9 CHAPTER 9
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CHAPTER 9
Elmi was well aware that convincing his mother to send him to a school located so far from the Fawley Estate was going to take some persuasion. Their family home was situated near the border of Scotland, making it quite a journey to London. He was determined to have a say in the matter.
"If I have to attend a muggle school, I want to choose it myself," he asserted.
His mother, Elizabeth, saw his ploy as a delay tactic. She knew her son well and recognized this as an attempt to waste time and avoid school as long as possible.
"Why does it matter which school you go to, Elminster? Are you trying to make things difficult for the sake of it?"
Elmi defended his stance, pushing back gently, "I'm not doing it to be difficult. If I don't have a say in it, I'll refuse to go altogether. I want to attend a school in London."
Elizabeth let out a weary sigh, trying to reason with her son, "Elmi, you are a child who never causes any problems. Why are you being like this? Do you realize how far London is from our home?"
She thought that explaining the distance would deter him from his wishes, but Elmi was quick to point out their magical abilities.
"Mother, why should the distance matter? We're wizards and witches; distance is nothing to us. It's a problem for the muggles, not us. I can use the Floo Network daily, and you or Uncle Marshall could take me with you when Apparating."
Elizabeth couldn't refute this argument and had to concede. "Very well. I'll get you the brochures of the schools in London. You have one week to decide."
Elmi had successfully asserted his desire to have a say in his own education.
...
A few days later, Elizabeth returned with approximately 30 school brochures. Elminster eagerly took them from her, sifting through them quickly. However, he noticed that St. Grogory's Primary School's brochure was missing from the stack.
"Is this everything? Aren't there more brochures? Are there truly just 30 schools in all of London?" he inquired.
Elizabeth, still somewhat skeptical of her son's intentions, responded, "Your uncle is in the process of collecting more. I still don't understand why it matters so much to you. I'm beginning to think you're using this as an excuse to procrastinate."
Elmi's frustration with the situation boiled over, and he retorted, "I am not. You're the one who's forcing me to attend a muggle school. I simply want to find one that's more welcoming and where the students might be a bit more educated and intelligent than those in the countryside. I may not look down on muggles, but I do hold the countryside hicks in lower regard."
A few days later, Elminster's uncle returned with an additional 20 brochures. Among this new batch, much to Elminster's relief was the brochure for St. Grogory's Primary School. St. Grogory's Primary School was renowned for its elite status.
The Dursleys chose to send Harry there not because of their concern for his education but rather to maintain their social reputation and avoid any potential gossip or damage to their standing in the community. If not, they would never allow their prized little piglet to go to the same school as Harry.
The St. Grogory's Primary School, as depicted in the brochure, looked truly impressive. The grand, centuries-old building had an imposing facade made of weathered brown bricks. Its arched windows were adorned with ornate, stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the interior. Ivy climbed gracefully up the walls, giving it a sense of history and elegance. The school's exterior was surrounded by lush, meticulously maintained gardens and a charming cobblestone pathway leading up to the main entrance. Tall, wrought-iron gates added a touch of security to the whole scene.
Elminster played with the brochures, making it seem as though he was genuinely considering each school. After a day or two, he approached his mother with the brochure of St. Grogory's Primary School in hand.
"Mother," he said, his tone more composed and resolute, "I've made my choice. I believe St. Grogory's is the school I'd like to attend."
Elmi's mother examined the brochure he presented. To her, the choice of the school didn't matter much since his primary education was going to happen at Hogwarts. What truly mattered was the underlying purpose of sending her son to a muggle school – to foster understanding and empathy for muggles.
"Very well, Elmi," she said, her tone softening, "I may not fully grasp your reasons for choosing this one, but as long as you're willing to go there, it doesn't matter. If St. Grogory's is where you wish to go, we'll make it happen."
...
A few days later, Elizabeth took Elmi and Apparated to an alley adjacent to the school. They strolled through the wrought-iron black gates and made their way to the main building along the cobblestoned road. The grandeur of St. Grogory's Primary School loomed ahead.
Headmistress Clara Roemmele's office was a cozy, well-lit room filled with muggle curiosities for his mother, but he knew what they were. Shelves adorned with books lined the walls, and a large oak desk sat in the center, neatly organized. A framed portrait of the school's founder hung above the fireplace. Elminster sat quietly in a comfortable armchair, observing the conversation between his mother and the headmistress.
Headmistress Clara Roemmele of St. Grogory's Primary School was a stern and austere figure in late 1980s England. Her demeanor was icy and unwavering, with a penchant for strict adherence to school rules and academic discipline. She maintained an impeccable appearance, with her hair pulled back into a severe bun, which accentuated her sharp features. Her cold, calculating eyes behind narrow spectacles could instill a sense of dread in even the most mischievous students. Headmistress Roemmele was a no-nonsense educator who demanded excellence and compliance, making her a formidable presence in the realm of primary education.
She sat in a perfectly straight manner behind her perfectly organized desk. "Mrs. Fawley, it's lovely to meet you. How can St. Grogory's Primary School assist you and your son?"
Elizabeth nodded with a warm smile. "Thank you, Headmistress Roemmele. I'm interested in enrolling my son, Elminster, here. He's shown an eagerness to attend your school, and I want him to have a good education."
Clara scribbled a note on a pad. "That's wonderful to hear. We believe in providing a nurturing environment for our young minds. Could you tell me more about your son?" She lowered her glasses and looked at Elmi with sharp eyes.
"Elminster is a bright and inquisitive child. He's always had a fascination with learning and a love for books. We believe that a mugg... I mean, a good education will help him better understand the world around him and develop empathy for others."
Clara smiled. "That's precisely what we aim to instill in our students, Mrs. Fawley. At St. Grogory's, we emphasize not just academics but character development. I'm sure Elminster will thrive here."
"I'm glad to hear that. If there's anything we can do to support his education, please let us know. I want him to get the best experience possible."
Clara nodded, "Rest assured, Mrs. Fawley. We'll do our best to provide a supportive and enriching environment for your son. Now, let's discuss the enrollment process and any specific needs he might have."
...
After completing Elmi's enrollment at St. Grogory's Primary School, they returned to the Fawley Estate with all the necessary supplies for the upcoming semester. Elmi had decided not to skip a grade; if he was going to do this, he wanted to do it properly. Being the same age as Harry Potter, he would be in the same grade as him. However, they might not end up in the same classroom, as there were four different first-grade classrooms.
Elmi sat cross-legged on the floor of his room. His small hand clutched his wand; however, he often found wand magic to be a bit frustrating. Even with proper form, his young body lacked the magical strength needed for most spells. For now, he could manage only the basics - producing soft light, making minor repairs, and achieving a feeble levitation charm.
But Elmi was determined to push his magical boundaries. He had two primary focuses, the first being an ambitious attempt to transform his uncontrolled, accidental magic into something more precise and controlled. He sought to master the art of wandless magic, a challenge that had only yielded minimal success so far. Progress was frustratingly slow, measured in millimeters rather than strides.
His second concentration was on a more abstract and mysterious aspect of magic - the winds of magic. Through diligent meditation and persistent experimentation, he delved into his existing knowledge of his five spells, hoping to uncover new variations and techniques. The endeavor was as challenging as his wandless magic attempts, and it showed as little progress as the other one, but this helped another aspect: his magical prowess over winds of magic was improving with each passing month.
As he continued to cast spells on various creatures and objects, Elmi felt his control steadily improving. With unwavering determination, he honed his burgeoning magical talents.
As Elmi attempted to focus on his meditation, a soft, persistent nudge on his knee disrupted his concentration. Turning his attention, he discovered his growing kneazle, Byakko, who was eagerly seeking attention. Byakko was a remarkable creature with a voracious appetite and striking black stripes, resembling a miniature tiger, which had inspired her name. This lazy bum wouldn't move if she didn't want to, even if it was the end of the world.
In their companionship, it often felt like Byakko was the owner, and Elmi was the one who needed to earn Byakko's favor rather than the other way around. Playtime occurred at her discretion, and she would seldom heed his commands. Yet, she was a loyal and vigilant companion. Whenever he ventured outside, she would quietly follow, ensuring she never lost sight of what she considered her own, but sometimes it felt more like she was seeing Elmi as her belonging.
She was fiercely independent, a trait not uncommon among kneazles. Her willful nature was evident in everything she did. Byakko had a fondness for lounging in the sun, often stretching out in an almost regal manner. Her favorite napping spots included the windowsill, where she could bask in the warm rays of the sun or on Elmi's lap. She would come down from where she was whenever he sat down and sat on his lap.
She often appeared to understand more than she let on, reacting to subtle changes in Elmi's mood. When he was upset or stressed from his magical practice, she would curl up next to him, offering silent companionship.
As the days passed, Elmi grew fonder of Byakko's quirks, appreciating her unique personality that added a touch of enchantment to his daily life. Their bond continued to deepen as they navigated life together.
