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49.95% A Bend in Time / Chapter 612: Properties of Runes Ⅱ

Chapter 612: Properties of Runes Ⅱ

Turning back to face her class, Professor Babbling continues, "As Miss Crowley just explained that merfolk can't wield wands. And merfolk in fact possess their own inherent magical abilities like all magical creatures, but these abilities are not many nor as powerful as spells. As such, those like the merpeople and other similar sentient magical creatures found another means to wield magic via runes. To this very day sentient magical creatures, such as centaur's and others still wield magical runes.

These runes are typically forged by the strongest magical creature in their tribe or group commonly known as a Shaman. The shaman will mostly inscribe runes on stones used for protection or wards. These runes are powerful in their own right, but more than often have limited usage, unlike our wands. That, and where we can immediately cast a spell with our wand, a shaman must carefully chisel the rune in stone, which may even take many days to many months depending on the carved rune. And that is also the reason, why the usage of runes among wizards and witches has all but died out. That is not to say that it is still not commonly used in some respects such as jewelry or warding, but not in every day to day life usage. Are there any questions?"

Rowan pursed her lips in thought. That did in fact explain why spells did not work underneath the surface of the water. But there were exceptions such as when she fished Terry out from underneath. However, that being said the spell had been cast above the lake not while in the lake. As such the magic extended from the surface of the lake downward and remained connected to the surface found above the water.

Though a part of her did wonder if it would make a difference if she cast the spell in Mermish? But Rowan quickly shook her head in reply. The issue wasn't speaking in Mermish, but rather the earth element found within wands that were naturally rejected by the water elements. The likely result, in the end, would be that the wand or spell cast might work to some extent, but not enough to be of use due to the elements being in constant contradiction of each other.

Rowan's thoughts are interrupted by the malicious voice of Hortense Sicca, (the betrothed of Gil Goyle, and mother of a certain Gregory Goyle). The gaunt fifth-year girl's murky hair is plastered as always to her skull as she loftily says, "But Professor only PRIMITIVE SOCIETIES or LESSER CREATURES continue to use Runes. I don't see why we must learn about the rune usage of said beings."

Gertrude Fowl, a bloated faced girl with sausage sized curled hair snickers loudly in glee, (the betrothed of Vern Crabbe, and future mother of Crabbe). While Quyen Crowley looks away as if she had nothing to do with her two acquaintances. She did not consider the two girls' friends anymore, but they had been together since their first year, and she was a Slytherin. A proper Slytherin never threw away a connection because one never knows when they might just need it!

Professor Babbling arches her brows at the Slytherin girl and says, "Miss Sicca, and Miss Fowl, two points each from Slytherin for impertinence," causing both girl's faces to darken in dislike. "And in response to your question, Miss Sicca, Ancient Runes are still used to this day in artifacts used to carry spells, warding, and spell matrix. Indeed, it is a less used commodity nowadays, but it is still a vital part of wizarding society. That and many ancient manuscripts containing rare spells, and lost arts which are written in ancient runes. And that would truly be a crime worth punishing for if said knowledge was forever lost to us."

Hortense Sicca folds her arms over her chest and begins to sulk, while Gertrude Fowl scowls at Professor Babbling. Quyen continues to pretend that she is not there, while Professor Babbling stops herself from rolling her eyes in exasperation. Slytherin's, Merlin help her!

Glancing around to ensure that there are no more questions, Professor Babbling instructs them. "Everyone please pull out three-round, smooth stones in the color of your choice that should have been purchased at the start of the school year. Please ensure that whichever three stones are chosen, they must be all uniform color, white only or black only."

Rowan reaches into her school bag and pulls out a small pouch that contains specialized rune stones. She carefully picks out three black stones, before closing the small stone pouch shut, and slipping it back into her school bag. Turning to the side, she peeks at Abbott's stones to find that they are three smooth white stones.

Andrew catches Rowan peeking at stones and winks. "I wanted blue stones, but they were all out of them. It was this or Slytherin green," he said with a shudder that caused Rowan to snicker in reply.

The chatter that had started quickly dies down at a pointed look from Professor Babbling as everyone waits for her to speak. "Today, I will show you how to intricately carve runes and channel rudimentary magic into them. From now on until the winter holiday's we shall carve at least one rune during every single class period. At the end of the semester, you shall all turn in your runes to be graded. They will be graded on rune carving techniques, magical spell work, and efficiency.

However, that being said, I will only grade twelve rune stones for each of you. Please choose carefully which runes you will present at the time to be given a final grade for. After which, we shall continue with one rune carving every other class period. Rune carving will be the physical portion of the final O.W.L. exam, while rune translation will be the essay portion of your O.W.L.'s. I forewarn you of the upmost importance of rune carving, and the need to practice with care."

There is a muffled groan from a good portion of the class, while the rest of the classroom have looks of despairs on their faces with Rowan being part of the latter group despite her interest in the subject. Not for the last time, she cursed her endless list of Prefect duties, and solemnly vowed to kill Slughorn and Dumbledore should they try to offer her the Head Girl position in her seventh year. She would rather go to Azkaban than go through the present Hell she was going through.

Professor Babbling sets a rather large red-colored stone on the podium for the entire class to see. Pointing her wand, she says, "Diffindo," the severing/cutting charm. There was a carving spell that worked a tad better, "Defodio," but that had yet to be taught by Professor Flitwick until sixth-year Charms.

Professor Babbling carefully cuts the stone until she halts the spell with a flick of her wand. There impeccably carved into the rather large red stone is the upright rune of Ansuz symbolizing aid, growth, solutions, success, and creativity. It a subtle manner for Professor Babbling to wish her students luck and wellbeing throughout the year.

"Are there any questions?" Professor Babbling asked as a slew of hands went up.

For the rest of the class Professor Babbling explained how to slowly pour magic into the rune, whilst not destroying said rune nor allowing the magic to escape. Overall, it was a rather exhausting class as many overpoured their magic into the rune leaving them weak. While others did not pour enough and were left with magicless runes. And the last group simply had a difficult time neatly carving the runes. Some of these students cut all the way through the stone and into the desk or other's too afraid to do so barely scratched the surface of the stone.

Unfortunately, Rowan was a member of the last group. Because her magic was not only powerful, but volatile, it made such a delicate exercise extremely difficult to complete. Either she did not pour enough power to scratch the surface of the stone or poured in too much which caused her to cut into her desk and shatter the stone into pieces.

By the end of the classroom period, everyone had a grump expression on their faces even the Hufflepuffs. The irony of the situation was that Professor Babbling seemed a lot much cheerful. It must be because misery loves company.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
EsliEsma EsliEsma

Well, so, did you all get some nice gifts or pick up some extra weight? I did both........

Chapter 613: Unexpected Visitor

In a cottage surrounded by farmland, a dark-haired middle-aged woman with sharp features and pale skin fondly stares at her two-year-old playing on the kitchen floor, Roderic Jr. who is known to all as Roddy. Eileen (Prince/Snape) Filch stares at the table with a sad smile. Her letters were still being returned, but she had expected that after last year. Still, a part of her desperately hoped to make amends with her father and firstborn children, Rowan, and Severus.

Eileen closes her eyes as she recalls the pale, dark-haired toddler's, who would shyly peek up at her and perform small magics such as causing flowers to bloom. That newfound joy had not lasted long until the day Tobias returned home and discovered magic. There was no joy only shock followed by pain and betrayal.

A happy squeal followed by "Mummy," caused Eileen to be startled out of her memories as she flashed her son a smile and cooed back, "Very good, Roddy." The toddler proudly displays his somewhat badly built fortress, before proceeding to destroy it, and all the while making noises as if he were a giant.

A sudden knock at the door causes Eileen's head to pull up as she glances at the time. It wasn't lunchtime, and Roderic certainly would not be able to get away from the shop early. Carefully gripping her wand in hand, she makes her way to the door and pulls the door slightly ajar. "Who is it?" She warily asked as she peeked around the door to only spot a pale-faced witch with blue running veins in her neck silver hair, gray eyes, and is wearing a warm shawl despite the midday sun.

Pulling the cottage door open even further Eileen narrows her eyes as if trying to recognize the figure, before blinking in surprise and recognition, "Mrs. Potter?"

"Indeed, Eileen, might I come in?" Dorea (Black) Potter calmly inquired. "It is dreadfully warm, and bright out at this hour."

"Of course!" Eileen stammered as she moved to the side. "I am sorry, where are my manners, please come in."

"Thank you," Dorea muttered as she made her way inside and inspected the cottage. It was well furnished, a rather cozy cottage with a few antique insight, no doubt Filch family heirlooms.

Eileen hastily closes the door shut and uncertainly wipes her hands on her skirt, before saying, "If you would follow me into the kitchen, Mrs. Potter to have a seat, I will pour us a cup of tea, and freshly made scones."

"Lead the way, Eileen," Dorea gestured as Eileen lead Dorea down the hall into the kitchen, where Roddy was sitting back down on the floor building another fort.

Eileen hesitates, before saying, "This is my son, Roderic. Roddy would you please greet Mrs. Potter, my sweet?"

The toddler curiously glances up at the unknown visitor and babbles, "'Ello!"

"Hello, young man," Dorea solemnly replied causing the toddler to burst out into giggles, before returning to play with his blocks.

While Eileen bustles around the kitchen, Dorea sits down at the small, but well-made wooden kitchen table. Resting her hands in her lap, she patiently waits until Eileen returns with a silver platter filled with her best china set. With great care, Eileen begins to pour tea as she asks, "Cream or sugar?"

"A touch of cream and one spoonful of sugar," Dorea answered as Eileen obediently did as instructed too. After taking a seat, the only sound heard is the sipping of tea and the faint polite chewing of a scone by both witches.

Having finished nibbling at her food, Dorea courteously says, "These scones are most well-made, Eileen, and the tea is just right."

"Thank you, Mrs. Potter," Eileen warily replied. "However, I find myself surprised by this most unexpected visit, Mrs. Potter. And our families were never close, and my home is not easily found."

"Mm, well I have my ways," Dorea muttered as she took another sip of the well-brewed tea.

Eileen's eyes narrow as she coldly says, "Then Mrs. Potter exactly why are you here then? I doubt it is for a friendly visit."

"My, my, Eileen, you are most certainly a Prince," Dorea faintly said with an amusement gleam in her eyes. "Prince's the whole lot of you are so suspicious of another's motives."

Eileen's lips turn into a faint line as she crisply retorts, "The Prince's have had to be to survive."

"Mm, true enough," Dorea replied as she set her china teacup onto the saucer. "Now then, I suppose I shall finally speak of the concerning matters at hand. Considering your alienation from your family, please allow me to inform you that Rowan and Severus Prince will be presented into wizarding society during the upcoming winter holidays. Naturally, a godfather and godmother will be assigned, Fleamont Potter as godfather, and myself as godmother."

A bittersweet expression appears on Eileen's face as she unsteadily asks, "And exactly why are you telling this, Mrs. Potter? Have you come to gloat?"

"No, Eileen, I am here to play the Devil's advocate," Dorea truthfully replied to the startled expression of Eileen. "I am a Black, Eileen, and we do not forgive and forget. However, your children are still alive, and as are you. And though I understand and whole heartedly agree with Reginald's decision, I too understand of one who desperately longs to see a beloved family member return to the inner folds of their family."

Dorea paused as she removed an invitation from the inner folds of her shawl and slid it across the table to halt exactly in front of Eileen's saucer. "An invitation?" Eileen whispered as she tremblingly grasped the invitation in her two hands. "Why?" She asked with a mix of emotions.

Dorea's lips twitch into a cold smile as she says, "Naturally, there are certain conditions that must be met."

"What?" Eileen desperately asked.

"It is remarkably simple, Eileen, you must bring your husband to the ceremony," Dorea replied to the great dismay of Eileen. "Do not confuse my actions for kindness, Eileen, but it is not a punishment either. It is merely an opportunity, and like all things for a price. I shall see myself out," before departing from the Filch family home.

Eileen does not reply as she clenches the invitation in her hand but is unable to release it. The invitation was much like the forbidden apple found in the garden. Once tasted, it would be impossible to return to the garden again. But the snake was quite convincing, and the fruit truly had been that tempting. And she too like the foremother of humanity found herself unable to stop herself from stretching for forth her hand and plucking the forbidden fruit from the tree.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
EsliEsma EsliEsma

So, what are some New Year resolutions?

Hmm, get the vaccine, so I can go on an actual vacation this year out of the house. A simple goal that I believe most of us share.

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