Hello everyone! Back with another chapter! This one is slightly bigger than the last ones. Enjoy it!
Chapter 4: Dates, Requests and Conversations
Weeks Later – Hogsmeade
Ginny Weasley was sitting on an empty table on Three Broomsticks. She looked at her surroundings while ignoring the couples on dates with the goal of finding someone. Her disappointed face a few minutes later face showed that she had no success in finding the person she was looking for.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a beautiful Head Girl and Quidditch Captain. Do you know where I can find one?" Asked a cheeky and familiar voice and she quickly turned her head to find Harry sitting on a chair right beside hers.
"Harry!" Breathed Ginny before kissing him passionately. "How did you get here without me seeing you?" She asked after ending the kiss.
"Disillusionment Charm; got pretty good at it." Shrugged Harry in explanation.
"I can see that." Said Ginny with amusement before frowning at noticing a superficial cut on her boyfriend's cheek. "What happened?" She asked, nodding towards the wound.
Harry smiled. "Our last assignment was a little noisy. The cut was made by magic so it will have to heal on its own; but I did receive a jar of Murtlap Essence to help with it." He explained.
The assignment proved to be a trap from the few followers of Voldemort that were left as an attempt to reduce the Aurors' power and avenging their Lord by killing his vanquisher. A group of thirty Dark Wizards ambushed the group that contained Harry, three other Cadets and the Head of the Auror Department – Gawain Robards. However, despite getting them by surprise, none of them considered how much Harry improved these last few months. While Gawain and the other Cadets took care of fifteen of them, Harry took the other fifteen by himself. Using a combination of Transfiguration, Charms, Martial Magic and acrobatics; Harry captured the Wizards with ease, but a Cutting Curse from one of them managed to scratch his cheek.
His partners were shocked at seeing the expertise in which Harry took all those Wizards down and Gawain claimed to never have seen such a good fight since Alastor Moody himself. Harry knew this incident would make it to the front pages sooner or later.
"Are you going to be okay?" Ginny asked.
Harry waved his hand nonchalantly. "Don't worry."
"Of course, I worry, Mr. Lion." Said Ginny, her lips twitching into a smile at seeing Harry roll his eyes at the nickname.
Just like he predicted, his Animagus form came to public fairly quickly, despite being in a way he hadn't expected. After arriving at the Ministry to register he ended up finding Rita Skeeter doing the same, probably as a way of protecting herself since Harry and Ron knew about her illegal form and could have arrested her at any time. Since it wasn't forbidden to stay in the Register Section, Rita became very interested in what the man who defeated Voldemort was doing there and had a very pleasant surprise in witnessing him registering his lion form.
In the following day, the Daily Prophet printed an article about his achievement; it was fairly honest as Rita was not dumb enough to say anything bad about the Chosen One at the moment. The public opinion about Harry was still at a high, not only because he defeated Voldemort, but by his recent feats as well. It was a huge surprise for all those close to Harry when they found out about his little project as they had no idea he was even studying to become an Animagus. The young Auror received a lot of congratulations for his achievement.
Harry and Ginny went on with their date, they have gone from Three Broomsticks to other places while talking, laughing and of course, snogging when the opportunity presented itself. They saw Ron and Hermione on their own date, just like Neville – who was the new Head Boy along with Ginny due to his actions on Voldemort's rein last term – on a date with Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff. Harry and Ginny finally stopped at a small distance from the Shrieking Shack, where they finally got away from all the stares Harry received wherever he went. They had a slow and passionate snogging session; once again feeling thankful that they finally had their freedom and a chance of leading a normal life. After a few minutes, they just wrapped their arms around each other and watched the falling snow.
"How are your classes going?" Asked Harry with curiosity.
"They are great! Despite DADA and Muggle Studies not being taught properly last term, being on the DA guaranteed my pass and I'm not on Muggle Studies. I think I'll do great on the exams, especially since you taught me a lot these last few months." Explained Ginny, shooting her boyfriend a thankful look.
Harry smiled. Not many people knew Ginny was just as smart as Hermione, she just didn't have the habit of answering every question the teachers asked. The redhead had a talent for Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures, a passion she gained from Bill and Charlie respectively; not that she was less talented in other subjects.
They spent another hour enjoying their date until Ginny sighed after casting a Tempus. "It's time to go back." She said without any enthusiasm.
Harry smiled. "Actually, I intend to go to Hogwarts as well. There's something I got to ask the Headmistress." He said. Ginny smiled radiantly before kissing him again.
"Then we need to get to the carriage." She said after remembering the time.
Harry laughed and wrapped his arm around her waist. "No need to. Hold on tight."
Ginny opened her mouth to ask what he was doing when she was suddenly surrounded by red lightning and felt an extremely strong air current smashing against her face; it was just like riding the infamous Gringotts carts. Ten seconds later everything went back to normal, but Ginny needed five extra seconds to shake the dizziness away. She widened her eyes at seeing the gates of Hogwarts.
"But…how…you…me…what?!" She stammered, completely shocked with the sudden change of location in seconds; she knew for a fact that Harry hadn't Apparated.
Harry barked a laugh. "That's a little trick of my creation. I finished it a few days back and became addicted in using it to get through long distances without Apparition." Oh, how deeply he regretted not taking Ancient Runes and Arithmancy while he was at school. Creating new spells and magical objects was so much fun! No wonder Snape created so many while he was at school.
Harry had already created a great repertoire of exclusive spells, some which Fred and George would kill to learn, and a few others for serious situations; not to mention new and creative Enchantments to protect his home. His last creation had been the Fulgur Gradus Spell; a spell that allowed the user to move at high speeds while surrounded by a lightning shield that protected him form most spells. It had been very hard combining the high speed with a lightning shield that stimulated the nerves allowing him to surpass the tunnel vision, but he had done it. Of course, it took a few tries to get over the nausea after using it.
Ginny looked at Harry as if seeing him for the first time. "Please, teach it to me!" She begged, making Harry laugh.
"I promise I will, but another time." He promised, laughing once again at seeing the pout she made, looking as if she had been denied her favorite desert.
They passed through the gates – luckily for them; Filch wasn't there so they passed without interruption – and entered the school. Harry observed the hallways as a nostalgic feeling crept into his chest. He chuckled at the irony of such thought; it was making him feel old. Giving one last goodbye kiss on Ginny, they went their separate ways. Harry took the Marauders Map from his pocket and looked for the Headmistress, finding her on her Office and quickly made his way there. He smiled at seeing the fixed gargoyle guarding the entrance.
Harry pulled his wand from the holster and, with a flick, conjured his Patronus. The majestic bright-silver stag erupted from the tip of his wand and passed through the walls with a message for the Headmistress. After ten seconds of waiting, the gargoyle jumped to the side and revealed the stairway that would take him to the Headmistress Office. The young man climbed through the stairs, remembering the time where he had done the same to meet up with Dumbledore; it seemed so distant now, as if it was another life. He dismissed such thoughts when he arrived at door. Harry knocked and heard a familiar voice inviting him in.
He opened the door and saw the very familiar room – it hadn't changed much now that he noticed –, the small silver trinkets where still on top of the desks releasing puffs of smoke; the numerous portraits of the former Headmasters, sleeping – or at least pretending to –; everything seemed untouched. The only noticeable differences were Professor McGonagall sitting on the Headmaster's chair and the addition of another portrait on the room, side by side with Dumbledore's portrait. Harry immediately recognized the man on the frame; his greasy hair; hooked nose and the black vest that made him seem like a bat when walking denounced him as Severus Snape.
Harry didn't show the minimum sign of surprise in seeing Snape there since it was him that made sure the man was remembered for whom he truly was, as well as insisting the man's portrait was restored and placed amongst the Headmasters of the school as it should be.
"Hello, Potter." Greeted McGonagall with a slight smile. "What a pleasant surprise, have a seat." She invited, waving her hand towards the chair on the opposite side of her desk.
Harry sat down, giving a smile to his former Head of the House. "Hello, Professor. I hope my visit is not an inconvenience."
"Nonsense! You will always be welcomed in Hogwarts." Scoffed McGonagall. "And I am no longer your Professor, Potter. I think you of all people earned the right of calling me by my name." She added.
"I think I can do that if you do the same for me…Minerva." Replied Harry, feeling very weird in addressing the woman by her name. For a second he expected to lose a few points for disrespect before remembering he was not a student anymore.
"I can do that…Harry." Said the Headmistress. "Before I forget, I would like to congratulate you on becoming an Animagus. I know from personal experience how frustrating is that process." Congratulated Minerva, seeming very proud. "And I have found the form you took particularly ironic." She added with a smirk.
Harry chuckled slightly. "You and me, both. At least no one can deny I am a Gryffindor now, right?"
"Indeed." Agreed McGonagall. "And it seems like you still have a tendency to get into trouble." She said, nodding towards the cut on his cheek. "Dare I ask how you got this?"
"Would you believe me if I said I cut myself in an accident?" Asked Harry innocently, but the skeptical look from Minerva answered his question. "Thought so." Concluded the Wizard with a sheepish face.
"But anyway," Started the Headmistress. "your message said you wanted to make a request about the Room of Requirement, no?" She asked, receiving a nod from Harry.
"I would like to check if it still works after the incident with Fiendfyre." Explained Harry.
"It would certainly be good to know. But something tells me you do not want to check it just for the sake of checking it, am I right?" Asked Minerva, sagaciously.
Harry nodded and started to explain what were his intentions with the Room; as well as asking the permission from the Headmistress to do so. Minerva seemed surprised with Harry's goal, but did not seemed against it.
"It's certainly a very ambitious project, Harry. But I don't see any problem as long as you don't spread it around in the event you achieve it. I trust you not to abuse this in case you succeed." She said with a severe look towards Harry at the end.
Harry nodded with a smile. "You know I won't do that, Professor. If I do achieve it, it will stay with my family and not a person outside it will know. Of course, I will also share it with Hogwarts as it is its right." The young man assured.
Minerva smiled. "In that case, I do give you my permission to make this research. If someone can do it, I believe it's you." She said, receiving a grateful nod from Harry.
"I believe this is way above your capabilities, Potter. If I recall, you have never been on a single Ancient Runes and Arithmancy class." Said a familiar voice. Harry looked at Severus Snape, completely awake; as well as Albus Dumbledore on the portrait at his side, seeming pleasantly intrigued with the conversation.
"Good afternoon, Professor." Greeted Harry with a respectful nod. "While that is the truth, I ended up learning from Hermione everything about both subjects during my mission. I believe I am qualified, if my O.W.L and N.E.W.T grades are taken into account." He explained. Aside from a slight raise of eyebrow, Snape hadn't shown any sign of surprise.
Dumbledore smiled. "Jolly good, my boy! If you allow me the curiosity, how did you do on your exams?" He asked, genuinely curious.
"Nine N.E.W.T.s in DADA; Transfiguration; Charms; Potions; Herbology; Ancient Runes; Arithmancy; Care of Magical Creatures and Astronomy." Revealed Harry. Dumbledore smiled with pride and Snape seemed slightly surprised.
"You forgot to mention that you had top grades on all of them; extra credit on Transfiguration and Charms and the highest grade ever recorded on DADA." Added Minerva, visibly proud of Harry.
Dumbledore applauded in ecstasy. "Wonderful! Wonderful! My congratulations! I always knew you would get far, Harry. I heard you are not only the youngest Wizard to ever become an Auror, but also achieved an Animagus transformation, no?" Asked the former Headmaster, his eyes twinkling behind the half-moon glasses.
"Yes, sir." Said Harry, smiling slightly for the pride Dumbledore was demonstrating.
"If I understood well, you form advertises you as a true Gryffindor. I believe you have become a lion?" Theorized Dumbledore, applauding once again at receiving a nod from Harry.
"I'm surprised you have done so well in Potions, Potter. Your abilities in my class were horrendous." Remarked Snape without any malice on his voice.
Harry chuckled. "I discovered that with a little silence and no one breathing down on my neck; I have a certain ease on potions-making." He said. Snape nodded, not commenting on the jab. Maybe he thought it was fair let that one slip after everything that happened.
"Let's see how far you get with that little project of yours. Maybe you have more of your mother than I initially thought." Said Snape, seeming rather vexed at admitting that.
"I will certainly make the effort to prove that, Professor." Said Harry before getting up. "I thank you once again for giving me this opportunity, Minerva. I will keep you posted on any progress."
"See that you do. I am very interested in what comes out of it." Said the Headmistress.
Harry smiled at her and gave a respectful nod to her two predecessors before leaving. As the office was on the seventh floor, he didn't need to walk much before arriving at the opposite wall of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Stepping in front it, Harry took his wand out of the holster and walked back and forth three times while thinking of the room he needed. He smiled in relief at seeing a door appearing from the wall; at least the Room still worked. He placed the hand on the handle and raised his wand – the tip glowing an ominous blue – ready to cast the strongest water current he could produce in case the fire was still there. Harry opened the door and sighed in relief at seeing it was not necessary to do anything as the room was safe before putting the wand away.
The room which he found himself had the size of a classroom, it had a long table like those of the Great Hall – albeit smaller in size – with numerous notes spread on top of it in an organized fashion. Harry walked closer and analyzed them, smiling as he stated they were exactly what he needed. He took out a notebook, a quill and a bottle of ink from his pocket – which had an Undetectable Extension Charm – and placed them on the table. With a wave of his hand, the bottle opened; the quill levitated and placed the tip inside before starting to automatically copy the notes on the open notebook.
Harry nodded in satisfaction and pulled his wand out once again, he muttered under his breath while the air rippled with the spells he casted all over the room. He seemed slightly disappointed with the result before cheering up again. His eyes shone with determination. Harry was sure that he would get it with time and if there was one thing he knew about himself, is that nothing was impossible once he put his mind into it.
It was only two hours later that Harry finally stepped out of the room, wearing a satisfied expression on his face. He managed to obtain all he needed with the notes and the spells – said result he owed to the already forgotten spells he had in his library; that by now contained a special section for the Black family books as well, and was guarded with maximum security. Now it was only matter of analyzing the results and breaking down the formulas he copied before he achieved what he wanted.
Harry was walking through the hallways with the intention of visiting Hagrid as he missed talking with his Half-Giant friend. He arrived at the exterior of Hogwarts on his way to Hagrid's hut when he stopped for a second at recognizing the smaller and familiar figure of a Wizard that had his back turned and was kneeling down in an obvious attempt of getting some roots. His former Potions Professor; Horace Slughorn.
"Hello, Professor." Greeted Harry with a small smile as despite everything, he genuinely liked the man.
Slughorn jumped in alarm before turning around and smiling widely at seeing him. "Harry, my boy! What a pleasure it is to see you! I didn't know you were at Hogwarts!" He exclaimed, hastily cleaning his dirty hands on his robes and wiping his sweaty and red face with a napkin.
"I came here with permission of the Headmistress to do a research. I just finished it and was on my way to visiting Hagrid before leaving." Harry vaguely explained.
"It's good to know you keep up with your studies despite graduating. And if you permit me to say; your grades were more than exceptional, my boy! Lily would be proud!" Said Slughorn with a nostalgic face at the thought of one of his absolute favorite students.
Harry smiled at hearing that. "I'm happy to know that, Professor. I certainly tried my best." Truer words have never been spoken.
Slughorn nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes, certainly." He sent a hopeful stare to his former student. "It was good meeting you here, Harry. I'm going to have a party of the Slug Club next weekend and intended to invite you through Owl Post, just like a few former pupils as well as new ones. What do you think, my boy?" He asked, hopefully.
Despite not liking these things, Harry saw no reason to refuse as it would be a good way to spend some quality time with Ginny; even though Slughorn would certainly drag him around to introduce him to other people. "I would love to, Professor. I hope you don't mind me taking my girlfriend as my date?"
The man smiled widely. "Ah, yes, Ms. Weasley! Absolutely, Harry. She would have been invited anyway. Very talented girl, she is! I dare say she could compete with Ms. Granger. And I only saw such talent for Quidditch few times; you being one of them." He got closer to Harry after looking over his shoulder to verify if there weren't any eavesdroppers. "Don't tell her, but my former student; Gwenog Jones; Captain of the Holyhead Harpies, has been watching a few school matches in search of a new feminine talent and has shown herself very impressed with young Ginevra. I believe she intends to invite her to be part of the team when she graduates." He revealed in a whisper.
"That's brilliant!" Said Harry, excitedly. Ginny had already shown an interest in making a career on Professional Quidditch while studying for a Mastery on Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures for a long-term career plan. He was very happy that someone apparently recognized her talent.
"Yes, yes, but don't tell her yet. I still have to get an official confirmation on Gwenog's part; but I'm almost certain of what I'm telling you." Requested Slughorn.
"Absolutely, Professor." Harry agreed. He wanted Ginny to show all her talent without feeling nervous about a Professional Quidditch Team Captain possibly scouting her. Slughorn gave one last affectionate smile at Harry before saying his goodbyes. Harry resumed his path to Hagrid's hut, still ecstatic about the fact that Ginny might go professional sooner than she had expected.
The future was certainly looking bright!
Leave your reviews and pointers. Constructive criticism is appreciated! This was the last chapter I had translated, so it might take a little while before I update; maybe two or three days. Until next time!