Wizards of Ancient India - Harry Potter Fanfiction

Can you tell what's a skeleton's gender?

Hey, Suryadev, how you doin today?

The sun rose steadily in the sky, its rays still young. Around Niranjana, the grounds were dim blue, the lake sparkled with fireflies, rippling gently as fish traipsed through the waters. It was her favorite time of day, when Suryadev was only hers to speak with. The grounds were deserted – no sounds of battle and chit chatter. Only birds. Water trickling.

And Airavat.

The white elephant was the largest and oldest they had at the Paatshala, and he was usually awake earlier than Niranjana, waiting at the lake for her so they could pray together. At first, Airavat frightened her because of his size. But she had gradually grown to become fond of his company in the early mornings, especially during an observance.

Niranjana inhaled deeply, loving the fresh air.

Admittedly, she always felt rather incomplete without her bow and arrow slung across her back, but she had trained herself to leave her weapons in her room when she came here every morning.

Still, there was one weapon she simply couldn't leave behind even if she tried.

The tiger's figure hovered over the water, her outline shimmering gold, watching Niranjana with large, beady eyes.

"On guard, Moksh," she told the tiger. She did not respond in any way, but Niranjana knew she understood her.

With deliberate steps, Niranjana made her way into the lake. It was chilled today, she thought as the water enveloped her ankles, and knees, and thighs. She continued into the lake, Moksh still sitting serenely above the water on the far end of the lake where the banks met the forest. When the water covered her to a little above her waist, she pressed her palms together, and closed her eyes.

"Tam suryam pranamamyaham," she muttered.

Over half an hour passed. Despite being in rhythmic meditation, Niranjana could sense the changes around her. Students paced the grounds, animals woke and growled, the daily routines started up. Soon, she could hear the familiar hisses of Sheshnaag and Vasuki nearby – followed by their owners a few moments later.

"It won't be too painful," Neelkant was saying.

"Yeah," said Natkhat, "on a scale of one to ten, I'd give it a ten."

"What?" Theodore's voice.

"Shh," Neelkant warned.

"Take it easy," Natkhat added.

"Take it easy?" Theodore was yelling now.

"We're just helping you," Neelkant said.

"Exactly," Natkhat agreed. "You need to survive at least until your sorting."

"Survive!" Theodore shouted at the top of his lungs. "I want to get out of here, not survive here! And –"

"Oi – you might wanna tone it down a bit –"

"No!" Theodore yelled stubbornly.

Niranjana, still in meditation in the middle of the lake, frowned slightly.

"Did you hear me?" Theodore continued rudely. "I want to get out of here – NOW! Or, I promise you, I will call the British Aurors RIGHT AT THIS SPOT and you ALL WILL BE IN BIG TR –"

Suddenly, Theodore was cut off by deep, guttural growling. Even with her eyes closed, Niranjana could see the fear on the Britisher's face as his eyes landed on her golden tiger, walking on the water towards him with a predator's gaze.