Harry Potter, Sovereign - Chapter 28

Their planning discussion ended before lunch. After eating, Harry decided to spend the rest of the day in a calm area. As he moved toward the edge of the property, he was joined by Camille.

“Are you going somewhere Harry?”

“Yeah. I’m going to the pond. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place, and after the excitement of the last few days I want to relax.”

“Do you mind if I come with you?”

“Not at all.”

They left together. At first they were silent, then they started to talk.

“You know” started Harry with a thoughful face, “Ever since you’ve arrived, we’ve been busy taking care of my immediate problems. I’ve never really took the time to ask you… any of you, how you were doing. And out of everyone, I’ve spent the less time with you. So… How are you doing?”

She gave him a small smile before responding.

“You have always been kind and courteous, and you relaxed since then, but you still maintain some distance between us. Your lack of familiarity toward us is one of the reason I decided to seek you. Even now, you sought solitude instead of socializing with one of us.”

Harry was surprised by what he was hearing, and slowed his pace. She matched him.

“Ever since you summoned us, you have been reserved with us. I am not well versed in the magical arts, but from what I understood, your magic answered to your intent and your needs. You felt abandonned by the people you were familiar with, so magic searched for someone beyond your world. It selected us. But it isn’t all that had happened.”

“What do you mean?”

“The magic did not just take us without a simple by-your-leave. We could have refused. After all, an unwilling person would have been poor help for you. But we did not. We answered the call. We are here by choice, for you. Do not keep us at arm lengh, do not be afraid to get closer to us.”

“I didn’t realise that… I guess somewhere in my heart I was still wary. Sorry about that.”

“Thank you, and I understand you had a lot on your mind as well. To answer your initial question, I am fine for the time being. I do feel a little confined, and want to be more active.”

“I’m not sure about what can be done yet” he said with a hint of nervousness and embarrass.e.m.e.nt in his tone.

“You have been quite curious about my condition since the beginning, but stayed quiet. Do not hesitate to ask questions, I do not mind enlightening you.”

Harry hesitated for a few seconds, and nodded.

“What led to you becoming the way you are now? With an artificial body?”

“To make a long story short, I was too weak. My family was a wealthy one, and our wealth came from our hextech materials business. We had rivals and enemies, and it was my duty to protect the family. I couldn’t do it with just my skill, so I requested hextech body augmentation to exceed my limits. While most of my body was replaced with hextech parts, the rest, like my brain, remain original.”

“… Are all of your physical sensations still the same?”

“No. My sight and hearing are better. My sense of smell, taste and touch aren’t stronger, but they are more precise. I am much less s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e to heat and cold, and except for a few areas, I no longer feel pain.”

“Don’t you regret not being able to eat and drink? That sort of thing?”

“A little.” A hint of melancholy passed in her face. “But my condition doesn’t stop me from appreciating a good cup of tea. It is one of the few thing I enjoy, alongside a walk. That is the second reason I decided to accompany you.”

“I see. Then it’s a good thing we have Dobby now, because I’m pants at making tea” he said while grinning a little. “You, Caitlyn and Vi come from an industrial city in your former world, right? I’m guessing you’re not that comfortable in a purely magical environment?”

“Indeed” she replied with a small nod. “Your non-magical world fascinate us. We would love to spend more time there.”

“Your world’s hextech fascinate me in return. It’s combining technology and magic, something that is hard to accomplish here, and is considered by the general population as impossible.”

“Do you wish to learn? While it isn’t my speciality, I am very well versed in the subject.”

“I would love to” he instantly replied. “I can barely imagine the potential it has. So many things made by the non-magical people, that could be used and improved with magic” he said with some anticipation and wonder, before deflating a little. “But I don’t think I’ll have the time. I’m alreay going to be busy enough with my wizard and magus training. Besides, my non-magical education is lacking, I have 4 years to catch up to in sciences.”

“I do not like that idea of stopping an educational subject halfway” she said in a slightly stern tone. “But considering everything you said, and what we learned of the subjects, you should completly drop divination and history of magic.”

“Are you serious?” Harry asked, while gapping at her.

“I certainly am. This is another thing for you to learn about me: it isn’t in my nature to make jokes” she said while looking at him in the eyes. “You are wasting your time with them” she returned her gaze forward. “I would also suggest herbology and care of magical creatures, because while usefull, you do not need them. With those 4 disciplines out of the way, you could use the time to study sciences and learn hextech, and further your magus studies.”

“That’s…”

“I understand that your care of magical creature is taugh by your friend, the half-giant. Rubeus Hagrid?” Harry nodded. “You do not need to go to his class to be his friend. Don’t you usually visit him outside of class hours? That is enough. You have more important things to do and to worry about.”

“Why didn’t you suggest I drop potions?”

“Skills in potions are required for important jobs like healer, auror and curse-breaker. A good grade in your potion OWL would be well received. And with the coming war, you may want to be able to make your own potions rather than rely on an external supplier.”

“I see. I’d like to discuss this with the rest of the girls later, but I like your idea.”

“Thank you.”

They continued their walk with lighter topics of discussion, and enjoyed the peace of the pond before returning at dusk.