I'm Breeze

With the last day of the Christmas holidays drawing near, Breeze finally wrapped up his research into Natural Magic. By now, he had given up on fundamentally changing most functional spells. They could only be strengthened with Natural Magic Power; elemental magic was the only kind that was highly compatible with it.

Breeze planned to begin his research with basic elemental spells such as the Wand-Lighting Charm, Incendio, Aguamenti, the Growth Charm, Ventus, Glacius, and the Earth Charm, adding them to a magic system all his own.

He had already made a start on these spells. All he needed to do was keep studying and improve his ability to channel the natural forces around him with his own magic. That would strengthen his Natural Magic.

Or rather, Natural Magic was more like controlling the elemental forces of nature, using the magic within oneself to commune with the natural world and cast all kinds of spells.

"Ah!" Faner yawned, sending a huge puff of sparks from his mouth.

"Breeze, you've been cooped up in your room for days. You're not even eating on time. You'll get sick if you keep this up..."

"Sorry for worrying you, Faner." Breeze smiled faintly, leaving Faner momentarily stunned.

Faner had seen him smile like that several times over the past few days, but every time, he still couldn't believe it. Was this really Breeze?

Yes, Breeze had changed. He was more carefree now, and no longer chose to hide so much. There was no pretense in his eyes. Perhaps it was confidence. People who didn't know him well might not notice the difference, but Faner had spent so long with Breeze. How could he fail to see it?

Faner thought it was a good thing. At the very least, Breeze's smile was genuine now, no longer so false on his face.

Breeze understood his own situation... An Qing's disappearance had been his greatest relief, and the greatest help he could have received.

He was no longer bound by chains or worried that he might vanish at any moment. Breeze no longer needed to pretend in order to fit into this world.

"Put my books away for me, Faner. I'll head downstairs first." Breeze leisurely straightened his wizard's robes, then silently cast Scourgify on himself to clean the hem.

Breeze was going to see Professor Sprout, though it still wasn't time to enter the Forbidden Forest. That monster was a nuisance. Dumbledore already knew about the Centaurs and the Unicorns, yet he hadn't done anything about it.

"Oh, Breeze?" Professor Sprout didn't seem very happy. She turned to fuss over a pot of orchid grass and said unhurriedly, "If I hadn't seen your name on the list of students staying at school, I'd have thought you'd already left Hogwarts."

Breeze smiled awkwardly. He'd been a little too absorbed in his research into Natural Magic. What could he say? This power was so formidable. Maybe he could become a scholar one day and bring about a magical revolution in the wizarding world. He might even become another Merlin.

"Sorry, Professor. I've just been busy. Magic always takes up most of my time, and of course, I don't mind at all."

Breeze smiled gently, looking especially friendly. Perhaps it was his good mood, but the plants around them seemed happy too, their leaves unfolding one by one.

"Oh!" Professor Sprout studied Breeze, then gave his cheek a gentle pinch.

"You're not descended from some unusual kind of Elf, are you? The Elves in legends are the people closest to plants. Or perhaps you're a Druid?"

"Legend has it that Druids are messengers of nature and can borrow its power."

Breeze thought it over. He didn't know anything about his origins, and An Qing had never mentioned them before he disappeared. Perhaps it wasn't important. But it wasn't yet time to talk about Natural Magic.

"I think wizards can have special talents too. Maybe I would've been a Hufflepuff back then..."

At that, Professor Sprout hurriedly said, "Let's go ask Dumbledore to change your house!"

"Oh, no, Professor, don't tease me. I know I'm a Slytherin. I want to pursue glory and renown too."

Breeze looked helpless, and Sprout shrugged in disappointment.

"Everyone says you're a Ravenclaw. You work harder at your studies than anyone."

Sprout said with a smile, but Breeze's reply made her frown.

"I think I pursue wisdom for the sake of power..."

But Breeze's next words put Sprout at ease again.

"Because power makes me feel safe. You know I'm an orphan. In the end, I only have myself. Friends might leave their mark on my life, but they can't stay by my side forever. They have their own lives too. There are many things I can only rely on myself for."

Breeze spoke earnestly. Professor Sprout felt a pang of sadness. She stroked his head, ready to pull him into her arms.

"Oh, Professor!"

"Actually, I don't like being hugged, and I don't like people touching my face or hair."

Sprout withdrew her hand. Looking into Breeze's clear, unclouded black eyes, she couldn't help laughing.

"Yes, I should respect a young wizard's choices. But I think I can help you at this stage, as your professor. You're right: no one can look out for you every moment of every day. You need to make yourself strong."

Sprout had caught the unspoken meaning behind Breeze's words. Without beating around the bush, she said, "Go on, then. What do you need my help with? Now that little Breeze has finally opened his heart to his Herbology professor, I'll do everything I can for him."

Breeze had known Professor Sprout would help him.

"It's Trance Grass. I mentioned it before," Breeze said without hesitation.

"You know I often stay in the Owlery. It belongs to a master of Alchemy, and there are quite a few books on Alchemy left behind there. I want to try making some alchemical objects. I found a method for making an endlessly reusable, highly secure alchemical notebook, so... you understand. I just need the Trance Grass."

Breeze had become more open, and what he said was all true. But he hadn't started trusting everyone. Perhaps Professor Sprout was trustworthy, but Dumbledore wasn't. If Dumbledore asked, Professor Sprout probably wouldn't refuse him.

Keeping some things secret helped preserve relationships too. Breeze knew what he could say and what he couldn't. Not lying didn't mean telling everything.

"Trance Grass?" Professor Sprout finally remembered their earlier conversation.

"Oh, I remember telling you that if you did well, I'd take you to the Forbidden Forest to find some when you were in a higher year."

Professor Sprout smiled kindly. "I didn't realize you needed it so badly."

"I think I can take you there, but you have to promise that the alchemical object you're making isn't dangerous. That's my only condition."

Breeze nodded. Making an alchemical notebook wasn't dangerous. It just cost a fair bit, but that wasn't a problem. He'd already bought what he needed.

"Of course. The alchemical notebook isn't dangerous at all. I can swear by the Order name. I have no reason to pay a price over this."

Professor Sprout nodded, then ignored Breeze's protests and ruffled his hair.

"Then let me think. I'll need to report this to Headmaster Dumbledore first. You'll have to wait. I'll come find you once I've taken care of it."

"Of course." Breeze was delighted. He could finally make his alchemical notebook!

Sprout gave Breeze an amused look. She didn't know why he'd suddenly become so... genuine, as if he'd opened his heart to the world, but she was glad to see it. It only deepened her regret that Breeze had been sorted into Slytherin.

Breeze loved plants and would clearly have suited Hufflepuff, though... perhaps this was all part of his pursuit of power and the security it gave him.

Professor Sprout felt a little troubled. Should she tell Dumbledore about Breeze's situation...?

No, better not. Breeze would be a good boy. Sprout thought she would take care of him. Educating young wizards was her responsibility, after all. What did Dumbledore know? All he did was eat sweets all day.

"Now then, I'd like Mr. Breeze Order to help his Herbology professor tend the plants. They'll be happy to have you."

"Of course. I'd be glad to help you, Professor Sprout."

Only after Breeze left the greenhouse did his smile fade. He hadn't been grinning broadly, only smiling faintly, but that was enough to draw attention.

Quite a few people were still walking outside the snow-covered entrance to Hogwarts Castle.

"Breeze?"

Hermione noticed the smile Breeze had just wiped from his face and looked puzzled. She thought something about him seemed different.

"You seem a little strange today. You're not someone who drank Polyjuice Potion and turned into him, are you?"

Hermione knew that Polyjuice Potion could turn someone into a specific person. All you needed was a strand of hair from them as the key ingredient.

"I'm Breeze, Hermione... I don't think anyone would turn into me and wander around Hogwarts."

Hermione's expression turned odd. She said without a second thought, "I think Breeze Order wandering around Hogwarts would be the strange thing. You ought to be in the library or somewhere, hiding away with a book."

Well, Breeze's bookworm image was firmly ingrained in everyone's minds, but that didn't matter.

"Mm-hmm, you can guess whatever you like." Breeze smiled and let that pass. "Welcome back, Miss Granger. You came back a day early after a lovely Christmas."

Hermione blushed. Breeze was terrible at changing the subject.

"I just worry that those two idiots, Harry and Ron, won't find anything about Nicolas Flamel."

Thinking about Nicolas Flamel made Hermione angry.

"Those two didn't listen to a word I said. They spent the whole holiday playing!"

Without Hermione leading the way, the other two wouldn't go to the library on their own. Hermione knew it was difficult for them, but she hadn't expected them to give up on the very first day.

"Don't be angry. If you want to know about Nicolas Flamel, I can tell you."

Breeze's gaze grew distant. He didn't want to think too much about why the Savior was involved in this. It was probably Dumbledore's doing, though the reason was unclear... unclear?

"Hermione, why are you trying to stop... Snape from taking the Sorcerer's Stone?"

Breeze stared into Hermione's eyes. His serious expression made her pause and think it over. That was right—why were they trying to stop Snape?

Breeze looked at Hermione strangely.

"Was it just because everyone said Harry Potter was the Savior, so he really thought he was an emissary of justice, while you and Weasley cast yourselves as his righteous companions? Don't you think that's childish?"

"If you ask me, Harry Potter just wants to be an ordinary student. That would make him happiest."

"Besides, this is Hogwarts, and Dumbledore is the greatest White Wizard of the century."

Before Hermione could say anything, Breeze told her that Nicolas Flamel was an Alchemy master who had lived for six hundred years.

"The Sorcerer's Stone was made by Nicolas Flamel, who's a friend of Dumbledore's. The Sorcerer's Stone can turn metal into gold, and it can also be used to make the Elixir of Life..."

When he was done, Breeze didn't wait for Hermione to respond. He walked around her, crossed the corridor, and entered the Great Hall.

Thanks to everyone for reading, voting, and tipping. Dahua still loves you all...