Progression

October 16, 1992, 4:00 PM, Room of Requirement, Hogwarts

Adam Clarke

Harry, Hermione, Ron, Tony, Su, and I sat in a circle, and I could tell that they were brimming with curiosity.

The enchanted room cocooned us in warm, inviting hues of amber. The air was permeated with the faint scent of ancient books and the distant crackle of a magical fireplace. The soft, velvety carpet beneath us provided a comforting contrast to the sturdiness of the wooden chairs the room had conjured.

“So?” Ron said, impatience in his voice as he turned his attention to Tony. “What was it you wanted to show us so badly?”

Tony leaned forward, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He held his hand out, his eyes closed in concentration. A hush fell over the room as we watched in anticipation. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and incanted. “Lumos!” 

A mote of silver light appeared over the palm of his hand, casting a gentle glow over his skin. Tony’s brow furrowed with concentration as he strained to keep the light alive for a few more seconds before it dissipated into nothingness.

He gave a deep exhale and grinned, excitement radiating from him.

“Wandless magic.” He said simply. “What do you think?”

Hermione’s eyes were wide from the display, and she exchanged an impressed look with Harry. “That’s incredible, Tony!”

Harry leaned forward, eager to learn more. “How did you do that?”

Tony shrugged modestly. “I learned a bit during the seminar at Uagadou. It’s all about using your inner magic, your intent, and visualization to cast spells without a wand. It’s a lot more intuitive and personal— at least that’s what the Professor said. Professor Isaka.”

Ron, who had been watching Tony’s demonstration with rapt attention, finally spoke up. “So, can we all learn to do that?”

“Yeah.” I said before Tony could answer.

“Well, yes.” Ron sent me a glance from the side. “You can. I’m talking about the rest of us mortals.”

Tony chuckled at that. “Does that mean you consider me above the mortals as well, then?”

Ron looked annoyed for a moment before sighing. “You got me there, mate.”

Soft laughter filled the air before Tony spoke again. “To answer your question, though; yes, all of you can learn it. I’ll show you the basics, if you want?”

Harry and Hermione exchanged excited glances, and I could feel the collective enthusiasm in the room.

“Yes.” Harry said.

“I would like to learn, too. Though…” Hermione said, and her brow furrowed. She pursed her lips, clearly frustrated about being left out of the loop. “Why did you go without telling us?”

Tony held up his hands defensively.

“It wasn’t a secret, or anything.” Tony said, gesturing at me. “I was with Adam and we just ended up randomly deciding on it— we’ve been exploring the other schools for the past few weeks. Checking them out.”

“Yeah.” I backed him up, shrugging as we fell into a short, but comfortable silence.

Harry turned to me, breaking it. “So, how does this work exactly?”

I didn’t answer, looking away and feeling a little on the spot. “What?”

“Wandless magic, Adam.” Harry said, tilting his head in confusion. “Aren’t you going to show us?”

I felt my cheeks go hot with embarrassment. I couldn’t blame Harry for asking me so readily, but the boy didn’t know. “Ah… I can’t.”

“What do you mean?”

I shifted uncomfortably, my gaze dropping to the floor as I struggled to find the right words. “I mean, I can’t do wandless magic… at least, not yet.”

Harry looked surprised, and the room fell into an awkward silence. I could sense the disappointment in their eyes, and it weighed heavily on me. After all, Tony and I had been the one to bring up the topic of wandless magic in the first place.

“Sorry.” Harry said. “I just assumed.”

I shook my head. “No, no. It’s not really a bad assumption to make— this is the first time I’ve had real trouble with something. I suppose it was inevitable.”

“About time, if you ask me.” Ron sniped, though I could tell it was good natured. Hermione raised her elbow as he continued. “Couldn’t have you lording it over the rest of— ow! Hey!”

“Yes?” Hermione said, glaring at the boy. He only shook his head and huffed.

“Was just a joke.”

Hermione turned her attention back to me, her voice gentle and understanding. “It’s alright, Adam. Not everyone can grasp everything right away. I struggle with learning a lot of magic, too.”

I nodded, appreciating her support, and doing my best to not be annoyed at their pity— no, it was not pity, but sympathy for a friend.

“I know.” I said, taking a deep breath as I raised my scarred hand, staring at my open palm. “I’ve been trying, but it’s been a struggle. I just need more time to understand it better.”

Tony, who had been enthusiastic moments ago, offered a reassuring smile. “No worries, mate. We’ll all help each other learn. It’s not a race.”

Isn’t it, though? I thought to myself. A race against time before either Grindelwald or Voldemort enact whatever plans they have in the works. With my knowledge now basically useless, I have no idea what to expect.

I didn’t voice my opinion, instead shaking the thoughts away and turning my attention to Tony.

“Care to do the honors of explaining the basics to them, then?” I said, smiling at his mildly alarmed expression. “Oh, you’ll do fine. You can already cast the spell.”

Tony hesitated for a moment, clearly feeling the weight of the responsibility, but he eventually nodded. “Alright, I’ll give it a shot.”

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before he began explaining wandless magic to the group.

“Wandless magic.” He started, nervously. “Is a bit different from regular spellcasting with wands. It’s, um… More personal, more… instinctual? It’s about your will, your feelings, and your thoughts all working together.”

I nodded. “No hesitation, no second thoughts.”

“Right.” Tony said, sending me a look. “That could be why you’re having trouble, Adam?”

“Yes.” I confirmed. “You’re probably right. I’ve always been a visual and theoretical learner, and I usually have to practice so much that it becomes second nature; something like wandless magic being personal and instinctual, well…”

“Yeah.” Tony said. “Makes sense.”

“Can you show us the spell again, Tony?” Su said, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

I gave the girl a small smile as Tony held out his hand and demonstrated the Lumos spell once more. The shimmering mote of light appeared in his palm for a few moments before flickering out of existence.

“You have to feel the magic inside you, almost like an extension of yourself.” Tony said.

Hermione raised her hand. “So, it’s about connecting with your magic on a deeper level?”

“This isn’t a class.” Ron mumbled before getting nudged by Harry’s elbow. “Hey! Not you too!”

Tony smiled at the interplay before shaking his head and focusing on Hermione again, his words coming easier to him the more time passed. “Exactly. You have to have a strong connection with your own magic, and that starts with— erm— concentration and focus. You’ve got to imagine the spell in your mind, visualize it clearly like you would with a normal spell, but you also have to deeply sense it.”

Ron scratched his head. “Sense it? How does that work?”

Tony smiled, getting a little nervous again. “Well, it’s like… feeling the essence of the spell. You have to understand what it’s supposed to do, obviously, but more importantly you have to understand how it should feel.”

Harry chimed in. “That reminds me of something I read about Dementors and how to fight them. The Patronus Charm— you have to focus on a happy memory for it to work. Sounds a little like that, don’t you think?”

“Well. I haven’t read up on that Charm yet.” Tony said, scratching the back of his head. “But you’re right, it does sound similar. Wandless magic is about channeling your emotions and intentions into the spell. For Lumos, you should feel that desire for light and let it flow from you.”

“What about wand movements— or I guess, hand movements?” Su asked.

Tony agreed. “Yes, movement is very, very important. Your gestures have to be precise and match your intentions. It’s like a dance with magic— your own very personal dance.”

Hermione spoke up. “And what about the incantation? Tony, you said ‘Lumos’ when you cast the spell earlier.”

Tony chuckled. “True, I did. It’s like our wanded magic in that sense. Eventually, when you are good enough, you can cast magic silently.”

And so it was that everyone began their practice.

I watched them for a while, their concentration evident in their furrowed brows, focused expressions, and still soul threads. Tony offered guidance and encouragement, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the supportive atmosphere.

However, as I observed them, a sense of frustration continued to nag at me. How could I tell these kids to stay out of harm’s way when they were now the ones surpassing me?

I took a deep breath. I was exaggerating, of course; this was proving to be a most humbling experience, though. It was bound to happen— I couldn’t be good at everything, after all.

But still, to outright fail? I thought. If at first you don’t succeed, I suppose…

I turned my attention to my own outstretched hand, palm open. It felt like there was a missing piece to the puzzle, something I couldn’t quite grasp. What was going wrong? I had performed the Lumos Charm countless times with my wand, and I was proficient in magic in general. Hell, I could seize control of my chains with my other hand.

Was that not wandless magic?

Why was this proving to be such a challenge?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my thoughts and center my focus. Wandless magic, the professor had said, was about connecting with your own magic on a deeper level. It was about understanding the essence of the spell and channeling my emotions and intentions into it.

Had I not been doing that? I recalled my notes on the topic of magic.

Based upon intent and desire. I thought, closing my eyes.

I tried to visualize the spell in my mind. I imagined the soft glow of light that the Lumos spell produced, the warmth and comfort it brought. I felt the desire to banish the darkness away.

I could almost feel the sensation of holding a wand in my hand, but this time, I had to recreate that feeling without the physical object.

I imagined it radiating from within me, a gentle, soothing glow that was an extension of my very being. My palm tingled with the effort, but nothing happened.

Frustration welled up inside me. Why couldn’t I make it work? I had faced dangerous wizards and witches, confronted powerful magical creatures, but this seemingly simple task eluded me.

I opened my eyes and glanced at my friends, who were still practicing with varying degrees of success. I didn’t want to admit defeat, not when I knew the importance of mastering this skill.

I shifted my attention from my own struggles to observe my friends more closely. Perhaps I would glean something off of that.

Each of them was putting forth their best effort, their faces a mixture of determination and concentration. I noticed how the faint aura of magic surrounding them seemed to react to their attempts, subtly flickering and shifting with every failed cast.

My gaze settled on Harry, who had been unusually still for a while. His closed eyes suggested deep concentration, and for a moment, I wondered if he had found a breakthrough.

Then, he opened his eyes, and a spark of excitement danced in them.

“Lumos!” Harry’s voice rang out confidently, and a mote of silver light appeared above his open palm. A warm smile spread across his face, and he looked genuinely pleased with his success. 

My eyes were wide. That was…

The boy’s aura had flared, flooding towards the palm of his hand with nary a thought from the boy. I couldn’t understand it at all.

“Wow!” Tony said as he abandoned his own practice to stare at Harry’s spell. “It’s not flickering at all— a perfect cast.”

“Well done, Harry!” Hermione said as Ron and Su gave the boy pats on the shoulder.

Harry then turned his gaze to me.

For a moment, I saw the towering, nigh unstoppable figure I’d always had of Harry Potter the fully realized character, but then reality asserted itself, and I saw Harry Potter the young boy, once more.

His green eyes were guarded, and yet full of expectation.

He looks up to you, you know. Words from a memory echoed in my mind.

I smiled and gave Harry a thumbs up. “Damn good job.”

Harry beamed.

“Language!”

oooo

October 16, 1992, 6:30 PM, New Mexico, United States

Porpentina Goldstein

After weeks of relentless investigation, Porpentina and Lewis had finally tracked down the kidnappers’ latest hideout.

The trail had led them through ghost towns, dusty deserts and remote counties, but at long last, their persistence had paid off.

It was a seemingly abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. It stood as a solitary sentinel against the vast arid landscape, its windows boarded up and its exterior worn and weathered.

The October sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the arid terrain as Porpentina and Lewis approached the desolate building.

Porpentina’s expression was determined, her eyes fixed on their destination. Hopefully, they would finally find what they’d been scrambling for.

Lewis, by her side, carried an air of cautious optimism. He was still wet behind the ears, but their previous few leads had beaten some of that out of him.

It was both a good and bad thing, all things considered. It was always unfortunate when the veil people put over their own eyes was ripped away, but for this line of work, it was necessary.

She could not trust any of her operatives, otherwise.

The two of them observed the seemingly abandoned warehouse from a distance, the sun casting long shadows over the land. It was Lewis who broke the silence, his voice filled with a mixture of certainty and trepidation. “This is the place. I’m sure of it.”

Porpentina, her eyes never leaving the warehouse, nodded in agreement. This had to be it; if it wasn’t, well…

“The main entrance doesn’t look like it’s being used.” She remarked. “What about the back?”

Lewis acknowledged her implied command with a nod and took a few steps away from her before Disapparating, leaving Porpentina to keep watch. She remained vigilant as the minutes ticked by.

After what felt like an eternity, Lewis reappeared with a faint pop, his expression tense. “It’s being used.”

“Report.”

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. “There is a car parked in the back— a large, black van. I saw a few lights inside the building, and the back entrance looked like it was reinforced.”

“A large van.” She mused. “So we could be dealing with a number anywhere between three and ten?”

“Judging from the lights I saw, there are at least four people in there.” Lewis said, giving his own guess.

Porpentina nodded, her thoughts racing as she considered their next move. The element of surprise could be their greatest advantage, but the risks were always high.

She looked at Lewis, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and caution. “We go in together, but we’ll need to be quiet about it. Stealth is paramount to the success of this operation.”

Lewis understood the gravity of the situation and nodded in agreement. The two steeled themselves for what lay ahead, knowing that the fate of innocent lives rested on their shoulders.

“I trust you’ve been practicing your Disillusionment Charm?” Porpentina regarded Lewis with a hard gaze, her voice low and measured.

Lewis nodded in response, eager to prove himself. “Yes, Madam Goldstein.”

“Show me, then.”

Lewis took a deep breath, his wand steady in his hand. With focused intent, he tapped the top of his head. The air seemed to ripple around him, and slowly, he began to vanish from view. His form blended seamlessly with the surroundings until he was nearly invisible.

Porpentina watched closely, her experienced eye assessing the quality of his concealment.

“Good.” She said finally, as Lewis gradually revealed himself. “Your Charm work is improving— you’re nearly at the next stage. You can still be noticed if you are overly incautious, but you should be fine as long as you stick to the shadows and stand still if someone focuses on you.”

Lewis nodded, though there was a hint of frustration in his expression. “I hope I’m not a hindrance.”

Porpentina’s response was firm and reassuring.

“Not at all.” She shook her head, her confidence in him unwavering. “You’ll get there. For now, just follow my lead. Is that understood?”

Lewis met her gaze with determination. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Let’s go.” Porpentina said, her voice determined as she gave herself a tap on the head with her wand, casting the Disillusionment Charm. As the spell took effect, a peculiar sensation washed over her, like a cold, runny egg slowly moving over her body, enveloping her in an invisible shroud that rendered her nearly imperceptible.

“I see what you mean.” Lewis said, his eyes wide with amazement. “I can’t see you, and I’m actively looking.”

Porpentina’s voice, though faint, held a note of satisfaction. “That’s the idea. Now, remember, stay close and move quietly. We don’t want to give them any reason to suspect that there are intruders.”

And so, they ventured towards the warehouse, their steps deliberate and their senses heightened.

Reaching the back of the warehouse, Porpentina erected a small area of silence with a quick wave of her wand.

“Stop here.” She commanded.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

She kept her voice down as she spoke. “The window above us. Is there anyone in that room?”

Lewis, understanding the urgency of the situation, wasted no time. He paused for a moment, likely rising to his feet to get a better view, and then replied. “Empty.”

“Good. Good.” Porpentina nodded in acknowledgment, her mind racing as she considered their next move.

The absence of anyone in the room above suggested an opportunity to enter the warehouse without being immediately detected. With the Silencing Charm in place, they could discuss their plan without risk of alerting the guards.

“We’ll use that window.” She whispered to Lewis. “Once we’re inside, we need to assess the situation. Our priority is to locate the children and get them out safely. Our secondary mission is to capture the guards for later interrogation.”

“Right.” Lewis said softly, though she noted that his voice had wavered, there.

“Easy does it, Caboldie.” Tina murmured. “Stay quiet, stay close and be ready for anything— it’ll all be fine. Ready?”

Lewis nodded, determination etched on his face. “Ready.”

With practiced ease, Porpentina cast a quick, silent Unlocking Charm, causing the window to slide open. With another flick of her wand, she conjured a few steps that hovered just outside the window, providing them a better chance of entering the room without making noise or drawing attention.

“After you, rookie.”

Lewis stepped onto the conjured steps and soundlessly slipped through the window, his footsteps muffled by her silencing spell. Porpentina followed close behind, her senses alert and her wand at the ready.

Inside the room, they found themselves in a small storage area cluttered with crates and dusty old furniture. This place hadn’t seen use in at least a decade, she gathered.

Making sure the door to the room was securely closed and not likely to let out any noise, Porpentina dispelled her conjured steps with a flick of her wand. Her next priority was to check on Lewis, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.

“Sound off, rookie.” She called out.

A moment of tense silence hung in the air, and just as Porpentina felt a surge of anxiety creeping in, Lewis’s voice broke through the stillness. “Here.”

Porpentina concealed her relief, though she couldn’t hide the frazzled edge in her demeanor.

“Good, good.” She said, taking a steadying breath. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to have a quiet little walk around the place, get an idea of how many we’re dealing with. Disable anyone you find— nonlethal spells only. Is that clear?”

Lewis nodded in understanding, his voice equally low. “Crystal.”

“You’ll be taking the upper floor, and I’ll be covering the ground floor.” Porpentina instructed in hushed tones. “Keep a nice, slow pace; there’s no need to rush. Remember, make no noise unless absolutely necessary.”

Lewis nodded in agreement. “Right.”

“Let’s do it.” Porpentina said, her voice unwavering. “As soon as the door opens. I’ll go first. You wait a few seconds and exit as well, so we don’t bump into each other. Meet back in twenty minutes.”

With that, she didn’t wait for further confirmation. Porpentina unlocked the door with a wave of her wand, and it swung open just enough for her to slip through. She moved silently, her senses on high alert as she began her exploration of the ground floor of the warehouse.

The vast majority of the place was in complete disrepair, with debris scattered about and shadows lurking in every corner.

As she pressed on, she began to hear a faint sound that cut through the silence— the distant strains of music, accompanied by sporadic laughter. It was a disconcerting contrast to the dilapidated surroundings.

Porpentina followed the sound cautiously, her footsteps silent on the dusty floor. Eventually, she reached a room where the source of the noise became clear. Inside, four men sat around an old radio on cheap, foldable chairs.

The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a soon-to-die lightbulb casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Porpentina watched them from the darkness, her Disillusionment Charm keeping her concealed. She listened intently to the conversation unfolding among the men in the dimly lit room. Any and every word could provide valuable insight into their activities and the nature of the threat they posed.

“Fetch me a beer, would you?” One of the men said to the guy beside him, a hint of authority in his tone.

The leader.

The other man grumbled but begrudgingly got up and fetched the beer, drawing laughter from the group.

“You should get it yourself next time.” He muttered, but his actions spoke louder than his words as he handed over the can of beer.

Porpentina continued to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“What are we doing this for, anyway?” The man who had fetched the beer asked, his tone questioning and somewhat aggravated.

The others in the room exchanged glances, as if considering the question for the first time.

“What do you mean?” One of them replied.

“Guard duty. We never did that before.” The man complained. “I could be out, making bank.”

“You mean losing it all in poker? Again?” One of his companions sniped, and the group erupted in laughter.

But then, the man she had pegged as the leader spoke out loud, his voice commanding attention.

“The reason.” He declared, effectively silencing the laughter. “Is because we’re joining the big leagues, my friend. Gotta put in the work, you know?”

The complainer nodded reluctantly at that.

“Right, right.” He mumbled, though he couldn’t hide his annoyance. The expression on his face quickly turned to one of disturbing hunger. “You sure we can’t have a little… taste… of the merchandise ourselves?”

Laughter rang out once more, but this time, it was tinged with an unsettling tone. Porpentina fought against the surge of anger that coursed through her veins at the insinuation.

“‘Unspoiled,’ they said.” The leader reiterated with a casual shrug. “With what they’re paying us, you can buy yourself nine little chickens to play with; how’s that?”

The mention of chickens seemed to be an inside joke among the men, leading to more banter and laughter.

Porpentina had heard enough.

With a snap of her wand and a flash of red light, she cast a Stunning Charm that struck the first man, rendering him unconscious. The element of surprise worked in her favor, and she managed to take out two more of the men before the guard leaped forward, using his Stunned friend as cover and reaching for something in his pocket.

Before he could draw whatever weapon he likely had stored, Porpentina’s final Stunning Charm crashed into his body, sending him tumbling to the ground.

As the dust settled, Porpentina stood in the room, her wand still at the ready, scanning the area for any further threats. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down now.

Her shoe brushed against the dropped beer can on the ground, and she stepped back to avoid the quickly forming pool of alcohol. With the immediate threat neutralized, she finally allowed herself a deep breath.

Porpentina wasted no time after incapacitating the criminals. With a series of precise wand movements, she conjured magical restraints and had the criminals bound tightly to their chairs, rendering them powerless to move or resist. Then, she divested them of any and every weapon at their disposal, Vanishing them without a second thought.

There was no need to take unnecessary risks, and ensuring they couldn’t do much even if they somehow woke up and escaped their restraints was a start. Better safe than sorry, after all.

She regarded the restrained men with a measure of disgust, but her focus remained on the larger mission— the rescue of the kidnapped children.

She made her way back towards the entry point, and found Lewis already there, having taken down his Disillusionment Charm. His expression was a mix of anger and haunting.

“I take it that you’ve found the children? Report.” She said, her voice steady.

Lewis’s response gave her a mix of relief and a disconcerting worry

“The kids are safe.” He said. “They’re upstairs, guarded by two men; well, they were. The two are… Out of commission, I suppose you can say.”

Porpentina sensed something unsettling in the way Lewis spoke those last words, and the way his face had shifted. It was as if he had taken a certain satisfaction in how he had dealt with the guards.

“Did you kill them, Lewis?” She asked, her voice probing, and she saw a look of shock wash over Lewis’s face.

“I didn’t.” Lewis replied, his voice now heavy with a storm of emotion as he looked away from her, ashamed. “But I wanted to. I… I wanted to!”

Porpentina grasped his shoulder and met his tormented gaze with understanding and empathy. He looked down, unwilling to make eye contact with her.

“I understand.” She said, offering him words of comfort. “Think you’re the first person who wanted to be the one to punish people for their heinous crimes? Think again, Caboldie.”

He looked up at her. “You mean, you…”

Tina only nodded in return.

The acknowledgment seemed to provide Lewis with some solace, and he gradually composed himself. “Let’s not wait on account of my own mistakes, Ma’am. We have a job to do.”

Porpentina nodded in agreement, appreciating his resilience. “True. Let’s see to the kids first. Then we’ll figure out how to deal with our new interrogation suspects.”

“Right, right.”

“And, rookie?”

“Yes?”

“After this, you can call me Tina.”

There might still be a great deal of work ahead, but they had achieved a significant victory tonight. The children were safe, and they had a people to interrogate— perhaps yielding a new lead.

“Only if you stop calling me rookie.”

“Dream on, rookie.”