Harry Potter: Beyond the Parselveil

The kids reached Hogwarts and were led to the Thestral carriages. Harry and Aaric patted the gentle creatures and handed them small treats. The other students were confused at first—until they saw the food vanish mid-air as the Thestrals accepted them. That was enough explanation.

Luna had been separated from them for the boat ride across the lake, as per first-year tradition. The second years gathered to watch the Sorting Ceremony again. Even Aaric paid attention, curious if any changes had occurred due to his presence in the magical world.

Meanwhile, somewhere hidden, Dobby was being scolded.

"You're not supposed to interfere like that!" Nibbin huffed, arms folded as he glared at the other elf. "What if the masters had crashed into the wall and gotten hurt? Is that how you protect someone?"

Dobby's ears drooped low. "Dobby just wanted to help Harry Potter, sir. Dobby will punish himself later for almost hurting him—"

Nibbin's eyes widened. He knew the customs of some old wizarding families and how they treated their elves. His voice softened.

"No. No punishing yourself. That's not how we do things. Come—I'll teach you how we help masters properly."

Back in the Great Hall, Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw and walked over to sit with Aaric and Daphne. That earned confused looks from the other Ravenclaws, but neither Luna nor Daphne seemed to care.

Classes were about to begin when Harry pulled Aaric aside, holding Pyra tightly in his arms.

"Professor McGonagall says I can't keep her in school," he said, clearly upset. "What should we do?"

Aaric thought for a second and grinned "Let's appeal the decision. Go straight to the top."

Harry submitted a request to speak to Dumbledore, which was approved without delay. They made their way to the Headmaster's office, where Aaric guessed passwords aloud until the door simply opened.

"You were very close, my boy," Dumbledore said, smiling as they entered. "Please, sit. What can I help you with?"

Harry explained the situation while holding Pyra in his arms. "She's connected to me, Professor. It's like she's... part of me. Is there any way we can stay together? She's a good girl. She won't hurt anyone."

As if to punctuate his words, Pyra hopped out of his arms and wandered over to Fawkes, the phoenix. The two creatures chirped softly to one another, their interaction was gentle and harmonious.

Dumbledore observed them both. "Fawkes seems to like her. And you're not wrong—the bond you two share is powerful." He gently inspected the magical mark on Harry's wrist. "Very powerful magic indeed. I've never seen anything quite like it. Where did you learn this?"

Aaric spoke up, "We visited a sect in China this summer. It was part of a cultural exchange. They taught us how to create magical bonds with certain creatures." And Aaric explained the situation to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nodded slowly, thoughtful. "You're a kind boy, Harry. And familiars... well, they are a deep part of the magician they are bonded to. I won't separate the two of you, that would just be cruel. I'll speak to the staff. Pyra stays."

Harry beamed and gave the old Headmaster a spontaneous hug. Dumbledore blinked in surprise, then chuckled and returned the gesture, patting Harry's head Aaric smiled faintly from the side.

The next day, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had Charms together. Professor Flitwick was moving around the classroom, helping students master Incendio.

"Ten points to Ravenclaw!" he called after watching Aaric's execution of the spell. Aaric had asked a few questions that were well beyond second-year level, and though surprised, Flitwick answered them with enthusiasm.

Harry, too, was performing with increased control—likely due to his magical link with Pyra.

Defense Against the Dark Arts, however, was another story.

Lockhart was insufferable. He insisted on asking questions about himself during class and gave out homework that amounted to reading his own books and summarizing his "heroic feats."

"And that is how I defeated a giant and saved a village using a masterful Protego and Confringo," Lockhart declared dramatically.

The girls clapped.

Aaric had a sudden, terrible idea. "Professor, would you be willing to demonstrate that technique for the class? A dramatic reenactment might help us understand better."

Lockhart's grin widened. "Excellent suggestion! Let me convey my full majesty. Aaric, my boy—help me with the performance."

Aaric was directed to stand on the far side of the classroom, well out of the spotlight. "Now," Lockhart said, "Cast a spell at me. I shall defend with my Protego!"

Aaric raised his wand and cast a mild Incendio—still a strong spell by most second-year standards. Lockhart's eyes widened. He raised his shield in panic and barely deflected the flame, ending up with singed robes.

Aaric made the movements slow and clear so the students could learn and spoke the spell clearly even though he could cast it silently.

Still, he turned dramatically. "That weak spell cannot even graze me, foul creature!" he shouted. "Confringo!"

Rather than aim at Aaric, he blasted a wooden dummy off to the side, which exploded into smoking shards.

Aaric made a habit of manipulating Lockhart's need for attention. The professor liked putting on shows—and those shows often ended up accidentally educational. Aaric milked it.

Lockhart liked putting up shows so he would do them in his other classes too, which lead to the kids actually learning something. 

"Professor, may I create a club to help students go over the homework and discuss your books after classes?" Aaric asked with innocent eyes.

Lockhart lit up. "Of course! A fan club—oh, an academic club, yes, very good. Here, let me sign your permission slip!"

Aaric now had a club for himself and the first members were daphne, harry, ron, hermoine and some of his other classmates. Draco would also visit often as Aaric would teach actual defensive spells in the club.

Luna joined later that week and turned out to be unexpectedly gifted in Charms. Casting was like an intuition to her.

Though she kept quiet about it, Luna had already begun facing bullying from a few of the older Ravenclaw girls. It wasn't cruel yet—but it simmered.

Harry also helped out in the club. His practical skill with Pyra at his side was impressive, and even Draco learned from him and would learn from each other, to the disapproval of Ron but he would just focus on other things at those times.

"Very good, my boy," Lockhart said one afternoon, interrupting a club session. "Today, I suggest you all discuss Voyages with Vampires. I'll leave a signed copy."

He placed it on the desk proudly and strolled out.

Aaric took the book with a sigh. "Alright, who wants to set Lockhart on fire today?"

Hands shot up.

Harry stepped forward with Pyra perched beside him. "I want to practice coordination with her. She's been learning how to launch short firebursts."

Aaric then stooped lockhart in the hallway and asked him for help as his students needed him.

Harry stepped in wanting to learn how to coordinate with pyra and learn to figh with her by his side. Harry would use spells to reduce the mobility of lockhart and pyra would be the one throwing fire at the man, she was also getting better at throwing fire in short bursts like fireballs.

Luna was levitating a stack of books with perfect ease while Ron failed to summon a feather. Hermione offered unwanted advice. Daphne and Aaric were learing spells to the side as Hermione and Luna joined them after a bit.

A/n: Thoughts and stones my people.