What preparations?
Naturally, preparations to forge a connection with the fire element.
If the apprentices had previously felt little about this task—perhaps only a sense of novelty at the prospect of mastering a new element—that had now utterly changed.
The long night, the dark journey, the helpless predicaments, and the safety brought by firelight and flames—especially when the eight-eyed spiders attacked, the sight of those swarming spiderlings cowering before the fire—had etched itself deeply into each apprentice's memory.
No matter how dissatisfied Harry was with the trial's difficulty, compared to this ordeal, the process of bonding with the earth element had been almost laughably simple. Just drink a potion, close your eyes, and search. Some apprentices, now in their second year, could barely recall how they had first connected with the earth element.
But no one would forget what happened this night.
"Drink," Harry said, handing out vials of Fire Spirit Pact potion to each apprentice. "Carry your insights and let your emotions guide you—seek out the fire element's presence."
Without needing a second prompt, each apprentice eagerly uncorked their vial and drank.
They wanted to wield fire's power like Ronan the centaur—not just to burn things with a spell like Incendio, but to command flames freely, safely, even to wear them like a cloak, keeping those wretched spiderlings at bay.
Ronan's actions had left a profound impression on the apprentices. The sense of security fire offered fueled their desire for its power.
Before the massive bonfire, the apprentices closed their eyes, seeking traces of the fire element. It was a process that demanded focus and feeling.
The centaurs began softly humming their ancient songs. Harry couldn't understand the language unique to their kind, but he felt the music's beauty—an ancient beauty conveyed through melody.
"I think this trial could become a tradition, a ritual," Triton said softly, turning to Harry as he watched the solemn apprentices. "In return, Firenze and Ronan will join you as representatives. They'll follow your commands and learn from you."
"What do you think, Headmaster Dumbledore?" Harry asked calmly.
"Why not?" came the reply.
With those words, a figure appeared where none had stood before.
Clad in a deep purple robe—perhaps the most subdued of Dumbledore's nighttime attire—he dispelled his Disillusionment Charm and surveyed the apprentices.
There was no need for suspicion; Dumbledore had been safeguarding the group the entire time. From the start, he had concealed himself with the charm, trailing the apprentices to observe. This wasn't a lack of trust in Harry. In truth, most professors would never get approval for a lesson involving students—some as young as second-years—trekking through half the Forbidden Forest at night. If someone like Lockhart had proposed it, Professor McGonagall would have torn into him like a storm.
Dumbledore was simply cautious, wanting to ensure the safety of Harry's class and gauge the students' reactions… and perhaps the centaurs' as well.
"Much as I hate to admit it, Triton, I'm getting old—and so are you," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. "When we first met, you weren't yet your tribe's chieftain. Your beard wasn't so long, nor so white."
"I was young then, Dumbledore," Triton replied with a wistful smile. "But I remember clearly—you already had a head full of white hair and a white beard."
"Thank you for reminding me how much time has passed," Dumbledore said with a humorous glint. "Time moves too quickly, changes too swiftly. Last year, I didn't have to think about what elements are, what they could bring, or how they might affect us."
"The stars shift daily, and the centaurs have lost their gift of prophecy," Triton said with a deep sigh.
"The stars are changing? The centaurs have lost their foresight?" Dumbledore's smile faded, his brow furrowing. "Why?"
Given his past, Dumbledore believed in prophecies.
"Just as you heard, Dumbledore—we can no longer read the stars," Triton said, his face heavy with worry. "Since hearing the elements' voices, I've performed countless divinations for the tribe. Many centaurs have joined me in observing the stars for guidance, but we see only darkness."
Dumbledore fell silent, lost in thought.
"Divination is merely a guide. Even without it, we must live on," Harry said, shaking his head. "As the elements awaken, more wizards will emerge, and Muggles won't remain blind to the anomalies in their lives."
"Even the dimmest person would notice something's wrong when their bowl of milk suddenly leaps up and runs away," Harry continued. "In the future, the Memory Charm squads won't be able to keep up."
"Wizards and Muggles," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "That question has troubled many for decades… But it's good that centaurs can reconnect with wizards through the elements. It might help you find a new place in this changing future."
"I've founded an organization called the Earthen Ring," Harry said, sensing Dumbledore's reluctance to dwell on the wizard-Muggle divide. Turning to Triton, he continued, "It's unaffiliated with any faction or politics. Only shaman priests may join, and we'll face the world with neutrality."
"Our mission is to awaken the elements, maintain their balance, and heal a wounded world. Will you join us?"
"Neutrality," Triton mused, then smiled. "The centaurs will lend their strength to such a noble cause. I'll also work to persuade other centaur tribes to spread the shaman's path."
"Thank you," Harry said with a nod.
As they spoke, a small flame suddenly flickered to life before Ron, who opened his eyes, staring at the fire hovering above his palm. He felt its heat, distinct from the massive bonfire nearby.
"I did it, Harry!" Ron blurted, forgetting to address Harry as his mentor in his excitement. He glanced around, confirming he was the only one with a flame while the others still had their eyes closed. "I'm the first! Harry! I'm the first!"
His red hair seemed to glow even brighter in his excitement, his whole body trembling.
Me! Ronald Weasley! The first shaman apprentice at Hogwarts to bond with the fire element!
Beaming with pride.
"Congratulations, Ron," Harry said with a smile. "Looks like the fire element really likes you."
Almost at the same time, Luna opened her eyes. Unlike Ron, she didn't shout in excitement but continued quietly conversing with her new elemental friend.
"It wasn't easy, not easy at all," Ron said, nearly tearing up. "I thought fire would be like earth. Last year, it took me a whole year to meet the earth element… That was rough…"
He recalled last year, sporting Ragehorn yet only able to watch enviously as his friends played with their earth elements or practiced spells. He remembered the castle's whispers—those nasty rumors claiming he hadn't even bonded with the earth element but got into the shaman club through Harry's favor. Now, Ron felt vindicated.
At least the fire element hadn't made him wait a full year. He was practically in tears.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, what are you doing here?" Ron asked, wiping away joyful tears and noticing the old man chuckling at him.
"Oh, I'm here to witness this," Dumbledore said, nodding toward the massive bonfire. "Everything that's happened tonight is worth remembering, isn't it, Mr. Weasley?"
"Absolutely," Ron said, nodding vigorously. "I'll never forget tonight—it's just too cool!"
Ron wasn't alone in feeling this way. One by one, Harry's apprentices opened their eyes, each having forged a connection with the fire element. They marveled at the small flames floating before them, like children with new toys—er, new friends.
It was a strange sensation. They were certain the flames were real—hot, capable of burning—but when they reached into the fire, their fingers felt no pain, their skin unmarred.
This was an experience Incendio could never provide. No wizard would be foolish enough to cast a fire spell on themselves.
"Don't do anything reckless," Harry warned as his apprentices giggled with glee. "Bonding with the fire element doesn't make you immune to burns. Look closely—your fingers aren't actually touching the flames. They're avoiding you."
"…You're right!" Padma Patil blinked. "They're bending away from our fingers."
"Don't play with fire!"
At Harry's stern warning, the apprentices dispersed their flames. Unlike Dotty, Hermione's earth elemental, fire wasn't something they could casually keep around. Its good temper was a courtesy to their shaman status, but accidentally burning something valuable would be a hassle.
"You've successfully bonded with the fire element—well done," Harry said loudly. "In an era where the elements are still awakening, you, as pioneers, have a unique talent for the shaman's path. But that doesn't mean you can grow complacent."
Like any teacher, Harry urged his apprentices to stay humble.
"As I've always told you, everything has many facets. Even the fire element, the most volatile and temperamental, isn't just about destruction and chaos," Harry said earnestly. "Yes, a forest fire is a disaster for its creatures and plants."
"But did you know? Land scorched by fire becomes more fertile. The forest that regrows is healthier, brimming with life."
"Fire clears away dead wood and decayed leaves. It's a force of life and creation, too—a truth you must feel with your heart," Harry said with a smile. "I can only teach you the basics. The shaman's path is profound, a lifelong journey of learning and understanding."
"Remember, everything is interconnected. They repel each other, but no force can exist without its opposite," Harry continued, sharing his long-held insights. "The four elements—and not just the ones you know—wizards, humans, all things seek to destroy their opposites."
"But you must never forget: their meaning lies in that opposition. Light and shadow, fire and water."
"Never forget that."
As Harry's words fell, his apprentices and the listening centaurs bowed slightly, honoring his wisdom and beliefs.
His reflections on balance resonated deeply with the centaurs.
Worthy of the Chosen One!
The trial—though not as challenging as Harry had hoped, under such close supervision—was complete.
After the ceremony, Harry summoned a massive air elemental to escort his apprenticeship back to Hogwarts. He could tell Dumbledore had been holding something back, though the old man had restrained himself.
Now, it was time to speak.
"In theory, Hogwarts' headmaster shouldn't interfere with a professor's lesson plans," Dumbledore said, standing beside Harry, emphasizing in theory. "Every professor has their own methods, and magic has no fixed form. But assigning 'hunting eight-eyed spiders' as homework is… a bit unusual."
"Unusual how?" Harry asked, surprised. "I think it's perfect. The Forbidden Forest's spider population is culled, giving other creatures breathing room. Hogwarts students won't risk stumbling into the forest and getting killed by spiders."
"My apprentices get practical training—knowledge, willpower, and combat skills all improve. They can even sell the spider venom for a hundred Galleons a pint," Harry said, clearly pleased. "It gives them pocket money and fosters independence. Couldn't be more perfect."
Dumbledore: "…"
He could tell Harry saw this as a multi-faceted, brilliant plan. Even Dumbledore had to admit, if it went as planned, the students would indeed grow stronger.
"I'll grant there's some merit to your points, Harry," Dumbledore said with a wry smile. "But have you considered—they're still children. Eight-eyed spiders are highly dangerous. Many adult wizards can't handle them."
"Then they can start with the smaller ones," Harry said calmly. "From the moment they became my apprentices, they stopped being ordinary wizards. They have a mission to fulfill."
"Of course, if they don't want to, I won't force them. They can leave my class," Harry reassured Dumbledore. "You know the power shamans wield can change the world. I can't entrust it to those unprepared or unwilling to bear that responsibility."
"For now, they can hone themselves by protecting their environment," Harry said with a smile. "Eight-eyed spiders are a great target—varied in strength, perfect for gradual growth. Don't worry, I've considered safety."
The apprentices could start with small spiders, then move to medium ones, and finally tackle full-grown ones—step by step, building skill.
Leveling up through combat? Azeroth's adventurers would approve.
"You're not treating them as students, Harry," Dumbledore said after a long look, sighing. "You're shaping them into warriors."
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