The first years of Anima Mea joined up with House Gryffindor for their first class of the day, Potions. As Anima Mea made their way down to the dungeons, Tracey started shaking from the cold. "God! Why is it so cold down here?!"
"Don't know what you're complaining about," said Daphne. "It feels fine down here."
"You and your freaky cold tolerance."
"You're just not used to it," said Hermione. "I'm sure spending more time down here will help you adjust."
"How are none of you not cold?!"
"I put a warming charm before we went down the stairs," said Susan. "And Harry's been sending magic through his body to counteract the cold."
"Harry, help me!" she pleaded. He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, sending magic into her body and warming her up. She sighed in relief and sent a smug smile towards the other Soul Mages. Hermione, Susan and Daphne mentally cursed themselves for not thinking of that themselves. Next to Harry, Padma sneezed, drawing his attention.
"You ok, Padma?"
"I'm fine, just don't do well in the cold, and still not used to magic channeling. Though, Blaise seems to have adapted well."
"My mother tends to prefer colder climates, you learn to get used to them."
"You and Daphne are freaks," said Tracey, snuggling up closer to Harry. They made it to the Potions classroom and found the Gryffindors and Slytherins waiting outside. Harry spotted Neville and made his way over, Tracey still clinging to him.
"Hey, Nev."
"Hey, Harry. Spotted that cabin you and your mum were bragging about, it's brilliant."
"Thanks, Nev. How's Gryffindor House?"
"Fine, except for Ron's snoring. Kept us up most of the night until we closed the curtain around his bed, it had a silencing charm applied to it, still couldn't block out all of the noise."
"And I take it you left him behind, due to his lack of presence."
"Serves him right," said Seamus Finnigan. "Bloody bastard."
"Language, Mr. Finnigan," said Hermione, beside Harry.
"Really? You're getting on me about my language?"
"She does it to everyone," said Daphne. "Even Professor Crowe." Ron managed to find his way to the dungeons and glared at his Housemates.
"You left me!"
"You kept us up most of the night," said Dean Thomas. "Seemed only fair."
"How is that fair?!"
"Mr. Weasley," said Harry. "Perhaps you should see the healer about your snoring. So that they can get a proper nights sleep, and you can arrive much earlier to class. Otherwise I feel like you'll be arriving to classes late every day. And I think I speak for everyone when I say we'd rather not have to hear you complaining every day."
"But…" before Ron could finish the doors to the classroom opened and they piled inside.
The students of Anima Mea bunched up in one corner of the classroom as the Gryffindors and Slytherins scrambled to find seats away from each other. Suddenly there was a bang behind them and they turned and saw Professor Snape standing at the top of the stairway to his office door. He spoke in nothing but a whisper, but it carried to every student and drew them in with each syllable.
"You are all here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." He made his way down the stairs and slowly made his way to the front of the classroom, his cloak billowing behind him, all eyes on him. "There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class. Because of this, many of you will not believe this to be magic. I do not expect you to really understand the beauty of a simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, and ensnaring the senses. In this class, you will learn to brew glory, bottle fame, and even stopper death. Make no mistake, for mistakes in this class may well prove… hazardous to you and those around you. Follow my directions, obey the rules, and do not be fools, and you will make it out of here unharmed."
He waved his wand and the chalkboard at the front flipped to show instructions on a potion. "My former teaching methods have recently under some scrutiny, and I have decided to take a more… cautious approach. Mr. Potter." Harry snapped out of the daze he and the other students had been drawn into by Snape's introduction and snapped to attention.
"Yes, sir?"
"I assume you've received proper instruction in potion-making by your mother. Come up here, I will talk you through how to make a basic cure for boils. You will follow my instructions, memorize them all, and proceed to help other students in their own procedure."
"Yes, sir." Snape proceeded to instruct Harry step by step in how to make the potion in the book and watched as he followed each one. Once the potion was complete, Snape nodded and turned to the class. "You've heard the instructions, you should have been taking notes throughout all of that. Get to work, Potter, walk around watch them. Help where needed." Snape started circling the classroom as Harry walked between the desks, carefully navigating between them and helping with corrections. As the potions were done and submitted to the desk, Snape turned to the class.
"Good work. But we have one more thing to cover. Open your textbooks to page 112." Everyone did and saw that the instructions they were given were not in the book. Hermione raised her hand. "Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Professor, where did your instructions come from?"
"From myself. The fools who wrote the textbooks followed an old flawed method. Over the years I have discovered ways to improve preparation and the effects of multiple potions, earning me my Mastery, and this position. The old methods that I taught with for years have proven fruitless, these new methods, using my very own discoveries, is an experiment. One proposed by Professor Crowe's assistant, Lily Evans Potter, who is, herself, a Master of potions as well." He looked each one of them in the eye. "From now on, your textbooks will only be used to learn of the potion you will be making. You will not follow its directions unless I explicitly say to. And before I forget." He turned to Draco. "10 points from Slytherin. I saw you, Draco. You attempted to sabotage the potion of Mr. Longbottom by tossing in extra ingredients. You could've blown us all up!"
"Sorry, Professor."
"Attempt to do that again, and it's detention. And Mr. Weasley." He turned to the red head. "That'll be 20 points from Gryffindor!"
"What?! Why?!"
"Because, even with continued help from Mr. Potter, you still almost managed to ruin the potion, if it hadn't been for Mr. Zabini acting fast enough, your potion would've boiled over and had the opposite effect of what I asked for." He turned to Harry, face neutral. "10 points to Anima Mea. Well done, Mr. Potter. It seems you've inherited your mother's brains." The class ended and Anima Mea stayed behind as Hermione went to the Potions Master. "Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Professor, might I suggest we move potions to another classroom, preferably one with a warmer temperature and better ventilation?"
"You might, and I would say no. There are certain ingredients that require a constant cold environment and will spoil if kept at normal temperatures. As for the ventilation, that will be taken care of, Lily has pointed out multiple things for me to correct. That is all. Get to class." Anima Mea left a Snape sighed before looking at the chalk board. "Why hadn't I thought of this before?"
The rest of the day went by normally for Anima Mea. Charms was fascinating while Defense Against the Dark Arts was a mess. "How is it that he is the Defense professor," asked Harry as they made their way out to the grounds for the Magic Theory assembly that all students were required to attend.
"No one wanted the job," said Penelope as she and Cedric caught up to them. "The position is apparently cursed."
"How can a position be cursed?" asked Hermione.
"You tell us," said Cedric. "No Defense teacher has made it longer than a single school year. And the reasons for leaving have been a broad range of things. From horrible mutilation…"
"To one professor having an improper relationship with a student and getting pregnant. So far, no deaths, but we're not holding our breaths. Looks like nerves may end up being Professor Quirrell's downfall, maybe even before the Holiday break."
"I'll see if Elijah can look into it. He likes sniffing out mysteries like this."
"What's his teaching style like, anyways?" asked Penelope.
"He has a unique teaching style, you'll see when he starts his class."
"Why do I feel like you're hiding something?"
"Because we are," said Daphne. "It's no fun otherwise."
"You're all evil," said Padma. "You know that?"
"All of us but Hermione," said Harry. "She'd tell you about Elijah, but…" he turned to her and saw her reading a book on curses, in full autopilot. "She's gone autopilot again."
"Autopilot?"
"When she's walking and reading, she has a unique skill she's not aware of. She seems to be more aware of her surroundings when she's buried in a book. She avoids all obstacles and catches or dodges anything thrown at her. Watch." She tossed a pebble at the bushy-haired bookworm and they watched as Hermione caught in with one hand and sent it back. "We've been trying to see what exactly is going on, but even Elijah can't tell what's going on."
"Ok," said Penelope as she waved a hand in Hermione's face, making her look up. "That was cool!"
"What was?"
"You went autopilot, Mione." Said Harry.
"We're going to need a better name than autopilot," said Padma. "Doesn't seem to fit."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing Hermione," said Daphne. "Watch out for…" Hermione tripped before she could finish, dropping her book. "…that rock…"
"That is weird," said Cedric as he helped her up. Anima Mea made their way to the assembly and sat close together. As all of the students found a spot to sit or stand Elijah made his way to the front of the crowd, the other teachers behind the students.
"Alright, welcome to the Magic Theory! My name is Elijah Crowe! I have only a few things to say before I get started with planning days for each year. The first thing is this: This class is entirely optional! Many of you will not like my teaching methods, all of you will be better for them! That being said, this is your one and only chance to make a decision regarding this class. You will be expected to follow my instructions, obey my rules, and give me no lip! This class is equal amounts mental and physical training! Everything I do is about making sure you come out at the end stronger than you were coming in! I will push your bodies to the brink! I will make you think harder than you've ever had to before! But I will give you a better appreciation for the very thing that defines you, and that you have taken for granted, your magic.
"Before your classes begin, I have a question to ask you, and before that question…" he went up to Harry and brought him to the front. "A demonstration of what you have to expect of my course." He had Harry begin doing a workout routine he went through to improve his breathing without magic, out of the corner of his eye, Elijah spotted many students pale at the prospect of physical exercise, particularly members of Ravenclaw who felt it was unnecessary to improve mental capabilities or magic. Through the exercises Elijah threw in several objects and curses in an attempt to trip Harry up. After a few minutes, Harry stopped, and Elijah turned to the students. "What Mr. Potter just did, is the beginner level exercises you will need to do! Every part of this class is here to improve yourself, whether you see it or not.
"This is your only warning, you will sweat, you will ache, and you will end up in the dirt. But you will grow stronger, understand your lessons better, and retain more information as a result." He paused and looked every student in the eyes. "The results of this class will be clear by the end of the school year. Here is your out. How you answer my question will be if you've chosen to join my class. My question for you is this:…" Suddenly a large circle of fire surrounded him, an illusion created by Lily behind the students that looked and felt like a wildfire and gave Elijah a demonic look as his hair and eyes reflected the light of the illusion. "Are you willing to walk through Hell for what I have to teach you?" For a while, no one moved, and Elijah stood there patiently waiting. All at once, Anima Mea walked through the flames and joined their Head of House.
Following them was Neville, Hannah, Dean Thomas, Fred and George Weasley, Pansy Parkinson, Padma's sister Parvati, not wanting Padma to go at this alone, Oliver Wood, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Lavender Brown, Cormac McLaggen, Cho Chang, Su Li, Nymphadora Tonks, and a Slytherin girl named Lilian Moon. Elijah looked at everyone else. "Alright then, your answer is clear. Know that at any time you can join my class, and also know that choices have consequences." Lily dropped the illusion and Elijah crossed his arms. "The assembly is over. Those choosing not to take my class at this time are dismissed. Everyone else, I want to speak with you." Elijah waited for the students to leave and turned to the students who would be taking his class. "Alright, during the break, when you were being measured for your school robes, Madam Malkin was asked to give the measurements to me and I had them sent to a No-Mag American sports manufacturer to make you proper clothes for exercising.
"Until they arrive, you will only be doing basic stretches and exercises, and be taught more about your connection to magic by myself and Ms. Potter. I want to thank all of you for participating and promise that when you're done, you'll be faster, stronger, better coordinated, smarter, and healthier by the end of the year. This will help with your other classes. In the morning, you will wake up before the crack of dawn, and you will come out here. And yes, Tonks, I'm being serious. You were told of my teaching methods when you were just a child after all."
Tonks didn't respond and merely crossed her arms in a huff. "Alright, everyone," said Lily. "You should head off to dinner and get a nice night of sleep. In the morning you will begin your exercises and after the days classes, you will report back here for mental practices. And Nymphadora, try not to trip over everyone." Tonks stuck out her tongue at Lily as everyone else chuckled. As the students went inside Lily turned to Elijah and handed back the black quartz. "It's not Severus. I had a chat with him this morning about his teaching methods and gave him tips on how to improve his class."
"Thank you for checking."
"I don't like this, Elijah. Sneaking around just to find Horcrux, let's just bring this up to Minerva."
"And risk her telling Dumbledore? Provided he knows nothing about Horcrux's in the first place. But given the Restricted Section of the library has no mention of them at all, someone went out of their way to destroy all mention of it. It could've been Voldemort so that he's the only monstrous immortal walking around, or it could've been Dumbledore himself so that no one is tempted to walk the same path."
"I don't trust him either, but if he's even just a little bit aware of Horcrux's he may help us."
"We still don't know the motivations behind his choices regarding Harry. I cannot bring this up with him, who knows what he may do? Even Alastor cannot predict what Dumbledore will do, and he's known him longer than most."
"We cannot do this alone."
"We have to. I have to."
"The weight of the world does not fall squarely on your shoulders, Elijah Crowe."
"This isn't about the world, it's about removing a stain from it. Voldemort tarnished his very soul in an attempt to gain immortality, this is an afront to everything my family stood for. As the last Crowe, it's my duty to end the last enemy of the Crowe family."
"Elijah…" he ignored her and went back to the Anima Mea cabin. Lily sighed and went to the castle.
In the Great Hall, the students of Anima Mea were discussing the days events when they were approached by Pansy Parkinson. "Hello Pansy," said Daphne. "How have you been?"
"I've been well. Still upset I didn't get into Anima Mea."
"You and about half the students not on their way out after this year," said Harry.
"Any chance to rub elbows with the famous Harry Potter." Said Pansy as she sat next to Tracey and Padma. "Anyways, what's new with you guys? Haven't talked in a few months."
"The girls are trying to convince Padma to give one of them her prize from this morning's jog turned competition."
"Wait," said Parvati as she was coming to the table, Lavender Brown in tow. "You jogged, Padma?"
"They made me," she replied.
"We did no such thing. You could've opted out at any time," said Harry.
"Oh, now you tell me."
"How did you win," asked Parvati.
"The girls tripped on the finish line and I slowed down so that she could win," said Penelope.
"What was the prize," asked Pansy.
"First girl to finish got to give Harry a kiss." Padma blushed as her sister looked at her pleased.
"Padma! Good for you!"
"I didn't hear Mrs. Potter say the stipulation, I wouldn't have crossed before the other girls otherwise."
"Why not?! It's Harry Potter!"
"I've only just met him. It's not appropriate."
"Then just give it to me, I'll do it!"
"NO WAY!" shouted the Soul Mages. They glared at Parvati and she smiled and looked at her sister.
"Now I see why it's difficult to decide then. I'll help you."
"Please don't you'll make things worse."
"Nonsense! Lavender can help as well!"
"STAY OUT OF THIS!" shouted the girls. Penelope giggled, and Harry groaned. Lily watched her son's situation and laughed.
"You enjoy tormenting your son, don't you?" asked Minerva.
"Just a bit. The girls certainly have made life interesting."
"How long have they known each other?" asked Filius.
"Practically their whole lives. Elijah felt their potential for Soul Magic and asked their families to teach them. This was the same time that he met me and James."
"Strong bonds of friendship then, I see," said Dumbledore. Lily nodded.
"Actually, it seems like more than just friendship."
"What do you mean?" asked Minerva.
"They're Soul Bonded to each other. It's just a minor bond, it hasn't strengthened passed the friendship phase yet."
"All of them?!" asked Minerva.
"Yes."
"Remarkable," said Filius. "Soul Bonds are rare enough, but a single Bond between 5 people, that's unheard of."
"6 people, actually. Luna Lovegood is part of their Bond as well. She'll be attending next year."
"That truly is fascinating! To think, 6 souls all Bonded to each other!"
"Please keep it down. We're trying to keep it under wraps for as long as possible."
"Oh! Sorry. The prospect of this is just exciting! Oh, what effect will this have on their magic?"
"Elijah's not sure. It hasn't been recorded in his family."
"I'm sure it will be incredible."
Back at the Anima Mea table, Parvati finally noticed her sisters eyes. She gasped as she saw the silver. "Padma, what happened to your eyes?" Padma shushed her. Harry looked at Parvati.
"We can't tell you, not yet. And if Padma's stories are true, you're the last person we'd trust with this." Parvati pouted as another person walked over to the Anima Mea table.
"Wotcher guys!" said Tonks. She sat down and saw the venomous looks in the girls eyes. "Blimey. What's wrong with you lot?" Penelope told her the situation and she grinned. "Easy fix." She turned into a carbon copy of Padma and grabbed the front of Harry's shirt.
"Nymphadora, don't…"
"Pucker up, Lover Boy."
"Stupefy." Said Lily from where she was sitting. The spell hit Tonks and knocked her from her seat.
"Ow!"
"That's enough, Nymphadora. Leave them alone."
"Yes, Mrs. Potter." Tonks sat up and groaned, turning back to her normal appearance.
"If you need help, Padma," said Cedric, calmly cutting into his food. "Roll a die."
"Leave it to chance?"
"Yeah. I mean, it couldn't hurt. Well, not too much." Cedric pulled a die out of his pocket.
"Why were you just carrying that in your pocket?" asked Harry.
"Found it on the third floor stairwell after Transfiguration."
"Fate works in mysterious ways," said Susan.
"What?"
"Something Elijah always says. He likes to say he follows the path of Fate, and that things tend to work out in unexpected ways." Padma took the die and looked at the girls.
"Who gets what number?"
"I'll decide that," said Lily.
"Mum," groaned Harry. "Please don't get involved anymore."
"Hush you. Let's see. Hermione will be at 1, Daphne at 2, Susan at 3, Tracey at 4, yourself at 5…"
"Wait! Why am I still being included?!"
"In case you want to save it for when you know Harry a bit better, of course." Padma blushed and found a sudden interest in the table. "And 6 will be the giveaway option."
"So what," asked Tracey. "If the die lands on 6 she gives it to whoever?"
"That's the plan. It's either that or we give it to someone who's not here."
"You mean Luna, don't you?" asked Daphne. Lily smiled and nodded.
"She wasn't even part of the bet," said Tracey.
"NEITHER WERE YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE!" shouted Daphne and Hermione.
"It's not fair to not include us in the first place," said Susan, sipping her water.
"Just roll the die," said Harry. "Let's just get it out of the way." Padma nodded and rolled the die. The girls watched the die roll on the table, and land on the number 6.
"Bollocks," said Hermione, making everyone look at her in surprise.
"Hermione, language," said Lily with a grin. Hermione finally registered what she said and covered her mouth with a gasp.
"Did I just say that?"
"You did, Hermione." Said Harry. They smiled as Hermione looked ashamed with herself.
"Calm down, Hermione," said Lily. "Before you curse again." Hermione just glared as she smiled.
The rest of the week passed by uneventfully until Friday when the first flying lessons took place. That morning had started out pleasantly, Harry had received a letter from Luna and Astoria asking about how their first week had been and Astoria bragging about a new trick she learned that she couldn't wait to show them during the Winter break. She even added an 'Ohohohoho' for emphasis.
"You had to show her anime," said Daphne annoyed.
"At least she's not imitating more violent things. Just annoying things."
"You just jinxed it."
"I did not."
"Yes you did, now, when we visit for the Holiday break, we'll find out she learned some new deadly trick."
"You're overexaggerating, Daphne," said Tracey. "It's not like there's anything in anime that can be recreated in real life."
"Capsules!" Tracey stopped from feeding Edgar a piece of bacon.
"Ok, there's nothing else that can be imitated in real life."
"And that's another jinx!"
"Why is Edgar here?" asked Hermione.
"He got bored and flew down to me."
"Guess we've got a second flying coach then, eh Edgar?" said Harry. Edgar make an approving noise and looked proud.
"Better hope Hedwig didn't hear that," said Padma.
"Oh, yes," said Daphne. "Her highness Hedwig would hate that her slave praised anyone other than herself."
"I am not her slave."
"Yes you are," said the girls with a smile.
"Your owl does kind of have you on a leash, tighter than even the girls," said Blaise.
"Shut up, all of you." They all laughed and made their way to a line of brooms with the Slytherin's and Gryffindor's already there.
"What's gotten you lot in a good mood," asked Neville, nerves getting to him on flying.
"They're just teasing me about Hedwig," replied Harry.
"You mean how you're practically her slave?"
"You too, Nev?" Neville just smirked, his fears forgotten for the moment.
"That Remembrall still on you," asked Tracey
"Yeah. It's in my pocket."
"Try not to drop it, Nev," said Harry.
A woman with grey hair and yellow eyes drew everyone's attention to her. "Well, what are you all waiting for," she barked. "Everyone stand by a broomstick." The students all went to a broom, with Anima Mea hesitating as they saw the state of the brooms.
'These are the same brooms Mum probably used her first year. This won't end well.'
When everyone was by a broom, Hooch stood by the ends of both lines. "Now, stick out your hand over the brooms and say up, on my whistle. 3,2,1." She blew her whistle and multiple 'Ups' could be heard. Harry's broom shot to his hand, Neville's and Hermione's barely made it off the ground while Ron's hit him in the face. Draco, Daphne and Susan all got it on the second try. Harry examined the broom and found the handle was extremely brittle. 'These are very old, it's no wonder they're acting this way. Hogwarts needs a lot of serious upgrades.'
After a period of 5 minutes, Madam Hooch told them to just stop and pick up their brooms. Harry grinned as she deflated Malfoy's ego by stating he'd been gripping a broom wrong for years. Once everyone had the proper grip, Hooch went back to her original position. "Now, when I blow my whistle, I want you to kick off the ground, hard, keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. Remember, on my whistle. 3,2…" a shriek of fear interrupted her before she could even raise the whistle to her lips. Harry turned and saw Padma being lifted off the ground rapidly.
"Padma!"
"Ms. Patil!" Harry tried going after her, but his broom suddenly snapped in his hand.
"Bollocks. Hold on, Padma!" Harry looked around, not trusting the school brooms, trying to find a way up to her.
"Hurry!" Harry decided to do something he'd seen Elijah do a few times and channeled magic into his legs. He jumped, and was instantly hurled into the air, catching up with Padma's broom. He caught it and pulled himself onto the broom in front of her.
"Hold onto me!" She wrapped her arms around him as he tried getting the broom under control. 'What's going on with this broom?! I can't stop it!' After another few seconds, Harry gave up trying to control the defective broom. "Padma, we're going to do something you're not going to like!"
"What," she asked, before realization crept into her mind. "No, we're not going to jump!"
"It's either we jump, or we keep rising till we're higher than anyone can fly up to save us!" Padma closed her eyes and held him tighter. Harry said a prayer in his head and slid them off the broom. He managed to turn around and press Padma to him, moving her above him so that he hits the ground before she does. He could feel them approaching the ground quickly and closed his eyes, channeling magic into the air around him, hoping to slow his fall.
Suddenly, he felt something grab onto his robes from the back. He opened his eyes and looked up, and saw Elijah, silver wings in full display, holding onto him. The Soul Mage lowered the two down to the ground and dispelled his wings as Lily and Parvati ran over to them. "Are you two ok?"
"Yes," said Padma. "Thank you, Professor Crowe."
"Good." He smacked Harry upside the head and frowned at him. "What the fuck were you thinking?!"
"I was trying to save Padma. I wasn't thinking about anything else but getting her to safety."
"Admirable. But you still should've gotten her off faster. Madam Hooch would've slowed your fall and casted a cushioning charm on your landing spot!"
"Elijah," said Lily. "That's enough. Harry, what you did was foolish, but brave. Next time, have a plan, don't just rush in without one. Now, can you tell us what exactly happened?"
"I don't know," said Padma. "My broom just started rising on it's own. I didn't even do anything." Elijah used Soul Sight to check her soul and nodded, knowing she's telling the truth.
Lily looked at the brooms before turning to Madam Hooch. "Are these the same brooms from when I was a student, Madam Hooch?"
"Yes. The school board has ignored my claims of needing new equipment, stating that, 'they've lasted this long, they'll last another 50 years.' According to Mr. Malfoy. He seems to think funding for the school would be better left for finer niceties for the Slytherin common room."
"Then I'll have to do something about that," said Elijah.
"Elijah…" said Lily. "Don't do anything rash."
"Wouldn't dream of it. Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got a letter to write." He walked away, and Lily sighed before turning to Padma.
"I'm glad you're ok, Padma. Let's get you to Madam Pomfrey, so that she can give you a Calming Draught."
"Ok," she replied. Before leaving with Lily, Padma ran to Harry and kissed his cheek, making him blush. "Thank you for saving me, Harry." She blushed and went to his smiling mother. Harry touched his cheek as Neville went to him.
"How'd you do that Harry?"
"I just copied Elijah from when he did the same thing a few times."
"All done showing off, Potter?" called Malfoy "Can't go two seconds without drawing attention to yourself, can you?"
"Does anyone else hear a very annoying buzzing in their ear," asked Harry.
"What are you on about?"
"There it is again. God, I wish this would go away."
"How dare you talk to me like that?!" Harry made a show of cleaning out his ears, infuriating Malfoy. He suddenly developed a plan and glared at Harry. "I'll show you. I challenge you to a Wizard's duel."
Before Harry could do or say anything, Ron Weasley spoke up. "He accepts! And I'll be his second! We'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget, ya git!" Harry rounded on Ron, furious and Malfoy grinned.
"Fine then, Crabbe will be my second." He glanced at the other children before turning back to Harry and Ron. "But not here, too many witnesses. We'll meet at the trophy case tonight at midnight."
"We'll be there!"
"You don't speak for me, Mr. Weasley." Said Harry as Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle went back into the castle. "Neither of us will be dueling tonight."
"But Harry! I already said we'd do it!"
"Against my will. You can go if you want but count me out." Harry walked away, catching up with the girls. Ron's face turned as red as his hair and yelled at Harry.
"Fine! Then I'll just take them on myself!"
"You do that then! Bloody idiot."
"Language, Harry. And are you sure you should leave him alone like that?"
"Let the idiot get into trouble," said Tracey. "He wants to fall into an obvious trap, let him. It's not our problem."
"How do you know it's a trap," asked Neville.
"The fact that Malfoy said to meet at midnight," said Susan. "At the trophy case. An area far enough away from the safety of the dorms that he can easily tell Filch a student will be there, well outside the dorms, at a certain time."
"Do us a favor, Neville," said Daphne. "Try and see if you can stop Ron from going tonight. If you can't let him learn his lesson."
"Roger." Neville, and the Anima Mea students went back to their dorms, thinking about how the first week of school ended.
Outside the Anima Mea cabin, Elijah was looking at a unique glowing crystal in his hand when the students arrived. "You sure you can't get here faster?"
"Sorry, Eli," said a female voice coming from the crystal. "You know I'm busy. A month is the best I can do."
Elijah sighed before nodding. "I know. Thanks again for this, Isabel."
"Anything for you, Eli! See you soon! Mwah!" The crystal stopped glowing and Elijah sighed before turning to the students.
"Isabel," said Harry. "As in Magical Technologies Isabel?"
"The one and only. She owed me a favor and I decided to give her a call."
"Sounded like she was doing this for more than just repaying a debt," said Daphne with a smile as she crossed her arms.
"It's not like that. Isabel just has a hyperactive personality."
"Uh huh," said Harry. "Sure."
"Whatever you say… 'Eli'," said Hermione and Tracey with matching smirks.
"Just get inside before I add 12 laps to your next jog!" The kids laughed and went into the cabin. Blaise hung back to speak with Elijah. "Yes, Blaise? What is it?"
"Can you teach me those how to make those wings?"
Elijah smirked. "Focus on physical conditioning first. Then we'll talk." Elijah followed him inside, thinking to himself. 'Hope this week doesn't reflect how the rest of the year will go.'