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Chapter 39: A Stroll In A Forest
🕑 Added 2024-09-24 22:52:57 +0000 UTC[--[P]-[W]-[M]--]
Chapter 39: A Stroll In A Forest
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Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Jonathan Grey
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[Status]
[Name: Jonathan Dovahkinn Grey]
[Type: Human] [Subspecies: Homo Magi] [Age:12] [Sex: Male]
[Essense: Archmage, Blank]
[Currently Assimilating: 0][Character Assimilation Slots Available: 1]
[Innate Ability: A Firm Hand Shake, Tamper Proof, Animagus Transformation, Metamorphmagus/Metamorphmagi, Parseltongue]
[Assimilated Template: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Dragonborn) (AU) 100%]
[Store points (SP): 65,895]
[Attributes:
Mind: Genius Level Intellect (Magic + Science)
Body: Beyond peak human for a 12-year-old (Still increasing due to a Physical Enhancement Ritual)
Soul: Dragon/Human Demi-god
Magic Quality: Sorcerer Supreme]
[Description: Jonathan is a 12-year-old known for his genius-level intellect in both magic and non-magical subjects. He has been secretly destroying Horcruxes made by a Dark Lord, collecting Deathly Hallows and destabilising an economy while also Enchanting Golems so that he always has a magical army with him at all times.
Health: Stable ]
Reading through the description of myself, I couldn’t help the small frown that crept its way onto my face. For some reason, the system was making me seem like I was trying to take Tom’s place by doing it better or something. ‘Destabilising an economy’? Selling Dragon Silver was about teaching Goblins not to piss me off. I couldn’t care less about the economy….well, not their economy, at least.
The ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ title had me tilting my head in thought. I wasn’t sure if it meant I had the same amount of magic as a Sorcerer Supreme from Marvel—not including when those guys borrow power from the universe, other dimensions or entities—or if it meant I had the peak of magic for the world I find myself in. I was pretty sure the title in Skyrim for the leader of Winterhold was Archmage, so I was confused as to why the system didn’t use that term.
With the system not answering when I ask, I would have to check myself when I start world hopping.
"I still can't believe the goblins actually tried to keep people in Gringotts against their will!” Tracey exclaimed before letting out an exasperated sigh while reading her copy of the Daily Prophet. “I mean, locking them in? That sounds insane."
It was another warm sunny day, so Daphne, Tracey and I decided to sit on one of the stone benches outside again. Unsurprisingly, the big topic of the day was the Gringotts incident and people’s differing views on what they can and can’t do to people they think may have robbed them, like Daphne and Tracey were having right now.
"It’s not like they kidnapped anyone, Tracey,” Daphne said, looking at Tracey with a raised eyebrow. “They thought a thief was among the customers, and they had to make sure no one left without being checked. It’s understandable, considering the bank’s reputation. Would you want a thief to just walk out with a priceless artefact from your family vault?"
“Well, no. But, only Aurors should be able to make arrests, last I checked,” Tracey huffed but didn’t argue further. Instead, choosing to grumble to herself. "Still feels a bit extreme."
Daphne ignored her and turned her attention to me, with a look of concern. "I hope your vault’s okay, John. With all the chaos surrounding Gringotts, I wouldn’t be surprised if people started questioning the safety of their vaults. Even with the Goblins and Aurors not actually stating which vaults were actually hit."
I could tell she was concerned, but I also knew she was trying to get information. All Slytherin-like. But I simply shrugged nonchalantly and continued reading. "I’ve got nothing to worry about. I don’t keep any of my money or belongings in Gringotts. I see no reason to give Goblins access to the Hoard."
Daphne blinked in mild surprise, and Tracey paused her reading to give me a curious look. "Wait, you don’t use Gringotts?" Tracey asked. "Where do you keep your stuff then, in a muggle bank? They only let you exchange a certain amount y’know, and there’s always a chance a wizard will steal it using magic. There won’t be any wards to stop them. Really isn’t safe."
"I don’t keep it in a muggle bank. I keep it in the Hoard." I elaborated after blinking away my surprise at how much thought she actually put into her words. “No one has access to the Hoard but me, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Daphne gave me a look but didn’t press further. "You’ve been leaning a lot into the whole dragon theme. I hope it doesn’t become a thing.
“It’s literally going to be a thing until the day I die,” I smoothly interrupted, completely straight-faced.
She continued like I didn’t even say anything, “As for your belongings, as long as it’s safe, then that’s what matters in the end."
"Of course, you’ve got some secret vault," Tracey muttered under her breath, giving me an incredulous look before shaking her head as she was about to go back to her reading, only to perk up again. "Hey, remember what McGonagall said during breakfast? About staying away from the Forbidden Forest? Do you think it could be linked to the whole Gringotts thing? Maybe the thief fled there, and that's why they're warning us?"
I raised an eyebrow, allowing a faint smile to tug at the corner of my mouth but said nothing. Even though I missed that dinner to add some more [Golems], I was still aware of Quirrelmort’s visits to the Forbidden Forest due to my checks on the [Dragon’s Map]. I kind of just left him to it, wanting to see if Fate would want to somehow intervene and give Harry the same detention. But I think I might need to head there to heal the Unicorns he feeds on.
Points were still points. And I think it was about time I played with the serpent.
Daphne narrowed her eyes slightly at me for some reason, then sighed as she shook her head. "John, you’re not a Gryffindor. Don’t even think about going out of your way to get involved in whatever mess this is." Seeing my amused expression, she continued. "You’ve got your exams in a month, remember? The NEWTs aren't going to study themselves. You should focus on that, not running around after some thief who might have been eaten by monsters for all we know.".
Tracey nodded in agreement beside her. "Yeah, Daphne’s right. I’ve heard way too many stories of things that happen there. The Forbidden Forest is off-limits for a reason, and we don’t need to poke around there. Besides, I hate spiders, and I heard the forest has a huge Acromantula."
"You two worry too much,” I chuckled as both girls shivered at the mere mention of spiders. Magical world or not, some things seem to stay the same. “I'll have you know I’m the epitome of responsible. Do I look like the type of person who would willingly delve into such a dangerous place?” I snorted. “Besides, like you said, I’ve got exams to be ready for."
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Forbidden Forest - Sometime After Midnight
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Technically, I didn’t actually lie. I asked if I was the type of person to do it. And I did have exams I needed to be ready for. It wasn’t my fault they didn’t dissect my words, their Slytherin. It’s supposed to be one of their stereotypes. Even one of their names is a type of snake.
It wasn’t long after midnight that I saw Quirrellmort slowly moving toward one of the exits that led to the Forbidden Forrest on the [Dragon’s Map]. Pausing my [Golem] creation for the time being, I placed the map in the [Hoard] as I slipped out of the Ravenclaw dorms under my usual [Invisibility] and [Muffle] stealth combination and made my way through the dimly lit corridors of the castle toward the forest.
The duo’s figure blended well into the environment under the [Disillusionment Charm], they were barely visible in the limited light from the cloud-covered crescent moon. With my senses already locked onto his relatively well hidden magical signature, I started using [Tactile Telikinesis] to levitate roughly a dozen feet in the air and weaved through the trees, trailing Quirrellmort as the man with two souls ventured deeper into the dense forest. I was sure to add the [Odourless] spell on my way, just in case. I didn’t know the kinds of rituals he had done to detect others.
After several minutes of moving deeper and deeper into the forest, Quirrellmort finally stopped to scan his surroundings. My senses were so good at this point I could even sense a person’s facial expressions while they were under the [Disillusionment Charm] if I wanted, it was getting to the Daredevil stage. I had already sensed a unicorn a while ago, so it was only a matter of time for him to get here and finally lay eyes on it. It stood in a small clearing with a magnificent silver-white coat, minding its own business.
I watched as Quirellmort, being the absolute arsehole that he is, sent a silent [Knockback Jinx] hurtling toward the unsuspecting creature. The spell hit the Unicorn squarely in the ribs, sending it hurtling backwards into the trunk of a nearby towering oak tree. The impact sent a quick echo through the forest as the unicorn's legs buckled while it collapsed to the ground, unmoving, crumpled against the base of the tree.
For a moment, everything was still.
The Quirrell, who must have gotten a prompt from Voldy, started to move frantically toward the fallen creature.
Honestly, I thought about letting this play out. Letting him drink the blood and simply swooping in to heal the creature before walking away with however many points I get. Like I always do. But then I had a thought.
If I put Tom's soul in a container, similar to how I felt the magic in the Horcruxes keep a piece of his soul but twist it to be like a prison instead, I should be able to use it as the final test to see if Dumbledore is worthy of the Elder Wand.
The first test being how he would handle me, a gifted young Wizard. Ewing that he didn’t turn out completely evil or actively hinder my progress and how. Although it may be a little soon to say, seeing that I’ve been in the magical world for less than a year, I would say he did alright with that one.
The second test being the release of Sirius Black and whether he would stand in the way of keeping the man locked up to ensure his master plan. With Sirius out now and taking care of Harry, along with giving the man the benefit of the doubt regarding whether he knew about the rat and the change of secret keepers, I would say he did alright with that as well. So, I could use this as the final test.
Three for three, and he can keep it until he dies. That’s fair, right? I keep going back and forth about whether I should just pull up on the old man and take it, but this seems like a good bet.
As for Quirrel, well, I don’t remember if he was actually a follower of Voldemort. I’m pretty sure the first time they met was Harry’s first year in the Albanian forest. So if there’s a chance I could save the man now instead of leaving him to his disintegrated fate later this year, then all the better for it. He could always be questioned by Aurors to make sure later as well.
Silently descending from the air to land a few feet from the injured Unicorn, I casually greeted the man as I undid the spells I had in place. “Good evening, Professor.” The moment the words hit Quirrell’s ears, the man jumped, almost falling backwards on his arse, but he didn’t respond at first for some reason. He just stood there for a few awkward seconds, staring at me. “Sir, I already know you're there. You didn’t make an effort to hide the sound of your footsteps…I can hear you. I also have a way to see you.”
“W-what—how—?!” Quirrell stammered as he tried to gather himself while his [Disillusionment Charm] became undone. His usually pale face was gaunt and strained, and his eyes flickered nervously from beneath his hood as though he expected others to jump out at any point. “H-how did y-you know i-it was m-m-me?”
I completely ignored the question and continued, "My apologies. I was out here in the forest, following a lead on a thief, and imagine my surprise when I found you… harming a Unicorn of all creatures."
As I spoke, I knelt beside the fallen creature and placed a hand on the area where the spell made contact, noting it was still with a shallow heartbeat and breathing. I immediately started using [Healing Hands] to heal the damage. The unicorn’s shallow breaths began to even out as the internal injuries started to heal. Throughout the process, my eyes never left Quirrell, observing every twitch, every flicker.
"I don’t suppose you’re the one responsible for all these killings in the forest, Professor?"
"M-me? No, no, of c-course not!" Quirrell stammered, wringing his hands as his eyes continued to dart around. He took a shaky step back, attempting to put some distance between us. "I was… m-merely walking, y-yes, walking through the f-forest when I… s-stumbled upon the Unicorn a-already injured!"
My gaze remained steady, like a parent watching a child lie through their teeth as they waited for them to confess to a wrongdoing they had already witnessed first-hand. With a soft snort and a flick of its ears, the unicorn stirred, signalling its full health. It then shifted its legs, folding them beneath its body. The points I had received had already let me know it was healed. But for a moment, it remained still, only looking back and forth between Quirell and I.
Then, after a few seconds, it pushed off the ground with its front legs, its hindquarters following in a fluid motion and moved to better place itself behind me. I got the feeling it knew exactly who cast the spell and who healed it even through its unconsciousness. I was slightly surprised Quirrelmort waited for me to fully heal it, but I wasn’t going to complain.
“O-oh good, it l-looks totally fine n-now,” Quirrell’s hands trembled as he adjusted his hood to better conceal his face. "I… I was g-going to fetch help! B—It seems unnecessary n-now—"
But before Quirrell could finish his sentence, the low, raspy voice of Voldemort hissed from the back of his head. "There is no one else here, you fool. Enough with the act. Get rid of the boy. Now. Or face consequences you cannot imagine."
I did nothing but stand there as Quirrell froze, completely unbothered by Tom’s interruption.
"Do it!"
Quirrell began twitching as he nervously focused his attention on me, cracking under the pressure of the parasitic dark lord on the back of his head. I could feel Tom’s influence creeping over him, forcing his hand. It was a good sign that he was doing the wrath’s bidding under duress, though. Not good that he was forced, but it was good that he wouldn’t need to suffer for much longer.
Quirrell gulped, visibly sweating now as he tightened his grip on his wand. I wasn’t sure if it was just Riddle’s skill in mental domination or Quirells lack of willpower, but it didn’t take long for Quirell to send a [Knockback Jinx] at my chest with the same amount of power he used on the unicorn. It could have been a stunner or even a body bind spell, but he chose a spell that would probably break my neck when I hit the tree.
I didn’t flinch. I didn’t blink. I didn’t even summon my wand, just to add insult to Riddle’s ego. I knew he wasn’t whole, or even close to his full power, but still. I materialise a wandless [Protego] around the unicorn and I, allowing the jinx to ripple harmlessly across its surface before dispersing into nothingness.
Quirell's eyes went wide with shock as his eyes immediately went to my hands, looking for a wand.
"It seems to me that you’re acting under duress, Professor. I couldn’t help but notice the… parasite attached to the back of your head." I tilted my head slightly as I spoke, narrowing my eyes slightly. "I’ll have to solve that problem and get you to safety. I hope you don’t mind my use of force, sir."
Quirrell’s face contorted in confusion, and for a brief moment, he reached up instinctively toward the back of his head, as if it would better hide the secret he kept there.
"The boy must be silenced, you-," Voldemort hissed once more.
But before he could react further, I decided to finally use a [Thu’um] against an actual person in combat. As much as I wanted to use [Unrelenting Force], I didn’t want to destroy the forest…or Quirrell, for that matter. So I settled with whispering, "Zun Haal Viik!"
My voice seemed to vibrate the air with magic as a powerful wave of magic erupted from my lips. The shout hit the Quirrell with an almost tangible force. I may have been whispering, but I used all three words of power, so it was enough to stagger the professor as his grip on his wand. Like an unseen hand had yanked it from his grip and sent it spinning through the air toward me.
While the disorientated Quirrell staggered backwards, I sent a wandless and silent [Petrificus Totalus] his way before he could recover. The spell hit him square in the chest, causing his entire body to seize up. Arms snapping rigidly to his sides, and legs locked together as he collapsed backwards to the ground with a soft thud, completely immobilised.
“Imbecile,” Voldermorts muffled hiss rang out as he was forced to become intimate with the forest floor. Even the unicorn that had stayed behind me neighed in amusement, but it chose to stay put even when Quirell fell.
I could already feel him getting to work undoing the [Body Bind], but I didn’t need long to create a working container with how many times I’ve already been around Horcrux magic. Summoned four [Golems] from the [Hoard] and told them to restrain him.
Once they had each limb, I was about to get started with the container when I felt Riddle’s magic doing something drastic, absorbing Quirrell’s life force and causing the man to convulse in pain. To counteract Riddle’s efforts, I instinctively held out my hand and used a combination of [Spell Reflect] and [Soul Trap] to keep the poor man alive.
It was working fine. Riddle diddn’t make any headway into increasing his power with Quirrelll’s life force until I started to see dark mist oozing out the back of Quirrells head….and heading straight for me.
The audacity of this bitch.
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"First years, please note... that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students."
—Albus Dumbledore
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Autor Here
It was about time to set up Dumbledore’s final test.
I know some of you aren’t going to be happy with how short the fight was, but it’s a weaker Riddle attached to the back of a person’s head. He could give Quirrel some help for his own survival, but the fact that he’s in that form to begin with indicates how weak he is compared to his full power. It was never really going to be a challenge. That's why I showed his stats at the start of the chapter.
The fight’s not over yet, though.
I like the idea of using Sorcerer Supreme to indicate the pinnacle of magic users outside of godhood. I wanted to use Archmage like in Skyrim at first, but since it is one of his Esseses, I didn’t want to use it twice.
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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC and original ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.
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Thank you for reading.
As always, stay awesome.
Until next time, Light's out.
Comments
Lightest_Reader
[Tamper Proof] from chapter 8 will have him covered. Voldermort isn't powerful enough to get through that kind of protection.
Holosagewolf
Will akatosh step in furious with moldyshorts attempt at possessing a body with one of his shards?
Lightest_Reader
Riddle is going to have to learn that lesson the hard way.
LothWolf
Thanks for the chapter and also I would almost pity Voldemort for trying to possess a Dragon Human Demigod since I imagine that someone with a very weak and splintered Soul like Voldemort trying to touch and or manipulate and or possess a Soul like what John has would end very poorly and disastrous for them
