Shape of Magic 10: Flying Class and a Halloween Surprise

[center]<<<Amy Carlson>>>[/center]

Amy was looking forward to learning how to fly, granted it was with a broom but that was just semantics really. She loved flying with Vicky, and honestly she had missed it. It wouldn’t be the same, but it’d be close enough for her.

Though she’d probably have to get used to flying under her own power instead of being held up by a flying brick. Though she glanced over at the other first year Slytherins that was sharing the class, at least she knew that Taylor would keep her House on a short leash for the most part.

Though she had no doubt Taylor would let some of them act up for amusement if nothing else.

Hermione and Neville were… nervous was putting it lightly. It wasn’t something you could learn out of a book and the second of the two had never been allowed near a broom by his grandmother. Amy… sympathized with the woman, she’d seen the boy trip down an open and empty hallway before, so it was good that Madam Hooch, their teacher for the evening, was there just in case.

Though she had to question how much of it was Neville just being clumsy and now much of it was that the boy was clearly a nervous anxious wreck. She overheard him telling some of the other first years how he discovered he had magic in the first place.

“I wonder if the magical world has Child Protective Services?” Seriously, who just dangled a kid out of a window?

“What are you waiting for?” Madam Hooch barked, “Stand by a broomstick, hurry up!” There were twenty two of them in all, enough for one each, and they looked… not great. Twigs shot out in seemingly random directions and parts looked a touch splinter covered.

Amy absentmindedly wondered just how old they were, and if the budget even allowed for them to replace them?

“Stick your right hand out over your broom,” She called out, standing ahead of them, “and say up!”

“Up!” Everyone shouted as one, though most didn’t manage to make their brooms go into their hands on the first try. Hera managed it, as did Draco, but Hermione’s just rolled around a bit and Taylor had to glare at it before it even started to move, at which point it did go into her hand. Neville’s didn’t move at all, in contrast.

Amy’s broom smacked into her hand with surprising force, causing her to switch it to her other hand while she shook some feeling back into her other hand.

“If you say it without enough confidence, nothing will happen!” Madam Hooch instructed, “The ones that were successful move away, and everyone else try again! Remember to be confident in yourself! Now get to it!”

Taylor spun her broom like a batton while she walked with Amy, earning a smack on the hand from Madam Hooch. She seemed to feel she deserved it and didn’t regret it at the same time, which was a feat.

Once everyone had gotten their brooms ready in their hand, she taught them how to properly mount the brooms (yelling at Malfoy that he’d been mounting his wrong for years). “Now, when I blow my whistle you kick off the ground, hard,” Madam Hooch said, “Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly.” The instructions were easy enough to follow, Amy supposed. “On my whistle… three, two,-”

Neville kicked off before the whistle even met her lips, the boy too nervous to wait.

“Boy!” Madam Hooch called as Neville started to lift off, the boy already making sounds of panic at his uncontrolled ascent. “Come back down here!”

He didn’t seem to have remembered the instructions and he continued to rise, and rise, and rise. His face white as he turned to look off the broom to the ground.

Neville visibly gasped and slipped off the broom. “Levioso!” Taylor cried out from next to her a moment before impact with the ground, catching him with a jerk as his broom continued out of sight. “Well, that could have ended poorly,” Taylor noted, cutting the spell off and holstering her wand.

As Neville was surrounded by his Housemates while Amy nodded to Taylor in thanks. From that high if he landed wrong he could’ve broken his neck and been paralyzed from the neck down, if not put in a coma. In fact, if he lucked out with only a broken bone he would’ve been fortunate. The fact that this saved her from having to heal Neville himself wasn’t lost on her, Taylor was well aware of her distaste of returning to being Panacea.

If she healed, it’d be on her terms, she’d never be a ‘Healbot’ as the joke Leet put it in one of his streams.

“Thanks to the quick save by Miss Rose,” the madam started, “we will not have to end this lesson early. Please return to your places. Neville, your lesson will continue on another day once we’ve replaced your broom.”

Neville just mumbled something as red crept up his neck, the heckles from some of the Slythrins (mostly Malfoy and his thugs) certainly didn’t help. Though Taylor did pin the troublemakers with a… she would say a half-strength Skitter glare.

The thugs stopped but Malfoy just sneered back at her, though she bet if she touched him she’d find his heart racing.

“On my whistle this time,” Madam Hooch said, looking over them carefully, “Three, two, one.” She blew on it and everyone, for the most part, was able to go up and then down. Several students struggled with it, Taylor among them, but others did far better.

Hera seemed to be a natural while Malfoy… did seem to know what he was doing, to some extent.

Amy hummed in content as she hovered in the air under her own power, it actually felt rather nice to pick up something faster than Taylor for once.

“Hmm, you all will improve with time,” Madam Hooch said with a nod, “However, congratulations to everyone that’s managed it.” The woman gave them all a smile. “Now, come back to land. We’ll be repeating this a few times before flying around the grounds here. If you think you’re getting the hang of it after a lap or two, fly down to me and I’ll see about giving you a bit of extra challenge.”

Only Hera and a few others decided to go for the extra challenge, though Amy contented herself to leisurely fly some laps with a relaxed smile.

“I don’t know how… but I am getting myself a broom for next year…” 

Madam Hooch seemed very impressed with Hera in particular and called everyone down, “I am going to get Professor McGonagall,” She started, “Wait here, don’t fly anywhere, and no fighting.”

At the last she gave a very pointed look to Taylor and Draco, which Amy felt was entirely justified.

[center]<<<Harriet Potter/Hera>>>[/center]

Hera was… concerned, but also excited. McGonagall was her Head of House, so if Madam Hooch was getting her then she’d either done something impressive or done something very wrong. She was… pretty sure it was the first, but it could have been the second for all she knew.

Either way she was content to stay on the ground like Madam Hooch told her, despite wanting to do nothing more than to fly. She’d never felt as relaxed as when she was in the air.

It was just so… easy. It wasn’t like the other classes, where she was behind and felt behind where she should have been (Ron and Amy assured her that she was doing fine, but seeing Taylor’s and Hermione’s progress she wasn’t so sure), it was… like she didn’t have to try at all. Even when Madam Hooch was throwing balls up for her to catch and toss back she didn’t have to think about where to go, how to turn, she’d just… gone there.

Taylor was whispering something to Amy. “It’s nothing like the jetpack was or my swarm is, I swear I had to threaten that broom to make it do what I wanted…” Hera wondered where Taylor had used a jetpack before. Maybe some sort of philanthropist ran a party where they let orphans use one?

If there was one thing Hera learned how to do in living with the Dursleys, it was how to read people. How to tell when Dudley was in the mood for some Harry-Hunting, when he was going to throw a temper tantrum, when she was going to be disregarded, when Vernon was upset with her for showing up his son, and so on. So it didn’t take her a lot of time to realize that Taylor and Amy hadn’t shared everything about themselves.

Which was fine, everyone was entitled to their secrets after all. She just hoped that they would share when they were ready.

“Of course you’d have to threaten it, only you Tay, literally only you would have to threaten a broom.” Hera had to giggle at that, which alerted the two that she was eavesdropping.

“Shit, how much do you think she heard?” Taylor asked.

“Jetpack?” Hera asked, figuring that they deserved to know, “I always wanted a jetpack, but I think I prefer broomsticks now…”

Taylor choked and hoarsed out, “You heard nothing. Nothing. You have completely forgotten every word because we were talking about something boring. Yes. We were talking about, uh, horticulture. And soil acidity. Yes, very boring and forgetful stuff.”

“I don’t think it's working, Tay,” Amy said dryly with an amused smile.

“I admit,” Taylor started, looking saddened, “not my best improv. Should have said accounting, no one cares about that.”

Hera snickered, “Talk later?” She asked with a smile, curious. She wouldn’t push it, but… Jetpack.

“Sure.” Taylor said with a smile, “But you are not to tell anyone else. Or else I’ll make sure that ‘you eat five spiders a year’ thing becomes true. You will make up for all of the spiders other people aren’t eating, just warning you.~” Her grin was wide enough that Hera was pretty sure it meant she was joking.

Hera just rolled her eyes, “Whatever you say, Ladybug,” She retorted, feeling rather confident in her assessment.

Taylor poked her nose, “Fine, I’ll be merciful, you’ll only need to eat ten thousand spiders a year then, not several billion.” Her tongue stuck out at her.

“Tay, calm down,” Amy said with an amused huff, “Stop being a brat.”

“No,” Came the reply, “It amuses me.” Then Taylor paused and considered, “Hmm, hormones and underdeveloped brain stuff, I think I might have ADHD now. Amy! You can check that, right?”

Amy just gave a deep, painfully exasperated, sigh but nodded, “I ain’t going to fix it though. I’m pretty comfortable with my power but I still don’t like messing with brains,” She said as she touched Taylor’s neck.

She didn’t say anything for a few moments before sighing again, “Yep, you absolutely do. I don’t know if it’s because of your bug thing or your bug thing is making it better though. We’ll see about getting high caffeine teas here later, might have been why you didn’t notice back at the orphanage.”

Hera blinked, things made… so much sense now.

“Want a check up as well Hera?” Amy asked, “Maybe I could try to move your scar somewhere else?”

“I don’t think you can?” She replied, “But it couldn’t hurt to try… after flying lessons, just in case it does hurt.”

“Fine,” Amy said, “I doubt I could do anything about the scar, what with it being cursed, but that doesn’t mean I can’t move it.”

Hera shrugged, “Magic is weird,” She pointed out reasonably, “Maybe the curse is attached to the bone. It would explain my stubbornness.”

“Not touching the magic. Just the surrounding flesh.” Amy said as she hummed thoughtfully before looking at Taylor, “It’s also possible due to your abilities you’re extremely neurodivergent,” She added absentmindedly.

“It’s not my fault that I talk to bugs. And am doing a few million things at any one time, I can’t turn it off,” She replied with a shrug, “Oh, Madam Hooch is back, you’re going to like this, Hera.”

Hera just looked at Taylor in confusion, which was switched to Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall.

“Um, what’s going on?” Hera asked curiously, glancing at Taylor who gave her a shit eating grin whereas Amy just shook her head.

“Ms Potter?” The professor asked, “Please mount your broom, you wished to have a challenge? You’ll have one.”

She blinked and followed the demand, she’d wanted to fly around more anyway and the professor wasn’t wrong per say, but the way she said it was worrying.

“Good,” Professor McGonagall started as she held up a small golden ball, “This is a Golden Snitch, it’s a training one and so a touch slower than a proper Snitch but it should still pose a proper challenge to you. Good luck catching it, Ms Potter.”

It shot off like a rocket as soon as she let go.

Hera was befuddled for a moment before she shook her head and took off after the snitch.

The Golden Snitch was fast, really fast, and her broom could barely keep up with it. Her eyes twitched around to follow it, broom shuddering as she pushed it to keep up and turn tight enough to get ahead of it.

It hovered over the crowds for a moment, circling just above their heads, but took off just before her hand could grasp it.

She pulled up and hovered for a few moments to think, watching the snitch steadily before- it stopped for a moment, just at the tower and close enough to the stone that it couldn’t go any further.

The others had lost track of it and Hermione’s hands went to her mouth as Hera shot towards it, straight as an arrow at the wall to allow her to change directions quickly no matter which direction it moved.

It chose down and so, at the last second, she turned into a tight loop so she was practically upside down; the Golden Snitch inches off the ground and right above her.

She pulled back up to cheers from her housemates, plus Taylor, as she spun around a few more times, Golden Snitch raised above her head and firmly in her hand as she laughed.

“Not bad Hera!” Amy called.

With a smile on her face Hera flew back down and landed, her hair windswept and her face red from the wind but it was a minor inconvenience compared to the rush she had experienced! She wanted to just let the snitch go so she could go after it again!

“Come with me, Ms Potter,” The professor said after a few moments, letting the others congratulate her, “That was most impressive.”

“Thanks, professor!” Hera said, still breathing heavily, and followed her.

“Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment?” She asked once they arrived at a classroom.

“Oh? Of course! Mr. Wood?” Professor Flitwick said.

The aforementioned student stood up and left the class room, Hera never really had much opportunity to talk to the older student. So she wasn’t entirely sure why Professor McGonagall pulled him from class.

“Professor?” Wood said, though not before giving Hera a curious look

“Come with me, both of you,” She ordered, the group marching into another empty room (even if Professor McGonagall had to shoo out Peeves). “Potter, this is Oliver Wood. Wood… I’ve found you a Seeker.”

Wood’s expression changed from puzzlement to joy, “Are you serious, Professor?” He asked, looking Hera up and down like she’d seen farmers do their prize winning pigs on TV.

“Absolutely,” She replied instantly, “She’s a natural and I’ve never seen anything like it. Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?” She asked Hera, to which she nodded. She was going to be… a member of a club? A sport? “She caught the training Snitch while upside down after a nearly thirty foot dive, and didn't even get a scratch. Charlie Weasley couldn’t have done it.”

Wood made an impressed sound, being very generous to the sound that came from his mouth, as he looked like Christmas, his birthday, and a winning lottery ticket had all come on the same day before looking at Hera, “You interested in playing Quidditch, Potter?” He asked, “Have you ever seen a game of it?”

Her head shook as the professor explained, “He’s the captain of the Gryffindor team.”

“Just the right build for it too,” Wood said, walking around her and inspecting her build, “Light, speedy, she’ll need a decent broom of course. A Cleansweep Seven or a Nimbus Two Thousand.”

“I’ll handle that,” Professor McGonagall said, “You just get her trained up, Snape won’t be so smug this year…” Hera was pretty sure the professor didn’t mean to say that last bit out loud.

“You’d best train hard, Potter, otherwise I may have to revoke the privilege you’re being granted here… and your father would have been proud,” She said with a soft smile, “He was quite good at Quidditch himself.”

Hera wasn’t quite sure how to feel, on one hand she loved hearing more about her father… but she wasn’t sure how to feel that people kept comparing her to them. Regardless she pushed her faint feeling of irritation aside, the game did legitimately interest when Ron described it to her… and if it let her fly regularly she didn’t see why she shouldn’t join.

Though she was sure that Hermione would be disappointed for not prioritizing her studies, she just… didn’t understand. With the Dursleys her life had been… dull, not dreary but it had its moments. The Dursleys were happy with their orderly and predictable life and didn’t appreciate any sort of surprise or change in any way.

This was her chance to actually do something different, something exciting! And she was sure if she explained it to Hermione she’d understand. Probably not, but it never hurt to hope.

[hr][/hr]

The week passed quickly after that, her time being split between classes, ‘home’work, and Quidditch practice. Wood was a slave driver too, but she only ever trained alone with him because she was their ‘secret weapon’. She was pretty sure Slytherin already knew, but Taylor said that if they did no one had said anything about it.

In the entire castle.

It was still creepy that she did that.

The fact that it amused Taylor whenever she pointed that out didn’t help in the slightest.

Amy would just always have this look of utter done whenever Taylor did her spying stuff. It was nice to know that even she got fed up with her friend's antics on occasion.

A package was coming in, long and thin, with the owls. Everyone seemed to point in confusion and surprise at it as the six large owls glided down to her and dropped the package in front of them, knocking her bacon off the table.

Amy just gave a knowing chuckle, “Might want to open that later,” She said with a smile.

Another owl dropped a letter right atop it, almost before Amy finished speaking, before flying away. Naturally, she didn’t hesitate to open that at least, and it was probably a good thing she did too.

“DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE,” It began, “It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand, but I don’t want everybody knowing you’ve got a broomstick or they’ll all want one. Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch field at seven o’clock for your first proper training session. Signed, Professor McGongall.”

Hera blushed, honestly if Amy hadn’t said anything she might’ve opened it. She’d never really gotten a package before. Though she did ignore the whine from Ron who wanted her to open it.

Then, of course, Malfoy had to stop by to get his digs in. She didn’t even understand why he was even doing it, she'd been very polite back on the train, so by rights he shouldn’t be so much of an… asshole to her! She didn’t reject his offer, and instead said she wanted to essentially find her feet and test the waters before committing.

“Honestly? I have no idea why he’s so irritated. Personally? I think he’s just used to getting everything he wants and doesn’t accept rejection well,” Taylor once said after Hera vented some frustrations to her a few weeks back.

Still, she ignored him readily as the group of friends looked at each other. “Race you to the common room?” She asked. Naturally, Taylor had to speak up, but she had a counter ready this time.

“You can’t beat me there,” Taylor noted, “For I am already there. And here, and over in the corner, in your walls…”

“No, your bugs are there,” Hera corrected, “Not you personally. You are here, so it doesn’t count. And I have longer legs than you, so I’ll win.”

“Semantics. But I suppose I’ll give you a sporting chance,” Taylor said with a playful smile.

A moment passed before they all started running, though Hera was quite slowed down by her package. They were further slowed down by Malfoy, looking smug next to Professor Snape. She was pretty sure the professor didn’t like her, but McGonagall said it was ok…

“There! She got a broomstick!” Malfoy announced accusingly. “And first years aren’t allowed to have them.”

“It’s not just any broomstick,” Ron said, his smirk even more smug than… Filch’s cat, honestly, “It’s a Nimbus Two-Thousand. What did you say you’ve got at home? A Comet Two Sixty?” He asked before pausing and looking at her, “Comets look flashy, but they’re not in the same league as the Nimbus.”

“Yes, Ms Potter does have a broomstick. She was allowed to have such by Dumbledore and McGonagall themselves,” He drawled, “One point from Gryffindor for the boasting, Weasley, and one point from Slytherin for wasting my time. She had it delivered in front of several teachers, did you not think before running to get me?”

“I’m sorry you had to waste your time Professor Snape,” Taylor said.

Snape didn’t reply, he just turned around, his robes billowing dramatically, before he walked away leaving Draco red faced in both anger and embarrassment. Taylor didn’t giggle or anything, but Hera had no doubt she was laughing internally… or through bugs elsewhere. Hera herself didn’t understand why Draco even bothered.

Like Professor Snape said… several professors had seen the very broom-shaped package arrive. Honestly, Hera wondered if he was missorted because that seemed like a very… Gryffindor thing to do. Not that she’d voice that, not unless he really pissed her off.

Life was, in fact, good.

[hr][/hr]

The rest of the day passed rather quickly, though Hera admittedly found it somewhat disturbing how many seemed to covet her broom. Maybe it was because she’s lived in the muggle world all her life, or perhaps she was missing some sort of context but… other than allowing her to fly she really didn’t understand what the fuss was about.

Something that Hermione, Amy, and Taylor agreed with.

Still she was eventually able to free her broom and put it away in their dorm, hiding it away under her bed, and the rest of the day just passed by. She spent a good while trying to beat Ron at chess, only to eventually give up and let someone else take a shot while she decided to do some personal reading.

Last she checked, Ron and Taylor were having what looked like a deathmatch with how intense Ron was focusing. Taylor of course still looked as blank faced as ever barring a small amused smirk on her face… not that she was winning, anyway.

The castle felt more like home than Privet Drive ever had.

The rest of the month passed even faster than the week before and before they knew Halloween had arrived. Hera was rather excited as the Dursley’s never did anything for Halloween other than buying Dudley all the candy he wanted.

And if she was lucky she might get a few pieces of what her cousin didn’t like.

But as they entered the Great Hall, and Hera took in all the decorations she couldn’t help but feel excited… though admittedly there was a part of her that was sad as this was the day her parents died. But she felt they’d understand her wanting to actually experience a proper Halloween once in her life.

Even better, Professor Flitwick was going to teach them how to fully levitate objects. Levioso was able to lift things up, but it didn’t let them manipulate things.

“Oh? Wonder where Quirrell is?” Taylor muttered, not that she actually cared.

Hera, and everyone near them, had heard Taylor complain about subpar teaching standards more than once, the fact the guy couldn’t even keep his lies straight or even make them sound convincing, and about how the potent smell of garlic burned her nose and irritated her bugs.

Most people didn’t really care about the last, it had to be said.

Most people also didn’t care where the professor went either, Hermione certainly didn’t. Though whether it was because she was too caught up in reading or she was just fed up with his class Hera could only guess.

Still, they’d all managed to get the spell working in Charms class, even if Ron and Hera had to try more than once. They’d both been mispronouncing it, though only slightly. Amy and Hermione, meanwhile, had absolutely no problems with it; casting the spell on their first try.

Taylor had been taking Transfiguration at the time, but that didn’t stop her from giving them a thumbs up. And, not for the first time, did Hera feel Taylor’s magical ability was utter bullshit.

After classes, of course, came dinner and… the decorations took her breath away. A thousand living bats fluttered from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swept across the tables in black clouds, making the candles in the pumpkins shiver.

The feast appeared suddenly upon their golden plates, just as they had at the start of term banquet.

They’d only just begun eating when Professor Quirrell ran into the room, Taylor’s eyes widening from across the table in front of her.

“Seriously!?” She hissed.

“Troll! There’s a troll in the dungeon!” He cried, “Thought you-” Hell broke out as Taylor’s swarm screamed to life, pouring into the Great Hall.

“Liar!” She cried through them, leaping over the table and holding her wand out at the man, the swarm swirling around him. “You let it in, no one else could have! It appeared from nothing as you spoke! It was enchanted to hide from me! Why!? Why did you let it in?”

The swarm went silent to allow him to answer, Taylor looking angrier than she’d ever seen her. “I had hoped you wouldn’t notice that,” Quirrell noted, sounding more confident than he ever had before, the stutter gone. “But it seems I’ll be fired regardless.” It sounded like the man shrugged, “The stone, of course. Who wouldn’t want it? Wealth, power, immortality. The Philosopher’s Stone is a prize beyond measure.”

Dumbledore frowned and stood up, “I will take him from here. Students, please make your way back to your Common Rooms.”

“There is someone speaking into his ear, Headmaster. Shall I reveal the trick?” Taylor asked, “It started whispering, telling him what to say to keep it hidden, after I asked my question.”

Quirrell laughed, cold and dark. Something else was laughing with him and it made Hera’s head feel like it was splitting open along her scar.

“Truly such a fascinating power, in the hands of a mudblood!” ‘Quirrell’ said with a laugh, Dumbledore starting to look concerned. “No matter, you won’t be a problem much longer. After all, you’re in our way.”

“Our?” Taylor asked, “And you can not even get to me without drowning in bugs, spells can’t get through this many targets. Even Bombarda can’t reach me, so what hope do you have?”

“Arrogant mudblood!” ‘Quirrell’ shouted as he pulled his wand and pointed it at her, Dumbledore started shouting, trying to get her to move, but Quirrell was faster. “Avada Kedavra!”

Taylor’s eyes widened as the beam of green light flowed towards her, time seeming to run in slow motion. It punched through her insects like they weren’t even there, then shattered through her quickly summoned shield charm, and impacted over her chest, throwing her across the room to bounce along the ground. Unconscious… or dead.

Most of the swarm dropped dead instantly, more green sparks shooting forth from Taylor as the spell impacted her into them.

Hera grasped her forehead as her scar throbbed angrily, her eyes tearing up due to the pain. She wasn’t entirely sure what was happening beyond the pain splitting her forehead open.

“Taylor!” Amy cried out, standing and starting to run for her before Quirrell cast a spell towards her as well.

“Cruicio!” He cried out, making Amy scream and collapse. “Attack me and you lose another student, Dumbledore!” He said, pulling Amy towards him to float just in front as a shield. “Out of the way!” He ordered the students, most of whom moved out of the way.

Hera didn’t, she couldn’t, it hurt too much, everything seeming distant.

Silence reigned in her mind. Heartbeats built atop themselves.

She charged the man, surprising him enough that he couldn’t cast anything… then they started screaming. She and Quirrell together, grappling, pain burning through her as Dumbledore rushed over. Amy was unconscious, lying still, but others weren’t.

“MASTER! IT BURNS! WHY DOES IT BURN!?” Quirrell screamed.

Dumbledore cast something, she couldn’t tell what, but Quirrell froze solid as blue crystal formed over his flesh. It didn’t seem to stop the being that had been speaking to him though, a spirit ripping free and flying away, dodging spells from the teachers and leaving through a window, shattering it as it fled.

Hera lost consciousness not long after, collapsing as her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

[hr][/hr][hr][/hr]