Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

A/N: Hello! I am back again with the eighth chapter of Harry Potter-Malfoy, covering the classes of Charms and Potions!

I have been having some very interesting PMs with the user 'The Bull of Slytherin', and would like to cover some of the discussions within that for the general public.

The Bull of Slytherin brought to my attention that Harry, in this fanfic, could be seen as Overpowered, and that the whole idea of Gifts is inherently OP.

He has been giving advice for how to avoid this, and I will be implementing several of his tactics and plot points within my story to avoid the appearance of OP!Harry, but I will just give a brief summary of why he is not overpowered.

Harry is, in this Fic, extremely intelligent and, at least partially, emotionally detached. As a result of living in a Magical household, this results in wide range of abilities that can appear Overpowered, such as Potions and Spell-crafting. This, however, comes from years of study and his ability to speak Latin fluently. For potions, he is a prodigy, as he has spent most of his life brewing. This is because it is a form of magic that does not require spells, and thus does not require a wand. Spell-crafting is also a result of study, as my idea of Spell-crafting is changing Latin words to be Magically Balanced. As such, it is well within his capability.

This, however, does not mean he can perform all of his spells, whether he thinks he can or not. He is still bound by the magical power of a First Year, so he can not perform more complicated spells, such as Ventus Fulminatus, which creates a lightning tornado, or Bombardas Maximas, which creates a giant explosion.

For the Gifts, I must agree they could be Overpowered. However, I try to stress the idea that the more powerful Gifts are much harder to learn to control, and so will be used far less. Also, the majority of Harry's powers will be used for subterfuge rather than head on violence, matching with the plot of the Fic. Head on conflict will only really occur with Darker members of the HP universe, who will respect power more than signs of respect and kindness.

Thank you once again, The Bull of Slytherin, your aid is invaluable.

As one last thing, please check out Bull's Fanfic, Harry Potter and the Misinterpreted Prophecy, for a realistic take on what would happen if Harry was in Slytherin. Advertising his story is the least I could do to show my gratitude.

Now, on with the story!

Chapter 8: Simplicity Versus Innovativity

It was not great. Charms turned out to be quite a disappointment for Harry. It was not the Professor's fault, though, for Harry actually quite liked the diminutive man. With his endless enthusiasm for his craft, even learning the basics of Lumos should have been fun. Emphasis upon should.

Instead, Harry listened briefly to the importance of pronunciation and posture, well taught and fairly humorous, before slumping into a bored daze. He also listened to the years outline. It seemed they would be studying the simplest charms - light and the four magical elements of Fire, Water, Earth and Air. They would also only study this in its simplest form, as more twisted applications of the magic, such as lightning spells and magical fire, and conjuring spells of the two more difficult elements, Water and Earth, required far more magical strength and control that that of First Years.

Around him, his classmates listened attentively, having not done the extensive study completed by their peers. They were all enraptured, for it was a well conceived lesson, and well conducted. It even went beyond, applying several cautions with examples of other upcoming spells.

But for Harry it was pure boredom. He had learnt the necessity of pronunciation and wandwork, alongside its complimentary Arithmancy, nearly five whole years ago, and his innovative work showed the pure simplicity of the First Year spells. For instance, if one was to compare the spell Wingardium Leviosa to several corresponding spells of Harry's own creation, such as Celeriardium Levimaximos, for faster acceleration to higher heights, or Leviardium Imperitas, for finer control in the air, one could clearly see the inadequacies of the original spell, and the vast improvements made in Harry's complicated versions.

In the end, the real struggle for the lesson was the challenge of keeping awake, which Harry did in fact manage. The only problem, however, is that he did not keep up with the progression of the class.

'Mr Potter-Malfoy,' the diminutive Professor called out. Harry's head shot up, stunned at the sudden call for attention. Upon seeing his bewildered face, he repeated his instruction. 'It is now your turn to attempt the illumination charm.'

Harry stood up, holding his wand ahead of him, unlike the typical stance for Lumos, where one holds their wand upright. 'Illuminatus premisit,' he intoned, and ahead of him a near imperceptible ball of light appeared, giving the simple illusion of magically illuminating the room without a source. He received a round of clapping admiration from the class, and a confused frown from Hermione, before the professor silenced them.

'Well done, Mr Potter, well done,' he squeaked. Harry sighed. There was no telling some people. 'Brilliant display of an uncommon spell even I have never come across, as a Charms Master.'

'That sir,' Harry said, 'Is because it is of my own creation. I have been studying Spell Theory, Arithmancy and Latin, and created a theoretical illumination spell. I tested it after I got my wand, as well as a few others.'

'Bravo, bravo,' he squeaked again. 'Most only become Spell-crafters after many years of study, well into adulthood. But as impressive as it was, I believe I asked for a demonstration of the Illumination Charm.'

'I did, sir,' Harry replied, frowning. 'Didn't you see the illuminating effect?'

'I did,' the Professor replied, starting to frown. 'It was indeed an illumination charm, just not the Illumination Charm. Now, if you would perform the set spell.'

Harry's frown deepened. 'But sir, why does it matter if I can perform it? Surely my spell, with it's obvious improvements, would be a better replacement, as it is still a First Year spell, as it is still raw light, just shaped slightly.'

The Professor started to frown too. 'Now now, Mr Potter. The Lumos has many abilities, and is a good all-rounder. Now, perform this task so that I can grade you.'

Harry remained stubborn. 'But if I need it for a different reason, surely I would use a spell for that specifically. Surely Innovativity is better.'

The diminutive Professor pinched his nose. 'Mr Potter. Sometimes simplicity is fine. Now, if you would just perform the spell.'

But Harry wasn't done yet. 'Sir, should I settle for mere mediocracy, when vast improvements are available?'

The Professor had finally had enough. He stood up sharply, glowering slightly. 'Ten Points from Slytherin, Mr Potter. And if you don't perform the simple Lumos charm now, I will give you a 'T' and you will serve detention tonight.'

Remembering his prior commitment to Hermione, Harry begrudgingly performed the overly simplistic spell, before slouching down behind his desk.

'Wow, Harry,' Daphne sniggered. 'You managed to annoy Flitwick.'

'Yeah,' Pansy agreed. 'He doesn't get annoyed with anyone, not even the Weasley Twins, but you managed to get points taken off.'

'You could have left off the last part, though,' Theo said.

'And here is the boy saying you shouldn't start fights,' Draco muttered.

'I did not start it,' Harry sneered. 'He started it with his pathetic spell.' They could not persuade him otherwise, and so sat in lesson silently, listening to his continued lecture, now pointedly upon the benefits of simplicity.

Potions went a whole lot better.

Snape was absent when they entered, so the students made themselves busy setting up their cauldrons. As his new apprentice, Theo was paired with Harry. They pulled out their equipment, most settling for the standard kit, consisting of a pewter cauldron, copper implements and a granite pestle and mortar. Harry, on top of this, had brought a smaller silver cauldron, silver plated implement and a marble pestle and mortar.

Theo looked over at his excess of supplies. 'Psst,' he whispered, nudging Harry. 'Why did you get so much stuff?'

Harry beamed at him. 'Glad you asked, my new apprentice. You see, potions are best brewed using different equipment. Base metal cauldrons and implements, such as bronze, or pewter, are best for brewing physical effects, such as healing or damaging potions, or potions that affect the base nature of something. Noble cauldrons and implements, such as gold or silver, are better for more mental or emotional brews.'

'Okay,' Theo said after making some notes. 'But what are pestles and mortars for?'

Igneous rock ones,' Harry began, 'Such as granite or diorite, are used for creating something, such as emotions or luck, whereas Metamorphic rocks, such as marble and schist, are used to change something, such as in a healing potion, or the Polyjuice Potion - a potion that disguises you as someone else.' This seemed to satisfy Nott, keenly making a long list of notes.

Soon after, the door swung open, and Snape came striding in, scowling. 'Alright you miserable toads. I will have no silly wand waving or incantations in here. We are here to study the most noble art of potions, and will later move onto potion theory. Now, can anyone tell me the difference between Wolfsbane and Aconite?'

Hermione leapt up, hand waving about. 'They are the same plant.' She said without waiting to be asked upon.

'Where you would find the Bezoar Stone?' Snape continued as if she had not spoken.

In much the same fashion, she said 'In the stomach of a goat.'

'And can anyone tell me, not you Granger, why a potion requires constant heating?'

Despite his statement, Hermione answered once again. 'It is to bind the ingredients together and conduct our magic!'

'Ten points from Gryffindor, for being unable to contain yourself,' Snape snapped. Hermione went bright red, and sat down again. 'Now, can any of my Slytherins tell me why a Squib cannot brew a potion.' That was mean. That was not on the syllabus.

Despite this, Harry's hand lazily snaked up. 'Potions require magic, and while a Squib possesses magic, they cannot externalise it.'

'Correct. Mr Potter, can you tell me why I would brew a Polyjuice Potion with a base cauldron and a metamorphic mortar.'

'Because, sir,' Harry answered. 'It is for a physical change, not a mental creation. Physical effects require a base metal cauldron and changes require a metamorphic mortar.' There was a sound of scribbling, as students rushed to note this down, including a shocked looking Hermione.

'Correct. Can you also tell me why I would need a constrictor snake's skin for an antidote to brain haemorrhage, and not any other type.'

'Because it links to the natural ability of the snake of constricting rather than, say, poison, which is required by the potion to bring down the swelling.'

'Correct again. Can you tell me why Potent honey must be grown away from the Rhododendron luteum or the Rhododendron ponticum?'

'It is because those plants lead to the production of Mad Bee Honey, which unless you aim to heal or cause either mental illness or severe poisoning would ruin the potion.'

'Correct again. Well done, Mr Potter,' Snape replied. He looked around at the class, hurriedly making notes. 'Your notes are useless for the time being. The question on squibs is not, for that is on the third year syllabus. The others, however, are NEWT level - or above. No, today, we shall be looking at the Sleeping Draught. Head to my cupboard and collect the ingredients on the list I am handing out.'

When he got to Harry and Theo, however, he did not give them a copy. 'I'm sure you can figure it out,' was all he said.

Beaming at the challenge, Harry rushed over to the cupboard, quickly locating Potent water and Standard Ingredient (a mixture of herbs), the base of all potions. He then thought carefully about what he would require. For such a potion, he would require a binding agent, to bind the effect to your soul. As such, something like Flobberworm Mucus or Streeler Slime would be required. The latter generally more associated with the mind and the former with the body, he picked up the pot, adding it to his basket. For the main effect, he would need some ingredients associated with sleep. For something that is simply about inducing sleep, not extending it, he figured two would do, balancing the Standard Ingredient and Streeler Slime arithmancially. As such, he went for ground Poppy seeds, very closely related to sleeping, and Peace Lily petals, closely related to relaxation. Confident in his selection, he brought them back over to his desk, selecting the silver equipment, as it was to do with the mental state, and granite mortar, for it was to do with creating illusionary exhaustion.

He and Nott brewed carefully, following a stirring pattern of thrice clockwise, twice anticlockwise - designed to amplify the tiring effect - repeated six times, constant until the potion began to still, signifying a stability of ingredients. They extinguished the flame, to prevent excess power being transferred to the potion, and collected several samples in a variety of drinking vials, some for his private collection, some to be made into throwing potions, some to be experimented upon and one for a grade. Harry even promised Nott he would show him how to convert this one into a throwing potion.

It was a tender scarlet colour by the end, soothing, yet in stark contrast with the gentle violet of the rest of the class. Both groups, excluding Harry, began to fret, for they both thought it signalled their own work being a disaster - for Nott was alone with his potion, but Harry seemed to know what he was doing. Snape strode through the class, giving comments such as 'adequate' and 'slightly of colour' and, to Ronald, 'absolutely dreadful', followed by the vanishing of his deep blue concoction. When Snape got to Harry, however, the entire class went silent, awaiting the results.

'Since I have not given you a set list of ingredients,' Snape said. 'I cannot judge it on colour, though I presume you have included something from a Poppy for it to turn this particular colour.'

'Yes, sir. I have included Streeler Slime as a bonding agent with ground Poppy seeds and Peace Lily petals for inducing sleep. It has a stirring pattern of 3:2, repeated half a dozen times.'

'Impressive Mr Potter. It is indeed an arithmancially balanced potion using valid ingredients. With the stronger poppy seeds being counteracted by the calmer peace lily. While not the ingredients I set the others, those being Flobberworm Mucus, Lavender and Valerian sprigs, it should be effective nonetheless. As such, I feel safe testing it on, ah, this toad.' He lunged at Longbottom's toad, Trevor, much to the boy's displeasure, and proceeded in pouring the potion down the animal's throat. Almost immediately, the toad's eyes shut, fast asleep.

'Congratulations, Mister Potter. It is indeed a perfect Sleeping Draught.' There was a round of applause. He turned to the rest of the class. 'And Mr Nott's potion is as flawless as possible, in the given circumstances. At your level of talent, it will not make much difference, but a perfect potion cannot be brewed without the correct equipment. That is not to detract from Mr Potter's achievement nor to add to yours - only to Mr Nott. It would be extremely challenging if not under my or Mr Potter's tuition, but he would be able to improve it with the correct set up. As is, it would be impossible. Now, I will have you all leave this lesson in an orderly fashion. Apart from you, Mr Potter.'

After the students had left, Snape turned to him. 'Congratulations, Harry. You have shown much skill concerning your skills, both politically and in Potions. As such, I will not be giving you ingredient lists, and you will be required to pair with multiple Slytherins.' He raised his hand to stem the approaching objection. 'I am well aware of Mr Nott's situation. As such, you may work with him more than the others. Now, for the other matter - I have spoken with Professor Flitwick.'

'Oh,' was all Harry had to say.

'Yes, oh!' Snape snapped. 'Are you not ashamed? Bickering like that? While you may find them simplistic, you are still required to perform the charms - though I have got him to agree to let you perform variations after the base form. Do you understand?'

'Yes sir.' And he did. He would stick to his original plan, and be a bit more polite, especially to the teachers.

A/N: Sorry for my rant up above. Thank you again, Bull of Slytherin!

Now, how did you like that display of Harry's intelligence? I tried to make him a bit arrogant and proud, slightly counterproductive to his aim.

Now, please review! Send me advice, OCs and Plot Points to improve and fill out the story. Remember, first Slytherin OCs make it on the Quidditch team. I also have a place on the Gryffindor team, as well.

Please check out my PJO/HP crossover, Tournament of the Gods. It is nearly at 9K words, updating Fridays.

See y'all next Monday!