nexus_crossings | Ceremonial curiosity

Ceremonial curiosity

In the past few years the Nexus has become more of a home for Viatorus than his own world, despite its strange and changeable nature. So then perhaps it is not so odd that he finds himself feeling more comfortable here than there, able to talk to strangers with nary a stutter. Mostly. Though whatever nerves remain they're still a far cry from how he was when he first came here. Now he can sit and think, his head clear and undisturbed by the passers by.

He sits and watches the crowd flow through the streets, shuffling the ring on his ring finger in slow circles. For once he's without a book in hand, not even with a tea nearby. In fact, he looks quite composed for someone so easy to fluster. Perhaps it's the distraction of speculation, for he certainly sounds like he's been mulling over this a while.

"Do you think that ceremonies hold power? Do they influence anything or do you think they're purely symbolic? Are they an expression of hope, or a way of channelling power?"

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Viatorus thinks about thinks for a minute before finally tilting his head at her. "Can you elaborate?"

"I have a good example of a ceremony that is held only because it is tradition."

"In my world, when a student attends Hogwarts in their first year, there is a Sorting Hat ceremony -- where a magical talking hat decides which House that student best fits into. And while it is a ceremony with importance, recently there has been talk of delaying it, until the student is in their Third Year. The tradition is to do the ceremony when the student first arrives. But really... many students don't even fit into the House in which they were sorted right off the start."

"I was a Hat Stall myself."

"And by giving the students time to get used to the classes, and to get to know other students, perhaps delaying the ceremony is the best for better House-to-House relations."

Hermione thinks for a moment. "As for ceremonies that actually hold power... I observe several Samhain rituals. And I believe that those rituals actually strengthen my magic, and give me purpose. The power comes from my very belief in those ceremonies."

"I don't understand. The ceremony of the Sorting Hat still has power. It has the power to influence where a child goes. Even if you delay it, the ceremony will still have power to influence a child's future. Is a ceremony that decides your 'House' so different from the Samhain rituals that influence your life?"

"The problem is that people are more complex than that than just being 'assigned' a house. People are hard to predict or define. And it is only Hogwarts that has a Sorting Hat ceremony. And once you graduate from Hogwarts... those Houses don't really mean anything as you choose a career."

"It is one of the traditions I have been reviewing very carefully. To see if it is still necessary for today's wizard and witch."

"My Samhain rituals actual make a difference to my magic. I can feel the magic strengthen when I observe those rituals. I learn more about magic that has been lost, because I am looking at the old ways."

This time, as he thinks through what she's said, a small frown furrows his brow and he peers into the distance. "I don't imagine that's the point. To define a person entirely. It's to give them a team, a focus, a tool to help them grow. There is no ceremony I know of that encompasses all things except in the vaguest ways."

"For a child, just imagine it." He looks at her again and leans forward, gesturing as he speaks. "Or in your case; Remember. Wasn't it important to you, as a child, to have something to belong to? To have a family away from family? The friends you were introduced to because of the House you were sorted into... Didn't they influence you as you grew? And isn't it true that one person can alter the course of another's life? All this influence decided in one ceremony. I wouldn't call that something without power, or something that doesn't make a difference."

Hermione smiles a little. Remembering her first year at Hogwarts.

"I didn't have much friends at first, since I was so eager to prove my studies to the teachers and other students. Ron, Harry and I didn't become friends, until we had to stand together against an enemy. When they came to my side to protect me."

"If I had been sorted into Ravenclaw, I doubt I would have become one of the 'Golden Trio'."

"It did make a difference." She nods her head. "I just wonder if there is something better, to give focus to the students."

There's a lot of that which goes over his head, but Viatorus nods along regardless. He understands the essence of what she's saying, or can infer some of it, after all, and that's the important part.

"Perhaps, but that's for you to decide. I don't know enough about your world, or the school, to make any sort of suggestion. Though, in my experience, it means a lot to people to have a history they know and can trace back through. It's not something to be taken away lightly."

He hesitates, trying not to nibble on his lip, and tilts his head at her. "Considering everything we've just talked about... Do you still think that there are some ceremonies that are only done out of tradition? That they don't have an influential effect?"

"You should come visit Hogwarts some time. I would love to get a different opinion of some of the courses that are offered there. Make it the best Wizarding School in the country."

Hermione tilts her head. "Is there one in particular that is on your mind?"

"Oh, that would be... interesting." Now that he thinks of it... "I've never been to a school before. Not except to visit professors. Tutors."

"No," he's quick to say. "Ceremonies in general. All of them."

"Do let me know when you want to go. Minerva is very open to visiting dignitaries these days. We are both wanting the best for the school, especially after the war."

"Hmmmm…."

"Oh. How about birthday ceremonies? I do not observe them anymore. But I know for some people, they are important."

"I, ah, would need to bring my sister. Or you would need to discuss security precautions with her. She's my patron, my guard, and every visit I make to another world has to be run by her." Especially with all these mentions of war.

Birthday ceremonies. Alright. "Do you think they're done just out of tradition?"

"I would be happy to speak to her. And arrange a suitable arrangement."

"Yes. I do." Hermione tilts her head. "I don't observe birthdays anymore myself, because when I was younger... I had use of a Time Turner, to allow me to attend a full course of studies in one year. And I aged by a year in that time, even though my friends didn't. So I was older then them, without their knowledge."

"A time turner?" He doesn't recognise the term, but he can speculate to its use. "You had access to time magic? As a child? That allowed you to age by a year? And your teachers allowed it?"

Excuse Viatorus, but he's pretty horrified by the notion. How could people with so many children in their care give out such dangerous magic so recklessly?

"I was 14 at the time. And had to qualify for special permission from the Ministry of Magic." It is not like they were handing them out to everyone.

"Only my Head of House knew I had permission to use one."

Of course this is a world where young wizards and witches had to learn some other dangerous magic during their classes.

Viatorus squints at her. "Does that make it better? They still gave time magic to a child-a teenager. With only one person in the school aware and overseeing you. That's dangerous."

"In my world time magic is universe altering at the best of times. Even seers who only peer into timelines can be driven mad if something goes wrong." And that's the best case scenario... "It even sounds like it left you with a trauma because of it. How can you be casual about its use?"

"I think perhaps it was the least traumatic thing of my time at Hogwarts. I found it a high honor to be entrusted with something of that nature." Hermione noted softly.

"I was a Muggleborn witch who first channeled her powers at age three. And there were so many times when my capability was questioned by others around me."

"And we slowly realize, that we were children fighting a war. We had to learn dangerous spells to survive."

"It does sound like things are different in your world. I would like to learn more, if you are willing to share. Perhaps there are things we can learn from, to ensure future generations don't find themselves in a similar situation."

"Honour doesn't make it any less dangerous, or more suitable for a child," he points out in return. This topic is one of those rare occasions where he's firm and certain. Magic is not to be treated casually, even by mages.

"Well, for one we don't give children universe altering items." His cheeks redden a shade as he realises how sharp he sounds. A poor mimicry of his sister. Staring at his hands as they gesture, he continues, "Everyone has to sit down and study hard like everyone else. In fact young mages in my world rarely use powerful artefacts at all, and even then only under strict supervision. We have to focus on basic learning and build up core foundational studies for years."

Hermione is thoughtful for a moment. His tone of voice definitely tells her that he would not like hearing about the other artifacts that the 'Golden Trio' had to handle.

It was different for them. Since they basically became generals in the Second Wizarding War. And yes, things should have been different. They should have never had to deal with any of the War. And her childhood was a lot different because of it.

"Sounds lovely. I enjoy basic learning and building the strengths of my abilities, and the studies I had taken. Even though school is over, I still find opportunities to learn new things."

Viatorus allows himself a long, slow exhale to put all thoughts of dangerous time magic being in the hands of children out of his head. Once he's calmer, he nods.

"With something like magic, you're never really finished learning. I don't know how any mage could stop trying to learn and improve. It's… not really in my nature. Or in the nature of any mage I know."

"That is the beautiful thing about the Nexus. Learning about different magic. And visiting the Grand Library to enhance my own education."

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Ceremonial curiosity

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