The sound of stones impacting against the concrete echoed throughout the alleyway, accompanied by the occasional clanging sound, of something colliding with something metallic.
The origin of such a peculiar noise came from a young boy throwing several stones at cans placed several meters away with a young man eating a bun of sorts sitting by the side, watching over the boy. The young man watched for a while before walking away, letting the boy continue with what seemed like a pointless action.
......
(Warning: Big Info Dump)
"Imagine the shape, create the frame, fill the gaps..." Vincent muttered to himself as blue light shone from a small blue gem in his hands. "Starting the process..."
Ice started forming in his hand, seemingly coming from nowhere. More ice gathered and bit by bit it started to create a shape in the form of a small knife.
"Done...now..." Vincent flipped the knife up and down before the hand holding the knife was swung upwards, sending the knife into a nearby tree. "It's far more durable than the past ten or so. Although..."
The knife shattered, leaving behind several shards of ice on the ground with a part of the blade still embedded into the tree still.
Vincent gave a sigh as he fiddled with the icy blue gem in his hands. "I can feel some sort of drain...although whether it directs itself towards mental strength or physical is something that remains inconsistent, it's like it decides whichever energy to feed off on its own...Unless it's me deciding what source of energy to use?"
Vincent picked up a notebook and jotted down a few notes throwing it to Nyx who caught it despite the size difference.
"Alright, let's go over what I discovered about the use of these gems," Vincent announced. "Nyx, confirm whether or not what I say matches what I've written down."
A salute from both Nyx and Blimp was given, with the latter using its tail in place of a hand to do the action, and the other browsing the notes they had just been handed. While Vincent
"So, the basics...red gem is fire, blue is ice, green is healing or some sort of regeneration, yellow is lighting or more accurately electricity, and white simply emits pulses of energy that can push or pull objects with different varying forces. As of now, the blue gem drains the least out of me with the yellow one being the most tiring to use. Using a battery of energy such as the Thunderbolt potion to power the gems would allow me to save on my own personal energy. However, it would seem that the energy consumed from the potion, or other sources that are not my own can make the gems go out of control...as seen last year."
Vincent grimaced, having a flashback to the previous year when he experimented using a blue gem in a potion to see what would happen. It was disastrous to say the least, resulting in a manmade winter of sorts along with a pillar of ice that threatened to freeze anyone who came into contact with it. Several foolish students had received some form of frostbite despite the warning.
He shook himself out of his thoughts as he turned to Nyx and Blimp. "Furthermore, the gloves that contain the gems will sometimes fall apart as a result of being in contact with the gems for too long. It seems as if the gems are in a passive state in which they draw energy from their surroundings, resulting in any item that has had their 'energy' drawn from them becoming brittle or even breaking apart in flames, ice, and whatnot. It seems more prominent in magical objects such as dragon skin gloves or the hide of a basilisk, with the longest lasting around a month. Seeing that the glass case, an unenchanted one used for study, still holds a yellow gem without any sign of breakage, it would seem that my theory holds some weight. Further testing required..."
Vincent took a deep breath before continuing to speak. "As of right now, one of the priorities of our research going forward is to find ways in which the gems can be used with as little to no backlash. This means either reducing the drain the gem has on people and objects or finding some material that allows the gem to function without the need to replace the object...In conclusion...keep doing what we do! Keep experimenting and try not to die! That's all! Class dismissed!"
Blimp seemed to doze off every now and then only for Nyx to shake it awake. Vincent didn't seem to notice as he stretched his back from sitting too long.
"I guess that I should be thankful that I myself haven't burst into flames yet from using the gems," he muttered as he placed the blue gem into a pouch. "Another fact I haven't really looked into is whether or not it draws from any life force and such...if it does, then that will be an issue."
Vincent placed his rods on the ground, sizing them up. The iron rods that have been a part of Vincent's life for so long seems short and small now. As time passed on, Vincent found himself using the rods for range attacks and rarely used them in close quarters due to their ruler sized length being next to impossible to utilize in close combat. Nowadays, Vincent was able to handle most threats unarmed, and with the addition of the gems he wondered how he could utilize the rods better.
"I'll see if I can ask Professor Dumbledore to lengthen them for me," Vincent thought as he tossed them a few times, catching it like a boomerang. Tilting his head as if an idea had struck him. "I guess I can go now, seeing as I have a free space in my timetable... Yeah, I'll do just that. You two, look after the hut for me."
Blimp and Nyx both gave another salute again as Vincent made his way into the castle, passing by several students who had just finished their lunch and were heading out of the castle to hang out.
"They're at it again."
"Of course, why wouldn't they. As far as their concerned, he's no longer one of them anymore."
"Them?"
"Purebloods I mean, you know how those snakes feel about that."
Vincent paused as he watched the students walk off. He pondered their words before continuing on his way.
"Nott? As in Theodore Nott? Was it him that got disowned?" Vincent muttered, making his way up the stairs.
Theodore Nott is part of what many would call Malfoy's group. Whenever Malfoy and Harry traded insults, one would usually see Theodore hanging around, watching. Vincent noticed that while the boy didn't get involved with the usual dispute between purebloods and 'mudbloods', he didn't necessarily stand against it either, keeping somewhat of a neutral ground, albeit a ground that leans more towards the pureblood side.
Despite this, Vincent has had more than a few interactions with the boy due to their common interest in potion making and would trade pointers every so often. Their relationship merely amounted to strictly business and respect of people in similar trades. Yet despite this, Vincent couldn't help but feel somewhat worried about the boy.
All his thoughts came to a stop when he noticed that the Gargoyle guarding the staircase that led to Dumbledore's office appeared in sight.
Vincent face palmed himself. "Right, password...I don't know it... Now what? Do I go back—?"
The Gargoyle began to rotate, slowly revealing the staircase behind, and footsteps were heard as someone above descended. Pitch-black shoes, covered with bits of red and blue appeared around the corner as a boy, older than Vincent made his way down the steps.
The boy was tall, that was for certain, seeing as he easily towered over Vincent, and from what he could tell, was just two heads short of Hagrid. The robe did no justice to his physique, yet Vincent could tell that the boy was well built, at least, for the average Wizard. He didn't recall anyone of the sort on any of the quidditch teams. And his hair, it was brownish, approaching pure black. However, none of that compared to the boy's most defining trait.
"Why is there a zipper where his mouth should be?" Vincent creased his brow as he stared at the silver zip across the boy's face.
The boy stopped as he stared face to face with Vincent, gold eyes meeting brown. The boy seemed to sigh-as best as one could with the condition his mouth was in-as he grabbed the zipper and pulled it open. Once he did so, the silver metal of the zipper morphed into lips that a human would have, although somewhat greyish, leaving only the zip pull as the only remaining part of the zipper hanging from the side of his mouth.
"You, you're Vincent Wong if I'm not mistaken right?"
Vincent realized his gaze lingered a little too long on the boy's face. "Yes, that's me. Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."
"Stare all you want, that's what it's there for. That's what it's there for." The boy shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly uncaring
"So did you need anything?" the boy asked, his expression unreadable, even to Vincent.
"I'm just here to visit the headmaster," Vincent answered. "And I think you got paint on your shoes."
The boy glanced down frowning as he spotted the red and blue. with a snap of his hand a wand appeared in his grasp from the covers of his sleeve.
"Paint off..."
The paint scattered and landed on the floor, as if it was blown off by a gust of wind.
"You can do spells in English?" Vincent thought with some surprise as the boy's wand, with a flick of the wrist, vanished back into his sleeve.
"Thanks for telling me," The boy made his way past Vincent as he prepared to pull the zip back in place, only to pause. "Oh yeah, thanks for getting along with my little brother."
"?" Vincent turned around only to see the boy disappear around the corner. "Fast!"
With the sound of grinding bringing him back to attention, Vincent placed all his thoughts into the back of his mind and made a mad dash towards the staircase, barely making it in time.
"That was close," Vincent sighed in relief. He started his way up the staircase. "Who was that? I swear I would have remembered someone that noticeable here."
"Nicholas Nott," Vincent glanced up to see Dumbledore waiting for him with a smile. "A rather brilliant student if I do say so myself, an Auror in the making, although, somewhat withdrawn from others. Understandable since just before the term started, he was 'disowned' by the Nott family for 'colluding with Muggle-Borns', as his parents put it. A shame really if that were true."
"What did he do to get him disowned, sir?" Vincent asked. "Unless it's something personal of course."
"It would be, if it didn't have anything to do with you," Dumbledore chuckled at Vincent's confused expression, before gesturing into his office. "Would you like to come in?"
Vincent took a moment to take in Dumbledore's office. Every time he visited it gave him the feeling of visiting a Museum, tools of varying sizes, and books that seemed ancient lined the shelves. The various paintings of past Headmasters looked down on him, moving of course, as all pictures in the Magical world do. Some even gave him a wave which he returned in kind before coming to a stop before a perch of some sort.
"It seems Fawkes is away," Vincent thought, making note of the Dumbledore's pet phoenix's absence.
"Would you like any tea? I just got a recent batch from an acquaintance in France," Dumbledore gestured towards a teapot on his desk. "I'm not to overly fond of tea, but this one if rather good if I do say so myself."
"If your offering, Professor."
After a cup poured, and both of them seated, Vincent decided to continue on from where they left off.
"Can you explain what you meant by what you said earlier?" Vincent asked. "Did I do something wrong?
"No, no, nothing of the sort," Dumbledore took a moment to sip his tea before continuing. "How much do you know about the relationship between Purebloods and Muggle-born?"
"Only that fact that those with Pureblood tend to look down on Muggles and such," Vincent paused in thought before continuing. "However, it's not something I've really encountered during my stay here, so I don't have many, if at all, personal experience with it."
"I believe that may be because your own actions in this school lead to many believing you to be...well...mad," Dumbledore gave a chuckle at Vincent's bitter expression before going into continuing with the conversation. "As you should be well aware by now, in our society, purebloods are well known for their pride in their bloodline, one that is untainted by muggles, even the act of speaking to one can be enough to earn scorn from those stingy enough to do so."
"With that said," Dumbledore peered over his glasses, staring Vincent directly in the eye, "You've had dealings with young Mr. Nott, yes?"
"Theodore Nott? Well, yes, we share an interest in potion making and have exchanged notes every now and then," Vincent answered.
"It would seem that a rumor had spread, amongst the Slytherin's, about one of their own, being on friendly terms with the Muggle that attends this very school," Dumbledore nodded, seeing Vincent's face sour somewhat with understanding. "It's precisely what you're thinking. It seemed that someone had spotted young Mr. Nott conversing with you, and that news circulated throughout the rest of the Housemates."
"Was Theodore bullied?" Vincent felt worried, and at fault for anything that might have happened to the boy. "Wait, if Theodore was seen, why was his brother disowned? Don't tell me..."
"Nicholas took the blame on behalf of his brother, yes," Dumbledore sighed. "Before the rumors could get out of hand, Nicholas 'admitted' to exchanging pointers with you."
"And everyone believed that?" Vincent was astonished that that was all it took to denounce the rumor.
"Nicholas is somewhat accomplished in the art of potion making, excelling even amongst the seventh-year students. Because of his claims, some has painted him as someone partly responsible for your genius in potion making, at least, amongst the Slytherin's anyway," Dumbledore gave another tired sigh. "The moment his parents heard, he was immediately disowned, at least that's the official story. There might be more to it, but from what I gather, that about sums up their current situation."
"Back to your earlier question though, it seems that although Nicholas has received less than favorable treatment amongst his peers, something that I along with the other teachers are trying to fix. Do not worry about the younger brother, he seems to have remained clean from this event miraculously."
"That's also probably why he hasn't visited for some time now," Vincent muttered to himself as he recalled that Theodore hasn't shown up at his hut for some time now. "Why hasn't anyone been talking about it? Is Slytherin really that cut off from the other houses?"
Vincent had known that the relationship between Slytherins and the other houses were bad, but he still would have thought that something this big would have spread amongst the rest of the students.
And the thing with Muggle-borns and Purebloods, Vincent never really paid much mind to that despite being in the minority. Because he had a lack of experience regarding the topic, he had always been under the impression that it wasn't as bad as it really was. He had the general knowledge, but nothing that everyone else didn't already know, so hearing that he played a part in harming someone's reputation without knowing bothered him. A dark thought in his head even wondered how many people he's hurt just by being around them.
"I wonder, when I started coming to this school, did the Professor have a hard time?" Vincent thought bitterly as he looked at Dumbledore calmly sipping his tea. "Were any of my friends teased or looked down on because of me? How about Professor Snape? He's a Slytherin, so he must have faced some backlash. Although, then again, even if he did, he could just claim that he was using me for potion making...actually, that might actually be what he did knowing him."
("ACHOO!" Snape heard a snicker, narrowing his eyes at a certain pair of twins. "Five points from...Oh, there's no house cup...Feels somewhat empty...Detention then Weasley's.")
Dumbledore gave a small smile, seeing Vincent's mind start to muddle up and show on his face. He gave a small clap, jolting Vincent out of his thoughts.
"Well, enough about that, how about we talk about why your here. Unless you just wanted to give this old man some company. I always make sure to tell the students that help will be given if they ask, but alas, it seems that very few come to me for consult."
"Once a teacher, always a teacher," Vincent remarked with a wry smile, sparking some laughter in Dumbledore.
"Indeed, you know, I do miss the classroom from time to time, maybe I should pass this station to someone else, I can ask them to hire me as one of the teachers, what fun that would be," Dumbledore smiled, taking a long sip of his tea.
"Even if this man had a ton of work, I'd still reckon he would help out a student if asked," Vincent thought, before remembering what he came here for. "Back to what I was here for, I want to make my rods longer."
"PFTTTTTT" Professor Dumbledore spat out his tea, drenching poor Vincent who sat just sat there in silence without any change in expression.
"..."
"..."
"...I meant the iron ones you gave me..."
"...oh...yes of course...that's what you meant..."
...