Initia Mystica

“Lumos!”

A light lit up the now empty room as Aspen felt short of breath from the effort of fighting all the stone knights on her own with nothing but her Shielding Charm and Basic Casting. Trying to catch her breath, the snowy blonde haired girl hunched over as she placed both hands on her knees.

Wiping off some sweat that she had accrued battling, she felt her heart finally slow down. Slowly stretching upwards in a sad attempt of loosening her tense muscles, she held her borrowed wand in front of her as she knew what to look for this time.

Following the whispers that came with the wisps of light, Aspen began to notice more as she got closer. While the room seemed endless, it was not and only appeared to be so. She also noticed that this ancient magic she seemed to be able to see sounded like water if she managed to tune out the whispers she couldn’t understand.

Looking down it also seemed like every step she took closer seemed to ripple under her as if she was walking over a thin layer of water.

Letting out a deep sigh, she pressed on, repeating her motions from before as she grumbled a bit. “This would be something fun to talk to Fig about if he was here…Blasted room separating us sending me who knows where…”  

Soon, Aspen’s grievances were cut off as she saw where she was led too. Taking in the large statue that stood before her and that same puddle-like spot on the floor, she took a moment to admire the statue before continuing on.

Soon the same magical pulse reverberated through her and the room flashed with a stronger pulse of magic, the statue that once stood in front of her seemingly melted towards the floor only to rise back up again as an archway.

Eyebrows rising up to her hairline almost, Aspen looked around in slight shock as she warily walked towards the archway, seeing it lead to another room, the whispers from before seemed to grow in volume. It freaked her out how much more insistent they seemed to be for her to walk through and was even to some degree slightly maddening.

Even as she walked around to see it empty of that supposed room she debated walking through, ultimately deciding to do so as she’d rather make any efforts to be reunited with her mentor then be stuck in some unknown location under Gringotts bank or stuck in the ruins of an old home in the scottish highlands.

“Relax Aspen, everything will…hopefully be fine.” the girl muttered reassurances to herself before briskly jogging through the threshold of the large archway. She felt a sort of warm chill run down her back that almost tickled before all the whispers stopped and she found herself in a large room, the aesthetic totally different to the rooms prior. It was almost as if the whole room thrummed with the ancient magic and as she slowed down she noted the large basin that stood dead center of the room. 

Slowing her pace, Aspen walked up to the basin and found a bottle hovering over it holding a foggy white substance in it. Looking around, paranoia  having been quickly ingrained in her, she quickly reached out for the ornate bottle.

Almost afraid to grab it, her touch was fleeting and couldn't help as her head whipped around the room once more to see if anything activated upon touch. Seeing nothing happen she wrapped delicate fingers around the tear shaped bottle that also doubled as a  locket.

Turning it over, the girl admired the design of the casing that held the bottle before hearing doors creak open behind her. Whipping around and shoving the bottle in her coat pocket to have free hands, her left hand gripped her wand and pointed towards the noise.

It only took a second to recognize the far away silhouette of her mentor and felt overwhelmed finally seeing an adult whom she trusted. A strangled noise escaped her before taking a deep breath in, forcing herself to calm down as Fig quickly made his way over, voice worried.

“There you are! Are you alright dear? How did you–? What is this place?”

Fig could feel his chest lighten from finally seeing his charge safe and relatively unharmed. When he was forcefully teleported out of the room they were in and back in the bank vault, he felt his heart seize in worry.

How was he supposed to care and protect the young witch when he doesn’t even know where she is?

Fig was casting all sorts of spells and jinxes at the closed doors in front of him and trying to apparate his way back to the girl with no success.

He couldn’t fail anyone else again. Not like–

The old Hogwarts professor was forced to stop as he realized the doors were opening and when he saw Aspen he couldn’t help but almost let out a loud cry that he managed to wrangle into a regular speaking voice.

Getting closer he couldn’t help but pat down her jacket and look her over. He could see a few scrapes and cuts on her cheeks and hands and her clothes were absolutely dirtied with all the fighting they went through together and what seemed to be what she went through on her own.

But that’s nothing a Cleaning Charm and a few Wiggenwelds couldn’t fix.

After looking over Aspen, he turned his attention to the ornate room they found themselves in as the girl responded to his earlier questions.

“I don’t know sir… But Professor Fig, I found this floating above that basin.” The young witch said as she began leading her mentor the said object wanting him to take a look at it as she clearly had no clue what to do next.

“That is no mere basin Aspen but rather a Pensieve. It's for viewing memories.” Fig explained as they walked over together as he briefly inspected to confirm he was right. Glancing over at the bottle Aspen was holding and the substance that was in it, he began connecting the dots together.

“I wonder…” The wizard muttered softly under his breath before reaching his hand out for the bottle, giving a brief nod of his head as thanks when Aspen relinquished it to him. Standing over the Pensieve and undoing the stopper keeping everything in the bottle–also registering that it also doubled as a locket of some sort– he tipped it over high above the bowl allowing the liquid memories to drip down into the water below.

The pair of them watched as it seemingly mixed it with no problem and blended into the natural current of the Pensieve. Fig took lead, walking around the object in question to be across from Aspen before gripping the edges of the bowl.

“Follow my lead dear.”

—————————˚✧₊⁎ ————————-

A sharp inhale and a few choked back coughs rattled Aspen’s lungs as she reeled from the shock of the memory that was shown to pair (and from the strange feeling of having held her breath but also breath at the same time) before her inner voice began lamenting her current situation.

“An ability to see what others cannot, powerful secrets, and trials to prove one’s worth…what in God’s name did I get myself into!”

Aspen just rubbed her face with both hands in a brief moment of slight distress, feeling overwhelmed by everything.

“Astonishing! Is that the glow you keep referencing? The glow that surrounded those two men?” Fig asked once the two were out of the memory, pacing around for a bit before whipping back towards Aspen.

“Yes, sir… Does this mean I can actually see magic?” the younger of the two asked quietly, still trying to comprehend everything they just learned.

Fig nodded towards the question asked, looking around the room admiring the work of the two men from the memory. “Traces of it and an ancient type of magic at that… It’s the magic that Miriam had alway believed existed but could never–”

At the mention of his wife, Fig found himself remembering times not too long ago of watching his wife study her notes laid out on their dinner table, of rants of her theories of the basis of magic and what it could do for the world, the twinkle in her eye when the two discussed the topic in depth helping one another reach a better understanding of the magic their kind were blessed with.

Sighing, heart heavy, he steeled himself and pushed happier times back down to refocus on his charge.

“Miriam, and perhaps George now as well, died in pursuit of this knowledge. Knowledge that has been dormant for what appears to centuries if the clothing those two men from the memory is anything to go off of–” the magic mentor paused for a beat processing his thoughts for a moment before continuing on, looking over at the witch that seemed to be the unwilling and unknowing catalyst for it all “and you, it seems, are the key to understanding why. We wou–”

“–it certainly looks rather different than it did moments ago.”

At the muffled sounds of what appeared to be the banker goblin having a conversation with someone, the two of them halted their own discussion and looked towards the door. Feeling a sort of unease wash over the two, chilling the air of the room.

Fig, having been one to trust his instincts, shuffled himself slightly in front of his charge with his wand at the ready. Aspen followed by staying off to the side slightly also brandishing her wand with a knuckle white grip.

Not long after the pair prepared for the worst, a rougher sounding voice began speaking.

“Who were they?”

Aspen immediately felt a rush of terror flood her system, trying to figure out why a voice was sending her into a near panic attack. Shuffling closer to her mentor, grabbing onto the back of his coat feeling like a small kid, she realized she was shaking slightly and forced herself to let out the breath she hadn’t even noticed she was holding as the two listened to the conversation grow closer and closer.

“I don’t know…but Sir– you shouldn’t be in here.” the friendly banker said gently, as if he too was afraid of setting this unknown variable off.

Silence followed briefly after the banker spoke before the doors Fig had come through open once more revealing more goblins. One of the three was the banker from earlier and another was one Aspen had pointed out to Fig when they were stopped briefly on the descent towards Vault Twelve.

Seeing the same arm band glow as the dragon that had attacked earlier in the day set off alarm bells in her head before focusing on the center goblin.

She felt all her breath woosh out of her as she recognized the goblin from the brief glance of the newspaper they had looked at with George Osric prior the dragon attack.

“The same goblin that was leading the rebellion and terrorizing the area from the news… Why is he here in front of us?!” 

Aspen could feel her heart go crazy at the revelation before pushing it back to pay attention to what’s going on, the deep and raspy voice sent chills down her spine as she took in his mean look and red eyes. 

“I was right.” sneered the goblin clad in armor, bushy eyebrows furrowed downward as if even seeing the two of them displeased him.

Fig steeled his gaze, practically hissing his name out as if it was disgusting to even mention it “Ranrok.”

Mentor and mentee advanced forward slightly together, Aspen letting go of the elder's robe to allow him more room to move as she stayed a few paces behind, wanting to keep distance in between both groups.

It felt as if it were two front lines of a war meeting each other, preparing for fierce battle.

“Seems my growing reputation precedes me even here in the depths of Gringotts. I was beginning to think no one was ever going to visit ole’ Rachham’s vault.” Ranrok began, holding his ground in front of the two, his own lackeys (aside from the banker) joining him in the staredown.

“And why are you here?” demanded Fig, now holding his wand at the ready towards the evil in the room. Aspen followed his movements behind him just as quickly, not as confident but willing to back her mentor up in any way she could.

Ranrok merely held his hand up as if trying to placate the two. “Come now, there is no need for that.” He began, tone and timbre mocking and patronizing. “Just give me whatever it is you found and we can let bygones be bygones.”

Fig’s face scrunched up in great distaste of Ranrok and his demands, hidden by wording that would’ve sounded peaceful had it not been laced with venom in the tone.

—————————˚✧₊⁎ ————————-

During all of this, one member on the goblin side stewed with worry, almost trembling in place. Erkit– a simple Gringotts banker– did his job with pride. It’s one that had been passed down for many generations in his family, each one taking the mantle with one hundred percent dedication and enthusiasm.

Retellings of how the position came to be, filling the family with great anticipation waiting for this open story to be closed, made them wonder who was going to be the lucky one to fulfill the role laid to them.

It filled Erkit with just as much pride as it did honor to also be a part of an esteemed lineage. Not many can say they were dedicated to one of the first few vaults ever created and not one so private (bragging rights not many had). Sure it had some downs of boredom and overall uncertainty of the role ever being fulfilled but overall it was a job he enjoyed.

Never did he think the day would come that the witch or wizard that held the key to the vault would come while he filled the position. It gave him a rush of happiness and left him in awe that he would have the role of fulfilling his part in a legacy yet to be told.

Never did he think how quickly such a joyous day could turn into one filled with terror and panic as Ranrok showed up demanding answers as to why he let someone in vault number twelve. Yet here he was watching one of his own kind accost two of wizard kind. 

Erkit knew very well the struggles his kind was going through with the wand-holders. His family and even himself knew how cruel some of them could be but he, like many goblins, also knew that they did not want a war waged nor thought that all wand-holders were the same. Hell, his best mate loved conversing with them as he traveled through hamlets in the valley, gathering inspiration for his work. Perhaps the pair of them and his family were naive compared to others of their kind.

Erkit knew very well both sides of the story yet there he stood afraid to do anything in the vault his family worked for.

“Why is this happening…” 

“Cause you’re letting it happen” 

“Well what I can do, Ranrok can kill me whenever he likes.” 

“Then why do you work? Why take up the position when it could’ve gone to one of your brothers.”

“Why…”

Erkit’s rapidly spiraling thoughts screeched to a stop as he thought about it.

“Why, even if I’m scared it’s still my job. Whether or not Ranrok will understand that and show me mercy it's still my duty bound job to see through. What would my ancestors say? What would Arn say? I have to say something. Do something! I have to try–”

—————————˚✧₊⁎ ————————-

Aspen’s eyes widened as she watched the once meek banker go still for a beat before seeming to have gotten over his fear somewhat and worked up the nerve to walk up to Ranrok, placing a hand on the goblin’s armored shoulder as he spoke. 

“Sir, they had the key to the vault.” Erkit said as he was quick to pull his hand away whilst gesturing to the pair as he gave a fake laugh, nerves taking over once again as Ranrok side eyed him.

“Choose your next words wisely.” 

Curling his hands into tight fists, Erkit focused on his clenched hands trying to get the terrorizing goblin to see reason as he continued his explanation. “I only mean to say that– that the instructions for vault twelve were quite clear. Sir, I must insist. I was to grant access only to one with the key. And you didn’t have–”

Erkit was cut off at the sound of Ranrok moving, turning his head to look over his shoulder with a wickedly mean snarl painted as he spoke over the banker cutting him off. “I have no patience for traitors.”

Erkit felt himself get lifted into the air by the goblin, in slight shock at the sudden escalation and from the fact that it was magic from Ranrok moving him, not from one of the wand-holders. A startled gasp escaped him as he was thrown into the floor, too fast for anyone to do anything before his world went black.

Aspen let out a startled yelp as she looked away, the sound and image of goblin bones breaking against the marbled floor seemingly magnified as if it was the only thing she would listen to.

Fig’s face hardened even more as he too briefly looked away in disappointment at an innocent life being stuck in the cross fires. Pointing his wand even more firmly against Ranrok, he seethed as adrenalin began pumping through his veins. “I’m not giving you anything.”

Ranrok, face stern but impassive, just smirked at the old wizard’s declaration. He slowly drifted his gaze from the wizard to the young witch and felt his smile grow feral as he gestured to the girl. Obvious enjoyment on his face as he took in the girl suddenly shaking under his gaze.

“Mmh, very well. Perhaps our young friend here will be more helpful than you or the traitor.”

Fig felt the last strand of his composure snap at the mere threat made towards his charge. Letting out a low grunt, he focused all of his power into a silent cast towards Ranrok. A bright red beam of light rocketing away heading straight towards Ranrok, almost guaranteed he would hit and damage the goblin and his entourage.

Aspen felt her shaking stop under his gaze at his next words only to feel herself move in action at Fig’s first cast, watching Ranrok stop the immense power without even a flinch and send one back just as quickly. She barely had time to prepare herself for the impact before both her and Fig were blasted away.

Wheezing for air, she could feel bruises already starting to form and scraped skin stinging. She struggled to catch her breath as slowly pushed herself up alongside her mentor. “Damn the Stars that bloody well hurt.” The blonde grumbled as she began pushing herself up with slight difficulty as the floor began to shift with large ripples coming from the center of the room.

Not long after the phenomena began, all the magical white flames that kept the room lit went out with a single gust of air that covered the entire room– the pensieve that once was there melted into the floor– “much like that statue from earlier.” Aspen brain supplied– and a giant sentient knight stood with a greatsword in its hands.

The witch was quick to note how much more stronger this one seemed in comparison to the ones they fought earlier. Metal and much more ornate and intricate by its designs. It was also almost as tall as the high ceiling and glowed a bright white.

If it wasn’t so bloody terrifying, Aspen might be inclined to believe it to be a true work of art. It was also evident that Ranrok and his motley crew weren’t expecting the guardian to form after the assault began and began slowly backing up. Aspen, and now Fig as he began scrambling to get up, watched as the guardian seemed to perceive the goblins as the main threat in the room and began to pull the greatsword up and over its head, using its heft and weight to strike a powerful blow to where they stood.

The loud clang of metal on marble and the debris of broken rock exploded into the room, Ranrok throwing some of his own dark magic towards it trying to hold it back. Using this as their chance, Aspen finally found her footing as she hauled Fig up by his arm before her neck began to tingle as she felt her hearing pick up on the whispers of her magic calling out to her underneath all the noise of battle going on in front of her.

The young witch eventually found another wall that seemed to lead out to some random woods and felt herself light up with joy and relief, happy to have found a way out. Looking back, the snowy blonde girl called out to her mentor. “I’ve found a way out–!”

Her cry of joy quickly stopped in her chest as she watched her dazed mentor narrowly miss a swing from the guardian, fear gripping her at the thought of losing one of the few adults who ever cared for her. Watching the room’s protector begin to make its way back towards the goblins, she chanced her luck and sprinted over the professor, fumbling to grab his arm. As she began tugging she noted Ranrok and his lackeys struggling slightly to keep the guardian at bay but also noted the banker laying there but his hand twitching.

“He’s still alive!” she thought as she frantically remembered back to when Fig and her first started this bank journey and how he summoned the stone knights towards him. She blindly searched her coat pockets for her wand before feeling it in her grasp, beginning to drag Fig over to the door she turned her body around to angle it towards the prone goblin and attempted to bring him towards her right before they were about to make contact with the wall.

Of course however under duress and being new to magic, whilst the attempt was successful– it was also rather painful.

“ACCIO!” She yelled, her pronunciation off, as she pronounced it with a more solid ‘s’ sound. The intent was fully there, just as desperate as she as the goblin was catapulted from his spot across the room and straight into her like a speeding bullet. All her breath left her as she fell into the wall still holding onto Fig and found herself landing not on marbled floor but on grass. Groaning, she winced as she struggled to take a breath as she felt her chest grow sore, wheezing with each inhale she took.

Fig amazed at sudden transportation without the need of Apparating found himself the only one standing. Eventually Fig refocused on his charge and the goblin she managed to cast towards them whilst escaping, despite the strength and lack of skill and precision.

Kneeling, he carefully moved the goblin who at this point was barely coherent and muttered a few healing charms he knew of before taking out a few of his last wiggenwelds he kept on his person. 

“Brackium Emendo!”

A soft light shot out from Fig’s wand towards the goblin who let out a loud yell at the feeling of his bones being repaired before finally letting out a breath as his pain slowly lowered. Feebly, Erkit drank the potion given to him and sat up, wincing at how sore his body was and all the deep aches his newly mended bones felt.

Trying to get a feel for speaking once more after his near death experience, Erkit looked at the two wand-holders in front of him. “I- I have to give my most sincere thanks. If it weren’t for you two, I most likely would have ceased to live to see another day.”

Fig gently smiled at the goblin as he began attending to Aspen who let out a loud cry–some expletives also made an appearance– as he used Episkey on her fractured ribs from the collision caused from her attempt at the summoning charm.

“I believe my student here deserves the thanks. If not for her quick thinking and determination, her cast may have very well failed and you would see the end you just escaped from.” Fig admitted, helping Aspen sit up some more to drink one of his last vials of wiggenweld. After scowling at the taste, the blonde merely smiled and stood up as she just shook her head. 

“Please, you risked so much just trying to stand your ground for your duties sir. I think that was far braver than any of us when going against… a tyrant. Will you be okay? Do you need us to take you somewhere to heal?” the young girl asked worried about the goblin who still seemed to be in dire condition.

Feeling elated that the wand holder’s in front of him were truly good ones through and through just gave a small smile, a twinkle in his eyes despite the pain and trauma. “No need to worry your little head young miss. I have a friend who will be able to take good care of me and you all have done more than enough. Should you ever need more insight on anything or wish to chat, don’t hesitate to call for Erkit.” The kind goblin stated with a small nod that was shared with Fig and Aspen.

Fig eventually began to think out loud trying to process everything they’ve managed to uncover. Rubbing his chin, he began his train of thought.

“Never have I seen a goblin wield as much power as Ranrok does. He seemed wholly unaffected by my magic.” the professor pondered

“Professor… where are we now?” Aspen asked, knowing they were no longer at Gringotts nor at the ruins of an abandoned home. 

Fig and Erkit looked around before the pair of them seemed to gather their wits, letting out similar laughs of disbelief.

“It can’t possibly be.” Fig said breathlessly. It was amazing this magic Aspen is able to wield can accomplish great feats.

No wonder his wife was looking into it greatly.

“It seems those who set up the pensive, the locket– the path towards both– wanted someone with your ability to end up here eventually.” Fig replied as he had seemed to gather his bearings, quietly muttering a soft “point me” with his wand pointed towards his chin as if he was talking into it. 

Aspen and Erkit began to follow the man as he had begun moving not too long afterwards, eventually finding themselves on a dimly lit path. Putting his wand away, they eventually made it out of the forest they found themselves in as Fig let out a soft exhale, happy with the sight in front of him. “Albeit an extremely unexpected journey, I would like to officially welcome you to Hogwarts.”

With a small bemused flourish, Fig watched his charge take a sharp inhale not from pain but in awe as they took in the sight of the castle and it’s glow it gave with the moonlight.

The small trio continued their walk before reaching another crossroads, one heading towards the castle and the other way heading towards Hogsmeade. Speaking up, Erkit announced that this is where they would be splitting up. 

Aspen was about to launch into yet another questioning when he leveled her with a look that had her sheepishly chuckling and look away, forcing herself to admire the stars.

“Worry not, I’ve a good friend and family I need to be seeing. They live in a small hamlet near Hogsmeade. I’ll be sure to get looked after there. If there’s anything else, never hesitate to ask. I am and will be in your debt forever.” the goblin said with a kind smile.

Bidding each other goodbye’s, the trio eventually returned to being a duo as they watched Erkit walk off, eventually going over a small hill and out of sight.

Dusting off his robe, he turned and glanced at Aspen. Swaying slightly on her feet, the young witch yawned behind her hand. Slightly droopy eyes and with slightly slowed and slouched movement, exhaustion was evident on her face yet he was glad that– despite the day’s events– he was able to find that spark of excitement in her eyes as he spoke up once more for the night.

Beginning quick strides towards the castle, he led his student towards the castle as he spoke.

“Come along dear. We’ve a Sorting Ceremony to get too.”