After I explained to Hermione about Enhancing and Modifying, and suggested we use them on her, she — of course, she did — began asking meticulous questions about analogs and probable sources of such abilities.
It didn't take long before she began asking about The Worm, Entities, and creating various theories about the malevolent nature of my power source which 'doesn't want to just provide a reasonable solution against the Others and make things good and just.'
After a long battle of arguments, I finally managed to convince her that it is what it is. That, because of a single source, the possibility of malevolent tampering with Power Manipulations just cannot be much different from the possibilities of malevolent tampering with her essentially revival. And that, despite such possibilities still being plausible, we just don’t have the luxury to squander opportunities related to our main tool. Including delays backed only by guesswork.
"And you’re just going to give away Enhancing and Modifying to me?" she asked suspiciously.
"Who else can I give them to?"
"Max, without any conditions?" she asked seriously.
"I already answered that," I replied. "If it were Luna Lovegood in your place, I might have considered some proposals, but as I said, what I know about you tells me it’s a bad idea."
"It’s... I should probably be flattered, but it still feels... reductive. Why exactly shouldn’t I be offered the same thing as Luna? Not that I’d agree to something like that... but it’s just an offer, after all..." Hermione asked by mixed confusion and slight dissatisfaction voice.
"What do you mean by ‘something like that’?”
It took Hermione a few seconds to remember that the "proposals" I mentioned had nothing to do with sex. Her face slightly flushed, and she quickly began to make excuses: "I mean, if you offered me something like THAT, I wouldn’t agree! Sooner or later, you would have suggested something similar, right? Wait, you said ’I already answered that!’ But similar things you mentioned only in the context of sex, so you really did mean inappropriate proposals!" she accused, pointing at me and pouting.
”Maybe?" I calmly shrugged, confirming confirming one of the theories of why I chose as my companion exactly Hermione Granger. Among other things, because of the colossal potential for teasing.
"Maybe? But... Be serious! So why are such offers possible for others, but not for me?!" she demanded.
I sighed. "Let's talk about the sexuality of the approximately 25th most popular female character when we have a little less urgent problems. Okay?"
"What?! Why am I only 25th?! You said I was almost perfect in the movie!" she panicked.
’It’s SO MUCH fun that it should be illegal!’
"Later. We'll talk about Hermione Granger's sex life later."
"Fine!" she said grumpily, not for a moment questioning the importance of discussing her character’s sex life, which DARED not to be perfect.
’10 lewd points to Hermione Granger...’
Soon, I confirmed that I could open and close the Enhancing and Modifying windows as many times as I wanted, and we began discussing their contents in detail.
Initially, I expected that, just like with Copying, Enhancing and Modifying would offer a selection of superpowers, but thematic ones. But it turned out only partly right.
The Enhancing page listed all of Hermione’s magical abilities and essentially allowed for a one-time permanent enhancement of one of them by a fixed quantitative or qualitative bonus.
The Modifying page also listed the same things, but with the ability to add additional, perk-like modifiers to any of the entries. With their total strength and quantity determined by the total-effect scale at the bottom. For example, with the possibility to add a costly wandless or nonverbal effect to all charms. Or to add two effects to Apparition: togglable 2-second invisibility effect, and universal protection against 'splinching.'
Then followed at least an hour of discussions about the best choices and their combinations. First and foremost, of course, about the seemingly cheating nature of transfiguration. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a bit more complicated than I had hoped.
"I know what you're thinking," Hermione sighed. "I thought similar things during the first two school years. But transfiguration... to put Gamp's Law in a few words, transfiguration is more like physical illusions than actual physical transformations.
Magic and a wizard's determination saturate the object and make it resemble something else. The more similar the forms and the simpler the transformation - the easier it is and the longer it lasts.
But since the object becomes — to put it simply — magic, this transformation starts to be tied to all the limitations associated with magic. For example, the more actions are performed on it — even by something as simple as just looking — the more unstable it becomes. Which not only increase the risk of sudden reversion, but also the possibility of disappearing, exploding, and very rarely, of a permanent transformation. Like it happened with the Quintapeds, and according to some researchers – many other magical beasts. It gets even worse when the transfigured object interacts with other magic, when..."
"Wait," I interrupted her lecture mode and guided her to more practical topics. "So, the transfigured item is magic. But wouldn't such magic should be much more expensive, in terms of a wizard's magic? After all, this is essentially the analog of enchanting."
"Transfiguration magic is possible only because it creates physical illusions partially, temporarily, on a congenial framework, and where the surrounding magic continues to support them, even if just a little. For example, potions made from a grass that was transfigured from one type to another will have properties closer to the original grass, not the new one, but only until the moment of its use, when things usually go horribly wrong. Or... yes, it’s a perfect example, stone transfigured into a tree in a forest, even a non-magical one, will last longer than if such transfiguration took place in the city. Longer even if immediately after transfiguration it was taken from the forest to the city."
"Still, a transfigured barrel of gunpowder would still explode?" I asked.
"Yes. Yet there’s also a slight chance it might not only explode but also spread a kind of natural curse in the wind. Or something worse. Transfiguration isn’t popular not only because it’s one of the most difficult — perhaps even the most difficult — branches of magic, requiring an unprecedented understanding of even Muggle sciences, but also because its results are unstable and dangerous. Not predictably dangerous, like chemistry, but unpredictably dangerous."
"And what about this. Theoretically, a wizard who understands all the necessary principles and magic could transfigure a large hill into a massive wind turbine?" I refused to let go such an extremely appealing idea.
"Yes, but a smart and powerful wizard would never do that. I don't know what you know about magic, but magic... ah, yes, I think I understand now, your perception about magic is based on magic you saw at Hogwarts! When... let's say, basic charms was like water which slowly flows through very deep straight and rounded grooves. When more complex magic flows much faster and through much more angled grooves, therefore, if not carefully calculated overflowing them and, if we transfer this example to an electronics - short circuit.
A powerful wizard, of course, can create a wind turbine from a large hill. Which is rather a good idea, because a large hill already has a long 'relationship' with wind. Yet, it will create many risks for the wizard. Such a transfiguration would require a lot of his magic, therefore create a vulnerable to hexes link between wind turbine and wizard.
Also, because of the size and magic potency, the wind turbine's magic will attract local magic which... perhaps would stabilize the transfiguration, perhaps would destabilize and 'recoil' at the wizard, perhaps transfiguration suddenly would be transferred to a random mole under it, creating a new magical species. Who knows what? You understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes. And such things don't happen with potions and enchantments because of...?"
"Because such magic isn't used for creation. Of physical illusions. But for enhancing. Of one, rarely two, VERY rarely more, already existing properties. The first is like creating a machine from energy. The second is like powering a machine, or part of a machine, with more of energy."
After at least another hour of discussing transfiguration, herbology — which had very tempting mutational bonuses — and enhancing — also with great bonuses about reduction of minimal quality of materials — we concluded that right now there was nothing more important than discovering the last unknown Modifier via divination.
Therefore, soon a Modifying charge was used on Hermione’s — according to her, a "pathetic" — Divination by ’Stability and Potency of Ritualistic Search types of Divination’ perk-like bonus.
An Enhancing charge was used to improve her 'Speed of Environmental Magic Absorption and Adoption,' already existing parameter. A sort of mana regeneration equivalent.
"I feel the Enhancing effect," Hermione reported. "It's like constant sips of hot cocoa in the cold, fairly... a nice feeling."
"How much has it sped up your recovery?"
"I’m not sure. I’ve never felt anything like this before... I think that the ’strain’ I’m experiencing has two natures.
The first is some ’magical hunger,’ which is rapidly being satisfied right now. The second is, I think, not a magical effect but a physical injury caused by the backlash from too much polimod... bad... foci... a wand," Hermione said.
"So we didn’t waste the effect of Enhancing?"
"No, no. I’m not sure how to describe it, but I think that what I had before in place of such a feeling now at least five times better," she said by firm and apologetical tone.
"Alright, let’s wait another 15 minutes just to be sure about physical ’strain,’ okay?"
"I think it won't hurt.”
"Then feel free to ask me anything. Literally anything," I promised her, and after that, we had a rather chaotic interrogation about things ranging from Harry Potter’s scar Horcrux to the real parents of her second body.
At the same time, at her instructions and with her very careful use of lumos, I created two identical magic wands for her, both from aspen tree heartwood with dragonglass wand cores — according to Hermione's, with amenable 'resonating' and very rigid 'conduction' properties.
And a small 'crystal ball' from — fortunately found among the samples brought by Maester Luwin — pieces of quartz stone.
"How do you feel?"
"My magic... stocks? Which I think I always had... but which was always full because of the dense magical environment that was superimposed on me as natural conduct own—"
"Hermione... I don’t know how you slept yesterday, but I had no more than 5 hours of it, and today will have even less, if any."
"Oh, sorry Max, this just... fascinating... I restore my magic — mana? — just a little slower than used by lumos. 'Strain' is still there, but now I'm sure it's fully physical."
"Then let’s try something more complex than lumos. For example, a contraceptive spell, you know something like that, right?"
"Yes... however, only for up to two days. Such prolonged effects are only fully safe for potions," she said shyly.
"Great," I encouraged her. She nodded, pointed her wand at my chest, made a few subtle movements, and said, "Sterilio!"
"Thank you, Hermione."
"You’re welcome, Max. I still stand by my words about the magic of this world, it... awful... not only because of its bad responsiveness, but also because it’s... just wrong...
But with a good wand and the Enhancing effect, it’s no longer like a vampire desperately trying to suck out all my blood. Now it’s more like a swarm of small mosquitoes. It’s unpleasant, yet no more than that. At least with such simple spells."
‘I hope her analogy is just that, an analogy. Because, if I think about it, I can’t think of a single example of magic in this world that undoubtedly isn’t tied to the expenditure of any biological aspect, especially blood and life.’
"And how much time you need for full restoration right now, and how many such spells you can make from such state? Approximately, of course."
”Perhaps 2 minutes. And no less than 5 such spells. However, I think that with each spell my conditions will worsen.”
"Lumos is light. Sterilio is biology. Both are quite close to the repertoire of the local deities. While your attempt at repelling muggles was likely aimed at those who aren't typical muggles..." I shared my theory regarding possible root causes of strong recoil. "So, let's try something else, more neutral. For example, a spell that dampens the sound of our voices. That shouldn't affect Divination, right?"
"Maybe," Hermione answered thoughtfully. "It shouldn't," she added uncertainly, looking at me for confirmation. Already partially seeing me as the more knowledgeable expert about completely unknown and uncertain situations. At least until my first major fuckup.
After receiving my nod, she cast "Quiendus," which according to her was slightly more unpleasant than the previous two. That again narrowed down the plausible hypotheses regarding laws of local magic.
Then, just to be safe, we talked for another 10 minutes, after which Hermione told me to drip a little blood onto the top of the ball, close my eyes, and begin thinking about the last unknown Modifier and potential future threats.
Which I did.
"Um... The crystal ball works, but it feels completely different then it was in Hogwarts. Not like in a warm bed before sleep, but like under a burning red sun, or near a burning heart. I don't like it... nevertheless, as you said, we don't have a choice.
I’m starting in true. Just in case, under any circumstances, don’t interrupt me and don’t touch me. Whatever happens, let it happen, okay?"
"Aye."
She slightly snorted and immediately, by teacher's sternly voice, said, "Don't do this before divination, never. Think about the last Modifier and potential threats." Then she closed her eyes and concentrated on the crystal ball on the table.
At least one minute nothing happened. Then she started slowly talking.
”I... see... red haze.
It’s viscous and pulsating.
Very hot.
Everything... Hot... Everywhere...
I... I see...
Yes... I see hot... pussy? Yes, pussy!
Rather ugly one.
And another pussy...
They are eating pussies.
Many hot pussies... hordes and swarms of pussies. With so... so many tongues!
Two pussies eat them!
Zebras with pussies. Giraffes with pussies. Ugh... Even monkeys with pussies!
Crocodiles with pussies! Whales with pussies! SHRIMPS and ANTS with pussies!
Hippogriffs with pussies!
First Keep Gargoyles with pussies! Basilisks, cockatrices, hellhounds, manticores, wyverns... All with pussies!
Vast squid with enormous slimy pussies! Orders of magnitude more and orders of magnitude less!
Two pussies eat them all!
Ahead is a pussy deep as a black hole, covering everything in darkness.
Behind is a smaller pussy, but more vicious and toothy... its yellow eyes... it... it growls at me! By pulsating rosy insides! It... It...
GO AWAY UGLY TWAT!!!
No! — no-no-no... — don’t — don’t eat — living and dead — please... — noooo! — no-thing — nothing — NOTHING —
— nothing —
— the burning squid — illuminate the remains of the Crab and the Turtle —
— the Tiger and the Ebony Maiden —
— the Centaur and the Harpy —
— plenty of other faces — plenty of other masks —
— all BURN — over bloody roots — over dead knights —
— Dead Life dancing amidst the slaughterhouse with Living Death —
— Guts in the West — Blood in the North — Dust in the East — Earth in the South —
— Earth, Water, Ice, Fire, Dream —
— Dream of —
— CORPSE! — BIRD! — SKY! — CYCLE! —
— NOTHING!!! — NOTHING!!! —
— AGAINST TWO TWATS!!!"