Trading Magic for Fact

Can I touch you, are you out of touch?
I guess I never noticed that much.
Geranium lover, I'm live on your wire,
Come and take me whoever you are.

Ron looked into his cauldron and then into Harry’s. “Why’s yours bluer than mine?”

“I don’t know. Did you do something wrong?”

“I don’t think so. Did you do something wrong?”

Harry frowned. “See what color Hermione’s got.”

Ron glanced around for Professor Snape. He was busy watching Gabe add valerian root to his potion. The red head stepped sideways to look at Hermione’s work. “Ugh, it’s purple. We’re both off then.”

Snape spun in his direction. “Mister Weasley…” Hermione whispering to Neville Longbottom quickly distracted him. “Ah, Miss Granger, assisting Mister Longbottom once again?”

“No, Sir,” she replied, looking down.

“Too bad. It seems Mister Longbottom could quite use the help.” He moved closer. Neville’s potion was orange. “This is beyond salvageable. Ten points from Gryffindor for Miss Granger’s useless attempt to help and Mister Longbottom’s ability to royally ruin a potion.”

As Snape turned away, Neville relaxed again, dropping a hand heavily onto the table in front of him. The motion caused a vial of dragon’s blood to start to fall to the floor.

“As I will it,” a voice cried out. The vial stopped inches from the ground.

Harry and Ron looked at Gabriel, his arm outstretched toward the dragon’s blood. He moved his fingers, beckoning to it until the vial was in his possession. He handed it to a rather amused Professor Snape. “Sir, I figured you’d be even more upset seeing as it’s a rather expensive substance.”

“Indeed, Mister Corin. Indeed.”

*~*~*~*

With the start of another school year came unexpected—and expected—duels in the corridors. Because of these “interruptions to the learning process” Professor Lupin had decided to reinstate the Dueling Club. Students from all four Houses crowded around the long table used as battleground, waiting for the events to begin.

Lupin stood so everyone could see him. “We’re going to start right off with a student duel. This is going to be new to you, I’m sure, and hopefully rather exciting. Miss Alexander, Miss Llewellyn, please step up.”

Vange approached from one side walking straight to the center. Divia emerged from a group of Slytherins, dropping her robes before she met her opponent. They pushed their hands together, palms flat, and moved them in the directions as they spoke, “North, South, East, and West.” They bowed slightly and parted, taking five long strides before turning again.

Professor Lupin counted, “One…two…three.”

“Sylph updraft!” Vange yelled immediately, raising her arms.

A wind swirled around Divia, blowing her skirt in the wrong direction. She shrieked and dropped to the ground, her arms holding the clothing in place.

Most of the observers laughed, including Ron. “Is this what happens when you let girls fight?”

Gabriel shook his head. “This won’t be a joke much longer,” he warned.

He was right. The wind died. Divia stood and snapped her fingers, a spark lighting in her palm. She blew lightly into the flame and it streamed toward Vange.

Her robes burst into flames and she shed them as quickly as possible. “Undine,” she whispered. Water rained onto the damaged clothes. Vange inspected her burnt arm before staring at her opponent. She touched a finger to the table. “Move.” The table shook, but only under Divia’s feet. She fell onto her back.

Divia got as far as kneeling. She placed her hand, palm out again. “Move.” It was a harsh command that her eyes spoke as well as her voice.

Vange flew backwards, landing hard on the ground below the table. She groaned, not getting up.

Divia stood fully, straightening her uniform, and running her fingers through her hair. “Don’t ever embarrass me like that again, Evangeline,” she spat. She grabbed her robe and stormed off.

Meanwhile Gabe was helping Vange to stand. With her arm over his shoulders, he walked her to the hospital wing so she could get her burns treated and be checked for any breaks or sprains.

Hermione couldn’t believe what had just happened. “Wandless magic,” she thought aloud. “That was how Gabe held the vial in Potions. The differences that Vange said we would see…they don’t use wands for anything.”

“How can a wizard not use a wand?” Harry asked.

“I’m not sure, but magic obviously can still be done just as well without. They don’t seem to use spells either, just words. It’s like…”

“Like they just see what they want to happen, and they make it happen,” finished Harry.

“Exactly.”

Ron looked dazed. “What?”

*~*~*~*

Hermione found the book she was looking for and dropped it on the table she occupied in the library. Who’s Who and What’s What in American Magic by Cerridwen Knight was not quite as thick as Hogwarts, A History, which surprised Hermione. She had assumed this book would be larger, but it didn’t seem to contain too much detail. She read about the four founders of the Salem Witches’ Institute. They had taken a nod from the original Hogwarts founders, creating Houses and a way to sort students. The school was much younger though, established as a place for the magical to remain safe during the Burning Times.

The book elaborated on wandless magic and the emphasis on the use of the four Elements. It was really quite fascinating. The beliefs had derived from Muggles who thought that magic was connected to religion. Some Muggles thus believed that they could use magic, and those who succeeded through their own willpower were called Naturals.

The final chapter revolved around the oldest Pureblood families of Salem and the surrounding area. One name in particular caught Hermione’s attention. Angus Llewellyn. Angus’s family had been some of the original Salem students, all sorted into Sangrebane. As she read on she realized that the Llewellyn family didn’t sound particularly pleasant. They had bullied many of the Naturals out of the magical world, forcing them to live as Muggles. They had an abundance of wealth and influence. She frowned as she compared them to the Malfoys.

Wouldn’t that make perfect sense, she thought.

*~*~*~*

The fire in the Gryffindor common room continued to crackle softly, adding noise to the three voices.

“How bad were you hurt, Vange?” Divia asked, lightly touching her friend’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to burn you, but I needed it to be dramatic.”

“It’s all right, I’m fine. It was extremely embarrassing…and I think I would’ve set the salamanders on you if I was in the same situation.”

Divia smiled. “That makes me feel better then. After that performance he’s been staring at me more than ever. The rage is attractive I think.”

“It would be to him.” Gabe snorted. “I think you’ve established yourself in Slytherin, so just hurry the plan up. Get it all over with, and let’s get home.”

She shook her head. “If we rush this, we risk a lot. I can’t take risks now.”

“This plan is one huge risk, Divvy!”

Vange shushed him. “If you wake anyone, we’ll have to explain the Prefect’s doppelganger. Besides, Divia’s right. She needs time to get him where we need him. Look, just don’t worry about anything. We have a few weeks until the Hallowe’en Feast. That’s time for conversation, learning.”

“Saturday we go into Hogsmeade. I can’t buy the supplies I need if he’s with me, so I need you to get me amethyst pieces, aconite, and black cloth. Hallowe’en we’ll sneak out, all of us. It’s the Witches’ New Year, so let’s do it right.”

Gabe nodded. “Will we see you in between now and then?”

“I don’t think so. Pansy, that girl I mentioned last week, she’s not fond of me. I think because I’m pulling him away from her. She’s been watching me too closely, and I don’t want her to catch me sneaking about.”

“All right. Please be careful.”

“I always am.”

*~*~*~*

Divia wrapped her robes around her tightly as the autumn wind sent a chill down her spine. She moved with the crowd of students making the excursion, unable to stop herself from glancing at Vange. The raven-haired girl nodded as an acknowledgement.

“Divia.”

She turned and smiled softly. “Hi, Draco.”

“I was hoping to talk to you. I could show you Hogsmeade since you’ve never been, and we can have a drink at The Three Broomsticks.”

“Would this be considered a date?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Er, well, I suppose so.” He paused to think. “Yes, absolutely it is.”

“Good. I’d be delighted to go out with you.”

*~*~*~*

“So, what do you want to see first?” Harry asked as the group entered the town of Hogsmeade. “We can go get a butterbeer if you’d like.”

Vange shrugged. “Maybe later, but first, we have to buy some things. Is there a supply shop here?”

“You’ll want Dervish and Banges,” Hermione told them. “We can go there first, and I know you’ll want to go to Honeyduke’s.”

They walked straight into Dervish and Banges. Vange wasted no time and started her search for the right plant. She grabbed a bottle labeled “aconite” as Gabe found a small bag of onyx bits. “This’ll have to do,” he mumbled.

They paid for the objects in silence and left quickly.

“What do you need that stuff for anyhow?” Ron asked. “Why buy ingredients when you can just take them from that git Snape?”

Gabe narrowed his eyes at the red head. “We may not like the man, but we’re not going to sneak around him like that.”

“Yeah, Divvy does the sneaking,” mumbled Vange with a smirk. “It’s nothing anyway. We just need it.”

“You can tell us if you’re up to something,” Ron went on, “because we really won’t say anything. Typically we’re the ones causing mischief, so it’d be interesting for someone else to you know…do something.”

Hermione shook her head. “Ignore him.”

“Well, no, I mean, it’s no big deal.” Vange glanced at Gabe and her smirk turned into a full-blown grin. “We’re going to bind someone.”

“Not forever,” Gabe added. “Just long enough to teach them a lesson. It won’t happen until November at this rate.”

“Brilliant!” Harry exclaimed. “It’s that girl, isn’t it?”

“Actually, no. We can’t bind her…she could very well do worse to us.”

*~*~*~*

Draco led Divia to a small table in the corner of The Three Broomsticks and ordered two butterbeers.

“I want to say thank you for showing me around and sitting with me in classes, Draco. I really appreciate it since the girls in our year seem to dislike me very much. I do want to know, why you decided to befriend me so quickly though.”

“Initially I thought you were beautiful, and as time’s passed, I’ve realized that you’re a rather interesting person.”

She blushed. “Thank you.”

“I wasn’t sure about you at first, but then there was that fight you had with that Gryffindor. That was incredible. You’re really mean, aren’t you? Quiet, but mean.”

Divia shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. “Would you like me if I was?”

“I already like you.”

“Well then, I’m a bitch,” she replied with a smile. “And you Mister Malfoy have done some rather nasty things from what I’ve heard. Some acts involved in Quidditch.”

“If I admit to that, will you hold it against me?”

“Absolutely not. However, I will want to see you in action.”

“Then yes, I admit, I play dirty. You should come to the game next week and see. You can cheer me on.”

“I think I will.”

*~*~*~*

Glares from Pansy Parkinson did not go unnoticed as Divia watched Draco and Harry compete to catch the Golden Snitch. Every time Draco slammed into the opposing Seeker roughly, she liked to think he was showing off for her. She was even more amused when it occurred to her that Pansy was thinking the same thing of his actions.

“We’ve gone to the Holiday Ball together for the past two years,” the brunette suddenly said to her. “This year will make it three.”

Divia’s eyes never left the game. “This year is different though. You forget that I’m here, whether you like it or not, Pansy.” She grimaced as Gryffindor scored another ten points. “I don’t care who you think you are, but it means jack to me. What I do care about is the fact that Draco likes me, and I like him, very much so.” Her eyes flickered to Pansy reaching for her wand. “And I can knock you down before you even say ‘stupefy.’ Don’t try me.”

Pansy just growled.

“Damnit, Potter got the Snitch.” Divia sighed, looking at the irate Slytherin next to her. “I suppose I should go cheer up Draco, shouldn’t I?” She left the stands with everyone else, very aware that Pansy was right behind her.

“Immobilis!” Divia froze. Pansy smirked and stood in front of her opponent. “Who’s got the last laugh now?”

“Oh, I still do.” Divia moved suddenly and swung her leg around, kicking into the side of Pansy’s ribcage before turning and kicking her straight in the abdomen. She toppled over. “You think I don’t protect myself from simple spells?”

“Miss Llewellyn, what have you done to Miss Parkinson?” Professor Snape asked, emerging from a crowd of onlookers. “Someone help Miss Parkinson to the hospital wing. I’d bet on a cracked rib or two. Miss Llewellyn, in the future, I would prefer it if you refrained from physically attacking students, even in your own defense.”

“Yes, Sir,” she replied sweetly. “Next time, I’ll be sure to make it more interesting.”