"To start, I think very few of you, if any have practiced non verbal spells at all. Let alone, physical transfigurations. So, as much as this may bore some of you, we are going to go back to very basic transfigurations to regain understanding of the spells. You are all able to turn a match into a needle."
There is a mixture of sighs and sniggers as a box of matches opens and a match floats to each student.
"As you can see on the sheet I've given you, the wand movement stays the same and you shouldn't approach the spell any differently to how you usually would. Except from the obvious fact that this time you will not be saying the incantation out loud. Many of you may find it easier to mentally say the incantation for your first few goes, until you feel confident enough to continue further."
"This should be fun." I hear Lily mutter in front of me.
"There is little way to improve the ability to perform non-verbal spells, apart from practice. So, to start of with, you will all practice changing the match on your desk into a needle, and then back. Then, once you have successfully done so three times, you will begin to try doing so, non verbally. I will be around to assist any of you that find this difficult and to offer advice."
I could probably do this nonverbally first time, wandlessly. But it's my first day, and no one likes a show off.
So I did the normal version of it, with a wand, three times. Perfectly. When we did wandwork in Uagadou, we focused on the basics so this wasn't my first time. I looked around to see others finishing off as well. Lily and Alice had already gone onto the non-verbal section, as well as Remus behind me, and somewhat surprisingly, James.
Remus, I know is the brains of the group. Every time I've seen him he has been carrying a book. Ok, yes I only met him yesterday, but still. As well as that, he's taking Arithmancy with Alice and Lily, and only academic people take that subject, like it's really confusing.
But James, well. He seems more like Sirius's non-identical twin. Plus he had been the one interested in the pranks, and proud of his own pranking abilities. And what I had heard from the girls. In short, I didn't expect him to be so ahead in Transfiguration.
Mind you, his non-verbal tries weren't easily coming to him. His face looks like he really, really, needed to go to the toilet. Sirius is just laughing next to him, not even trying.
I look around to see if anyone is watching, seeing no one, and then grasp my wand, focusing on the match in front of me, closing my eyes and imagining it.
I imagine it growing more pointy and becoming metallic and sharp and then-
"First try. Not bad, Miss Warren." I open my eyes, to see Minnie beside me, a small smile on her lips. "20 points to Gryffindor."
"Thanks, Professor." I look at the needle on my desk, looking for all the world like it had never been anything but a needle.
I look up to see all the girls looking at me, their faces also flushed with effort, Lily's growing towards her hair colour.
"H-how?"Alice asks.
"Just, picture it. Like you would with any transfiguration. Picture it clearly in your mind, then wave the wand, hearing the words in your head."
"Yeah, easier said than done." Dorcas sighs and turns around to pick up her match from the floor.
"For the record, those seats are ours, and will stay ours." James walks up to me after class.
"For the record, you do not own seats in a classroom, there's no seating plan and you two didn't bother to show up on time. So, tomorrow, here's a thought, show up on time and maybe Minnie won't take points off Gryffindor on our second day."
"Remus told you to move, you could have sat anywhere else-"
"Actually, we didn't tell her to move." Peter says.
"I informed her of the usual layout, it was her decision." Remus says. "And if I'm totally honest-"
"NO, Remus you are not siding with the new girl."
I smirk and start to walk off, then I hear a voice.
"Miss Warren!" Minnie calls.
"Yes, Minnie?"
"A word?"
"Uh, yeah."
"One, Minnie is our nickname. Two, in trouble already?" Sirius asks, grinning.
"Go away Black, and I might still consider helping you with that prank!"
"Wait, what prank-" I hear Remus ask before I walk up to Minnie's desk.
The last of the class head out for break and then it's just me and McGonagall.
"So, that was very good work today, Miss Warren."
"Thanks, Professor."
"Non-verbal magic first time, impressive. Though I don't think that was your first time?"
"Uh, no. I did basic wand work at Uagadou, but mostly wandless. And then I did all of nonverbal stuff last year.
"Yes, we don't start so quickly over here, as you could probably see today's class."
Lily, Remus and James had all managed to perform the transfiguration non-verbally, each earning 10 points from Minnie, as well as a few Slytherins who each gained 10 points for their house. Alice and some others had come close.
"I know that students from Uagadou are particularly gifted at Transfiguration. And your... incident, at the Leaky Cauldron suggests that you are a particularly gifted witch any way. I also understand that there were some... repercussions of that evening. I was wondering, how everything has been since that?"
"I'm fine. A little shaken, I guess, but it was nothing I couldn't handle. And Andromeda backed me up."
"I'm sure she did." a hint of sadness crept into her voice.
"And, in school, has everyone been welcoming? I'm sure the girls are fine, but the boys can be... troublesome. And of course, Mr Black." she looks at me pointedly.
"You know?"
"Dumbledore thought it right for some to know."
It isn't his choice to make.
"Uh, yeah everything is ok. Um... Sirius and I had a conversation when we met... it didn't take either of us very long to work out that we were both... you know. He has agreed to not tell anyone. At least for the moment."
"Probably a wise decision. You do know that there is another?"
"Sirius's younger brother, yes. We haven't met."
"Well, if there is any trouble, then you know where to come." I nod. "And Ebony?" I look up at the use of my first name. "I know what happened. Both in Uagadou, and in the Summer. If you ever need anything, then-"
"Yes, thanks Professor."
"Alright, run along then. I think the girls are still waiting for you outside."
"Ok, bye, Professor!" She doesn't respond, as a quickly head for the door.
I turn to see the girls waiting outside. "Everything ok?" Alice asks.
"Yeah, fine, where's Lily?"
"She had to run off to Ancient Runes. I have no idea how she's going to keep up with all these subjects." Dorcas replies.
"Anyway, we have a free period now. And we forgot to show you something!"
"What?"
"The Library."
YOU ARE READING
The Black Winged Marauder
Fanfiction"It isn't my choice though, it's yours." When he says it like that, it suddenly becomes very clear. "I'll miss you." "Just make sure you write, don't forget all about me." "I won't forget you, I promise. But I need to do this." *•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*...
