The Awakening of a Magus

The Awakening of a Magus
Chapter 42 - Sun, Aug 6 - Day 17
Revealing the Hidden

Snape was handing the students some cold pumpkin juice as they sat nervously in front of the cold-fire he kept burning in his study in the summer. "Try to calm down, you two. Albus will be here shortly." As though he had been waiting for that announcement, the headmaster appeared, carrying an old manuscript of his own. "Ah, good. Now, Draco, suppose you tell me what you discovered in the Barabbas that has you so disturbed," Snape said as he seated himself and Dumbledore joined him on the same couch.

"Oh, didn't Draco tell you?" Albus asked.

Draco immediately asked Harry, "You told him what this is about?"

Harry replied with, "You didn't tell Severus?"

"Enough!" snapped Snape. Taking a deep breath, and glaring at everyone else, he settled on Draco. "You. Explain."

Draco began by explaining how Harry and he had been studying in the Slytherin commons. Then he told how he discovered there was hidden text, then made up an explanation for the others. "In hindsight, I should have been more discrete about it, but I'm still not used to keeping secrets from the other Slytherins. Savannah probably knows I was bluffing, and possibly Malvina. The others probably accepted the line, either because they're so clueless, or because they aren't quite perceptive enough."

Dumbledore asked, "Show me the passage you are referring to, Draco." As Draco opened the manuscript shakily to the correct page, he tried to see the preceding pages and the charmed page as a Scanner, and noted the differences for future reference. The headmaster then began to read the page, describing a chapter on ancient dark arts spells whose exact incantations and gestures had been lost over time. He then looked up at Harry, "That is, I believe, what you say you read at first. Correct, Harry?"

"Right. I can see the hidden text only when I look through Draco's eyes. Now that I know it's charmed, I can sense the presence of the charm, and will recognize the existence of hidden text in the future, but I can't break the charm without risking damage to the manuscript. It is very powerful, even after all this time."

"That is to be expected," Snape commented. "Simon Barabbas was Klaatu-shah. Have you encountered that term before, Harry?"

Draco answered for him. "As of about 15 minutes ago. I told him everything I knew about Klaatu and the Bloodlines." He could tell that Snape was puzzled as to what had prompted that disclosure. Draco took back the manuscript and began reading.

" 'Concerning the Serpent's Blood and the Children of the Serpent Lord, Klaatu. Welcome kinsman and hearken. I, Simon, am privileged to be Klaatu-shah and write these words for those of the Blood who follow after me. Here you will find historical information on our great ancestor, Klaatu, Lord of Serpents, said to be demon-spawn. Only those who are at least Klaatu-mehr will see these words. You will also find spells that can be performed only by those of the Blood, learn of artifacts that can only be utilized by one who is Klaatu-shah, and, at the end of these hidden words, you will find magically updated listings of living and dead fully-awakened Klaatu-mehr and Klaatu-shah, so that you may know who are your allies, who leads and who follows. Guard these words well, kinsman, but take joy in the learning.' "

"Well, it may be that your middle name was rightly chosen, Draco. It appears that you are Klaatu-mehr," Snape observed. "Suppose you check that listing of Klaatu-shah and see if the Dark Lord is what he claims to be."

Draco was already looking for the page when he stopped, turned white as a sheet, and began trembling uncontrollably. He tried to speak, but couldn't. He couldn't even form mental speech. He looked pleadingly at Harry, who guessed what was needed and shifted his mind to see through Draco's eyes.

He gulped, looked from Snape to Dumbledore to Draco and began to 'read' the page: " 'Behold, the Klaatu-shah. Between their births pass no less than 15 years, no more than 75 years. As of this moment that you read these words, those Klaatu-shah now living are: Tom Marvolo Riddle, called Lord Voldemort.' " Harry took another deep breath. " 'Severus Malachai Snape.' " A thud sounded as Snape dropped the goblet he had been holding. Then Harry put out a hand to hold his friend by the shoulder, and in a clear, soft voice finished, " 'Draco Salazar Malfoy,' "

There was total silence for several long moments.

"Of course," Dumbledore whispered with a sense of wonder. "It explains so much!"

Grabbing the manuscript from Draco with a shaking hand, Snape spat out, "That wasn't funny, Potter. You don't understand how serious such things are to ..." Then he glanced down and realized he saw the same words that Harry had just recited. "But ..." He sank back into the couch, laying his head back to stare at the ceiling.

Dumbledore gently took the manuscript from the shocked wizard beside him, and noted with approval that Harry was doing his best to treat the shock that Draco was experiencing. Quietly, he observed, "Severus, this is why you have grown so quickly in power. I wonder if Tom realized you were also Klaatu-shah when he helped Lucius block your power. Heaven, have mercy! Would we have had a chance of survival if he had managed to drain you of your true power and life-force that night, and had survived the process?" He reached out to the younger professor.

"Severus, listen to me," Dumbledore continued. "Being Klaatu-shah does not condemn you to Darkness. Simon Barabbas was more a scholar than a Dark Wizard, for instance. Think of it, Severus. With this level of power, you and Draco can face Tom's allies when Harry has to face Tom himself. I believe that Harry is still the only one who can face Tom, since he was Klaatu-shah to begin with, and has now altered himself into something more than any wizard but less, hopefully, than a Magus."

Both newly discovered Serpent's Children had begun to breathe more normally and were calming down, thanks to Dumbledore's words and Harry's subtle healing. Draco spoke first. "But, my magic isn't that strong. I don't understand."

Harry smiled, shaking his head in amusement. "Draco, you're only the most gifted Scanner on record. Plus, I suppose you haven't noticed but you've been getting stronger magically at an unusual rate, ever since your Scanning gift really kicked in. And, you're only 15 you know. You told me yourself, somewhere in all those memories, that the Serpent's Children vary in strength and gifts. It looks like Severus will specialize in raw power, while you may specialize in scope and complexity of magic, though I doubt that either of you will be simply average in any aspect of magical power."

They were all silent for several minutes, when Severus suddenly asked, "Albus, what is that manuscript you brought with you?"

The headmaster's trademark twinkle was brightly shining. "Ah, this is known to have hidden text, probably a Klaatu-mehr charm, but I've never had someone around who might be able to read it that I would trust. When Harry related what was contained in Draco's hidden text, I thought perhaps he could check this for me. Or you can. However, it can wait for another time. I think that both of you need some quiet time to yourselves; whether it be alone or with each other, you would know best."

As he stood, he asked, "I do have a request, however. After you've rested a bit, would you be willing to have a Genopath reading? I'd be interested if you are of Slytherin's line, as Tom is, or another. And it would be a final confirmation of the accuracy of that listing."

"Genopath?" Harry asked. "I haven't heard of that before."

Severus, glad to slip back into his usual persona, smirked at Harry and lectured a bit. "A Genopath is a witch or wizard with the gift of discerning parentage and ancestry. It is a rare gift, and was much prized in the past among the pureblood families. No heir-designation was celebrated, nor marriage contract finalized until a Genopath had confirmed at least the immediate parentage, and often further ancestry, especially if a family claimed a particularly distinguished ancestor, such as a Hogwarts Founder. I know of only two living, both witches."

"There is only one at this time, Severus," the headmaster corrected.

"So the old gorgon is finally dead, eh?" Snape appeared very satisfied to hear this.

"Now Severus, be kind. Madame Ludmilla ..." Dumbledore began.

Snape interrupted, " ... was a nasty old gypsy who delighted in terrorizing every young heir she did a reading on. She made a harpy seem sweet-tempered."

Trying to get Snape off the subject of the late and unlamented Genopath, Draco said, "I would be interested in such a reading, sir. But a bit later would be appreciated."

"Of course, my boy. I still have to formally request the reading, but I'm sure she'll agree to it after she's settled in." Dumbledore then turned to Harry, "Would you join me in my office, Harry?"

Just before they disapparated, Draco asked, "Who is this Genopath?"

Dumbledore smiled and answered just before disappearing, "Why, it's your new Potions Mistress, Amelia Crafter."

Rachel was struggling with final decisions on what to take and what to leave. Amelia was trying to decide just how much in books and equipment she could fit in the standard trans-Atlantic portkey limitations. "This is Dumbledore's portkey. Maybe, just maybe, it has a higher weight limit." Checking the clock, and adding the required 6 hours to determine the time at Hogwarts, she decided. "I'm going to try a quick firecall and see if Albus can confirm how much we can bring."

With a sense of relief, Rachel said, "Wonderful! How about some of that fresh lemonade while we take a break?" With her aunt's nod, she headed for the kitchen as Amelia went to the fireplace to make the call.

Surprisingly, before she could settle in to initiate the call, she noticed an incoming call ... from the headmaster. "Albus, what a surprise. I was just going to call you to ask about the portkey weight limits. Is something wrong?"

"No, my dear, nothing wrong at all. I have a professional request. May I impose on you to do a reading or two when you get here?"

Amelia sighed. "But Albus, you know how exhausting trans-Atlantic portkeys are! I'll be in no shape to tell who the father is, let alone a full reading. Not for at least 24 hours."

"But that brings me to some good news for you. You don't have to take the portkey. Other transportation is available."

"What? Apparation? I can't apparate myself that far, let alone Rachel and our luggage. And that would be even more exhausting than the portkey even if I could. Even you couldn't carry that much."

Dumbledore smiled and twinkled. "Ah, but our resident Magus easily can. Darius? Come meet your passengers." He turned his head to the side and was joined by a young man with long black hair and bright but dark blue eyes. "Darius, this is Amelia Crafter and her niece, Rachel Dragonrider. Ladies, the Magus, called Darius."

A quiet smile was accompanied by a soft, mellow voice. "I'm honored to meet you, Professor Crafter, Miss Dragonrider. I'm looking forward to your time here at Hogwarts. I mean, we all are." A faint, charming blush appeared. "I mean, Harry and I set up the gym, but there's so much to learn."

"Goodness! Well, it's an honor to meet you, uh ..." Amelia looked at Dumbledore, silently hoping he guessed her question ... How in bloody hell do you address a Magus?

"Just Darius, ma'am," said the young-appearing Magus shyly.

"Please don't call me ma'am. I'll get enough of that from the students. We're just Amelia and Rachel, especially if you are 'just Darius'." Amelia smiled and relaxed. She had worried that this man would be an arrogant, intimidating sort, but he was just the opposite.

"It's a deal, Amelia. When should I come by? If you aren't ready yet, I could help out." Darius/Harry was relieved that the American witch was so easy going, at least out of the classroom. And the niece looked friendly enough, though she hadn't spoken yet.

"Well, we were still deciding what to bring and what to leave. If you're sure it's not an imposition, you could come by now." Amelia was a person who didn't put off challenges, and getting to know a person who magically outranked Albus Dumbledore so completely was likely to be challenging. Even the weakest Magus would be extremely formidable.

"No problem at all. Albus, I'll call when we're ready to transport. Amelia, I'm going to aim for a spot about halfway between you and the fireplace. Would you step back a bit? Yes, that will do nicely. Coming through!" Darius said brightly.

The first thing that came to Rachel's mind when Darius stood before them was, Damn! He's *fine* ... and tall. But I hear that's just what the original Darius Magus looked like. Well, even if he's really a dumpy old man, I can appreciate this for now. Then, she began to realize he could be a mindspeaker or telepath and started blushing. Luckily, he seemed to be focusing on her aunt at the moment. Pull yourself together, girl! Put on a smile. Let's see ... pretend he's just like Mike Storm. Come on, you can do it. "Hi !" she said, when he turned in her direction. Yay! My voice didn't squeak!

"Hi, Rachel. Albus tells me you'll be assistant in the martial arts training. How long have you been studying? What belt are you up to?" He tried for safe conversation. He was uncertain, alternating between memories of his miserable experience with most girls in the past and the mature self-awareness he felt since his transformation. He could tell the nice-looking young witch was a bit attracted to him, but he was pretty sure he wasn't influencing her. Mostly sure. And he was blocking his senses as far as possible, just as he had around the Weasleys. Hopefully Rachel wasn't a mindspeaker, as Ron was. Not likely, he thought to himself.

Amelia went into the kitchen for another lemonade, thankful for the ordinary conversation. She was just returning to the living room when the front door opened. "Oh, good! Hi, Amelia. I'm glad I caught you before you left."

"Mike, what are you doing here? We're ... uh ..." Amelia glanced over to the living room at Darius, who had turned at the intrusion. He was mostly at ease, but overall, the shy young man suddenly had become an alert warrior, waiting for Amelia's response to the visitor.

"Oh, damn. Sorry, I should have called. I didn't think you'd have company." Mike Storm had turned to apologize to Rachel and her apparent guest when he gasped in shock at what he was sensing. He wasn't that surprised that the stranger was a wizard, but he was shocked at the sheer power he perceived, far more than any wizard he had ever encountered. He had believed that Evan Dragonrider was an exceptionally gifted wizard, but compared to this man ...

"You know what I am," the young man observed quietly, "but, you're a Muggle, aren't you? Or are you?"

"My apologies for interrupting. You're right, I'm not a wizard. Just a friend of the family, an informed Mundane who's a bit psychic. Couldn't cast a spell to save my life." He smiled carefully at the stranger. "I hope that won't be an issue."

"No, sir. Not at all. I'm called Darius." He stood and extended his hand. He looked at Amelia and Rachel. "Mundane ... that is the same as what I mean by Muggle, isn't it?"

"Yes. It's an American thing. Darius, this babbling fool is our friend, Mike Storm. He was a close friend of my late brother and husband, both." Amelia glanced at Mike to apologize for the friendly insult. "Also, he's a Tae-Kwon-Do master. He's trained Rachel for several years."

"Odd turn of phrase," Mike commented. "You're 'called Darius' ... Oh, I get it. You're that Magus. Is that a glamour or something? Do you attend the school Rachel will be going to this year?"

"Mike! What a thing to ask," Rachel sputtered. "He's the Magus. Remember what we told you about him before? He isn't really that age."

"I can see that, Rach. I know he isn't in his mid-20s. More like 18, Darius? Rachel is 16." As Mike casually stated this, Darius had paled a bit and looked stunned.

"How ..." His voice trailing off, the Magus invoked his Scanner senses. "So ... some Scanning and a sort of Truth Reading. Is it just visual perception, or can you also tell when someone is lying to you?"

Amelia was trying to make sense out of this. Darius wasn't denying Mike's assessment. But that was ridiculous. An 18 year old Magus? It couldn't be. But if it was ... "I'm guessing your age is something of a state secret, isn't it? Especially if Mike is right?"

"What's wrong, Amy?" asked her friend. To Darius, "Yes, I suppose I often can tell when someone is 'piling it higher and deeper', but I don't know what the hidden truth is. As far as being able to see ... both of you, so to speak, I didn't realize I could, actually. Though, come to think of it, I did pick out Amelia in a flock of sparrows once."

Rachel just glanced back and forth trying to follow the two conversations at once. An 18 year old Magus? When the news had first come out, knowing they were going to Hogwarts, she had wheedled for access to the school library, even though classes were dismissed. She had found a copy of Dumbledore's book on Magi and stayed up all night reading it. If Darius really was only 18, he was one hell of a powerful wizard ... Magus ... whatever.

Rachel decided to try to streamline the confusion and talked everyone into sitting down and finishing one conversation at a time. They learned that, yes, Darius was a teenager, though he didn't specify an exact age, and that they were sworn to secrecy. In fact, Darius would use a security spell on the three of them before any of them left the house. It turned out, after a bit of discussion, that Mike's psychic gifts were a bit more than they realized.

"Part of it could be my own fault, you know. I have a sort of stabilizing effect on wizarding abilities. It may also affect psychic gifts." Darius was getting thoughtful. "I wonder if you can recognize an animagus because of the presence of magic, or if you can also recognize who it is, due to the Truth Reading."

"It's been years. I'm not sure," admitted Mike. With an almost Dumbledore-like twinkle, he asked, "Feel like experimenting?"

"I'm not sure how we'd do that objectively. There would be only one sparrow for you to observe. Rachel isn't an animagus, and Darius is a panther or a butterfly. We couldn't really check for certain if your gift can recognize an individual." Amelia hated to shoot down the idea, since she was curious as well.

"Well," drawled Darius with a smile, "since you're all going to have a security spell anyway, and I think that at least Amelia will end up in a position of ... shall we say ... privileged information," Darius continued mentally /* meaning the Order */ and was amused that Amelia struggled not to show her surprise, "I think I'll let you in on another secret. We can make this work, maybe even add a twist," he said, glancing at Rachel, then back at Mike, grinning. "Turn around. I'll tell you when to start."

Darius continued mentally. /* Here's my idea. Amelia, you change into your animagus form. Rachel, I'll transfigure you so that you look like Amelia's form. Then I'll copy Amelia's form myself. */ Sensing the obvious objection, he answered them before they could protest. /* I can change into more than just two forms. I can do a sparrow ... I think I can even do a female sparrow, though I haven't actually tried that twist yet. Then, we see if Mike can tell us apart, or if he can tell the difference between an animagus and a transfiguration. Sound like a plan? */

/* I'm in! */ Rachel sent her thought, without too much trouble. /* You have a twisted mind, Darius. I like it. */ Rachel grinned and glanced over at her teacher, who was impatiently waiting for his signal.

/* As a Hogwarts professor, I should object, but, */ Amelia smirked at her cohorts, /* I'm not a professor just yet. Let's do it! */ And the first sparrow appeared in the room. They noticed that Mike flinched slightly, as though he noticed the transformational spell.

/* Yes, that enhancing effect seems to be working. Oh well, ready Rachel? */ he asked. She nodded, and he glanced at the Amelia-sparrow once more for reference, then gestured slightly at Rachel. Suddenly, in the place of the 16 year old girl was the Rachel-sparrow. He could sense she was thrilled at the chance to be in animal form, even though she couldn't be an animagus. Then, the Magus transformed himself. He decided to try it in two steps. First, he became a male sparrow. Then, focusing on the other females, he gave a mental twist and there were three female sparrows. /* Bloody hell, that feels strange. Oh, sorry ladies. */ Then he sent to Mike, /* Whenever you're ready, tell us what you see. */

Storm turned, looking around. Instead of two people and one sparrow, he realized there were three sparrows. "Now, how in the hell ... sorry, Amelia. I know, I'm corrupting the youth, again. So, somehow all three of you appear to be sparrows." He picked them up one at a time and looked them over, thoroughly. "Now how did you manage that? Three females. I guess I won't get any easy answers. Time to flip the switch." He blinked, and tried looking at them with that other sense he had, that sometimes worked on command, but often didn't. This time, it worked, smooth as satin.

"You're all magical, so that doesn't help. And Darius seems to have masked the power levels, because I can't really tell that apart. Something a bit different about one of you, though. Is it Darius because he's really a male, or is it ..." The magic on one seemed to be ... from the outside, in. The other two were ... from the inside, out. "One of you turned Rachel into a sparrow. This one is Rachel." He picked up one sparrow, gently stroking its feathers.

Looking at the remaining two sparrows, he tried to sense some difference. He tried to sense the woman he had known for years, but he couldn't get any information on personality or identity. He picked them up, one in each hand. Then he caught something. An echo of sorts on one of them gave him the final clue. "You seem to have two spells on you. I'm going to guess that you're Darius and the second spell was the male-to-female change. That leaves you, lovely lady, as Amelia." He put them down and stepped back. "Well, Professor Crafter, what's my grade on the exam?"

In a moment, Amelia and Darius stood, human again. The third sparrow was chirping indignantly (somehow), and Darius laughed, wiggling his fingers at her. Then Rachel was standing beside them, with her eyes narrowed at the Magus, trying to decide if she should be mad or not. She decided to laugh, which pleased Darius a great deal ... this girl wasn't easily intimidated, just because he was 'the Magus', and had a good sense of humor. Amelia stood thoughtfully, as though she were calculating something. Shaking her head, she said sorrowfully, "I have no choice, Mike." Then she grinned. "Passed with flying colors! A-plus! Sounded like you couldn't tell who we were, though, but deduced it from what you sensed about the spells themselves."

"Got it in one, Amy." Mike was grinning at his old friend, then turned. "Darius, that was two twists you pulled ... changing Rachel and switching genders. You are definitely a man of many surprises."

"Are you up to one more quick test?" Darius asked. "You can see under my shapeshifting, but not under an animagus transformation or transfiguration. I'm wondering if it's because of the change of species. Suppose I shift to a few other forms ... another human, then some humanoid creatures, and see when you lose the vision."

Everyone was agreeable, and they took turns suggesting forms. At the same moment, Amelia suggested Dumbledore, and Rachel suggested Harry Potter. Darius was able to mask his reaction, but he saw a flicker in Mike's eyes. Mike suddenly realized that he had seen a lightning-bolt scar on the forehead of the 'other' Darius, which meant that Darius must be ... Mike met the eyes of the Magus and shook his head slightly, to indicate he wouldn't mention it, then said, "Make it Dumbledore. He would be very different looking and have a greater age change."

Darius agreed with that reasoning and they discovered that Mike could see past that form as well. Then, he tried the human form of a werewolf and a vampire. The true form was still visible, probably because both were originally human. Next, a goblin and a house elf: the true form was more vague, identifiable as human but not recognizable as an individual. A centaur was even more vague, and a unicorn after that was like the animagi ... Mike couldn't see a true form, but knew that it was a transformed unicorn, not a natural unicorn.

Mike sat back on the couch, rubbing his aching eyes. "Well, that was fascinating, I have to admit, but I should get back to my reason for coming by. I needed to get one more shot of reassurance." The man's voice had become serious and he looked at Rachel and Amelia with more than a bit of worry.

"You see, Darius," Mike continued, "the last time Amelia went overseas, we lost three of my four dearest friends, and Amelia didn't return for over a year. I wish there was some way to keep in touch, but Mundane devices won't work where you're going, and I can't do the spell to firecall." Remembering exactly who he was talking to, he asked, "Is there anything you can do to help? I understand you can do much more than the usual wizard."

"Yes and no. I have the ability and power to do most things, but I don't always have the experience to know what to do." Darius looked at Amelia. "Considering the legal issues of a Mundane being found with a wizarding artifact, I'd like to suggest a mindspeech link. You and Rachel picked up the technique quickly." He looked over to Mike. "You didn't react badly when I sent you the message to start the experiment. If you are alright with a link, that would be the best way to go."

"But ..." Amelia began, but Darius gently interrupted.

"Amelia, the distance and security are no problem. Believe me. I can set up the link so the three of you can speak as easily as if you were in the same room, and with privacy. The most that anyone could tell is the existence of the conversation, not the content. And that would only be the most powerful true mindspeakers."

Looking back to Mike, he continued. "Do you know the extent of a mindspeech link? No, it isn't mind reading ... more like sending and receiving a directed signal. Think of it as having a set of walkie-talkies on a private frequency. Sometimes there is a bit of spillover ... if someone is very emotional and their thoughts or emotions get very 'loud', then others in the same 'circuit' might hear them. Might. Here, I'll show you ... /* Mike, this is what it's like to hear mindspeech ... try to direct something back at me. Start gently ... you don't have to shout to get my attention. */

/* Huh ... don't believe ... well ... try ... OK Darius, is this getting through? */ Mike had his eyes closed as he tried to concentrate.

/* You can relax. You're doing great. You shouldn't need to close your eyes, just go out of focus a bit. Think about when you were trying to check the sparrows. ... There ... that's the place in your mind to aim for. Shall I connect the ladies into your circuit? */ Mike was still looking nervous, but was slowly relaxing, and nodded. /* Amelia, I'm going to connect you to Mike, then you to Rachel, then Rachel with Mike. Just take it slow. I'll strengthen the link and secure it after the basics are in. */

The three Americans were blinking and smiling with a sense of wonder and surprise as their circuit was established. They carefully practiced sending to each other, then experimented with aiming at only one of the others, or trying to talk as a group. It didn't take more than a few minutes before Darius was leaning back, disengaged from the circuit, and watching the others communicate more and more easily. They even separated into different rooms to practice connecting with each other while out of sight.

"Once we're at Hogwarts, you can check out the link so you have a feel for the longer distance." At first, Darius was going to stop with that, but seeing how all three had well-focused minds, he continued. "Also, as you meet true mindspeakers, and have a bit of experience talking to them, you'll figure out how to sometimes get their attention even if there isn't a formal link between you."

Amelia had been thinking during all their experimentation. "Darius, I'm grateful for all you've done, but I'm puzzled. You're going out of your way for a group of strangers. You're unusually trusting, you know. In these times, that's not the safest thing to be." Knowing Darius was actually a teenager seemed to bring out her mothering instincts.

"I understand what you're saying, Amelia, and I thank you for your concern," Darius said gently but seriously. "However, I have an unfair advantage. You trust me based on the headmaster's acceptance. I can trust you three because I know, without any doubt, that you are trustworthy. Albus tells me I'm a Soul Reader. The moment I met you in person, it kicked in. And I'm including you, as well, Mike."

Taking a deep breath, he continued, deciding to reveal to these new friends something he hadn't yet voiced to anyone. "I have a bit of an ulterior motive, as well. I'm preparing for the future. The American wizarding world is more integrated into the Muggle ... Mundane world, even if still secret. Assuming I survive Voldemort," he was pleased to see they didn't flinch at the name, "I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands ... a very great deal of time. I've decided that I need a purpose, and that my 'cause' will be 'Co-existence'."

"The reason Voldemort is able to gain willing followers is misguided intolerance: purebloods and Muggleborns, wizards and Muggles, humans and non-humans. And that doesn't even include the racial and national intolerance. I'm not foolish enough to believe I can, or should even try to force everyone to be one, big, happy family. But I want to work, slowly, without force (though I'm not averse to a bit of bullying if needed), towards tolerance ... relatively-peaceful co-existence. There is so much we can learn from each other." He was silent for a moment, trying to find the right words. "And somehow, I have this feeling that, eventually, whether it's in 10 years or 500 years, some challenge, some ... threat will come along, against our whole world. And we won't survive if we can't manage to cooperate."

"I suppose I'm beginning to make alliances, though that doesn't mean that I don't consider you friends as well." Darius looked them each in the eye. "You're gifted practitioners, whether wizarding spells or non-wizarding psychic ability. You're Americans, with ties to the Salem Institute, and to American industry. Though it's a help in keeping an extended 'family' in touch, this mindspeech link is also important to me in showing that better communication can be established between different groups."

Darius had run out of words, and didn't know if they understood ... if he had made sense. He sat back, closing his eyes for a moment.

Rachel moved to sit beside him. "Hey ..." she said quietly. "That sounds like a plan, Darius. I want to help ... be part of it. That's one reason I wanted to get my instructor's certification ... so I can help with this training. I know it's all to defend against Voldemort. If there is a way I can help you get him out of the way, let me ... let us know. Then we can get down to this important stuff after."

Then, she took a deep breath, and said, "But, to get started, you need to help me decide what to bring to Hogwarts. I'm going to assume that a Magus has better weight-limit restrictions on baggage than the portkey? Oh, and I heard there's this charm they've developed to make video games work without electricity." She batted her eyes excessively and grinned.

Darius laughed. And laughed. And let her drag him to her room as Mike went to help Amelia finish packing. "You are going to fit into our madhouse quite well, Miss Dragonrider. Very well indeed."

(to be continued)