Edelweiss returned to Gryffindor Tower, thinking of the opportunity posed by lessons with Lord Naga Sadow. While learning Sith alchemy would be necessary to cleanse herself of the essence Voldemort, she had a feeling it would grant her further powers than those her master could teach her. Lady Bastila had said little of Sith alchemy than mentioning its existence.
Her mind also drifted to the realization Lord Salazar had guided her to. She had known since the end of her second year that she possessed a connection to Voldemort. Dumbledore had told her of it, and how he suspected some of Voldemort's power had come to her that way. She had wondered, in the back of her mind, how that could have happened.
Now she had her answer, and it disturbed her.
The others were awake or absent when she finally returned to her dormitory. Edelweiss received stares as crossed to her trunk, returning her cloak and Map to where they belonged before shucking off her dirtied robe and grabbing a set for the day.
"Where have you been?" demanded Hermione.
"Only running an early morning errand," Edelweiss replied, closing her trunk. She stood up straight and stepped past her friend. "Don't wait up for me, Hermione. I'll be done for breakfast once I'm ready."
She entered the small bathroom before Hermione could protest. The showers were empty except for the ridiculous pile of soaps, shampoos, creams, and perfumes Lavender and Parvati used. Edelweiss glanced at a few in the stall she picked, frowning at the excess before her. By her reckoning, there should be a dozen witches in their dormitory to require the piles present.
Only two witches for so much was overkill.
Edelweiss shook her head fondly and yanked the knob toward the hottest setting. She stood just beyond the water until steam began to rise. With that, she stepped forward and allowed her body to relax under the beating heat.
As she showered, Edelweiss considered the quandary of souls and essence. If Tom Riddle's diary and her strange connection to Voldemort were both of his essence—what Lord Salazar said Rowena Ravenclaw called the soul—then a chance greater than zero existed that Voldemort had created more objects bearing his essence. If there were more objects like the diary, then she would have to hunt them down and destroy them before she could permanently kill him. Her jaw clenched at the thought of crossing the span of Britain because Voldemort was too cowardly to live and die like a mortal man.
To mollify her poor mood, she worked one of Lavender's shampoos through her black hair. Her mind drifted to the matter of Sith alchemy and how it might solve her conundrum. The strange technology in Ziost Hangar had detected Voldemort's essence within her scar with ease. If that could be done, then certainly Sith alchemy could destroy the taint. More so, if his soul was split and stored elsewhere—as she increasingly suspected—then perhaps she could destroy the other objects keeping him immortal while cleansing herself.
Edelweiss pursed her lips. She wished she could trust Hermione with the truth. Her friend would be useful for solving the mystery of Voldemort's essence and how Sith alchemy could destroy it. Yet there was too much between them now. The dissonance between being Sith and Hermione's unwavering moral core. Their opposing opinions concerning Dumbledore and his role in their lives. The fact that Edelweiss had accepted she would commit abhorrent acts; something her friend could never do.
"Shite," she hissed, washing away shampoo. "Must I walk this path alone?"
Deep down, she knew the answer was yes. Edelweiss might hate that the path before her was a lonely one, but it was the only path forward for her. Until Voldemort and Dumbledore were dead, she could only trust in her Sith masters and their lessons. She had friends, yes. Allies, even. But trusting any with the truth would undo her. All of her promises to Lord Salazar to become a great Sith Lord would be naught but empty, faithless words.
Edelweiss had known her fifth year at Hogwarts would be serious. Year after year, the fifth years appeared on the verge of tears for months before collapsing at the end of the year. But she had not expected the severity each professor expressed in their speeches during their first week back at Hogwarts. Of their core instructors, only cheerful Professor Sprout and mysterious Professor Sinestra failed to deliver a speech about how difficult and strenuous the OWL examinations would be and the challenges they would face moving on to NEWT-level courses.
On Monday, Professor McGonagall doubled down on her warnings about the dangers of Transfiguration from their first year and her willingness to send away any student who did not take her subject seriously. Snape all but celebrated that he would no longer teach most of them Tuesday, for his NEWT Potions class was comprised purely of those who managed to earn an Outstanding on their OWL. Flitwick, despite his jovial nature, reminded them of the importance of the exam and of how far they had come in the past four years during their class with him Wednesday afternoon.
And then Thursday arrived. The fifth-year Gryffindors headed to breakfast knowing they would finally have Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Umbridge. Plenty of gossip, rumors, and hearsay had spread through Hogwarts concerning her and her class. Few knew anything concrete about Professor Umbridge and her career beyond that she had been Minister Fudge's Undersecretary until her reassignment at the end of August. The woman had then been quietly inserted into Hogwarts. It was clear to anyone with eyes to see and a mind to think that her main purpose did not concern educating and training young witches and wizards.
Already they heard grumbling about Umbridge's curriculum. Those who had attended her class, for some odd reason, had yet to admit why they were disappointed. It was as though they feared punishment merely because they might not like a class. That left Edelweiss filled with unwanted nerves, especially after having to sit through Hermione lecture about the textbook's failings.
"It's as if they don't think witches and wizards should defend themselves!" Hermione had hissed. "There's an entire chapter about how to summon aurors and the various ways to get their attention regardless of any obstacles between them and the reader! An entire chapter! It's absurd!"
"Fudge must think Dumbledore is truly up to no good," Edelweiss replied, almost amused by the idea. "Strange that barely two years ago, Fudge was ready to hand his post over to Dumbledore. Maybe being Minister for so long has caused his power to go to his head."
Hermione had glowered at her then, unamused by Edelweiss's dismissal of her concerns. A glance at her friend as they headed for the third floor revealed Hermione's concern had bubbled up into frustration. Maybe even anger at the prospect of suffering an incompetent instructor in their OWL year.
The classroom they entered was nearly barren. Only a few Ministry-approved posters lined the walls. Professor Umbridge sat behind her desk, smiling primly. She was dressed in the same pink cardigan she wore for the Welcoming Ceremony, though the bow in her brown hair was black and not a matching pink. A few Ravenclaws had already arrived, taking seats on the left side of the classroom—incidentally farthest away from the new professor. Thus the Gryffindors sat down on the right-hand side near Umbridge. Edelweiss allowed herself to be boxed in by Hermione and Ron, with Neville filling the last seat in their row.
Several minutes later when the classroom was filled with students, Professor Umbridge rose from her chair and came around her desk. "Good afternoon, class."
A few said "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge" audibly, but most of the class muttered or grumbled. Edelweiss said nothing, watching the professor warily.
"Oh, I am afraid that is not good enough. You are all old enough to know how to appropriately greet your professor," she said before repeating: "Good afternoon, class."
"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they all replied like stupid children. Edelweiss had mouthed the words, though it appeared the professor had not noticed. Umbridge smiled, clearly pleased with her infantile ability to control the students before her.
Let us see how long that lasts.
"Welcome to the beginning of your OWL year. I am quite afraid to admit that your education in the Defense Against the Dark Arts has been impeded and hampered by the poor selection of professors in the past and their inconsistent methods of instruction. However, I am confident we can undo the errors of the past four years and prepare every one of you for your examinations. Every aspect of this course is approved by qualified individuals within the Ministry of Magic, which I hope comes as a relief to you all."
Edelweiss raised her hand. She nearly smirked at the look of surprise in Professor Umbridge's brown eyes. "Yes, Miss Potter?"
"I was wondering: which of our past professors did you find least adequate?"
Hermione hissed at her while Umbridge's wide, toad-like mouth stretched into a devious smirk. "I am quite afraid to state that Remus Lupin was the worst of the lot, though Alastor Moody—or should I say, Barty Crouch Junior—was a poor choice on the Headmaster's part."
"I remember Lupin being quite competent," replied Edelweiss, ignoring the mention of the Death Eater who stole Mad-Eye's identity. She glanced around the room, holding back a smile as several nodded in agreement. Merlin knew how they'd react to her approval of a Death Eater. "I would assume that your animosity is because he's a werewolf, and not from any academic failure on his part."
There was a flash of malice in Professor Umbridge's eyes before her smile twisted upward, sickly sweet and completely false. Edelweiss could feel the professor's feelings through the Force; she was dearly tempted to respond to hatred with more hatred.
"I am quite afraid that his nature of a dark beast is not as important to judging his ability as a professor as you may think, Miss Potter." The professor took a step toward her. "Perhaps if you stop thinking so highly of yourself, others will take you seriously."
Edelweiss returned the smile as she steepled her fingers. She said nothing. She would allow Umbridge to believe herself victorious. Before the end, though, she would have her vengeance. She would enjoy the woman's impending downfall, and she would be there to witness Fudge's little toady become nothing but meat and gore.
Professor Umbridge waddled back to her post at the front of the classroom. "Now class, put wands away and get out ink and parchment."
Groans rippled throughout the classroom, though few dared to openly protest the professor's direction. Edelweiss had left her holly wand in a pocket, so all she had to do was pull out the parchment and ink Umbridge demanded. Professor Umbridge drew her wand, a short stubby thing, and tapped the blackboard directly before the Ravenclaws. Words swirled onto the board, beginning with:
DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A RETURN TO PRINCIPLES
Beneath the legible text, she tried to read three bulleted sentences, all too blurred for Edelweiss to make out. She frowned, drew on the Force, and sought to pierce the magical veil upon the board. Her powers failed her, somehow not piercing the veil over Umbridge's writing.
"Once you have this copied down, please look at me," continued Umbridge. "I want all of you to have a written note about this year's intentions for Defense beyond the task of passing your OWL."
Edelweiss scratched down the two lines before staring at Umbridge. The class took their time, for when the final pair of eyes settled upon the professor, her lips were pressed tightly—as if she held back a scream.
"Good," simpered Professor Umbridge in that annoying, girlish voice of hers. She tried to smile, but it looked strained. "Next will be the course aims. These are the broad principles that will guide us throughout the year, both with correcting the errors in your education and preparing you for your examination."
She tapped the blackboard with her wand again. Edelweiss watched as the blurred words became clear. From the slight gasps around her, she surmised the others had not been able to see what was hidden upon the board.
Edelweiss read as she wrote, and found herself frowning deeper with every line:
Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.
Professor Umbridge watched patiently as scratching quills filled the classroom. Edelweiss flexed her right hand once she finished. Something told her Umbridge would insist on them taking notes instead of learning practical magic the entire year. Frustration welled up at that realization. She could stand one of Fudge's goons if she were being taught magic. But this? This was a waste of her time. She would be better served skipping class in favor of her Sith studies.
Perhaps I should abandon this farce now instead of suffering whatever Umbridge has in mind.
"Now," the professor continued. "Does everyone have a copy of Defensive Magical Theory? It was on your booklist, so I will be most displeased if anyone does not possess a copy."
There was a rumble of responses, only a few enthusiastic. Umbridge would soon reach the bottom of the list for their Defense professors—assuming she had not already reached that low.
"Oh, that will not do," she said as if their dull response insulted her. "When I ask a question, your answers will either be 'Yes, Professor Umbridge' or 'No, Professor Umbridge'.
"Now, do all of you have a copy of Defensive Magical Theory?"
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," the class said.
"Good." Professor Umbridge smiled at her victory. "For today, you will read the first chapter of Defensive Magical Theory, entitled 'Basics for Beginners'. You will take notes, always keeping our course aims in mind. They are very clear, so I do not expect questions. There will be no need for talking while you work."
And with that, Umbridge returned to her desk. She stared at them long enough that one by one, their heads dipped. Bags shuffled as books were taken out. Soon the room was filled with naught but the scratching of quills and the turning of parchment pages.
Edelweiss removed her copy from her bag and flipped it open to page five where the first chapter began. With a quill in one hand and the other to rest her head upon, she struggled and trudged her way through page after page of dull nonsense and idiocy. Most felt written for the witch or wizard who had barely scrapped a few OWLs. Perhaps it was meant for the multitude of witless fools who allowed a halfblood madman to nearly seize control of their island nation.
She was neither, and so the text before her increasingly became more and more offensive to her sensibilities.
As she set down her quill to stretch, Edelweiss noticed the oddest thing: Hermione had not taken notes. Her copy of Defensive Magical Theory remained firmly closed. Her right hand hovered high, still and solid as if she had just raised it.
Edelweiss glanced at the rickety clock behind where Umbridge sat, grimaced at how only twenty minutes had passed since Umbridge instructed them to begin working, and then she glanced between her friend and the professor. Umbridge watched the classroom with a careful eye, yet she made a point of not acknowledging Hermione's hand.
Several minutes passed as others noticed what was happening around them. By the time class was halfway through, everyone but Umbridge stared at Hermione, waiting to hear what question she might pose concerning the dreadfully droll chapter they had been instructed to read instead of learning proper magic.
It appeared having everyone more interested in staring at Hermione compared to the first chapter of Defensive Magical Theory broke Professor Umbridge. Her brows furrowed slightly as she granted the raised hand due courtesy.
"Yes, miss? Is there something confusing about the reading?"
"No. My question is about the course aims, not the reading. I already read—"
Professor Umbridge held out a hand, stopping Hermione from spiraling into a rant. "I'm sorry. Did you say you had questions about the course aims?"
"Yes, I did, Professor."
"What is your name?"
"Hermione Granger."
Edelweiss leaned back in her seat as Professor Umbridge's frog-esque mouth twisted. "Well, Miss Granger. I believe you will find the course aims quite clear if you read them carefully."
"I have read them carefully, Professor. They're acceptable for a class of first years, but not OWL students. They say nothing about actually using or practicing defensive spells."
"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge sounded greatly offended, as if Hermione just announced that the Ministry was filled with fools dumber than muggles and the Minister himself was a worthless clown. Edelweiss shifted to cover her mouth, else she giggled at her thoughts. "Why would you need to use defensive spells in my classroom?"
"We aren't going to use magic?" asked Ron, saying what many were thinking.
"Students raise their hands in class, Mister…"
"Weasley." A moment later, he raised his hand. Edelweiss had to bite down on her tongue, else she burst out laughing.
Professor Umbridge stared at Ron for a few seconds, then turned her attention back to Hermione. Her hand was raised, though Edelweiss did not doubt for a second the professor would have returned to her friend regardless.
"Yes, Miss Granger? What else do you wish to ask?"
"Isn't the purpose of Defense Against the Dark Arts to practice defensive spells in a safe, controlled environment?"
"Are you a Ministry-trained expert in either education or Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Professor Umbridge's smile was twisted where her voice was sweet. Edelweiss hid her hands, clenching them tightly.
"No, but—"
"Then I am quite afraid you do not have the qualifications to question the way I instruct my course. Wizards older and cleverer than you have devised the new standards for Defense instruction. These standards are the ones I am following to improve upon the faulty, troubling four years you have experienced."
Edelweiss was surprised her hand shot up, but she was in no mood to retract it. Umbridge appeared surprised as well, for she stared at the hand for a few seconds before finally saying, "Yes, Miss Potter?"
"Will there be any practice sessions for spells we may learn about during this class or will we be expected to engage in self-study to prepare for our OWL?"
Mentally, she was more concerned with the underground war beyond the castle walls. Following the war, she then thought of Lord Salazar's offer to learn Sith alchemy, which could potentially bring about the destruction of her most hated foe without fighting him face to face. She would not speak of Voldemort here, assuming her—and Hermione's—suspicion Umbridge was only at Hogwarts to impede Dumbledore was true. For now, she would bide her time. Certainly, Umbridge would make enough people angry that the student body could be turned against her. Maybe she would find a Sith apprentice of her own. She had no reason to believe only she had the potential to learn the Force at Hogwarts. Magic must be similar enough for her to bridge that gap. Others must be capable as well.
Professor Umbridge blinked slowly. Had she never considered that particular question could be raised? She must have prepared for protests over not practicing magic. She must have suffered days of children asking why they could not practice magic. Edelweiss was curious how the professor would handle this new challenge presented to her. Already Umbridge had tried to suggest they should listen to the opinions of no-name wizards employed by a government unable to successfully combat a single dark lord.
"If you follow the methods instructed in this class and covered in the text assigned for this course, then you will have no trouble performing all of the spells required for your OWLs."
Edelweiss glanced at her classmates. Several had waxen expressions. She sighed slowly, drudging up that Gryffindor courage as she said, "I'm speaking for my—"
"Hand, Miss Potter."
She raised her hand. Umbridge scowled and scanned the room for others raising their hands. She nodded to Dean.
"Mister…?"
"Thomas, Professor. Dean Thomas."
"Yes. Your question?"
"I was wondering if we might be able to get some tutoring with any spells we struggle with. Professor Lupin was really good about—"
"I am afraid that Professor Lupin is a werewolf, and thus his educational methods suffer from the same tainted ills that affect him. That Professor Dumbledore allowed him to instruct magical children is deeply concerning, given that werewolves are such vicious beasts."
"Does that mean…?"
"There will be no practicing magic in this— Miss Potter! What are you doing?"
Edelweiss stretched as she packed her school bag. Everyone stared at her as she shouldered the bag, stepped past Hermione into the aisle between the rows of desks, and gave the Professor a curt nod. "I'm afraid I am wasting my time in your class, Professor Umbridge. It'd be for the best that I leave. I have no worries about whether or not I will pass my Defense OWL."
"Why, how can you—?"
"I have done more to safeguard this castle—and this nation—than anyone but the Headmaster these past four years. I would list my accomplishments, but I doubt you'd believe a single thing I say. You would deny that the Philosopher's Stone was hidden in this castle and that I stopped a dark wizard from stealing it. You would deny that when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, I entered it and slew the beast within. You would even deny that I made it through the three tasks of the Triwizard Tournament using only my ability and wits. And the less said of the dementors that swarmed Hogwarts two years ago, the better."
Professor Umbridge's face had slowly turned a bright, furious red with every accomplishment Edelweiss listed. For a moment, she considered letting the woman know the truth about Voldemort and even Sirius Black, for that would certainly turn her face the same puce shade that often consumed Uncle Vernon's face when furious. But that risked punishment. She had caused enough trouble, especially when she was about to leave this class and turn Defense into self-study.
"While that is quite impressive, Miss Potter, assuming all you said is true," the professor hissed. "I am quite afraid you are still required to attend my class."
"I am?" She tilted her head. "I guess that was why I've put up with Binns droning on and on—and with the incompetence we've experienced with past Defense professors. Because I am required to be present."
For a moment, Professor Umbridge appeared pleased. Edelweiss gave the seat she had occupied a brief, almost considering look, and then smiled derisively. "Do find the rule that requires me to be here, Professor." And with that, she turned on a heel and glided from the classroom, ignoring Umbridge's sudden, furious outburst. Odds were the professor would assign her detentions. Edelweiss doubted they could be that imposing. Scrubbing cauldrons or cleaning trophies might be tedious, but there was a meditative trait to them she could use to further her Sith studies.
And if anything, she could twist them to learn more about Professor Umbridge and what she wanted from Hogwarts.
Hours later, Edelweiss appeared before the student body at dinner. Already whispers buzzed about her, spawned by her defiant departure from Defense. She had descended to the Chamber of Secrets, hurling curses and hexes at the snake motifs Lord Salazar or one of his heirs had constructed. Magic burned in her mouth and veins as she cast, pouring forth a torrent of wrath and fury. The dark side leaked into her spells, energizing all she did. It was only once she tired of hurling spells that she went to Lord Salazar.
When questioned about Sith alchemy, he mockingly told her capacity to understand Sith alchemy and its basis was heavily limited, for she had not taken the Study of Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Her choices of Care of Magical Creatures and Divination had finally bitten her in the arse. She hated that Lord Salazar was right. She would go about patching holes in her knowledge soon.
Hermione puffed up like a furious cat as Edelweiss settled onto a bench at the Gryffindor table. Ron glanced between them, too worried to eat like normal.
"Where have you been? We tried looking for you! We even used the Marauder's Map! But you appeared nowhere! Professor Umbridge—"
"Can whine and scream all she likes. I will not return to her class," growled Edelweiss. "As to where I was, you two should know by now where I go when I wish to be alone."
They exchanged a look that nearly drew a groan from Edelweiss. For whatever reason, neither approved of her appropriating the Chamber of Secrets. She had argued with them several times about the matter, but her words always fell upon deaf ears.
"Edie, I wish you would stop using that place."
"Why should I? Nobody else in the castle can access it. Perfectly safe and secret."
Instead of responding, Hermione and Ron blanched. Their gazes were fixed just behind Edelweiss, so she glanced back.
"Hem hem." Professor Umbridge stood there, a vilely pleased smile stretching her face. "Where have you been, Miss Potter? You left my class early, and you did not attend History of Magic."
"Around."
"Oh? If I were to ask Miss Granger or Mister Weasley, would they give me the same answer?"
Edelweiss knew they would not. Unlike her, neither had grown up needing to learn how to lie. They also struggled to wield silence as an effective tool against unwanted conversation. Morgana's tits, she had used her silence against them. Ron had been furious when she ignored him the previous year; Hermione had bawled in the bathrooms several times during those weeks in their third year when they had fallen out over her Firebolt.
And yet fury roiled in her gut, a serpent seeking escape, now that Umbridge targeted her friends.
"What does matter is it to you? Shouldn't you be happy that 'Dumbledore's little pawn', as the paper loved to call me, is no longer in your class, ready to interrupt and derail your effort to mold the school into a hive of Ministry-loving zealots?"
Professor Umbridge's face bloomed with strained fury. Edelweiss was impressed, for she had assumed all the woman could do was smirk and glower. She watched as the professor grappled with her fury, knowing should she use it improperly, she might embarrass herself. Unlike Umbridge, though, fury and hatred empowered Edelweiss.
Though I should mind my words better, she thought. They can be a double-edged sword.
The moment Edelweiss recalled how hatred empowered her, she reached out with her senses and drew the dark side of the Force to her. She wrapped herself in its power, luxuriating in whispers and promises of the violence she could unleash with its power.
For a moment, candles flickered and goblets shivered. For a moment, Edelweiss was on the verge of wielding the ball of furious power gathered around them and within her. For a moment, Umbridge's wide eyes reflected a hint of sulfuric yellow amid deadly green.
And then the moment passed. She released that terrible power, for it was not the appropriate time. Edelweiss struggled to allow her anger to fade; something pulsing hot—the dark side, she knew—whispered tantalizing promises of power once more. All it wanted from her was to destroy all who stood against her.
"Is that all, Professor?" Edelweiss said with a strained smile. "We are interrupting dinner."
Astonishingly and wonderfully, Professor Umbridge noticed how nearly the entire hall stared at them. Their gazes pierced her with curiosity. In the wake of their pressure, she huffed and returned to the Head Table. Edelweiss smirked at the professor's back before glancing at the rest at the Head Table. She made a point of ignoring Dumbledore's watching eyes.
"Well, that was quite fascinating," she said, almost mockingly. Edelweiss sat back down. "So, what happened after I left class?"
Hermione sighed and shook her head while Ron regaled her with how furious Professor Umbridge had been in the wake of Edelweiss's departure, and of the many, many detentions promised.
A week following her now infamous departure from Defense Against the Dark Arts, Edelweiss chose to not join her peers in returning to Umbridge's worthless class. Instead, she descended through the castle to the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione had coerced her into attending the class on Friday, and Edelweiss deeply regretted her error. It followed the same course as the first: a monotonous hour spent taking notes from the pathetic drivel Umbridge thought appropriate for students staring down the prospect of taking their Defense OWL. Umbridge's astonishment at Edelweiss's presence seemed to wipe from her memory that she had issued detentions the previous day.
The descent went quickly. Edelweiss's bag was weighed down with Runes and Arithmancy books she "borrowed" from Hermione, along with a few titles taken from the school library. Half she read during the previous week had gone over her head, but she hoped Naga Sadow would tutor her through the gaping holes in her knowledge. She had waved off questions about why she wanted them; Edelweiss found she struggled to piece together a suitable lie for why she had a new and sudden interest in those two topics.
When she reached Ziost Hangar, she found Naga Sadow's holocron not among those on the shelves, but resting beside Lord Salazar's holocron built into his desk. He appeared at her arrival, gesturing to the holocron. "Take Naga Sadow's holocron to a meditation chamber on the lower floor. He knows to expect you." His gaze traveled to her unwieldy bag, straining against its strap. "You have brought reference materials. Good."
"I need them if I am to fully understand all Naga Sadow has to teach me, Lord Salazar. Perhaps it will not be enough, but it is more than when I was last here."
"I am impressed by your dedication."
"I have my choice to become a Sith Lord, Lord Salazar. That means I must dedicate myself to all that title demands. From all you have told me, Sith alchemy should be the key to destroying Voldemort for good. If it can do what I desire, then I would be a fool to not pursue that potential."
"And what potential do you foresee?"
"That I may destroy every trace of essence binding him to life. If it is possible, I will even curse him so that he can no longer split his essence. Once he is permanently mortal, all I must do is finish him off."
"Are you powerful enough to kill him?"
Edelweiss remembered their graveyard duel and how she had been at Voldemort's mercy. Were it not for the shared core of their wands, she would have been struck down that night. She should have died that night, or at the very least been purged of the essence tainting her scar even now.
But the girl who had dueled the Dark Lord in that graveyard had become a mask. Deep down, Edelweiss was only the Sith apprentice who sought to become Darth Gladiolus.
"I am not yet powerful enough to defeat him, Lord Salazar. But I will be. You said it yourself; Darth Gladiolus shall destroy him. Not Edelweiss Potter."
He chuckled and smiled. "You impress me, apprentice."
She smiled slightly, pleased by the praise Lord Salazar granted her. Yet it was not enough. She needed to completely shed the weakness that was Edelweiss Potter. Once she shed her weakness, she would have the power required to destroy all of her enemies. Darth Gladiolus was the one who would free Britain from Voldemort and Dumbledore. Gladiolus was the one who could overcome the Dursleys, and bring the magical public of Britain to heel.
Only Gladiolus could free her from the cycles of her life: cycles of pain and suffering and weakness that bound Edelweiss Potter to an unrelenting wheel.
She reached into her bag and drew out a crystalline pyramid. "I also brought my master's holocron as you requested."
"Leave her with me," Lord Salazar demanded. "And then go."
Edelweiss stepped forward, switched Naga Sadow's holocron with Lady Bastila's, and bowed to Lord Salazar. He dismissed her with a slight nod, and she left his solar.
She followed what Lord Salazar told her and descended to the floor below. She used a tube akin to a muggle elevator, which was swifter and quieter, moving without shift or rattle. Edelweiss entered the first meditation room she stumbled upon. It was small, perhaps six feet in each direction. She kneeled in the room's center and held the holocron in one hand. She thought of Umbridge, of how worthless she made Defense Against the Dark Arts, and the fury she dredged up activated Naga Sadow's holocron.
"Ah, Salazar's little apprentice," sneered Naga Sadow. He wore a large, angular headpiece that threw his features into sharp relief. "You came as Salazar said. I questioned him about your education, and I find you wanting. You are either more skilled than he suspects, or so deluded to believe yourself prepared for what I have to teach that I should deny you, here and now."
She frowned slightly, wondering what she had gotten herself into. Naga Sadow struck her as being born of two species. Unlike Hagrid or Flitwick, he was vicious and exacting, likely drawing more from his non-human heritage than human. Pointed tendrils descended from his cheeks, which she recognized as a key trait of the Sith race. Edelweiss had been surprised to learn the Sith name had come from a red-skinned, humanoid race who had inhabited Korriban, her order's ancestral world, before their founding. The knowledge and power the Sith possessed in the dark side had led those first pioneers who abandoned the Jedi to adopt their name for their new order. She knew little else of those early centuries, so long ago. Before the Sith Empire, and the Great Hyperspace War—events her master Lady Bastila thought important to lecture on.
"Through your teachings can I finally destroy my foe," Edelweiss stated. She removed her bag, filled with many tomes. "My studies can only go so far without guidance, and I have sought out materials of my world in line with all you have to teach me."
Naga Sadow granted the tomes a single, dismissive glance. "Clearly. Do not think I shall hold your hand through these lessons, little apprentice. I am the greatest Sith alchemist who has ever lived or will ever live. Through me, you will be greater than the pathetic worms you share your backwater world with."
Edelweiss nodded, already accepting that her world was a backwater. By the standard of the galaxy beyond, they were not wrong. The furthest any Earth human had traveled was their moon, and that happened because of petty planetary politics and not to establish a settlement on the natural satellite as a launching point for further exploration of their local system and the galaxy beyond.
"I understand, Lord Sadow. I have no desire to disappoint you, nor shall I give in to any temptations to take my lessons lightly. My very life might hang in the balance. I must learn all you have to teach me."
"I will hold you to your word, apprentice. Now, I wish to hear what you have learned of the… skills Lord Salazar said would be vital to learning my alchemical secrets. He has only told me of your deficits. Then again, he had been a poor alchemist while alive."
"As you wish, Lord Sadow." The holocron projection smiled wryly. "There were two skills Lord Salazar tasked me with learning about. The first of these are runes. We use characters from a variety of ancient scripts, each imbued with a particular meaning by the people who devised them, to affect and influence the world around us. While I suspect the basic principle can mesh with any runic form you could teach me, it will need to go beyond the written. I must understand enough of the language to piece together how its runes can come together and create meaning and power."
Naga Sadow hummed thoughtfully. "For what reason would you need to know the language? Certainly, you can get by with me teaching you the meanings of each character instead."
"Because for what I seek to accomplish with Sith alchemy, I must enact it through a ritual. From what I have read in the past week, speaking aloud the runes used as part of a ritual will not ensure all of its powers are seen to fruition. I must possess some fluency in the language." She smiled darkly. "If I succeed in what I wish to perform, my foe will be made permanently mortal. I will block his pathway to immortality and leave it forever cut off."
Naga Sadow hummed as a wry smirk crossed his face. "How curious. An immortal foe. How has he achieved this?"
"According to Lord Salazar, Voldemort split his essence and placed portions into vessels. We discovered his method because he destabilized his essence before the night when he first attacked me. With his essence fractured, a portion broke away. It resides within me now, and I seek to use its destruction against him."
"Fascinating. What you seek can be done," the ancient Sith Lord said. "It will be tricky, determining what should and should not go into this ritual you envision. But only together can we accomplish this great feat."
Edelweiss grinned widely, hearing the ancient Sith Lord's confidence in her plan. She had known all she would accomplish with Sith alchemy would be due to Naga Sadow's instruction. But to work with him as close to equals as possible and devise how she would ensure Voldemort's future destruction? She had not even considered he would offer her that change, given how ignorant she had been concerning the magical principles vital to learning his discipline.
"And what of your other skill Salazar mentioned? One he said that would make up for your lacking knowledge of mathematics."
"Oh, yes. Arithmancy. That's been trickier to learn, though I have some grasp on the basics of standard arithmetic thanks to my upbringing. I did consider asking a friend to aid in studying arithmancy—especially its more esoteric aspects—but she's too inquisitive to maintain secrecy around my Sith studies. Any slip about what I seek to become will create unnecessary trouble. She has a strong love of authority and a rigid view of right and wrong."
"Learn how you can use her without revealing what must be kept secret," commanded Naga Sadow. "Valuable resources should be used wherever possible. Deceit and deception are weapons for even the simplest Sith Lord. Mere secrecy is not enough; you must twist those who would be enemies into useful pawns."
Edelweiss was surprised to feel a twinge of guilt at the thought of abusing Hermione's academic passions. Yet she and Ron had done just that most of the past four years. How many of her past essays, especially those assigned over the summer hols, had she completed on her own? How many of Ron's had been the product of his intellect?
How foolish was she that she needed another to point out what she had been doing for years now? There was no reason to feel guilt over an exploit Edelweiss had leaned into for years. Naga Sadow was right. She should use her friends until their utility to her was completely spent. Her justification would be simple: an olive branch, offered because she "felt terrible" about the widening gap between them. After the summer, they would be quick to accept her word—hook, line, and sinker.
"Of course, Lord Sadow. I have nearly allowed this bond to slip through my fingers because of how slighted I felt recently. I should cultivate more useful relations and connections, and not allow them to fray and drift apart."
He smirked with a slight showing of sharp teeth. "You are learning. That is the core of manipulation: creating usable connections. I shall leave developing your ability to manipulate to another of your masters, should you not learn it on your own time. The primary purpose of this holocron is to teach Sith alchemy, not to hold your hand through social engagements."
Edelweiss felt a faint burn in her cheeks. She remembered how the Sorting Hat considered sorting her into Slytherin. She wondered if that had come to pass, would she be as capable as Naga Sadow desired? She was certain he only saw value in her abilities as a Sith apprentice. Whether that was a product of the holocron's development compared to his personal preferences remained unknown to her.
"There is something else, a topic I will need to study before we move forward with the ritual," said Edelweiss, all but fabricating the topic out of hand. "There is a language—a magical one—that only myself and my foe can speak. Another of my enemies believes I gained the ability to interact with this language thanks to the powers transferred to me when I accidentally acquired his essence. This other foe is something of an ally against the first, though I cannot allow one to live long after I destroy the other."
"You wish to retain this power, despite how you acquired it."
"Indeed. If I incorporate that language into this ritual, I think it might be more effective. I could acquire the ability to permanently speak it, even after the taint of his essence has been cleansed. Retaining that ability is essential to ensure I can access Lord Salazar's collection of holocrons. If not, perhaps I can find other ways around the language-based locks Lord Salazar has put into place."
"Your idea has merit. I will need to commune with Lord Salazar so we can discuss how to ensure your retention of this language. I believe it is possible, but nothing is certain until attempts have been made." Naga Sadow glanced away, a distant, ponderous look upon his face. He appeared almost calm, and certainly focused. "Yes… Yes! I believe it can be done! It shall be difficult, but it can be done." He turned back to her. "You will bring what you have of this language to me. We shall work together to decipher what is needed to craft the alchemical creations and rituals necessary to achieve your goals, apprentice." He grinned, a maniacal look that nearly frightened her. "Oh yes, yes indeed! That, more than your world's study of languages and arithmetic, shall open the way to what you need. A sympathetic bond between you and this enemy will ease the process of destruction and transformation."
"They will still be necessary, yes?"
"Of course, fool girl! Do not question me! It was always known to me that those lessons would be necessary. The inclusion of this third element will only guide us forward to victory over your foes.
"But for now, we shall begin your first lesson in Sith alchemy. Our focus shall be upon determining all that you do and do not know so that I can determine the proper pacing at which to prepare you for the working you wish to put into motion."
And with that, Edelweiss spent the afternoon and part of the evening kneeling before Naga Sadow's holocron, absorbing all he had to teach her as she explained that which she had recently learned. By the time she returned to the castle, her mind only held the possibilities of Sith alchemy.
She barely noticed Umbridge waddle up to her before publically issuing two weeks of detentions for her absence.
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