Natural Magic

Breeze staggered out of the filthy, abandoned classroom. The Mirror of Erised wouldn't hold out much longer. He just hoped it wouldn't shatter in front of him.

"Mirror of Desire, I hope you and An Qing won't deceive me."

Exhausted, Breeze prepared to return to the Owlery. As he passed the Seventh Floor, he saw Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape talking. He caught a few words, then froze in place, his eyes widening.

He thought for a moment, then reined in his gaze and listened quietly.

"Where's Dumbledore?" Snape asked with a stern expression. "I assume he was in a hurry to get me back. Wild Peruvian Vipertooth hearts aren't exactly common, you know. I waited a full year for that potion shop to get back to me."

"Oh, Snape, Dumbledore's very busy," McGonagall said helplessly. "This matter also concerns a dragon. A few days ago, the Ministry of Magic discovered a wild, fully grown Norwegian Ridgeback in Britain. It's extremely vicious and nearly exposed magic to the Muggle World. We all know what the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy says!"

McGonagall looked agitated. This was a serious matter. No wizard dared to break that law; even the most vicious Dark Wizards wouldn't dare flout it. When magic was exposed by accident, wizards used Obliviate to cover it up.

Dragons were protected by this statute, too.

The Ministry of Magic had even established a department specifically for Magical Creatures.

"The damage a fire-breathing dragon can cause is too great. The Ministry of Magic asked Dumbledore to deal with it. He has more influence internationally." McGonagall shook her head and sighed. This was no longer merely a matter for Britain.

"Sorry, Snape. You don't even get a break over Christmas."

Snape snorted.

"As long as it's not because Dumbledore's teeth have rotted from being soaked in candy and he needs me back to brew Skele-Gro, I think I can live with it."

With that, Snape turned and left. McGonagall couldn't help it. She had plenty of things to take care of herself, so she could only ask Snape to hurry back and keep an eye on the Forbidden Corridor on the fourth floor.

After hearing the professors' conversation, Breeze quietly left. Once he returned to the Owlery, he collapsed onto his bed without even washing up.

"Put out the light, Faner."

Breeze shut his eyes, his face tense with irritation. Faner could tell he was very weak, but didn't ask any questions. Little Peeves hid carefully behind him, not daring to make a sound.

Faner extinguished the candle, and the surroundings fell dark in an instant. Not long afterward, Breeze opened his eyes again. As his vision gradually cleared, the faint moonlight outside the window soothed him.

"Goodbye, An Qing."

Soon, Breeze fell into a deep sleep, a smile on his face. Everything would be better when he woke tomorrow. He only needed to study magic diligently and make it through seven peaceful years. As he grew through one triumph after another, he could become the person he'd seen in the Mirror of Erised. That was the life he longed for now. Maybe staying in the Wizarding World forever wouldn't be so bad...

As Breeze fell asleep, the first Natural Magic Power inside him drained away completely. Yet the total amount of magic in his body hadn't decreased at all, because this magic came from the surrounding environment and was far freer. Although it was drawn to Breeze, it wouldn't stay inside him forever.

The moment even a trace of magic left his body, an equal trace of magic from outside would enter. As this exchange continued, Breeze's magical capacity began to grow faster.

He also found it much easier to control his magic.

Breeze got up early the next morning, all his fatigue gone. As soon as he rose, he noticed the changes in his body, but he knew they were for the better. His Natural Magic Power had been stagnant and lifeless before. Now it was brimming with vitality, making him feel at one with the world around him.

Even...

Breeze held out his hand, a thread of magic curling around his fingertip.

Before, I'd never thought of using the magic inside me to communicate with the magic outside... So this is how Natural Magic Power is used.

Breeze used the magic within him to resonate with the magic of nature. A powerful magical surge formed in his hand.

"Light."

He pictured the magical path of the Lumos charm in his mind, then used his thoughts to guide the Natural Magic Power within him into contact with the Natural Magic Power outside. Together, they formed this simple magic.

It was only a Lumos charm, but...

A sphere of light appeared on Breeze's fingertip, shining with a dazzling brilliance. He squinted, and a pure magical barrier appeared before him, blocking most of the light.

He flung it away. It burst in midair, releasing a wave of light that illuminated the dim room in the early morning. The brightness lingered for a long time.

"This is Natural Magic Power. This is Natural Magic."

"Thought is the source from which magic is constructed; magical power is the strength that builds it; a wand is an object that guides magic into being. But nature is the best guide of all. Even a wand can't compare."

The wand on Breeze's wrist trembled uneasily, as if afraid Breeze would abandon it.

"You're beautiful, little one, and I still need you." Breeze couldn't do this at school, after all. It would put him in the spotlight. Without the power to protect himself, he wouldn't draw attention unless he had to. Natural Magic was powerful, but it depended on who he was up against.

Besides, this was only a Lumos charm. Other magic was much harder. Breeze would need plenty of time to build a new magical system of his own.

To wield Natural Magic, one needed nature's approval. It was clear that nature had accepted Breeze.

"I need to put the alchemy notebook on my agenda. I need a notebook that's completely private and can be used indefinitely. But the Trance Grass... I should find a chance to ask Professor Sprout. I hope she can tell me where to find it."

Over the next few days of the holiday, Breeze explored the mysteries of Natural Magic. When the magic inside him had still been sluggish, he'd only discovered that Natural Magic Power could strengthen a spell, but not change its nature. Now he'd found an entirely new world, which he called Natural Magic.

Natural Magic broke the constraints of spells, making them powerful and free. However, in some areas it lacked the fine control of spells such as Scourgify.

A spell could make a floor clean, but under Natural Magic, the floor would merely be covered in magic, which would peel off a layer of debris.

This is pretty similar to Deprimo. Functional spells don't seem to suit Natural Magic. It's hard to change them at their core.

Breeze thought it over and realized that elemental magic was best suited to being transformed into Natural Magic. Lumos, Incendio and Ventus, for example. The latter two spells were a little difficult, though. For now, Breeze could only produce a small fireball and a little whirlwind. He'd have to study them some more.

I wonder how Transfiguration will change.

Breeze put the idea into practice at once. He used the magic within him to communicate with the Natural Magic outside, and soon the quill beside him had turned into an owl.

The owl looked incredibly real, its eyes full of life. Aside from lacking a soul, it wasn't much different from a real owl. The Natural Magic around it continually replenished what it needed. It was still using up more magic than it could take in, but this could extend how long it lasted.

"I couldn't have done this before."

Clearly, Natural Magic had once again enhanced the effects of Transfiguration, but still hadn't changed its nature.

What could it mean to change the nature of Transfiguration?

"Create a real living creature?" Breeze was startled by his own thought. That was the power of nature itself. He didn't believe he could do it.

He put his research into changing the nature of Transfiguration aside. That was far beyond him for now. The urgent task was to start with simple spells, combine them with Natural Magic Power, and create Natural Magic.

With An Qing gone, he could also put his research into soul magic on hold for the time being. Breeze knew how dangerous the soul was; he'd be wise not to touch it while he was still weak unless he had no choice. As for Quirrell's contract, Quirrell was the one who should be worried now. Breeze just hoped petty Quirrell wouldn't refuse to give him points in class. If he did, Breeze might be even crueler when he killed him.

How can anyone guard against a thief every single day? Dumbledore won't do anything. Does that mean I can't save myself?

Breeze had learned back at the Orphanage in the Muggle World that when you were in danger, you should find a police officer. But in Britain, at a time like this... Well, never mind. Asking for help was useless. Couldn't he save himself?

With that in mind, Breeze decided to keep a close eye on Quirrell. If Quirrell entered the Forbidden Corridor on the fourth floor, it would become his burial place. After all, it was Dumbledore's trap for Quirrell. Breeze only meant to give things a little push, so it wouldn't be his fault.

Dumbledore's methods were so childish. Even Breeze found the obstacles embarrassing. It seemed Dumbledore really had eaten too much candy, the saccharine old bumblebee.

Thinking this, Breeze left the Owlery with Little Peeves, because the little fellow could help him.

"Little Peeves?"

"Yes, master!" Little Peeves was excited. This was the first time it had gone out with Breeze, and it was about to receive a task from him. Its eyes lit up, and its transparent body bobbed in the air.

Looking at Little Peeves, who was no bigger than a thumb, Breeze gave a gentle smile. "I need your help now... Maybe you could pretend to be someone's child. It might be a little humiliating for you, but it would help me."

Seeing the little fellow's soft face, full of doubt, Breeze said earnestly, "Are you willing to help me, Little Peeves?"

"Of course!" Little Peeves seemed encouraged and nodded again and again.

A satisfied look flashed through Breeze's eyes.

"His name is Peeves. Heh, that name isn't as nice as Little Peeves, is it? You're one of a kind. He looks a lot like you, but he's not as handsome, either... I need you to earn his trust, then get him to keep watch on someone for me. If that person enters the Forbidden Corridor on the fourth floor, come find me at once and report back."

When Breeze finished, Little Peeves looked resolute, determined to serve as a good spy for his master.

After Breeze led Little Peeves past the Forbidden Corridor on the fourth floor and then down to the second floor to secretly introduce him to Quirrell, he let the little fellow wander around the castle on his own. Peeves would be interested in him as soon as he saw him, anyway.