Chapter #5

Eleanor P.O.V,

I look at Professor Al with a deadpan expression on my face.

I had just woken up an hour earlier and had headed down for breakfast and my lessons. I hugged Aunt Ariana good morning and had some eggs with bread as usual. I knocked on Professor Al's door which he opened with a smile on his face.

The room was even messier than yesterday. How is that even possible?!

Every single surface was covered by some sort of device that I could only roughly make out its purpose. I looked at him with some level of exasperation. How can someone mess up his own room so bad? I asked him what hurricane swept through his room. He chuckled at that before flashing me one of his secretive(-like) smiles.

"I am afraid that this is what happens when inspiration strikes me."

I feel my eye (left) twitching as I hear what he has to say for himself. I sign heavily and I can feel his Amusement. I try to walk over to my seat, which was also occupied by some type of binder that did not seem to do anything. Al isn't paying attention to me as he is busy trying to clear up the space near the board.

I reach over to the binder and pick it up, instantly I feel as if I have been covered from head to toe in some kind of restraining cloth.

I look towards Albus to see him staring at me blankly at me with (Confusion-Realization-Amusement). I am pretty sure I was glaring at him so he wisely kept his features blank.

"I… I have no idea how this happened. Give me a moment; I will call Ariana in a moment. She must have done this as revenge for something…?" He tells me, expression still carefully blank, but his emotions are still the same…

I glare harder, at which he immediately rushes out to call Aunt Ariana. She comes in looking confused before she looks at me in realization and laughs!

I double my glare at her but she only giggles harder before telling me, "… aha hah… Sweetheart please, stop pouting…" before breaking into more giggles. I can feel my face scowl because I, being covered in clothes am not funny but finally she waves her fingers and I feel the clothes untangling from me. I sign in relief before rushing behind her. She looks at the state of the room before turning around to glare at Al.

"How did you manage to mess up the room so much in 1 day? I had only cleaned it 2 days ago!" her face is showing how much she dislikes this. "Honestly… boys and their toys…" she signs exasperated with Al. I completely agree with both her statements.

I would like to know how he managed to mess up the room so badly in a day as well. It may be a helpful skill sometime in the future.

Al remains silent but I can no longer sense his (Amusement) but I can sense an emotion slowly increasing… it is (Horror-Dread) at something. Aunt Ariana begins to wave her hand around his room in an Anti-Clockwise manner, all his tools lying around start floating up, she closes her fingers and they all begin to go into a closet that appears out of nowhere!

She doesn't even look the slightest bit tired! Al in naturally appalled of what she just did and makes it clear by raising a huge fuss, "What are you doing Ariana?! No! Those aren't some toys that you can just throw into a closet!!! They are inventions that can revolutionize the world!!!" He seems quite passionate about his toys… how… fascinating…

Aunt Ariana doesn't debate with him at al. She just gives him a look that states exactly how much she cares about the future of the world. I admit that I am thoroughly amused by their behavior. I unexpectedly ended up giggling a bit which is mortifying but they both just ignore it.

Aunt Ariana pats my head before saying clearly, "You have a lab Albus! You work over there, you do not keep your instruments where anyone can easily be harmed by them!"

Al stomps like a… there really is no way to say it… child before saying, "But my lab is already filled!" He instantly opens his eyes wide in horror at what he had just said.

Aunt Ariana grins at him, all teeth, before saying, "I suppose it is time for a cleaning session isn't it?"

Al signs, defeated, before just going back into the clear room and heading for his bed, I naturally jump in instantly, "That is great! We can begin the lessons now."

I am the very picture of childish innocence which, judging from his expressions and emotions is not what I seem like to him.

"All females are devils… just when I thought Perry would be the only one I would have to deal with, then sweet Ariana got corrupted and now she has corrupted my second disciple as well…" I can't really hear him as he is muttering something. But it isn't anything flattering from his tone.

Aunt Ariana closes the door before leaving; he turns back to me with a forced smile on his face. His eyes twitch as he senses my horribly concealed amusement. I don't worry too much about it as I can sense his (Fondness) for me as well. I simply smile brightly at him before he sighs, exasperated with everything in general.

Sensing someone's emotions is so fun, especially when you are close to them. He is such a mood and so dramatic. The way he signs could probably be a meme that would instantly be liked by everyone in general.

"Now that we are done with… the unexpected delays… should we begin?" He asks me a bit moodily but I can sense his emotions so I know he is just acting now. He is more amused than actually annoyed.

Knowing this I grin cheekily at him before gesturing to him, "After you Prof. Al." His eyes twitch dangerously but I know he is suppressing a smile at me. He gets up and walks towards the board. I can still feel the grin on his face.

He turns around and asks me to take a seat before beginning a small lecture on how exactly runes work. It is a very fascinating subject and he actually informed me yesterday at dinner that most rituals run on,

What is being used in it (Reagents, ingredients, so on)

What runes are carved into the ritual

He tells me that the universally used language for runes is ancient languages that are long dead. He further goes on to inform me of how a rune works based on the user's intent.

This is instantly confusing. I ask him whether the meaning of the rune, the letter or word carved or written, has any meaning. He answers in negative.

I am getting even more confused as this lecture continues. He recognizes my confusion, we both know this but he continues ahead.

He must have a reason to do such, therefore I continue listening. He lists 10 commonly used runes that all wizards know. He stops for a moment before looking back at me and asks, "Any questions till now Eleanor?"

Yes. Yes, lots of questions such as why are they even important if you can just write anything and it can do what you expect it to? I am about to blurt out my questions but then I sense his (Expectation) and I calm myself before succinctly asking, "Yes Prof. Al, why do we use words of a dead language when we can simply write anything else that works off our intentions?"

His face breaks out into a smile and I can sense how pleased and proud he is of me at my question. I want to bask in the (Warmth) of his magic and emotions but I simply smile back at him. He nods at me, before flashing me a thumbs up that makes my eye twitch.

"Very Good Question Eleanor! The answer of that is simple and complex, History and Magic. These letters that we use from the ancient utterly lost languages is because of their history. The more ancient something is in our world, the more esteem it gets. The second explanation is a bit more complicated but magic works on belief. People, wizards have used these letters for hundreds of years now, since the founders finally came together to build a school for all. They have a rich history and because they were used by so many people, the magic itself powers these runes when carved."

He gives me a moment to digest what I have heard. And I do actually… it does make quite a lot of sense.

He continues his explanation, "A wizard can make up his own set of runes that only he can use but how can magic power it? Magic doesn't even know of their existence. A wizard's own magic is used to power those runes he invents. This is the reason why most rune masters are at least at the 5th Stage. There are only a few masters and only one Grandmaster, her being Perenelle Flamel."

"Facing a rune master on their terms is one of the most dangerous things any wizard can do. With a simple flick of a finger they can create firestorms and destroy entire towns with ease."

Damn! I like the sound of that! Though I am curious, "What about you Prof. Al? Which stage are you on?"

He smiles at me, "I am on the 'Master' level in all courses that you will learn in Hogwarts. I had many interests over the course of my life and have learned much."

So he is super op… this is so unfair! I should have been told what sort of weird competition I was getting into. He sees the look on my face before smiling, amused.

"Already giving up Eleanor? Pity…" I glare at him before shaking my head. "10 years… no, 7 years, give me 7 years and I will surpass you." I state firmly.

He looks at me for a moment before saying, "Good. I will be waiting then."

I could do it; I would remain hyper focused on increasing my magic. Once I reached a high enough level, I would instantly gain mastery in most of the subjects taught at Hogwarts. I even had him teaching me so I could probably learn far more than most would ever be taught.

He may be young and much more handsome than he was shown to be in the movies but he was still Albus Dumbledore. He probably had more knowledge than most masters in their own subjects.

He continued his lecture while showing to me some of the effects that one rune could do with the proper intention. I observed and noted many of the things with ease. I was much more intelligent in this life. Not to say that I was dumb in any manner in my previous one, just that I believe magic improved both my mind and body.

I interrupted the lecture before asking him whether magic has an effect on a person's mind.

He answered. "Yes, it does improve your mind. The higher your level, the more your retention skills will increase. Think of it like this, if you could learn something in 10 minutes, now at the 4th Level, you can learn it in one look. It grants an almost Photographic Memory but if you don't revise and make the knowledge your own, you can lose it."

So most classes will be easy for me as long I attend them…

"You will easily be able to ace most of your courses if you just attend them. However, you will have to work much harder if you want to surpass me, Eleanor. I recommend you look closely at what courses you want to pick for your 1st subjects. I will recommend keeping dueling for all years, Transfiguration, Conjuration and end with Magical Theory for your 1st two years subjects. You have 10 main courses, the rest are all but useless information that you can cover on your own terms during your time at Hogwarts."

He isn't wrong. History is important but I can just ask him about anything that confuses me. Anything else that he did not bother to mention, I can just look it up and see what relevance they have…

"What subjects do you teach Professor Al?" I ask him.

"I teach multiple subjects, both Transfiguration and Conjuration are taught by me and I also teach younger year students Runes and Magical Theory. Not as advanced as I am teaching you but you are a natural and with practice can easily become a master if not a grandmaster."

I have no idea why but the idea of him teaching other children is making me… disappointed annoyed Angry mad confused … I can't really do much to change that yet… I ignore my childish emotions and focus back on him.

He asks me whether I have any other questions or we can continue. I ask him curious despite it being relevant, "What is the objective of the Runes subject? I mean I understand learning the most common runes that people have used throughout our history but is there anything other than that?"

He stares at me in blatant surprise from his emotions before he answers proud of me, "Yes, that is a very good question that most students only ask when they are halfway done with the subject… The main objective is for a student to create the basics of his own language that he powers himself to cast pre-requested charms or spells. You will be told before your course is even halfway done what spell you have to perform using runes from your own made language. So don't worry about that now."

Wow! Your own language! I am shocked and that must have shown on my face because he chuckled before saying, "You do not really need to do much, in fact, most just use sounds that they think are original and attach their magic to it with practice. Even most masters don't have their own entire language. I, myself, simply use English and reverse the letters of a word and add my magic to it." I will also probably do that, I realize. Nobody has time to make up new sounding words…

"As long as you understand how to use the basics of the ancient languages, that is the main objective, the 2nd Year of runes is entirely optional for students." He tells me as if confiding some great secret…

This is mostly learning so I conjure a few papers and a pen. I start copying the symbols he has drawn on the board so that I can easily learn to form them. He nods approvingly at me before continuing. We don't have just one ancient language, I think there are multiple languages that the ancient wizards powered up that I will have to learn, then how to power them up as well… I sign before continuing to write. From Al's (Amusement), my sign has been clearly heard.

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A few hours later,

I immediately jumped away from the air where I had drawn my first fire rune. It exploded into a fiery wrath like figure that burst into every direction.

"Prof. Al! Do something!" I yell at the laughing man lying on the ground holding his stomach. This hasn't been the first time my drawn rune from magic backfired on me. I had drawn a water rune first which resulted in his entire room almost flooding. He immediately erased it but then started laughing. This happened again for my earth rune, the ground literally rose up as if it was about to swallow us whole. He began laughing again instead of helping me, this is my 3rd try at an elemental rune and I am running for my life towards him.

"Oh Lord. I- I can't… hah ha hah…" He erases it as soon as I arrive next to him before going back to laughing at me.

"This isn't funny!" I shout at him. My dignity is dead and my self-respect is off licking its wounds…

He only laughs louder at that, I want to scream more at him but I can sense his (Fondness-Warmth-Amusement-Joy) and that calms me instantly. In hindsight, yes… it is ridiculous. He told me what usually happens when most people try making a rune for the first time but he never mentioned this reaction.

The main reason is probably how his magic wraps around me unconsciously to keep me safe. I am willing to bet that even if the fire had managed to reach me, it would not even have singed me a little.

I still glare at him though; he laughing at me for failing like this is not good for my morale. On seeing that, he smiles before attempting to reassure me? "Ah, it is not a big deal Eleanor. I have seen a reaction like this before. I know exactly how to fix it."

"… Who had such a reaction other than me?"

On hearing my question he stills before he blushes, "That really isn't the focus Eleanor. We should be able to fix-"

"Please answer me Prof. Al. You aren't trying to hide something from me right?" I ask him in the most polite manner that I know of, my smile sickly sweet.

On seeing my smile, he pales and forces a smile, "C'mon Eleanor. It really isn't something that you should focus on-"

I ask again sweetly, "Who?"

He signs, "Me."

I stare at him blankly before breaking into giggles (laughter!). I hear him sign again in exasperation.

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5 minutes later,

We both head out of the room, me smiling brightly and him slightly pale as I managed to ensure a deal between us to make sure no one ever finds out what happened in my first rune lesson.

We arrive at the kitchen, next to which a few children are sitting; they will probably go with me to take the inheritance test. I wonder what families they belong to?

Despite being curious, I only introduce myself after greeting the 2 boys from yesterday. I have quietly deemed most of the students here as cannon fodder in terms of usefulness. They are average 11 years old kids who only want to play and do 'magic'. Maybe in a few years, I can make some friends but for now… I remain friendless other than Al.

This is funny because he is supposed to be a mentor but instead he is like this friend who tutors and helps me. I get attached too easily, I lament to myself. He even told me to call him 'Al' outside of our classes or lessons…

All the teachers who have an over inflated ego of them being teachers must be rolling in their graves.

He confirms us all by our names before he asks us to form a line. There are surprisingly 2 girls as well that will go with us. They are more pleasant company, I must admit, most likely due to the fact that girls mature earlier than boys on average.

I remain standing next to him, and hold his arm while he immediately moves and we all end up appearing in the back of a place. This is apparition? I mean I didn't feel anything on my first one either but he must be really skilled… I also sense his magic covering us.

He bids us to follow him and I walk on his right. He gives me a nod while he waves a hand which results in the entire wall in front of us disappears silently. I look with awe at what is now visible to me… Diagon Alley.

The first thing that comes to my head is that it doesn't look like Diagon Alley at all. At least not the one I watched in the movies… what is this place… it actually looks like a market than some small alley.

However, I also feel his magic in front of us, screening…? us from being seen by anyone on the other side. I deduce this by looking at the people who are walking around. No one is looking at us.

We can still see everything clearly and I examine the place closely to at least get a picture of what this place is.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley… it really isn't much of an alley. I keep telling them to change it but no. Have to keep the dumbest names that seemed smart. This is where we will be taking you to Gringotts that is run by Dwarfs and we will also be ordering your supplies in accordance with the rules laid down by your new extended families!" His voice booms out, startling us all.

Al smirks before asking us to take a few moments to look at the place so we don't gawk in polite company.

Which… alright, is fair but I still want to wipe that smirk off his face. I settle for simply glaring this time. I will have ample time to gather enough blackmail to do what I want.

I think on what he said and it is pretty standard procedure if we are acknowledged as descendants of the ancient families… so why do I have this feeling that I am missing something very important.

Gringotts is run by dwarves which makes sense… wait. Gringotts is run by Dwarves?!

Did dwarves even exist in HP verse?! What the hell happened to all the wars against Goblins then? I am so screwed.

I really should get started with the history of this bloody magical-cultivation universe. I look at the alley in front of me and I can see multiple boards that tell people where to go. I can see the board in multiple languages. One being English and the other 2 being some bits of other languages I picked from a few of my friends in my previous life.

Does this mean that there is no need to have a local translator or even know any language at all in their own country?

"Professor Albus, is there any way to learn languages quickly using magic?" I ask him curiously. Calling him just 'Al' in front of the children doesn't seem right… what if they started calling him that as well?!

"Ah yes, you can use a condensed language memory that you can go through using a pensieve. It is essentially a device used to review memories but it is used for that as well." He answers me, his tone evasive.

I prod him a little as I don't remember anything like this. "Are there multiple types of pensieves? And can they all be used to learn things so quickly?"

"There are 2 different pensieves that exist now, one is only for reviewing memories whereas the other can be used to learn things but unless the memory is completely empty of any personal touch and doesn't contain emotions, it can wipe out your mind." He casually states something so dangerous!

I definitely can't use one! "Isn't that dangerous?!" I am appalled by this!

He continues with his explanation undeterred by the reactions of the children around him, "But I don't think you will ever need to actively learn another language. At Hogwarts, all children undergo a ritual that enables us to speak all languages made by man."

We have Allspeak?! Or something similar, how?!

"Wizards deal with many races that do not speak our tongue, in order to make treaties with them and communicate efficiently, Lord Merlin created this ritual that was performed on every student in Hogwarts. Eventually, as the number of educational institutes increased, the ritual began affecting them as well. Any magical that stays in a magical environment for a month or longer will be affected permanently by the ritual. You will know them instinctively when you hear someone speak to you for the first time."

Cultivation is too OP! How did they even come up with such a ritual? Did they just overload it with magic?

He pauses for a few moments before saying, "Remember young ones, our magic is our greatest strength, with enough magic, you can simply bend reality to be whatever you desire. There is no such thing as impossible, only whether you have the magic or not. This is also why most people never progress beyond the 3rd Level. They simply do not the will to do so."

"Your will is everything. Search for Knowledge, Gain Wisdom, and Attain Power…"

He ends his mini-speech on that note and he gives us all a grim look creating an environment which is suppressing us all and it would have affected me as well… if I could not sense his (Amusement) at the children's solemn faces. He has an excellent poker face though; I have to watch out for that…

Chapter End.

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