Arithmancy is the foundation of most forms of non-wanded subjects, so it is essential that you have a good understanding of it if you want to progress. Arithmancy is a combination of mathematics and magic, and is focused around the magical properties of numbers and their effects on magic." Alexandra explained as she shut the door to the classroom they had entered.
She hadn't wasted any time - as soon as I accepted her terms, she had me gather my things and we headed towards a specific abandoned classroom she knew of.
"I expect you to look into basic arithmancy in your own time, it's quite simple to start with so you should have no trouble keeping up with a basic understanding that will suit what I'll teach you for now."
I nodded at this, completely engrossed in what she was saying.
"For starters we'll be going over an introduction to runes, as that is the simplest but still useful area you can begin before being acquainted with arithmancy. Runes are essentially a way to manipulate magic to get the exact results wanted. Rather than needing someone to use a spell, runes can be used as an independent source of magic to complete a specific directive. All runic arrays need a power source, however unlike spells, that source does not need to be a person actively casting." She lectures while drawing various symbols in the air with her wand.
"The blatant weakness of runes is the time they take to set up, even the simplest of runic arrays will take even a master a few seconds to create, whereas they could have cast several spells instead. The use of runes then, is not to spontaneously start inscribing them, but instead to think and plan ahead what exactly you will need, and create a way to do exactly that." She continues while finishing up her drawings.
I ask her, "So runes are not so useful in combat then?"
Alexandra looks at me with mild offense, but quickly begins to explain. "Ah not exactly. While creating an array during a fight is impractical, I'm sure you realize that if you have something prepared in advance, it can turn the tide of a fight in ways that are impossible to do with a wand."
"How so?" I ask again, eager to know more.
"Imagine you had an array that was primed to explode if anyone other than yourself crossed it. That's just an easy to visualize example of course, but the point is that runes are dead useful. Using them directly like that in combat is one of the worst ways to fight with them, the main benefits can come from what they offer to other fields of magic and how you can use them there. We won't get into those now but know that there is much you don't know about the potential of magic." She finishes, content with her answer.
"Fair enough, I barely know any magic yet, I was just curious about what runes had to offer." I sheepishly respond."
"Understandable Potter, I'll continue with the lesson then."
I nod at her, putting my full attention on the symbols as she begins to gesture towards them.
"There are several different languages that are suitable for runes, but I want you to begin with Elder Futhark as that is what we start with in Hogwarts. There are 24 Elder Futhark runes, with each of them having a specific meaning."
"The difficulty in runes is in determining which runes are required and in what order, as the meanings are generally very vague and as such you need to use many runes to achieve a specific directive. Using fewer runes than typical for a specific array is possible, but this risks the integrity and reliability of what you are creating." She glances at me here, checking for any questions.
"Why do specific runes mean certain things, and why are they kept so vague?" I ask, curious as to why a better system hasn't been created."
Alexandra's eyebrows shoot upwards and she gives me an assessing gaze. "Ah that has to do with what runes really are. The reason we use runes is because they allow us to channel magic in specific ways according to a language. Can you guess why we need to use specific ancient languages such as Elder Futhark, and not something more familiar to us, like English?"
"Err … I really don't know. Are those languages linked to magic somehow?" I ask, completely perplexed.
"Not exactly Potter. You see, there is no special power that Elder Futhark has over English. The difference is that it isn't used anymore. The meaning given to each rune is stagnant and unchanging, which is why we can safely use them as we know their meaning won't change. English changes all the time, so it is unreliable to use in something that requires stability, which is why you would have to be mad to try and use them as runes."
I'm genuinely shocked by this, and try to get clarification. "So the language is based on human intent? It's just whatever we think the words mean?!"
"More or less, yes, there is a sort of collective human consciousness that exists, and using ancient languages allows us to avoid the issue of the meanings changing." Alexandra responds.
I contemplate this for a moment, trying to wrap my head around the idea. "I think I understand, but it's a bit much to think of."
"Don't worry about it for now, just think about it later when you do your own individual study into this." She says patiently.
With that our lesson continued into the meaning of several runes, and what they were generally used for. We continued for about another half an hour before she sent me off, telling me to look into a few more runes on my own time so we could go over them next session.
Overall, I think this arrangement will prove to be extremely useful, runes seem to have quite a bit of potential that I never would have suspected at a first glance.
+1 INT
+1 WIS
As I head back towards Ravenclaw tower, I think about how much studying I can get done. I feel like Alexandra is expecting too little of me, if I'm being honest. If I really try, I think I'd be able to memorize all the runes and their meanings for the next of our sessions. I don't really see a reason not to, so when I get the time I'll do so.
I answer a simple riddle about time and then enter the dorms. There's finally a chance for me to check out the Ravenclaw library, and I take it. Inside, there are rising shelves that seem to go up and down in a spire.
I can see several older students at various levels, completely engrossed in whatever they're reading. I spend a few minutes trying to understand where everything is, and end up reading a book on basic runes. I start really getting interested, especially when they discuss other runic languages, but I decide to end the night and head to bed.
Lying in bed, I take the time to go over everything I have, in terms of abilities and skills.
[Petunia Dursley: -85 Rep
Vernon Dursley: -60 Rep
Dudley Dursley: -40 Rep
Gregory Goyle: 0 Rep
'Julia Rosemary': 0 Rep
Robert Hilliard: 0 Rep
Vincent Crabbe: 0 Rep
Draco Malfoy: 5 Rep
Flora Carrow: 10 Rep
Hestia Carrow: 10 Rep
Sue Li: 10 Rep
Alexandra Rosier: 15 Rep
Lisa Turpin: 15 Rep
Anthony Goldstein: 20 Rep
Penelope Clearwater: 20 Rep
Filius Flitwick: 25 Rep
Kevin Entwhistle: 25 Rep
Minerva Mcgonagall: 25 Rep
Terry Boot: 25 Rep
Rubeus Hagrid: 30 Rep]
Not much has changed, but Lisa being at 15 implies she isn't a light-oriented person, as I have a perk that gives me +20 reputation with them. Professor Rosemary also seems to not be light-oriented, as she doesn't seem to like me, but at least she doesn't hate me either.
I doubt my skills and equipment have changed but I'll check them regardless, just as a refresher.
[Skills:
Boy Who Lived (Perk) - You defeated Lady Voldemort, ending his reign of terror in Britain. All light oriented magicals in Britain start with +20 Reputation.
Child of Darkness (Perk) - You were literally raised in a cupboard. Gain +5 to all stats when in darkness or tight spaces.
Muggle-baiter (Perk) - You've messed with muggles using magic, leaving them none the wiser. When using magic on or near muggles, they will find it much more difficult to figure out that you are the source of their problems.
Observe (Active Skill) - Observe the target, learning detailed information about them. If the target is significantly more powerful than the user, information provided is limited. Costs 10MP.
Physical Resistance (Passive skill) - You are accustomed to physical punishment and beatings throughout your childhood, as a result you are moderately resistant to physical damage and pain. All physical damage incurred is reduced by 20%.
Equipment:
Harry Potter's Wand - The wand that chose you, made of holly with a phoenix feather core, said to share its core's phoenix donor with Lady Voldemort. +100% to INT and WIS while equipped.
Ravenclaw Robes - Clothing that signifies you as a Ravenclaw student. +5 to INT and WIS while equipped.]
Lastly, I should check myself to see how much I've grown.
[Harry James Potter
Condition: Calm
Title: [Lone Wizard] - When you are in close proximity to non-magicals: Temporary -5 Reputation and +5 Obedience with all.
Race - Human (Magical)
Level - 9
Health Points - 260
Magic Points - 460
Strength - 21
Vitality - 26
Dexterity - 34
Intelligence - 64
Wisdom - 46
Charisma - 17
Luck - 10]
Slight increases, but I'm sure things will pick up once we get well into classes and I can learn and practice in depth.
Now it's time for bed, I am quite tired after all I did today. Tomorrow will feature new classes and new magic, and I'm excited to experience it all.