Magic, Muggles, and Madness
“Hermione!” A voice from across the grassy park shouted, tone a mix of dread and exasperation. “I told you to keep an eye on the tree.”
Floating a few feet off the ground, gliding towards a tall oak tree, Regulus Black thought about what he did in life to end up in this position. Looking back, joining a terrorist group that wanted to kill witches and wizards probably had something to do with it. However, at this moment, Regulus didn’t think anything would cause him to deserve this.
As he approached the tree, he looked up at his young apprentice, the ever-inquisitive pain in his ass Hermione Granger. Nestled in between tree branches, the leaves almost cradling her, she was devouring a 4-inch thick novel about magical ingredients, the tome almost as wide as her head.
“Regulus I’m fine, the tree was under me the whole time,” Hermione huffed as she turned a page, her eyes never leaving the inked words that lay in front of her. “Besides, you would’ve caught me if I’d fallen.”
Regulus sighed as he observed her absolute disregard for reality in the face of a good book. The truth was, the tree wasn’t under her the entire time. Hermione became so wrapped in the book she began to list sideways, moving horizontally as if underwater. Enraptured, she never so much as glanced about and so remained oblivious as she drifted from her perch in the tree.
In this state of peace, Hermione’s magic flowed freely, and it coaxed the tree to uproot and shift to stay under her while she continued to read none the wiser. One might think her magic was conditioned to act in such a way, given the number of times Hermione put herself in a compromising situation due to distraction.
For example, there was one time when Hermione scaled her roof in order to watch the stars. She sat with Regulus for hours while he taught her the name of each star, its meaning, and the constellation it was a part of. At one point in the night, Hermione began to drift off and tried to lean up against Regulus, forgetting he was incorporeal. With what Regulus considers to be the most beautiful piece of magic he’s ever seen, Hermione unconsciously gave his body substance. For the first time since his death, Regulus was able to hold another person. The two fell asleep on the roof, Regulus cradling Hermione against his chest while the young girl who gave him purpose dreamt about the stars above.
Regulus hoped no one noticed the change in position or the child-shaped tangle of branches near the top. Or that the tree seemed healthier than it was before Hermione graced it with her presence. It would have muggle scientists scratching their heads trying to figure out why it looked much better than before. He was ever so glad that muggles weren’t perceptive enough to notice him. He supposed being a ghost did have some perks.
There was one major downside to his current situation, however. Hermione’s magic brought him to her, but it was not strong enough to support his presence by itself. So it tied him to their home, allowing Regulus to maintain his form in the place that had been saturated in powerful wild magic for years.
That said, Regulus’ form acted like a battery, so he was able to travel away from their home, albeit only for a short time. One such time was this past afternoon when he accompanied Hermione to the park near her house. Her thirst for knowledge drove her to travel wherever she could to learn. The amount of time Regulus spent reigning in her urges was incredible. Every day something new caught her eye and every day Regulus had to redirect or channel that curiosity.
There was one time, a couple of years ago when Hermione had the bright idea to see if Regulus could use magic himself. Of course, Regulus had tried it for himself back when he first discovered his new form, but Hermione brought fresh new ideas and theories. Regulus spent about a week “charging his battery” and after attempting to lift a book a few inches off the ground, became essentially comatose for three days.
Not one to be deterred, Hermione refused to give up and she and Regulus spent six months testing this new ability. In the end, Regulus could do minor levitation akin to Wingardium Leviosa and create small lights reminiscent of Lumos. Hermione, delighted to see a bit of intentional magic, was over the moon and begged Regulus to teach her. He did, of course, and couldn’t wait for her to learn everything else magic had to offer. Minor levitation and lights are something first-years learn in the winter term after all.
Snapping out of his light daze, Regulus noted the sun’s position in the sky and realized it was getting quite late in the evening. Hermione’s parents may not be the most attentive, but surely they would notice if their daughter wasn’t home for their evening meal. Regulus thought back to those moments with Hermione when he saw how delighted she became when seeing even the littlest bits of magic.
“It’s time to go home, Hermione.” Regulus began floating back towards the main road and sensed the young girl behind him scramble out of the tree and down to the freshly grown grass. Hermione was 9 years old and it was time he told her more about her future. “I have a story to tell you on the way and I think you’ll quite enjoy it.”
As the ghost and girl set out, Regulus began telling Hermione about his time at Hogwarts. It was something he alluded to in the past, mentioning the school and his time there in passing, but he decided it was finally time to tell her more about the amazing world she’ll be a part of.
“I suppose it’s best if I start at the beginning. Let’s start with my first year…”