Ravenstar: Chapter Seven

[eaivalefay]

Chapter 7: Order and Chaos

Nalian sat down at dinner, ignoring all the people staring and whispering about him. It was nearly three weeks ago that he had accidentally spoken Parseltongue. The morning after ‘The Incident’ (as Draco called it) the entire school had been made aware of his ability. While most of his Slytherin classmates had taken it fairly well, the rest of the student body was in an uproar. Nalian was sure he had never gotten more dirty looks and not-so-well veiled threats in his entire life. That was saying something, considering he had grown up in a bloody thirsty, backstabbing palace, and temporarily lived in a second one when he studied under the vampire Derek for two years.

Things had gotten worse when a scathing letter of reproach from Darian arrived. It wasn’t the letter in itself that caused more problems, nor the few books that came with it, but the two snakes that had also arrived with it. His familiars Chaos, who was a pure black snake, and Order, who was completely white.

Snakes were apparently not allowed at Hogwarts, but his Head of House managed to talk the headmaster around. Nalian suspected Draco may have had something to do with that.

What was more interesting was the letter Nalian received from Gringotts. They couldn’t tell him which accounts had elven artifacts because it went against the bank’s ethical codes, but they did inform him of the accounts his bloodlines allowed access to. There were four accounts, and he was informed of one, but the head of Gringotts insisted that any more information on the other three was not be disclosed until the goblins could make sure letting him view the vaults or files was legal.

The first account was Slytherin’s account; possibly dating as far back as Salazar Slytherin himself (though Nalian personally thought that was stretching it a bit). The account, or treasury as it would’ve been called when it was first created before banks even existed (The treasury is suspected to have been created around the 1200s.), was there before the goblins were granted control over the wizarding society’s banking system. For this reason the goblins didn’t have access to the vaults; they said only a direct descendant could open them, and no descendant ever stepped forward to claim the legacy.

Nalian wondered why the bank never informed the descendants of their unknown vault, but decided it was safer not to ask, at least for now. What he did know was that he could be taken to the vault and enter it whenever he found the time and freedom to go to the bank for a few hours.

"Tomorrow is Halloween." Draco said casually, effectively pulling Nalian from his thoughts. "The holiday feasts here are always excellent."

Nalian blinked, "you mean to say that the food normally isn’t?"

"I didn’t say that." Draco snapped irritably. "I merely meant the food is better on holidays than the everyday meals."

"I’ll believe it when I see it." Nalian grabbed his bag resting by his feet and stood up. "Now I’m off, or I’ll be late for Ritual again."

"Yes, wouldn’t want to incur Granger’s wrath again, would we?" Draco sneered.

Nalian grinned, "you’ve never seen that girl in a temper, have you?"

"She has such a foul temper everyone should cower in fear." The blonde scoffed. "I thought you had more backbone."

"Why should I go searching for trouble when I can avoid it?" Nalian plopped back down onto the bench. "Look, saying no is an option isn’t it? The girl assumed you were taking her to Hogsmeade this weekend, just go set Parkinson straight."

Draco glared, "I may have never seen Granger lose her cool, but Parkinson is a different matter entirely. In fourth year there was a Yule Ball at Christmas. Pansy somehow got it into her head that I was taking her. I told her I wasn’t, that she misunderstood, and she threw the biggest tantrum I’ve ever seen... To cut a long story short, I ended up taking her anyway."

Nalian smirked, "so where do you get off saying I’ve got no backbone? More power to you, Drake, good luck with the missus." Nalian made a run for it, but Draco still nailed him in the back with a bread roll.

Nalian was making his way to the classroom when he heard a voice call from behind him, "Morthen! Nalian Morthen!"

He turned around, surprise showing on his face, "Professor Potter?"

The auburn-haired woman smiled slightly as she caught up with him. "I’ve been calling you for the last five minutes. A bit distracted?"

"I don’t want to be late for Ritual Magic. Not only does the teacher get annoyed, but so does one of my partners."

"Working in groups of three, or more?"

"We’re just starting three. It’s really quite interesting, and I wouldn’t mind trying a bigger group, but Professor Lufkin says we aren’t ready." Nalian shrugged.

"It’s best to start with three and get the feel of group ritual magic. Well, I shouldn’t keep you waiting. Please come and see me after your class though. My classroom and office are just off the entrance to the Ravenclaw tower."

"May I know why, Professor?" Nalian asked curiously.

Lily Potter smiled reassuringly, "I’ll tell you when you see me after class. It’s nothing bad, you’re not in trouble."

"All right." Nalian nodded, already heading towards his class again. He walked into the classroom not even a minute before the teacher did. Hermione was give him an irritated yet relieved look as he settled next to his two partners, Hermione and a Gryffindor in their year, Neville Longbottom.

"Everyone please review your notes. In ten minutes we’ll be trying a basic power gathering in our groups of three. Don’t forget to set up a protection circle; no point in being sloppy after all." Lufkin ordered, unpacking several stones. When everyone was done reading their notes she started speaking again, "it’s easier to learn to focus your magic in one place when there is a physical item to focus on in the beginning. Today you’ll be focusing on gathering power into a stone."

Hermione made a noise as if she wanted to say something, but a hand on her arm stopped her.

"These stones are quartz. As you know different types of stones enhance different things, such as love, healing, protection, divination, money, courage, and so on. Quartz is an all-around stone, it can be substituted for any stone if you use a bit of imagination." Lufkin started at the other end of the room, handing out crystals.

Hermione fretted. "Who should create the protection circle? And which of you wants to be the head wizard in this, because I’m not interested in that position."

"I think Neville should make the circle." Nalian said. "I noticed he’s really quite good at them, and I don’t mind being the head if Nev doesn’t want to do it."

"I don’t," came the immediate reply, Neville still blushing slightly from the compliment. "How will we know when we can’t fill the stone with any more power?"

"We’ll sense it," Hermione responded. "The teacher said so."

"What if she’s wrong?" Neville muttered. Hermione gave him a dirty look that clearly said ‘teachers aren’t wrong.’

"Well," Nalian smiled cheerfully as Lufkin handed them a crystal, "we’ll just have to try and see what happens."

"Alright." Neville motioned towards the open circle made with wax, "get in so I can close this."

"We’re supposed to set the crystal in the middle." Hermione directed once the circle was closed. "Then we hold hands and start to meditate. Nalian, don’t forget you have to concentrate both on us and on the power flow to the crystal."

Nalian smirked slightly, "sure you don’t want to lead? You seem quite adept at it." Hermione swatted him.

The teacher was quietly instructing, "start meditating, breathe in for a count of seven, hold for a count seven, breathe out for a count seven. Breath in, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, hold, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, breathe out, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Breathe in..."

They settled down, loosely grasping hands, and slowed their breathing.

To correctly perform ritual magic in a group, or coven, the witches and wizards need to trust each other to at least some extent. The greater the trust, the better and easier the ritual could be performed. And the greater the trust, the more powerful and effective the ritual was. The head of the coven was the main focus for magic, the others of the circle let their magic flow into him and he (or she) directed the magic. The more the coven trusted their chosen leader, the more magic they would feed to him when performing a ritual circle.

Nalian focused on the magic; his magic, his friends’ magic, and the inherent magic of the quartz. He felt small tendrils of magic from the others connecting with his own power as he focused on the quartz. Their magic twined with together, slowly pouring into the stone.

The teacher, much to Hermione’s satisfaction, had been right. They did know when the stone couldn’t take any more power. They carefully separated and broke the protective circle Neville had set up. After collecting their crystal the teacher motioned they could go and told them quietly so as not to disturb the two remaining groups, "we’ll be working more with your crystal in our next class. Now you lot go down to the kitchens, get something filling to eat and go straight to bed. You may not realize it yet, but this type of magic is more exhausting than others and there’s certain things you should do to ensure your health."

Hermione nodded and promised they’d follow her directions. Outside the classroom she started talking excitedly, "our crystal was perfect. We really do make a great team. I wonder what we’ll be doing with our crystals? Do you think there are more rituals we will be performing if we already filled the quartz? Nalian, where are you going? The kitchen’s this way."

"Professor Potter wanted to talk to me. She asked me to meet her after class. Don’t worry, ‘Mione, I’ll eat after I see what she wants." Nalian replied. "You know, I think Professor Snape has some books on rituals. He’s always encouraging us ‘not to be dunderheads’, so maybe if you ask nicely he’ll let you have a look at them."

Hermione simultaneously lit up and looked dejected at the same time. "Professor Snape? I’ll ask him after we eat, but I doubt I’ll have much luck."

"Better you than me." Neville muttered. "Don’t forget to eat, Nalian."

Hermione waved as Neville dragged her off to the kitchens.

Nalian shook his head with a grin. Snape would say no, naturally, but Hermione wouldn’t let it go until the teacher gave in to her, and while Severus Snape was the most patient man in the world with his potions, he had absolutely no patience when it came to students. He’d give her the book just to get rid of her.

When he reached the classroom he knocked, but no one answered. Sticking his head in the door, Nalian called out, "Professor?" No response. ‘Perhaps she’s just late.’ He thought, stepping into the room and heading for the door that had to lead to the teacher’s office. "Professor Potter?"

"Mr. Morthen, please come in!" The professor’s voice rang out from behind the door.

Nalian entered the welcoming office slowly. There was a large wooden desk straight across from the door. Two comfortable winged, golden brown chairs sat in front of the desk, the professor was occupying one of them instead of her desk chair, with a plate of sandwiches and two goblets next to her. The floor was littered with a few rugs in various shades of blue, and to the right a small fireplace was lit, several pictures sat crowded on the mantel.

"You wanted to see me?" He asked, looking confused. The room looked like it was set up to welcome a close friend.

The teacher smiled brightly at him. "First sit down and have something to eat. I know ritual magic takes a lot out of a person. And beside Severus would kill me if he thought I wasn’t taking proper care of one of his Slytherins."

Nalian sat reluctantly across from this unknown teacher and took a sandwich. He personally thought she was being too nice, which made him feel suspicious. His mind immediately jumped to drugged food, spying devices, and concern that he had been caught out.

‘Or maybe you’re just being paranoid.’ A part of his mind told him. ‘Sometimes paranoia is a good thing.’ He thought back to that annoying voice.

"I asked you here to make an offer to you." She informed him. "I’m doing some research and there are certain books which I believe are written in Parseltongue. That’s if it is even possible to write in Parseltongue. I would like you to verify my suspicions, and possibly translate the texts for me."

"It is possible to write in Parseltongue," Nalian admitted. "I tried it a few years ago." He felt Chaos move restlessly around under his shirt in response to his uneasiness. The snake had joined him on his way to the Ravenclaw tower. "May I ask what you’re researching, Professor?"

"I’d rather not say unless it becomes completely necessary." Lily Potter frowned slightly.

"Most, not all, but most, wizards who could speak Parseltongue in the past were not nice people. I can’t imagine anything productive being written in those books." Nalian said. "It makes me reluctant to translate them, even for one person. They could be dangerous, deadly even, and in English anyone could read them."

"Right now the only ones who can read them are yourself and Voldemort." She looked at him seriously.

"I, for one, don’t want Voldemort to get his hands on them if they’re as bad as you say, and if he does, I want to know what we’re in for and possibly counteract the damage he does."

Nalian shook his head. "It is less likely that anyone will use them if only two can read the books and only one knows they exist."

The teacher sighed. "The information in those books might help us defeat that monster, Nalian. We can make a deal, you can tell me what the book is about as you translate it and write only the relevant parts of the text down. I can write a magically binding contract where you and I will never speak of the irrelevant parts of the book. While you’re working on translating, it will be kept a complete secret barring the people who need to know, and if the texts are so awful and useless, we’ll destroy them. If they’re horrible and useful, we’ll destroy them after we destroy Voldemort. Is that agreeable?"

Nalian studied her, "and that will all be written in a contract, magically binding with blood?"

Professor Potter didn’t comment on Nalian’s unspoken demand for a blood contract. Blood contracts were one of the most powerful kind. "Yes."

He was silent a few more minutes. "That’s agreeable, but you said this was a deal. I don’t see what’s in it for me."

Lily grinned. "Ever the Slytherin, aren’t you? You’ll receive a stipend for your work. I’ve also taken into the consideration that this work might get in the way of schoolwork, and took the liberty of speaking with the Headmaster and your Head of House about getting you out of History of Magic and Astronomy."

"Nice. I didn’t much like those classes," Nalian said. "When did you wish me to start, Professor?"

"I had hoped immediately." She smiled ruefully. "Now though, we’ll start after the contract is written up and signed, in about a week."

Nalian nodded, "I’ll be heading off to bed then. Goodnight, Professor."

She smiled at him, "you can call me Lily."

Nalian smiled slightly, "goodnight, Lily."

Nalian breathed a sigh of frustration when he was out of hearing distance. Things always got more complicated than they needed to be, in his opinion.

What is wrong, brother? Chaos moved up to wrap himself around Nalian’s shoulders. You are troubled.

I am concerned. Is it truly a good idea to translate texts of Parseltongue? Those books should most likely be destroyed, with a few exceptions. Nalian hissed. And I have other work to be doing.

You did not have to agree to translate these books. Chaos pointed out. You can still change your mind.

I was afraid if I did not agree that they would think I truly am a Voldemort supporter. This would also give me the chance to explore Hogsmeade and perhaps even the Potters’ possessions. The Potters are an old family, with a good chance of owning one or more of our objects. Nalian explained. Besides there may be something useful in those books... I hate to admit it, but I wish to help these humans.

Chaos hissed with chagrin, It would be good to search their nest, but helping them is not why you were sent here! They brought this upon themselves. Let the humans deal with the consequences of their actions.

I am human.

You are elven. Chaos snapped.

I was born human, and still am part human. Nalian said. You know it. Is it so wrong to want to help them? Can I not both help them and do what Darian asks of me?

I do not believe you merely wish to help them.

This Voldemort man does atrocious things. I would not wish any society to suffer under him. Nalian paused. Except perhaps for the Saevus.

There is something else. Chaos pressed.

Nalian sighed. Darian’s never lied to me about my origin, but he’s extremely vague. A part of me wishes to know what my birth family is like. Chaos, I think my parents may be here.

If they are alive. Chaos said.

If they are alive. Nalian agreed.

-------

Hermione shifted quietly in front of the door, unsure whether she should knock or go away. There were voices behind the slightly ajar door, obviously discussing something they didn’t want heard, but were too careless to close the door properly. One of the voices was Professor Malfoy, and it wasn’t like him to be careless. The other voice was Professor Snape and he was most definitely never careless. For that reason, Hermione was somewhat concerned and more than curious.

What decided her was the distinct name "Nalian Morthen" being spoken. She quietly inched closer to the door, wanting to use an eavesdropping spell, and knowing they would certainly notice if she did. They weren’t that careless.

-------

"I went down to Nalian Morthen’s supposed hometown yesterday." Severus said casually, clearing the fourth year brats’ mess away. He apparently hadn’t instilled enough fear in them yet if they thought they could leave messes in his classroom and not pay for it later.

"Did you find anything?" Lucius asked. It was about ten minutes after the last student had left and he was leaning casually on Severus’ desk.

"Nothing."

"Meaning?" Lucius asked, irritated.

"Meaning," Snape drawled, "I found nothing on him. No one knew who he was, or knew his family. The Morthens never lived in Isanti, Minnesota, if they even ever existed. I haven’t asked around the Salem school populace yet; it’s more risky if Morthen has connections there, we don’t want to be noticed.."

"I suspect we won’t find anything at the school anyway." Lucius frowned, "useful information, but it leads us to a dead end. We still don’t know who or what he is and where he comes from."

"And why he’s lying." Snape agreed.

"We could look into Slytherin’s bloodlines." Lucius suggested.

Severus paused in his work, "that would be difficult. There’s no birth record or genealogy chart for most wizarding families from that time period.It’s not like we can start with Morthen and work our way back."

Lucius nodded. "So we’ll start with all the known Parselmouths and their family ancestors and descendants. First on the list, Tom Marvolo Riddle."

"Alberic Grunnion, Baron Evander Hassforth, Caleb Potter." Severus added.

"I have to return to the manor this weekend, while I’m there I’ll pick up any needed books." Lucius said.

-------

Hermione slowly pulled away from the door. Nalian wasn’t really Nalian? An impostor. But the professors didn’t seem to think he was a serious enough threat to act immediately and get answers later.

She silently made her way back to her dorm, chewing her lip thoughtfully.

The headmaster must trust Nalian, for whatever reason. The headmaster would never take in a student or teacher he suspected of foul play. Unless Nalian managed to trick Dumbledore. Certainly the man wasn’t infallible.

Should she confront Nalian? Hermione wondered. He could be dangerous, or it could just be a perfectly innocent mistake, or Dumbledore could know Nalian wasn’t who he said he was, it could be for protection. But if she did confront him, she could put the professors’ investigation at risk.

Well, there wasn’t much choice on what she should do. She would have to do some research. Try to find some solid evidence of who Nalian was. Discreetly.

Hermione didn’t want to believe Nalian was anything as bad as a Death Eater, but they were in the middle of a war. She couldn’t just go along and pretend she didn’t hear anything when Nalian Morthen could be a threat. For now, she wouldn’t mention anything to anyone and would remain friends with him. She may not be able to sit by and wait for the other shoe to drop, but she could hope her new fears were unfounded.

-------

Nalian stepped into the house that had looked small on the outside, but was practically the size of a manor on the inside. Lily grinned at his surprise. "It took forever to magic the place, but it was worth it. We really needed the space. Still, it’s not half the size as Godric’s Hollow was. Come on. The contract is in my office. We’ll look it over and sign it. My husband, James, and our friend Sirius will sign as witnesses."

Lily’s home office was completely different from her school office, but no less welcoming, with a theme of green and burgundy and a lighter colored wood. One of the two men waiting, however, didn’t look all that welcoming.

"Auror Black," Nalian greeted uncertainly. "Mr. Potter?"

James Potter smiled slightly and brushed back his messy black hair. "Auror Potter, actually, but you may call me James if you like. May I call you Nalian?"

Nalian was taken aback by the man’s friendliness, especially considering his friend’s dislike of him. He nodded at the man’s request. There was something disturbingly familiar about James Potter, and Nalian couldn’t help remembering he thought the same thing when he first met Lily. "Um, the contract then?"

Lily smiled, discreetly hitting Sirius for being rude before grabbing a piece of paper off her desk, "all business, are we?"

He smiled sheepishly before reading the contract carefully. "It looks alright to me."

Lily took the paper back and signed her name before she made a small cut on her finger, letting three drops of blood fall to the paper. Nalian followed her actions when she finished. James and Sirius quickly signed the parchment as well.

"Good. Now that that’s done, why don’t I show you the books?" Lily said. "I keep them elsewhere, in a more secure part of the house." She led the entourage to a door that opened to a staircase to the basement. "There are six books. James and Sirius have known about the books ever since I suspected what they were. They’ll be two of the very few who know about your work."

"May I ask who else will be informed of my work?" Nalian asked.

"Albus Dumbledore knows, and two other people we trust." Lily said. "I’ll give you their names if it becomes necessary, but for now I don’t think it’s that important."

Nalian nodded. "I was thinking about the best times for me to work. I’ll need all the time I can get without interruptions. Translating Parseltongue is a painstaking business."

"Have you thought of good times then?" Black asked, partly curious and partly planning on being around when Nalian was, to keep an eye on the boy.

"Every day of the week I have some class or another." Nalian said. "The best times would be after dinner on Friday and working late, possibly staying all night, and continuing working in the morning, but I’d have to be back at Hogwarts by ten o’clock for classes. Then come back after dinner on Saturday. I’d, again, have to be back at Hogwarts by ten, but I can come back after two o’clock and continue until dinner."

"That’s fine." James said. "We can set up a room if you want to stay the night."

"Thanks." Nalian shot a smile at him before joining Lily at a locked glass bookcase. "That doesn’t seem a very safe place." He commented.

"It has strong magical protection. It even has spells on it to make it seem like there are no spells on it; like it’s just another ordinary bookcase." Lily said. "You seem to have come quite prepared, with a schedule worked out."

"Well, I did have a few days to think about it." He picked up one of the books Lily had removed while the two aurors watched on. How to Recreate the World in Seven Days? Nalian hissed. Where in Merlin’s name did this author get his title? It sounded like some twelve step program of rehabilitation. The three other occupants of the room were staring at him. "What?"

"You were speaking Parseltongue." James said.

"Oh, was I? Er- I suppose I should try to explain something. When we, Parselmouths, speak to snakes or read the Parseltongue language our minds seem to unconsciously start comprehending things in that language. For example, when I hear a snake say something my mind switches to Parseltongue and that is the language that I speak. A Parselmouth can learn control, but it is very difficult, and learning control with the written form of the language is even more difficult. That’s why I need no interruptions when I’m working, it is very taxing work to read something in Parseltongue and write or explain it in English." Nalian took a deep breath. "One of the reasons for this is that the ‘language’ is as much images and ideas as it is words. It even shows in the written texts; the writing is more squiggles and little hieroglyphic symbols than actual letters." He winded down, pushing the book under their noses, before realizing he made a rather long speech. "Oh, um, I didn’t mean to go on like that."

"No, it’s interesting!" Lily responded. "I can’t really see the hieroglyphs, but it’s fascinating to hear it explained from a Parselmouth’s point of view."

"I know you said it was hard and you need a lot of concentration," Sirius said, "but could you tell us the titles, and maybe we can help narrow down a couple books for you to start reading?"

Nalian, looking surprised at Black’s polite tone, nodded his agreement. "It’ll take me about ten minutes, I’d guess."

The titles, in English, ended up being:

How to Recreate the World in Seven Days

My Very Secret Thoughts (I refuse to call this a diary!)

Strategy for the Small Army

Work Journals 1-3

Once a Man, Always a Pig (Nalian wasn’t sure the title had been written properly, but that’s what it translated to.)

Devices for the Fun and Boring: A Book About Good Minion Management and Torturing Enemies Efficiently

"You’ve got to be kidding me." Sirius snorted. "Those titles are ridiculous."

"You have to remember most of these men were insane, Padfoot." James said.

"Besides, they sound much more serious in Parseltongue." Nalian added. "So which should I start with?"

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