HP: MAGICAL LIFE CHAPTER 6 (Patreon)

Chapter 6

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

“Alchemy is perhaps the most wonderous art of magic. While the various branches of magic are complex with each of them being governed by certain rules and principles. Yet alchemy is the simplest in this regard as it only has a single fundamental rule.” Dumbledore spoke as he stared at the small batch of students in front of him. All of them paid attention to each of his words.

Dumbledore always felt most at ease with a blackboard at his back, guiding the bright minds of youth as they stumbled across and discovered the various wonders of magic. Even with his various other duties he always tried to make time to teach, for he believed it to be his calling.

“Can anyone of you tell me what that rule is?” he questioned them. This was the first class and he did not expect them to obtain a correct answer. Most of the students just looked at each other and after his encouraging smile, one of them raised his hand. Dumbledore motioned for him to answer.

“The law of singular existence. ‘By means of one, we have all, within one, all things exist.’” The boy from Ravenclaw stated. Dumbledore smiled at the answer. It was a good answer.

“While that is one of the governing ideologies, my question asks for a singular law that could explain most, if not all the practices of alchemy. Though five points for a good answer Mr. Foster,” and then everyone gained the needed confidence. Many began giving out answers. This was all they needed, a bit of encouragement. After countless wrong answers, Edward Wright raised his hand. The bow was seated at a desk in the back.

“Yes, Mr. Wright what do you believe is the singular fundamental law that governs the practice of alchemy.” He repeated.

“The Law of Equivalent Exchange. To obtain something of equal value must be lost.”The answer made Dumbledore smile.

“Yes. Almost all of the practical alchemy we will study can be governed by this very law. Yet can you give us an example where such a law can be declared obsolete?” This question was a bit out of the way. Yet the boy surprised him with his answer.

“The Philosopher’s stone is touted by many as the only exception to this law as its magical prowess is absolute.” The boy replied and the answer would have been enough but he continued.

“Yet many including myself theorize this notion to be wrong.” The boy continued surprising Dumbledore. And Dumbledore was never one to discourage students from speaking their minds.

“And why would that be?” Dumbledore questioned.

“Because while it is true that the use of a Philosopher Stone, requires no such exchange. We can not make such a statement about its creation, which remains a mystery to this day to all except the Flamels.” Dumbledore did not correct his misconception. For he too was aware of this mystery, yet had vowed to take it to the grave.

“Twenty points to Slytherin for the right answer. And perhaps Mr. Edward would be charitable to share it with us once he finds the secret himself.” He jokes lightening the mood of the class.

The class continued for an hour or so before the students left the classroom with amazed eyes and ruminating minds.

0000

EDWARD WRIGHT

I was walking in the corridor making my way to the Great Hall when, suddenly, I heard my name being called out.

“Edward! Edward.”

I looked back and saw one of my best friends approaching me. Cedric was walking towards me briskly. I slowed down, waiting for him to catch up. He caught up to me and immediately began speaking.

“Do you have any idea who the new DADA professor is?”

Cedric asked, wiggling his brows at me. At his words, I just increased my pace.

“No. I do not. Why?”

I asked, and Cedric could not control himself as he spilled the beans.

“It’s an Auror trainee. Supposedly she was Mad-eye’s student. And she was our senior a couple of years ago.”

Our senior by a couple of years. And I began thinking of names and faces. I had not taken the DADA class, because I was preparing for the arrival of the other schools. A Hufflepuff, and an Auror trainee linked to Moody. It couldn’t be her.

“Is it Tonks? That metamorphmagus from Hufflepuff.” I tried to guess. And from the look on his face, I was right. I just smirked at him as he stood there gaping at me and continued walking.

“How did you know? Did Dumbledore tell you? How do you even know about the metamorphmagus? Back when she was at Hogwarts you were a recluse!” Cedric spluttered as he caught up to me once more. The Hufflepuff prefect just huffed when I refused to answer respond to his allegations.

Though he could not stop himself for long, as he started talking after a while. Though this time there was a very sinister smirk on his face. ‘I am not going to like this I thought.

“Forget about that. You know there is a certain rumor going around in multiple circles. And I just wanted to ask my friend about the truth of it all.” Cedric asked in an overly sweet voice. That goddamn smile was still on his face! When I refused to entertain the ruse, he continued:

“There are rumors about ‘our friend’ having someone very special to him arriving at Hogwarts this year. Someone so special, that ‘our friend’ has been in touch with for years. Now, I would not want the girls in the castle to be taken by surprise if that ‘special’ someone really exists. Honestly, it would break their hearts.”

And before he could continue the eulogy, I increased my pace. Not entertaining him any further. But Cedric did not relent, for he was a true Puff. And persistence and hard work were their two virtues. Along with being troublesome gossip!

“But Edward. You have never mentioned any special girl! Like ever! You live like a saint. And it takes Rowle, reading one of your letters for us to find out about this. Come on you have to give me something. What is she like? Which year is she in? Which country does she live in? How did the two of you meet? How ...?

And before he could carry this tirade any further, I intervened. To spare my ears.

“OK!OK! STOP! Honestly, no wonder Hufflepuff is so united. They behave like Indian aunties, gossiping all day. And to answer your question, she is...........”

0000

FLEUR DELACOUR

Nervous. Fleur Delacour was extremely nervous as she sat in the carriage. She kept feeling nervous about meeting a certain someone at Hogwarts. This was quite an odd scenario for Fleur Delacour, the castle’s delight, the dueling champion. For all of Beauxbatons Academy, she was the pinnacle to beat. The Miss Perfect residing among the plebians.

“Hahaha. Honestly, in all these years I have never seen you this nervous. You have always been this symbol of excellence. And right now you are biting your nails. ‘Fleur Delacour’ biting her nails.”

Fleur lowered her hand, sending her friend a glare who just laughed harder.

“But I don’t understand why are you fussing so much. You two have known each other for years. Why are you so stressed about meeting him at Hogwarts?”

Fay Dunbar asked her friend. Her tone lost the mirth as it got serious. But before Fleur could reply a boy from the opposite side spoke in a condescending tone.

“She is probably worried that he would see her true colors. It is about time he learns about your ‘true nature.’”

“SHUT UP NELSON!” Fay shouted, “Honestly, you get rejected by someone once and you can not accept it and move on. You really have some deep abandonment issues.” Fay said shaking her head at the boy opposite to her.

Nelson Dupont was a jealous spoilt rich boy who had been rejected by Fleur a couple of years ago. He had taken it as an insult, and over the years had tried to slander her image. Fleur just got up from her seat and moved towards the other room. Her friend Fay followed her but not before glaring at Dupont.

“FLEUR! FLEUR!” Fay shouted. “STOP! You don’t have to pay any attention to what Dupont says, everyone knows he is a jerk.” Fay tried to assure her friend.

“But what if he does? What if he believes him? You know he has not said anything over the years, maybe all this is just my imagination, and he doesn’t even like me.” Fleur spoke out her thoughts.

“Do you think so little of him?” Fay asked, with a raised brow. Fleur shook her head at that. And it was true, over the course of their friendship she had found Edward to be extremely courteous and unprejudiced.

“You can not let Dupont get to you. And there is no way that he is not into you. Just believe me I can tell, when you two get together, it makes me feel lonely.”

Fleur laughed at her friends’ words. Punching her lightly on the arm. Fay rubbed her arm before she continued.

“Have you even read the letters you write to each other? You know if I was so devoted to writing my homework, I would have aced my OWLs. They are larger than the essays I wrote for my exams. And you say he does not like you.”

Fay shook her head at her friend. She had seen them at their first meeting and had predicted their romance. And her predictions were never wrong. At least when it came to romance.

Fleur laughed lightly at her friend’s words. Feeling her nervousness die down. Fay was right she was fussing over nothing. She had nothing to be afraid of. Dupont and his goons were idiots and there was nigh a chance that he would be ensnared by their slander.

“Ok. Now that you have calmed down. We have to get back to the cabin. We are going to be at Hogwarts in a little while and then I can hand you over to your Prince Charming. So, lets go back and sit.”

Fleur nodded at that and went back to the sitting area. All traces of nervousness and anxiety were gone from her face. Her thoughts went towards a certain bespectacled boy. As she remembered his last letter. He had mentioned a very special surprise for her.

She started staring out the window and her eyes found the towers of an ancient castle hidden behind the clouds and her heart began to race slightly.

Finally, she was here. She would meet him once more after more than a year.

The carriage tied behind the magical Abraxans slowed down. As they made their way over the lake. And a voice went through the carriage.

“EVERYONE GET READY. WE HAVE REACHED HOGWARTS.”

0000

ALBUS DUMBLDORE

Albus Dumbledore was still on the dais. As the delegation from Drumstrang settled down. He watched as students mingled with students and conversations began to stir. Students from different backgrounds and different schools began talking to each other. His eyes found a certain group of students. Three students Wright, Leighton, and White sat with a certain student from Beauxbatons Academy.

Fleur Delacour was the dueling champion for the under-seventeen category. She had won the tournament this year. Though she had lost for two years, each time she had lost to the student sitting by his side. Edward Wright. Edward himself had won the tournament last year but had not competed in it this year.

A proposal had been made by both of them for an exhibition match. Madame Maxime had also given her consent, it would be a nice show for the students watching perhaps the best of their generation duel.

As the food from the plates vanished. He spoke once more.

“I hope you are all well-fed now. But before we end the night. I have a new announcement to make.”

And the mutterings died down completely, all the students gazing at him as he spoke his next words.

“DUE TO THE FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE FIND OURSELVES IN. WE HAVE ARRANGED A SURPRISE EVENT FOR ALL OF YOU.” The Hall was completely silent at that.

“A DUELLING EXHIBITION MATCH,” he announced, and applause broke out in the Hall. He raised his hand after a while the commotion died down.

“Though this will not be your average match. For it will be between two youth dueling Champions.” And the students began to mutter once more.

“This year’s champion Miss Fleur Delacour will face last year’s champion. ur very own Mister EDWARD WRIGHT.” And there was a loud cheer from the hall. Loudest from the Hufflepuff he noticed.

He then announced the details and the rules. But most of the students were no longer listening. He smiled as he saw their excited faces as most of the junior students preened to catch sight of the two competitors.