Shadows of Wizardry

Chapter: 10

Note: Next chapter the story will be having a small timeskip and will begin to progress at a faster rate. Apologies for the slow start but I wanted to be descriptive.

(A Small Heist)

'I suppose some things just don't change' I thought idly as the fire elemental fairy chaotically flew around, small streams of fire setting the desk alight and sending my fellow students ducking for cover.

"No need to panic! Just let me remember the right spell," Gilderoy called over the chaos.

The air elemental sent a small wind blast at him and he barely erected a magical shield.

At least he seemed a bit more competent.

I conjured a magical barrier with a quick 'protego' as a fireball came flying my way. The amount of magical energy required to fend off the flame would surprise you.

Pansy was hidden behind me and the class was in a state of pandemonium. To her credit Rose attempted to send spells back, I noted that her spells were bright and fast but the elemental fairies were small targets.

As annoying as it was to admit it, Rose was definitely the strongest in our year by far. She was considered a prodigy In terms of magical power and training along with also being extremely popular within our year.

It was an annoying thought to acknowledge she could lay me out if it came to a duel. But then again, I doubted I was even in the top five of our year, which wasn't too bad, considering there were hundreds of students in each class.

Just one more thing that was different from what I had known before. There were a lot more children in Hogwarts.

I watched the flying fairies with interest, observing if they were worth it.

That was why I had released them after all. A bit reckless? Definitely, but I wouldn't have any other opportunity. Lockharts increasingly pompous storytelling also helped my decision making.

It hadn't been particularly hard, when Lockhart had moved on and everyone was looking at the board. I had simply flicked the switch that Lockhart had expressly told us not to touch.

The Fairies had looked at me in confusion before giving me little grins. I was pretty sure they were fully sentient because they hadn't targeted me at first which I assumed was a 'thank you'

That didn't matter much now though, as they went around shooting at everything. Inanimate or living.

"Ah Ha!" Gilderoy said grandly.

My focus turned to him.

His wand was raised, the wind elemental fairy trapped in a bubble. His pose was overly dramatic and grand. He was ignored as the water elemental seemed to look for a way out.

Spells flew around as all the students decided to try to play hero. Which meant I had to defend against other spells too.

Some students even found themselves hit by stray spells and it was another ten minutes before the Elemental Fairies were back in their containment once more.

All the while I observed the fairies in action. If used properly together they could be a much bigger threat. The wind and fire elemental especially so. But how could I take them for myself?

I didn't even know where they were being kept.

Something that I would have to figure out first before I decided on any action. It was a good thing that I had a way to find out. Time to finally put the unique skill I had been reborn to use.

This would also be a good test for my shadow Doxy.

I sent a mental command to my Shadow Dozy and two small eyes peeked out of my shadow.

"Go." I mumbled, sending my intent to the small Shadow Doxy. It nodded adorably with a big grin.

The Shadow Doxy flitted silently through the shadows, careful to remain unseen as it made its way toward the containment chamber where the subdued Elemental Fairies were now held.

Meanwhile, I left the classroom with Pansy and the others, knowing the Doxy would track their location and return with the information I needed.

"Bloody hell, that was chaotic," Blaise muttered, running a hand through his hair.

I briefly wondered about telling them before deciding not to. Loose lips sink ships and while I may have come accustomed to having new friends I certainly didn't want to test how trustworthy they were.

"Seriously," Pansy agreed. "Does he even know what he's doing?"

"I nearly got my head taken off by a stray spell from Smith's." Blaise shook his head.

I listened to their conversation as we walked to the Slytherin common room.

"That pose he made when he finally captured the fairy too." Blaise snickered.

I chuckled along with them, but my mind was in a different place entirely. I already knew what I wanted to do but how to go about it?

Pansy gave me a sweet smile. Seemingly happy about something.

We arrived in the common room and found a nice place to sit close to the fire. The Slytherin common room was as quiet and reserved as ever. With everyone speaking in hushed voices.

I oddly liked it.

I decided to simply hang out with Pansy and the others for a while.

While drowning myself in training would be preferable, I felt that I needed to also spend some time with my friends. It was also a good way to build trust. Is what my practical side excused it as.

Someone having my back was an uncommon concept but not something I would turn away either.

Though saying that, I think it's about time I head off. My shadow Doxy should have knowledge of the location by now.

I had spent enough time chatting with them and I wanted to get this done before the container was no doubt moved.

Right now, it should be held in a relatively lax place awaiting to be moved to a secured location outside of Hogwarts. That was what I thought anyway. I could be wrong but it would no doubt be moved out from Hogwarts once more.

I didn't want to risk waiting and losing this special opportunity at gaining three rare magical creatures into my shadow. There was a 'No Magical Creature' rule in Hogwarts.

Which was why I doubted they would be staying here for long.

"I think I'm going to head to the library for a bit." I announced. My eyes flicker to the Slytherin Common Room Entrance.

My Curse Of Mimir was also acting up a little bit.

Blaise turned to me with a frown on his face. "The library? Come on, mate, we've just got attacked by crazy fairies. Don't you want to relax for a bit?"

Pansy gave me a sceptical look, clearly not buying my excuse. she always seemed to think about me a bit more. Paying a special attention to me that was while heartwarming, slightly troublesome.

"You're ditching us for books?" She questioned.

I shrugged, trying to keep it casual. "I have been relaxing for the past thirty minutes and it's not like I'm going to be long. I want to check up on something. And it's not just some books. I simply need to catch up on my learning right? Seriously, where's your ambition?"

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Mate, not to make you worry but you may be transforming into a bookworm. Next thing we know, you'll be hanging out with Granger."

"Blaise. Your mother seduces people and kills them for her wealth. Don't worry about my company and focus on worrying about who you'll be spending the summer holiday with." I replied with a smirk.

He growled.

"Those rumours are false!"

I ignored him. Which made him throw his arms up in the air.

Pansy sighed in exasperation, but decidedly didn't push further. "Fine, catch up with us later though"

"I'll meet you at the great hall for dinner." I assured her.

She nodded even as she looked a bit disgruntled.

I left the common room and walked through multiple corridors. Subtly, I made sure I wasn't being followed by anyone.

I hadn't neglected my friendship with my friends, I did truly enjoy their company and had made sure to spend time with them. Yet, I was still a loner at heart.

My Shadow Doxy would report back to me soon, and I wanted to be alone for that.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of walking through random but quiet corridors. A little shadow flew out from the cover of the shadows cast by the setting sun that shined through the large castle windows.

It landed on my shoulder, its small beetle-like eyes blinking rapidly at me. I gave it a scratch on its ears for its effort, receiving a terrifying smile that made its razor sharp teeth noticeable.

"Show me." I commanded.

I was led through a series of corridors and past many rooms. I found myself being directed towards a room that wasn't too far from the Defence Against The Dark Arts room.

My Shadow Doxy pointed adorably towards a door and I calmed my beating heart. Something about this was both thrilling and slightly intimidating.

Surely the Elemental Fairies wouldn't just be left undefended. Perhaps a defence that shocks anyone who attempts to open the door? Or maybe something a bit darker.

My mind flickered through different possibilities. My enhanced imagination had a downside of making me able to imagine myself getting shocked. A magical world was much more dangerous than a mundane world.

I had to remember this. Where you could sneak in and steal something from a normal person, stealing something from a magical human had thousands of ways it could go wrong.

It was a good thing I wouldn't have to risk myself attempting anything. "Go lookout and report if anyone comes down here."

My shadow Doxy nodded and flew away.

"Larry." I called out, briefly making sure that the place we were at was devoid of any human life.

He climbed out of my shadow of my stretched shadow, glancing at me inquisitively. His shadowy head tilted at me for orders.

I simply pointed to the unassuming door. "Open."

Without hesitation, he approached and tried to turn the handle. He got one second before a blast of magic sent him flying into the wall.

That looked like it hurt.

I smirked, satisfied. Well, not for Larry but he technically wasn't alive so it didn't matter.

Even if Lockhart was an idiot it was a good thing I didn't underestimate him due to the fact he was even more of an idiot in another version of this world.

Larry got up, unbothered by the damage that would have surely sent me to the nursing wing.

Clutching my wand, I took a moment to revel in the feeling of warmth and power it gave me. Though I wanted to master wandless magic to free myself from dependence on it, there was something undeniably special about holding a wand in my hand.

My eyes inspected the inconspicuous-looking door. My time in Hogwarts so far has taught me that in the magical world, things that look boring and unassuming are normally the very opposite.

Larry's failed attempt confirmed that much.

I knelt closer to the door, inspecting it for any subtle signs—odd marks, strange shifts in the texture of the wood. Obviously I didn't find anything, I hadn't been studying magic nearly long enough.

Perhaps looking into some more advanced spells would be a good idea, I had mostly been sticking to learning year-by-year to make sure I didn't cause any accidents jumping the gun.

There was one spell that came to mind. It was a simple spell that was taught in the first year. The unlocking charm, while it may seem pretty overpowered, only worked on non-magical locks.

I didn't truly think it would work, but it wouldn't hurt to give it a try before I used my most complex and advanced spell. The severing charm.

"Alohomora," I whispered, voice barely audible, as my wand tip glowed faintly.

To my surprise, the sound of a lock clicking rang out.

Surely not? A first year spell… really?

"Larry, open this door." I ordered.

He did so without hesitation and he was only able to open the door slightly before a blast of magic exploded out. Sending him flying back into the wall once more.

Okay, that was a bit better. Had it been that easy I would have been extremely suspicious. Then again, it wasn't like anyone would expect a student to willingly steal Elemental Fairies. Especially since it would be a pain to get through the castle undetected.

So it made sense that I wasn't looking at Gringotts level of magical defences. I doubted I could get a step in any restricted area there without being turned into dust. Magic could be truly scary.

"Expelliarmus!" I called, and a flash of red shot from my wand, lighting up the walls as it streaked toward the door.

With a sharp crack, the door was blown back by the force of the spell, slamming hard against the stone wall.

The loud impact echoed through the desolate corridor, and I winced at the loud sound, instinctively holding my breath as I waited, ears straining for any sign of movement.

If anyone heard that, my little mission might be over before it even began and I would be forced to leg it away.

Silence.

I glanced at my Shadow Doxy, still hidden in the shadows, watching intently for any disturbances.

No warning came from my shadow and I let out a slow breath, feeling a bit more confident. The coast was clear.

The disarming spell wasn't just for knocking wands loose, it also worked as a decent repulsion spell too. Having enhanced imagination in a world of magic was invaluable.

"Alright Larry, you're up again." I said amusedly and the Shadow briefly sent me what I almost thought was a flat look before walking inside.

Was he pouting? Nah, no way. I'm just imagining it. Again, enhanced imagination was showing itself to be both a massive boon and a bit of a drawback in some cases.

I followed behind him.

I spotted my target immediately, the container that held the elemental fairies sitting inconspicuously on a table. The Elemental Fairies were staring at our arrival. More noticeably observing Larry.

I was peeking over the shoulder of my shadow human as I let him walk first. I doubted there would be anything lethal in terms of defences but I didn't want to fuck around with magical traps.

As I began to take another step behind Larry, something shifted in the air. The faint sound of a pendulum began to tick in the distance. Immediately making me tense up.

I quickly swept my gaze around the room and then I saw it.

A massive, floating eye was on the ceiling of the room, glowing a deep, unsettling red. I felt an overwhelming pressure attempt to bear down on my mind. The pendulum's ticking grew louder.

The eye was engraved into the ceiling like a painting, yet it glowed. Its shape shifted and formed into a hypnotic pattern.

[Mind Attack Repelled]

I felt the mind attack bounce off my mind, it was extremely powerful and would have been able to affect me hadn't it been for my perk. The mind fortress.

"Nice try." I muttered.

I could tell this was some advanced level of magic. I wouldn't expect it from Lockhart but then again. He had always been a master in the mind arts and he seemed more competent compared to the other version.

Still, I scowled in rage. My wand snapping up and pointing at the strange magic.

"Diffindo." I shouted viciously. A sharp, slicing jet of light erupted from my wand.

It cut into the weird eye and made a massive crack on the ceiling. Luckily there was stone above the wood to stop it from going all the way through. The eye stopped glowing and the weird image of an eye vanished.

Shit, I probably should have left that there. I hope he didn't leave any sort of magic that would tell him if his trap had been broken. Then again, I doubted he thought anyone lower than a professor could even resist that.

Nevertheless I quickly continued. Larry had been completely unaffected by it. So we made our way next to the container. With seemingly no other traps impeding us.

The Elemental Fairies were chittering at me through the glass.

Now, how to go about this. Unfortunately, there was no letting them out one at a time. So I would have to face them all at the same time and there was the potential they would try to escape.

One idea to use the Draught Of Living Death came to mind. I had asked Dobby to fetch me it earlier. So now it sat in my shadow storage waiting to be used.

Using it to send the vapour within the containment and make all the fairies fall asleep was a solid idea but the entrance was too big. They could simply slip past my hand and escape.

Ah, this was going to end in a fight either way. I looked around the room. Getting a layout for my surroundings so I could have a favourable position to fight in.

The Elemental Fairies were a real threat despite the fact they had been used in a second year lesson. They could very well permanently injure me or even kill me.

I probably should have tried to get some more shadows but it wasn't like I could find random corpses around the castle.

The doxy had been a lucky encounter. Going out near the very dangerous and deadly forbidden forest wasn't currently within my capability. Which is why the Elemental Fairies were an opportunity I couldn't miss out on.

I went around carefully arranging the tables in a position that would give me cover.

That should do, I aimed my wand at the container entrance as my shadow stood next to it motionless.

My eyes flickered to my spell list.

{Spells}

[Reparo]

Repairs basic broken objects.

[Colloportus]

Locks doors.

[Wingardium Leviosa]

Levitates objects.

[Rictusempra]

Causes a tickling sensation.

[Expelliarmus]

Disarms opponents by causing them to release whatever they are holding.

[Lumos]

Creates light at the tip of the wand.

[Alohomora]

Unlocks doors and other locked objects.

[Immobilus]

A charm used to freeze or immobilize its target

[Protego]

A spell that allows the cast to form a decently sized dome of magic as a shield.

[Diffindo]

A spell used to precisely cut or tear objects. It allows the caster to slice through materials.

[Flintifors]

A transfiguration spell that turns small objects into matchboxes.

[Skurge]

A spell used to clean up ectoplasm, the slimy residue left by ghosts or spirits.

[Nox]

The counter-charm to Lumos, used to extinguish the light produced by the wand.

[Wingardium Leviosa]

The Levitation Charm, used to make objects fly or hover under the caster's control.

[Vera Verto]

Allows the caster to turn a creature into a goblet filled with water.

[Hystrifors]

A transfiguration spell that transforms the target into a hedgehog.

[Calidusa]

[The Hot-Air Charm generates a steady stream of warm air from the caster's wand.]

I clicked my tongue. That was all I had time to learn so far. Perhaps I should have learnt 'Incendio' so I could burn them. There were a lot more spells with more complexity in the second year.

Learning 'Incendio' was typically taught in the later stages of the year if you didn't just learn it from a book which I had learnt was surprisingly harder.

It made sense to teach it a bit later in the year even if giving the ability to make small fireballs to students was insane. It would have been useful in this situation though. I suppose I would stick to my only real deadly spell.

'Diffindo.'

"Larry, open it up and try your best to distract or even kill the elemental Fairies." I ordered.

It's green eyes shone in understanding and it turned around. My shadow struggled to open the lock and I realised I hadn't told him how to open it but he managed it in the end.

The elemental Fairies didn't waste any time. The lock clicking open and the Elemental Fairies rushing out.

My wand swished and my call resounded through the room. I pushed my magic and will into my wand, an arc of magic slicing through the room and catching the last water Elemental Fairy just as it escaped.

Its body was cut vertically in half and I briefly wondered how the shadow would come out. Would it not affect its form or would it sow itself back together?

I didn't have any time to think more, the other two more comparatively dangerous Fairies were out. The Fire Fairy did not hesitate to shoot a stream of fire into the body of my Shadow. Who was forced back. It's torso aflame.

The most annoying thing about the Elemental Fairies was the way they moved. My spells were fast, with the practise and power of a spell determining its speed. I had luckily practised with the cutting charm quite a bit.

Larry fought back even as he was set on fire, which I found myself thankful for as he kept the Fire Fairy distracted. The Wind Fairy however zipped through the air towards me, it sent a blast of winds and I was forced to avoid it.

Seriously, why would they bring this into the school? It was essentially lower tiered weak elemental magic which was considered one of the most deadly schools of magic.

I could see the blast of air since it seemingly warped through the air. Which let me know of it's trajectory. I sliced my wand.

"Diffindo."

It zipped up just in time for my attack to pass harmlessly under it. A small gouge was torn on the wall as it hit behind it.

Another blast of wind forced me to cast a shielding charm briefly before I lowered it, sending another 'Diffindo' at its body. I spotted Larry behind it having a bad time as it chased after the Elemental Fairy uselessly. His body was on fire.

My spell output increased, my wand swishing wildly. Arcs of magic flying out and destroying the room around us. I thanked my magical bloodline for giving me a good starting magical reserve.

I had the Wind Fairy on the ropes, had my aiming been better. It would have already been dead.

It was surprisingly hard to hit such a small creature that flew around wildly. Especially with no prior training. Finally I barely clipped its arm and it spiralled out of control. I went to finish it off but the Fire Fairy shot a fireball at me.

Larry had been defeated. His shadow returned to mine. It would cost magic to revive him. My shadow rose up as I spent the necessary amount of magic to revive him. He instantly charged at the Fire Fairy and I got an idea.

The Wind Fairy regained control but I was already by the Water Fairies dead form.

"Arise."

I was done with this annoying little creature, I would be investing in some AOE spells and increasing my aim.

A shadow came forth from the small Elemental Fairies body. Its body was whole and untouched like its corpse.

I grinned evilly.

It was time to see if my Shadows could perform magic. I felt excited as I gave the order. Hopefully my expectations wouldn't be let down or my day would be ruined.

It nodded adorably, unlike its troublesome counterparts and zipped up. A ball of water formed and I nearly cheered. The ball of water was sent towards the Wind Fairy who looked at my Shadow Fairy in confusion.

That confusion turned into anger and it started fighting back. I watched with giddiness as my Shadow Fairy conjured balls of water and small water arcs at the Wind Fairy.

I soon realised they were stuck in a stalemate as they both zipped around sending attacks at each other. It was like a small battle with small attacks.

I felt Larry return to my shadow and I was forced to deal with the Fire Fairy once more.

Wait a second. Why am I making my Shadow Water Fairy deal with the Wind Fairy when it would work best against the Fire Elemental…

That was a mouthful even in my head.

I put up a magical shield and resummoned Larry who crawled out of my shadow once more. He charged towards the Wind Fairy who quickly flew away, in that brief amount of time I sent my Shadow Water Fairy to attack the Fire Fairy.

My eyes carefully tracked the Wind Fairy who was avoiding Larry's punches. At that moment, just asI saw it moving slightly back. I acted.

"Diffindo." I called out, an arc of bright light streaking through the air and finally hitting the Wind Fairy. Its legs were completely cut off.

It cried and blood leaked out. It seemingly had a hard time flying as it was bleeding out. Which allowed Larey to punch it, the Wind Fairies body slamming to the ground and its body slumped over dead.

The Fire elemental finally realised its predicament and tried to escape. Only for Larry to block the door.

He sent a fireball only for a ball of water to envelope it. Smacking into the poor Fire Fairy who fell to the floor. Choking on the large amount of water.

Another small stream of water hit it and sent it skidding across the floor. The body that was the size of two of my fingers hitting the wall helplessly.

"Diffindo." I called out and its head was cut off a moment later.

In the next few minutes I had three Shadow Elemental Fairies sitting on my shoulder. My face set into a wild grin as I felt victorious. This had been worth it.

My shadows could do magic. With this confirmation my mind wandered to the Forbidden Forest.

The power of commanding these little annoying fucks felt good. The type of power I had would brand me a dark Lord in the making if discovered so I would have to be careful.

I quickly left the room and headed back to my dorm. I had made sure to clean any sign of my involvement with a call for Dobby. So no one would know it was me.

There was a self-satisfied smile on my face as I left a messy destroyed room that was slightly on fire.

-END-