Vita Magicis (HP SI-WC) (Patreon)

Chapter 19: Second Year Begins

It took half an hour but at the end of it, Ginny could now slightly change her color if she concentrated for a bit.

We had found out that emotions played a role in her power as when she got flustered or angry the transformations came easier for her. Since this was only an Added Potential though, it would take a while before Ginny was able to transform as easily as Tonks but that didn’t seem to bothered her and only served to motivate her to practice harder.

We were now resting for a bit cuddled up against the tree with Ginny resting her head on my shoulder.

“If you have any questions about your new abilities, come and find me. You’ll find that most of your spells will be more powerful from now on and may even develop extra effects.”

“Got it. If I need anything, come find you. Though wouldn’t going to the others also work just as fine?” Ginny looked up at me curiously.

“Of course not.” I shook my head. “You’re the only one I’ve shared this power with you know? It’s not really something I can just do on a whim at the moment. Heck the others don’t even know about most of the stuff we talked about.”

“I-I see.” With a blush growing on her face, she leaned up towards me and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for such an amazing birthday present.”

“You’re most welcome.” Lost in the moment I gently brushed a few stray strands of her hair behind her ear.

In response Ginny’s blush only grew to where it now covered her whole face. Then she leaned forward again with her gaze focused on my lips. I felt my own head lean down towards her but before our lips could connect a loud yell interrupted the moment.

“Ginny! Ginny dear, where are you?” came the unmistakable voice of Mrs. Weasley.

Pulling away from each other I watched Ginny silently curse her mother for a second before finally pulling away from my embrace and getting up.

“’Cough’ We should get back before mum decides to come look for us.” Ginny muttered unable to look at me.

“Right.” I nodded sighing slightly at the missed opportunity before standing up as well.

Together we then made our way back inside with a peaceful atmosphere between us. When we were back inside, we were greeted by a few suspicious looks from some of them but it was ultimately forgotten as we sat down for dinner.

That night I slept with a smile knowing that I had just completely neutered the events of the Chamber of Secrets with my actions that day. Now I just needed to Stamp the basilisk once I got back to the castle and I could enjoy a quiet year.

=====

(Month Later)

The last month of summer went by in a flash with the only thing of interest that happened was going back home during the middle of it as I felt I had intruded enough. I felt bad as Hermione had been staying as well and it must have cost the Weasleys a good amount in order to feed all of us.

Trying to offer them some money had failed as they had dismissed it saying I had already helped them enough with their money problems.

Once I was back home, I went back to training my Templates with the ever-useful help of Asako and Ilulu with the other girls stepping in from time to time.

Before we knew it September first came around and I found myself headed to King’s Cross station once again.

When I reached platform 9 and 10, I found a spot to sit while I waited for the Weasleys and Potter siblings to arrive since I was a bit early. Hermione and Luna were already waiting for us in a compartment inside the train according to my map.

I only had to wait a few minutes before a gaggle of redheads were spotted walking down the platform looking a little out of breath.

I stood up from my seat and after the quickest hellos from everyone, we started crossing the barrier. With the problem of Dobby already handled, we managed to board the train without any problems.

As we searched for a compartment to sit, I stopped by a few of them when my name was called and greeted a bunch of friends, of which most of them were girls of course. The most notable ones being Susan, Hannah, Cho, the Patel twins and Lavender.

I only stayed a few seconds with each of them mostly due to Rose and Ginny getting jealous and dragging me away when they noticed the looks the girls were giving me. Ron and Harry had gone ahead getting bored of greetings rather quickly leaving myself, Ginny and Rose behind.

On the way I spotted Daphne and decide to say hello so I turned to the pair of redheads. “Go ahead you two, I’m just going to stop and say help to Daphne for a moment then I’ll join you.”

Looking reluctant to leave my side, they eventually did so with the promise to not take too long. Once alone I knocked on the compartment’s window and saw Daphne look my way with her eyes widening a bit in recognition before a small smile spread on her pretty face as she bade me to come in.

“Hello Daphne, how was your summer?” I asked with a smile sitting down next to Tracey and across from Astoria.

I then turned to face Tracey and extended my hand forward. “You must be Tracey, right? Pleasure to meet you. My name is Aether Cordelia.”

“Likewise. Tracey Davis.” Tracey immediately greeted me with a smile and didn’t hesitate to shake my hand.

Turning to the final girl on the compartment I noticed she was looking at me with a teasing smirk on her face. Looking at her closely I could see she was still looking a little pale even if it was slightly concealed by the makeup covering her face.

“And you must be Astoria.” I greeted with my own smirk. “Pleasure, Daphne often speaks fondly of you.” I once again extended my hand forward for a hand shake.

“Oh, she does, does she?” With a raised eyebrow Astoria looked at her sister from the corner of her eyes who had a blank look on her face showing nothing. “Huhuhu, well I can say that it’s a pleasure to finally meet the boy who Daphne never shuts up about.” Her grin grew in size as Daphne’s cool façade finally cracked and a blush crept up her cheeks.

“Astoria!” Daphne gave her sister a reproachful look only making her sister laugh in return.

“Huhuhu see!? This is the most emotion I have seen on her face in years. This is looking to be a good year~” Astoria giggled as she pointed at her still blushing sister.

“I agree.” Tracey brake into a laugh next only embarrassing the poor girl.

With the ice broken, we chatted for a few minutes before I finally left with a promise to meet again and finally made my way to where the others were.

Opening the compartment, I only managed to get a step inside before a blonde missile collided with my chest. “Aetheeeer~ I missed you sooo much!”

Blinking I looked down finding a familiar shade of long blonde hair and a name immediately came to my lips.

“I missed you too Luna. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown since I last saw you.” I greeted happily pulling the blonde for a proper hug getting a happy giggle in return.

A pair of silver eyes were revealed behind a curtain of blonde hair as Luna looked up at me with her eyes shining in joy. “Mom thought it might please you~ I’m glad she was right.”

Normally I would take that as Luna’s attempt at flirting but with how quirky she was I just took it at face value and shook my head in amusement with my hand coming up to pat her head.

“And how is Pandora doing?”

Her smile impossibly increasing in size, Luna chirped out. “She’s doing great. Her and daddy have taken me to so many amazing places the past two years. Mom and I hope you might join us one day. And Maya too of course. Where is she by the way?” She let out in a happy ramble before looking around me trying to see if she could spot said girl.

“Hahaha Maya is resting right now but she will meet us back at Hogwarts.” Said snake girl chose to sleep the day away in my expanded trunk preferring that over the possibility of being squished while she was in my pocket.

“Oh goodie, I have so many things I want to ask her~”

“Ahem, will you two just come in the compartment already?” An exasperated voice called out to us interrupting our moment.

As one me and Luna looked at the one responsible to find a frowning Hermione standing in the middle of the compartment with her hands in her hips.

“Finally!” started Hermione with a slight frown. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for a bit now.”

“Sorry Hermione,” I apologized scratching the back of my head. “I just haven’t seen Luna in a while now and got caught up in the moment.”

Hermione only frowned deeper at my response and I blinked as an idea popped into my mind and I acted on it. Stepping forward I pulled a startled Hermione in for a hug as well and whispered in her ear. “It’s good to see you as well Mione.”

The brunette stayed still for a moment before I felt her wrap her arms around me as well and mutter back. “…Thanks. I missed you.”

With everything handled for now I pulled away from the now blushing Hermione who was avoiding looking anyone in the eye as she quietly sat down next to Rose.

With seven people in the compartment though a new problem arose as there wasn’t enough space to sit all of us comfortably.

While I thought of a solution, I suddenly felt a small hand push me into the only remaining seat before my vision was met with a head of blonde again causing me to blink.

“There. Problem solved~” Luna chirped happily to everyone before pulling out a book and getting comfortable.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Y-you can’t do that Luna! It’s not appropriate!” Came the flushed and scandalized voice of Hermione.

“Hmm why? Me and Aether are friends so what’s the problem?” Came the curious voice of Luna as she looked up from her book seeing everyone but myself giving her mixed expressions.

Harry and Ron were just pretending they didn’t see anything and were looking off to the side with dark cheeks. The girls though were another matter.

Hermione, Ginny and Rose were all looking at Luna with frowns on their faces and looking just as alarmed as Hermione.

You see Luna was currently using my lap as her seat without a care in the world as if it was a normal thing to do and in her mind it probably was.

 I on the meantime was using all my willpower to in order not to get a boner as the cute blonde in my lap in her attempt to get comfortable, kept wiggling her pert butt right over my junk.

“Aether! Tell her something!” Seeing that she was getting nowhere with the clueless blonde, Hermione turned to me.

“Please leave me outta this.” I muttered looking off to the side much to their shock.

It was the only choice I could make as any other would only bring me more trouble.

=====

In the end the girls had managed to come to a compromise that they accepted.

That is, they took turns sitting on my lap which only made things harder for me to keep my urges in check.

Even the usually prim and proper Hermione had sat woodenly on my lap with her face glowing red and a book covering her entire face when it was her turn.

Ron and Harry did try to say something when it was their sisters turn only to be immediately intimidated to shut up with the harshest glare I had ever seen from the pair of redheads.

Luckily for my dwindling self-control I had managed to fall asleep about three quarters of the way to Hogsmeade before I was shaken awake by Ginny when we were about to arrive.

An hour later we were sitting down in the Great Hall waiting for the sorting to commence. I could already hear Ron grumbling behind us about being hungry with Hermione admonishing him quietly before the sorting finally started.

The only real change happened when Astoria Greengrass was sorted into Ravenclaw and the girl making a beeline to our table and sitting in front of me mostly ignoring all the greetings coming her way and focusing entirely on me.

“I’ll be under your care for the next few years Aether so please treat me well~” She said cheekily without any shame much to Rose’s jealousy.

“Hmhmhm sure Astoria. I’m already looking over your sister, so another Greengrass sister won’t be much of a challenge.” I greeted her with a smile.

“That’s the spirit~”

A moment later it was Lunas turn to be seated and just like Astoria, Luna completely ignored everyone and took the other seat by my side before pulling me for a hug not caring for who was watching.

“We’re in the same house Aether~ I’m so glad~” She muttered into my chest happily.

“I never had any doubt.” I chuckled while patting her on the head ignoring the jealous looks Rose was throwing Luna’s way. It was impossible to stay mad at Luna once you got to know her after all.

The sorting finally ended when a disappointed Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor causing the table to erupt in cheers, in total contrast with her current mood. When she finally sat down at the Gryffindor table, she got a little happier when she noticed that she was sitting behind me with only a few feet of distance and offered me a small wave.

With the excitement of the sorting over Dumbledore recited his yearly speech and after finishing the school song we were finally allowed to eat. We spent the time talking and catching up with our classmates as we talked about our summer before our conversation shifted to the new professor teaching DADA. Most of the house was divided on how to feel about the new celebrity with the girls mostly being okay with the man and the men disliking him because the girls liked him.

The only exceptions of course were those closest to me who looked at the man with suspicion over what I had commented about him over the summer. Malfoy did stop by and spewed his usual insults before retreating not soon after as nobody had responded to the little ferret.

I did notice to my curiosity that nobody seemed to comment that Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen especially Malfoy seeing as they were practically his bodyguards.

It was just another reminder of the terrifying power of the Gone and Forgotten perk and how insidious it truly was. I mean, not only does everyone around you forget everything about you but even physical traces of them vanished. And while it might seem harmless at first, this meant that pictures, documents and everything that qualified as having a trace of your existence would vanish from existence.

I felt nothing about getting rid of them though, so other than being curious about how the perk worked I dismissed such thoughts a moment later when Luna pulled me into a conversation.

Anyways with my thoughts of scary perks aside the first day finally came to an end. I cuddled with Maya that night with the thought that due to my interference, this year was looking to be rather boring.

=====

Two weeks later I was proven correct as other than the disappointment that was Lockhart, this year seemed rather normal for a change to my relief.

Well one thing that did change was the addition of Luna and Astoria to our little group and how the former made Ron and Hermione a little uncomfortable.

Ron because he thought she was mental and had no way of properly interacting with her and Hermione on the other hand was always left flabbergasted at Luna’s wild theories and beliefs on certain things.

At least the other had come to enjoy Luna’s company when she was around us.

It was like I said. Luna was a total cinnamon roll and once you got past her quirkiness, you would find that she was an incredibly smart and insightful girl underneath.

As it stands though, since I wanted no problems this year, I was currently headed to the Chamber of Secrets with Asako and Maya by my side to take care of the Basilisk problem.

‘I wonder if I can just turn her into a Monster Girl like the others and sex her up?’