The Third Time is a Charm

Posted: 12 December 2009

Chapter 57: Testing

A/N Welcome to the second of three parts, Testing, Testing, and More Testing. These three chapters will focus on what our guys have learned and who is watching them. Then we will have the big celebration party where we will have a surprise guest. I hope you all enjoy.

Regulus had seen his mother just before he left and had told her not to worry about him. She was concerned that one of the Dark Lord's men might see him if he was doing international travel through the floos. When Reg told his mother he was traveling the muggle way it did not reassure her. She trusted those flying machines less than his chances with the Death Eaters. But he was determined and she was very proud of him in taking not only his NEWT's early, but taking his Mastery Examinations as well. She was just bursting with pride, but of course would not let the emotions show. It didn't stop her from bragging a little to the ladies social club though. After he put some last minute things together, she gave him a hug, nodded her head to his Sensei that was going with him and portkeyed home.

When he finally finished packing, Regulus and his Sensei took a lift to the house above his living quarters. They walked out of number five Wisteria Walk, which was located right behind number five Privet Drive, to the chauffeur driven limousine waiting to take them to the airport. Regulus had never been up close and personal with an airplane before. The only one he had seen was flying in the sky while he was on the ground. This was going to be a whole new experience.

The man next to him was an enigma. He was only known as Sensei and Becca said he did not give his name to anyone. Regulus could understand wanting anonymity, but that was going a little far. He was an excellent instructor though and the five men had learned more from him in a few months than they would have learned in a few years anywhere else. The man had not only taught them to fight when necessary, he had taught them to concentrate and to feel the air around them and the energy flow through them. They could now gather energy from the ground or from the air and pull it in if they needed it in case of battle fatigue. Sensei had described it in a muggle manner; it was like plugging yourself into a light socket to borrow the electricity. He knew Becca did something like that, 'borrowed' magical energy from around her when she needed it. It was what had saved the baby she now carried.

She said Sensei was the one who had taught her. If that was true, and he had no reason to doubt it, then the woman could be lethal when cornered and in a position to defend herself. She may not be a powerful witch in her own right, but she knew how to channel power from other sources and use what was around her. Now he, and the others he trained with, knew it too. He gave a brief pause to think about Sirius. He would have loved to have his brother beside him when training. He had spoken to Remus about it since he was the only other person who knew Sirius well, and he too was feeling bad that his old friend was not there. They both knew the time was not right to bring him in. He was definitely a Dumbledore supporter and would not listen to them. Such a hard headed brute sometimes, he always had to learn things the hard way.

After some time, the limousine pulled up to the entrance of the London Heathrow Airport. They already had their tickets and passports for check in. Both of them had only one carry on bag each. Reg was hoping they would not look to see what was in them as most of the things were shrunk, but he needn't worry as Sensei had spelled the bags to look normal. As they bordered the plane two hours later, Sensei led Regulus to their seats in the first class section. Once they had stowed their bags and found their seats, Regulus had time to look around as he watched the other passengers board the plane. He was nervous and wished he could just apparate to Salem, Massachusetts.

It was a ten hour flight to Boston Massachusetts with only one layover. Then another chauffeured limousine picked them up from the airport to bring them to Salem. Then it was still almost an hour to get from the airport to the Salem Ministry of Magic. Regulus thought muggle transport was the biggest waste of time he had ever seen. He didn't know how they got anything done with this slow way of getting to a destination. Sensei seemed to take it all in stride as they rode in the car to the Salem branch of the American Ministry of Magic.

They could have been there hours ago if they had just used an international portkey. Regulus thought that secretly Becca wanted him to experience a little of the muggle world. It had certainly opened his eyes to what they had to go through to travel.

Regulus had to admit that the scenery was quite awe inspiring. When they left the airport, they drove along the coast to get to Salem. He noted the ministry was just above a place called Salem Harbor, hidden under a cloak of magic. When they approached the small wizarding village, he could feel the strong magic in the air as they passed through the wards. On the corner of Congress and Harbor Streets they entered the Ministry. The view over the water was spectacular. The water was so blue and the Harbor was filled with boats. It looked like a very calm and sleepy town and while looking over the water Regulus began to relax. He had been so tense thinking about exams and the air plane crashing into the earth, that he didn't even realize how the muscles in his back were hurting from all the tension.

Regulus didn't have much time to enjoy the view, however, before he was ushered through a door that said Ministry Education Department, Examination Rooms.

As Sensei preceded him into the room, Regulus noticed he knew his way around the building. They had gone through several corridors and he had come straight to the room without even looking around or hesitating. There were several instructors standing in the medium size room. The desk in the front of the room was stacked with what looked like several Examination Booklets and the room itself had ten desks. The four instructors were in a line as if to receive guests and Sensei nodded to the first man who looked to be in his mid forties with dark brown hair that was slightly graying. He stood about six feet tall and had a commanding air about him. He greeted the Sensei first.

"Sensei, it is an honor to have you here and to assist you in certifying your young protégé. It has been ten long years since I have had the pleasure of your company."

Sensei, who was a small thin man of Asian descent, bowed slightly and then stood up straight and accepted the man's hand in friendship. "Marcus, I would like you to meet Regulus Black, Regulus this is Marcus Edgecombe. He is the head of the Educational Department and will be overseeing your examinations."

Regulus put his hand forward and replied in the age old greeting. "Master Edgecombe, it is most agreeable to be here today. Thank you for allowing me to come and test at your facilities."

"Mr. Black, we are aware of the political climate in your country and offer you our assistance in every way possible. I have received correspondence from both Sensei and Ms. Prince and understand completely. There is an executive apartment here in the ministry for visiting dignitaries and you and Sensei will be staying there. First, I would like you to meet your Proctors." The man then turned to the other three adults in the room and proceeded to introduce them. He explained about how the examinations would be administered and what each instructor specialized in. They were going to skip the NEWT's level exams completely and use only the Master's examinations. This would let them finish faster. Every three days he would get a day break until he was able to finish all the subjects he wanted or needed.

"Now, I am sure you gentlemen are very tired and would like to freshen up. Please follow me and I will take you to your sleeping quarters." Marcus told the men as he motioned for them to leave the room. As he led the way, he talked about the sites of the small town they were in. He also explained that the elves had a small meal for them and he would be available if they needed anything. They just needed to send one of the elves to get him. He did not live at the ministry and would be going home while they rested from their long trip.

Regulus admitted that he was tired; he didn't think he would ever get used to muggle travel and it was an experience he was not looking forward to on the return trip. He noticed that on the small early American sideboard there were sandwiches, orange juice, apple juice and coffee. They also had sodas in a small refrigerator. Regulus was wondering where the tea and the pumpkin juice were. He got a plate and put two sandwiches on it, grabbed a soda and sat down to eat. The apartment was furnished in antiques, mostly Early American but there were a few side tables that looked similar to ones he had at home. He was surprised to find out the sitting room had a television and several videos for viewing.

In spite of the bright sun outside the window, Regulus was almost falling asleep before he finished his sandwich. He knew it was about five hours earlier here then in London and they had left very early. He was exhausted and decided to take a nap. With jetlag pulling at his body and the fatigue from being so tense in the plane and coming to the ministry he just couldn't keep his head up any longer. He excused himself from the presence of his Sensei and went into one of the bedrooms. He didn't even pause to see the beautiful antique furniture in the room, nor the room that was decorated in green and cream colors. As soon as he lay down he went fast to sleep.

Sensei however was wide awake. He was very accustomed to this type of travel and had no problem sleeping on the plane. He knew if there was danger he would wake up immediately. He had wanted to go over the boy’s testing schedule so he made the schedule with out the younger man’s input. He knew the boy’s strengths and weaknesses and would adjust the schedule accordingly.

His first test should be Arithmancy as it was harder for him than Ancient Runes. Then he could take the Ancient Runes the next day as he knew Regulus would fly through it with no problem. He scheduled all the other tests the same way, hard subject one day and easy the next day. Transfiguration the next day and then he would have a day’s rest where they would be able to see some of the historical buildings of Salem. The fifth day would be Charms and then Care of Magical Creatures and after that DADA. He continued planning until the schedule was full. Actually Regulus could take more than six Mastery tests if he wanted but they hadn’t wanted to overwhelm the boy. He did pick up well on Wandmaking, Warding and Dueling too.

Five hours later, Regulus finally woke up. He was hungry and bleary eyed and didn’t remember exactly where he was for a few minutes. He looked around the room and saw the dark green curtains. It looked like it was night as he didn’t see light coming through them.

As Regulus walked into the next room, Sensei was meditating on a rug on the floor. He was used to this scene as he had seen the ageless man do this many times before. While he watched, he pondered the mystery of the Sensei. He had a few spattering of grey hairs but for the most part, his hair was black and his face unlined. The man knew many people and places so he must be at least in his seventies from the way he spoke, but he only looked to be in his fifties if you took into account the grey hair. Regulus shook his head and sat down; it didn't bode well to interrupt Sensei when he was in meditation. Just at that moment, his stomach growled, loudly.

"It would appear that someone is hungry." said the soft voice of the martial arts instructor. Regulus had the grace to blush.

"I am sorry Sensei, I was going to wait till you were finished and ask if you had eaten and wanted to join me. I didn't mean to disturbed you."

"No disturbance, my boy, I was simply waiting for you to wake up." The older man rose off the floor in a fluid grace that most men half his age would never achieve, then called a house elf to bring them dinner.

"You are well rested, yes?" the older man asked him. "I would like to go over your schedule for the week."

The elf appeared with dinner of lobster and mixed vegetables, the lobster sauce on the side with a vintage wine to top off the meal. Regulus looked at the mouth watering entre and asked Sensei, "Can we talk about it while we eat? I am starving."

Sensei, a man with few emotions, smiled at his current protégé and nodded his assent as they both sat down to eat their dinner. Everything was cooked to perfection and when their hunger had been sated they started to talk about Reg's examinations. Sensei showed him the schedule and Regulus was more than satisfied with it.

"Do you want to take any more than these six courses?"

"I don't know, do you think I should?"

"Regulus, I can only tell you that no one knows the future. The education you have now will never be wasted. To have the paper certifications for what you already know can only augment anything you may want to do twenty years from now. The Princes would have no problem with you taking as many exams as you want. They are taking care of the fees and anything else while you are here."

"It's not like I couldn't..."

"I know you could have paid for everything yourself, but then your name would be on the receipts instead of Prince Conglomerate. They want to keep you safe and leave no trail to come back to you." Sensei was trying to remind the young man that they were in danger as long as the mad dark lord was alive. He had supporters everywhere.

"No one can be ruled out. Don't judge a book by its cover." He said tensely, "Don't rule out an enemy because they might look innocent! Pay attention to your surroundings!" He was not angry at Regulus, but at the way he dismissed things when he thought he was safe. "Always stay open to what is around you so you may react immediately before it's too late."

"I understand Sensei. Trust no one and always sense what is around me." Regulus repeated something the Sensei often said during training.

"Don't just repeat it, DO IT!" That too was something Sensei constantly repeated during training.

An hour after dinner, Sensei suggested that Reg take a dreamless sleep potion so he would have a good night's rest before testing in the morning. Regulus was happy to comply; it would mean no more lectures.

The next morning loomed bright and early. Regulus was back in the room where he met the other Proctors and Masters for his certifications. Marcus Edgecombe was there with only one other person, a man that Regulus remembered meeting the day before. ‘Mr. Weston,’ that was it he thought. He was going to proctor the examination since it was Arithmancy and would have no practical. He sat down to take the test. At noon the Proctor wanted to know if he wanted to stop for lunch.

"No, I am almost finished, it won't be long." Regulus said. The Proctor looked at him curiously and assumed he meant with the section he was working on. He sat for another forty five minutes waiting for the young student to come to a good stopping point in his test.

It was almost one in the afternoon before Regulus got up and stretched. The Proctor smiled and asked, "Are you ready for lunch now? An elf will bring lunch into the room for us if you would like. You are not allowed to leave the room until your test is finished."

"Good, because I'm finished and need to get out of here for awhile and walk around and stretch. That was easier than I thought but I need to take a break." Regulus was not really looking at the Proctor so he didn't see the look on his face.

"Are you sure you don't want to check it over later? We could have a quick lunch in here and then..."

"No need, I don't want to try to second guess myself so I will leave the answers as they are."

The Proctor rolled up the booklet and shook his head. He didn't have much hope for the young man to have passed. 'What a waste' he thought.

He dismissed Regulus to leave and as soon as Reg opened the door there was Sensei sitting on the floor meditating. As soon as the door opened however the man got up with his usual grace and looked at his student. "Finished?"

"Yes Sensei. I thought we could go walk around and get some fresh air."

The next day went much the same way for Ancient Runes but the third day was Transfiguration. It would not be difficult for Regulus, but it did take more energy as he would to do practical work as well as written. Usually the test took two days, one for written and one for practical, but the Administrator agreed to do all in one day if Regulus wanted to.

The young woman that was to administer the test had Regulus on edge. She was a beautiful young woman, with long straight hair and an olive complexion. Her face was devoid of makeup and her skin was clear and glowing. For the practical, she started him out small with just a chair, but soon he was transfiguring much larger things. At the end she asked if he could do an animagus transformation.

Regulus looked at the woman, Amanda Hawthorne, and was not sure how to respond. In Britain he didn't have to have an animagus form to become a Transfiguration Master. He had one, they all did, but if he transformed he couldn't do magic very well if attacked. Suspect everyone, Sensei had said. After thinking about this for a few seconds he turned his face to the woman and answered her.

"I would request that Sensei come in, I would like to confer with him." The Director said that if he needed Sensei in the room for something it would be allowed although it was not normally done.

"We don't have other people in the room when testing." the woman stated. "There will be no cheating in this room. It was a simple question Mr. Black, are you an animagus and can you do a transformation?" She was getting testy and Regulus wondered why.

"I don't intend to cheat, but if I get stuck in the transformation I will need my Sensei." Reg hedged to get some cooperation out of the woman.

"I can take care of anything that might come up. Are you telling me you are an animagus?"

Regulus nonchalantly put his hands in his pockets, the right one finding the emergency button to let Sensei know that something was wrong. He then answered the woman. "I have only done it a few times; I am not comfortable with doing this during an exam. Do I need to do an animagus transformation for my Mastery?"

"Of course it would help me in grading your abilities. I would like to see what you can do." She told him sternly.

On the outside of the door...

There stood Sensei and the Director Marcus Edgecombe. They encountered a problem when trying to enter the door after receiving the signal from Reg. It was warded differently than before. Sensei put his hand on Marcus' arm to get him to stand down and focused his energy into finding out what was warding the door.

"It is Native American in nature but with a little goblin mixed in. It’s ingenious really, a strange mix that would not occur to anyone." He held his hand on the door and focused on draining the energy from it. Since the two were interwoven, Sensei started to unravel the goblin magic that he was more familiar with and then the Native American magic started to unravel on its own. "I think the Indian magic is not capable of making a ward on its own and they augment it with other creature magic so it will hold."

"Just get us in there. I can't believe she did that, these doors are meant to open upon my command as Director. They are not to be warded against me. The building has a safety override for such things." He growled. He was not mad at Sensei but he was furious at the situation.

Finally then came through the door. There was Regulus standing in the middle of the room with a stunned Ms. Hawthorne. She was sitting in a chair, completely unable to move a muscle, staring with wide eyes at the scene in front of her.

"What happened?" Director Edgecombe demanded with a shout.

"She insisted I transform into my animagus and then tried to stun me. Just before I transformed, I put up a shield, but it didn't hold. Then I had to transform back and put up another shield then I stunned her. I thought you were never going to get here. I activated my emergency signal but you didn't get here quick enough. I had insisted Sensei be allowed into the room before transforming, but she insisted that he was not allowed and if I wanted my Mastery I would show her my animagus form."

The small Asian man looked to Regulus and noticed he was a little shaken, but otherwise alright.

“I don’t understand,” Marcus said as he looked at the woman for answers. It suddenly occurred to him that he wasn’t getting answers from her until the spell was released. He pointed his wand at her and said, “Finite Incantatem.” The spell held. “Hey, Regulus,” he called. “You want to release the spell so we can question her?”

“Not before we give her some truth serum.” Regulus replied.

Marcus retrieved the serum and it turned out that someone had told her Regulus was a Death Eater and trying to infiltrate the American Ministry to recruit followers. She thought she was doing the Director a favor by ridding the room of unwanted scum. She believed that Regulus and Sensei had hoodwinked the Director into allowing the young man to take American examinations for nefarious purposes.

Once that was cleared up, the remainder of the testing was smooth sailing.

But who told the woman and how did they know Reg would be there?