A/N Thank you all for your feedback on my first chapter, it means a lot to me.


"Lemon Drop, Minerva?"

Minerva McGonagall eyes the bowl of yellow 'lemon flavored' balls of sugar with a quick flash of disgust that is not invisible to the eyes of Albus Dumbledore. Of course this is to be expected from anyone who has actually tasted the Hogwarts' Headmaster's favorite 'edible'. Minerva declines.

"I have talked to their professors and I have your report."

"How are Mr. Potter and Mr. Longbottom doing? Those two boys seem to have found each other, along with a young Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger." The twinkle of those old eyes is ever present.

"I'm afraid it is not the best of news." She says, with a frown, "While the students don't recognize Mr. Potters wand, which is of course good, he may not be able to retain it for long. Albus, those two are, well they're below average at best. Harry potter performed the Lumos spell on his first try, an above average accomplishment for a first year yes, however Filius said it was very well the weakest one in all of his classes. Snape also had nothing good to say of him, though I suspect even if Mr. Potter was good in potions he still wouldn't."

"Mr. Longbottom is quite the same. He did even worse in potions and he was one of the last to actually cast the spell in Charms. At the very least it was average in terms of strength. I can only imagine how these two will do in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm Sorry, but it may not actually be referring to them after all." To most it would look as though Dumbledore was not even listening. To Minerva, she could see those eyes dim just a bit as the old man is contemplating what he has been told. After a few moments he speaks up.

"I remember my first year, yes it was so long ago. Minerva these two are eleven years old. I believe you understand that better than even I can, for I have unfortunately lost touch with my younger self. They are who they choose to be, for now. Now, how are they getting along with their friends? I couldn't help but notice that those four were already close when they arrived here last night."

"It may be too early to say, however I suspect we may have the next generation of the marauders.." Minerva shudders at that thought, while Dumbledore seems amused at seeing this.

"Yes those four were a handful. You have to admit though, they managed some impressive things in their time, Sirius, Frank, Remus, and Peter." The headmasters smile widens as he recalls the pranks that the marauders pulled in their days.

"As, amusing, as some of it may've been to outside parties. I would rather not go through that again Albus."

"We will see Minerva. Thank you. After dinner I would like to speak with Mr. Potter, if you would guide him to my office then."

Sensing a dismissal Minerva McGonagall turns and leaves the office of Headmaster Dumbledore. Hopeful on catching the last bit of dinner.


"Ah Harry, it is nice to see you. Would you like a Lemon Drop?" Headmaster Dumbledore asks in a sweet and innocent voice. I haven't eaten many sweets but I might as well try one.

"Yes sir, thank you." I take a Lemon Drop and pop it into my mouth, instantly regretting it. Dumbledore can obviously see the barely hidden expression on my face. If anything his smile grew wider. A good prank perhaps?

"You asked to speak with me sir?"

"Yes, because of your, unique circumstance I thought it best if we were to speak after your first day here. Have you encountered any problems?" I see, that's nice.

"No, while everyone may stare at me, a lot, no one has been particularly rude. Except for Draco Malfoy, though he seemed like the sort to be rude to everybody."

"I see, I have also noticed Mr. Malfoy's behavior. Do not concern yourself with that Harry, you cannot be friends with everyone, unfortunately. Are there any other problems? Should you need something I am always here to help." Is he talking about the spell? Either way it's not really a problem that he can solve.

"No, thank you sir."

"I understand Harry, that your wand is the very one used my Voldemort himself. You should not worry about what other people think when it comes to that, the masses can be swayed too easily when it comes to the dark lord I'm afraid. Just know that wands choose people for a reason. I believe that your wand chose Voldemort because he was powerful. The same wand chose you because of the same reason. Just because it was previously used for dark purposes does not mean it has to be used the same by you, or that it expects such, if wands can expect anything." Is he trying to make me feel better about showing weak spells?

"you think I'm powerful sir?"

"Harry, when I was your age I was not saving lives and bringing down dark lords. I believe you can be very powerful one day, even if you do not see it now." I don't know about that, sounds like he has too much faith in me.

"Thank you sir."

"Remember, should you need anything, I am always available. Have a good night Harry." A dismissal

"Thank you again, Goodnight professor Dumbledore."

That wasn't as long or as bad as I expected.


"This class, should you not already know, is Defence Against the Dark Arts. In this class you will learn to defend yourself and, if needed, be the one needing defense from. You will learn about dark creatures and how to avoid, stun, or kill them, in that order. You will learn proper wand holding technique. You will learn how to fight. You will also learn many offensive and defensive spells." This sounds like the most interesting class out of all of them. Finally I can learn some spells.

"Before we get to what you all really want to do, you will learn how to hold your wand and properly cast spells. This first step isn't nearly as important after you know what you are doing, but until then you will be unable to cast even a stinging hex." I forgot about wand movements... Why can't magic just be easier?

"You will hold your wand like this. A loose grip is generally best, but not so loose that an expelliarmus cast by a five year old will succeed." This gets a few snickers

Professor Quirrel continues like this for the first period of class. I don't pay much attention, only listening mostly. I just have to know what I'm doing right? Finally we get to cast spells.

"The first spell you will learn does not at first seem useful in a fight to the death, however as you grow as a duelist you will learn to incorporate it. For now you must learn to cast it. Mr. Potter, lets see you cast an expelliarmus with that exquisite technique of yours. This is the correct wand movement, if you weren't paying attention."

I don't really want to dislike the professor that is teaching what seems to be my favorite class. Lets not fail this Potter. You know what you're doing right? No, of course not. As you just told Hermione, you only recently learned about magic. Lets make it work anyway.

"Sir, you said wand movements dont matter as much for simpler spells right? Would it be possible to cast this spell without moving your wand? I was also wondering if you could cast spells silently. A friend of mine said he did it once." Or more like 'I cast a spell silently on the Express that I didn't even believe was a real spell'

"It is possible Mr. Potter, to do both. You seem to think that you are capable of such so lets make a wager. 30 points for Gryffindor if you can cast a silent expelliarmus without wand movements. 30 points from Gryffindor otherwise."

Well this wasn't quite my intention... I've done this before, once, with a color changing charm. I can probably do it again. Although if this follows the last spell I did, it may not be strong enough to do much anything.


"Blimey Harry, you're brilliant. Nobody else could do that the rest of class, yet you did it on your first try."

Ron hasn't learned his mistake from the last time it seems. Hermione doesn't seem as bothered this time though, since my second silent expelliarmus actually disarmed the professor. I must have somehow put more power into it after he disarmed me when my first spell failed to do anything. If only I could put that much power into all of my spells..

Neville looks like I just kicked Trevor, "Hey Nev, you okay?"

"Yeah, I just wish that I could've disarmed him too.." Hmm, I was planning on inviting him to my extra credit tutoring. But I wanted to wait until later to ask him. Maybe now is the best time.

"Neville, I actually talked to professor Quirrel after class. I asked him if he would mind helping me out a bit after classes, you know, to better regulate my spells and what not. I'm sure I can get him to help you too."

Now he looks like I just bought him a tank filled with rare plants to put Trevor in. I should remember that actually, it could be a good birthday gift. Hermione looks a bit disappointed. She probably wants all the opportunities she can possibly handle to learn more.

"Really? I would like that Harry, thanks."

"No problem Neville, I'm really looking forward to it."

"Why would Professor Quirrel just agree to give you extra help? Shouldn't they be teaching all that you need?"

"Ron, you shouldn't question a professor. I think it's nice that he has accepted to help Harry. It's called extra credit for a reason you know."

Ron decided it was time for a change of conversation it seems because he has started telling us the class that he is particularly interested in. I didn't even know about it until now.

"It's going to be awesome, I bet she'll even let us fly brooms like real Quidditch players."

Ron sounds as excited as Hermione does when she starts talking about her essay. Maybe I should ask what Quidditch is. Actually maybe that was a bad idea. Now I know why no one asks Hermione about her essays anymore. Though it does sound like it could be fun actually playing it. Hermione doesn't look too happy right now..

"That sounds like a lot of fun Ron. I may enjoy playing it too."

"Oh trust me mate, You'll love Quidditch. Everybody does."

"Really Ron, Why would you like a game like that so much? It sounds incredibly dangerous. You could get hurt, or worse." Oh Hermione you may have a point but you went about saying it the wrong way, "I- I mean anyone could get seriously hurt, not you Ron." Too smooth Hermione...

"I don't like the sound of that either. I don't want to get injured." You didn't have to go that far though. Neville needs to learn confidence.

"You guys are barmy! Me and Harry can play then while you two watch us have fun. Right Harry?"

Why am I always in the middle of these two? Thank Hermione for letting me off the hook.

"So Harry, I've been doing a bit of research on, well you." That sounds wonderful, "apparently people that can feel magic and cast silently and without wand movements are pretty rare. They usually have a very deep connection to magic. I couldn't find out how though.." These stares are why I wanted to talk about this somewhere private. "And well, apparently your problem with spell power is because you don't have a lot of magic in your core. Sorry."

"Thanks, that does explain a bit. I just wish I knew why though." Neville has a look of agreement on his face.

"Well anyway, we should probably get to the library and do our work now. So we have the weekend free you know." Indeed

"I'm not done eating yet.. I really don't know how you got us to promise we would study with you on Wednesdays and Fridays..." Ron complains

"It must have been easy Ron, she's smarter than all of us after all." I reply.


"At least you got the matchstick to change shape. I didn't even get it pointy." I know how you feel Ron.

"Look, it really is easier thank you think. You have to imagine the matchstick changing. You need to visualize it and what it would look like changing into a needle. Just think as you're doing the transfiguration." It didn't help me any..

"All I can 'visualize' right now is this essay that needs to be finished. I don't think I'll be transfiguring any match sticks any time soon. Besides, what good is transfiguration anyway? Theres no real use for it." You didn't mumble that last part quietly enough Ron.

"There are lots of uses for transfiguration!"

"Yeah? What are those uses then?"

"You could, well, yes. You can be an Animagus. Surely you would like to be able to transform into an animal Ron."

"Of course Hermione, because I am obviously one of the few wizards capable of becoming an Animagus." Hm, I wonder if I could be one.

"I don't think it works like that anyway." Maybe I shouldn't interrupt those two anymore. It's hard to stop laughing at these half glares. "Think about it like this. Animagus transformation is transfiguration right? Anyone can perform high level spells if they practice enough." It seems to make sense.

"Really mate? Why did Professor McGonagall few people are Animagus then?"

"Animagi Ron." Leave it to Hermione to know the correct spelling.

"Well think of this. If you live your whole life believing that so few people can do something. That you have to be incredibly gifted in transfiguration to become an Animagus. Well, not many people would try would they?" Hermione looks conflicted. On one hand, the teacher is always right. The other hand, this actually makes a lot of sense, and is believable.

"Guys?"

"What's up Nev?"

"We have ten minutes until curfew."

Everybody is stunned for a moment before we all rush to pack up our work and get out, the previous conversation forgotten. We are making our way up the staircase when Ron decides it's time to notice a couple spiders crawling across the steps, and nearly causes a four person pileup. Really Ron, they're small spiders. They aren't even interested in us. The stairs that we are on decide that we waited here too long and have moved, blocking our path.

"Great, looks like we might be able to follow those stairs over there... or not. Or they could just move too."

"This isn't good. We're stuck here." Neville informs us.

"What really isn't good though, is the fact that Filch is about to walk around the corner down there. I would recognize that feeling anywhere." I really do hate Filch.

We push into the corridor, barely making it inside as Filch rounds the corner at the bottom of the only connecting staircase. The others want to stop at the door and listen, not realizing that if Filch comes up the stairs the only place he has to go is in here. I can practically feel him walking up, almost as if he's looking specifically for us. He could have taken a different set of stairs. I push everyone away from the door and rush them down the corridor.

"Do you guys know where we are? We are on the third floor." Now isn't the time Hermione.

"And?"

"Did you pay attention at all during the sorting feast Harry? The third floor corridor is off limits."

"Being in the halls past curfew is also off limits Hermione."

"Didn't Dumbledore say it was dangerous here?" Of course Neville remembers something like that.

We reach the end of the corridor. It's oddly empty, with a single door at the very end. Are there other parts of the third floor? Well this is bad. The door seems to be locked.

"Alohamora." I knew Hermione's knowledge would help. If only the spell actually did something. "Alohamora! It's not working!" Filch is getting closer. He's going to come around soon.

"What is it supposed to do Hermione?" Ron asks

"Unlock the door of course. What else would we need right now? This isn't the time for food and tea Ron." Heh. This isn't the time to be laughing either.

"Well have Harry try it then."

"I don't know the spell Ron."

"We need to do something. Filch is going to see us!"

Neville is right, I can do it. I cast that spell on the express, silently even. I got the Lumos on my first try, power doesn't matter here, I just need to cast it. I even cast an expelliarmus silently. Hermione said only wizards with a deep connection to magic can do these things.

"Alohamora." I cast the spell, I try the door..

No. C'mon, the door is locked magically, it can be unlocked magically. Yes I can feel it, there's magic all around the lock. I can open this door. I can-

"It's open, go!" Ron hisses as he sees the door crack open.

I can think this over later. For now lets just get in and close the - oh my.

"That's a big dog."

"Filch has a cat, not a dog. Besides we're safe in here."

"No Ron, there's a bloody three headed giant dog right behind you."

Thankfully it appears to be sleeping. We stand deathly quiet at the door for a few minutes, our eyes never leaving the monstrosity that is in front of us. It's hard to see but there looks to be a trapdoor underneath the beast. After a minute Filch turns around and leaves. Once it's safe we bolt from the room, never stopping until we get to the Gryffindor common room.


"It was there. Hermione is right, I definitely saw a door underneath that beast."

"So then what do you suppose we do? It's there for a reason, besides Dumbledore obviously knows about it." Ron asks

"I don't think we should do anything. Like Ron said, Dumbledore knows what he's doing. If he wanted our help he would ask for it." Good job Neville, stand up. Still a killjoy though...

"I think it has something to do with that Gringotts break in earlier in the week. Obviously Dumbledore knows what that item was, and because somebody nearly stole it out of Gringott's, he has decided that it's safer here." But that means...

"Hermione do you realize what you just said? Dumbledore knowingly hid an item here that people are willing to break into Gringotts for."

"Don't be silly Harry, no one can break into Hogwarts, it's completely safe. The only danger you're likely to encounter here is falling off these death machines you call brooms."

We come up on rows of brooms all lined up and quickly line up beside them. I managed to call my broom up smoothly, though slowly. Ron also does a good job of this, though Hermione and Neville aren't doing quite as well. Once we are all hovering in the air it happens. That idiot bodyguard Crabbe starts flying off, maybe trying to impress us or something. He almost does too, until he impales his arm on a statue holding a spear, or pike or whatever.

Madam Hooch escorts Crabbe to the infirmary and orders us to stay on the ground while she is gone, or risk expulsion. Of course Malfoy chooses this exact time to boast about how he's stolen Neville's remembrall. He must've forgotten that threat of expulsion because it turns red as he flies off with it, not listening to my demands to give it back. Alright Malfoy, you want a chase then I'll give you one.

I can feel the magic of the broom as I swerve and dive for Malfoy. I can feel the separate charms that activate to apply the turning and lifting forces. Yes that's it, I can manipulate the magic just from riding the broom. I push it harder, faster, I turn sharper than Malfoy can possibly imagine. Flying is pretty fun after all. He initiates another dive to get away from me, he sees how close I'm getting. Hah, I can dive faster. We get closer and closer to the ground, as he pulls up I wait just a second longer. Bad idea, Malfoy dives down again and nearly knocks me off the broom, I lose a lot of distance.

"Hah Potter, if you're so determined to get this stupid ball back, catch!"

Damn Malfoy! No, I dive after it but it's just not fast enough. We near the ground but the remembrall is just too fast. I'm too large and there's so much wind resistance. I have to do something, I have to maybe... Accio Remembrall. Yes! I haven't been sitting around all day doing nothing. Thankfully I've practiced that spell a few times already, didn't know you could do it wandlessly though. Hopefully nobody noticed it slow down all of a sudden.

"Mr. Potter!" Oh no, Professor McGonagall. When did she get here? She's gonna have my head.

"Come with me, now Mr. Potter."

"Professor McGonagall-"

"Now."

I turn around just as we're leaving to see Malfoy with a bloody smirk on his face. I sigh. I didn't even get a chance to catch his face when I got the remembrall back.


We are walking back from lunch, the day of the broom 'accident'. I'm in the process of telling Ron, Hermione, and Neville about how I caught up to Malfoy and scared him, how I dived after the Remembrall and got it back just in time.

"It was amazing, the way the broom responded exactly as I wanted. I could feel the magic working in it. I could manipulate the different charms and pusher them harder and make them work faster."

Hermione looks intrigued by my ability to manipulate the broom so easily, I didn't share my accio but I suspect that Hermione knows something anyway. She's a smart witch. She's also a really angry witch.

"Still Harry, even if you have all the control in the world, I can't believe you did that. I thought maybe you were a bit more sensible. That was crazy!" It was fun though.

"Hermine stop it, it's over now. Harry didn't get hurt. Now come on, this is where we split. We'll see you two later Harry, Neville. Congratulations by the way. Let's go Hermione." Thanks Ron.

"later."

As we part and advance towards the DADA classroom I can still hear Hermione and Ron arguing about the dangers of Quidditch. Coming up to the door to the classroom, before we even touch the handle, Professor Quirrel invites us in.

"Hello Potter, Longbottom. I was expecting you two a bit earlier."

"Ah yes, well there was a bit of an incident with a remembrall, Malfoy, brooms, and me being assigned the seeker position in Quidditch. You were expecting Neville sir?"

Quirrel smirks as he quickly pieces together me getting the house seeker position from some stupid act Malfoy pulled. Anyone who dislikes Malfoy can't be that bad.

"Indeed I was. It was quite obvious that you intended to bring him along with you. You two have very similar, and yet opposite problems. There's also that other thing, but that's for another day."

I wonder what that last comment is about, but I don't ask as Professor Quirrel leads us over to what looks to be a dueling platform.

"So lets start with the main problems. You Harry, have excellent magical control, as you have so kindly demonstrated. Your problem is your vast lack of magical power. We can work on that through magical exercise passively as we duel." Duel? It may be a bit one-sided, two first years against a professor.

"Neville you are quite the opposite, almost exactly actually. You will be much easier to work with as we don't have to build your magic up. You have a lot of magic, boy, you simply can't use it because of your lack of control. You will learn confidence and control, and your power will not go to waste."

The Professor starts off by teaching us the stinging hex, which I expectantly accomplish on the first try, however my hex isn't strong enough to even tickle a baby. Where Neville takes a few times but throws a stinging hex that will probably leave a bruise in the morning.

We learn a few other spells including Protego, then start dueling. It's horribly unfair even with the two of us against him, and he's probably going easy on us. No he certainly is going easy on us.

It already seems to be helping though. Neville's accuracy has definitely gotten better, and it seems like my spells are getting stronger already with each spell I both cast and get hit by. apparently your magical core strengthens rather quickly.

All in all, that was a pretty good first session. We never really got around to wondering how Professor Quirrel could possibly know our problems without even attempting to tutor us first. We also didn't think much of the talking that I thought I heard as we were walking back.


"Yeah, he even taught us the Protego shield. We haven't really done so well with it yet though. We can't actually block any of his spells with it, they just break through. Even Neville here, and his shield is a bit more powerful."

"That's good, I read that Protego is a third year spell. It's great that you can even cast it. So you've gotten stronger Harry?" Hermione supports us and insults us at the same time without even knowing. Unless of course she does know, in which case, good one.

"Yeah, by the end my spells were stronger where Neville's spells were a lot more accurate and controlled, and because of that they were also gained a bit of strength." His power did seem to go up a bit as the lesson went on. Though it didn't go up as much as mine did, he was still stronger at the end. That helps show the gap between even just us.

"Doesn't it seem weird Harry?" what? "You wouldn't think that you can increase the power of your spells that fast. It's like building muscle isn't it? It takes a long time to get substantially stronger."

Hermione does have a point, but magic isnt necessarily the same as muscle now is it? Besides, I still wasn't strong enough to pose even a minute threat to the magical beast that was taking it easy on both of us at the same time.

"I don't know Hermione. It is magic after all, not muscle."

"Yeah well I think it's just good that you got better, maybe I should join you too." Ron jumps in

"You probably could if you wanted to. I don't know how many people we can add though before Professor Quirrel stops wanting to teach us."

"Nah mate, that's okay. Anyway I still can't believe that you made the team, that's amazing! A first year, on the Quidditch house team."

"I don't know how I'm going to get a broom though. You have to buy your own right?"

"McGonagall will probably let you use one of the school brooms. They aren't too bad."

"Well Harry, I think it's good that you two are looking to better yourselves and do something productive. I'm glad that you're already getting stronger." Hermione seems to have just ignored Ron and his Quidditch comment.

"Thanks, it is too. I really like Defence Against the Dark Arts, So I'm glad to be getting strong enough to actually use the spells."

Maybe yes, maybe no, Dumbledore...