Moderation (Obikin/Harry Potter AU)

Ch. 6/Role of a Lifetime

Qui-Gon Jinn was not a wizard who often trusted other wizards.

This very principle is what made him such a good transfigurations professor. He was dedicated to the study of magic and its relationship to the one casting the spell and not so much the relationships of other witches and wizards. This principle, however, is also what made him so sensitive to the presence of dark magic.

"Something dangerous is happening at Hogwarts. I'm sure you've been informed of the attack on Anakin Skywalker."

He did not like to venture to the Ministry of Magic headquarters, in fact, one would say he often avoided it. However, one of the few relationships he allowed himself to wholly place his trust in belonged there. With Yoda, Minister of Magic.

"Hear about this, I have. Most unfortunate." Yoda replied, slipping out of his seat to face Qui-Gon.

Yoda was a strange looking wizard; he stood at about four feet tall, walked on a brown cane at all times of the day, and donned an odd, green-like complexion. Oddest of all, however, was the parable-like way he spoke. Yoda was the Headmaster of Hogwarts during Qui-Gon's time as a student and had closely mentored him as a young Auror before his decision to return to Hogwarts.

"Young Kenobi, what does he say? Against Palpatine's wishes, I insisted on his hiring." Yoda asked, furrowing his eyes in concentration.

"He's the one who rescued Anakin from the attack. I've discussed it with him, although it is obvious that his attachment to the boy makes him a biased source." Qui-Gon replied, thinking back to his days instructing a young, brilliant Obi-Wan.

"Further discussion is needed I see. A worthy friend in Kenobi, you will have."

"So you agree with me, then?" Qui-Gon asked, directing the conversation back to the feelings he'd had since the nights of Anakin's attack. He'd had visions of dark clouds sweeping the corridors of Hogwarts, soot licking every corner of every room. He couldn't bear to ignore it any longer.

"A disturbance at Hogwarts, I have felt. Watch over him with your life, you will. A very strong wizard Skywalker has shown to be." He said, Qui-Gon unable to dispute him on this fact. After all, Anakin had shown an unmatched natural prowess in his courses at Hogwarts, despite his uncaring demeanor. It came as no surprise to him why dark magic would cross his path, as it did for any great and powerful wizard.

"Any suspicions, you have had?"

"Not yet." Qui-Gon replied, a swift silence piercing at the end of his sentence.

"Go deeper, you must. Speak more with Kenobi, you will."

-
Anakin Skywalker was not used to attention. He preferred to keep to himself and a few others, however, lately he seemed to find himself as the unfortunate, burning, center of attention.

"Skywalker, you're up." Boomed the low, intimidating voice of Professor Ren. Their seventh year Care of Magical Creatures class was outside today, something the brooding, dark haired Professor elected to do often. He was standing next to a young, squeaking Hippogriff. It was nearly the size of the Professor himself, Anakin thought as he approached it.

"Now what is the proper way to greet a Hippogriff?" Anakin bowed to the large, admittedly intimidating animal, and held out an open palm, it no doubt sniffing the dried blood from the day previous. Anakin liked animals and had always done well naturally with them. After all, they seemed to be some of the only living creatures who did not look at him like a spectacle.

"Now what?" Professor Ren said, big hands folded neatly behind his back. Anakin slowly raised his head and looked deeply into the large blue eyes of the Hippogriff; whose black slits of pupils looked back intently at him. Anakin felt the glares of his classmates burning at his back. He was now far more than the infamous Slytherin reject; he was Anakin Skywalker- bad with snakes, Triwizard champion, and at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi, center of attention.