Prank War in order to paint myself as a mischievous, budding prankster. That meant participating in the revelry and I wasn't averse to it, there was something positively thrilling about being able to enjoy and have fun with friends in a safe space that was both isolated from outside dangers yet provided a somewhat accurate image of what wider society was like— schools were places that prepare children for society both formally and informally after all.
The passing of time also meant that the pranking scoreboards were finally released. Gryffindor, being the annoyingly brash and brave house they were, took the top spot during the first week immediately— their insufferable cockiness reaching an all time high. They were then topped by Slytherin who managed to hold the crown for the week, effectively dousing them in freezing water. That was until the bookworms themselves, Ravenclaw decided to step up. All the while, Hufflepuff slowly made its way from fourth place to third, and then week by week increased until they took the top spot. This was short lived of course but provided the Puffs with a much needed confidence boost as well as a party that lasted the entire weekend and it was a sight to behold indeed. Perks of living next to the kitchens meant that you had a nigh unlimited food supply— bless those cute fellas.
Other than that, everything else passed without a hitch. I spent my time between hanging out with my housemates and my apparently new Slytherin friends and training with Harry. Though he seemed to take an interest in Legilimency that surpassed anything that he had shown at home.
'I do hope that he doesn't become some kind of serial mind r**ist.' I thought as I sat by the armchair facing the Hufflepuff fireplace, the portrait of Helga looking as elegant as always. The portrait itself wasn't a magical one for reasons that were glaringly obvious— it was also a given that Dumbledore would never allow the magical portrait of one of the Founders, the most powerful mages seen in centuries, to remain in the common room in full view of all the students and create unforeseeable hitches in his grand master plan. I blinked owlishly, attempting to stop my train of thought and ready myself for the book reading ahead of me. I was once again primed and ready to read another chapter of 'Of Magic'. I felt excitement bubble in my chest as I gazed at the tattered front cover of the book. The previous chapter's contents left a lot to be pondered on; however after almost a month away in order to digest its contents, I was ready once again to tackle a new chapter. Using the bookmark to turn to where I last left off, I couldn't help but grin at the chapter title before me.
'Chapter 3: How to cast Magic'
Now that the how it works is cleared up the how to actually do it isn't a difficult thing to answer, it basically comes down to 'Will it to happen', now that obviously isn't a good way to start out is what many would say but it actually is, many say you should start with spells, that is wrong, spells are a crutch, they make teaching it easier, especially at the beginning, but they are something you start to get accustomed to, something that make it actually more difficult to learn magic that has no spell.
As already said, there are two ways to start out, the first, 'Will it to happen', the second to meditate to find the magical energy, lets call it Mana even if strictly speaking it doesn't it allows us to differentiate between the act of doing magic and the energy magic quite well.
While meditating is something you should definitely do, to start out in our opinion it is recommended to start with 'Willing it to happen', if you search for something then you should at least know what you are searching for and maybe even where, if you 'will something to happen' you need to channel Mana, consciously or not, when whatever you wanted to happens, lets say floating a pen, happens then you will feel the mana rushing through you, if you have no initial success it is recommended to accompany the 'willing' with a gesture, for floating the pen rising your hand may help as it helps not only with visualizing but with our ingrained 'cause and effect' understanding as well.
Some may have direct success while meditating in feeling it without the prior success in 'willing something to happen' but beginners seem to have more success in finding their Mana if they know what to look for.
Once you feel the Mana rush through you, you will know what it feels like and have an easier time searching for it, and finding it.
Once found controlling it and infusing once will and believing in it are the next steps, one can be done without the other, there will likely be no or only extremely minor effects if done on their own. Something that should be done while learning to control your Mana is familiarizing yourself with it, how it flows in one's body, the feel it has, how it acts naturally. It may seem a waste of time but actually helps with control and accessing it again in the future, magic normally isn't cast when meditating after all.
Assuming you are familiar with your Mana now comes the actual act of casting, just 'willing it' is rather unreliable most of the time. Will the pen to rise again, this time watching how your Mana acts while casting, then try replicating the act while actively supplying Mana infused with the will, you will notice not only does the casting get more reliable but the speed at which the pen rises probably increases as well.
This concept may be applied to any and all magics, for some a spell as example for how something would work can help kick start the process of some magics that seem rather strange to one, a common example of that being time-magics as many question how they should influence time.
It is recommended not to start with a teacher or any formal lessons as that prevents beliefs that restrict the teacher from affecting a possible student, prominent examples of your era are the nearly absolute necessity for a wand or Gramps law.
*****
I stared at the burning flame in the fireplace, somewhat starstruck. This was something revolutionary. Whoever the author of this book was, I could tell that they weren't joking when they said possession of this may result in my soul to be cast into the void— or in Wizarding Britain's case, the Veil. This completely went against Hogwarts' method of teaching. Hogwarts was a magical school that throws its students into learning and casting spells immediately which allows them to form associations between actions and spells as well as develop will and intent towards the tail end of the curriculum. This book however tells you to find your magic, experiment with it on your own and then learn spells— allowing you to become familiar with magic and allow you to manipulate it before you even go near spells. With this one extra step, the entire trajectory of a person's growth is altered completely. I could even apply this concept to my electricity if I imagine how it works on a logical level, I'd be able to influence it with my will alone; making it less unbridled and easier to control.
'This shit is amazing!' I thought. I couldn't help but grin as I thought about all the applications just from this single chapter. 'This quite literally changes everything…'
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*A/N: Here's the Prank War everybody! After much deliberation on my part (and a mini writer's block), I've decided to slightly up the pacing of the fic since the plot hasn't really come to light, like at all. Anyways, how have you guys been during our mini break? It's been quite some time, no? I think that it has been almost a month.
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