-The same morning at breakfast-
"Hiya Harry," Susan greeted, "why the long face? You didn't get in anymore trouble, did you? Because if you're trying to give Tonks a run for her money, your two years behind."
"I'm not in trouble Susan, quite the opposite really. I may be leaving Hogwarts."
"WHAT! There's no way that getting expelled is a good thing. What did you do? Attack Filch or Snape or something? Most teachers absolutely adore you here," Susan ranted.
"No, it's nothing like that," Harry grinned at Susan's worry, "I was offered to go to an advanced school to start working towards a sorcery in a subject. Nice to know you care though," he said flashing a smile at her, causing her to blush and avert her eyes.
"Oh, that's… wonderful," she said with an even tone, "What school was it? If you don't mind me asking."
"It's just the transfiguration, charms, and a few others. Nothing too crazy," he said nonchalantly.
"WHAT! HOW DOES A FIRST YEAT GET INVITED INTO MULTIPLE GUILDS?!" Susan all but screamed, drawing looks from some of the early arrivers to breakfast.
"Quiet Susan, any more noise and the paintings will make me the gossip of the school. I'm not even sure if I want to accept the offer. It's an honor and all that, but I don't have many friends here as it is. If I leave to go somewhere else, I'll be all on my own again."
"Obviously you're going to accept Harry. I'm sure you'll make friends wherever you go. Honestly, you could probably sweet talk a dragon if you would quit being so awkward," she said as she nudged Harry in his side. Harry turned his head to look at her and noticed a flash of blonde hair coming from the Ravenclaw table.
"Yeah, I'll think about what you said Susie. I need to go talk to someone really quick," he then made his way towards the vaguely familiar head of hair. As he approached the person addressed him,
"Hello, Harold. I've been in the infirmary with nasty migraines caused by the nargles, you see. It is quite nice of you to check on me though," said the voice of Miss Luna Lovegood.
"You've been in the infirmary this whole time? What about classes?" Harry asked.
"Oh, the professors were more than willing to send the assignments I could do so I wouldn't get to far behind. Enough about me, you came here because you have a difficult choice to make and wanted an outside opinion."
"How did you – "Harry started.
"Hush now. Honestly, whatever path you choose is ultimately up to you. I personally believe that you can rise above whatever your challenge may be wherever you are. Although, if you are out of the influence of dark and light wizards, it could be better. You would choose your own path then. A path to greatness without ever saying your name. I must go now, the walls have eye's, Lord Potter. Expect a call from someone soon," and with that, she skipped away. Leaving Harry more confused and unsure then ever. What was she talking about, being under the influence of wizards. How would someone call him anyway?
"Mr. Potter," drawled out the voice of one Severus Snape, "Your guardian has contacted me through the floo. You will talk to him in my office. Come with me and do not speak another word until I tell you to," he said with a fire burning in his eyes. He had the look of a kid about to throw a temper tantrum when one of their toys broke.
Harry followed Snape out of the Great Hall, shooting a glance at Susan who was eating, and headed down the stairs towards the dungeons. He then entered a large cupboard, closing the door and waving his wand while saying various enchantments. After he had deemed the room secure enough, he turned to Harry.
"I have been made aware of your current predicament by the headmaster. While it is a great personal achievement to be invited into these guilds, you must understand the consequences that could occur if you should accept. Most of these schools offer two program choices, a traditional 9-month program like what we have here at Hogwarts. These schools also offer an advanced year-round schooling offer. You are allowed two weeks of vacation time during a year, used at the student's discretion. On the traditional program, there will be 6 years of study followed by a year of individual study. You will then show your proficiency in the program and they will decide if you have progressed enough to earn your sorcery, or junior sorcery in your case. The year-round program is only 4 years of study will a 6-month period of individual study then you present your skillset," Snape explained.
"With all due respect, sir, why bother to tell me this? I'm sure that anyone could figure this out if they looked into it," Harry asked.
"Because, Evans, without realizing it, people are beginning to try and manipulate you for something that will come in the years to come. Both the headmaster and your own guardian will use you for personal gain. Even if their methods are very different. The year-round program gives you a chance to escape all outside influence since all teachers in the schools are required take an oath of neutrality. This is a chance for you to learn and grow, without anyone making a choice for you. We are running out of time here, the floo is in the back of the room. Use it to talk to Avery at once. Do not mention this to anyone you wouldn't trust, because jealousy is as dangerous as declaring war outright sometimes," and with that he stepped outside the room, leaving Harry to his call.
Harry walked over to the floo and called out the address before sticking his head into the green fireplace. "Lord Avery, you wanted to see me?" he asked politely.
"Yes, the old man has informed me that you have had offers to various prestige schools. He also informed me that he wouldn't have if it wasn't expressed in the school's charter," Avery spoke with a frown. He wasn't sure how to take this news. On one hand, this would provide a possible powerful ally soon when the dark lord returned. On the other hand, he wouldn't be able to watch the boy as closely as he would like. "Although this is a very unexpected offer, it is not an unappreciated one. It is very wise to make friends in high places, as you already know. I've been told you have made friends with the heir of the Bones House. That is a very smart move, Harry. Back to the topic on hand, what do you know about these programs?"
"Well sir, they are year-round programs that last four years. So, I could theoretically be almost finished with my second one at the same time that I would finish my N.E.W.T.s here," Harry said remembering what Snape had suggested.
"I see, are there any specific ones you were considering?" Avery asked.
"Well I was thinking about transfiguration, but the most well-rounded school is the Battlemages Guild," Harry honestly replied.
"Hmm, what division were you offered to? Was it their defense association, or their intelligence department?"
"Um, I believe that it was the buhumblebug division," Harry spoke confidently.
"Pardon me, what was that?" Avery asked, thinking he heard wrong.
"The fumbleberry division. The laffry division. Sir, I can't say it for some reason," Harry replied.
"Hmm, there must be some sort of taboo or fidelius around it then. If it is that well-hidden, I would think it is possibly some sort of unspeakable branch. Ultimately, the choice is yours. All I ask of you is that you remember your teachings and keep me informed if anything extraordinary happens."
"Yes sir, of course sir," Harry stumbled out, still fluster at not being able to say where he was going.
"I will leave you to it then," and with that he cut the floo call, leaving Harry to inform Dumbledore of his decision and to go pack.
-That night at dinner-
"Before you begin your meal tonight, there is an announcement to be made. One of the students of Hogwarts had been selected to enter a specialized school of magic. He is the youngest wizard to be offered into a program in the past 10 years. Many of you know him as Harold Evans, but tonight he comes to you as HARRY POTTER!" Dumbledore shouted his name for dramatic effect. Although Harry didn't quite like him too much, he would admit the old man could put on a heck of a speech. Harry then walked into the great hall, white hair and mismatched eyes, and waved.
"Hiya," said Harry. The Great Hall then broke out in mixed reactions. Part of the student body broke out in whispers about the boy-who-lived hiding amongst them the entire time. The older students held their composure a bit better and started a quite round of applause for him. Luna nodded at him, already knowing who he was. Susan just starred at Harry and gave him a look that said they were going to talk later. Tonks, who was sitting at the end of the table closest to the door, had the strangest reaction of all though. She stood up suddenly and walked towards Harry with a smile on her face. Harry grinned back, confused at what was going on. Whenever she got within arms reach of Harry, she spread her arms in a manner that suggested a hug. As Harry opened his arms to return the gesture, however, Tonks balled he fist and punched him right across his face.
"HOW COULD YOU LIE TO US THIS ENTIRE TIME?" she shouted more than asked.
"Greatest prank ever, right?" Harry asked, once again smiling with a line of blood running from his split lip. This caused Tonks to giggle and wipe the blood away,
"Oh, you are sooo telling me how you managed to pull this off for so long. I think you have bigger problems at the moment though," she said with a smirk. She then stepped to the side revealing a crowd of people all asking questions, wanting autographs, and pulling his tie off for one particularly daring girl. 'Average life of a celebrity', Harry thought.
There it is, Harry is leaving Hogwarts and moving on to make his own destiny. Except for the one prophecy, of course. Nasty little thing, someone may have to do something about that, hmmmmm. Now, I have two request from my readers. I need about 2 more Original Characters (OCs) for Harry's school. I need one of my female readers to dm me any ideas you have for a female OC around Harry's age. I'll need some specifics, obviously. Hair color, eye color, any useful talents (nothing crazy, more like an area of magic their good at), personality, etc. I also need one of my male readers to make a male OC a bit older than Harry. Like 4-5 years older. Just a reminder, Harry is currently 15. I need these characters ASAP so send in your suggestions and I'll dm you back if I'm going to use your character. Thanks a ton.
This is Cloaked Protagonist,
Signing Off