80 — Memories
Albus looked across the room at the gathered professors. “It has been a rather quiet week, hasn’t it?” he asked rhetorically.
Minerva frowned as several other professors smiled.
“How are things in general?” he asked.
The professors exchanged looks before Filius started speaking. “The students, all Years, have picked up their pace. The assignments are coming back more detailed and, in many cases, over the assigned length. Even the practicals are going better than normal.” He shook his head ruefully, “That book-walking spell has really improved both comprehension and retention rates.” He sighed. “In my House, I’ve seen the students whip through a reading assignment at an amazing rate, reducing their time by a third or more without losing any details. And with better understanding comes better performance.” He stopped and took a breath. “If the classes continue as they have, the students will have finished the normal year’s coursework sometime in May, maybe April. Even the OWL and NEWT students.” He looked at the Headmaster, smiling. “I think the Ministry will be very surprised at the results from this year’s tests.”
The gathered professors laughed at that thought.
“However, that does mean we need to start thinking now about extra coursework for the late Spring. Although, we could consider a longer hols for the summer. Ending the school year in May would be a nice surprise.”
Dumbledore could just imagine the uproar from the Wizengamot! After a moment’s contemplation, he said “Yes, we should look at all of our options — having students finish the coursework early is most unusual.”
He turned to his Potions Professor, “Another week, another exciting class, correct Severus?”
The Potions Master glared at him as the other professors held back their laughter. Even Quirinus had a look of amusement in his eyes. He had been very dour ever since Albus and the other three professors had dealt with the basilisk.
It was a pleasant change to see him smile, even if it hadn’t lasted very long.
Severus said. “It was Mr. Longbottom’s ineptitude that precipitated the latest mishap.” He scowled at the memory. “I wasted precious class-time today teaching the dunderheads how to cast the bubble-head charm to prevent another calamity like the last two. Only, somehow, Mr. Longbottom created a contact-mist out of a simple dittany cream!” He shook his head.
“Everything it touched it turned purple! And removed the hair from every inch of the students’ bodies.” He waved his hand angrily. “Everything it touched in the room and corridor is purple. Even the glass and crystal potion bottles. I haven’t been able to change them back, yet.”
He sat back in his chair, scowling. “We’re lucky it didn’t turn the whole castle purple!”
Poppy spoke up, “The girls responded well to hair cream, however, and their hair grew-in in the correct colours. I’m hoping the purple colouring on their skin is also transitory, even though it refused to respond to magical treatments.” She paused to collect her thoughts. “It seems to have spread across their entire skin, as even the ones who had correctly cast the bubble-head charm still had their facial skin turn purple and their hair disappear. Nonetheless, it didn’t change the colour of their tongues or the insides of their noses and ears! Or their eyes.” She frowned. “Their nails did turn purple, though.” She sighed. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
“In the meantime, my Slytherin First Years are all going to be purple!” declared Severus angrily.
“And,” said Minerva, “in spite of being a bright purple, my First Years have been disappearing for hours on end. No one seems to know where they have gone, only that they aren’t where everyone expects them to be. Even the House-elves seem to lose track of them.” She frowned, “When I asked the students where they were, they all said they were exploring the castle, or book-walking.” She glanced at the Headmaster. “I knew about the book-walking. That usually takes place in the Library or the Dorms.”
Albus chuckled. The portraits had told him all about the “purple” students sneaking through the backgrounds when they thought no one was watching. “I’m sure we’ll find that they have been merely watching our visitors while remaining hidden. We did, after all, ask them not to disturb our guests.”
He schooled his expression into one of seriousness. “And on that note, I must say that our guests have nearly completed their inspections of the castle spells. They are thrilled at what they found, and their improvements have been quite interesting to see. They have spent hours talking with the ghosts and the portraits about the castle, and asking their advice in protecting the castle from enemies. And how the castle has been fought over in previous wars.”
Some of their questions were quite enlightening, Albus thought. Especially those of the brilliant Sunburst — who he thought also had quite good taste in robes, too. That particular Equestrian tended to remind him of himself. It was unfortunate, and sad, that his spell casting wasn’t as brilliant as his understanding of magic.
Albus had been especially interested in how they had been so appalled at the thought of people deliberately killing other people. When he had inquired on the subject of changelings, the conversations had quickly devolved to depression among the Equestrians at the loss of life. Several of their friends, they had told him, were still in therapy.
He shook his head and returned to the topic at hand.
“They are actually gushing over what they have learned and how the enchantments interacted. I heard them saying that many of the enchantments would be wonderful additions to their own school. They seemed especially taken with the charms on the Great Hall and the animated armours.”
He sighed. “They did correct some of the charms on the castle. Over the centuries, many things have been deliberately hidden from castle scans. For example, the basilisk’s pipes and tunnels in the walls are now covered in magical scans, as is every hidden passage in the castle.” He chuckled. “There were even a few that I had not known about!” He sighed and stroked his beard. “They added a map to a wall in my office, tied to the castle charms. It has markers for all the portraits, statues, artwork, hidden tunnels and passages, students, professors, and others — even animagi! Ask and any section of Hogwarts can be brought into close detail. Even the Room of Requirement, if it is in use.”
He gave Minerva a sly glance. “And a glance is all that is required to find any student in a broom-closet or where he, or she, shouldn’t be! The information on the closets can be tagged and recalled, if need be, for a period of up to a month.”
“They have also added protective runes to the castle, reinforcing the walls, both interior and exterior. As were detection and revealing runes especially for Changelings.” As expected, the professors all sat up in surprise at that term, many repeating “Changeling!” in tones of alarm.
He waved his hand casually. “No, not the fae, I have been assured. It is, however, a creature that can take on the semblance of another.”
They sat back in their chairs, more than a bit relieved. He paused, thinking how he should explain. “It is somewhat like a metamorphmagus. You should remember Nymphadora Tonks, correct?” He sighed at their hesitant nods.
“However, unlike Miss Tonks, a changeling can imitate any creature it sees, instantly. It is an intelligent creature,” he assured them. “If you were to run into one you would never suspect it wasn’t the person you thought it was portraying, unless it made a mistake in actions or speech.” He nodded at their shocked expressions, and disbelieving one from Severus.
“The interesting thing about changelings is that they are emotivores, the reason for their ability to imitate others.” He shook his head. “They live on love.”
His audience stared at him, none quite believing the story he was telling.
“Princess Sparkle assures me that this is all true. The changelings imitate others to harvest the love others have for the person they are imitating.”
They spent another ten-minutes discussing the changelings before moving on to other business.
۸- ̫ -۸
Top Marks stood just inside the test lab. “Excellent work, Bright Star!” he said to the mare beside him. “Sergeant Rapid Dash was correct to send you to us.” He looked at her carefully, “Not only have you done an exemplary job of keeping the area prepared, you’re excellent at magic, too.”
Bright Star smiled back at him. “Thank you, professor. I never had a chance to attend Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, so you taking so much of your time to teach me what I’ve missed is wonderful!”
“Think nothing of it, my dear,” the yellowish-grey maned stallion said. “Your help on some of the experiments has been more than enough compensation. You’ve been reading those books from the wizards, correct?”
“Yes, sir. They are quite different in their theories for magic than I ever considered.”
“Yes, that is certainly true. They’ve surprised us all. Their use of wands will revolutionize our world! And you’ve helped bring magic to two-thirds of Equestria, today — no longer will only unicorns wield magic.” He stared at the wand on the table and shook his head. “No pony ever thought of using a focus instead of an actual unicorn horn. And it works!”
He returned to looking at her. “And no one here thought to combine a phasing spell and a cutting spell into one spell to embed an item inside another perfectly. Your contribution to wand engineering is to be commended. It reduces construction time and uses less effort overall, for a better result in the end! It looks and feels as if the hair belongs inside the wand. You can feel the magic in it!” he said with eagerness. “I believe even Mr. Ollivander will be pleased with this result!”
Bright Star looked at the floor bashfully.
He smiled at her broadly, “It’s that kind of thinking that moves magical-science forward. I’ll make sure the others know of your breakthrough.” He stared at her a moment longer, then smirked. “I think I’ll have to tell Apple Polish we need a new Assistant Worker in view of your promotion to Lab Technician.”
She gasped and stared at him in shock.
“Because most of the others have taken off to examine Hogwarts,” he frowned briefly at not having been selected for that privilege, “I think that means you’ll have to start out on my team — with testing how a wand’s length and type of wood affects spell casting! And what the optimal ratios are between core size and wood length.”
She continued to stare at him.
He grinned. “Well, we should get started, shouldn’t we?”
She slowly nodded.
“And we’ll have to show this wand to Mr. Ollivander and get his feedback on it, won’t we?”
Eyes wide, she nodded again.
“Well, I’ll let you prepare the testing regimen while I notify the guard of our trip to Diagon Alley for them to schedule it. We’ll take Flash Sentry and Night Sentry with us . . . I think we’ll get them wands, too.”
Stunned, she watched the blue-coated unicorn head out of the room and down the hall.
Then she took a deep breath and stared at the wand, a smile slowly growing as she considered the implications of all ponies wielding magic — and what that would do to cutie marks.
۸- ̬ -۸
Elly looked into the Alley. Unlike the odd moving pictures in her book the shops were all closed. Or, at least, most of them were closed. Naturally. It was night.
From the lights above the darkened shops, the Potages Cauldron shop, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Quality Quidditch Supplies, and others, she assumed they either lived above their shops or rented rooms. And some of the second floor rooms were obviously businesses, as they had signs in or beside their windows.
The Apothecary was open, as were Twilfitt and Tatting’s, Gambol and Japes, and Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment. She slowly walked down the Alley taking in everything carefully — sights, sounds, and smells. She stayed in the shadows as much as possible, without making it look like she was deliberately doing so.
Finally, in one shadowed corner, she transformed into a fake wall of bricks. She mimicked the brick wall behind her and blended in perfectly. Only the original brick mason would ever notice the difference. It would take several days before she was comfortable enough to try to imitate a wizard or witch.
She settled carefully and watched the denizens and stores that made up the Alley, especially a snowy-white building that towered over the other little shops.
Gringotts held her attention for many reasons, most of them in her bag hidden behind her.
Already things were looking up. She could taste the emotions of those around her much easier, now. She felt a tension she hadn’t previously realized being there ease itself. She wouldn’t starve in this new world.
Now she had to figure out how to thrive, as she could never have done on the other side of the portal — the ponies would have made sure of that.
۸- ̫ -۸
Dumbledore did not look forward to the interview later that morning with Rita Skeeter. He had, rather rashly he now thought, given in to her demands for an interview with Harry Potter. Demands disguised as requests, with the hint of much bad press for himself and the school if he refused. He had insisted that either Minerva or himself be present, using the excuse that no child could meet with a non-school adult, alone.
He had mentioned to the Princess that he had promised the reporter an interview, and that he had thought it might be good press for the boy, and his friends, at Hogwarts.
She had, at first, been surprised at his request to interview the wizard. Then she explained to the Headmaster, after a period of contemplation, “While I, and the Princesses, consider him a citizen of our homeland . . . ,”
“Equestria,” Albus had said, interrupting. Princess Sparkle had given him a long look. Then nodded.
“. . . Equestria, the wizards and witches do view him as a saviour. In that situation, it would only be natural that the public would be interested in his life, and his future,” she had finished.
She had also said, “I don’t like the publicity, overall, being focused on a child. However, he is quickly growing up and will need to learn how to handle himself. As also do his friends.” She had smiled and said, “They are almost adults, after all.”
He had wondered at that last statement. “Oh? At what age is one considered an adult?”
She had looked at him a moment, then shrugged. “I know that here you say a child becomes an adult at age seventeen, but we pass the mantle of adulthood at age fifteen.” She smirked at him. “Odd that a child can choose to consider their schooling, here, complete at age fifteen, after they pass their OWLs.” She smiled at his raised eyebrows. “Usually, by that time in my homeland, they are more than prepared to live on their own. Many have families and jobs by then, anyway, and see no need to educate themselves further.”
He had nodded in understanding. Just last century the idea of schooling beyond the OWLs was considered only for the talented few. Hence the law that a wizard or witch must pass their OWLs to continue to have a wand. It had been only in this century that the NEWTs had become standard for a large number of students, and required for Ministry jobs.
“For the few who want more, there are schools, scholarships, apprenticeships, and other avenues to continue their education.” She had finished.
Yes, he could see that.
What he had not foreseen, though, was Miss Bonbon and Miss Heartstrings in his office. And their “request” to be present during said interview.
They sat quietly on the couch in his office and watched the old wizard as he thought.
Princess Sparkle had said that if there were any issues with Harry and the three witches, and she was unavailable, that someone else would be her contact person. He just hadn’t expected said person — two of them, actually — to want to be on site at the school.
On the other hand, the experiences over the past week with the Atlantean professors examining the castle’s spells had been very enlightening. Their universal lack of familiarity with wands had interesting implications to their approach to magic. They were very impressed with how the spells cast by wand were so adaptable to any wand user, while at the same time showing a power and intuitive understanding of their own magic that left the Hogwarts’ professors amazed.
They were powerful, but not very imaginative, it seemed.
Where a wand user had to consciously think about what they wanted, frequently the Atlanteans didn’t even realize they were using their magic to do something until someone pointed it out. And then their reaction to the revelation was along the lines of, “well, what would you expect? Of course that was going to happen when I was doing . . . ,” . . . whatever it was the witch or wizard was doing. They certainly had down the ability to do multiple things at the same time with their magic. An ability wand users lacked.
He saw, quite clearly, that while the Atlanteans were very powerful, they seemed to have far fewer spells readily at hand. Conjuration, a relatively simple branch of magic, was almost totally unknown to them, and rarely used. In fact, many books in the Wizarding world seemed to contain things the Atlanteans did not know.
He had even seen Miss High Range and Miss Booster dragging Mr. Sunburst out of the library on more than one occasion. Not pulling along reluctantly, but actually dragging him by his legs as he wailed that he hadn’t finished reading a particular book, his hands pulling at the floor . . . . To which they responded that he had his job to do, he could read the book later, and to quit acting like a foal!
He certainly knew that feeling himself. Of being so involved in learning that life itself was an intrusion that had to be tolerated. But he never would have resisted to the point of being comically pulled from the library.
Dignified did not appear to be a behaviour they believed in.
But having one or two of them here for the long term might tell him even more.
He now understood they really did live in a matriarchal society, with a ratio of almost three-to-one female-to-male — that polygynous marriages were considered normal. Several women courting one man was considered normal. The social dynamic when the five were together was most interesting to watch.
The times he had watched Harry and his three witch friends interact at breakfast seemed to bear that out.
That reality would cause tremendous waves in the English wizarding community — that the witches were more than willing to share. No need to be a “hidden” mistress in that land. In fact, from what he had seen, the concept of a mistress was unknown to them.
He knew that two Princesses — Celestia and Luna, no other names — ruled over their nation, which they called Equestria. He knew that both princesses were over a thousand years old, and extremely powerful. He knew that the two sisters had had a falling out over a thousand years ago and only recently made up.
He knew that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza ruled a second nation called the Crystal Empire with her consort Prince Shining Armor, and that it was a close partner to Equestria. And Prince Armor was Princess Sparkle’s brother.
It reminded him of the Hapsburg dynasty, in a much smaller setting. At least, smaller as far as he knew.
Princess Sparkle had only lately become an alicorn, notably after her brother had married one, and she watched over Ponyville. And he knew that Princess Sparkle was an acknowledged master of magic, the like of which they hadn’t seen for over a thousand years.
There was also the fact that the island of Atlantis apparently had several other nations. Something the ancients had never mentioned — maybe that had happened after the island went into isolation? The nations he had heard mentioned including one of Griffons and another of Dragons — creatures the wizards normally thought of as mere animals. But there, both species were intelligent with their own governments and societies. An intelligence he had learned the day he met Spike.
Or had the various creatures inhabiting Atlantis inspired the ancient Greek legends? If the magical creatures were as diverse as he thought that was a distinct possibility. After all, dragons being intelligent in Atlantis but not elsewhere was somewhat analogous to humans and orangutans. One was clearly a civilized intelligent being and the other an animal of limited understanding.
And, if he wasn’t mistaken, there were other intelligent species, including Deer-folk and cattle! Perhaps that was why they were all offended by the meat dishes in the Great Hall. He had had to reassure them several times that the meat that provided the food came from unintelligent animals.
That the Equestrians didn’t have or know of Goblins had been most interesting.
And then there was the point that in Greek mythology the Atlanteans worshipped Poseidon, who, among other things, was the god of horses. That, at least, could explain their fixation on calling people ponies, foals, stallions, and mares. Could Poseidon have been an extremely powerful wizard and the two older princesses his surviving daughters?
Yes, he had learned many things about the Atlanteans over the course of the week. And had many more to discover in the future, he was sure.
And all five visitors had asked if they could return in the future, especially Mr. Sunburst. He had asked several times.
Albus had the impression that particular Atlantean would set up house in the library, if he could.
But having two here permanently? He wasn’t sure if he should allow that.
There were both advantages and disadvantages.
He glanced at the map on the wall to the left of his desk. The Gryffindor wizards’ dorm was still full of little wizards and witches. He had to smile at the crowd in the First Years’ dorm room. The Firsties tended to congregate there every morning, usually around Harry’s bed, before heading off to the Common Room and thence to the Great Hall for breakfast.
One of them, he saw, was as an animagus. The name, at this distance, was too small to read. Not unusual considering how many of them were capable of such changes, especially with so many in the room at once. He didn’t bother asking for a closer look — he didn’t need to know which of them were in four-legged form.
He slowly nodded, coming to a decision. He had more to gain than to lose. “If you’ll keep your interactions with the students to a minimum, and do not interfere with the professors, I think I can allow this.”
They both nodded, looking relieved. “If you do not mind,” Miss Bonbon said, “We would like to audit your Charms and Transfigurations classes.” She smiled eagerly. “We will, of course, only occasionally audit classes with the girls and Harry.” She waved her wand, which he now saw came from a hidden holster on her arm. “We’ve already covered the First Year course book and I think we did very well.”
He nodded. “Yes, I don’t think there will be a problem with that. Perhaps you could show us some of your magical spells, as well.”
Miss Heartstrings smirked. “There really aren’t that many I know, truthfully, but I’d be happy to share them with you.”
With that settled, they spent a few minutes discussing things before Dumbledore said, “Skiffy.”
“Skiffy be here, your Headness.”
He smiled at the energetic house-elf. “Would you please escort these two witches to the guest quarters?” He looked at them. “Do you wish separate accommodations?”
They looked at each other. “Whatever you find convenient,” Miss Bonbon said.
“We share a house back in Ponyville,” added Miss Heartstrings.
The Headmaster nodded. “A two-room suite?” he suggested.
At their nods, he said as much to the house-elf.
“If you could be back here at ten,” he said to the two witches, “You can watch Miss Skeeter in her interview of Harry Potter.”
They smiled and nodded agreement before following the house-elf down the stairs.
Dumbledore stared as the door closed after them. This week, starting Monday, Minerva, Severus, and Filius would be telling each of their First through Third year classes that a Seventh Year would be teaching them two days a week. The assistant would spend one day on theory and the other on practical. That would give them the time to go through the huge amount of things in the Room of Requirement. The House-elves had already set aside three rooms of things that needed closer scrutiny.
He had to smile at the thought. The house-elves were positively ecstatic over the additional workload. Several portraits had already told him about how some house-elves were even bragging about how little sleep they had had the previous night because they were so busy cleaning the Chamber of Secrets and the Room of Requirement.
However, before Miss Skeeter arrived, he had some memories that needed examining. Tom had been wearing a particular ring his last year in Hogwarts. A ring that reminded him of the Gaunts’ ring from Bob Ogden’s and Morfin’s memories. All three needed reviewing.
And then there were his own memories he wanted to look at — and those regarded both Tom and the Equestrians.
۸- ̰ -۸
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Hmm, now things are progressing, Dumbledore finally getting more detailed picture of "Atlantis archipelago".
For those of you still doubting that Bright Star is Starlight: Only Starlight would be that concerned with cutie marks in concern to equality amongst ponies.
For a second I thought you meant Tom the inn keeper
After reading both stories, I have to say I like this story more than Magic School days. It doesn't shit all over dumbledore as much as the other, and also it's not quite as . . . well . . .insane. The plot of the other harry potter story is kind of all over the place.
Still both good stories though.
like I predicted, balance. The wizarding world is better at building with magic. layers upon layers of complexity, creating permanent marvels.
Well what do you know, she's found inspiration! A vision of elevation, not one of reduction. I quite like the idea that her talent for spell-craft has translated so well into Artifice.
Funny thing Miss Starlight Glimmer, it's still going to keep Cutie Marks around. It's just going to make it so everypony's potentials are expanded phenomenally.
Also, something I thought about, and could of course spell ruin for the Ponies plans, is that Rita Skeeter could try to track down the 'Atlanteans' and then using her Animagus form (since I assume it's different enough from Changeling) she could fly through the portal and out into Equestria.
Also, that mention of an Animagus... I think someone, but likely Dumbledore, is going to end up taking a second glance at the map when they notice that, as I have a feeling the map doesn't register the students who can turn into ponies as being Animagi, which once he realizes that is both going to through his head through a loop and, more importantly, scare the ever living daylights out of him when he realizes a Death Eater has been living with the Weasley's for who knows how long.
Neat
They're pretty much the next closest thing to a succubus.
https://m.9353350
Well, actually Peter was never known to be a Death Eater. He's only believed to be dead so it would certainly raise questions but Peter could possibly escape suspicion if he played it right. Things only turned out poorly for him in canon because Lupin and Sirius were probably the worse people that could have found him.
Back to the idea of the CMC and Harry getting into a relationship despite their age, the fact that Twilight confirms that ponies are considered adults at fifteen and that by that time many have families very heavily implies that ponies start exploring romance a few years earlier then humans normally do, which complicates things for Harry once he learns about what is really going on.
Also is their pony forms having an effect on their minds? Sure Ginny did have a Crush on Harry since she was 10 but that was initially a celebrity crush with a bit of hero worship thrown in for several years and Hermione didn't really start showing interest in anyone until like year four (Lockhart again was a celebrity crush and doesn't really count) but here both seem ti have legitimate internet in Harry.
I wonder now that he knows when will Dumbledore start considering the long term implications of Harry having Equestrian citizenship, such as the very real possibility that Harry would choose to live in Equestria and abandon the UK a possibility which unknown to him is an almost certainty at the moment.
Also if only Dumbledore looked closer at that map.
As a final note I'm glad that Dumbledore decided to keep the fact that the first year Gryffindors are gallivanting around in the paintings to himself, they need some way to sneak around for some harmless mischief and with the new map Dumbledore has the cloak of invisibility (once Harry gets it) would be practically useless.
9353388
True, but if I recall, isn't Lupin now a teacher at Hogwarts? He's teaching the History class, so him being there is going to make things interesting. EDIT: And of course, there'd be a lot of questions as to why he felt the need to hide for all this time...
I'm also now wondering what if any efforts Twilight and the gang have had with trying to get a proper trial for Sirius.
9353437
I think getting Sirius a trial is something on Twilight's to-do list but right now she is busy with getting the embassy ready and making sure Hogwarts is safe for Harry and the fillies.
9353350
Won't she be in for a surprise then, when all of a sudden she tumbles through the air as a pony.
9353337
It was. Remember, Pinkie gave him a wig. And asked of he'd like hair.
Honestly, while entirely wrong, his assumptions and gleanings from the Equestrians would make a great story.
9353436
Honestly, I don't think this Dumbledore would have an issue with it. He might well suggest it himself. This would keep Harry happy, healthy, and safe. Which is pretty much Dumbledore's main objective right now, so far as harry is concerned.
I just realized how funny things will become when Equestria officiate its contact with Mundane UK. While Muggles will have the first official contact with extradimensional sentient lifeform, wizards will laugh how stupid Muggles are and how they are totally fooled by animagi forms of the sly Atlanteans.
Whoops.
That said, the explanation as to his not noticing it is plausible. Moreso than any explanation I've seen for why the Weaselly Twins failed to notice.
-----
Poseidon eh? Another interesting theory.
I am still kinda surprised that nobody considered the link between all having horse-based animagus forms and the Horse terminology. That Discord is (from their perspective) able to force and set an animagus transformation to a Horse equivalent, it shouldn't be too difficult to conclude that EVERYONE in Equestria has a equine animagus.
Always glad to see entertainingly wrong conclusions.
9353504
Ok that is true but just imagine the political backlash Dumbledore would receive from letting that happen, and it would be interesting to hear his thought process on the possibility.
9353515
While that is funny given that the truth is the other way around I would think that only people like Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley would think of that with the rest of the wizarding world going into panic mode over the fact that the "Atlantians" have revealed the existence of magic to the muggle world and the hundreds of millions of muggles would have learned about magic by the time anyone in the wizarding world finds out what is going on.
9353504
Heck, even canon Dumbledore wouldn't object, the only reason he didn't ship Harry off to America or someplace else was that he honestly couldn't ensure Harry's safety that way. If there was a way to guarantee Harry's safety and ensure his happiness Dumbledore would take it even if it meant Harry never returning to the UK.
Ah, this was the perfect opportunity for one of them infamous panic attacks powerful unicorns tend to have.
That one guy: "We are gonna need a new assistant."
Starlight: *panicking on the inside* 'Oh no, did they find me out?'
TOG: "Congratulations, fellow Lab Technician."
Starlight: *slowly puts away the scalpel* "Umm, yay."
9353350 Though how would that work with most magical people being transformed into Ponies once they cross over
Wizarding magic and Equestrian magic combining to make an even more powerful version of the maurader's map from the sound of it. And I'm at least glad Dumbledore doesn't seem interested in 'Big Brothering' the school population even with that level of power at his glance. On the downside, it means he hasn't noticed Peter. Understandable though.
And this Dumbledore's unvilingness to look closer at the map allowed Pettigrew to be at large some more time.
9353436
It's something I've speculated on along with the fur/clothing differences and the whole estrus vs menstrual cycle differences in how their civilisation develops.
Specifically how we see in canon the crusaders shortly after getting their cutie marks are very much acting as official psychiatrist/psychologists. Running day camps to help foals find their marks (no big sister/parent insolvent apparent) or being called in by parents to consult on the meaning of their children's marks and being given the same respect as any other expert.
It's really quite interesting to consider the differences these things will create especially if you leave out the "let's all have sex" focus most stories have when raising it.
9353347
Still cutie marks are evil obsessed though, hopefully she'll get over it in time canon defeated Starlight seems happier than even this version.
9353520
Here's a scary thought Poseidon has a horse theme, Discord turned a bunch of wizards and witches semi-permanently into pony ani-magi therefore Discord IS Poseidon.
Interesting how Dumbledore clings to the Atlantis theory. But then again, what reason does he have to doubt it? A bunch of horse names and terminology? Yeah, more likely they just have a curious cultural quirk.
I like this. It is simple, humane and it makes sense. It's so hard to find this in stories, sometimes!
A part of me is sad that Bonbon and Lyra got separate rooms, though. Different culture or are they really only friends? (I don't remember if it was otherwise noted in the story)
Nice chapter, though you keep posting them over an hour or so after I start work, so I can't read them until after!
I'm not sure what the future holds for Elly, because it seems like the wizards will have or at best currently are in the process of installing Twilight's anti changeling charms throughout much of their towns. Rough times ahead for our newest lovebug, I'm afraid. Then there's Starlight, still fixated on her damn equality. But maybe everypony being able to cast magic will steer her in a more benevolent direction. At least until earth pony and pegasi skills start popping up in discussions.
Looking forward to the next update!
9353706 9353701 Also keep in mind why would he be looking for Peter. What reason does Dumbledore have to dig into the map? He already knows about the firsties getting into the paintings.. Dumbledore seems to be more hands off leaving discipline up to the heads of house and teachers
Amazing chapter. Though I still think Equestria, in general, is a tad too perfect with how you compare them to wizards, this chapter did great work in portraying them as equals and is a lot closer to how I wish other chapters portrayed the relationship between the equestrians and wizards. I especially liked how you essentially made the wizards jacks-of-all-trades, masters of none when it comes to magic while the equestrians, on the other hand, know only a few spells but master them to such a degree that they could be used instinctively and in ways wizards could never emulate.
Above everything else, however, I really liked Dumbledore in this chapter. His explanations concerning the 'Atlanteans' were a joy to read. He manages to make a perfectly reasonable argument for who the equestrians are that shows a fair degree of thinking outside the box while also keeping his deductions rooted in logic. Honestly, if the truth of the matter were any less fantastical or the equestrians were any worse at keeping the secret, Dumbledore would've probably figured it out by now. At this point, I'm just waiting for Dumbledore to get that one piece of information that leads him to the truth. Personally, I'm partial to Discord making a little chaos and secretly lending him a hand in terms of a surprise trip to Equestria. In general, the way you write Dumbledore in scenes like this is among the top things I love about this fic.
Suffice to say, Dumbledore is my favorite character.
As for Elly, I really hope she gets to meet Dumbledore. Given his whole thing is about love and its absolute power, he'd probably be the best one for Elly to meet. He's also the one most likely to be sympathetic to the changeling plight.
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Yeah it's fascinating to explore how fictional civilizations develop, plus here it is a good excuse to keep the romance arc going rather then stall it for a few years in universe, and the cultural and developmental differences between ponies and humans could lead to some funny scenes down the line especially once Harry learns the truth about what is really going on with the fillies, Ginny and Hermione.
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Yeah, I really want Dumbledore to be the one to find her and offer her some aid. Maybe eventually convince the Equestrians to give her a chance. Hopefully, he won't have to sing a song to convince them.
a focus. "foci" is plural.
(Perhaps rephrase it to something like "giving a unicorn-style focus to a non-unicorn" since it would seem to me that anyone with a broken horn would have considered the creation of some kind of prosthetic, so the actual thing that was never considered was crafting a unicorn-style focus usable by someone not born with one.)
Wouldn't that save the school money, because it wouldn't have to provide food and stuff for several hundred students? I dunno a thing about school budgets, but that just seems elementary to me.
...Not to mention it appeals to the schoolboy still lurking inside me; more holiday time is always a good thing, assuming you've got things to do during it, of course (e.g. Persona 5, going back to Assassin's Creed Origins, etc.).
So they out-Marauded the Marauders...shame, really, that the Map isn't as special anymore.
GAH - YOU SHOULD HAVE LOOKED! It's the Death Eater Pettigrew! You could've gotten Harry his godfather back! Idiot!
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It is the magical Europe books are good for that. Designed for gamers developing their own fantasy world but they go into a lot of detail about things like how axial tilt affects seasons and likely outcomes if common dnd spells were available on society. Imagining all the details of Equestria is a fun way to pass the time especially given how some things are so similar e.g. Manehatten while others shift the focus like Dash telling Big Mac they won't "go easy on you just because your a Stallion." and others are fundamentally different e.g. attitudes towards clothing and how much friendly physical contact is normal.
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I don't know the idea of Dumbledore singing "a changeling can change is amusing."
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Going by tempest though they didn't even consider the possibility.
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Hmmm nearly a 3/4 of the year holiday and Hogwarts reclaims its position as premiere school of magic by teaching the entire years syllabus in 4-6 months. On the other hoof next year you'd have more and harder schoolwork.
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Actually, it's virtually guaranteed that Dumbledor will eventually notice that a singular Animagus seems to almost always be in the First Year Griffondor quarters even when said Firties are all accounted for elsewhere. And then the Hogwarts Map can then be used to peruse the movements of said Animagus back through the previous month (but presumably not prior to the point that the map was enchanted).
Heck, either Peter or Rita may inadvertently lead to a closer examination of the map that would most likely get them both caught out as unregistered animagi.
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That is true lol, hadnt thought of that.
But theyll also still probably have some upset about the whole thing. Even Dumbledore might be a bit miffed.
Also, just thought of this- The CMC are expanding their herd to include Hermione and Ginny, and perhaps a few others of the girl first years!!!
Another excellent chapter. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)
Slight error in the story.
Naturally I'm sure you meant "you have" or just "you've". Otherwise, yet another great chapter that makes me wish there was already more.
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Which is, pretty much, the reason why
a truckloadseveral thousand truckloads of Changelings need to come to Earth. Now. Immediately. Green cards and all. With classes on what forms to assume, and how to seduce young, horny nerds."As Chrysalis is my witness, Changelings shall never go hungry again!"
:D
(Hey, from the Changeling standpoint, horny geeks and nerds are the food source that never runs out and keeps on giving. Heh...)
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I too am looking and hoping for such a possibility, though I suspect the big thing hanging over it all is Chrysalis, and she doesnt get dealt with til Season 6's end originally.
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as someone famous once sais: "soon..."
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Yea, I love school days but with discord wrecking Tom on every occasion it became nothing more than a slice of life. In this story there’s so much more going on and the villain isn’t getting curbstomped.
Albus really is being narrow minded.
So she likes it?
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Point.
You LIE Equestrians do know of goblins!!!
Twilight did look then up in the early seasons, Dragon Quest I believe. Anyway it was interesting to see the comparison of Equestrian and Wizard magic.
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I guess if tempest had a wand she'd have a happy defeat the storm king taking over the kingdom and become an ally to equestria and earth
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VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!
Non-Pesagi can fly with broomsticks and enchanted carpets. And the spells used on Snitches and Bludgers could be placed on Icarus-style wing harnesses.
FYI, there was a fanfic where Voldemort’s ability to fly came from modifying a carpet to be worn as robes, giving the outward illusion of self-flight.
Few things I forgot to mention yesterday, that I want to discuss here.
The fun fact is that in the countries of the former Soviet Union this when school year ends, and study load in the schools there is by no mean small.
Quirell should shiver at this words, because Voldemort inside him believed that he was the only to ever discover this room.
Thing that I want to bring up is that Dumbledore is glaringly omitting in his "Atlantean theory" the fact that all people he met so far perfectly speak English with American accent and have modern English words in their names. This is not really the language you expect this people speak. Even if you grant the idea that only Atlanteans that learned English come to visit and that they translate their names out of cultural principle, and speak only English between themselves to hide their identity and secret tongue, accent is still off. Dumbledore is a polyglot, he must be linguistically sophisticated enough to pick this out.