The Chamber Of Secrets (A Harry Potter Rewrite)

WARNINGS ALL AROUND

"This is hopeless!"

Ria let out a frustrated sigh and plopped down on the semi-wet grass.

"You just have to keep practicing.", Hermione said, peeking at Ria for the top of her transfiguration book.

"We've been at this for three entire weeks. And no progress."

Ria wasn't one to whine often. She knew well enough it didn't help. But her patience was at its last limit. After the first try in McGonagall's office, Ria had gotton permission to use the Black Lake to practice her water powers. But after three weeks of trying and failing to excercise the least bit of control, except reading the life forms, Ria was starting to wonder if she even had any power over water.

"You'll get there. Eventually.", Hermione said.

"I don't get it!", Ria huffed. "Wind and fire were so easy! I did both of them on instinct. And yeah it took a while to figure wind out but atleast I knew from the start I could do it. What if I can't control water? I mean, nobody really knows what a Naturakinance is capable of, so maybe not all of them have control over all the elements."

"You can read the life in water just like you do with air", Hermione reminded.

"Yeah but water bodies have air in them too. So maybe that's how I read the life form. But honestly it can't be this hard!"

Hermione closed her book with a snap and narrowed her eyes at Ria.

"You can't have it all easy! Everything you do, each spell you try, they come to you naturally because of your powers. And I'm not accusing you. It's your talent. And it's amazing! But even the most talented people have to sometimes work hard to get something right. What matters then is that you don't give up. Every time you make a mistake, every time you fail, you are one step closer to getting it right. So, stop fussing and keep trying!"

Ria stared at her wide eyed for a while. "Ok", she conceded. "I guess you have a point." She sighed. "C'mon. Let's go back. It'll be time for breakfast soon. I'll come back tomorrow."

"We", Hermione said, decidedly. "It's a good place to study. Nobody bothers me here."

Ria laughed. "That's because nobody would bother walking here."

Hermione grabbed her books and got to her feet. The two girls stared across the lake for a while. It stretched vast beyond the dock. The fleet of boats the first years used, were moored in a row. Beyond the lake, the castle stood on the cliff; tall and proud and majestic. The mountains stretched beyond it; range after range of snow-capped peaks, colored brilliant shades of orange and gold in the morning sun, the further ones darkening to purples and midnight blues. The pink sky reflected in the black water creating a gorgeous shade of magenta. The green of the trees, the song of the birds and the fresh cool air after the night's shower; it was Ria's version of heaven.

"There's so much beauty in this place. So much magic." Ria said, smiling.

"It's serene" Hermione agreed. "Let's get back. I want to finish McGonagall's essay."

"Aren't you even the least bit sleepy?", Ria asked, incredulously. "You know you don't have to come with me everyday, right?"

Hermione smile. "I know. But I like it. Everything feels fresh in the morning. And I like watching the sunrise. Do you think it'll be easier for you to practice of I weren't around?"

"No. I think that'll make me even more frustrated."

"Are you going to talk to McGonagall?", Hermione asked, her tone disapproving.

Ria laughed slightly. "No. I think I'll keep trying. You are right. I have the power to control water and I know it. I can feel the essence of the element. It's just --"