Chapter 1
Genevieve liked the Summer Holidays. Of course, she'd not had much feeling towards them before the past two years but now they were a time she relished.
Firstly, because they evoked the memory of the first time, she'd ever felt truly safe and happy. Secondly and more usually because it meant a break from the stresses of school, though as a Ravenclaw she found those less bothersome, except when it came to exam times and she would get in her own head to much, and thirdly because it meant she had her father all to herself.
They'd worked to have a particularly quiet Summer so far. Primarily staying in the secluded haven that was their country home. Black had tried once to pull her father in but the letter had gone straight in the fire.
"Owls go amiss all the time," was his answer when she'd raised her eyebrows at the action. Her father might indulge Black during the school year, likely because he knew while Black COULD handle these things they wouldn't get done properly unless Fig did them himself, but there was nothing stating he was required to be at the headmaster's beck and call during the Summers.
Genevieve's singular Summer of catch up had of course been an exception and she guessed he'd agreed more because it was something that benefited a student.
Oh, was she glad he'd agreed to be the one to help her. She loved her other teachers, but she couldn't imagine ever forming the same bond with them. The closest she had was with Hecat but she was more like a mad aunt than a parent.
That said the Summer wasn't wholly uneventful. She'd gone to visit both Evelyn and the Sallows, an easier task now her apparition was up to snuff, and they'd brought Isidora's portrait home to work on furthering her ancient magic.
Which, incidentally was what she was doing right now. She stood in the back yard of their house with the portrait propped up on a conjured chair.
"So when performing the transfiguration of the actual world around you you're going to want to connect with the essence of ancient magic that runs within the very world itself."
"But I don't SEE any traces," commented Genevieve. "And I certainly don't feel anything the way I do at Hogwarts.
"That's because there's a distinct difference between traces left behind and traces that always existed and are entwined within the very fabric of reality," said Isidora. Genevieve's brow furrowed and she used her mother's quill to jot down notes in a journal.
"Would the traces left behind then be more noticeable to more magic that was used?" asked Genevieve.
"Yes. In fact there are places around the Valley that you might find some. Mostly abandoned."
"Interesting," she said setting down the journal then clearing her throat. "Right back to transfiguration." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes attempting to follow Isidora's instructions. To reach out and find the ancient magic that supposedly flowed within the world around them.
A minute went by within nothing but then just when she was about to give up she felt something, a familiar tug within her chest. She latched onto the feeling and imagined it almost like a thread that she was tugging on and weaving.
Isidora had told her to start small so all she tried to do was use the dirt in front of her to create a pillar. She opened her eyes and watched as slowly, with a great effort and concentration the dirt rose and twisted coalescing into a solid structure hardening until it resembled something close to the pillar's she'd seen Isidora building with Rackham, if smaller and less refined.
She heard clapping from behind and turned to see her father.
"Well done my dear."
"Thank you Papa. At least this one hasn't collapsed straight after I dropped the spell," said Genevieve stepping up to the patio to meet him.
"It undoubtably will take time. How do you feel?" she knew since the healing of Anne her father was particularly protective regarding her usage of ancient magic. He wasn't against her using it but he was cautious for her sake.
However much like exercising a limb, as in the case of her combat magic, the more she utilized her magic the more stamina she built up and the more used to it she became. Thus, it was less taxing now than it had been originally.
"Fine not over stretched," she assured him before turning back to the yard.
"Try manipulating some of the vines," said Isidora nodding to the vines that crept up one wall of the yard. Genevieve repeated the process this time more quickly finding the thread of ancient magic to latch on to. Utilizing it she drew the vines from the wall causing them to inch and grow until they'd wrapped themselves around her pillar. She also strengthened them. Causing them to take on a silvery glow as the stems increased in width and strength.
"Very good," said Isidora. "You're improving significantly."
"Only because I'm being allowed to destroy the back yard," snorted Genevieve.
"Well, it could use a redecoration anyway," chortled her father. "Your mother would have been all for its renovation in the name of research."
"That she would El," said a voice from behind and they turned to see Professor Hecat entering.
"Aunt Di!" exclaimed Genevieve with a smile reverting to the name that the woman had offered to let her use outside of school.
"You do know the Summer holidays are technically supposed to be for relaxing from work my eagle?"
"This is extracurricular, and it's the work I'll be doing for the rest of my life," Genevieve pointed out.
"You're as bad as your mother," chuckled Hecat.
"I take that as a compliment," replied Genevieve brightly. "What are you here for?" she asked brightly.
"As you should. I'm here to drag your father to the annual pre-start of term meeting for the staff."
"Going to lay out the plan for next school year or just gossip about the students?" asked Genevieve wryly.
"We can do both," replied Hecat with a shrug. Genevieve's father shook his head.
"Not even hiding it now. Get past a decade of teaching and stop caring?"
"No received my tenure notice from Mattie and stopped caring."
"How in Merlin's name did she convince Black to grant you that?" asked Genevieve. She'd heard her father speak of tenure it's part of what made him more difficult for Black to fire.
"He didn't want to. Fortunately, the Board of Governors was rather pleased with the results of my teaching and over ruled him," replied Hecat with a smirk.
"Your methods are...effective," replied Professor Fig.
"Not to mention enjoyable," added Genevieve. Defense Against the Dark Arts was always amusing due to its practical side.
"Practical application never fails to enthrall the children," replied Hecat.
"Or put them in line if you're Leander Prewett," joked Genevieve.
"I don't know what's going to become of that boy," said her father slightly distastefully. "The only student in over twenty years I've thrown OUT of my class."
"Either he'll rise up the ranks with slime like Black or utterly fall flat," predicted Hecat. "Either way your daughter here has him beat."
Genevieve's father pulled her into a side hug.
"To be fair she has most people beat." A swell of pride rose up inside Genevieve. She leaned down and plucked up the black and white cat that had started to curl around her legs.
"Well if you two go are going out I'll have a quiet night in with Spooky."
"As long as you don't set the house on fire I don't mind. But no ancient magic experimentation without my supervision," her father said sternly and Genevieve nodded in agreement as the two adults made to leave.
"Don't be out too late," she scolded her father lightly as she stood on the front steps and he chuckled.
"I shan't forget I promise you." She watched them retreat until they reached the edge of the property and disapparated.
Heading back inside she cleaned up returning Isidora's portrait to the library and then curled up in her mother's chair to read some letters. Sebastian and Evelyn didn't write her much since she was more readily able to visit with them in person.
Poppy however was once more off gallivanting with her grandmother and Natty was hosting a few friends from Matabeleland who'd come to return the favor she'd paid them the previous Summer.
Phin was stuck at home with his parents and Ominis...well his Aunt had recently moved locations to avoid her family and they'd decided it was best not to have too many visitors for the time being.
The first letter was from Poppy.
Genevieve!
I hope your Summer is continuing to go well. Gran and I have been having quite the lovely time. We went and visited a Selma, a type of Sea Serpent in Norway! It grows up to ONE HUNDRED FEET long! We used a bubble head charm to pop down and visit and tend to it's scale problem.
I admit it was a tad intimidating but proved to be quite gentle natured in the end. Gran is still a bit put out about the danger we put ourselves in regarding the snidgets but she understands. She's just glad we and the birds are safe. She plans to check on them before I return to Hogwarts. I can't wait to introduce her to Dorran.
I hope your ancient magic studies continue to thrive and I can't wait to see each other when we return to school. Seventh year! Can you imagine?
Well, that's all for now!
Till next time,
Poppy
Genevieve smiled she enjoyed her escapades with Poppy. After all how many people could claim to have gotten up close and personal with dragons AND snidgets? But there was something truly lovely about Poppy's infectious joy for animals. She knew the girl would make a fine creature expert someday.
Hufflepuffs might be the house that got brushed aside a fair bit, or so it seemed but as far as Genevieve could tell they were as fierce as any Gryffindor.
Speaking of Gryffindors she turned to Natty next.
Hello Genevieve!
I do hope you've continued to keep well. I was happy to hear in your last letter that Anne continues to improve and Sebastian too has returned to his usual self. I think we all know he was a bit...strange at the start of last year. It seems we shall begin this final one on the right foot.
Seventh year. I imagine some might envy you since you'll only have had three years of studies my friend but I do feel as if we've known each other longer. I might not have had to cram half my studies into three months but we will both be leaving Hogwarts having been there for less time than most of our peers. In some ways we might be lucky, less schooling, at least in your case, I suppose, but in others I wonder if we missed out.
Regardless I'm looking forward to the upcoming year and possibly putting a final end to the issues we discussed at the end of last term.
Take care of yourself!
Best,
Natty
Dear Natty. In some ways she did certainly understand Genevieve in a way others didn't both had come to Hogwarts later than their friends. The benefits of starting as a first year meant those in your year had all started together there was a chance to build relationships and grow from square one. The way Ominis and the Sallows had. That said Genevieve didn't feel she'd missed too much.
If she were honest, it seemed as if she'd managed to draw together a group of misfits' people that still hadn't entirely gotten their groups together. Certainly, they were more tightly knit the past couple years than in the first four. Though of course excluding Phin they had all had the join experience of fighting in a goblin rebellion together. That did do wonders in terms of bonding.
Phineas's letter was the third she opened.
Gen,
Hope it's alright to keep calling you that. I never did ask but Evelyn does it and so do some of the others so I think I should be in the clear.
Your last letter asked how I was and well...Fine is the most polite adjective I can use. Fortunately Sirius has gone off on a tour of the world to celebrate his graduation, all paid for by my parents, he's supposed to be deciding what he wants to do now but I expect he'll just be drinking fire whiskey and sleeping with any witch that's attracted to the Black name.
Anyway, it means he's not around to torment me. Father ignores me as the disappointment that I am. Overall it's just quiet. I've no doubt if he knew we were corresponding he'd go ballistic. The thought of which is amusing enough to make me almost wish to tell him. However, I value your education and Professor Fig's job more than my entertainment.
I find myself looking forward to this year and seeing the rest of our little merry band of misfits. The Eight Musketeers. Or as my father put it. That "Horrid horde of hooligans."
Take care.
Phin
Ah Phin. Genevieve was glad they'd added him to the group. He reminded her a great deal of her Ominis. Both determined to buck the traditions of their loathsome families. But it was a lot easier to do that if you had support. At least that tosspot Sirius wouldn't be around to be an issue this year and the same went for Marvolo.
Speaking of which, she'd saved the letter she longed for most for last.
Dearest Genny,
Congratulations on the progress you've been making with your ancient magic. I'm thrilled to hear that Isidora has at least been something of a help unlike her predecessors. (And you haven't even needed to use any...fiery...persuasion.) It seems there was certainly more to the story than met the eye. Enclosed are a few documents regarding Slytherin and his work on Hogwarts that you requested from my aunt. She was more than happy to accommodate and emphasizes if you have further questions not to hesitate to ask.
In answer to your queries regarding my health I can wholeheartedly assure you that I am well, something I'm sure you intend to confirm for yourself when we next see each other. It's been nice to finally have a Summer where I needn't worry about my "beloved" family targeting me. The peaceful atmosphere has been nice here and I do enjoy the time spent with my aunt. Safety is a wonderful thing for sure.
That said as nice as this is I do miss you and I am quite eager to meet again in the coming year. I'm sure our friends have all emphasized it's going to be an important one for us all. I'd say hopefully less eventful but I know you Genny, and I fear that is an impossibility.
Genevieve huffed.
Now you are undoubtably annoyed but only because you know I'm right. But also know whatever comes I'll be with you every step of the way.
Yours truly,
Ominis
Genevieve's annoyance melted to happiness at the way he could predict her reactions even in letter form. Godric's heart she missed him most of all. She was beyond relieved this year she wasn't needing to worry over his safety and trusted Noctua to look out for him. She checked over the paper's he'd added before placing them with the journal she'd been writing in earlier she could make notes later.
She was hoping given Hogwarts was so clearly steeped in ancient magic that there was a chance one of the founders had been a user. Of course, she wasn't fond of Slytherin but given Noctua's specialty she was going to use what resources she had. Genevieve smiled scratching Spooky behind the ears absentmindedly.
Her friends were right this would be an interesting year.