Chapter 15 - Reflections

***** REGULAR RELEASE ***** A/N: Ok, so longer note here. Thought I'd address this since people seemed polarized Ahaha. So first of all, sorry this chapter is late; writing out this note look a little bit of time lol. And not gonna lie, I do find it pretty touching how upset some people get with the story so far. Shows you guys care….. but ya Some things might happen differently than the canon story. Some things might not make sense right away. And it's supposed to be that way. There's a rationale behind most things in my story. If it doesn't make sense now…. Just wait. We're 14 chapters into a story that I have plans to make over 200 chapters. Gotta leave some storylines a mystery lol.

But il explain my recent thinking here, since it seemed like a lot of people were upset lol.

Regarding the vow, i wrote it purposefully that way. If it seemed rushed and not thoughtful, that was the point. He's 16. Still a kid and from another century. He's been awake for 24 hours, and overwhelmed with emotions and revelations over everything that has changed. Is it so hard to imagine, that he would try to reach out and connect with people who are relatively familiar to him like professor Weasley, and the Weasley family and their signature red hair?

Also, I touched on this last chapter, but his emotions are messed up right now because of the ancient magic. Its been 24 hours, so its still affecting him pretty badly. Its very different from how he typically acts, because he's traditionally super polite (he doesn't really have a personality in game). Honestly too, if he was too logical, and smart about everything, he'd be too OP. This MC goes from learning basic cast in game, to throwing AKs and beating Rookwood and Ranrok, in less than a year. And he got another power up from the ancient magic. He would literally stomp through the books and we'd be done the story after 50 chapters. So ya, the ancient magic is affecting him emotionally. But again, its only been 24 hours, so eventually he'll figure out something is wrong, and fix it. Thats just part of the journey and story, and a key part to his growth. He can't really grow THAT much more magically powerful than he already is, so we need to focus on other aspects. Emotional stability is something everyone deals with; for our MC it is just amplified because of the ancient magic, especially because it is still freshly affecting him.

I mentioned this in a previous comment as well, but I'm taking a slightly different approach to sacred 28 and old school 1800s sense of duty and nobility. magical vows mean more in our current culture and age, than it does in the 1800s. Honor is lost in current society. So magical vows became almost sacred, because it was the only way to ensure truth and upholding agreements. Previously, honor was much more prevalent. People had honor and duty to their family and country. Many things, such as defending your country as a knight, or keeping your word was done not because they'd lose their land, or because they took a magical vow. It was done to uphold the family honor.

So while Khan did make a magical vow, to him it's more a declaration that the Weasleys are allied with his family, similar to how the Longbottoms and Potter families are allied. Especially if you go look at the phrasing of the vow. To others from this current century, they are more focused on the vow and it's specifics, and the possible repercussions of breaking that vow.

Same act, but different viewpoints. Maybe different consequences as well?

Kinda funny as well, since I had this chapter written out in advance, and its here that I start to explain things.

Anyways, super long authors note LOL. But hopefully that explains things enough without giving too much away. Anyways, on to the story! Hope you all Enjoy! *****

"How much did you hear?" Khan asked Ominis Guant in concern for the 2 friends.

"Everything." Ominis replies, pacing in concern. "I was glad to hear you tell Sebastian to leave the relic. We need to stand together, convince Sebastian this is wrong."

"And if nothing will change his mind?" Khan stated in question, knowing how stubborn his friend was when it came to finding a cure for his sister.

"Something has to." Ominis seemed almost desperate. "Please, I need your help. We can't allow him to leave here with the relic."

"You're right. This seems far riskier than Sebastian realizes." Khan agreed with Ominis, but he knew his friend. "I do think we should talk to him. But I fear we won't stop him from taking the relic."

"What exactly are you suggesting then?" Ominis asked worriedly.

"I'm suggesting we negotiate." Khan explained his plan. "We allow Sebastian to leave with the relic under one condition: after this, no more."

Ominis didn't like the sound of that plan. "I feel that's what we agreed to in the scriptorium, when he took Slytherin's spellbook. We're being taken for fools."

"We're not Ominis." Khan disagreed, trying to back up his friend. "We're being good friends, and trying to keep the friendship intact. Let's trust him to know what's best."

"Fine." Ominis hesitatingly agreed. "The Dark Arts seem harmless until it's too late. If I'm trusting him on this, I'm trusting you too. Go on then. Talk to Sebastian, and leave with the relic if he agrees. I'll not say a word more."

Walking away out of the crypt alone, Khan heard Ominis talk to himself in hesitation. "I hope I don't regret this."

Walking back to Sebastian, Khan called out. "Sebastian, we're ready."

Sebastian, still being stubborn, replied. "What is it? I haven't changed my mind!"

"Ominis has." Khan knew his best friend was being hard headed at the moment, and probably wouldn't be listening to him. "Lets go. I'll explain on the way."

Walking out of the crypt with Sebastian, Kahn felt like he was walking on eggshells around his friend.

"Ominis simply needs a moment with you, and he'll change his mind. Is that it?" Sebastian, still on the defensive about the relic, began to question Khan.

"I told him we ought to give you this chance. The relic is too important to ignore." Still on edge around his friend, not wanting to upset him, Khan omitted a few facts for the moment. "We agreed on what was needed Sebastian. You have my word."

"You know, I never wanted to keep all this from Ominis." Sebastian, feeling slightly placated, felt a bit bad for acting so poorly to his friends. "He just; He doesn't understand. And I didn't want to worry him all over again."

Attempting to explain himself, as they exited the crypt, Sebastian noticed that Ominis didn't even pay attention to him, choosing to head back to Hogwarts on his own without a word.

"Ominis didn't even acknowledge me just then. Thats not like him" Sebastian complained.

Still trying to keep the peace, Khan explained. "He was troubled Sebastian. Even though we agreed to it all, its been a lot to take in. For all of us."

"You understand! I thought he would too! He knew we couldn't give up. All of this is too important." Sebastian paused before finishing, as if an afterthought. "For Anne."

"Yes, I know how important it is for Anne." Khan responded placatingly. "But you have to consider that dark magic has unknown consequences. Ominis knows this the most out of any of us."

"I'll never stop searching for a cure for my sister! With, or without help!" Stubbornly, Sebastian stomped off without Khan, clutching the relic tight in his hand.

'Sebastian seems to be getting more temperamental and emotional.' Khan observed. 'I wonder if that's a side effect of studying dark magic in depth.'

'I should keep a closer eye on my friend, just in case.' He thought to himself, as he summoned Highwing from his knab-sack, and flew back to Hogwarts.

*****

Khan awoke from his dream, thinking of his old friend Sebastian, and his obsession with dark magic/saving his sister.

Snores from 'Ronniekins', as the twins called him, assaulted Khan, as they were sharing a bedroom for the night.

Unsurprising really, as Khan was surprised at the size of the Weasley family. Even in his time, families that large were a rarity.

Thinking back on the dream, and the whirlwind of the past 2 days, Khan began to reflect on everything that had occurred, and the changes that had taken place.

Aside from the obvious; waking up 100 years in the future, and the obvious differences in society when it came to fashion and technological development, Khan had started to notice a few other things.

Finally able to slow down and reflect on everything, especially after that dream he just had, he noticed that he had been acting quite impulsive, similar to how Sebastian had been acting right after finding the dark magic relic.

Slightly concerned with his recent reactions, especially with him seeing how obsessed Sebastian ultimately became, to his detriment, Khan was determined to explore his magic, and ultimately, the changes and consequences of absorbing the ancient magic.

It seemed his subconscious agreed with him, if that dream was any indication.

Thinking back, Khan figured that Sebastian might not have gotten so obsessed with dark magic, if he had perhaps taken a stand with Ominis.

He could easily imagine losing himself in some kind of dark magic obsession, especially with his addictive personality (when it came to studying).

Not to say that he was a hypocrite. He himself, used the 3 unforgivables, in the past against his enemies. But especially after witnessing its downfall first hand with Sebastian, Khan was always cautious of delving too deep into dark magic.

However, thinking back to his recent actions, and comparing it to his most recent dream, Khan couldn't help but draw similarities between himself now, and Sebastian back then.

Sitting up in bed, he crossed his legs, and sat in a meditation position, attempting to employ and practice his occlumency, in hopes that it would keep him from being too impulsive.

Until he fully understood how he was affected by absorbing that much ancient magic, he needed to be extra cautious.

*****

Breakfast was quite the loud affair, with all 7 Weasley siblings home for the summer, along side himself and Hermione.

Having met the Twins, Ronniekins, and Arthur in Diagon Alley, Khan was introduced to the rest of the Weasleys upon his arrival to the Burrow last night.

He met the 2 eldest Weasley siblings who had graduated Hogwarts already; A curse breaker named Bill, and a Dragonologist named Charlie.

And later, he was introduced to Molly, Ginny and some pompous brat named Percy.

Having graduated the year before, Percy was quite proud of himself, having gotten a job at the ministry. Unfortunately, this was displayed by him talking down to everyone, coming across as very arrogant.

Needless to say, out of all the Weasleys, Khan liked Percy the least.

It was now the afternoon, and Mr Weasley had gone off to pick up Ron and Hermione's other friend, another student named Harry Potter. Accompanying him were the Twins and Ronniekins.

Waiting in the living room by the fire, he was studying about current muggle inventions, with Hermione patiently helping him.

"No, that is a television, not a Movie."

"But they both show moving pictures?" Khan inquires confused.

"Yes." Hermione clarifies. "But a movie can be played either on a Television via this VHS player, or on a bigger screen at a place known as a movie theatre."

"So a movie is played on a television..... but it is not the same thing? How confusing."

Suddenly, a flash blinded everyone temporarily, as someone arrived quite suddenly via Floo.

Sprawled on the floor, Khan noticed that this newcomer appeared quite clumsy, if his arrival via floo is any indication.

Standing up quickly out of embarrassment, the new arrival took a look around. Not recognizing Khan, Charlie and Bill, he was about to introduce himself, before he was mobbed by Hermione grabbing him in a tight hug.

"Harry!"