"That was Amazing!!!!!!"
"I actually floated off the ground!!! Did you see me?!"
The Branches of Magic lesson was the topic for most conversations after the first lesson. These students, ranging from first to seventh year specifically selected for this class, had the most magical potential in the entire school.
The day's lesson consisted the beginning of flight, without wands or broomsticks. Eddy Cyclane had first teleported the class to the Quidditch field where they started with basic levitation. Most of the members in the class took much of the lesson trying to focus their energy to float, while some had easily completed the day's mission. One of which was Amanda Rayeton. She was a sixth year in the Hufflepuff house that Harry hadn't noticed till the beginning of the lesson when she had easily taken herself 50 feet into the air. She had a mysterious look about herself which almost entranced Harry, however she was extremely shy. He didn't know how to understand how to sort this out. Besides, he still could not get Cho out of his head.
After lunch, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all headed to Gryffindor Tower to grab their bags to go to Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. As they walked into the classroom, the different students were situated in small groups with a student that was in the Branches of Magic class at each center describing how their flights were. When Professor McGonagall strode into the room, the room became eerily silent with a positive tension. However, this died down immediately when she described the process the year would be taking.
"This year, you will be taking your OWL Examinations. Therefore the class work will be preparing you for this very rigorous exam in which you will be tested in a variety of different subjects ranging from Transfiguration to Potions. The exam itself consists with a written test which tests your basic knowledge as well as advanced knowledge of the questions and a physical test in which you must physically show you know how to deal with certain situations.
"Most of you need to understand how to cast these spells properly and quickly. Our prefect Hermione Granger is the only person currently in class that can successfully transfigure a teapot into a turtle."
All heads turned toward Hermione who was turning red at all the attention. Harry hadn't noticed before, the silver badge with a P on the front was now gleaming in the sunlight from the window.
"Now to start our lesson…"
For the rest of the lesson, all the students had to take extensive notes on inanimate vs. animal transfiguration. Most people, except Hermione, had either hand cramps or migraines.
"If it's this bad in McGonagall's class, imagine Defense of the Dark Arts with Snape…" said Ron.
A growing fear in Harry's gut suggested what his worst fears were about to come true. He might be in more danger than he first thought this year.
The next morning at breakfast, the owls had swept down from the rafters with the day's post. A large barn owl had dropped a small note with scratchy writing as if the writer was rushed. Harry read the letter with Hermione and Ron looking over his shoulders to read along with him.
Dear Harry,
I can't let you know where I am or what I am doing. Dumbledore's orders. Well, I hope you have a good school year, but Harry, I want you to stay out of any trouble. Voldemort is getting stronger by the day and more Muggles are either dying or getting tortured just for the Death Eater's fun. Remus and I have been fighting them off along with some of our old friends from the old war against Voldemort, however we it isn't enough. I sure do wish your parents were still alive, they would have known what to do at a time like this. But I don't want you to waste your mother's sacrifice to save your life if you will get yourself killed. Voldemort and his supporters will try to do anything to harm you, no matter the costs. Keep Safe and do what ever Dumbledore tells you.
Sincerely,
Sirius
"Sounds serious…" muttered Hermione.
"More deaths… I hope we can stop it this time around, eh?" said Ron.
"Well if we don't get to Defense of the Dark Arts soon, Snape will kill us before the Death Eaters do" said Harry.