Chapter 114: A Field in the Castle
So, students and teachers alike, today Draco Black will finally complete the project we've entrusted to him. Today, he'll cast a cascade of spells over the Great Hall that will expand the space inside to the size of a Quidditch pitch.
The children began whispering.
"Yes, yes, dear students, you heard right. Since letting you out onto the pitch has become too dangerous, at least until we provide more protection, Draco Black volunteered to create a spell that will let our teams play inside the castle."
"You're not joking?!"
The Weasley twins pushed their way to the front of the crowd and looked at the Headmaster with adoration in their eyes.
"I am not joking..."
He shook his head.
"...and now the floor goes to Draco Black!"
"Thank you, Headmaster."
I gave a short bow.
"In a moment, you will witness the creation of an extraordinary charm that will be woven into the enchantments already placed on the Great Hall. As the Headmaster said, this is a charm that will allow you to play Quidditch here, but that is not all. As for what else I came up with, you will find out only at the end."
I took out my wand, stepped into the center of the Great Hall, and began to cast the spell...
But this was no ordinary spell, because in its normal form, no one would have seen anything at all. So when I learned that Dumbledore planned to turn the enchantment of the Great Hall into a show, I had to quickly modify the spell I had already completed. And now, with the first wave of my wand, a shimmering red and pink "ribbon" burst from my wand, twisting and weaving itself into all sorts of patterns.
A couple more waves, and new colors were added. Now, alongside the previous colors, blue and pale blue joined the design, and they too began weaving into intricate patterns. Incidentally, all these patterns had absolutely nothing to do with the actual spell being cast. It was simply a beautiful light show for the audience, who otherwise would have just stood there watching me wave my wand like a conductor for nearly two hours. Without music, they all would have grown tired of it very quickly.
But this way...
Look at the children. Even the older students were watching the performance as though spellbound.
Snorting quietly at my own thoughts, I spoke the complex spell formula, and the ribbons flared, completely changing their pattern. That flash was not only for effect; it also forced everyone to cover their eyes, so no one except Dumbledore, whose glasses saved him, noticed the many glowing runes that manifested in the air and literally sank into the walls.
Meanwhile, the light show continued, and my magic gradually flowed away. To be honest, I had been surprised while creating this spell when I realized my reserves would be enough for a quarter of it. Initially, I had thought I wouldn't have even a tenth of the energy needed for a spell like THIS.
"Mentor, could you share some magic?"
"Of course..."
Flitwick approached me, carefully avoiding the ribbons, and touched me between the shoulder blades.
"...good show."
He spoke those words softly, but I heard them, and I was pleased that my efforts had been properly appreciated.
Another complex spell was cast, and the children covered their eyes, but this time, no new visual effects followed, aside from those already part of the show.
*** Several hours later. ***
"Done..."
The light show went out, and I looked over the students.
"...I did it."
"Draco, as the master who created this masterpiece, I entrust the first activation to you."
"Thank you."
I nodded, approached the staff table, waved my wand, and soon the hall expanded dramatically. Now it was a stadium surrounded by stands, and high above the 'ground,' a bright sun shone.
"So, allow me to present the basic setup of our Quidditch pitch."
"Basic?"
One of the Weasley twins asked.
"Yes. Now, during team selections, if matches are held here, we'll also draw the weather. It could be clear, rainy, snowy, foggy... in total, ten weather conditions are included."
"And why do we need that if we can play in sunshine?!"
Ronald came up beside his brother and immediately got smacked on the back of the head.
"Ronniks, stay out of it. And I can answer your question myself. Because watching matches under identical conditions is boring. Besides, you can only truly demonstrate your skill when you know how to play in all sorts of conditions."
I nodded to the twin.
"However, my friends know that I am rather indifferent to Quidditch..."
Many students began to grumble. Of course they did. How could someone not love their favorite game? Unforgivable!
"...but there is another sport that I do like, and that is broom racing."
A couple more touches, and the Quidditch hoops vanished. In their place appeared a multitude of translucent rings, each wide enough for one person to fly through.
"And here's the racing field. Again, these rings..."
I pointed to the rings one had to fly through.
"...can be placed in very different parts of the field, thereby building a complex course. The size of the rings can also be varied, so both solo flights and group races can be arranged. I think we will soon have people at Hogwarts who want to try their hand at this sport as well."
The children liked the idea! Just look at how excitedly they were talking!
"Can you make a field like this for every House?"
The second twin asked, looking at me with interest.
"We often have little conflicts over training times, and something like this could solve that problem."
"As you saw, I don't have enough magic for such a thing. Moreover, to create this spell, I needed the help of two Heads of House. So no, I won't be able to create spells like this for every House. At least, not unless the Heads of House agree to share their magic."
The Heads of House exchanged glances.
"And naturally, the functionality would be significantly simpler. Although, in my opinion, two fields would be enough. Find two classrooms: one between the Slytherin and Gryffindor common rooms, and the other between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, then transform them. After that, time would be divided. Say, from Monday to Tuesday, the morning training hours are assigned to one House, and the evening hours to the other. From Thursday to Friday, the Houses switch places. And Sunday would be for friendly matches... But all of this..."
I looked over the excited students.
"...needs to be coordinated with the Heads of House and the Headmaster. And as you understand, even if it is implemented, it will become a very powerful lever for pressuring you. Because for poor grades or breaches of discipline within your House, you would lose access to the field entirely."
"That is a good idea!"
Dumbledore said in a pleased voice.
"I believe we will discuss it at the next staff meeting, especially since it will also create an additional burden on the teachers, who will need to keep at least one eye on you. After all, usually Madam Hooch was the one keeping half an eye on you..."
The children quieted down, but from the burning look in their eyes, I understood that the Heads of House were going to be pressured.
All right, I have done my part, and I hope I may rest a little?
"Of course, Draco..."
Dumbledore nodded to me, after which I hurried to leave the transformed Great Hall...
A couple of minutes later, I collapsed into the armchair in my room and practically melted into it.
"Big brother, that was amazing!"
Gabrielle burst into the room I shared with the girls and immediately launched herself at me. I was already preparing to take the impact of the large projectile threatening to crash into me, but at the last moment, Fleur caught her with magic.
"Hey! Let me go!"
"Gabrielle, look at the state Draco is in right now and think again whether you want to throw yourself at him."
After asking that question, Fleur lowered her sister to the floor, and Gabrielle meanwhile looked at me closely and slowly nodded.
"You're right. I was too excited by the spectacle Draco showed us. I even want to make beautiful magic like that in the future!"
"Ha, little sister..."
Fleur shook her head.
"...just so you understand, what Draco did was not one spell, but a cascade of spells, and what you saw, all those pretty ribbons that seemed to create intricate pentagrams, was only the wrapping. It means nothing at all."
"Huh?"
Gabrielle looked at her sister in disbelief, then shifted her gaze to me.
"Originally..."
Speaking was difficult.
"...I was simply developing a spell, or rather a cascade of spells, that would turn the Great Hall into a Quidditch pitch. But then I was told that the Headmaster wanted to show the students how someone who will soon receive the title of master works. And then I realized that most children would be bored standing there and watching me wave my wand while nothing happened. So I decided to add an element of showmanship to the whole thing..."
I closed my eyes.
"...and judging by your delight, I succeeded. Now a great many children will want to try their hand at charms."
"And all for that?"
There was a smile in Fleur's voice.
Well, and to show off in front of you and the children. No point denying it. But overall, yes, it was mostly aimed at getting the children to admire charms and spells. That will make them put more effort into their lessons. Perhaps after such a demonstration, the guild will receive a few requests to hire mentors...
"And of course you'll raise your reputation in the guild."
"Yes..."
I nodded.
"...and is that a bad thing?"
"No..."
Fleur approached me and, judging by the sensation, sat on the arm of the chair, then began massaging my head, burying her little fingers in my hair. Bliss...
"Keep going... that feels good..."
"Fleur, can... can I try to create something like that too?"
"In the future, yes..."
Fleur answered her sister's question.
"...but for that, you need to start working now. Draco, as you know perfectly well, studied from early childhood to achieve something like this by his current age. So..."
"Mm... but I can do it?"
"You can, though you may need to put in a little more effort. But in general, any wizard who has devoted enough time to self-development can create something like this."
"Well, that's good!"
Gabrielle was clearly very pleased.
"Fleur, you'll study with me, won't you?"
"Where would I go?"
"The real spell was prettier anyway..."
Luna's slightly lost voice, coming from someone who had come to visit us, made me open my eyes and even rise slightly from my half-reclining position.
She really wanted to visit us, so I simply couldn't refuse.
Penny gave me a helpless shrug.
"I won't be a bother..."
There was a quiet plea in Luna's voice, asking not to be sent away.
"Well, I'm glad to see you..."
"I know..."
She smiled faintly.
...you're one of the few people who doesn't see me as insane. And you don't need to bring up friends. Of course they exist, but they all think I'm strange, at the very least, even though you've already explained to them that it's just magic, but..."
She shook her head.
"But I'm not the only one."
"Not the only one... Gabrielle too... Ginny, and, surprisingly, Neville, though he tries to avoid me because I'm part of your group."
I nodded in understanding.
"I'm glad you have friends."
"That's thanks to you... you know, day after day, I feel that everything should be different. That I should..."
She looked around with a lost expression.
"...I don't know what, but it should be different. Sometimes I dream that I'm walking barefoot through Hogwarts at night. I'm cold and hurt, tears are about to spill, but then I remember that I have friends, and the dream ripples like a curtain and falls apart..."
I looked at Luna closely.
"...sometimes I dream that Harry is fighting a Basilisk."
"Fighting? A Basilisk?"
"Yes... when I say it out loud, I can tell something is wrong, and the dream starts falling apart again. This... what is it?"
"Well... there are many possibilities..."
I shook my head.
"...perhaps they are ordinary dreams, or perhaps you're somehow looking into parallel worlds. I'm afraid I don't have a definitive answer."
"I see... Thank you for answering..."
------------------------------------------
Chapters on Patreon progress: Currently at;
1. Harry Potter: Satan? Nah, Just My Family Crest = CHAPTER 381
2.Harry Potter: Beyond Good and Evil in the Wizarding World = CHAPTER 396
3.Harry Potter: Reborn as Draco Black = CHAPTER 200
support me on Patreon for instant access to the 120+ advance chapters: patreon.com/redofic