The Interplanar University, # 6— "Pi Eta Nu Chi"

[Short stories. Images generated by hotpot.ai]

With his former profession in the wizarding world behind him, with time Ron had resolved to make a fraternity out of The Order of the Phoenix, only he wanted the name to be as part of its history, not the official name. After two weeks of studying existing heraldry and rules, he and Harry settled on Pi Eta Nu Chis, which would read PHNX in English letters. Though Harry was amenable to the idea of a fraternity, it was Ron’s brainchild, and though he submitted everything to Harry’s approval, he was the father of their fraternity.

The idea came to him out of jealousy of the proud devotion and eminence of the various templars of the Ethos, with no answer to it in the Auspice of Magos— not withstanding cultic orders or other societies of wizards, they did not have the same fraternal spirit. Or, more specifically, wizarding orders existed in secret, and the various templars never hid who they were. They let their crosses, roses, eagles, and other mysterious symbols show in broad daylight, and they all dwelt in assurance that their brothers would not abandon them.

“I don’t know, Ron,” said Harry, “With me in it, every other wizard from Magos is going to want to join, and probably every three witches to boot.” “Are you suggesting you won’t be in it?” Harry gathered himself, “Well if you’ve already made up your mind…”

“I have, Harry. I have a vision. I’ll have something I’m finally passionate about.” “Well, what is the fraternity about?”

Ron, to his own astonishment, hadn’t thought of that.

Harry noticed. “Take your time, Ron,” he said, “I know you’re onto something. Just don’t rush it. And be VERY careful,” (he said this with unusual emphasis), “about who you tell about it.” “Well, come on now, Harry,” said Ron in a way that told him he should know Ron better. “It’s nothing,” said Harry, “It’s just that Cork—” his eyes darted, “— He seems alright, but he’s… unstable. And a big fan of me.” “Alright, then,” said Ron. “— Just so we’re clear, he’s going to want in.” “Right,” said Ron, “Even if you say he should join, I’m not letting him.” “Wicked,” said Harry, their pastime exclamation of approval, “Now remember, this is yours. Don’t let anyone tell you how to run it.” “What about you?” “You’re already my brother, Ron. I just want you to have confidence in what you’re worth.”

In the weeks ahead, although Ron attended his classes, he did scant work on the required readings, and was instead refining his vision for the fraternity. The words weren’t perfect on any of his first drafts, and on the third week, he had about one fifth of the final copies ready, and would review them with Harry, and also Fred and George, who he wanted to join (Both twins were alive and well, as the Interplanar College could be attended by virtually anyone that once lived, being on a different echelon of reality).

He painstakingly crafted the seal of the Pi Eta Nu Chi Fraternity, or the Nu Chis, and using his considerable mastery of magic, made sure it couldn’t be destroyed. Also using magic, he developed a spell that would place the seal on the right material, and soon he would also be able to place the letters, insignia, motto, and expedite the process of producing a badge. Their colors would be red and gold, as a nod to Gryffindor.

He did similar things with the parchment that were finished copies of the charter he envisioned.

The seal was a phoenix surrounding the Sword of Godric Gryffindor, accompanied by five neatly drawn stars arcing above the phoenix.

Their badge would be a sword with phoenix wings, and their motto would be: “We Shall Rise Again.”

He knew what the first two stars would represent: Courage, and Perseverance. That’s what Ron told himself it would take to see this through to the end, and as a Gryffindor, he could hardly neglect Courage. Eyeing other fraternities, he saw there had to be a bar to get in. Otherwise, anyone might falsely adopt the letters, although he knew what a typical ‘frat’ was like. But he wanted his to be different; the wizarding answer to the Templars.

“What about Amiability?” said Hermione.

“As one of the stars?” said Ron, incredulous.

“Of course not. As a standard.” “Well… what does it mean, again?”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Tsk. It means likability.”

“Well, that’s fair. Any other ideas?” “How about, ‘humble’?” “Who’s going to want to join a humble fraternity!?” “I don’t know. Can I join, incidentally?” “Well, it’s a fraternity.” “Then why should I help?”

Ron had nothing to say to this.

Ginny offered her take, “Why adopt a tradition that was out of date hundreds of years ago?” “But— what if there’s relationship trouble, you know.”

Ron said the rest with his eyes and face.

“... Fair point,” said Ginny. “Ten points to Gryffindor,” said Ron.

“We’re all Gryffindors,” said Ginny.

Ron rolled his eyes, but not so they could see.

As Ron pitched his fraternity, the question about female entry arose more than once. Also more than once, it provoked outrage and insults, and Ron needed to go to Harry for counsel.

“Maybe there’s a way to leave it up to Fate. You know, divination,” said Harry. “You believe in that?” “Only recently. The Moslem Bloc has a young man who is proven clairvoyant.” “The Moslem Bloc!? They’re Ethos with a Moon!” “Don’t let either of them hear you say that.” “I’m not stupid!” “Right. The guy’s name is Kilik. Shouldn’t be too hard to find.”

And so, for the nonce, they at least had a goal, but as for Ron, he was swelling with pride that he was doing something great, and it wasn’t in Harry’s shadow.

*-------------------------------------------*

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