The AllSpark's Chosen

Chapter 32: Homeschooling in the Manor

The late morning sun filtered down through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the grounds of **Howler Manor**. The air was warm, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of the blooming flowers from the garden. It was a peaceful day—perfect for catching up on things that had been pushed aside by the whirlwind of recent events.

Standing near the large oak tree at the edge of the property, **Saber** stretched his arms, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. The wards around the manor hummed quietly, shielding them from the outside world, offering him the perfect opportunity to focus on something he had neglected for far too long—his magical studies.

"It's about time I get back to this," he muttered to himself, glancing down at the stack of **Hogwarts textbooks** he had brought with him. It had been weeks since he had last opened any of them, and while the battles with the **Decepticons** and the mysteries of his family legacy had taken center stage, he couldn't ignore the importance of his education.

Magic wasn't something you could just stop practicing, and Saber knew that if he was going to stay ahead of **Dumbledore** and the other threats lurking in the shadows, he needed to be at the top of his game.

Beside him, **Obsidian** slithered along the grass, his sleek, black scales gleaming in the sunlight. The two-headed snake was always close by, offering silent companionship as Saber worked through his thoughts. Obsidian had become a comforting presence, and though he couldn't speak, his intelligent eyes seemed to understand more than Saber had initially realized.

"Looks like it's just you and me today," Saber said with a small smile, lowering himself to sit cross-legged in the grass. He placed his **wand** on the ground beside him and began flipping through one of his books—**Advanced Transfiguration**—letting the familiar words bring him back into the rhythm of learning.

For the first time in what felt like weeks, Saber felt a sense of normalcy as he began to review the complex incantations and wand movements. He had always been a good student at **Hogwarts**, excelling in both **Charms** and **Defense Against the Dark Arts**, but with everything that had happened recently, his studies had fallen by the wayside. Now, sitting in the warm sunlight with Obsidian nearby, he was determined to make up for lost time.

As he worked through a particularly difficult passage on transfiguring inanimate objects into animals, he absentmindedly twirled his wand between his fingers, thinking about how far he had come since his first year at Hogwarts.

"This used to seem impossible," he said to Obsidian, who flicked his tongues as if in agreement. "But now it's starting to make sense."

He set the book down, feeling confident enough to try the spell he had just been studying. Picking up his wand, he focused his energy on the small stone lying a few feet away.

"**Vera Verto!**" he said clearly, his wand pointed at the stone.

A shimmering light surrounded the stone, and for a brief moment, it shifted and morphed. Saber watched in anticipation, hoping to see it transform into a small animal as the book had described. But just as quickly as the light had appeared, it faded, leaving the stone exactly where it had been.

Saber groaned. "Well, that didn't go as planned."

Obsidian hissed softly, as if offering reassurance.

"Thanks, boy," Saber said, chuckling softly. "I guess I'm a bit rusty."

He was about to try again when he heard a rustling sound behind him. Turning slightly, he saw **Patch**, still in his **Saint Bernard** form, padding quietly across the grass toward them. The mechanical dog had been wandering the manor grounds ever since their arrival, blending in surprisingly well with the natural surroundings. Saber still marveled at how **Patch** managed to behave so much like a real animal, despite being entirely mechanical.

"Hey, Patch," Saber called, smiling as the dog approached. "I'm just doing a bit of spell practice. You're welcome to join if you're not too busy."

Patch barked in response, his optics glowing faintly as he sat down beside them, his tail wagging. Saber couldn't help but laugh—having both Patch and Obsidian nearby made him feel like he had a small, loyal group of friends, even if one of them was a two-headed snake and the other a Transformer disguised as a dog.

"Alright," Saber said, rolling his shoulders as he picked up his wand again. "Let's try that spell one more time. I'm not going to let a stone beat me."

He focused again, his wand held steady in front of him as he aimed at the same stone.

"**Vera Verto!**" he repeated, this time pouring more concentration into the spell.

The air shimmered once more, and slowly, the stone began to change. Saber watched as the hard surface softened, taking the shape of a small brown mouse. The mouse squeaked, twitching its nose as it scurried across the grass before vanishing back into thin air.

"Finally!" Saber exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like I've still got it."

Obsidian raised one of his heads, watching the mouse with keen interest before it disappeared. The snake's tongue flicked out in curiosity, as though impressed by the magic.

"See, it's all about practice," Saber said, turning to Patch. "Even if you're a bit out of shape, you can still get the hang of things again."

Patch let out a soft, mechanical whirr, his way of offering encouragement.

Feeling a renewed sense of energy, Saber moved on to the next spell in his book. For the next hour, he practiced a range of spells—everything from basic levitation charms to more advanced transfiguration techniques. The more he worked, the more his confidence grew, and soon, he found himself slipping back into the rhythm of his magical studies.

It was a relief, in a way. After everything that had happened—the fights, the discoveries, the constant danger—this moment of quiet focus felt like a return to something familiar. Something he could control.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Saber paused to stretch, glancing down at Obsidian, who had curled up comfortably beside him in the grass.

"Guess we're both getting some fresh air today," Saber mused, smiling at the snake. "Maybe I should make this a regular thing—studying outside, away from everything."

Obsidian's two heads flicked their tongues, offering their silent agreement.

Patch let out another soft bark, as if seconding the idea.

Saber smiled, feeling a deep sense of peace as he looked out over the quiet grounds of **Howler Manor**. It was rare to find moments like this anymore—moments where he could just be **Saber**, a wizard practicing magic, without the weight of the world pressing down on him.

But he knew this peace wouldn't last forever. The **Decepticons** were still out there, hunting for the **AllSpark**, and there was still so much he didn't understand about his own past. There were battles ahead—battles he wasn't sure he was ready for.

Yet, for now, this moment of tranquility, with Obsidian and Patch by his side, was enough.

"I'll be ready," Saber whispered to himself, determination filling his voice. "No matter what's coming, I'll be ready."