now you see me... [custom ability one-shot]

[Hazel Rosalie Burke]

March/April 2026

When it came to most of her alchemical creations, Hazel loved an audience. That was why she had set up her office at Hogwarts to serve two purposes. The first, obviously, involved the typical set-up of a desk and chair, in case she needed to grade exams or lecture a student. But that only occupied a small space, and the rest of her office had become a devoted workstation for alchemy and metal charming, whichever Hazel had particular need of that day. It charmed her to no end when students would come to watch or ask questions, and it particularly appealed to her vanity and showmanship.

So it was incredibly rare not to set up her alchemy kit at Hogwarts, but some things were just too sensitive for an audience. And while this was going to be her most daring alchemical accomplishment ever, one that could no doubt change the field if she went public with it…no, she was keeping it quiet instead. The Purifiers required stealth and secrecy, and this project (if she could pull it off) might change the name of the game when it came to special abilities.

You see, wizards and witches were inherently ‘special’ because they were born with the very magic of the universe flowing through their veins. But, as always, some people were more special than others...and they were born with (or later developed) a little something extra. The idea fascinated many of the Purifiers, especially those with more research-oriented interests, and they wanted to understand how this could be. How could some magical beings control the elements, or sense other people’s abilities, or do all manner of strange things unavailable to the normal magical populace? Hazel didn’t like the idea of being excluded; she simply had to know the secret, especially if it came with the possibility of self-improvement. That was what alchemy was, after all – the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary, taking the basic building blocks of the universe to create something dazzling, splendid, unique. There was no one better suited than her to tackle the task, at least according to her own self-importance.

But, admittedly, the issue stumped her…at least until her infuriating, frustrating, wonderful older brother all but handed her the keys to heaven with a small tidbit of news. “Say that again!” Hazel demanded, eyes intently focused on her brother in a show of determination and solemnity that he didn’t often see from her. She was as still as a predator that had spotted her prey, eyes locked on her brother’s brilliant blue eyes as he gave her an annoyed look but repeated himself. “She can see magic?” Hazel wondered out-loud, leaning back in her chair as she contemplated the idea. So there was an Unspeakable, one of her brother’s little minions, who’d had an accident at work and could now see the magic that she worked with on a daily basis. How odd, but then again…if there was anywhere that this could have happened, the Department of Mysteries was a sure bet.

The news cheered her immensely, because it was a breakthrough. “Asher, you have to get me a sample, pleeeeeeeease,” Hazel begged, giving her brother the most pleading look she could manage. Before he could speak, she added, “It doesn’t even matter what, just something I can take to my workstation. Hair, nails, although blood would be best. Do you know what I could even do with this?” That was the key, wasn’t it? Neither Asher nor Hazel knew what could really be done with such a discovery, but there was so much potential here. For the Burkes, for the Purifiers, and as Ivy might add – for their understanding of the theory and origins of magic itself. Not that this last part interested Hazel as much as the idea that she could be the brilliant mind behind something that would change her life completely. And that her brother would have to acknowledge her alchemical genius, out-loud, which was a satisfying thought indeed.

So to return to her original point…no, this wasn’t something that could be done at Hogwarts. Hazel instead reluctantly turned to the Purifier lab. It had everything she would need, but none of the things she actually liked. Sunshine, her favorite sweets, or an audience. But never mind, this was simply too important to risk being walked in on by a nosy student or suspicious professor. Hazel began to hum to herself as she set up a cauldron and started adding in ingredients, accompanied by the occasional flick of her fingers to include a zap of magic. Most people didn’t realize how much wandless magic alchemy required, or how difficult it was to reach a point of near-expertise. Truly, Hazel was a wasted resource, wasn’t she? Most people couldn’t see past the sparkles and fashionable exterior and thought she was only an empty-headed witch. Well, aren’t they so mistaken, Hazel thought smugly as she tossed in a human bone Ivy had brought her from Knockturn Alley.

Weeks later, she thought she finally had something. The potion was a sparkling shade of purple, slow and deep as wine with soft ripples across the surface that sparkled under the lab’s artificial lighting. It looked beautiful (just like everything Hazel made, thank you very much) although the deep hue murmured the promise of something secret lurking underneath the surface. Hazel hadn’t made much – Asher had come through with the sample, but it was very small compared to the materials she usually worked with…and Hazel knew, she knew that she only had one shot at this. By the time she had finished distilling, softly stirring, and adding one last pinch of magic to the brew, there was only enough for a small vial.

Hazel held it up to the light to examine the final product before uncorking it to peer curiously inside. “This should really be done with an audience, and applause, and an Order of Merlin,” Hazel grumbled to herself, before shrugging and raising the vial up in a mock toast. “To Heleen, and her misplaced sense of trust. It’s all thanks to you, darling.” With that, she brought the vial to her lips and swallowed its contents in one go.

For a moment, nothing happened and Hazel stared at the vial in disappointment. Then all at once she was hit with a wave of dizziness, nearly blacking out as her knees suddenly seemed to lose the ability to hold her weight. With a groan, Hazel nearly collapsed, catching herself on the table at the last moment as she struggled to stay conscious. “Morgana’s…blasted…staff,” she began to curse as she unsteadily found her balance again and straightened. “I don’t…feel good…” There was a pounding in her head, and Hazel brought her hands up to her eyes as the once-dim lab seemed suddenly all too bright. But nothing could have happened, because she couldn’t ‘see the magic’ or whatever the Unspeakable had described to her brother as her ability.

“On second thought, maybe not having an audience is just fine.” Hazel unsteadily slipped her wand out of her pocket and aimed it at her workstation, intending to clean everything up with one flick and then return to Hogwarts. What a failure this whole project had been. She was still alive, thank Merlin, but she didn’t feel any different than before. Relatively speaking, at least, since her head was still spinning and she clearly wasn’t feeling her best. “Oh, blast it!” Her spell had gone wide, and instead of cleaning her cauldron it broke a jar on the shelf behind the desk. She carelessly waved her wand and sent another spell flying, although this one reflected off a wall of mirrors and came sailing straight back at her. “Not the face!” Hazel squealed as she dropped her wand in surprise and brought her hands up to cover her eyes.

After a few moments…a few dead-silent moments where no red beam of light filled her vision, Hazel dropped her hands and squeaked in surprise again. The spell had somehow missed her and gone shooting off to her left, hitting a cauldron that now stood on its side and was leaking amber liquid. But how…? Understanding dawned on her, and Hazel stared at her hands – which, despite looking quite manicured and beautiful, didn’t look any different than usual. “Did I…do that?” she wondered out-loud, awe dripping in her voice. Excitement filled her face as she picked up her wand again, pausing to think for a moment before casting an Engorgement Charm. She could see the spell shoot out, but focused intently on it and watched the spell pause in mid-air before it changed direction and settled on a stool, which promptly grew several sizes. Exactly as she’d imagined.

“…well, fancy that.” For once, Hazel was completely speechless as she stared at the enormous stool now fit for a part-giant. She had aimed at the wall in front of her…but redirected the spell to hit something else instead. Now her mind truly began to race with the possibilities, and a slow smile crept onto her face. She hoped Asher would throw a fit.

Relevant characters:
-asher rowan burke
-@seph