Anyone still reading this? My apologies, I haven't been uploading more frequently, I had something come up privately that needed my attention. But I'm back. If you're still here, reading this. Thank you! :D hope you enjoy- I already have another chapter ready after this one, soo...
The next day, Harry was up before the other boys. He quickly gathered his cleaning kit and clothes and made his way towards the bathroom. They also had additional bathrooms for the 8th years, again similar to all the others but smaller in size. You could be with two people at once, whilst the other dormitories all shared one massive bathroom.
Harry quickly showered and got dressed, not yet used to having others see his injury. Normally at the burrow Harry would start exercising before breakfast, but he hadn´t talked to Madam Pomfrey yet about his schedule so he decided to just do a couple of stretches before walking towards their new common room. When everybody else woke, they went towards the great hall for breakfast before making their way towards the Transfiguration class room where McGonagall and Charlie were supposed to meet them.
"Good morning students." McGonagall said, "I hope you all had a good night sleep and that you like your new accommodations. We'll start as per usual, myself and Professor Weasley will talk to each of you individually in my office here. We'll go over your schedule of required classes and anything else that might come up. First up, is Mr. Finnegan."
After Seamus was Hermoine, she came back with a smile on her face and a long schedule in her hand. "How did it go?" Ron asked curiously.
"Oh perfect, I had OWLS for all my subjects, so I can do all the NEWT courses I want. Unfortunately I had to drop Herbology, it just didn't fit into my schedule and I didn't really need it." Hermoine replied as she studied her own schedule thoroughly. The four of them sat chatting, Neville and Seamus had already left for their first classes, when suddenly Harry's name was called.
"Mr. Potter, it's your turn." McGonagall said as she waited for Harry by the door. She watched as Harry maneuvered his leg out from underneath the table before standing slowly and walking towards her. She closed the door behind him as she motioned for Harry to sit down opposite her and Charlie. Harry sat down and waited for them to speak.
"Mr. Potter, I assume you still want to become an auror. I feel the need to ask this again, after everything you've been through." McGonagall asked concerned as she watched the boy in front of her. He'd grown up so much in the past year, he'd grown a lot more and was filling out quite nicely. Soon, she would no longer think of him as a boy.
"Yes, that's correct." Harry replied.
"Alright, that makes this conversation a lot easier seeing as we don't have to revisit your schedule too much. Defence against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Astronomy, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures are on your schedule right now. Which are two additional NEWT subject above what the ministry requires for acceptance into Auror Training. However professor Weasley has pointed out to me that it could be a good idea to stay on these additional classes." McGonagall said.
Harry looked up at her in surprise and then glanced at Charlie, "Why?" he asked.
Charlie smiled, "I believe Astronomy and Care of Magical Creatures could be highly beneficial to your studies in Auror training. Astronomy, as you know, can be very helpful to figure out certain spells or potions. For example a wolfsbane potion is…"
"… most effective when brewed at night of a full moon." Harry finished, knowing this of course due to Snape´s lesson on lycanthropy and Remus being a werewolf.
"Exactly. Same goes for Care of Magical Creatures, their essence is used for potions, wand making, some require specific spells to handle them; which will broaden your spell knowledge." Charlie replied.
"I see where you're going." Harry replied, but McGonagall could hear his hesitation.
"You won't need E's or O's for these subjects. However I would like for you to do your best, but just studying these courses will benefit your additional education in auror school. It's your choice Mr. Potter." McGonagall said.
"I don't know if it will fit in my schedule, Professor." Harry replied, before hesitantly continuing. "I haven't met with Madam Pomfrey yet to set up my physical therapy, I'm afraid that's going to require some time as well." Harry said with a heavy heart. He really wanted to apply himself in his last year at Hogwarts, he knew he could probably do it. However his physical wellbeing was important to him too, he really didn't want to have a limp for the rest of his life.
McGonagall smiled at Harry, "No worries, Mr. Potter. I've already had the liberty to discuss this with Poppy and I've included her schedule with yours." As she handed Harry his schedule.
Harry quickly glanced at it, it was a full schedule. Besides all his classes he was scheduled for Physical therapy twice a day for 1,5 hours. He was however more surprised to see Quidditch on his schedule.
"As you can see. You've got a couple of free periods here and there. Your Wednesday's most free, seeing as you don't have History of Magic nor Divination on your schedule. And yes Mr. Potter, I have scheduled Quidditch into your roster; however it is for Poppy to decide whether you can come to the training, if you're still on the team." McGonagall explained to him.
"Yes, Professor." Harry replied with his head a bit down, avoiding Charlie's questioning gaze. He already knew Quidditch wasn't happening anytime soon.
"Alright. That's it for now. Should problems arise with your schedule you can talk to professor Weasley or myself about this. You are to meet Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary after you leave here, so she can go through your PT schedule with you. We will meet again next Wednesday to see how your first week has been. Everything clear?" McGonagall asked.
Harry rolled up his schedule as stood slowly, avoiding the worrying glances of McGonagall. "Yes, thank you Professors."
"You are welcome." McGonagall said.
"I'll see you this afternoon in class Harry, oops sorry! Mr. Potter." Charlie smiled as he waved Harry out of the office.
In the classroom only Ron, Ginny and Dean were still waiting. As soon as Harry stepped out Dean was called in by McGonagall so Harry stepped towards his best friend and girlfriend.
"How did it go?" Ginny asked curious.
Harry shrugged, "Alright. I have to go and meet with Madam Pomfrey, so I'll meet you guys later in the 8th years common room or otherwise at lunch?"
Ginny nodded, "Ok, we'll see you later." She replied as she accepted a peck from Harry on her cheek and watched him walk out of the classroom.
The trek towards the infirmary took longer than Harry had hoped. It was on the third floor, which meant a lot of stair climbing and that was something Harry's leg wasn't used to nor really ready for. When he finally entered he saw Madam Pomfrey waiting for him.
"Ah, there you are Mr. Potter. I was wondering when you were going to show up." Madam Pomfrey said as she gestured for Harry to sit down on an empty bed.
"Sorry Madam Pomfrey." Harry simply stated. Poppy glanced at him curiously, "Right, how are we Mr. Potter? It's been a couple of weeks since we last saw each other."
Harry shrugged, "As good as, I guess."
"Hmm." Poppy said softly, "How was the train ride?" she asked casually.
"To be honest, not the best. I got very stiff, my leg buckled when I tried to get off the train." Harry replied honestly.
"Did you do any exercises?" Poppy asked.
Harry shook his head, "I did all the exercising I could before boarding the train, but once on the train it was so cramped and packed with students. I was happy to have found an empty compartment."
"You did elevate your leg, yes?" Poppy asked as she waved her wand and did a couple of diagnostic spells.
"Yeah, I actually fell asleep." Harry said as he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Poppy chuckled. "It might not feel this way, but you're still in the early stages of your recovery. It's quite normal to tire early. Any other issues? Ally told me that you can straighten your leg a bit farther now."
"Yeah, 5 whole degrees more." Harry cheered sarcastically.
"Cheeky. That's good Mr. Potter." Poppy replied as she chuckled at him. "So, you've probably seen the schedule that Headmistress McGonagall gave you?" When Harry nodded she continued, "Good, for the first week I just want to try and keep up what you've been doing at the burrow with as much structure as possible. This way, you'll hopefully settle into a nice rhythm to balance your classes, studies and PT. I want you to start your morning with stretches, get a nice warm up and I want you to simply walk around the lake. Keep track of your time, I don't yet know how fast your pace is at the moment- so I want you to set it, alright? Make sure you have enough time to get back to the castle, where I want you to stretch and cool down before finishing your morning exercise. You'll then have an hour to shower, get breakfast and make it to your first classes. We'll change this up, when you've managed to walk around the whole lake within the hour. At night after dinner, I want you to work on your strength training. Ally has send over all the needed equipment and Headmistress McGonagall and I have set up a room for you to use, it will open at your command- no one else's, well aside from the teachers of course."
"Ok." Harry replied, happy to realize that none of this was going to be an issue.
"Good. How have your painlevels been?" Poppy asked.
"Manageable. I have only take the pain potion twice, in the last couple of weeks." Harry replied earnest.
"Ally also mentioned cramps, any of those?"
Harry nodded, "Still happens a lot. Sometimes it's just a tweak of the muscles, other times I can barely move my leg- those are usually the times that I need a pain potion afterwards."
"And they happen to your calve muscles or…?" Poppy asked curious as she scribbled his answers down.
"No." Harry shook his head, "Sometimes they start there, other times it's from the lower back or hip, all the way down to my toes."
"Have you noticed a pattern with these? Do they happen around the same time of day or during or after a certain activity?" Poppy asked curious.
Again Harry shook his head, "I haven't really given it much thought."
Poppy closed Harry's file and smiled at him, "Alright, what I want you to do is write down whenever they happen alright? Maybe we can find out why they keep happening. For now that's it, we'll schedule in a progress appointment next Wednesday and go from there."
Harry nodded and stood up, happy to leave the infirmary. "Oh and Mr. Potter. I'd really like it if I wouldn't see you in between now and then. Unless its an emergency of course, then please do visit me."
"Will do, Madam Pomfrey." Harry said as he exited the infirmary.
It was nearly lunchtime, so Harry decided to go to the great hall and wait for his friends there instead of going to the common room, only to have to return again. As he walked he immediately thought that the first week was probably going to be harder than he thought. He had so much more to think about, his recovery which not only meant PT sessions but because his leg didn´t really work he had to continuously think consciously about how to move his leg. He also had to think about how many times he´d walk somewhere, because he was pretty sure he couldn´t be running- figure of speech of course- back and forth between classes. It wasn't long before the great hall started to fill with students and soon Harry was joined by his friends.
"Hi Harry!" Hermoine said happily as she sat down opposite him, their seating the same as always.
"How was your meeting with madam Pomfrey?" Ginny asked as she grabbed herself some French toast.
"Good, nothing surprising really." Harry replied happily which made Ginny smile at him.
"Show me your schedule, Harry." Ron said as he laid his down on the table. Ginny and Harry quickly followed and so did Hermoine, who's by first glance was the fullest of course. "Blimey, Hermoine! How are you going to do all of this?" Ron asked shocked.
Hermoine chuckled, "It's perfectly doable, Ron. Yes, I have a full schedule, but I've got the afternoons, evening and weekends off, plus there's also room in the mornings if needed."
"Not for me." Harry replied as he tapped a PT block on his schedule. "PT each morning and evening."
"That's sucks, mate." Ron stated sadly, which made Harry shrug, "It's not too different from what I've been doing at the burrow." He replied.
"Except you have classes and quidditch in between." Ron said back.
Harry shook his head, "No quidditch yet." Ron tried to reply, but Harry continued, "It's rostered in by McGonagall for now, but Pomfrey hasn't cleared me yet."
"That's rubbish, you're the best flyer Hogwarts has." Ron scoffed.
"I can barely walk Ron." Harry replied sully. "It's going to take some time."
"Well, luckily quidditch doesn't start until November. We've still got time and if not it's not the end of the world." Ginny replied as she touched Harry's upper leg in between the brace for support. He smiled gratefully at her.
"You've got quite a full schedule there, Mr. Potter." Ginny stated as she compared their schedules to see if they had any free time together.
"Yeah, I'm still having Astronomy and Care of Magical Creatures as extra subjects. Charlie and McGonagall said it could be helpful in my education towards becoming an auror." Harry replied and looked at Ron's too see what he decided.
"You agreed to that?" Ron asked shocked, "Charlie tried to do the same with me, but it's going to take a miracle to pass potions already. I've decided on Arithmancy actually, I have an aptitude test for that later this evening; seeing as I've never studied the subject. But McGonagall and Charlie said I have a natural talent for it."
Hermoine stared at Ron in shock as did Harry and his sister. "I'm, that's wonderful Ron! I'm sure you'll do good on your test, I could help you prepare after classes today?"
Ron smiled at her, "That'd be great."
"You're a natural strategist and thinker, Ron. You'll nail that test." Harry replied, proud of his friend. It seems that Ron had also decided that he should apply himself in his studies this year. "How about you, Gin? Have you decided what you want to do after Hogwarts?" he asked his girlfriend.
Ginny smiled, "Well, I've got some news!" she said a bit hesitant. But at Harry's eager look she continued, "I'm quidditch team captain this year!"
"Really?" Harry asked, and as she nodded in affirmation Harry quickly kissed her. "Congrats, Gin! You've earned it!"
"Thanks. You're not upset about it?" She asked guiltily. "I know quidditch is going to be a bit of a sore subject for you."
Harry shook his head with a smile, "Doesn't mean you don't deserve that captain badge. I've had my shot at it and I do hope to still play some quidditch this year, but I definitely wasn't going to be captain again. I'm really happy for you Gin."
"Yeah, congratulations Ginny!" Hermoine and Ron said, whilst they all started eating their lunch. "You still didn't answer my question." Harry said to Ginny.
"I'm still hoping for Quidditch, first and foremost. But I've decided to add as much NEWTs as possible to my schedule to keep my options open. So my schedule matches yours, actually" Ginny replied happily.
"Does this mean we have the same free periods?" Harry asked Ginny with a smirk on his face, making her wiggle her eyebrows at him.
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