Harry Potter Child Prodigy Ch. 2
Sirius and Harry walk through the corridor with Sirius carrying a small metal cage. Inside the cage is the small dragon Harry brought to life. When they reach the statue guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office Sirius gives the password for the week " lemon gumdrops" and the statue moves aside. Entering the archway they see a set of spiral stairs. "Hold on to my arm Harry "Sirius says beginning the climb. As they climb the staircase begins to rotate until they are at another archway. This one leads directly into the Headmaster's office.
"Sirius! Harry! So nice to see you both. What brings you to see an old wizard on such a beautiful day? I thought you'd be out flying young Harry. Dumbledore says smiling at the boy.
"I would like to be sir. I can't go flying though because I lost my broom. Sirius won't let me have it back." Harry complains hoping his Grandpa will get it back for him.
Sirius says "Harry! That's enough complaining."
When the headmaster turns to him, Sirius can see the questioning look on the older man's face.
"It's part of his punishment for the water balloon incident in the Great Hall. He's lost his broom time for two weeks." Sirius explains.
"I see. Well Harry what brings you to visit today?"
"Sirius and I brought something to show you, sir." Harry says pointing to the cage. As he points, Sirius removes the cover he has placed over the cage.
Professor Dumbledore walks over to look inside the cage.
"Merlin! Is that dragon you have there?" he says astonished at seeing a live dragon.
"Yes Sir, it is a real dragon." Sirius answers winking at Harry.
"You see Sir, we have a rather unusual situation here." Sirius goes on to relate the story of how Dragon the toy became a real dragon.
"Harry my boy, you have extraordinary power for one so young. Some wizards never master wandless spells and you have them mastered at the age of eight!" Dumbledore says sharing a look with Sirius. Sirius nods in understanding of the unspoken words.
Later pulling Sirius aside, Dumbledore says softly so Harry can't overhear. It's time to start his training. I'll speak to Professor Lupin and see if he will give Harry a few pointers on control. It seems we have a child prodigy on our hands, Sirius. I'm anxious for the school term to begin so he will have lessons to focus the magic on. He seems very ahead of his age in terms of the magical abilities."
"Yes, he does to me also. All children have periods of accidental magic but this was not accidental. He knew he was reciting a spell but was unsure of what the spell actually did. I think this concerns me more than the fact that he can already cast spells." Sirius explains.
"Yes, that could definitely cause him and others some problems. Have you spoken to him about it? I think you should set down some limits for him as to casting spells. Although from his comments earlier I can see he doesn't take well to limits. Perhaps other measures are needed."
"Headmaster, I not only took the broom away but I spanked him also. He hasn't complained about the broom until we came up here. I think he was testing to see if you would overrule my decision. When you didn't he looked hurt. I have a question for you. What do you plan to do with this dragon?"
"I have a friend in Romania whose son works with dragons. I'll just contact him to send someone to take the dragon there. It can be kept with the other dragons away from most people. We certainly can't have a live dragon here at Hogwarts. Just imagine the mayhem it could cause with the children." Dumbledore replies.
"With the new students arriving this week to be examined, I'll put in the fire call this afternoon. You just leave the dragon with me. I'll take care of it. When is Harry's exam scheduled?"
"It's tomorrow after lunch in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Remus is supervising the exams. Harry is very excited and has already told me he will be sorted into junior Gryffindor." Sirius tells him.
"Hmm. Just like his two Dads were! Have you told him you have applied to adopt him? It must feel good to know he's going to carry your name."
"No sir, I wanted to wait until it was official and then tell him the news. Adding Black as a last name doesn't mean anything. Harry's been my child since he came to live with me. It makes no difference to me what his surname is." Sirius replies sounding determined.
"Grandpa?" Both men look over to the child standing beside the bird. "Fawkes doesn't look like he feels well. Maybe he needs a pep up potion put in his water." Harry exclaims.
Smiling, the headmaster explains "It's close to his burning day Harry. The next time you come you'll see a very young Fawkes. He will be starting his cycle over. These birds burn themselves up but are reborn from the ashes."
After lunch the next day, Sirius accompanies Harry to Remus's classroom for his first ever magic exam. Upon entering the corridor they see several sets of young children with their parents. Many of the parents are busy giving last minute instructions to their children.
Harry is drawn to a young boy wearing faded jeans and a t shirt that is a size to big. He's standing beside a rather plump red haired woman wearing a purple cape and hat. "Now Ronnie there's no need to be nervous just go in there and do whatever they tell you."
"Yes Mum, but I'm not nervous I …." That's as far as he gets before the woman starts scolding
"Not nervous! You should be! You're taking a wizarding exam for you to qualify for Hogwarts new junior level classes! You go in there and show them what a Weasley can do or you and I will a chat with the spoon at home! You hear me?"
"Yes Mum everybody else hears you too. Please Mum don't yell." The boy whispers.
"Don't you tell me…." the woman starts just as Harry walks up. Holding out his hand to the red haired boy he says "Hi. My name is Harry. What's yours?"
"I'm Ron, nice to meet you Harry."
"Did your Mum say your last name is Weasley?" Harry asks.
At Ron's nod Harry asks "Do you know twins named Fred and George Weasley?"
"Yeah. They're my older brothers. How did you know them?" Ron asks.
"I met them here at Hogwarts last school term." At Ron's puzzled look he adds "I live here with Sirius. He teaches Astronomy here."
"You live here? Even during the summers? You must get to do anything you want to with your Dad being one of the teachers." Ron says grinning at him.
"I don't know about that. I can't do all that much really." Harry says somewhat subdued.
Ron turns to his Mother saying " Mum this is Harry. He's the boy the twins were talking about that lives here in the castle with his Dad and he's only nine."
"I'm not nine yet. My birthday is next week." Harry explains.
"Harry you say. Would your last name be Potter? " Mrs. Weasley asks.
Before Harry can answer he hears Sirius calling for him. "UM, sorry got to go that's Sirius and I wasn't supposed to wander off while he was inside the room. "
"Harry! I thought you were going to wait for me right here. Where did you go?" Sirius scolds him quietly.
"I met a new boy, Sirius. He's Fred and George's brother. He's nice." Harry says looking up at his Godfather to see if he was mad at him. When he sees no sign of it he relaxes.
"Harry Potter" The name is being called by a young woman dressed in a yellow cape covered with pictures of black cats. Several of the cats are wearing pointed hats. As he watches, two of the cats on her cape stand up, stretch and walk over to lie down next to a third cat.
"Harry!" Sirius has to call him to snap him out of his temporary trance. "It's time to go in." He says motioning to the door where the young woman wearing the cat cape is waiting.
Entering the room, Harry relaxes when he sees his adopted Grandma, Professor McGonagall.
"Hello Harry, come stand here on the round circle. Now just relax and hold your arms out to each side. Professor Julian will be conducting the exam. "
Harry watches as the young woman retrieves a wand from a desk and waves it over his head. A circle of light appears and winds itself down his body once and then again. On the second pass around his body the light changes color from a light yellow to a deep green color. Harry hears several gasps around the room. He wonders what's happening. All of a sudden one of the cats on Professor Jillian's cape leaps off the cape growing normal sized in mid air.
Harry calls quietly "Here kitty, kitty." As he holds out his arms, the cat lands in Harry's arms and he hugs it close.
"Harry? Did you cast … that is did you say anything to get the cat off the cape?" Professor McGonagall asks thinking Harry has cast a magic spell.
"No, I didn't say anything. It just came to me." Harry answers all smiles and hugging his new friend.
"Well, I think we can definitely add Harry Potter to the list of students for the new junior level." Professor McGonagall announces. The adults in the room all nod in agreement as they continue to stare at the young boy.
"Very well, let's invite your Godfather in and tell him the news. Professor Jillian walks back to the door and says "Professor Black, step in a minute please."
Sirius comes into the room feeling uneasy seeing so many of the other Professors in the room staring at Harry. "Is there a problem here? " he whispers to Professor McGonagall.
"Sirius, Harry has been accepted as one of our new junior students for the next term. His level was in the green category."
Sirius is very surprised to hear his child's magic level is so high. He knows the darker levels show strong magic. The levels begin at deep yellow, orange, green, blue, and at extreme wizard level –purple. Only a few wizards or witches ever reach the purple level. Sirius knows only one, Headmaster Dumbledore. The legendary wizard Merlin was also a purple level wizard.
"Harry, please leave the cat here and take a seat outside with the other children. Sirius will be out in just a few minutes." Professor Julian says.
"Please may I take the cat too? It likes me and I need to keep hold of it so it won't run off." Harry says with just a little stubbornness in his voice.
Sirius recognizes that sound in his young charge's voice. He stoops down eye level with the boy." Harry, you were given instructions to do something. I want you to do as Professor Julian told you." When Harry opens his mouth to protest Sirius says sternly "No. No argument.
Go wait out in the hall." Sirius is very tempted to add a smack to the boy's backside but refrains since the room is filled with other adults.
Sighing, Harry places the cat on the floor and turns to walk out. The cat suddenly flies through the air to land on Harry's shoulder just before he opens the door. Smiling brightly Harry turns around to look at his Godfather.
"See Sirius, she likes me. I'm calling her Inky." Harry says.
"Take the cat and wait outside Harry." Professor McGonagall tells him firmly.
After the door closes behind Harry, she turns to Sirius. "The cat you just saw was once on Professor Julian's cape. Harry did something, I'm not sure what, and the cat came to life. That little incident just now with him at the door was similar to what happened earlier. It's as if he summoned the cat."
Motioning for Sirius to follow her to a small room off the side of the classroom she says "Sirius, you know I love Harry like a grandson but, this needs to be stopped. He can't keep using magic anytime he wants something. This is almost like defiance. He wants it so he gets it no matter what anyone says. For his future education's sake we need to stop this and also the arguing back needs to stop. When he's in a classroom he'll have to follow the rules just like anyone else. I'm afraid we've all been pampering him too much."
"I've been working on the arguing back but this getting whatever he wants is new. I haven't seen him display this behavior before. " Sirius replies quietly.
"Well perhaps it's just the stress or excitement that caused him to lose control today. You keep a watch on him and let me know if it happens again. Together we'll figure out how to handle this. Well, I need to see to the rest of the examinations so I'll let you get back to Harry." She says walking back to the regular classroom.
Sirius walks out to the hall to find Harry surrounded by a group of young children. "I'm calling her Inky. She was on a cape and I just wished she could get off and she did. She jumped in my arms so now she's mine." Harry is explaining to his listeners.
One young boy with light blonde hair says "You can't just wish something alive. You have to conjur it. You must know a spell to do that!" his voice scoffing at the idea of what Harry's telling him.
"Now Draco, you mustn't be rude to the poor confused child. Not everyone has the same magical ability you do." The woman standing beside him says.
As Sirius walks up he says "Hello Narcissa, how are you today. Would this be your child?"
"Sirius! I'm surprised to see you here." the woman says scathingly.
"Draco, I want you to meet a cousin of mine. This is Sirius Black. Sirius this is my son Draconis Lucius Malfoy. We are here for the junior examinations today. Lucius couldn't get away from his work at the Ministry of Magic so I brought Draco. He's going to be in the junior level this term."
"Hello Draco, I'm Professor Black. I teach Astronomy so you may have a class with me. This is my godson, Harry." He says motioning to Harry sitting on the chair still talking to his admirers.
Before he can call Harry to him the door opens and they hear "Draco Malfoy." Draco enters the room for his examination. There are two other children being examined at the same time. He sees a young girl with brown hair and a red headed boy. The magic circle around the girl has just turned from light yellow to a dark orange indicating strong levels of magic.
"Excellent! " Professor Julian says as she announces "Hermione Granger will be in our junior level." Beaming the girl leaves the room. Looking across at the young redhead Professor Julian sees the magic circle go from light yellow to a dark yellow then back to light yellow before finally settling on a very light orange color.
"Well then, let's add Ronald Weasley to the list also." She says.
Draco stands ready for his examination to begin. He sees the circle of light spin around his body several times before it turns orange. "Very well add Draco Malfoy also." Professor Julian announces.
Just before Draco leaves the room he sees another child's ring of light circle three times and fade out. " I'm sorry dear, but you're not ready for junior level yet. Please take this paper to your parents." Professor McGonagall says to the young boy.
Seeing the child's tears start Draco sneers at him as he walks past. "Draco Malfoy!" he jumps at the sound of his name. "You were dismissed several minutes ago. I suggest you return to the corridor immediately!" Professor McGonagall says sternly.
Opening the door a few minutes later Professor Julian announces "All students who have been accepted to junior level today please bring your parents and enter the classroom."
Ten children eagerly walk into the room followed by their parents.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft." I am the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. This is Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall. She will be providing you with a list of necessary items for your child to have as they enter Hogwarts. She will also be showing you the dorms and discussing the school policies. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have at that time. We all wish your child much success as they begin their magical training and education."
Beside Harry a young bushy haired girl breathes "That's Extreme High Wizard Albus Dumbledore! I've read all about him in Hogwarts, A History of Magic."
Harry whispers to her. "He's very nice and likes children. Don't be afraid of him." At the startled look on the girl's face he says "I'm Harry. I live here with my Godfather so I know the Professors."
"Hi Harry. I'm Hermione Granger, It's a pleasure to meet you. Is this your Godfather?" She asks as Sirius walks up. "Yes. Sirius this is my new friend Hermione."
"Hello Hermione, Welcome to Hogwarts School. I'm Professor Black. If you have Astronomy you will be one of my students." Sirius says smiling at the cute young girl.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Professor Black sir. I love studying the stars so I hope I'll have Astronomy this term." Hermione answers politely sounding much older than nine.
Taken aback by the maturity in the child Sirius just stands there looking at her for a second then he says "Harry, it's time to go. We'll be seeing you later Hermione."
"Bye Hermione, I can't wait for school to start." Harry says walking away with Sirius.
Hermione returns to stand beside her parents. "Mum!" She whispers "I've just met Harry Potter. You know the boy who fought the Dark One and lived? He's going to go to school here."
"Yes Dear." her mother answers having no idea who the child is talking about as is often the case with her magical daughter. Not being magically inclined, her parents have difficulty understanding this new world their daughter is in.
Back in their living quarters, Sirius congratulates Harry on his acceptance to Hogwarts. "I'm proud of you Harry. I always knew you would be a student here just like your Father, Mother and I were. I just never knew you would be one quite so early. We'll have to take a trip to Diagon Alley to get you set up for school. Would you like to go for your birthday dinner at the same time or would you like to have a quiet birthday dinner here?"
"I want to go out somewhere. We eat here all the time. Let's go someplace special." Harry says holding Inky.
"That's what we'll do then. Day after tomorrow is a good day to go. We'll plan on that." Sirius tells him.
"I can't wait to go to Splurge Ice Cream parlor. I want to get a five scoop sundae with cherries and whipped cream!" Harry says.
Before Sirius can answer him there's a popping sound and a five scoop sundae appears on the table beside Harry. It is loaded with whipped cream and cherries.
"WOW! Look at that! It's just what I wanted." Harry says reaching for the spoon sticking out of the ice cream.
"Harry, No. You can't eat that at this time. You haven't eaten supper yet and besides that you don't need that much ice cream right now." Sirius says taking out his wand. He waves his wand over the ice cream and it vanishes just as easily as it appeared.
"But Sirius! I wanted that! You're not being fair. It came to me. It was mine!" Harry says growing angry.
"Harry you can't have things every time you want them. You are to stop using your magic to get things you want. Especially when you know you are not to have them at that time. " Sirius says sternly.
"If you want something you will ask permission first and then when I give my permission you may get what you want. You will not conjur any more things just because you want them. That's my final word, Harry." He says when he sees the boy about to argue.
Harry knows that to argue after his godfather says it's "his final word" would be asking for trouble but he can't seem to stop himself.
"You are not being fair! I didn't cast any spells cause I don't know any. When it comes to me then it belongs to me and you can't take it away from me!" Harry says rebelliously as the ice cream sundae pops back up on the table. Harry quickly grabs the spoon and digs in to the ice cream. He gets two mouthfuls of ice cream before he feels himself lifted off the floor.
Sirius has picked him up and is taking him into the living room area. Sitting down on the couch, Sirius stands the boy in front of him and asks sternly:
"What did I just say about using magic to get what you want, Harry James?"
"not to." At Sirius prompting look he says "To ask you for permission first."
"I just told you that you could not have that ice cream! You went right ahead and used your magic to get it anyway. You did the same thing in the exam room. You were told to leave the cat but you conjured it to come to your shoulder.
That is deliberately disobeying Harry James! You are not to disobey what adults tell you to do! . If you will remember that you will not be in the trouble you find yourself right now." Sirius says as he picks the child up and carries him to his room.
"Harry, from now on when you use your magic to get something you are not allowed to have or have not received permission for, you will be punished! What you just did was not accidental! You are grounded to your room for the rest of tonight and until lunchtime tomorrow. While you are in here you need to think about why what you did was wrong. I will bring your supper in later." Trying not to soften at the teary eyed look from Harry he closes the bedroom door.
Later, when Sirius brings in Harry's supper he says "Harry, you must learn to control your impulses. To stop doing whatever it is your mind tells you to do. You can control your magic you just have to tell yourself not to do It. "
Harry says "Yes Sir. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I didn't mean it."
"Thank you Harry for apologizing to me. I hope you will try really hard to control your magic. I love you very much and I do not want to punish you. I will though if you don't control both your talking back and your use of magic. Understand?"
Two days later they are shopping in Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley is an area of London which has shops catering to witches and wizards. Sirius is enjoying introducing Harry to the shopkeepers.
"Mr. Olivander?" Sirius says "I would like to introduce my godson Harry. We're here today to purchase his very first wand. He's been accepted into the junior level at Hogwarts."
A tall thin older man comes around his store's front counter to greet Harry. "Hello young man. So you are entering Hogwarts. You look very small to be eleven already. My eleven year olds look younger to me each year!"
Sirius has to hide his smile before he says "Mr. Olivander, Hogwarts is accepting nine and ten year old children beginning next month. This is what we call our junior level. Harry is just turning nine this week."
"I see. Well, let's just take a look at my wand collection. I'm sure we can find a perfect match." The older man says shuffling behind the front counter. After peering at his odd assortment of rectangular boxes he pulls out three boxes.
"Here you are young man, let's try this one." He says holding the box out for Harry to take the wand. Looking over at Sirius for permission to touch it Harry sees him nod.
"Go ahead and try it Harry. That's what we're here for, to select a wand." Sirius reassures the boy.
Harry lifts the wand out of the box and looks at Sirius. "Wave the wand Harry. Let's see what happens."
Harry waves the wand enthusiastically and sixteen boxes of wands fly off the shelves to zoom around the shop. Having to duck out of the way, Sirius takes the wand from Harry.
"I think we'll try another kind, Mr. Olivander." He says handing the wand back to the shopkeeper.
After several more attempts to find a wand and several more near catastrophes Mr. Olivander says "Yes, well let's see now. I think I know just the one It's way up in the top. I'll just get it."
He climbs the rolling ladder to a high shelf. Reaching out he plucks a long silver case off the shelf. Carefully climbing down he opens the case and presents the wand to Harry.
Hesitant to touch it after so many failed attempts at finding a wand Harry keeps his hands in his pockets.
"Go ahead Pup. It's all right. None of this is your fault. This happens when wizards select a new wand. Just try this one. It's very handsome." Sirius coaxes him into touching the wand.
Harry reaches out and carefully picks up the lightweight wand that is a white sand color with brown rings at the top. Holding the wand he feels a tingling sensation work its way up the wand and down his arm to his feet. He doesn't realize it but his hair is standing straight up. Looking up at his Godfather he says "I feel different when I hold this one."
"That's good young man. We all should feel different when we find our wand. Do you feel the magic in this wand?" Mr. Olivander asks.
"I don't know sir. I tingle all over and I feel kinda funny. Would that be the magic?" Harry asks.
"That's it exactly young man. Congratulations! You have found your first wand. This wand is very special as it has a phoenix feather in its core. There has only been one other wand ever made with the feather of a phoenix. This wand has now accepted you as its owner. No one but you will be able to use it without your permission." Mr. Olivander says happily.
Leaving the store they head over towards the bookstore to purchase the textbooks Harry will be needing. After walking for several minutes Harry suddenly stops, looking worried. Sirius, having walked on without realizing the boy wasn't with him turns and walks back to Harry when he notices he's walking alone.
"What's wrong Pup? Are your feet giving out on us already?" He teases.
Motioning for his godfather to lean down so he can hear, Harry whispers in his ear.
"Right now? Can't you wait until we get to the bookstore? It's just two blocks from here."
At Harry's frantic shake of his head he says "Come on, there's one right in this store."
Pushing open the door of what seems to be a shop that sells charms and necklaces, he says to Harry "Go on it's right through that door. I'll wait here."
Not wanting to wait any longer Harry rushes into the small Loo and closes the door. Through the door he can hear Sirius laughing at his mad dash to the Loo. Well, that tingling feeling I had in the wand shop was not just magic! Harry thinks as he washes his hands.
Later that evening after finishing all of the school shopping, Sirius takes Harry to a special restaurant. "Go ahead Pup. Order anything you think you'd like to try. We're celebrating three things tonight. We're celebrating your birthday, being accepted to junior level at Hogwarts and then one more that's a surprise."
After having eaten all he can hold of the many dishes he and Sirius ordered Harry asks "Sirius, can you tell me about the surprise now?"
"Well don't you want dessert first?"
"I'm full right now. Can we PLEASE wait until later for dessert?" Harry asks. "I'd really like to know what the other thing is that we are celebrating."
"All right then, I have something to show you. This paper arrived by owl from the Ministry of Magic just this morning." Sirius says passing the paper across the table to Harry.
Harry takes them and begins to read aloud "This is to cer ti fy he says sounding out the word, that Sirius Orion Black is hereby granted the adoption of Harry James Potter on this date July 20, 1990. From this date forward the above named in divid u als are recognized as being Father and Son forevermore."
Sirius waits to see what Harry's reaction will be. The child seems lost in thought. Worried he's done the wrong thing Sirius says "Harry? Is there something wrong?"
"No. I was just wondering what I should call you now. I mean I can't call you Sirius anymore because that's not respectful to call your parent by their name. What should I call you?" Harry asks biting his lip.
"Well Pup, whatever you want to call me is fine. You can still call me Sirius if you like."
Shaking his head, Harry says "I called my first Dad, Daddy but that's a baby name. I'm Nine! I can't go around saying Daddy now. Would it be ok to call you Dad? Do you think my first Dad would mind if I did?" Harry asks still biting his lip.
Holding out his arms Sirius says "Come around here to me." When Harry is snuggled into his arms he says "I know your first Dad would be happy for us. He is the one who named me your Godfather. He wanted me to raise you as my own if something ever happened to him and your Mum. I truly think he would understand and like it if you call me Dad. He will always be your Daddy and I'm not taking his place. I'm just picking up where he left off. Does this make since to you?"
"Yes sir, I understand. I think they both would be happy for us." Harry says turning to give his new Dad a hug. Sirius hugs him back tightly.
Harry pulls out of his arms and says " Hey Dad? What do you say about going over to the Splurge Ice Cream Parlor and sharing a sundae?" Harry grins up at Sirius's face when he uses the word Dad.
"Sounds like a fine plan to me, Son. Let's pay and get out of here." Sirius says grinning back at the boy.