The Apprentice
Chapter 9
Summary: Finally, after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Harry asks (demands) Dumbledore to train him for his inevitable battle against the Dark Lord.
PrinceFroze: Thank you. And yes, there will be a clash between Harry and his friends, but it will be small. I won't do Hermione or Ron bashing, probably Ginny but only a little.
CaskettFan5: I will work on the fighting scene. It was my first one and will try to make it less clean next time. And yes, Harry will remember her birthday. The explanation of light vs dark magic was needed to level the playing field so that Harry would be able to fight Voldemort. Right now, it may seem Harry is powerful, but in front of Voldemort, he will not make much of a difference. Also, once Voldemort gets more powerful, through some rituals, Harry will need the help of Dark Magicks to aid him in battle.
Romedov: It might be a little fast right now, but soon enough it will go at a small pace. It may seem Harry is OP, but while he is powerful and can battle Aurors, he still cannot battle prime Mad-eye or Voldemort's Inner Circle apart from Lucious. I fixed the typos and small errors, and am happy that you like the relationship part. It was the hardest I didn't know how to describe Daphne and how to portray their relationship.
Ducelet: I have looked at the errors and fixed them. This chapter will be more refined and go with the flow. Happy you love the content.
Harrypotterpercyjacksonfan90: Thank you!
Sorry for the late update, had tests and could not keep up with school. Have fixed everything and know am more managed and organized. Will start on weekly updates, but it depends on the chapter.
X
"So, I have to Apparate from Hogwarts to King Cross Station and come back to Hogwarts on the train?" Harry questioned Albus.
Albus nodded, and Harry continued, "But, that would be a waste of time. Couldn't I just stay here and study, learn new spells or duel you instead of wasting my time on the train?"
"Harry, you must come with everyone, if I keep you here people will think that I am being unfair and favoring you. I am the headmaster and in many other positions, if I let you stay, they would ask me to resign and think of me as an unfair old man. And you know what Rita would do, not counting the other reporters," Albus explained.
Harry sighed and said, "Fine I'll Apparate to King Cross Station at half past 10 and come to Hogwarts with the rest of the students."
Albus nodded and said, "Good, good, you have 1 and half an hour. You can either train or you can relax. Your choice."
Harry nodded before he headed out of Albus's office and down towards the Room of Requirement. After walking three times in front of the Room of Requirement while thinking, "I need room to train," a door formed and Harry headed inside.
Inside was a large place with practice dummies on one side and what looked like a dueling arena. On the other side of the room was a small library with bookshelves, like a small study.
Harry looked at the training dummies in front of him and flicked his hand, his wand came into his hand from his wand holster up his sleeve, which was invisible. He took a huge breath before pointing his wand at the dummies and softly spoke, "Maledictus Ignis Resurget".
Torrents of cursed fire burst out of Harry's wand, this was Fiendfyre, the true spell. The Fiendfyre he used against the Death Eaters, was the underpowered version to say. This spell was the true one, the one that caused horrors and to which great wizards perished.
It wasn't that the Fiendfyre used against the Death Eaters was weak, no it was quite powerful, only very skilled wizards would be able to stop it. The Fiendfyre used by Harry on the Death Eaters was not potent enough and did not have as much destructive power as the real one.
The fire took the form of a huge Hebridean Black Dragon, Harry's Animagus form. As soon as the dragon formed, its will clashed with Harry's trying to take control from Harry and burn its caster alive and destroy everything in its path.
Harry used Occlumency, to stop the damage and the attack of the dragon on his mind, and a little bit of Legilimency to attack the dragon. Finally, for what seemed like an eternity for Harry, the battle between Harry and the dragon ended, as Harry won the battle of wills.
He breathed heavily after getting the dragon in control. Having a battle of wills with a true Fiendfyre beast was hard and put a lot of strain on his mind. The dragon stood in front of Harry, waiting for his command.
Harry gained control of his breath and waved his wand towards the training dummies; the dragon flew over to them and burned them to crisp in an instant and stood in front of Harry. Harry's eyes widened and thought "Such destructive power. So, this is the power of a true Fiendfyre construct."
X
"I am telling you, Hermione, he won't come. He is probably learning new spells with Dumbledore," said Ron grumpily, while walking towards the barrier leading them from the muggle train station to King Cross Station.
"And I am telling you Harry will come," Hermione said, trusting in her best friend. Ron grumbled before they both entered King Cross Station. Entering they both saw parents saying goodbye to their children, mothers crying seeing their children go away from home for a long time for the first time.
As they both walked towards the train, a small crack was heard behind them. Both of them turned around to see Harry Potter, standing at 6 feet 1 inch, towering over them. His green eyes, the color of the Killing Curse, were glowing with power. His naturally untamed hair was all over his forehead and was cut precisely giving him a good look. His jawline was more defined and his face was now fuller after getting the nutrient potions. Harry was wearing a form-fitting black suit, made by an Italian designer, and a silver watch on his left hand.
"Ron, Hermione," Harry said. After getting confirmation that the person in front of them was Harry, Hermione hugged him. Harry just patted her shoulder and awkwardly bringing his arms around her. He believed that he was not the same Harry and if he hugged her, he would be refuting his claim and that he was the previous Harry. After Hermione had separated, Ron came up to him and they shook hands.
"Harry, how nice to see? How was your time in Hogwarts with Dumbledore? Did you learn something new? Can you teach me?" Hermione rapidly fired her questions.
"I'll tell you if be quiet and stop playing let's ask Harry 20 questions," Harry replied.
Hermione flushed in embarrassment and nodded, while Ron had a grin on his face for making Hermione quiet.
Harry sighed and answered Hermione's questions, "Staying at Hogwarts was productive and I learned a lot from all the professors. The teachers have taught me everything from the Hogwarts curriculum, except Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. I have given my NEWTs for the core subjects and OWLs for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Albus taught me spells with massive destructive capabilities. And I cannot teach you."
Hermione went from happy to shock to exasperated and demanded, "Why can't you teach me?"
Harry sighed once more, he knew Hermione would be difficult, and said, "Aside from the fact they are sentient spells and cause a lot of destruction, you are a muggleborn. And I don't mean to discriminate."
"What do you mean that I am muggleborn I can't learn the spells you have learned?" demanded Hermione.
"As you are a muggleborn you don't have the magical capacity to cast those spells. The spells I learned are magically taxing and you need to have a large magical core to perform them. You a muggleborn, are not from a pureblood family, and do not have a large enough magical core to perform them. Even Ron who is from a pureblood family can only perform the least powerful ones. Ron's magical core is only a little larger than yours, but not large enough to perform the more powerful spells. My magical core is as large enough to perform the powerful spells and is as large as Albus's," Harry explained.
"Can I increase my magical core's capacity?" asked Hermione curiously.
Harry shook his head and replied, "No, at the age of 17, your magical maturity, the magical core reaches its highest point. If your magical core can grow as large as mine in 19 days, then you can."
"But, how is the core large? I mean what takes it to be large?" asked Hermione.
"The blood has a major impact and the older the blood the more magical power it has and thus the more magical power the holder of the blood will have. It also depends if your parents are powerful, if they are then the child will be naturally powerful. If a child before he reached 11, the start of the magical maturity, practices his magic, then his core will increase. But old blood is contaminated, so you also need new blood, so halfblood will have the biggest magical core. The older the blood the larger the magical core," Harry replied and purposely hid the truth about Rituals increasing the magical core.
Harry glanced at the fireplace in which green fire roared and the Greengrass family stepped out. "Practice magic?" Hermione asked.
"I have to meet someone, I will tell you about this in Hogwarts," Harry replied before a person passed in front of him and when Ron Hermione looked, Harry had disappeared.
Hermione growled at her question not being answered and Ron laughed. Meanwhile, Harry was with the Greengrass family, talking with them.
Jonathan brought Harry from the rest of his family and said in a serious voice, "Harry, some people would not like Daphne being engaged to you. I fear that some of them might try to hurt Daphne to attack you, especially Malfoy. Death Eaters might attack"
Harry sighed before he said, "You are right. I will try to keep our relationship secret, but I fear and know that it won't stay hidden for long. Daphne can protect herself from most of the Slytherins, but when put against Death Eaters…I will start to give Daphne tips and help her, and if someone attacks her in Slytherin, then Daphne will no longer be staying there and what I will do to them will be…" Harry said the last line in an ominous tone with his hair hiding his eyes.
Jonathan nodded before they both went back to the family. Looking at his watch Harry saw it was 10:50 and to get a compartment they would need to go early. The family and Harry walked towards the train, intent to get in early.
Harry stood as Daphne and Astoria hugged their parent's goodbye and walked together the three of them stepped onto the train.
"I expect you to come with them for Christmas, Harry," said Anastasia. Harry chuckled and nodded before he walked in following Daphne and Astoria.
"Well, I am going to my friends," said Astoria before she left.
"Want to get the last compartment?" asked Harry.
Daphne nodded and together they made their way to the end of the train and inside the last compartment. After sitting down and putting their trunks Daphne asked, "Can you put some charms to stop people from entering?"
"Why?"
Daphne just shrugged and Harry flicked his hand, his wand appearing in his hand. He then waved his wand, putting up a Notice Me Not Charm, Privacy Wards, Locking Charm, and some blinds on the glass door so that no one could see inside.
"Done," Harry said after putting up the powerful Wards and Charms.
"Harry…" Daphne said, catching Harry's attention. Harry looked at her and asked, "Yes?"
"Well, I don't know how to tell you this…," Daphne said.
"Just say it"
"Well, I want you to train me," Daphne said flushed.
"Pardon," Harry said.
"I want you to train me. You, my future husband, are getting powerful every single day, when we get married people think of me as weak and I don't want to be weak. Also, since you and I are in a relationship, some people will attack me in anger, in both Hogwarts and outside and I will need to protect myself. Not to mention the war is coming and I want to be by your side in it,"
Harry chucked and beckoned Daphne to come next to him. Daphne came to sit with them and wrapped his hands around him and brought her to sit on his lap.
Harry then said in a dark voice in her ear, "I will train you. And you will stand beside me in the war and life. But anyone who dares attack or harms you will be destroyed from existence in the most violent way possible."
Shivers went up Daphne's spine, the good ones, and she rubbed his legs together. Harry seeing this chuckled and Daphne blushed before he kissed her and started snogging with her.
X
Harry and Daphne were the last ones to step out of the train. Together they walked to the Thestral led carriages. Harry helped Daphne get in the carriage while Daphne smirked. Together they reached the Hogwarts entrance. By the time they reached there, they were thankful that students were going in and that they were not the last.
In front of the students, Daphne adopted her Ice Queen persona and Harry became serious, both of them separated to go to their own houses with their friends. In Daphne's case, they were, Tracy Davis and Blaise Zabini, and Harry went to find Ron and Hermione.
Failing to find Harry, Ron and Hermione both sat down at the Gryffindor Table in the Great Hall. Both of them were sad, not finding their friend on the train.
As Harry entered the Great Hall, he spotted Ron and Hermione sitting down on the Gryffindor Table. He made his way to them and sat next to Hermione. Seeing someone sit next to them, Ron and Hermione turned to see Harry sitting next to them and looking at the staff table, right into Albus's eyes.
What they didn't know was that Albus was testing Harry's Occlumency shields, to see if they were up to par. Till now Harry had stopped Albus's 7 attempts to break through his shields, but on his 8th attempt, Harry felt Albus come into his mind and left a message, "Well done"
Harry smirked before he felt a nudge on his shoulder from Hermione, he looked at her expectantly and she asked, "Where were you? We were looking for you at the train?"
"I was with a friend," Harry simply replied.
"But we didn't see you in any compartment. If you were, we should have seen you in our prefect rounds," Hermione reasoned.
"I had some Privacy Wards, with a couple of Notice Me Not Charms and a Locking Charm," Harry said, with a smirk.
Hermione gasped, before Ron asked curiously, "Who is this friend of yours?"
"My fiancé," Harry replied.
Ron and Hermione gasped in shock and their eyes widened before they could say anything Harry said, "Shush, the first years are here. I want to see the sorting."
The sorting went without a hitch, all the first years were equally sorted between the four houses. The Sorting Hat gave a sort of warning, to which Harry snorted and thought, "It'll be a miracle if arrogant purebloods, could work together with the muggleborns and half-bloods." Then started the feast, after everyone had eaten, Albus stood up from his throne-like chair and made his way to the podium.
Albus cleared his throat. He waited a few seconds to ensure that the silence was absolute before continuing.
"Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength."
The silence seemed to tauten and strain as Albus spoke. Harry glanced at Malfoy. Malfoy was not looking at Albus, but making his fork hover in midair with his wand, as though he found the headmaster's words unworthy of his attention.
"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them — in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety."
Albus's blue eyes swept over the students before he smiled once more.
"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"
With the usual deafening scraping noise, the benches were moved back and the hundreds of students began to file out of the Great Hall toward their dormitories.
X
Only Harry, Ron, and Hermione were left in the Common Room, everyone else had gone to sleep in their dormitories. Harry was sitting on the armchair in front of the fireplace reading the Parselmagic book, given to him by Albus.
The book was an eye opener for Harry, it explained how Parseltongue was a sacred language in Asia, mainly India and Pakistan. Parselmouths and Parseltongue were thought of as a sign of evil in Europe because many Dark Wizards were Parselmouths.
"Harry," Hermione called out. Harry looked from his book to see Ron and Hermione sitting on the sofa looking at Harry expectantly.
Harry sighed and closed his book. With a wave of his hand, the book disappeared and Harry looked at both of them expectantly.
"Well, the mate will tell us what happened, throughout your summer break?" Ron asked before Hermione could speak.
"Well get comfortable because this is a long take," Harry said, and his two friends relaxed and sat on the sofa comfortably.
"When a witch or wizard takes an apprentice, it means that their apprentice is going to be their successor and the witch or wizard is somewhat responsible for their actions. The last apprentice taken before me was taken by Nicholas Flamel, who took Albus as his apprentice and trained him. When an underage witch or wizard is taken as an apprentice, he or she is emancipated. After I became the apprentice of Albus, he took me Gringotts to get me my lordships," Harry said before Hermione cut him off.
"But, isn't Gringotts a bank?" she asked.
"It is, but it far more than that. Goblins are a race of warriors. They are great at forging, battling, and managing money. After the Goblin War, not the ones taught by Binns, a treaty was made between wizards and Goblins. The Goblins would maintain a monopoly in banking and there would be peace between both sides. Goblins, like all other Magical Beasts, have their type of magic, which is very powerful. Rich pureblood families go to Gringotts to do the Inheritance Test, Lordship Test, etc., but Gringotts charge a lot. Gringotts is also responsible for managing the pureblood families' assets and giving Lord Rings to the Heir," explained Harry.
"Lord Rings? What does that mean?" asked Hermione curiously.
"In Magical Britain, we follow the old laws, made when the Statue of Secrecy was created and Merlin created Magical Britain. The families that helped Merlin are known as the Most Ancient and Most Noble Family, these families have 3 votes on the Wizengamot, the old families are Ancient and Most Noble Family with 2 votes on the Wizengamot and the recent families are Ancient and Noble Family with 1 vote. Each family has a Lord, the leader. He is the oldest of the previous Lord. The Family Magic judges the person if he is worthy to become the Lord," Harry explained.
"But, why does a family exist?" asked Hermione once again.
"Families have their secrets, spells, and history. They have existed far before the creation of Magical Societies and will exist so. Each family has its special traits," said Harry.
"But this isn't fair to the muggleborns and witches and wizards not coming from pureblood families," complained Hermione.
Harry shrugged and said, "That's how life is. Life isn't fair, and having spells doesn't mean that the person will be powerful it means that they have access to spells. Take Malfoy for example, he has a library of spells that are very powerful, spells that have a huge amount of destructive power. But, you, a muggleborn, are still the smartest witch of our generation. So, you see having these spells does nothing for him if he cannot use them. Purebloods have too much ego that even having these spells that they do not practice them and assume that they are naturally powerful than muggleborns and half-bloods."
Hermione seemed to chill down but she still needed to ask something more, but before she could say anything Ron cut her off and irritably said, "Can you go on now?"
"As I was saying, I got my lordships, it seems Sirius made me his heir before he died and now, I am Lord Potter Black and also Lord of another house which I won't be telling about. After I became Lord Black, I found an old marriage contract between the House of Black and House of Greengrass, it is ironclad and can't be broken. I got in the contract with Daphne Greengrass a 6th-year Slytherin. I went to her house a couple of times and now we are dating," said Harry.
Hermione gasped in shock and said, "A marriage contract? That's barbaric."
Harry shrugged and Ron replied for Harry, "It's not in the Wizarding World. Of course, it's been 50 years since one was created, but they are normal. You look at the Wizarding World with Muggle eyes, for those who are born in it, it's normal."
Hermione gaped at both of her friends, "But…"
But Harry cut her off and said, "No buts. This is the Wizarding World, not London. If you think we are barbaric then you can gladly go back. These are laws we follow from the beginning of Magical Civilization and are made by Magic itself."
Hermione huffed and crossed her arms while Ron chuckled and said, "So, that's who you were with, on the train?"
Harry nodded and Ron asked with a chuckle, "Snogged much?"
Harry blushed and Hermione gasped in shock while Ron laughed.
X
The ceiling of the Great Hall was serenely blue and streaked with frail, wispy clouds, just like the squares of sky visible through the high mullioned windows. While they tucked into porridge and eggs and bacon, Ron and Hermione were telling about their time in the Burrow and all the things that they did.
After they had eaten, they remained in their places, awaiting Professor McGonagall's descent from the staff table. The distribution of class schedules was more complicated than usual this year, for Professor McGonagall needed first to confirm that everybody had achieved the necessary OWL grades to continue with their chosen NEWTs.
After everyone from the 6th year was done, did McGonagall come to Harry. "So, Potter, Potter…" said Professor McGonagall, consulting her notes as she turned to Harry. "We both know that you have given your NEWTs, did you get your results?" she asked.
"Yes Professor," replied Harry.
"Why don't you show them to me?" commanded McGonagall.
Harry waved his hand and his report card for his NEWTs appeared in his hands which he gave to McGonagall.
NASTILY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TEST RESULTS
Pass Grades: Fail Grades:
Outstanding (O) Poor (P)
Exceeds Expectations (E) Dreadful (D)
Acceptable (A) Troll (T)
HARRY JAMES POTTER HAS RECEIVED:
Astronomy: O
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Herbology: O
History of Magic: O
Potions: O
Transfiguration: O
Griselda Marchbanks
Professor Griselda Marchbanks
Head of the Department of the Wizarding Examinations Authority
"Well, Mr. Potter I will be the first one to congratulate you. And I assume you have gotten Outstanding's for your Ancient Runes and Arithmancy OWLs," said McGonagall. "Yes, I have, and thank you," came reply before Minerva McGonagall, "Now that you have given your NEWTs you are free to leave Hogwarts. But you and the headmaster want to get your masteries in the 2 years you have free. Tell me which subjects would you like to pursue your Masteries."
Harry instantly replied, "Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Transfiguration."
"4 masteries, not unheard of but almost nobody does more than 1 or 2 masteries. And if I am correct then you will get 4, 5 more masteries as well," McGonagall stated.
Harry said nothing as Minerva tapped a piece of parchment with her wand, resulting in Harry's schedule coming up. She handed it to Harry, who looked at it.
Monday
6 am to 8 am: Breakfast
8 am to 9 am: Ancient Runes
9 am to 10 am: Potions
10 am to 11 am: Charms
11 am to 12 pm: Lunch
12 pm to 1 pm: Transfiguration
1 pm to 2 pm: Arithmancy
2 pm to 3 pm: Defense Against the Dark Arts
Tuesday
6 am to 8 am: Breakfast
8 am to 9 am: Defense Against the Dark Arts
9 am to 10 am: Transfiguration
10 am to 11 am: Arithmancy
11 am to 12 pm: Lunch
12 pm to 1 pm: Charms
1 pm to 2 pm: Potions
2 pm to 3 pm: Ancient Runes
Wednesday
6 am to 8 am: Breakfast
8 am to 9 am: Arithmancy
9 am to 10 am: Defense Against the Dark Arts
10 am to 11 am: Charms
11 am to 12 pm: Lunch
12 pm to 1 pm: Ancient Runes
1 pm to 2 pm: Transfiguration
2 pm to 3 pm: Potions
Thursday
6 am to 8 am: Breakfast
8 am to 9 am: Transfiguration
9 am to 10 am: Ancient Runes
10 am to 11 am: Arithmancy
11 am to 12 pm: Lunch
12 pm to 1 pm: Charms
1 pm to 2 pm: Potions
2 pm to 3 pm: Defense Against the Dark Arts
"Now, some things to note Mr. Potter, you will be having your Masteries classes alone, with the respective professor. Ancient Runes and Arithmancy will be taken with this year's students until you give your NEWTs. There is no schedule for Friday because the headmaster asked me to give you Fridays free, for whatever purposes and that is also the reason you have no free periods from Monday to Thursday. Any questions?" McGonagall said.
"No professor, shall I go to my class?" replied and asked Harry.
"Yes, you may," came the reply.
At the stroke of 8, Harry entered the Ancient Runes classroom. Every student sitting there looked up to see him, surprised. Hermione was motioning to sit with her, but Harry went to sit next to Daphne, who was looking at her some notes of her.
Daphne looked at her right side, when someone sat down next to her, to see Harry, she smiled at him and he reciprocated.
X
The day had gotten without a hitch, for Harry at least. There was some homework from Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, but he completed it before dinner. His Mastery classes were the most interesting for him.
He was studying magic that most didn't even get the chance to study. In Transfiguration, he was transfiguring abstract things, for example, fire, and water into other abstract things. This could be very helpful as if someone shot an elemental attack onto him she would be able to transfigure the attack into another one. This was said to be very hard and even his father couldn't completely master it. Minerva had told him he would be, in the future, transfiguring
In Charms, he was learning complex charms and the basics of creating Charms, which was closely related to Arithmancy. Flitwick had told Harry about them dueling in the future and also doing some Illusion Magic as it was closely related to Charms.
Potions was taken by Horace Slughorn and in, it Harry started learning the properties of rare ingredients and how you can use some ingredients to change existing Potions to make them work more efficiently or be finished faster. Soon enough Harry would also learn how to create his own one.
Snape had told him that he, Harry, would have DADA with him for 2 days and the other 2 days with the headmaster. In DADA Harry was learning how to cast powerful spells nonverbally and Snape had told him that the headmaster would teach him powerful spells.
He had also talked with Daphne and told her that he would start training her from tomorrow. They would first cover the 6th and 7th-year syllabus and then move on to some more powerful spells. Daphne had also told him that she had covered almost all of the 6th year syllabus and Harry had been proud. After a few snogging sessions with her, he left for dinner.
At dinner, he finally meets Ron and Hermione. He sat next to Ron, who had finally learned manners and table etiquette. It seemed Misses Weasley had buried them in his mind.
"So, where have you been mate?" asked Ron, with a carefree attitude while Hermione was glaring at him, for whatever reason.
Harry shrugged as he put some food on his plate and replied, "Had my classes, did some homework, and spent some time with Daphne."
Finally, Hermione had enough of being ignored and angrily asked, "Why didn't you sit with me in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy and where were you for the rest of the classes? You weren't even with Ron."
"Daphne is my girlfriend and my wife-to-be, of course, I'll sit with her. Also, I have given my NEWTs and now I am doing my Masteries," replied Harry.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock while Ron chuckled. "What!?" Hermione asked stupidly.