Harry Potter: The Legend of Nero Ravenclaw

Classes continued in such fashion for Nero.

Whether it was Charms, Transfiguration, or Potions, Nero found himself paired with his friends, where they demonstrated a level of brilliance Hogwarts had rarely seen.

Professor McGonagall often observed Nero with an expression that bordered on maternal pride, as if contemplating adopting him outright.

Professor Flitwick, perpetually on the verge of a heart attack, marveled not just at Nero's precise and creative spells but also at the dazzling, almost choreographed duels between Nero and Lilith during Charms practice. "It's as if I'm watching a masterclass in dueling," he had once muttered, clutching his tiny chest as sparks flew across the classroom.

Professor Snape, infamous for his stoic demeanor, couldn't entirely suppress the faintest flicker of intrigue when Lilith brewed her potions with unerring accuracy and an almost artistic grace. Once, after a particularly perfect Curing Draught demonstration, he had been caught muttering something resembling a compliment, though it was so uncharacteristic, the rest of the class nearly fainted.

Ember had quickly made her mark in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Her approach was anything but traditional, and it didn't take long for the professor to notice.

During a practice session, she had convinced the professor to allow her to incorporate her enchanted dagger, a weapon she had been using for years.

With a flick of her wrist, the dagger flew through the air, striking the conjured target with staggering precision and speed, right in the most painful place for a man.

There was a collective intake of breath from the boys in the class. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor males went pale, clearly feeling the weight of her aim. A moment of stunned silence followed, broken only when the professor finally spoke. His lips curled into a slight smirk.

"Remember," he said, voice low and gravelly, "constant vigilance.'"

Alaric had become the favorite of Professor Sprout, much to everyone's amusement.

His knack for Herbology was evident, but his habit of naming every plant in the greenhouse, sometimes in loud, dramatic voices, had Professor Sprout beaming with delight.

"That's right, Alaric! Plants thrive with encouragement!" she'd say, utterly ignoring the groans of his friends as Alaric carried on entire conversations with a particularly chatty Venomous Tentacula named Gerald.

Saturday morning dawned crisp and clear, the grounds of Hogwarts abuzz with anticipation. Today marked a special occasion: guest lecturers from Avalon, Fae Haven, Stonehenge, and Pendragon were visiting to teach and share their unique expertise. 

Unlike general spells taught under Charms or Transfiguration, elemental magic focused on mastering the raw forces of nature.

For instance, while most wizards could cast Incendio to conjure a flame, an elemental fire mage could shape the flame, control its intensity, or even imbue it with protective or destructive properties. Similarly, Aguamenti could summon water, but an elemental water mage could turn it into a shield, a weapon, or even calm raging seas. Such mastery required not just technical skill, but an intimate connection with the chosen element.

For Nero, this day felt momentous. Since his arrival at Hogwarts, he had shown exceptional talent in elemental magic. His connection to water, in particular, was profound, almost instinctive, aligned with his talent chart:

Water Magic: EX (EXalted)

Fire Magic: O (Outstanding)

Earth Magic: O (Outstanding)

Air Magic: E (Exceeds Expectations)

The Great Hall had been transformed into an expansive classroom. The house tables were replaced with circular ones to encourage collaboration, and the enchanted ceiling reflected a clear blue sky dotted with wisps of cloud. First-year students from all four houses were seated, brimming with curiosity and excitement.

When the clock struck ten-thirty, the doors opened, and a woman entered, her presence commanding yet serene.

She was tall, with deep auburn hair that cascaded in waves down her back.

Her emerald robes shimmered as if imbued with magic, and her eyes sparkled like sunlight on water.

"I am Professor Morganna Veyl," she began, her voice smooth and melodious, carrying easily across the hall.

"I am honored to stand here today, representing Avalon. My specialty is elemental magic, a discipline that seeks a balance between the forces of nature and control over them. In today's lesson, we will explore the foundational principles of elemental magic."

She walked gracefully to the center of the hall, where a small fountain had been conjured. With a flick of her wrist, the water began to rise, forming a perfect sphere that hovered above her palm.

"Take this," she said, her tone warm yet commanding. "To most, this is a complex application of Aguamenti, a charm. But to an elemental water mage, it is the beginning of a conversation."

The sphere of water shifted, elongating into a serpent-like shape that coiled around her arm. It sparkled in the light, mesmerizing the students.

"An elemental mage does not simply summon water, they understand it. They feel its currents, its power, its tranquility."

She turned her attention to the students.

"First years, your task today is simple: For those who can, I want you to cast Aguamenti and then try to manipulate the water into a basic shape, a sphere, a cube, anything. The goal is not perfection but connection. Understand that the water is not your servant, it is your partner. Feel the connection with the element, as you would feel it with your wand. For those who cannot cast it yet..."

She waved her wand, and water began spiraling, taking on multiple shapes one after another around the fountain. "Try to feel the flow of the magic I cast. Try to sense a connection."

Nero's heart raced as he stood before a basin of water. Beside him, Ember grinned with fiery determination, her wand already at the ready.

"Don't look so tense," she teased. "It's just water."

Nero smirked. "Let's see you shape it into anything other than steam, firebrand."

Ember rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Think she'd get mad if I worked with Incendio instead?"

"Why don't you save it for the second lesson?" Nero quipped.

Together, they cast Aguamenti, summoning streams of water into the air. Nero closed his eyes for a moment, focusing. He felt the coolness of the water, the way it responded to his magic, like a musician tuning an instrument.

When he opened his eyes, the water was already forming a small sphere, spinning gently in place. Carefully, he guided it into a cube, the edges sharp and precise. Around him, other students were struggling, with some creating misshapen blobs and others losing control entirely, splashing their comrades.

"Show-off," Ember muttered, though her tone was more impressed than annoyed.

She managed to create a wisp of steam, which she promptly condensed into a droplet. "Not bad for a Gryffindor, right?" she added, smirking.

Professor Veyl approached their table, her gaze lingering on Nero's work. "Excellent control," she said softly, her voice carrying a note of approval. "You must be Nero Ravenclaw right. Now tell me Nero, do you feel it? The flow of the water, its rhythm?"

Nero nodded. "It feels... alive, almost. Like it wants to move, and I'm just guiding it."

Veyl smiled. "Precisely. Remember, elemental magic is also dialogue, not always command. Keep listening."

The students around them began to murmur.

"Did you see that?" a Hufflepuff whispered, eyes wide as they glanced at Nero's perfect cube floating effortlessly in mid-air.

"First try?" a Gryffindor said in disbelief, shaking their head. "That's unreal."

"I've heard this level of elemental magic shaping isn't even attempted seriously until the third year," another student remarked. "But look at him. That cube... It's like he's been doing this for years."

As the class drew to a close, Professor Veyl raised her hand for attention. "You have all made an excellent start. Remember, elemental magic is as much about patience and understanding as it is about skill. Keep practicing, and in time, you may find your own unique bond with your chosen element."

Nero's chest swelled with quiet excitement as he packed up his things, his mind already racing with ideas for his next attempt at manipulating water. It was easier than he expected, almost as if it came naturally to him.

Just as he turned to leave, his eyes caught sight of Lilith approaching. A perfect water sphere hovered above her palm, its translucent surface rippling gently in the air. Her expression was serene, though a flicker of pride sparkled in her eyes.

"Nero," she said, her voice soft but steady, "you're doing well. But don't rush it. A cube is... ambitious."

Nero raised an eyebrow, teasing. "You're showing off with that perfect sphere, and now you're telling me to keep it basic?"

Lilith chuckled, the sphere hovering down to rest back in the basin with a quiet splash. "I can't shape it yet, but I'm getting there," she said with a wink.

Alaric appeared at their side, his wand spinning effortlessly in his fingers as he gave a lazy grin. "Honestly, I'm impressed," he said, glancing at their work. "Lilith's sphere, Nero's cube, even Ember's steam, it's all brilliant. But air element? That's where I'll shine!"

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3rd chapter of the day as promised (3/3)

100 chapters ahead on Patreon (Suiijin): Chapter 130: Pushing the Limits