Fledgling Wings
Looking down at the wooden floorboards of Randolph's House, I was once again forcing bile down my throat.
"Does this shit really get easier in time? Man, I hope so…".
Randolph then flashed and appeared behind me. Looking down at me knelt on the floor, he laughed. "It gets easier, don't worry".
He wasn't even here and he read my mind. My pale face probably gave away what I was thinking.
Slowly, I brought myself back to my feet. The smell of Iron and sweat of the Iron Claw Forge was replaced with the aroma of wood and sawdust. A homely smell for me these days.
I looked to Randolph, who was putting the floo powder pouch back on the hook. "It seems I gained Grimbolt's approval in some way?" I stated.
Randolph flashed a smile. "Indeed, you did. I did have faith in you, but I thought it may have taken a few trips. Seems he sees something in you I can't see… that's for sure…".
Hearing Randolph's words gave me pause for a moment. Grimbolt shouldn't know of the obscurus in me, but his 'audit' seemed to profile me as unique enough to make me a client of his. I had to wonder to myself, what did he see in me to make him so inclined? was it my words? Or my tonal difference from an average 11-year-old?
I couldn't answer these questions for the moment, but there was one question I did want to ask of Randolph after this situation and now was the right time to ask.
Looking over to Randolph, I queried. "Randolph, if you don't mind me asking. Your product, the broom you are planning to make, if you plan on making a commercial broom for the populace isn't it somewhat expensive and dangerous to use Goblin-Iron?".
Randolph crossed his arms looking down at me. His expression showed acknowledgement towards my sound statement. "You are right, goblin-iron is expensive for commercial brooms. What I plan to make though is a limited run, a magnum opus that can only be used by maybe… 10s of people? I haven't fully thought about the amount yet, but it will be limited".
That did make sense... Limiting the supply made me see the whole situation clearer. If the Firebolt was the end goal though, Sirius must have paid a pretty penny for it as a present for Harry…
Pulling me out of my thoughts, Randolph spoke. "Come on Axel, lets head back to work. No broom-making as it is getting late, but if you could assist in cleaning a bit before bed that would be nice".
I nodded to Randolph, following him back into the workshop. As we entered, I could see a box in the corner of the room. Randolph immediately walked over to inspect the contents. Heading over myself, I noted it was the bonds and footrests that Randolph had bought from Grimbolt.
"Grimbolt sure has some insane precision to do this…". I muttered.
Randolph sighed and shook his head slightly. "I've learnt to not question or try to figure out how that goblin does these things... He is incredibly powerful I feel, hidden behind that eccentric stubborn persona. Be careful Axel, he wont force you away or antagonise you, but he can be extremely crafty… no pun intended".
Hearing Randolph's joke I stifled a groan taking in the rest of his words. I agreed with what he was saying, I felt Grimbolt had a layer of mystery that I couldn't see through. If I just thought naively that he was a nice goblin that offered me some supplies, I'd be a fool.
After this short exchange, me and Randolph began to clean up the workshop. Ready to get back to work again tomorrow.
.
Looking at the clearing in front of me, I imbued my fists and punched out with some rhythm. I then switched to imbuing my feet and kicked out as well. Looking at my movements and current progression I laughed at myself.
"I'm becoming more 'Martial Artist' than Wizard…".
Since mine and Randolph's meeting with Grimbolt, the months had passed without much else happening. The monotonous routine of working, flying on my broom and then training in the night became the norm again without much difference. The only change I truly noticed was with Randolph, who was becoming more and more engrossed with work as I became more independent in my own broom making process.
He used to shadow me when I carved, but now I had reached a certain level of proficiency where he left me alone to work. He would designate me some wood to use and ask me to carve handles. At the end of the day he would inspect the handle I made, make some comments without mincing any words and put the handles I made to the side.
His words weren't harsh or mean but they were stern and truthful. He kept it real with me, which I appreciated as it allowed me to hone my own craft. I worried after he started to view me as a god-son that he would soften in terms of being a teacher, but he didn't. As a matter of fact, he became an even stricter teacher, as if wanting to instil on me every bit of knowledge he could.
After a few more punches and kicks, I then 'moved' the obscurus to my back. It burst out creating a pool of black energy thrashing around behind me. I was trying here to attempt the move I had managed to pull when I fell off my broom on Christmas. After a moment, I pulled the obscurus back and withdrew the energy.
"Seems that intent is important… If I say to come out of my back, it does but it has no purpose. When my intent was to 'save me' when falling, it acted".
The obscurus had lost its will and that part which was missing was replaced with my own. It listened as I willed it to do what I wanted, but tempting it in a practice situation was hard as my will wasn't firm. I had no real threat here after all, in an empty clearing, so my will and intent weren't as strong as it would be if I was in true danger.
"I guess I can rely on it in those desperate situations… maybe a wand will help in the end".
When you cast a spell, you used words to cast, which steeled your will ensuring your wand and magic knew what you intended to do. If a wand was introduced into this situation, with me and my obscurus, I felt maybe I'd be able to better control it. When that control became better, wandless magic and chantless magic may be doable as the image became clearer in my mind.
Chantless and Wandless magic though was a long way away from me still…
Moving my focus onto something else, I pulled the gem I got in the forest out of my pocket, looking at its inky black surface once again. Marvelling at the mysticism it held, I pushed my obscurus into it, seeing if anything would happen but as usual it just absorbed it, eating up every scrap like a hungry dog.
"If you could be put in a wand, I wonder if you would help me…".
The gem was something that synergised incredibly well with me. If I could, making a wand out of this would be perfect… Maybe it would make a good core in a way? But what wand maker would allow me to be so 'custom' with materials like these…
After spending time sat on the grass with the gem, I put it away as my thoughts moved again somewhere else. Laying back on the grass, I looked up at the stars in the sky. The stars calmed me, reminding me of simpler times when I used to watch them from my tent in my last life. This scenery brought serenity and calmed my thoughts allowing me to think with more clarity.
I didn't have long now until September. When that time came, the new school term would start. I would go to Beauxbatons and become a student there and finally learn to be a wizard.
The prospect of learning magic gave me some excitement, but the other aspects of school-life made me feel weary and solemn. I would, as a boy with a mental age of nearly 30, be mingling with children who were 11 and even 10 as some joined school earlier in Beauxbatons.
Connecting with people like Randolph was easy as they treated me like an adult and felt closer in age, but trying to connect with kids a third of my age? I felt like that would be difficult and draining.
I sighed to myself. "It might be better this way anyway… If I made any connections and ended up finding a way back to my previous life, I'd be leaving them all behind…".
Dwelling on these sombre thoughts for a moment, I ended up shaking my head forcing the thoughts from my brain. Picking myself up, I looked over at a tree that had Dawn-Surge leaning on it. Walking over to the broom, I grabbed it in one hand and spoke.
"Let's head back".
Mounting the broom, I flew up into the stars back towards Randolph's home…
.
As sunlight crawled through my windows. My eyes opened and I awoke. Getting up, I stretched, got changed and walked over to the window in my room. Looking out at the valley that dawn was rising on, I watched enamoured by the beautiful sight. The hills, the trees, everything in this place had become home for me in the past year I'd been here.
"It's nearly September now…" I muttered to myself.
In this place, I grew, I overcame and I learned so much. It was a home away from home and it was a special place to me now. Randolph who showed me love was a saving grace to what I had endured before, and this place mirrored his santa-esque features and demeanour. It was homely, secluded and peaceful.
As I watched the world waking up outside, I saw a bird flying through the skies heading directly towards the house. Scrutinising the bird, I realised it was a dove. The dove was extremely beautiful, its white feather seemed to reflect the sun as it flew. Looking closer it seemed to have a natural glow surrounding each feather…
"That's not a normal dove…".
I instinctually knew the dove was different. I had seen doves in my previous life but this one screamed 'magical'. Its radiance was different and its aura was regal even from the distance I saw it from. As I gauged this dove flying towards our house, I noticed a letter tied onto the dove's foot with a blue ribbon.
My eyes widened as I saw the letter. I watched the dove land on the fence near where the brooms were lined up outside, perching itself on one of the wooden beams. As it landed carefully, it started to clean itself with its beak, patiently waiting for the recipient of its letter.
Before I could make a move to go down there, Randolph walked out the front door over to the dove. He untied the blue ribbon on its foot and took the letter, giving the dove some food in the process. The dove bowed its head slightly and flew off into the distance.
I already knew what this probably was about, but I decided to remain still. I watched as Randolph scanned the letter with a sad smile… His face reminded me of the one my father made when I left home to find a flat in the city all those years back...
When he turned around, I moved away from the window and sat on my bed. I waited for a while until knocks sounded at my door followed by a warm voice. "Axel, can I come in?".
I spoke out calmly. "Come in".
Randolph opened the door, his sad smile now replaced with a warm happy one. His ascent up the stairs had given him time to collect himself. He handed me the letter and spoke;
"Seems you are going to be a student soon".
I read the contents of the letter and noted it was written in English, a testament to Beauxbatons acknowledging me as an English student. Randolph mentioned he knew someone in the faculty so it seems they have helped me here, writing the letter for me to understand.
The top of the letter had the crest of the Beauxbatons school, two golden wands crossed over one another, both shooting three stars. The schools name imprinted underneath it. The letter was written on fancy white parchment, giving a sense of elegance and the handwriting itself was also extremely graceful.
====
'Dear Axel,
We are pleased to inform you have been accepted at Academie de Magie Beauxbatons. Enclosed is a list of the supplies you will need for your school year.
Term begins on 1st September; we await your contact by no later than 31st July.
Kind Regards,
Olympe Maxime – Headmistress of Beauxbatons'
====
Looking at the letter I felt emotions boil within me. When I was young, I had dreamt of going to Hogwarts as most who loved the Harry Potter series did. Seeing the acceptance letter in my hands gave me joy, but also made me chuckle inwardly as the school was different than what my young-self had dreamt about.
Randolph who watched me scan the letter spoke. "I will help you get your supplies. We got this letter a bit late but luckily, I let my friend at the school know that you'd definitely be attending so that last part about 'contact' can be shelved".
Hearing Randolph's words I nodded. It was literally the end of August now so if the latter part of the letter was true, I'd be pretty screwed.
They probably sent my letter just as formality and also to give me a list of supplies I needed. Randolph had already secured a place for me in the school after all.
Reading the part on supplies though made me wonder… where would we get those supplies? Surely not in Diagon Alley…
Unable to contain my curiosity, I spoke. "Where will we get these supplies Randolph?".
Randolph smiled. "Wunderwasser Wharf".