Year 3 Part 1

  … …

  I walked at the front of the group of Third Year Slytherins as we were guided by two Fifth Year prefects from our house towards the corridor that contained our dorms for this year. Vesta walked at my side, not just because we were now betrothed – though it was still unofficial and either of us could cancel it if we wished before the beginning of July next year – but because she was, like myself, the top student in Slytherin.

  My defeats to Lucius Malfoy last year in the semi-finals of both duelling tournaments had sealed my place at the head of the year in every way except academically. There I remained fourth, behind Vesta, Christine Greengrass, and Lucien Mortigast. Because of that, I would now be gaining a dorm to myself, and I was looking forward to the privacy it would bring.

  As we reached the entrance to the Third-Year corridor, I noted yet another statue carved into the walls that bore the same small mark that I knew was used to represent the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets in the girls’ toilets on the second floor of the main tower of the castle. I’d seen the mark in a few other places, most prominently around and inside the Slytherin Chambers, though I had yet to attempt to open them. Even though I was above the rest of my year, I wasn’t anywhere near the top of the school and had no misplaced belief that I could take on the basilisk at my current age and ability. Still, it was another possible entrance for me to add to my mental map of the castle, and one I would test in the coming years.

  Another thing linked to Salazar Slytherin was his Scriptorium. To open that, I needed to be willing to cast the Torture Curse on another person. In theory, I could’ve used one of the five students that I captured in response to their attack on me before I had, at the end of the last school year, dropped them unconscious near an acromantula lair in the Forbidden Forest. I hadn’t done so, however, because I feared their screams might alert the school elves and draw the attention of the professors and the Headmaster. I needed to stay as under the radar as I could with him to avoid him making efforts to disrupt my building of a power base over the next few years.

  While there had been reports of increased attacks by giants, werewolves, and even a small coven of vampires in the Daily Prophet and other newspapers, they weren’t at the level to draw front-page attention, nor had there been any reports of a new Dark Lord rising in the shadows of the country. That didn’t mean Voldemort wasn’t out there, slowly preparing for when the moment was ripe to unleash his particular brand of chaos, just that he was continuing to work behind the scenes, which meant I still had time to prepare for the coming war.

  “Dòmhnall MacLeod,” I was drawn from my thoughts as my name was called, and turned to look at Augustus Prince as he spoke, “your room is the one on the right. Vesta Malfoy, you have the room on the left.”

  I nodded my thanks to Augustus, pushing aside the fact that he had been the one to defeat Lucius in the final of the Junior Wand Duelling tournament last year. With him now in Fifth Year, Lucuis was the early favourite to win the tournament this year, though from what I had been told on the Express, I was listed as the tenth favourite. An unusually high placement at the beginning of the year for a Third Year, but given my performance in last year’s tournament, not an unwarranted sign of respect.

  Vesta squeezed my arm before moving over to her room, and I moved towards the door of my room, Augustus staying behind me, controlling the middle of the corridor.

  “Place your hand on the door and say, Ego Slytherini nomen, hunc mihi locum vendico,” he said calmly.

  I placed my hand on the centre of the door, inside a circle that seemed purposefully placed for such an act. In my mind, I easily translated the phrase to mean ‘in the name of Slytherin, I claim this room as mine.’ It made perfect sense that a private room would have a method for the protections on it to be controlled by the person using it, though, as I spoke the words and felt the magic of the castle react, I wondered if the Prefects, Professors, and other staff, including the Headmaster and elves, could override my control and enter the room.

  A faint green light flashed over the door, and I caught the reflection of a similar light from behind me, suggesting Vesta had activated the same process.

  “The rooms are now keyed to you. None of your yearmates can enter without your permission,” Augustus explained from behind as the door in front of me slid open slowly. “There is a display on the wall inside the door where you can add the name of any Slytherin you wish to grant access to the room if you are not present. To allow them access while you are present, simply say their name and grant them entry. There is also a table in the centre of the room to which you may summon food directly from the school’s kitchen. The other features of the room are for you to determine.”

  I smirked at the last part, taking it as another small test of our value and superiority that we were expected to discover the other extras inside the room and overcome them if they posed an issue. Already, I had seen one as the table designed for the ordering of food meant the elves at least had access to my dorm.

  “Thank you,” I said calmly without turning before, a moment later, stepping into the room.

  It was the same size as the base dorms, meaning that I had far more space available to me because of my placement as the top male in my year. The table Augustus had mentioned for the receiving of food and drink from the kitchen controlled the place, resting as it did in the centre of the room. Currently, it was empty, but I knew it wouldn’t remain so.

  I chuckled as I saw the bed was larger to compensate for the extra space, now being at least queen-sized and a four-poster bed that one would associate with class and nobility. It wasn’t as refined or as decorated as the master bed at Dunscaith, but compared to those I had used in the first two years, it was a massive step up.

  The same went for the furniture in the room. On one wall, a large desk with several drawers on one side, and a comfortable dark mahogany chair waited for me to use for my studies. There was also, much to my surprise and pleasure, a potions desk. I was looking forward to being able to practice the subject and perhaps others that shared some link to it in private. Of the base subjects, Potions was, along with Herbology, my weakest. I didn’t expect to rise to the top of the year simply because of a private study space, but given I already knew everything needed for most of the other base classes, I would have time, if I so chose, to focus on those subjects to ensure I didn’t slip academically.

  The dresser, like the rest of the furniture, was made of deep and rich coloured mahogany and decorated with acceptable levels of detail. In front of that rested my Lord’s Chest, meaning Kadic had already been directed to place it here by the school elves. There were also picture frames on the walls, and my eyes narrowed as I saw that one of them was empty. That was unacceptable, and something I would have to either remove if I could, or if not, block so that I wouldn’t be monitored by the paintings of the castle. All of which would, no doubt, report back to the Professors for Slytherin, McGonagall, and Dumbledore.

  Turning, I saw the board beside the door that Augustus had mentioned. It was currently nothing more than an empty piece of white wood with no obvious way to add names, as no quill was nearby. I would determine the exacts of the board in a few minutes, but for now, as I watched as the rest of the year filtered past, bound for their dorms further down the corridor, I was content to let it be.

  Amycus Carrow gave me a growl of annoyance, and I inflamed his sense of displeasure by giving him a condescending wave. Beyond the throng of students that walked past, I caught a glimpse of Vesta as she stood in her room. I would speak with her later about the rooms, our betrothal, and plans for taking full control of our year – both in Slytherin and beyond – later. For now, I wanted to focus on my room.

  After closing the door, I looked around the empty room. “I summon a school elf,” I said to the empty dorm.

  A few seconds later, one of the school elves appeared before me. Thanks to having Kadic and Aien, I was able to determine that this one was likely female based on the softer tips of its ears and a few other minor features. “The Young Master summons me?”

  “I do. I was told this table,” I gestured at the central table that was about a metre across, “is capable of having food delivered to it. Does that mean the elves have access to this room?”

  “Wes do,” the elf replied. “Does the Young Master wish for something now?”

  “No, thank you. What I would like to know is if others can enter the room as the elves do, and if there is a way to stop anyone, even elves delivering food, from having access to the room.” I didn’t expect the elf to be able to tell me exactly what I wanted, but a small hint would hopefully guide me onto the correct path.

  “Wes can enter if summoned, or to clean if the Young Master wishes. Otherwise, we will not come. Mes not know about Professors and others.”

  “Is there a book regarding the magic of the room that I can browse?”

  “Mes think so.” The elf’s face scrunched up as it thought about the matter. I waited patiently to see if it could help me as I desired or not. “Ah.” There was a click of its fingers, and a large, heavy, and rather unfortunately dusty tome appeared on the table. “This have rules on the rooms.”

  “Thank you. That will be all,” I said with a small smile. There was no harm in being polite to the elves, as they brought food and supplies when asked and might well report my actions to the staff.

  The elf nodded once and then clicked its fingers. Once it was gone, I moved over to the tome, lightly brushing my fingers over the cover. A small smile slid onto my face as I read the title. Rules and Magic of the Dormitories was something that suggested what I wished to learn would be contained within. It would, however, likely take me some time to find the details I wished for. I could, if I so desired, ask Bella if she knew how to truly lock down the room, but there was no certainty that she did, and if she did, that she would help. She might like me, but that didn’t mean she would assist me without recompense.

  Leaving the book, I moved towards my chest, deciding to unpack. For now, the vanishing cabinet would remain inside, but if there was a way to ensure the room could be secured against anyone – be that elves, students, ghosts, paintings, or staff – from entering my dorm, I would move it out. It was smaller than the wardrobe, and it should be possible to place it inside there for easier access than clambering down into my chest whenever I wished to slip away from the castle.

  Just as I undid the latch and revealed my clothes for the coming year, there was a knock at the door. I rolled my eyes as I left the chest closed but unlocked, and as I moved towards the door, I wondered who was the first to indulge their curiosity about my new chamber.

  “Are you going to invite me in?” Vesta asked, a sneaky little smile dancing on her lips when she was revealed by the open door.

  “What would people say if I invited a lady such as yourself as the first guest into my room?” I asked back, matching her smile with one of my own.

  Vesta giggled, lifting a hand to hide her mouth as she did so. I knew she was putting on airs for display, but it was still a sight I found amusing. “They would say that you are the luckiest man in the year to have someone such as me at your side.”

  I shook my head as I laughed at her response. “Sometimes I do not know whether being around you is good for my sanity or not.”

  “I have not done anything,” she replied in an innocent tone that was, I assumed, intentionally unbelievable.

  “Yet,” I finished for her. “You have not done anything yet. Something for which I thank Merlin and Morgana for daily,” I added in jest.

  “Humph!” She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. In a few years, such behaviour would be attractive, but for now, it was simply cute and childish. Not that I felt that was the appearance she was going for. “Well?”

  “Well, what?” I knew exactly what she wanted, but I was enjoying teasing her.

  “You know what!” She shot back, pouting further as she glared at me.

  “Can you two please get a room?”

  I poked my head out of my dorm at the familiar voice and saw Godwine Suthsax leading a group of about ten of our friends – almost equally split between boys and girls – towards us. He wore a wide smile on his face, one matched by Adilene Pontius and the others. The betrothal of the pair had been formally announced over the summer, and as such, they already seemed more inseparable than they had been in the last few months of Second Year.

  “I already have a room, as does she,” I responded, jerking a finger at Vesta. The action caused her to pout even louder and stamp her foot on the ground. A glance confirmed her irritation didn’t extend to her eyes, meaning it was for show, but it was an impressive, deceptive show for one so young.

  “That was not what I meant, and we all know it,” Godwine countered as he led the group even closer. “Still, now that we are here, perhaps you might be willing to let us see your private sanctuaries?”

  “If we did that, would they still be private?” Vesta asked, shifting to face the approaching group, and in the process moved a touch closer to me. Almost as if she was guarding me from them, though I knew that wasn’t her intention, as she was simply, once again, marking her territory to the unattached girls in the approaching group.

  “From what the Prefect said, we can only enter when you allow. Therefore, if you don’t wish us to come back, you can simply not invite us in again.” The explanation came from Lasadh as he moved with the group, the book he had been reading while we were on the Express once again under his arm. The book was one that focused on Alchemy, a subject not taught until Fourth Year as an introductory before becoming an elective for NEWT studies. There were several subjects like that, though there was no point in my focusing on them too heavily currently, as I had almost two years to decide on what I would study for my NEWTs.

  “He has a point, again,” I conceded as I looked at Vesta. “But I think they just want to use the tables to get food now instead of having to head to the main area.”

  That hadn’t been available in First Year, but at the start of Second Year, a new room had opened up for us, one where we could order food outside of mealtimes from the kitchen. It wasn’t something I used often, as I kept my chest well-stocked and could use the cabinet inside it to return to Dunscaith for home-cooked meals, but it was something that made sense. From Fourth Year onwards, there would be a heavy focus on studying in preparation for exams, so being able to eat when we wished, and thus not interrupt our studies, was a useful trick to have available.

  “There is that,” Enya Delaney remarked as the party reached our doors. She leaned forward, trying to look around me and into my room since Vesta had closed her door before knocking on mine. “Plus, I want to see how the rooms are decorated. I plan to claim it for myself next year.”

  “Tsk. Keep dreaming.”

  I chuckled at the confidence of the pair. They were friends, even if they sometimes acted like rivals, but they were competitive. Enya had again finished third in our house at the end of Second Year and had managed to close the gap academically on Vesta. Where she was lacking was duelling, and that would likely be why she wouldn’t overtake my intended for the top spot among the girls. The same reason that I, so long as I didn’t slacken off, would retain my place atop the boys.

  “Fine,” I said, cutting in before the two girls could argue, be it mockingly or genuinely, properly. “We will have to split up, however, as the room is not going to be big enough for all of us,” I explained. I could, in theory, get everyone present into my room, but it would be tight, and I didn’t like the idea of others using my bed as seats before I’d had a few nights at least to break it in.

  As the group separated, easily agreeing with my suggestion, I turned around, half-hiding the twitch of my lips. Those present were all in the top thirty of our year in Slytherin. The fact that all seemed willing to follow my lead was a sign that the influence boost I’d gained by making the semi-finals of both duelling tournaments, along with finishing fourth overall academically, was retained.

  This lot was, by and large, the ones I either had in my inner circle or wanted to integrate into it. From them, I could push out and move to claim dominance over the year. While I preferred not to have to rely on the influence of others, I would have support from Lucius, Bella, Narcissa, and possibly Andromeda if I needed it. Beyond school goals, the claiming of control over the year and destroying any who dared challenge me – Amycus Carrow being the most obvious, even if he wasn’t a true threat – was my primary focus for the year. Not just because it would secure my powerbase, but because other items on my list of priorities – such as the Chamber of Secrets and moving deeper into the Forbidden Forest – would likely remain beyond me for at least another year.

  I had to continue to move cautiously so as not to draw the attention, or worse, the ire, of Dumbledore. However, I wouldn’t stay still because of that looming potential threat. If I did, then my rebirth would be for nothing, and that was something I wouldn’t accept.

  … …

  … …

  I followed the rest of my class out of Professor Cassia Wrenwood’s classroom, my first Arithmancy lesson now over. During the lesson, which covered topics I had already read about in preparation for the year, Professor Wrenwood spoke at length about the importance of numbers and how they could help influence, refine, and enhance spells of almost every kind.

  The three most important numbers, at least in Arithmancy, were 3, 7, and 9. Professor Wrenwood claimed that if we understood those three numbers and could use them properly in our spells, runes, potions, and almost every other branch of magic, then we could understand the universe itself. I felt she was being a little grandiose with such a statement, but as she spoke vibrantly, drawing us into the lesson, it was clear her words affected everyone in the class.

  We had spent the class determining various numbers of importance to use based on our names and birthdays, which the Professor noted down for the next class. I already knew my numbers and had some idea of what they meant, though I didn’t place too much importance on them currently. The introduction class we had just had felt more like an adjunct class for Astronomy or Divination than one focused on how numbers could be used in the crafting and casting of spells, which was what I wanted to learn from the class.

  I’d already seen patterns forming in the arrays that I had carved onto my body over the last two years, and hoped the subject would help me improve my work there as well as with my wand weaving. The current project for fleshcarving, if I was interpreting what the tome was hinting at, centred around improving my general ability to recover from a variety of ailments.

  This new array I was being guided to craft was based on the third array I had carved into my skin, one that improved my overall durability and granted a small boost to my recovery speed. This new array would, if I understood the implications of what the tome was suggesting, boost that recovery in the event I was poisoned, cursed, cut, or otherwise impaired. Perhaps not to a massive degree if the effect I was under was great or critical, but the idea of being able to shrug off even moderate wounds and infections with seeming ease wasn’t something to dismiss.

  Our classroom was at the top of one of the main towers of Hogwarts, in the vicinity of the Astrology classrooms and the main telescope that rose from the roof of the tower as if trying to reach for the stars and pull them down to earth. That meant that it was a long walk down to wherever our next lesson was. For me and about half the class, that was Care of Magical Creatures.

  Of the electives, that was the one I was least certain about taking when I’d made my choices last year. Given the two options I had not selected were Muggle Studies and Divination, then it was an easy pick. However, once Professor Reed had learnt that several of the Professors who oversaw the OWL course had started hovering around the class in the last month of my Second Year. It was so obvious as to why they did that that I felt even Amycus could work it out, and my suspicions had been confirmed when, this morning during breakfast, Professor Rhys had come to the Slytherin table and asked me to bring Xenocrates to the lesson.

  “Where are you going?”

  I looked back over my shoulder at Bradley as he walked with the group I’d just separated from – a group composed of students from all four of the houses, though Bradley and Andrew MacLeod were the only muggleborns in it – as they all headed down the main stairs of the tower.

  “I have to get something from my room,” I replied without fully turning around. “Professor Rhys knows this already, so it will be fine if I walk in a little late,” I explained, suspecting that Bradley and a few others were surprised and possibly concerned that I was going to be tardy for the first class.

  “He wants to see Xenocrates, doesn’t he?”

  “Aye,” I answered Francis Bickerstaffe. “I suspect the lesson is going to be on familiars.”

  There were a few chuckles from the group that just managed to reach me as I moved further away, and I swore I heard someone in the group, though I couldn’t hear who, say they had gained a familiar over the summer. Normally, familiars weren’t gained until Fourth Year, and even then, most were lower-classed magical beasts. Only those of the main lines of a Clan or House, particularly the heirs or firstborn of heirs, had the opportunity to gain a higher-classified magical familiar or more dangerous normal beast. Even then, however, it took the beast wishing to form a bond with a witch or wizard, so simply having a beast presented to you didn’t guarantee it becoming a familiar. That was probably why familiars were generally formed with animals that could easily pass for pets, such as regular cats and dogs, or beasts such as kneazles and nifflers.

  As I moved through the school by myself, I watched as other students headed to and from their classes. Several gave me passing looks as I walked by, with those I recognised offering a slight nod of the head, a smile, or a flick of their hand in acknowledgement. Since my performance in the duelling tournaments last year, it seemed I’d gained a level of recognition within the school, and while it was centred around the lower years, it was pleasing to see I was starting to matter to more than just those in my house or year.

  “Look at this, Sirius, a naughty snake walking by himself.” I rolled my eyes as I heard the voice of James Potter, but chose to keep walking, hoping the prick would ignore me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is the big, bad Third Year snake too important for us Second Year lions?”

  “No, it’s because we're boys,” another voice added; one I didn’t recognise. “I heard he only likes lionesses.”

  “Yeah, including your cousin.” That came from Sirius, and I heard the growl, pathetic as it was, from James. That made it clear Sirius was talking about Maggie Potter, one of Lily’s friends and a member of the group I had tutored, guided, and helped last year.

  “Hey! MacLeod!”

  I waved my hand absently as I moved through one of the central antechambers of the castle, bound for the nearest passage that led down to the dungeons and through them, the entrance to the Slytherin Chambers. Potter was going to be an issue, but I had no intention of being delayed by him on the first day of lessons simply because he had his panties in a twist.

  “MacLeod! Stop!” Again, I ignored James Potter’s words, noting that this time there was a touch more aggression in them. “I’m talking to you!”

  I kept walking, though, as I did, it was easy to see several of the small groups in the antechamber were glancing either at me or the fool behind me. In the future, James Potter had the potential to be a powerful wizard, and would one day – if he didn’t suffer an unfortunate accident – become head of House Potter. Currently, however, he was little more than a gnat buzzing around for attention, and such behaviour would lead, if he was not careful, to him being swatted down hard.

  “MacLeod!”

  The final shouting of my name was filled with impotent rage, but as before, I ignored it as I headed through a side exit of the antechamber, leaving the prideful but weak little lion behind. Over the course of last year, I had heard of the group developing around Potter and Sirius from Lily and others. It seemed the base group of the Marauders was already in that group, but it had extended to about a dozen of the First Year Gryffindor boys. I didn’t know if this was James’ attempts to build a faction in his house, or simply his brash and loud behaviour attracting fools and hangers-on, but it was something I would have to be watchful of.

  I suspected that this year might be when he and others began acting out and pranking other students, a focus on Slytherin. If they did, I would step in both to remind them of their place and gain influence, respect, and control over the Second Year Slytherins.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  While most of my house seemed to focus their attention on the students in their year, a few worked to build bonds into other years. Generally, that was into the younger years, but I hoped to push my influence into Fourth Year via Lucius and others. Because of my betrothal, Lucius had more of a reason to be predisposed towards me, and as he controlled his year, then gaining his respect and friendship would grant me influence from Second Year to Fourth. Something I would be using and expanding as the years passed.

  I reached the entrance to the Slytherin chambers without further incident, though as I stepped through the door, I was greeted by a couple of older and familiar faces as they moved up the stairs while I headed down.

  “What is this? Is a little Thirdie already skipping classes? I did not think you had it in you, MacLeod.”

  “Why? Does it make you regret your choice in men?” I shot back at Alihandra Montague. The girl, whom I had met first when boarding the Hogwarts Express for the first time, retained her interest in me. Of course, I knew she only did so to irritate Bella because she was betrothed to Finn Dalcassin – who had graduated last year – and because she seemed to sense power in me.

  From what I had learnt from Bella and others, she had a gift for sensing the power and potential in others, and while not a perfect science, it seemed that when she had seen me that day at Locus Collectio, she had seen a hint of my future power. That I was close to the Blacks only increased her interest, though I was glad that her intentions weren’t anything more than curiosity in me, along with a way to irritate Bella.

  Alihandra huffed and waved her hand dismissively in my face as we passed. “As if. You are not half the man my intended is.”

  “For now,” I countered as I descended the stairs, enjoying the chance to, for once, with her, get the last word in.

  It only took me a few more minutes to reach my dorm, and as I pushed the door open, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight I found. The sheets would have been cleaned and the room tidied by the house elves while I was out, yet the bed looked like a disaster. At the centre of that chaos was Xeno, who opened one eye rather lazily as I neared, as if wondering what I was going to do to disturb his slumber.

  “Why am I not surprised,” I said as I looked at him, noting that he had decided to expand to his current full size. Instead of the house cat-sized beast that others saw when he was outside my room, he was currently longer and taller than the pillows. From what I had learnt, he would continue growing before reaching a maximum size that was comparable to a panther or leopard. Thankfully, he understood to keep his growth hidden as it might well cause some fear in others if they learnt he was larger than a kneazle.

  “Get up,” I said as I neared the bed, “we have got somewhere to go.” He rolled over, managing to bury himself deeper into my duvet in his attempt to escape, and I couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation. “Come on, Xeno,” I added as I reached for him, ignoring the way he was swatting my hands. Thankfully, he was keeping his claws retracted, but the slight flicking of the tip of his tail made clear he wasn’t happy with my actions.

  “Look, I told you that you have to come to a class today,” I continued as my fingers slid around his stomach so that I could grasp him. “Professor Rhys insisted on it.” Xeno hissed very slightly as I began to lift him; something that wasn’t that easy, given his increased size and mass. “He promised you a treat.”

  That seemed to do the trick, and Xeno stopped resisting. At least enough that I could get my hands fully around him and lift him off the upended duvet and twisted sheets. He lifted his head as I settled him into my arms, looking up at me in anticipation, which made me chuckle.

  “I do not know why you are not getting fat,” I remarked, one arm supporting his weight as he rested against my chest, the other hand coming up to secure him in place and with my fingers, scratching him under his chin. “All you do, if you can, is eat and sleep, or sleep and eat.”

  Xeno purred at my touch, leaning into my palm as he chose to ignore me. I shook my head as I turned, laughing gently as I did. “Fine, but just remember that this weekend we have got training,” I added as I moved towards the door of my room.

  As I did, much to Xeno’s annoyance, I moved the hand scratching him and placed it on the board beside the door. As I channelled my magic into the board, I spoke. “I grant access to the room to the house elves of Hogwarts, though only for an hour.”

  Thanks to the book provided by that house elf on my first day back at Hogwarts, I had discovered that it was possible to exclude everyone in Hogwarts bar the Headmaster, Deputy, and the Head of Slytherin from entering my room. I had done so via the board so that the elves, ghosts, paintings, and whatever other manner of magical creatures and creations couldn’t enter my room without permission. That there was a way to add a time limit was something I’d tested with Vesta last night.

  The sight of her being forcibly expelled from the room by the magic of the castle was one I would find amusing for a long time. She hadn’t been forced out violently, though that was probably because she had been standing just inside the room when the time limit expired and hadn’t chosen to fight the expulsion. Still, I’d laughed hard when she’d ended up in the corridor on her ass. To avoid issues, I’d taught her how to do what I’d done and then let her return the favour, which dissipated all her irritation at the unbecoming manner she’d been tossed from my room.

  Neither of us had mentioned to anyone else what we’d done or how to exclude almost everyone from our rooms, as they didn’t need to know. However, I did plan to tell Bella and Lucius about it at the weekend. The odds were high that they knew how to do such things, but it was worthwhile telling them anyway. Not only would it show that Vesta and I were skilled and creative in overcoming restrictions that others might miss, but by telling them, I would help strengthen the bonds of friendship between all of us.

  … …

  It took me almost ten minutes to cover the distance from the Slytherin Chambers to the classroom for Care of Magical Creatures. Well, more accurately, it took me five minutes to reach the classroom and then another five to make it outside as Professor Rhys had decided to hold the class in the grounds. I assumed he was doing so, as even though it was early September, the weather was reasonably warm. At least when compared to what was expected in the Highlands of Scotland.

  As I moved along the path, the voice of Professor Rhys slowly drifted towards me.

  “– between a pet and a familiar is… Ah, Mister MacLeod, I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten lost on your travels through the castle,” the Professor said with a smirk as he saw me approach.

  The rest of the class, a mixture of students from all four houses, totalling, if I included myself, thirty, turned to varying degrees. Many wore varying expressions at my lateness, ranging from apathy and confusion to, in the case of Amycus and a rather unpleasant Hufflepuff named Ciaran Baird, barely constrained anger and amusement.

  I ignored the pair as I moved closer. Amycus wasn’t worth wasting more than a few breaths of air on; his failures as a student and member of our house were obvious to all after two years. Baird was only slightly more of an inconvenience. I had only had a little interaction with him during the first two years, sharing History of Magic with the boy and dealing with his feeble attempts to dethrone me in the duelling clubs.

  He was the halfblood grandson of Lord Stephen Baird, a Scottish Lowland clan of little importance who had long ago abandoned their Celtic roots and traditions to assimilate with the English Lords. Indeed, during the wars between the nations of the British Isles, at least before they were united under the Wizard’s Council, not long before it became the Wizengamot, House Baird had openly sided with several Norman-originating Houses in trying to overturn the Old Ways. Because of that, they were one of the Clans most despised by those who kept to the Old Ways and had also drawn animosity from the Irish Clans. House Baird was also one that had been aligned with ideals whose current spokesperson was Dumbledore, and from speaking with my grandfather, he recalled with glee having killed the previous Lord Baird during the Wizarding World War.

  “Sorry, Professor. I wasn’t aware that the class had been moved outside.”

  Professor Rhys’s smirk turned into a smile. “Yes, that was a rather last-minute decision on my part, though one brought on by the favour I had asked of you.” His eyes shifted to Xeno, who was now resting happily on my arm, leaning his head against my chest. “A favour I am pleased to see you acquiesced to.”

  I lowered my head, accepting his approval. Xeno might not have enjoyed being forced to leave his rest, but I felt it was worthwhile getting on Professor Rhy’s good side early in the term. Besides, I knew that with him being one of those who expressed an interest in Xenocrates when I’d first come to school and a registered Beastmaster – that was a witch or wizard who was trained in the taming of Class 3X and above magical beasts – it made sense to grant his request for this lesson. I had learnt much about familiars and how the bonds between beast and master worked, but it would be good to hear it taught in a classroom setting, even if it was only a minor part of the OWL exam for the course.

  Moving through the rows of benches that the rest of the class was sitting on, I quickly found my seat. As I’d half-expected, Vesta had saved a spot at her side, and as I sat, she leaned over, giving Xeno a scratch between his ears. The Raiju purred happily at her touch, which drew a few amused sounds from the rest of the class; many of which, at least from the girls, seemed more aimed at the interaction between myself and Vesta than at Xeno.

  “As I was saying,” Professor Rys resumed, drawing the attention of the class back to him, “the differences between the pet of a witch or wizard and a familiar are extensive. To anyone who has never had a familiar, the differences will not appear obvious at first. However, a familiar is connected to the witch or wizard they have bonded with on a level that no mere pet could ever hope to achieve. So that we do not get bogged down in too many details, I will summarise it as such.”

  He waved his wand, and from nothing, a board appeared in the air, writing on it. Everything was set up in a basic table, making it clear to read, though the Professor seemed intent on speaking about each point in turn.

  “Due to the magic we all possess, with a simple pet – be that a cat, toad, or other such creature, the owner is able to sense the emotions of their pet with relative ease. Certainly, to a level that few muggles could ever hope to experience. For a familiar, however, the bond is far deeper; some might even say it is a connection of the souls between a master or mistress and the beast.

  “This, obviously, leads us towards how one is able to communicate with their beast. For a pet, one can get the beast to follow simple commands; at least so long as it is not too strong-willed or spirited like most felines.” A few members of the class chuckled, making clear they had cats at home and understood the joke. “You can also sense the feelings of the pet by learning to read their body language. For a familiar, the sensations run far deeper. As I, Mister MacLeod, and the five others who said they have a familiar, we can sense the basic thoughts of our familiars, and depending on the overall intelligence and maturity of the beast, can even share something approaching a conversation with them.”

  Professor Rhys paused there and looked over the class before closing his eyes. “Right now, Maximus is enjoying running through the field where he stays while I am at Hogwarts, while Stormheart is eating some feed.” He opened his eyes and offered us a smile. “For those unaware, Maximus is an Aethonan, while Stormheart is a Granin: Two breeds of magical horses similar to the more commonly known Pegasi. Because I have familial bonds with two magical beasts, both of which are Three-X classed, I am registered as a Beastmaster with the Ministry.”

  There were a few murmurs in the class. Most were amazed that anyone might have two familiars, while some wondered quietly what it would be like to ride upon such beasts as they flew through the skies. Those latter comments drew a chuckle from the Professor.

  “None of you shall gain the chance to fly upon my steeds. However, in next week’s class, you might have the chance to ride a similar creature.” He kept it mysterious, but I already had a suspicion as to what beast he was speaking of. Assuming things went even close to as they had been in the other timelines, then it would be a hippogriff that we would see.

  “Returning to the differences,” the Professor continued, drawing us back to the lesson. “A pet offers no boost or pathway in magic to their owner. A familiar will, once the bond is deep enough and both beast and master mature enough, potentially grants boosts in certain branches of magic or provides assistance in other ways. A Kneazle, being the most common familiar in the Isles, offers its master slight improvements to their reflexes as well as the chance of a sixth sense of danger. This is why many Quidditch players and duellists try to bond with Kneazles or other feline magical beasts. Because of my familiars, I have a greater instinctive knack for magic that invokes the wind.”

  The Professor’s eyes locked on me, and a smile spread over his face. “For rarer beasts, or those classed Four-X or higher, such as a Raiju, the boosts can be more intense.” I sensed he wanted to say something more, but he didn’t and instead continued the lesson. “This change in magic isn’t simply of benefit to the master. A familial bond allows the beast to enhance any magic that they have the ability to draw on naturally, and can even see them grow stronger in other ways. Mr MacLeod, if you would come here.”

  I stood, drawing a sigh of irritation from Vesta at no longer being next to me and petting Xeno, and moved forward. As I neared the front of the class, Professor Rhys waved his wand, and a table appeared before him. “If you would place your familiar on the table, please.”

  Xeno looked at me as I shifted him in my arms, clearly not pleased with being forced to move from his comfort spot. That drew a chuckle from the Professor. “I apologise, dear Raiju, for disrupting your rest.” As he spoke, he lowered his head, and I sensed a faint trickle of warmth in magic seeping from him. “For your service, I have prepared some choice cuts of meat.”

  His hand slipped into his robes, and he pulled out a small pouch. Xeno’s ears shifted, and his nose started sniffing the air with intent. He looked up at me, and I could sense his thoughts. “You will get some once this is over, I promise,” I said to him.

  At that, he stood on my arm, and after stretching extensively, leapt with grace from my arm to the table, his tail swishing happily from side to side as he moved closer to the Professor.

  “As you just saw, the Raiju understood Mister MacLeod’s words and acted upon them,” he explained even as he reached into the pouch and pulled out a bite-sized chunk of dried meat. “A sign that the bond between master and beast has progressed to at least an elementary stage,” he added as he tossed the chunk onto the table, which caused Xeno to move closer.

  As my familiar sniffed the meat before devouring it, the Professor continued, though this time he spoke to me. “I expect you are aware of the magical abilities of your familiar?” I nodded. “Then please, if you are willing, describe them to us.”

  “Raiju are connected to storms in a similar way to thunderbirds, though, while the thunderbird can generate storm clouds and, if angered, bring forth hurricanes, Raiju share a bond with the energy of such events. Specifically, lightning.”

  “Yes!” Professor Rhys agreed with a shake of his fist. “A Raiju, such as young Xenocrates here, is capable of channelling elemental lightning. In time, this will offer Mister MacLeod a boost to his spellcasting, but the effects are not limited to him.” He turned back to me. “Might I ask if Xenocrates has displayed his magic yet, and if he has, might you be willing to have him display it for us?”

  I considered the request for a moment. I was under no requirement to do so, and I had already shown some of his abilities to the Professor and other staff in private. Asking me to do so before a class, however, was a situation that required a touch more thought. There shouldn’t be any major issues with doing so, but if any of those before me – or those they talked with about this class – learnt what Xeno could do, they might develop plans to counter or kill him if I became their enemy.

  That was bound to happen anyway, but the longer I could avoid such a situation developing, the stronger both Xeno and I could become. Still, I saw no issues with revealing some of the more minor abilities Xeno possessed.

  “To start with, during the last school year, I was attacked by still unknown assailants,” I began, shifting the truth slightly. “Xenocrates, who had been with others in the Slytherin Chambers, sensed I was in danger and raced to me. In doing so, not only did he alert my friends that I was in danger, but he did so by shifting at speeds I would only be able to match on a high-end broom and in the open air. He did that while racing around the legs of other students, up a flight of stairs, and through the corridors of the basement of Hogwarts.”

  Professor Rhys nodded as I spoke, and when I stopped, he turned to face the class. “That the Raiju was aware of the danger to its master is a sign of the deeper bond that I spoke of earlier, and because of that, the incident, which is a matter for the DMLE and thus not one you are free to discuss in school, only saw Mister MacLeod suffer minor injuries. Without the bond, he could have been far more grievously wounded, if not killed, though I doubt it would have happened, given it occurred within Hogwarts.”

  I stayed silent, letting him speak without displaying any response. The DMLE would never conclude the investigation, as the five students who had attacked me were gone: becoming nothing more than food for Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest. The ringleader was sadly no longer a student at Hogwarts; otherwise, I would’ve ensured that Rodolphus suffered a similar, but far more painful and agonising fate.

  He would still suffer for his actions, but I had to be more cautious with how I approached the matter. Even making a move against his brother, Rabastan, or cousin, Raphael, was complicated. At least so long as Bella was still locked into her betrothal to Rodolphus. The moment she defeated him for a third time – which I knew she would – then all three were fair game, I’d just have to ensure that the deaths couldn’t even tangentially be linked back to me. While not a powerful family, House Lestrange wasn’t one that could be ignored easily, nor would Arcturus wish to see the loss of the House’s votes in the Wizengamot from the coalition he had formed.

  “Also, if you were listening closely to his words, Mister MacLeod spoke of the Raiju displaying a particular ability. What was it exactly?” I looked at my fellow students, aware that Vesta would know at least. She had, after all, been with Xeno when I’d been attacked.

  Her hand, along with the rest of the Slytherins in the class and a few others, rose into the air, making clear the story of Xeno’s actions had spread beyond the walls of our house. “Miss Greengrass?” The Professor asked, choosing – I assumed intentionally – one from outside Slytherin.

  “The Raiju moved at unnatural speeds to reach its master. Therefore, it had to draw on its magic to accelerate itself; possibly even turning partially into lightning to do so.” It wasn't a shock that Christine Greengrass knew. Beyond being a Ravenclaw and, from what I had heard, curious about me, she was friends with Vesta and other girls in Slytherin. Not to the point that Vesta considered her close, but enough that I had seen the pair and others in groups together on semi-regular occasions.

  “Exactly!” The Professor pointed at her and then thumped the air. “Ten points to Ravenclaw.” Christine smiled, pleased at the points which made sense. While she was good with a wand, she wasn’t close to challenging Vesta for the position of top girl in our year within the duelling club, so she had to outperform her academically. Something she had managed the last two years, much to Vesta’s irritation.

  “Raiju can, as they mature, not only call upon lightning to defend themselves or attack with, but to enhance their speed.” The Professor turned to me; the smile he wore was slightly infectious. “If it would not be too big of an ask, could your familiar demonstrate that ability for the class?”

  I looked at Xeno, who had finished the snack he’d gotten earlier and was looking up at me, though his eyes kept flicking to the pouch the Professor held, making clear his desires even if I couldn’t already sense them. “I think so,” I replied with a smirk.

  After pulling my wand from its holster, I looked back at the Professor. “Might I have the pouch, Professor?”

  His smile grew as he handed it to me; no doubt hoping I would do exactly this. “Xenocrates,” I said, speaking to my familiar as he watched the pouch in my hand; something I was lightly tossing up to keep his focus. “Fetch!”

  I flicked my wand at the pouch, calling forth a simple charm. The pouch raced from my hand, sailing into the air and away from the class. Before it had even reached the top of the arc, it was intercepted by a bolt of blue-white light that had started on the table beside me.

  The class gasped at the display, with several soon clapping as Xeno seemed to reform on the ground about twenty metres from us, the pouch in his maw. He ignored the reactions of the class, turning his focus to ripping open the pouch to get to the treats within.

  I cringed at the action, realising the pouch was beyond saving and turned to Professor Rhys to apologise, only to stop when he used his now-free hand to gesture for me to stop while smiling broadly. “I had been hoping for this to happen, Mister MacLeod, and as such used a non-magical pouch for the treats. Still, I can say that even with my experience, tracking the movement of your familiar within the lightning was exceptionally difficult. From what I had learnt, such a display is not common until Raiju turn four, thus it seems that extraordinary performances are not limited to just its master.” I lowered my head, accepting the praise for myself and Xeno freely.

  Professor Rhys turned back to the class, coughing loudly once to regain the attention of most of them. “There are other abilities that a Raiju possesses, but I will not be asking Mister MacLeod to reveal any more of them to us today. If you are interested, you may either speak with him after class or visit the Library to research Raiju and other powerful and/or exotic familiars for yourself.” A hand rose in the class. “Miss Brown?”

  “Can every witch and wizard gain a familiar?” the Hufflepuff girl asked, a spark of wonder in her eyes.

  “In theory, yes. However, the beast must,” he emphasised the word, “choose the witch or wizard. Something, if you look at the board, you will see is mentioned at the bottom.”

  Laura Brown, a muggleborn who had become close to Bradley and Andrew over the last year, turned back to the board as did many in the class. I stayed where I was, waiting for the Professor to dismiss me, and for Xeno to return from having his fill of the treats that he’d caught.

  “There are many books on the matter, however… Ah, Mister MacLeod, please return to your seat.” I nodded and slipped back to my place beside Vesta as the Professor continued. “Unlike where you might pick your pet, a magical beast chooses the person to bond with. There are many books on the matter, with a myriad of ways to theoretically increase the odds that a beast might bond with you. However, there is no single surefire way to do so. Each beast, even within the same genus, is different. Just as every one of you is different from those around you and in your family.

  “The other major difference between having a beast as a pet or as your familiar is their lifespan. Just as a witch or wizard can gain boosts to their magic relating to their familiar, so too does the familiar draw on magic from us. The most obvious is the increased lifespan that can be shared between the beast and its master. Generally, this results in the beast living longer, and even growing larger and more powerful, than it might otherwise. However, in those rare cases where the beast possesses a lifespan greater than a witch or wizard, then the reverse can happen. However, such cases are generally reserved for a handful of beasts which are extremely rare to see as familiars. Think of a crocodile or shark for the non-magical, or a dragon, basilisk, or kitsune for those of the magical variety.”

  His wand danced in the air, and the board vanished, as did the desk that Xeno had been on previously. My familiar was still enjoying the treats that had been contained in the pouch, but I sensed he was close to finishing them and would return to my side soon enough.

  “Now, while many would seek to have a familiar that is a magical beast, there is nothing wrong with forming a bond with a non-magical beast. Indeed, in many cases, a familiar bond with a non-magical beast is more useful than having a low-ranked magical beast as a pet.” Professor Rhys’ wand moved again, and a new board appeared, though this one was almost empty. Only a title stating ‘Levels of Familiar Bonds’ and words ranging from ‘Low’ to ‘Extreme’ were displayed.

  “Generally, any bond with a non-magical beast is classed as a low-category bond. Creatures such as owls – even though trained to carry mail and small packages – cats, toads, ravens, and rats are in this group. However, the more dangerous the animal is, the higher it can be ranked. Something such as a tiger, hippopotamus, or alligator can be considered a lower-end medium bond, though none can offer any improvement to the witch’s or wizard’s magic that even a One-X classed beast could.”

  “One and Two-X ranked magical beasts are considered on the bottom end of the medium category of bonds. However, while you might dismiss their usefulness as they are not inherently powerful or dangerous creatures, that would be a mistake. Newt Scamander’s closest familiar was a bowtruckle, which, if you have read his adventures, you would know ensured he escaped from several situations that otherwise could have been life-threatening. Bowtruckles also offer boosts to the witch or wizard’s ability to cast wards and towards herbological charms and spells. Professor Allwright has two bowtruckles as familiars, though it is doubtful any of you noticed during your herbology classes, as they keep themselves hidden.”

  I smirked, remembering the classes with Professor Allwright in First Year. For the first semester, she had disliked teaching me. Not because I was a bad student – though I knew it was, by far, my weakest subject – but because Xenocrates had to remain close to me due to his age. After the third lesson, he had realised that the bowtruckles were present and began disrupting classes to chase them. In the end, the Professor had asked me to keep Xeno in a nearby room during the class, which I had agreed to so as to avoid causing a ruckus in the class each time I came for a lesson.

  “Upper bonds are those for beasts that are classed as Three-X, along with the more docile, in relative terms, Four-X beasts. Now, that is not to say that a passive Four-X beast is in any way less dangerous than an aggressive Three-X beast. It is simply a matter that such beasts generally offer weaker rewards to forming bonds with them than other Four-X beasts.” Rhys smiled and looked up as if distracted by something in the clouds. “Both my familiars are Three-X class, though on a bad day, Maximus can act like a Four-X.”

  The comment, as I suspected the Professor intended, drew light laughter from the class. The sound seemed to remind Xeno of where he was as he chose that moment to return to my lap; the pouch, empty as it was, in his mouth. I didn’t expect him to eat the fabric, but he would lick at it in an attempt to get any lingering taste for the material before discarding it once he lost interest in it.

  “The highest form of bonds come from beasts that are rated at a minimum of Four-X. Mister MacLeod’s raiju is a Four-X beast, while Headmaster Dumbledore’s phoenix is a Five-X rated beast. Such beasts, beyond granting abilities similar to those in the mid and upper classes of bonds, also have the chance to imbue special abilities on the person they bond with. For example, phoenixes grant a large resistance, if not outright immunity, to almost all forms of fire, while boosting any such spell cast by the witch or wizard. They also, because of their unique ability to regenerate, help extend the lifespan of the one bonded to them.”

  I had already researched what benefits being bonded to a phoenix and other such – by their standards – common to the British Isles high-end familiars could grant, but it was refreshing to hear it again. It served as a reminder of how I had to be cautious with Dumbledore, as Fawkes granted him boosts that made him even more dangerous to face. And that was before considering the fact that he was regarded as one of the most powerful and skilled wizards in the world.

  The Professor paused there for a moment, likely to let the information he had imparted sink in. I was pleased that he hadn’t lingered on Xeno as I’d prefer it if much of what he could possibly do – some now, the rest coming in the future – wasn’t made freely available to the class. While all of them could learn such information if they consulted the right tomes, it was better that they didn’t have such information, which could be used against Xeno and me, given to them on a silver platter.

  From Xeno, I had already seen some boosts, all of which were still growing stronger as we both matured. The most obvious was in the ease and power of any spell, charm, hex, or curse I cast that carried an element of lightning within it. I had even managed, though it was far from stable, to cast what was commonly referred to as a Lightning Shield just before the new semester had started.

  The other boost that I had received from Xeno, though it was more an enhancement of one of my fleshcarved arrays, was an increase in my ability to react and counter threats. This generally manifested as a faint sense of nearby danger – something beyond a Sixth Sense that I had honed through training and the flesh arrays – but it also helped boost my reflexes in certain conditions. That was part of how I was able to do so well in the duelling tournament last year, as the boost from Xeno, when added to what was provided by the equivalent flesh array, helped take my reaction times beyond where they would be for an average Fourth Year, and thus helped counter my lack of skill and magical capacity as a Second Year.

  The boosts that, in theory, I should gain in the coming years were a potential ability to, in layman’s terms, store electrical energy in Xeno and call it forth if he were nearby, and a supposed boost to my aura and presence. The former was much like how muggles used batteries and capacitors. This also could manifest as him protecting me from a lightning strike, though I had no interest in testing that particular possibility out. The latter potential boost would help when I needed to use my presence to impose my will on others. Much as I’d experienced several Professors and prefects doing over the last two years to gain control of a situation involving those younger and weaker than them.

  There were two other abilities that Xeno had or would gain; the first, which was already beginning to manifest, was the ability to manipulate his size to a degree. He had room to grow as he would one day be able to be as large as a panther or as small as a Kneazle, depending on the situation, but already he knew to keep that ability hidden from others.

  The last ability was something that wasn’t confirmed in any text I had read on Raiju. Some claimed they could not only sense shifts in the weather far before most other beasts – be they magical or not – could, but adapt to it during hunts and battles. Something it could also provide to its master. Other tomes stated this was a myth with no confirmed proof, so I remained uncertain if this would manifest in Xeno or not.

  “Now, I am sure all of you are sitting there wondering how you can gain a familiar, or what price you or your families have to pay to gain one. The simple truth is that no amount of gold can guarantee a bond is formed with any beast. As I mentioned earlier, the beast must choose its master, not the other way around. I have heard many tales of wizards who purchased dangerous beasts to make them their familiars, only to be killed by said beasts because they offended the creature. Merlin, during my time as a member of the DMLE’s Magical Beast Containment Unit, I encountered several Four and Five-X beasts that had escaped after doing just that to those foolish enough to try and force the beast into servitude.”

  Those words cast a chilled air over the class, and I sensed much of the enthusiasm of my classmates at the idea of gaining a familiar fade away. The Professor seemed to realise this and smiled warmly at us. “I do not expect any of you to attempt such things, as none of you are so foolish to believe that you could best even a Hippogriff into servitude by yourselves. However, clear warnings are needed when we discuss and research familiars.

  “In lands far beyond these Isles, there are methods that are claimed to help ensure the beast becomes a familiar. Contracts and rituals are said to be performed by mystics and shamans far to the east and across the Atlantic Ocean, which can increase the chances of forming a bond to a near certainty. I have never seen proof of this, however, and I would advise you all to take such information with a grain of salt.”

  Professor Rhys swished his wand, and the board with the information on the levels of bonds and examples of beasts in each category moved off to one side. Unlike the first board, it didn’t disappear, and I suspected that what was mentioned there was going to form the basis of our homework assignment.

  “Now, with the theory out of the way, how about we have a practical session?” The Professor asked, clapping his hands together as he smiled warmly. “For those of you who already have a bonded companion, there is no need for you to take part in this activity, but you are welcome to do so. For the rest, how would you like to have a hint of what it might one day feel like to develop a familial bond?”

  There was an instant increase in volume in the class, the excitement regarding the topic returning like a tsunami. At my side, I heard Vesta inhale sharply, and a glance her way let me confirm she was excited by the idea. For a moment, I considered suggesting I might buy her a magical beast for her birthday, but I held my tongue. It had been an extremely happy coincidence that Xeno had bonded with me when I’d gained him as a pet, and the odds that the same would happen to Vesta were so slim as to be the sort of odds only a fool would take. Still, it did give me a few ideas for how we might spend her birthday, which was at the end of November.

  “Everyone, come this way,” Professor Rhys said, waving one arm to have us follow. “I have asked the groundskeeper to arrange a surprise for you,” he said as most of the class hurriedly stood and moved to follow him. As I stood, Vesta stayed at my side, once again marking out her territory before the other girls. The behaviour was amusing most of the time, though there were moments when I found it a little possessive and had asked her to back off slightly.

  “Any preferences as to what you would want as a familiar?” I asked her softly as we moved with the class in the Professor’s shadow.

  “So long as it is not something common like a Kneazle or anything non-magical, I would be fine with it.”

  I chuckled. “Even a Flobberworm?”

  Her head snapped my way, a snarl spreading over her features. “EW!!! No! That’s something suitable for Carrow!”

  I laughed as loud as I dared. While Amycus wasn’t sitting anywhere near us, thank Morgana, but there was a chance the comment could reach his ears. I doubted he would do anything about it, at least regarding targeting myself or Vesta, but the less interaction I had with him until I was ready to force his submission or arrange an unfortunate accident for him, the better.

  “If anything, that might actually improve his behaviour.” I turned my head slightly to see the speaker, offering her a small nod even as Vesta responded.

  “I am not sure there is anything we could do to improve him, but you are welcome to try, Christine.”

  Christine Greengrass sneered, her disgust at the idea as evident as realising it was raining because your robes were soaked through to your bones. “Merlin, never! I would rather… Well, there are a lot of things I would rather do than spend time by choice with that boy.” I snorted in agreement, which drew her attention to me. “I see you are once again the centre of attention, MacLeod.”

  I shrugged as we walked, mindful of Xenocrates, who was resting on my shoulders, his head on my right so he was closer to Vesta, while his tail trailed down over my left chest. “I do not ask for the attention, Greengrass. If you are unhappy about it, then speak with the Professors who keep using me as an example.”

  “I am happy they do,” Vesta cut in, sliding her arm around mine. “Means they know how good you are.”

  I ignored the comment, still adapting to the moments of affection like those that she had begun to show me. It had only been a few days since we’d returned, but at least once a day she did so, and I wondered whose benefit she was doing them for. I had no regrets about agreeing to the trial betrothal we had entered, nor did I foresee myself choosing to end it before it became formalised, nor did I think she would. However, she had enjoyed being more affectionate towards me since our return to Hogwarts.

  “Anyway, I was curious about your familiar,” Greengrass continued, choosing to ignore Vesta’s remark. “I was under the impression that Raiju were a controlled species and that the Imperial Shogunate had tight restrictions on the export of any magical beast unique to their domain.”

  “I do not know how Xenocrates was acquired, only that he was a gift for my eleventh birthday, and he bonded with me then and there.” The question was one that had come up on many occasions over the last two years, with many students and professors curious about the details. For the students, I gave them the answer I had just given Greengrass, though for the Professors I directed them to approach Lord Arcturus. That was often where their interest ended, at least as it pertained to asking me for information on Xeno’s origins.

  “Do you not have a familiar as well?” I asked, shifting the conversation away from Xeno.

  Greengrass nodded, a small smile slipping onto her face. “Yes, Ranger is resting in my room; secured, as he must be, in his cage.”

  I returned her smile as she spoke. I was already aware she had a niffler as her familiar, though this was the first time I’d learnt its name.

  “Right, gather round,” Professor Rhys said, drawing us from our conversation – something others had been having as we followed him. As I looked forward, I saw we’d arrived near Hagrid’s hut, though the Professor was leading us towards the enclosures to one side and behind the hut. “Thanks to our groundskeeper, who is around somewhere,” Professor Rhys added with a hint of irritation, “we have gathered a collection of the more common, and thus safer, magical beasts for today’s practical session.” He stopped just before one enclosure, and I saw that inside were Diricawls, while another nearby had a handful of Kneazles in it. “Please take a seat on the log benches over there,” he gestured to his left, “and we will begin.”

  I slipped onto one of the wooden benches, Vesta at my side still with Greengrass beyond her, and waited to see where the lesson went. Given, along with Greengrass and the others who already had familiars, I had an idea of what was about to happen, though as the large form of Hagrid came rumbling towards us from behind his hut, I waited to see how the remainder of the lesson played out.

  … …

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