//------------------------------// // 70 - Examining Magic // Story: A Phoenix Beyond the Veil - The Philospher's Stone // by gerandakis //------------------------------// Chapter Seventy Examining Magic As April turned into May, the rest of the first-years started to catch up to Hermione’s zeal and began their own preparations for the year’s exams in early June. Sunset and Harry were quite glad they had let Hermione talk them into starting their work early. Between keeping up her practice with Crabbe and teaching light magic once a week, Sunset was quite busy anyways and Hermione’s zeal had been the only thing to stop Harry from falling into the same trap as the rest of the Quidditch team. Wood had no intention of slowing down training. Gryffindor had another match coming, just after the end of the exams. Crabbe, it seemed, was making steady progress towards getting Malfoy and Goyle to question the things they had been told all their lives, Sunset could only hope it was enough that a few months around their parents wouldn’t undo all the progress they had made. The fact that their families were known to be friends at least suggested that Crabbe would have opportunity to continue his work. She only hoped he himself would remain strong.. In the second week of May, finally, Sunset’s students reached a lesson quite a few of them had been waiting for after the word had spread. The lesson she would tell them the details of a Lumineum. “I know a few of you have been waiting for this. Today we’ll be talking about the so-called Lumineum.” Sunset smiled at seeing several intrigued expressions throughout her little class. Only Professor Dumbledore, Sirius and Madam Bones had actually seen her Lumineum in action, but word had a tendency to spread about such things. She had no illusions that most of those present hadn’t been told. “I suspect most of you have a decent idea what a Lumineum is and what it does at this point, but for the sake of those who don’t and those who got the information second or third hand, allow me to reiterate. “About nine-hundred-and-fifty years or so ago, Princess Celestia, in cooperation with the archmage at the time, created the first Lumineum to address two issues. One of those two issues is the inconvenient tendency of traditional light magic usually being the most difficult to use in those situations where it has the potential to be most useful, think casting a Patronus when you’re already surrounded by dementors. The other is the tempting power and the addictive and corrupting nature of dark magic. “Those who know about Princess Celestia will understand and those that haven’t yet will learn in due time, I’m sure. For now, let me simply say that Princess Celestia is a being of immense power and she had, at the time she created the Lumineum, just seen what happened when a being as powerful as her was corrupted by dark magic. She was able to stand against it then, but should she fall as well, there would be none to stand against it. “So she created the Lumineum as an insurance policy, to make sure she could not be tempted and corrupted by dark magic. “So, a few of you are probably still asking what a Lumineum actually is. Well, since you’re all fully trained wizards and witches, I’m sure I don’t have to explain the two reservoirs, do I?” She noted several of her students shaking their heads. “Good. In essence, the Lumineum is nothing more and nothing less than a third reservoir. One reserved specifically for light magic. That way it’s always available and doesn’t need to be created on the spot. “The other effect of the Lumineum is that, so long as it contains any light magic at all, which is going to be practically all the time, it leaves its bearer almost completely incapable of wielding dark magic and immune to being corrupted by it. In other words, because I have one, even though I understand the magic behind what you call the unforgivable curses and comparable dark magic, I could never use any of them, even if I wanted to.” This created a bit of a stir amongst the assembled wizards and witches, as they considered the implications. Both Madam Bones and Professor Dumbledore looked like they were thinking about the various effects of such a technique, and they were not the only ones. There were murmurs and mumblings all across the room, but much of it quieted down upon hearing Sunset’s next words. “Now before some of you get any drastic ideas, I should probably tell you that it isn’t possible to force the Lumineum upon others. In the cases where you would likely want that, it wouldn’t be possible anyway, because the process requires some inborn predisposition or prior training with light magic to work at all, and for all other cases, Princess Celestia took precautions.” Sunset frowned a bit. “Not all dark magic is necessarily evil and the resulting imbalance would be just as bad for the world as the one you have now, light magic is less likely to run amok than dark magic, sure, but we can’t assume that it isn’t possible. That’s why Princess Celestia made sure it was impossible to force it upon others. “The process of giving the Lumineum to another includes a set of specialized stasis spells that won’t interfere with the light magic used later in the process. They include a mental component. If the subject isn’t both aware of the process and okay with undergoing it, they simply won’t work. This brought up a sudden query, and it came from Nicholas Flamell, “since there is a reservoir specifically devoted to Light Magic… given what you’ve mentioned of Harmony in your world, is there something similar for Dark Magic?” Sunset looked at him for a second, before smiling gently. “No, there isn't. At least not so far. It would probably be possible to create something like that, but as far as we know it hasn’t happened as of yet. Another reason Princess Celestia would prefer it if word of the Lumineum wouldn’t spread too far.” Sunset sat with the rest of her friends at one of the tables in the Library. There were quite a few other students around, which wasn’t much of a surprise considering the upcoming finals. Even possessing their photographic memory and the head start they had, Hermione made a good point that it couldn’t hurt to review their books and make sure they hadn’t missed anything. They also made sure to practice the spells that would be most likely to be on the big tests, making sure to help each other out in the areas they were weak in. “Think the tests will be harder?” Ron asked as he closed his first year transfiguration textbook. Sunset looked to the others who shrugged and raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think that?” Ron scratched the back of his head a bit as he said “Well, we’ve all been doing better than most other first year classes, thanks to that memory spell of yours. Percy told me that some of the work McGonagall has been having us do is stuff they cover in second year.” Ginny looked up from her own work. “Oh is that why she hasn’t been using the book much lately? Actually, now that I think about it, she isn’t the only one.” Seamus hummed a bit at that, putting his quill down. “You know, I have heard some of the older students talking about how the other first years in the classes we share are ahead of where they were. They might not have that memory spell, but watching us having such an easy time of it seems to be pushing them to work harder.” Sunset pondered that, wondering to herself how the classes here might change if every First Year student had the same photographic memory as she and her friends did. Perhaps she should mention it to the headmaster. Oh well, she could always do so after her next light magic lesson, Dumbledore had taken to staying behind and discussing the topics of the class anyway. She smiled to herself as she turned back to her work. A little more and she should be able to convince Hermione to let it be enough for the day. That was the one great upside to the head start her insistence had given them, they had a lot more free time now than other students did. Quite a nice thing to have, given it was the height of summer. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle walking into the library. It seemed with each week that passed now that the way he looked at all the students around him, the way he carried himself, was changing. He wasn’t quite as boastful as he had started out the year, and from what rumors said he didn’t seem as inclined to throw his family name around like it was a cudgel. Ironically, he now seemed to spend more time being quiet and watching things, which seemed a bit more in line with the idea of Slytherin than what he had been like previously. Maybe by the start of second year he’d be more open to considering the same offer she’d given Crabbe. And speaking of Crabbe, she needed to remember to discuss with him at their next training session the possibility of trying to continue their lessons over the summer, though it was unlikely they would be as frequent as they had been. She did after all want to spend some of the Summer Hols enjoying her time with the Grangers, not to mention there was talk of turning their vacation to Equestria into a yearly thing. She was brought back to the here and now by the sound of Harry groaning just a bit. “I see Oliver… looks like we’re practicing today too!” He flopped his head into his book and grumbled something incoherent, earning both amused and sympathetic looks from the others. Hermione reached over to pat his hand. “He’s only wanting to make sure you’re all ready for the big match.” Harry lifted his head up a bit. “We’re plenty ready. And I could end the match in the first minute if I wanted to.” “Yeah, but that wouldn’t be any fun for anyone, would it?” Ron replied with a chuckle, earning nods from the rest of the First Years. Ginny smirked. “It might be fun to do once, just to show the Gryffindor’s can end it that fast. But it’d probably get the other teams’ Beaters to really focus on Harry.” Harry nodded. “I know, I know. Even Oliver says I need to come to the trainings mostly to keep up appearances. Seeing this as a chance to end the study session, especially since it seemed most of them had nearly wrapped up their work anyways, Sunset offered “Why don’t we come watch you practice for a bit? Been a bit since we’ve all done that.” “Was just thinking that myself.” Seamus remarked, closing his book as the others likewise began packing up. Hermione gave Sunset a knowing look but quickly shook her head in amusement as she, too, gathered her things into her bag. With a last look back to her friends, Hermione walked off through the door that Lavender and Seamus had already gone through. The first-years had already completed the theoretical part of their transfiguration exams – not really challenging, considering how well they had been prepared, but exhausting regardless – and were now waiting to be called for their practical exams. In alphabetical order, of course. They had already gone through something similar for charms and herbology. Nothing about either of those had really stood out, save that Professor Sprout looked entirely out of place in an actual classroom, rather than her usual greenhouses. Judging by how much she had been fidgeting for the entire time of the exam, she likely felt the same. “Longbottom, Neville.” McGonnagall’s call prompted Sunset to refocus on the present and wave to Neville as he walked off to take the test. Hermione hadn’t come back out, neither had Lavender or Seamus, but if it was anything like how charms had gone, they were probably waiting in a second waiting are on the other side of the test chamber. The following day would bring their potions exams, followed by defense against the dark arts the day after. Then only astronomy and history of magic would be missing. They would take those exams at the start of next week. “Lovegood, Luna.” As Luna calmly got up and practically floated, as she was wont to do, off towards the test chamber, Sunset turned her thoughts to the exam at hand. It was clear why the others weren’t coming back out of the room. McGonagall didn’t want them to share what was asked in the exam and give those yet to take it an unfair advantage. Unfortunately that also meant she had nothing to go off when trying to figure out what McGonagall would be asking. Something from each topic they had covered throughout the year, probably. Basic transformation, some task including a significant change in mass, probably a thematic bridge and likely some simple conjuration like they had started to practice towards the end of the year. “Patil, Parvati.” Harry looked to her with a smile, seeming only slightly nervous. He would be next. He was the only one left before her own turn would come around. She smiled back, nodding slightly. Both of them were well prepared, she was confident they would do well. Transfiguration had been one of the subjects where her advantage had been the smallest. A thorough understanding of the fundamentals behind magic had certainly helped, but transformative magic was simply a lot less developed in Equestria than it was on earth. Only when they had started to tackle conjurations and summoning towards the end of the year, something she was almost positive was usually second-year material, had she once more been able to make use of her Equestrian knowledge. “Potter, Harry.” With a final smile, Harry made his way to the door. Now only Ron and Ginny were still in the room with her. They silently shared glances for a few moments. Once more, she smiled. Those two were well prepared as well. Ron not so much perhaps, but even he should have no great issue with the tasks they were likely to be given. To prepare for her own turn, Sunset cleared her mind. It wouldn’t do to be distracted. Then she waited. “Shimmer, Sunset.” She rolled her eyes as she got up. One of these days she really had to teach McGonagall how Equestrian names worked. With a final nod to Ron and Ginny she walked up to the door and entered the room. McGonagall was waiting for her. The moment the door fell closed behind Sunset, she spoke up. “Good afternoon Miss Shimmer, I hope your day has been pleasant?” “Pleasant as can be, Professor.” McGonagall rolled her eyes. “I am well aware that taking part in a written exam and waiting for a practical one aren’t exactly enticing activities, Miss Shimmer. I was simply making small talk.” With a glance at the papers on the desk before her, she refocused. “Regardless, shall we get started?” “Of course, Professor.” “Very well.” McGonagall pulled out a sheet of paper, placing it on the desk before Sunset. Not parchment, mind you, as wizards were wont to use, but muggle-made, international standard A4 paper. Smooth, clean, and perfectly rectangular. A pureblood wizard might have been confused upon seeing it, but Sunset, having spent half a year living with the Grangers, was merely surprised. “Your first task is to turn this-” McGonnagall pointed at the paper. “-into a feather.” A feather then. An interesting choice for a task. Between their common use in early charm practice and how common a sight owls were around the castle, every Hogwarts student should be reasonably familiar with how a feather was made up. Still, feathers were a lot more complex than they appeared at first glance, and getting all of the fine structures just right could be rather tricky. As she drew her wand, Sunset couldn’t quite hide her smile. She would have had to be a pretty unattentive Student of the Sun to not know how feathers were made up. Princess Celestia, after all, had wings. McGonagall seemed pleased with the pale red primary feather Sunset had floated over to her. She would have gone with a perfect replica of one of Celestia’s primaries, but she wasn’t sure how McGonagall would have taken it if she hadn’t changed the color away from the pure white the paper already was. Why she had gone with the pale red she wasn’t entirely sure. Much like her patronus, the color seemed familiar somehow, though she couldn’t tell why. McGonagall studied the feather for a few moments, taking notes on a piece of parchment, before tapping it with her wand with a quiet ‘Finite’ and stowing the paper in the drawer under the desk again. “Very well Miss Shimmer, on to the second task.” When McGonagall pointed her wand at a chest in the corner of the room, the lid was engulfed in a blue aura and opened up. From inside it, wrapped in the same aura, came a set of scales and a few weights. McGonagall placed them down on the desk and smiled. “Ah yes, I’ve taken the liberty of analyzing the levitation spell you like to use. I quite enjoy the added control. Now for your task.” She pointed at the scales and the three weights beside them. “Bring these into balance.” Taking a closer look, Sunset found that there was already a weight in one of the trays, which explained why the scale wasn’t in balance. The offending weight was kept in place by a rather complex sticking charm. Nothing she couldn’t dispel, but this was transfiguration, not charms. She had been partly right with her guess. A change of weight was involved as there was no way to bring the scales into balance with the given materials as they were. But the challenge wasn’t in the magnitude of the change, but in the required precision. Drawing her wand once more, Sunset got ready for some precise work. McGonagall studied the scales sitting before her, perfectly in balance. “Very good. Now the final test.” Once she had stowed the scales again, McGonagall pulled a teacup from the drawer beneath the desk. “Fill this with water.” And a conjuration exercise to round of the test. Sunset was used to conjuring ink, quill and parchment to take notes on the fly, conjuring some water was really more of a victory lap than a challenge, but that didn’t matter. She had been tasked to fill the glass, so fill the glass she would. McGonagall smiled a bit as she watched Sunset perform the necessary spell. “You know, I was actually curious if you would use the spell-work of our world for this task, or that of your home. It has not escaped my attention that transfiguration is not yet your strongest area of magic.” Sunset blushed a bit, but the warm expression her head of house offered helped brush aside any embarrassment. “No need to worry. You will grow into it. As you have mentioned, transformative magic is far less common back in your homeland, but you have more than shown yourself to be a skilled witch. Just give it time.” Feeling her heart swell a bit at the compliment, Sunset gave a soft bow to the Professor as she hurried off to join the others that had finished their exam.