Harry Potter: The art of divination

*Morpheus pov* 

Honestly, I thought the trip would have been harder. That's why I took Cassiopeia in the first place, to show her what we are up against. Still, she got the gist but they were rather weak. 

I cannot believe I let myself get scratched, she was faster than expected in that form. Luckily it made me realize some of my rituals have slipped. Doing the math I did the ritual when this body was rather young I need to have a reapply to deal with beings a lot faster than humans. 

Low level vampires, I can react to, demons and angels that focus on speed will be a little more challenging. 

That archetype is quite rare to begin with. 

Strolling to the back of my manor I entered the spare ritual room making sure it was still in good shape. The main room is still being used which reminds me I need to drip some more blood. 

Sighing I rubbed my temple, sometimes I felt too old for this. 

I apparated from my apartment to The entrance of Knockturn Alley. The alley was a lot different than the last time I visited. It was silent, more silent than usual. It could have been because of the recent attacks but, as I walked toward my location I knew the other reason immediately. 

The lack of vampires was evident, they were an integral part of Knockturn Alley's ecosystem with the bulk of them gone only leaving a few stragglers behind it was apparent the crime alley was going through a change. 

Taking a sharp right I entered the store I came here for, no bell chimed but I knew a ward told the owner of my intrusion. 

"What can I help you with wizard." a low voice bit out 

I couldn't help but raise my brow, "Dont see many of your kind around here. What happened to the werewolf?" I asked the previous owner was an old werewolf I didn't know him too well but he carried good ingredients 

"New management." the ghoul replied coldly while stepping out of the back room, "Now what do you want wizard?" 

Looking around the shop I began to list the ingredients I needed, "Cheetah heart, Thunderbird tendons, and Zouwu leg muscles." 

The ghoul scoffed, "The Zouwu leg muscles will be impossible to provide. Do you think I would be working here if I had that kind of material?" 

I laughed, "Always good to check. So you have the other stuff?" I asked stepping toward the counter 

He nodded, "How much do you need?" 

"I'll take the lot." I replied before picking up a small pouch of ground ghoul bones, "I'll take this too." I placed the pouch on the counter and then the money 

He nodded, "It's good stuff." he said looking at the powder

"I know, the old owner never had this," I said with a frown 

"Good thing I'm not the old owner." 

***

The Zouwu muscles weren't actually all that important seeing as I had some. I was just shooting in the dark hoping he had any, this would be the last of my stock. 

Zouwu is a very expensive and extremely rare ingredient for all kinds of rituals and potions. The zouwu is a feline creature that is as big as an elephant, and fast so very fast. 

Walking back into my secondary ritual room I began to plan for my upgrade. 

I laid out the cheetah heart on the ritual table, its surface engraved with sigils that pulsed faintly, anticipating the blood to come. The Thunderbird tendons crackled with residual electricity, and I felt a familiar hum of energy as I placed them next to the heart. They would serve as conduits, amplifying the power of the ritual. Finally, the Zouwu leg muscles—my last stock—would add the finishing touch, merging feline speed with magical potency.

A sigh escaped me. This ritual was different from the ones I had performed when this body was younger. Back then, the demands on my body were lesser, the enemies less formidable with a younger body came a weaker frame I couldn't do this ritual. But now, I required an edge beyond what simple reflex spells could grant. This ritual would harden my body, attune it to anticipate faster threats.

I carved the final sigil into the air with my wand, my movements slow and deliberate. The sigil glowed brightly, then settled into the bones of the ritual table. I cut the cheetah heart in half, letting its blood drip onto the sigil, where it sizzled, releasing a faint wisp of smoke.

The hardest part came next: the invocation.

"Káritos Arkhé," I whispered, feeling the room's temperature drop. My breath turned visible as I continued, "Tóxa katharí apó to skotídi kai to fos." A thin thread of energy weaved from the Thunderbird tendons, circling the heart and slowly drawing it into the center of the ritual circle.

I unrolled the Zouwu tendons, thick and sinewy, and placed them around the perimeter, reinforcing the spell. As the energy within the room built, I could feel it pulling at my body. 

Then came the final act. I placed my hand over the table and cut a shallow line across my palm. Blood dripped onto the remaining sigils, completing the circuit. Immediately, my entire arm felt like it had been submerged in ice, the magic crawling up my veins like a predatory cat.

The transformation began subtly—my heartbeat quickened, as if syncing to a faster tempo. My breathing fell into a controlled rhythm, instinctive, designed to optimize reaction times. My senses sharpened, and I could almost see the air currents moving around me.

The Zouwu muscles began to disintegrate into the ether, their essence being drawn into me. The ancient, predatory speed of the beast now melded with my own reflexes, enhancing them beyond what any human body could normally endure.

I clenched my fists, feeling the raw energy coursing through me. The ritual was done. I was faster now, sharper.

I stood, looking at the now smoldering remains of the ingredients. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

This time, nothing would catch me off guard.

Stepping from the room I went into the main chamber and slit my palm again filling the blood to the max the ritual I had been preparing all summer will be complete tomorrow just in time for classes to start. 

Stepping over to the floor I took some powder and threw it into the flames, "Hogwarts, headmaster's office." I stepped into the room Fawkes greeted me with a chortle 

"Morpheus, I'm glad you arrived on time we haven't had a one-on-one meeting all summer." Albus spoke with a glint in his eye 

I smiled and sat across from him, "We have both been busy men."

"Last we talked you made it seem like you wouldn't be coming back to teach is that still true? If so I need to meet your replacement." he held a smile but I could see his frustration clear as day 

I shook my head, "We both know that's not true anymore, I wouldn't have waited until the last moment. No I thought of another solution I have taken a liking to the students." 

His smile widened, "Oh and what is your solution?" he asked in excitement 

"I can show you tomorrow, it is being completed as we speak." 

"I look forward to it then." 

We lapsed into silence both of us not saying what was truly on our minds. 

I smirked deciding to break the silence, "How was your visit with Gellert?"