DISCLAIMER: The story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K Rowling, and various publishers including but not limited to Warner Bros., Scholastic Books, etc. This story is intended as a fan made story and no money is being made. No trademark and copyright infringement is intended.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello! Kal Kir here giving you guys an update. First off, a new minor character being introduced as again I am lacking on the staffing department for Hogwarts. Secondly, there will be longer delays in between postings as I am finishing up some classes in the next few weeks. I also have a minor issue that may prevent me from using my computer for a good week or two. To help you know when the next update is, I will be posting on my profile page with the approximate date of when the next chapter will be posted. The dates listed are by no means concrete, but merely indicating when it will hopefully be up and ready by. If I finish early, I will try and post early, if not, I will do my best to have the chapter up by the listed date. So, if you are curious on status checks for my stories please check out my profile.

In another news, I might be writing another story and this one will probably be a one-shot in regards to a life of a particular character who is struggling to understand the world of magic. Stay tuned for that one.

Finally reader discretion is advised once again (but that will be most likely several chapters later so I am giving you all an early heads up. It will be an immediate build up and more mature content will appear later in the story)

TO REVIEWERS:

Guest (5-24) – Thank you for the support! Hope you will enjoy this next chapter!

Serika Ootori (5-29) – Thank you as well, Serika! Will try and do my best to keep the story going!

Word Count (approx.) – 3,207

Chapter 3 – The Second Floor

"Fantastic! Very good, Mr. Potter!" a voice cried as a broken cup in front of Albus mended itself back together. It has been a few weeks into the term and Professor Moonheart was teaching her students the mending charm.

Professor Moonheart beamed with approval at her student while inspecting the cup.

"On your first try and perfectly done! Five points awarded to Gryffindor!"

Several fellow Gryffindors grinned at that and began to practice the mending charm diligently. As Albus looked next to him, he noticed that his neighbor, a fellow Gryffindor, was having difficulties pronouncing the spell. He watched for a few moments seeing her slowly getting frustrated as she muttered to herself why the spell was not working properly.

"Haley, you need to accent the par not the beginning in Reparo. So it sounds like re-PAR-oh, not RE-par-oh." He whispered to her.

Haley smiled in thanks and quickly tried once more. She was finally able to mend her tea cup somewhat.

"Coming along nicely, Miss Everill." Professor Moonheart stated as she passed by their table once more. Professor Moonheart leaned in towards Albus and said in a low voice while grinning, "Keep that up Mr. Potter and I will be out of work. Another five points." She then proceeded to head towards the back of the classroom where another student was trying to repair his tea cup accidently turned it into dust.

Albus smiled at her response. While he excelled in all his classes, Charms was one of his favorite classes along with Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions.

It really paid off to study and practice ahead. He thought.

Eventually, the class came to an end and the only other students who were able to successfully repair their teacup were Rose and Scorpius who were also awarded five points for their effort. With class being over, the students began to pack their belongings to head out.

"Mr. Potter, if I may have a moment." Professor Moonheart called out.

Albus nodded and waved to Rose, Haley, and his fellow Gryffindor year mates to go on without him and waited as they all filed out of the classroom.

"Professor?" he asked.

Professor Moonheart looked at him a bit curiously. "How far have you gotten in your studies?"

"Quite a bit." Albus admitted. "I nearly finished the textbook and I feel like I may have a good portion of the basics down. There were a few areas that are a little confusing, but I think I could understand it once I learn the principals and theory along with more practice."

Professor Moonheart grilled Albus for more answers which Albus willingly provided. She even had him try some more advance charms that they would learn later in the year. Eventually, she stood still for a moment looking thoughtful.

"Would you be interested learning ahead of the others?" she asked. "It is apparent that you have progressed much more than them, and it seems like the normal sessions are merely holding you back. You have a fairly firm grasp of the foundation and basics. Not to mention, you have a decent understanding of the first year, The Standard Book of Spells. If you like, we could schedule another session for you so you can learn at your own pace."

Albus looked up a bit shocked. It was true that he was not learning anything new in class, but he never expected the professor to look in on his academics on a personal level. This was the second professor to offer him extra sessions. A few days before, Professor Harper also asked if he was interested in a set of private lessons as Albus clearly had a grasp of the basic regarding to the Dark Arts.

It took a few moments for Albus to collect his thoughts. He was happy that they professors thought highly of him, but extra classes would mean cutting into his free time. Eventually, he found his voice again and replied.

"I would be honored, professor. However, I already do have extra classes with Professor Harper."

She waved her hand in a dismissive manner, "Don't worry dear, I am sure that we will be able to arrange something for you. Provided you are interested in taking an accelerated course or taking the more advance courses in the future?"

Albus nodded in agreement.

"Excellent! We will go over your classes and provide you with an updated schedule later this week. In the meantime, please continue with the current schedule."

With that, Professor Moonheart dismissed Albus.

Leaving the classroom he noticed that Rose was leaning against the wall waiting for him.

"So what was that about?" she asked as they headed for their next class.

"Professor Moonheart might be providing extra lessons." He groaned out a bit.

"Well if you were not such a perfectionist this would not have happened." She chided him. "Besides, you are lucky the professors think highly of you. I wish they would think the same for me."

Rose sighed as they walked down the hall. Albus knew that Rose wanted to be the top of class, and only expected fierce competition with Scorpius. Following after her mother Hermoine, Rose was an intellectual person. Thus, while she and Scorpius competed for top grades, it was not always a surprise when she beat Scorpius. What surprised her was Albus surpassing both of them with ease. She always nagged at Albus to find out his secret in getting better grades to which Albus merely stated he was constantly studying.

Albus winced inwardly a bit when he remembered that since then, Rose spent more of her time studying and less time socializing. He felt it was unhealthy to just be studying and not mingle with friends.

"Well, maybe you can have someone tutor you?" he suggested. "We have a few older students helping us out a bit with our studies."

"Hmm." Rose replied thinking about the idea thoughtfully.

"If you like, I think we can get you to join our study sessions." Albus offered.

Rose paused for a moment in deep thought then nodded.

"I think I will take you up on the offer if your fellow Gryffindors are alright with me intruding into your common room."

Albus looked excited. "I will ask them tonight and see if that is alright." As they started walking again Albus vision blurred a bit and he felt himself sway a bit.

Rose reached out and grabbed him by the arm right before he fell to the ground. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Albus tried to look at Rose as the world turned for a moment. Behind her there were a few students passing by looking at the two of them most with looks of concern. "Yeah," he replied, "Just lost my balance."

Rose studied Albus carefully for a moment still holding onto him carefully. Albus gave her a reassuring smile showing that he was perfectly fine. Satisfied, she let him go and they continued towards their next class. As he approached his class, Albus saw a familiar student looking at him from down the corridor before the girl turned and walk away.

Later, after dinner, Albus found himself standing in front of Professor Harper's office. It was his turn to meet the professor for the personal get-to-know meeting. While he was held back after class a few times to converse with the professor several times, this was his first actually meeting with him.

He raised his hands and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

A voice called from the other side of the door. Albus opened the door and peered through. The office looked to be more like a cozy living room with two comfy chairs and a small table. Professor Harper sat on one of those chairs and motioned him to close the door and sit on the other chair which he did.

"I hope everything has been going well with you, my boy." Professor Harper said as Albus settled comfortably into the chair.

"Yes," Albus replied. "I have been doing well."

"I know you just had dinner, but would you care for something to eat or drink?" Professor Harper asked.

Albus shook his head and Professor Harper summoned a small tea set and poured some tea for himself. He took a sip and looked at Albus for a moment before speaking.

"You know, you are very different from your brother, Albus."

Albus merely shrugged in response bringing a small chuckle from the professor.

"Yes, fairly different. He was rasher while you are more insightful. It makes one consider if you are truly a Gryffindor."

Albus eyes widened as he looked at his Head of House and realized he was teasing him.

"Not that that is a bad thing mind you." He went on. "It just means that you at least think through your situations instead of acting on your feelings. Which undoubtedly resulted in you excelling in not only my class, but also in other classes as well."

He summoned a piece of parchment to his side and read some of the contents.

"Most of the professors are simply delighted that you are doing well in class. Being one of the top students, they have high hopes for you and hope that you continue to do your very best." His eyes twinkled a bit as he looked at his student with pride.

Albus flushed a bit from the praise he was getting from him.

"However, this has got me to ask you something in regards to a very important question." Professor Harper's expression turned serious and he leaned over looking straight at Albus for a moment.

Albus leaned back a bit feeling a bit uneasy at the sudden intense scrutiny. Did he do something wrong? The only thing he can remember is his brother getting away with a prank on a Ravenclaw student. Even if he knew about that, surely he would not be in trouble for that? He looked away slowly breaking eye contact as the stare intensified.

"Are you enjoying your time here at Hogwarts?"

What?

Albus froze for a few moments before looking up at his professor who in turn still had a very intense stare trained right at him.

"Um, pardon?" he asked.

"Are you enjoying your time here at Hogwarts?" Professor Harper repeated.

"Yes?" Albus replied.

"Oh good!" Professor Harper exclaimed as he leaned back, his eyes no longer gazing at him intently as he saw his professor relax.

"Knowing some of you top students, I know that many of you tend to bury yourselves in books and just study and not have time to actually enjoy Hogwarts."

Nearly an hour went by as Albus and the professor chatted about their past. Professor Harper was simply incredible. He was a very knowledgeable man who loved to research and never hesitated to share what he learned to others. He spent years, researching until former Headmistress McGonagall invited him to teach at Hogwarts. With the chance of continuing his research on the Dark Arts during his free time and being able to impart his knowledge to the future witches and wizards, Professor Harper readily agreed. That was years ago and while he thoroughly enjoyed teaching, he found himself spending less time researching. Professor Harper did not expect to find himself to be so immersed with the school. In fact, he found joy being with students that he actively sought for ways to ensure that students not only learned but experience a great time while at Hogwarts. His passion to be very involved with the students and their affairs had many see him as a fatherly figure to them all. Despite seeming to be a great father figure for the students, he did not have a child of his own.

When he was young, Anax Harper was married to a lovely witch who back then recently joined the Aurors. Unfortunately, she was one of the first casualties in the First Wizarding War. This tore up Anax as he kept himself in seclusion for many years blaming himself for her death. While he shut himself into seclusion, he eventually came around and continued his research in the Dark Arts. What he did not expect was to find out his wife was alive and well near the end of the Second Wizarding War as a Death Eater. During the Battle of Hogwarts, he was one of the few who came to help defend Hogwarts from the assault. There, he reunited with his beloved who immediately fired a killing curse at him. Faced with this betrayal, he and his former wife Morana Harper dueled during the Battle of Hogwarts. Eventually, Morana was mortally wounded and fled as the battle was being brought to a conclusion.

Since then, Anax never saw her again and with the invitation from former Headmistress McGonagall decided to dedicate his remaining active years to Hogwarts. With his age creeping up on him, he decided it was soon time for him to fully retire and enjoy the remaining years in relative peace.

Albus was dismissed by the professor after hearing the story, but not before he was reminded about the Gryffindor party that was coming up.

As he headed towards the common room, Albus felt a pair of eyes watching him. He stopped in his track and looked around cautiously. Despite being his brother, James had been known to prank him even at school. So whenever he sensed someone, he always remained on the alert, if it was his brother, this time he would be-

"Hello, Albus." Selene's voice called out from a shadowed corridor behind him.

"Selene! Merlin, don't scare me like that! I felt like I was being followed." Albus replied.

Selene chuckled, "Well, it is nice that you are wary of your surroundings, though you should relax a bit. After all, you are still a first year and should be enjoying your time here. So what brings you out late? I thought first years are not supposed to stay out of the common rooms this late."

Albus nodded, "I was in one of Professor Harper's meetings. One of those get to know each other better meetings."

"Ah, I see." Selene said. "Well let me take you back to your common room then."

The two walked towards the common room passing a few more corridors when they heard a clattering noise of something falling over coming from a stair case leading to the floor above.

"What was that?" he asked. They paused for a moment to listen but was only greeted with silence. Selene's eyes narrowed as she held the hand out preventing Albus from going up.

"Let me check," she stated.

Albus shook his head, "It's better to go together and figure out what that noise was."

She nodded and they proceeded up the stairs with caution.

As they arrived at the next floor, they immediately noticed one of the doors forced open on the floor. They silently walked towards the entrance and peered through, as Albus pulled his wand out just in case.

Inside stood a robed figure looking at an object sitting on a pedestal muttering to itself.

"Albus," Selene whispered to him. "We shouldn't be here. This is the room no one was supposed to enter."

He then realized, this was the second floor classroom that was supposed to be used for storage. However looking carefully, there were not much being stored there other than whatever the figure was looking at on the pedestal, the figure froze and immediately turned.

"Who goes there? Who are you?" the voice hissed. "No one should be here."

"A student," Albus replied. "And you do not seem to be a teacher here."

The figure slowly walked towards them as a voice cackled and replied, "Indeed. I do not care if you are a student, but you are in my way." The voice replied and raised their wand at Albus.

"Stupefy!"

Albus immediately dodged out of the way and started heading towards the exit.

"Bombarda!" the figure cried.

"Protego!" Selene yelled out narrowly shielding them both. "Run!"

Albus and Selene ran back down the stairs as a voice shrieked and spells exploded around them.

"Get to the common room I will notify the professors and tell them what is going on!"

Albus rushed towards the Gryffindor common room as a few spell followed him down the corridor as he rounded the corner, he hear familiar shouts indicating that the professors were finally involved.

He slowed down a bit as he neared his common room. He saw the Fat Lady standing there preparing to sleep. He heard running footsteps from behind and he immediately whipped his wand out only to see Selene rushing up to him, panting out of breath.

"Alright, Albus?" Selene managed to gasp out.

"Yeah." He replied.

"I think it would be better to ask if you are alright." He looked at her with concern and she shook her head.

"Not hurt. Was lucky though. Might get myself checked at the hospital wing later just in case if you are that concerned."

"Would be better to." Albus stated. "Thanks by the way."

Selene smiled back, she stood up straighter as she finally got her breath back.

"I just wanted to give you a heads up though. It might not be a good idea to talk about this to anyone."

"Oh?" Albus asked.

"Well, we kind of went into a room we were not supposed to go to and I do not want to serve detention if possible." She replied.

Albus nodded in complete agreement.

"Do you have-"

"Detention? No." she replied. "I just told them an intruder came onto the premises as I was heading back to my common room."

"Alright. What was in there though? Did you catch a glimpse of it?" he asked.

"No, I haven't. Everything just went by so fast." She looked momentarily disappointed.

"Oh well."

They stood there a bit awkwardly for a moment as the conversation died out.

"Well. I guess I will see you later then?" she asked as she turned to walk without waiting to hear a reply.

"Wait! Before you go I have a question to ask!" Albus called out.

Selene stopped and came back, "Sure, What is it?"

"I know I am asking for much. Since you are in Ravenclaw and my cousin Rose is as well, would you be able to tutor her?"

Selene looked at him a bit puzzled.

"I thought she was one of the best students in your year. Why would she need help?"

Albus shrugged, "I think she wants someone who can guide her so she can improve a bit more."

Selene nodded, "Well, I will see what I can do."

He surprised Selene by giving her a big hug who later hugged back.

"Thanks!"

With that, he walked up the to the Fat Lady portrait.

"Well, young man. You are going to be in trouble!" She rebuked Albus, "Coming in past allowed hours! I should call the professor on you for being out this late!"

Albus swiftly apologized to the portrait who later let him in and soon managed to embrace the warm inviting bed as he tried to forget about the event that occurred that night.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next one will be coming up but the delay will be longer. I would say mid-June is when the next one may be. I have a personal matter that will keep me away from posting for at least a good week starting June. Other than that hope you all enjoyed the story. Feel free to review and provide feedback.