Animagus Class
Harry woke up early the next morning, his stomach was full of nerves for a couple reasons, the first was he knew he had a full load of classes this year, the other was Ginny. He really liked Ginny and last night they actually kissed, and it was perfect. Now he was worried things between them would be awkward. Harry grabbed his Firebolt and headed out to the Quidditch pitch, flying around on his broom should make his nerves go away. He changed into his practice robes then kicked off the ground and soared into the morning sky. For the next hour Harry practiced climbs, dives, rolls, loops, and feints. He was no longer nervous, he was hungry. He went back into the Captains office and changed back into his school robes.
He entered the Great Hall and saw that other students were just now trickling in for breakfast. Harry took a seat and took some oatmeal, toast and pumpkin juice. He had just taken a bite of his oatmeal when Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked into the Great Hall.
"Where have you been Harry," Ginny asked as she took a seat next to him, "Ron said you left early this morning."
"I couldn't sleep," Harry responded, "I kept thinking about what my schedule is going to be like."
"So where did you go," Ron asked, "you haven't been here the whole time have you?"
"No, I went to the Quidditch pitch and flew around for an hour. It helps calm me down."
"You should have told us," Ginny sounded disappointed, "We could have come try out our new brooms."
"Speaking of trying out," Hermione spoke for the first time, "when are you going to hold yours? You three are the only ones left on the team."
"I don't know the first game isn't until October so I was thinking maybe next week after everyone gets settled in," Harry told them.
"Sounds good," Ginny said, "I can't wait. Oh, here comes Professor McGonagall with our schedules."
Professor McGonagall handed out the class schedules and continued on towards a group of seventh years. Harry opened his envelope and pulled the schedule out. He was almost afraid to look but knew he had to sooner or later.
Time table for Harry Potter
Monday:
Double Transfiguration
Lunch
Care of Magical Creatures
Herbology
Special Course
Tuesday:
Double Potions
Lunch
Double Defense Against the Dark Arts
Wednesday:
Transfiguration
Herbology
Lunch
Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts for Aurors
Divination
Special Course
Thursday:
Potions
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Lunch
Care of Magical Creatures
Charms
Special Course
Friday:
Double Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts for Aurors
Lunch
Charms
Divination
One hour course with Headmaster Dumbledore for as long as needed
One hour course with Professor McGonagall for as long as needed
One hour course with Professor Snape for as long as needed
Harry also if it is possible, please try to work in meetings for The DA again this year.
Harry's head hit the table when he looked at his schedule, he didn't see how it was going to be possible to make it through this year. Ginny took his schedule and understood why Harry had dropped his head on the table. Ginny then passed the schedule across the table to Hermione and Ron. Ron reached across the table and patted Harry on the back.
"Well it was nice knowing you mate," Ron's voice sounded more sarcastic than anything, "and we thought we had it bad last year."
Harry mumbled something that sounded like, "why did I choose to be an Auror?" But it was never heard as loud laughter erupted from the Slytherin table. Harry looked up and could see Malfoy and his goons Crabbe and Goyle pointing and laughing at someone on the floor. Harry stood up and could see the exchange student, Robert on the floor trying to pull himself up onto a chair. Harry noticed that Robert wasn't moving his legs at all,an angry Harry walked over to where Robert was and pulled out his wand.
"Finite Incantatem," Harry flicked his wand at Robert whose legs immediately moved and he climbed onto a chair, "Malfoy, why do you have to insist on being such a git!"
"Why do you insist on being the center of attention all the time," Malfoy retorted, "why do you think that you have to be everyone's savior all the time? It's going to get you killed just like it got your parents killed."
Instantly a breeze started picking up and Malfoy's smile was wiped from his face as he remembered the incident on the Hogwarts Express. He looked over his shoulder to Crabbe and flicked his head in Harry's direction. Without hesitation Crabbe moved in to strike at Harry but he never got the chance.
Harry shot his open hand straight out towards Crabbe and with no wand, without saying anything and without hitting him Crabbe flew backwards and landed on the table. Goyle didn't wait to make his move, buthe still came straight at Harry with his arm ready to punch. Harry flicked his wrist and Goyle went flying sideways. Malfoy, now without his henchmen rushed at Harry, this time Harry put his palm up and made a lifting motion. Malfoy lifted into the air where Harry just kept him floating five feet off the ground. Robert took out his wand and was about to hex Draco when Harry reached over and took his wand.
"We don't attack people when they are defenseless," Harry spoke through his teeth, "that is what a Slytherin does. Ginny, go get Professor McGonagall."
"No need, Mr. Potter," McGonagall's voice came from over his shoulder, "I am here, now put Mr. Malfoy down and explain yourself."
Harry lowered his arm and Malfoy gently floated back down to the ground. Harry then handed Robert's wand back to him and smiled.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Harry said hanging his head, "Malfoy attacked Robert and I came over to help Robert. Then me and Malfoy yelled at each other and then he started talking about my parents. Then Crabbe and Goyle tried to attack me and, well you can see what happened to them, then when Malfoy ran at me I lifted him off the ground."
"I see," Professor McGonagall said sternly, "Mr. Tooker, is this true?"
"Yes, Professor," Robert spoke quietly, "but he left a couple things out, first he unhexed me so I could get up again. Then he took my wand so I couldn't hex Malfoy while he was up in the air."
"Very well," McGonagall's voice didn't sound so stern this time, "Mr. Potter, Mr. Tooker, you two may go. Mr.'s Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle will spend one week with me in detention. Starting tonight."
"But, Professor," Malfoy began to protest.
"There will be no discussion about my decision," the sternness returned to the Professor's voice, "or would you like to also lose your privilege of the Ball this weekend?" That ended the conversation as Professor McGonagall walked away.
"Thanks, Harry," Robert said quietly, "for stopping me too."
"Anytime, Robert," Harry was smiling, "you might want to steer clear of Malfoy from now on though." Robert nodded his head as he walked off with a group of Ravenclaw third years. "Well do we all have transfiguration?"
"All but me, Harry," Ginny told him, "I'm a fifth year remember, we don't have the same classes."
"Right, sorry," Harry said while he reached for her hand, "well then, I'll see you at lunch." Then Harry leaned in and gave Ginny a kiss on the cheek that made her blush. Ron smiled and Hermione giggled which made Harry also blush.
Harry, Ron and Hermione walked into the Transfiguration classroom and saw Professor McGonagall sitting behind her desk waiting for the class to begin. Ron and Hermione sat down while Harry walked over to Professor McGonagall.
"Professor," Harry started, not sure what to say, "I'm sorry about losing control in the Great Hall. I just got really angry when he started picking on Robert and talking about my parents getting killed."
"Mr. Potter," she began with a slight smile on her face, "I have no doubt that you were in control of what happened in there this morning. Had you not been in control of your powers who knows what would have happened to those three. You also stopped a student from attacking another, this shows me you have matured a great deal over the summer. I would like you to talk to Professor Dumbledore about your powers tonight however. Now if you will take your seat, class is about to begin."
Harry nodded and sat in the empty seat next to Ron. They spent the entire double period learning how to Transfigure books into a blackbird. Hermione got it after the first few tries, Harry took about half the class. Ron had a difficult time of it, he kept having blackbirds that had paper for wings. Finally before the bell rang for end of period he was able to do it three times in a row. The rest of the day passed by fairly quickly and very uneventfully.
When it was time for Harry to meet with Professor Dumbledore he dropped his book bag off in his dorm and then headed to the Headmasters office. When he arrived and stood in front of the Gargoyles he realized that he didn't know the password. He had just begun to guess Sherbert Lemon Drop when the Gargoyles slid open and Professor Dumbledore stepped out.
"Ah there you are Harry," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile, "please come in. We have a lot to cover."
Harry followed Professor Dumbledore up the spiral staircase into the Headmasters office. Harry looked around expecting to see all new items after he destroyed them the last time he was here. He saw however, that all of the items had been repaired and put back in the same place.
"Professor," Harry started, "before we begin I am supposed to talk to you about my powers. I used them again today in the Great Hall against Malfoy. I have noticed that it only happens when I am angry. I don't,"
"Want to hurt anyone if you lose control?" Professor Dumbledore interrupted and then waited for Harry to nod his confirmation, "Harry it seems to me that you have perfect control over your powers except for when they manifest. We will, however, have to conquer that power in the future. Now we must focus on you becoming an Animagus."
"Ok Professor," Harry smiled thinking of being able to be an Animagus, "I'm ready."
"First I don't want you to be upset when nothing happens," Professor Dumbledore was readying Harry for the difficulties he was bound to have, "being an Animagus is very difficult. Now, that being said, do you know what form you would like to take?"
"Yes sir," Harry smiled as he said this. He then reached into his robes and revealed his medallion to the Headmaster, "I want to take the form of a red fox like on this medallion."
"Harry where did you get that?"
"It was in the Bloodline Box, Tonks told me to find, it was my mothers."
"I see, very well then." Dumbledore smiled as he gave the medallion one last look. "Harry, you first need to focus only on an image of the fox. You must clear your mind of all other thoughts. Just think of the red fox and picture it in a white room. Nothing else in there, just the fox in the room. Ok?"
"Ok, I understand. Picture nothing else but the fox."
"Right, now close your eyes Harry. And picture a red fox in a white room. Can you see it?"
"Yes Sir."
"Good, now all I want you to do when I quit talking is focus on the fox, and nothing else."
Harry nodded his head and began focusing his mind on only the fox. Professor Dumbledore had him do this for the next fifteen minutes.
"Ok Harry open your eyes. Were you able to focus solely on the fox?"
"I believe so, Sir."
"Close your eyes and think of it again." Harry did as he was told, "Is the fox in the same position it was before?"
"Yes sir, exactly nothing is different."
"Good, well done, Harry. I think you might accomplish this task much sooner than I would have thought. Most wizards and witches have the animal facing the other way or the tail is in a different position when they re-close their eyes. You can't go on to the next step until you have done what you have and see the exact same image. We are done for tonight Harry, tonight when you lay down to sleep I want you to do the same exercise. It should help you with Occlumency as well. Tomorrow night I would like you to concentrate only on yourself in a white room. Understand?"
"Yes sir, thanks for your help, sir. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Harry."
Harry practiced like he was told to the and got to the point where he could picture the fox and then immediately switch to himself and back with no flaws in the images. So far this week he didn't have much homework, Snape had assigned a one foot long parchment on the ingredients and brewing process of Polyjuice Potion and Professor O'Bannon had assigned the same length essay on banshees. He had no other homework yet.
Harry walked into the Defense Against Dark Arts room for his Aurors class and saw that there were no other students in the class.
"Professor O'Bannon, am I early?"
"No, Harry, you are the only student in this class. It should make things simple to teach." Professor O'Bannon said with a thick Irish accent and a smile, "Tonight though I just want to discuss what you know about Defense Against the Dark Arts and what you think Aurors need to know."
They sat and talked for the entire period. Harry told him about his experiences in the class and out. He told him about the Dementors and the DA. Harry liked Professor O'Bannon, he was easy to talk to, a lot like Remus. Then Harry began talking about why he wanted to be an Auror and what he thought would be required of him in the class. At the end of the period they said their goodbyes and Harry headed for Divination.
After Divination Harry went to Professor McGonagall's office. He knocked and went in, Harry took a seat across from Professor McGonagall and began clearing his mind.
"Mr. Potter, I trust you have done the assigned exercises Professor Dumbledore gave you?"
"Yes ma'am, I am able to switch the images back and fourth with no changes."
"Good, Harry," the Professor smiled warmly, "now close your eyes and picture yourself. You have the image," she asked and continued when Harry nodded. "Good now slowly and steadily began picturing your body transforming into the image of a red fox."
She watched and could see that Harry was concentrating on his task and then her mouth fell open.