//------------------------------// // Potions, Ect // Story: Harry Potter & the Obligatory Adventurer // by ScarletRhine //------------------------------// At the head table, Dumbledore once more stood and addressed the student body. “A few words for the start of the term, before we find our beds for the night. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. A few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, would like you all to be reminded that no magic is to be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials shall be held the second week of the term. If you are interested in playing, please contact Madam Hooch.” Dumbledore then rubbed his beard as if to give consideration to a deep thought, “And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.” Alex groaned as he thought. "He just HAD to temp the fates." The morning after the sorting ceremony. Alex woke up three hours early and after getting dressed went to the Great Hall. Once there he then began searching for the routes for his first year classes. After finding quick routes to Potion and Herbology, while searching, she felt his own curse flaring, puzzled he decided to tune it out for the short term. He then walked back to the great hall. He was about to reenter the great hall when someone shouted, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT OF YOUR DORM!” Turning he saw Filch storming up to him as he was not doing anything wrong, he waited for Filch to approach before saying, “Walking to the Great Hall to study and wait for my house to come for breakfast.” Filch was surprised that Alex was so calm and he didn’t like it. The distant sound of thunder could be heard rolling closer. "Oi you better not be yelling at my dorm mate Filch remember what we talked about." Max said as she walked up. "Norris won't be getting any extra mice my little Frightful gets unless you keep it down early in the morning!" Flich glared at Max then looked at Mrs Noris to see his cat rubbing against Alex’s leg. With a grunt of iration he walked past Alex, “I’ll be watching you and that girl boy. Don’t even think about breaking the rules.” He then walked off grumbling. When Max landed next to him Alex commented, “Guess being the school janitor is as thankless in a magic school as it is in a non magical school.” He then walked up to the doors of the great hall. “Thats why I offered Norris the extra mice my hawk catches.” Max said “She tends to grab a few more every morning for me thinking I’m her chick but I can't eat them and Mrs Norris loves the treats.” “At least it puts that cat in a better mood.” Alex replied. “Out of curiosity, Are you in the habit of waking up early?” I know I am. Also something about Ron’s right isn’t sitting well with me.” At Max’s puzzled look Alex continued, “I’m from a family of adventurers where the firstborn of each has no option but to become an adventurer. After ten generations we stopped fighting it then ten generations later we made it ours and started using it for good. Not the greater good but good in general.” “Which has made them staunch allies of good and the opponents of evil and those that strive for the greater good.” A harsh yet musical voice as a slim, yet fit form stepped out of the darkness. It was female with obsidian skin and bone white hair. She was dressed in a khaki shirt & trousers. She was wearing a cloak that was Grey in color. "I see you've added a celestial to your companions kiddo." "VAR!" Alex shouted in joy. "It's humans like you that make me glad I left Abeir-Toril and the Underdark." As the two of them dashed to each other and embraced. "I heard from your Matron your family's bane caught you early and asked me to train in magic in the way of my world and help you incorporate it into the ways of this world.” “Bird girl early waking is a part of me literally.” Max said, extending her right wing slightly. “I can’t sleep in unless exhausted.” Max then turned to the elf “I’m not a celestial but a planeswalker although I'll admit you're a good looking miss.” "Thank you." The elf replied. "I am here to tutor Alex in dealing with hostile magic. You're welcome to sit in if you choose." “Sure we got time before classes start.” Max said as she closed her wings. Just then students began filling into the great hall. One by one the house tables with the teachers filed in and sat at the head table. With a nod Vartarcar walked in front of Teacher's Table then bowed then said, “Viator family to do such training. Alex has informed your deputy Headmistress that I'll be tutoring him. I am an retired adventurer and fully able to pass on my acquired knowledge.” The tall black skinned elf looked at the assembled professors Daring anyone to challenge her. When she felt a spike of anger and loathing caused to her look at Quirrel. Prof. Dumbledore looked over his glasses and asked, "What sort of being are you? I do not recall seeing your kind before." "I'm a Dark Elf," Vartarcar responded. "Commony known as a drow on Abeir-Toril." "You're not human." Sneered a man in black robes. Vartarcar replies. "And proud of it." Alex left the Griffindor and said, "These are my teachers Var. Please treat all of them, minus turbin puss, with respect." Max walked over to the man in the black robes, her height making her look like a 5th year. “You accepted me a hybrid, don’t think I'm going to let you disrespect my new combat tutor.” This reaction shocked Alex, Harry, And the rest of the school. “I don’t care about the house popularity contest, I'll tell you off if you screw with me and my flock SIR.” Var looked over to Max and said, "You're sure you want me to tutor you in combat? Because I won't go easy on you." Dumbledore's next action was surprising as he stood up and tapped his crystalline goblet. "Attention students!"It would seem Hogwarts is not only paying witness to the return of The Boy Who Lived, but is also observing the return of House Viator after it's refusal to sign the Statute of Wizarding Secrecy." "I have a healing Factor, super strength, speed, agility, and enhanced senses. I also have some heavily modified combat training from both the US Navy and the place of my origin. I honestly want to see what an elf could teach me." Max said as she walked back over to Var. "I've noticed that my wings have some new properties ever since coming to this world. I was hoping you could teach me how to control that since they seem to respond to my emotions." “25 points from Griffindor for disrespect to one of your Professors' ' Professor Snape said in anger. At Maxis affrontery. “25 points to Griffindor for displaying courage and bravery.” Professor McGonagal countered. “Though you might want to show more tact in the future.” Vartarcar then said, “I’m not an elf young lady. I. am. A. drow. Please remember that in the future.” she then was surrounded by mist and when it was gone, so was she. "Wait, I thought drow are technically a subspecies of elf. At least that's what I got from Iggy's D&D sessions, I meant no offense she's one of the few authority figures I actually respect." Max said as she sat back down. "If you can hear this, know that I meant no offense. I'm from another world. That's what it means to be a planeswalker, traveling to other worlds whether by will or by accident. Because I'm from another world, things might be different here than there." She muttered remembering what she had learned from playing magic the gathering with her sister, the card game that literally revolved around planeswalkers being champions of the people. The mist reappeared and Var was standing near the Gryffindor table before she said, "be glad Alex's family has grow to span nine versions of Earth as well as Athas, Krynn, Urth, & Abeir-Toril. Drow may be a sub-race of elves. But we are a proud people and take being called elves by other races as an insult." She then left in a cloud of mist. Alex lead the Gryffindors along the route he discovered to the potions classroom. When they got there, the class was empty. "Spread out." He said. "Make sure we're evenly spaced." "Why?" Ron asked. "School unity." Alex replied. "Our houses may be rivals but that doesn't mean we HAVE to be enemies. It takes all types to make a successful party. Besides it'll keep the snakes from ploting." Moments later the Slytherins Walked in. They all looked at empty seat and frowned as there was no seat that did not have two Gryffindor on each side. Grumbling they took the empty seats. Later Professor Snape entered. *Snape, like all the professors, started the class by taking the roll call. However, like Flitwick, he paused when he reached Harry’s name. “Ah, yes,” he said softly, “Harry Potter. Our new — celebrity.” He spaced out the syllables of the last word. Harry and the fillies exchanged puzzled looks. What had Harry done to deserve that kind of reaction? Harry had the feeling that Professor Snape was going to be inordinately strict. Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle stupidly sniggered behind their hands as if the professor had made a joke. After taking attendance, Snape looked up at the class. While he had black eyes like Hagrid, they were cold and empty, not full of warmth. His introductory speech was spell-binding, but the ending note, “. . . if you aren’t as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach,” was sour, and indicated his disdain for the class. Afterwards, the only sound Harry could hear was the faint scritching of his and Sweetie Belle’s quill taking notes. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the fillies exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to prove that she wasn’t a dunderhead. Snape stared at Harry — or was he staring at Harry’s quill taking notes? — sneering. “Potter!” said Snape suddenly, making everyone jump. “If I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood, what would I get?” Hermione’s hand shot up into the air. Harry was glad he had taken the time last night for one more walk through his copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. He thought, remembering. Fortunately, the text usually mentioned the most common uses for each of the items listed. “Sir,” he said respectfully, “asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion known as the Draught of Living Death.” The professor looked disgruntled at his answer. He pursed his lips, then said, “If I told you to find me a bezoar, Potter, where would you look?” Hermione began urgently waving her hand. Harry considered his answer. “I would get it out of my kit, sir, as it is one of the regular items in a First Year’s Potion’s Kit.” The professor frowned and his eyes narrowed, clearly displeased. “And if it weren’t there?” “Then, sir, I would check the hospital stores here at Hogwarts as it is a common cure for most poisons. If that failed, I would see if there were any goats around because a bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat, sir” The professor looked furious. Harry couldn’t understand what was upsetting the wizard. Wasn’t he answering the questions properly? Wasn’t he being respectful? Or was he going to be like Uncle Vernon? Quick to criticize and take offense at anything you said. “What is the difference, Potter,” he said softly, “between wolfsbane and monkshood?” Hermione stood up, her hand as high as possible. Harry smiled, he could almost see the text from his book floating in front of his eyes. “They are the same plant, sir, which also goes by the name of aconite.” Snape was not pleased with Harry’s answer, almost grinding his teeth together. “Sit down,” he snapped at Hermione. “Well? Why aren’t you all copying that down?” He said to the rest of the class, and then now glared at Harry’s quill.*[1][2] Alex snickered as Snape's attempt at bullying failed. Snape heard it and snapped at Alex. "Care to explain what's so funny Mr Viator" Not even intimidated Alex responded, "Nope." Snape growled before saying, "5 points from Gryffindor." Alex lowered his head to hide his smirk as he was not going to allow himself to be intimidated by a professor. “I will Snape,” Max said realizing what alex found funny “you tried to bully a mundane student for taking notes on you lecture, a habit drilled into mundanes as almost all things a teacher says are important in class then after he answered your questions correctly you told us to do the very thing that you tried to bully someone over which is ironicly funny.” what max said next made everyone stare at her. “What did Harry’s parents piss you off at some point in the past? I know Mr Potter sr went to school here since I saw his name on a trophy in the trophy hall so I can only assume you either taught him or he was a fellow classmate.” The mention of James made Snape flinch. “Ride I would find it prudent to leve well enough alone 100 points from gryffindor for your disrespect earlier and now, maybe you’ll think about respecting your elders-” “No I won’t,” She interrupted “I told you earlier I won’t allow you to disrespect my flock, that includes my Brothers Alex and Harry, especially an orphan like Harry. A boy who, like me, never knew his Mother or Father, and a child who is dealing with a massive culture shock and is still adjusting to it! You projecting onto him isn’t healthy so save it!” Alex got thoughtful and said "Mr Snape." He intentionally didn't use Snape's title of professor. "Max is showing the level of respect you earned. I don't know what happened between you and Harry's Father. But maybe instead of thinking Harry is the son of the man you hated. Think of him as the son of his mother and she would think of you treating him so poorly." Snape's head jerked back as if Alex had struck physically. "How did you know I cared for Lily Potter?" "I didn't. Professor." Alex responded. "It was a shot in the dark." "Very well." Snape then waved his wand and a potion recipe appeared on a blackboard. "You are to brew this potion that will cure boils." They got to brewing immediately. Alex reached into his backpack and pulled out chemistry measuring tools and told his Slytherin partner, "I'll measure and you mix." She nodded, shrugged and proceeded to do her part. Alex prepared the ingredients with his tools. When he started to clean a tool so he could prep the next ingredient, "What are you doing Viator?" Alex jumped and he was glad hadn't been adding an ingredient at the time. "I was cleaning my measuring tool of the residue of one ingredient before measuring the next." He responded. Snape frowned then asked, "Why would you do that?" Alex started measuring the ingredient as responded. "Safety." Snape looked at Alex's measuring tools but before he could say anything Alex's partner said, "Sir! Alex needs to prep the last ingredient." Alex prepared the final ingredient and carefully added it then promptly started giving his tools a thorough cleaning. His partner measured out the potion and turned it in. Malfoy was Max’s partner something he had dispised at first, while he didn’t like how she had treated himself or his head of house, he now understood why after her speech the war against his father’s master had created many orphans, some of them were purebloods and had been reabsorbed into the remaining familes but even for them the experrence made one grow up fast. After hearing that Snape had cared for Potter’s mother in some way and Max explaining how they both were experncing culture shock because of the war he had decided to pity them but not out of hate he felt it was right. He knew that had he lost his mother or father he'd have it bad but to have no family at all, that was a devastating thought. Family was everything to pureblood socity. “Those two are the last in their lines Potter being the last true gryffindor if the reports were true.” he thought then decided “have to make it right even if his father hated him for it it would be better in the end.” “Ride i want to apologize for the events on the train,” Draco whispered. “I wasn’t in the best of moods at that time…” he hesitated to admit this but he felt it would help in the long run “I get train sick if I stay in one car for a long time i had just come back from another car to see your group the amount of people in one car caused my condition to flare up so i was far worse than i should have been.” “No worries,” Max said, remembering Gazzy’s travel problems. “Like I said at breakfast I don’t care about house points and as long as you’re better now and don’t act up we’ll be fine but my warning stands for all not just him.” Max said pointing her thumb at Snape’s back. “Don’t mess with my flock.” Alex reached into the smallest pocket in his backpack and pulled what looked like a small metal box[3] the walked up to Draco. "Here." He said as he handed it to the first year Slytherin. "Some mints that had been enchanted by a cousin of mine to help with motion sickness. Their effects last twelve hours so you'll be able to endure train trips." Once Draco took the box Alex went back to his station. "Mr Viator." Snape called out. When Alex looked up at the professor he said, "25 points for Gryffindor for safety and I suggest you learn Scourgify if you intend to keep doing that." Alex nodded but when he moved to store his tools. "Place those things on my desk. They'll be safe until your return." Puzzled Alex did as he was told then joined his house on their journey to his next class. During the free period Alex went to the room of requirement, there he opened the door and was about to enter, "And whatever are you planning to do in there?" He heard coming from both sides. Looking to his right he saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle then looking left Harry, Hermione, & Ron. Both groups walked to him and he then heard the flapping of wings. Sighing when both groups and Max were next to him he said, "Meeting up with my tutor." Before they could answer, a bemused Vartarcar walked up. "I see there might be a crop of Adventurers here." She said. and asked, "Are you a Rogue Drow?" To which Vartarcar nodded and said, "That I am. Now if Alex has done what I think he did the room will be in perpetual twilight." "Why is that?" Draco asked genuinely curious. "Because humans are twilight creatures." At the humans puzzled looks she asks, "Have you noticed that your race universally enjoys dawn & dusk, the two twilight times of the day? Or the fact humans have color night vision? Or humans vision pick out the greatest detail during twilight?" "Yes." Crabbe said to the surprise of everyone. Vartarcar nodded the followed Alex into the Room of Requirement. Lucius Malfoy stalked around Malfoy manor. His run in with the Viator brat at Diagon Alley had been the worst bit of luck for the Purebloods ever. Unlike other mudblood families, the Viator's have a seat in the wizengamot AND the wealth to push their agendas. He took a sip of brandy and cursed the Malfoy ancestor that took out a loan from the Viators as the brat used that to take away 80% of the Malfoy Fortune and severely hamstring him as he could no longer bribe the ministry officials that were high enough to make a difference. Worse is that the Viator brat could possibly increase the DMLE's budget to make them competent. He had to eliminate Alex Viator before the next wizengomet meeting or all his manipulations will be undone on by one. His mere presence would be a testament of his power. Power that will leach away at the Master's power. Manly because they don't fear him. Yes Viator had to go the sooner the better. Alex, Crabbe, Draco, Goyle, Harry, Harmonie, & Ron ached in places they didn't know they had. "Are you sure she isn't a demon Alex?" Draco asked. "She can be rough on her students." Alex admits. "Which is why she provides Elixers afterwards. Those bottles of purple liquid were the elixirs. The varieties are meant to cure serious injuries and mana exhaustIon." "She gives untested potions?" Hermione called out in shock. "Nope." Alex responded. "They're fully tested and easily accessible. Like Max, she comes from another world which she returns to restock. Anyhow, that's a topic for later. Now it's time for food" With that the seven of them entered the Great Hall and headed down to their respective tables. Alex and his party was about to when two identical redheads accosted them. "We noticed…" The first one said. "...that you four entered." The second continued. "You had entered at the same time." "As three slytherins." "Explain." They said in unison. Alex spoke up in Defense of his year to the older gryffindors. "Harry, Hermione, and Ron as well as those three ran into me when I was meeting my tutor. She offered to include them in the session and the six of them accepted, much to their regret." While he was talking to the twins, he broke a tile the created a line of grease behind the twins as he and his friends sat down he watched as the twins stepped on the grease. Their feet sailed out from under them and the pair landed on their butts. Alex dispelled the magical grease and grabbed some roast beef. Ron looked on in surprise as his brother's rears met the floor then asked, "Did you just pranks my brothers?" Alex give him an inocent look as he said, "Now what gave you that idea? Pass the bacon." [1] Italics between asterisks are taken from 'If Wishes were Ponies' by TKeptner [2] That same night Sweetie taught Harry how to use telekinesis and Harry took to it like a duck to water. [3] It's a box like what you find Altoids or Sucets in.