Fledgling
Written by Christina E Lupin
A/N: I feel almost giddy with how much attention I am getting for this story. Sure, this story isn't getting as much attention as the others, but I never expected any of my stories to ever get any of the reviews they have gotten so far. I am very blessed to have you all telling me how good my stories are and I am thankful for those who give me constructive criticism to further help me.
So far, the poll is going along beautifully. I am surprised at some of the answers you have given, but I will not reveal them yet. Keep on polling! Each phoenix form is important and Harry could be any of them.
And now, I am proud to introduce the sixth chapter of Fledgling. Please continue on reviewing and reading!
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Fledgling
Chapter Six: Lessons
A week has passed since Minerva, Severus, and Harry moved into their new house in London. Fawkes also became a permanent presence in the house, which thrilled Harry to no end. He loved to talk to the phoenix, his first friend. His guardians, seeing how both child and phoenix spent so much time together, installed another perch in Harry's room as well as food and water bowls in case Fawkes wanted to stay in Harry's room. Sure enough, the next morning, they didn't see Fawkes in the living room.
Every evening, while child and phoenix were entertaining themselves, Minerva and Severus came up with a plan on how to educate their charge. Harry knew about magic, but he had no clue about the wizarding world, like most pureblood children were taught. They decided that Severus would teach Harry about their world. Sure, Severus was not pureblood, since his father was Muggle, but he had been around purebloods when he was sorted into Slytherin, so he knew enough. Minerva would then take over teaching Harry the basics, both Muggle and magic. They were fully aware that Harry had never been taught how to write or do basic math.
Meanwhile, up in Harry's room, Fawkes and Harry were deep in conversation.
Are you happy, Harry? Fawkes asked, his black eyes trained on the young wizard in front of him.
"Yes, I am," Harry replied, a smile spreading across his face. "I have a family. I have my own room, like Dudley used to have his own room. And I am happy to have you as a friend."
Fawkes chirped happily and he flew circles above his fledgling's head, making the child laugh. The phoenix loved to hear him laugh. It was a far better reaction than the ones he used to see on his young charge's face when he was with the Dursleys.
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It was time.
Sirius Black almost couldn't contain his glee as he waited until the human guards rounded the corridor. Grinning, baring his slightly yellowing teeth, he focused on his Animagus form, a big black dog affectionately called Padfoot. With a small pop, he became Padfoot. Tail wagging in excitement, he proceeded to squeeze himself through the tiny spacing in between the bars of his cell. Since becoming a ward of the prison, Sirius lost pounds of weight and he became very thin.
Within minutes, he managed to get free of the cold metal bars. Now the real danger began. He just had to get around all the human guards and he would be free. Dementors would be a piece of cake to get around, since they only focused on human minds and feelings rather than those of an animal. Padfoot looked down either side of the long depressing corridor. Where should he go?
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"As you might have guessed, Harry, since you are now under our custody, you are going to be expected to know how to behave like a pureblood wizard," Severus began, his black eyes serious. Harry was sitting on the opposite side of his adoptive father, listening intently. "The McGonagalls have always been known for their long ancestry in our world whereas with the Snapes, we are just Muggles, but the Princes, my mother's side, are much like the McGonagalls and many others. When I was in school, I had many pureblood friends and I learned everything on how to be like one. Minerva will be helping me in teaching you everything you need to behave like a pureblood in polite society and amongst other purebloods.
"One of the many things each pureblood wizard or witch learns are manners. Purebloods are very formal and aristocratic, even to each other. They tend to stick their noses up to anything that does not suit them. However, we are not all like that. Many of the older pureblooded wizards and witches will call those of Muggle descent Mudblood, which is a dirty term and is never spoken in polite company."
"Just like you cannot call black people negroes," Harry said, nodding.
Severus smiled. "Exactly, Harry. It is a very derogative term and Minerva and I will not tolerate you speaking the term, are we understood?" His charge nodded, green eyes serious. "Good. You will be punished severely if we hear it. Now, let us continue our lesson, shall we? Whenever any lady comes to introduce herself to you, you will bow at your waist and kiss the back of her hand gently." Severus turned to Minerva, who was seating next to him, and showed Harry how to greet a lady. Minerva smiled. "When you greet a man, you shake hands, but not like a Muggle handshake. You will shake with your right hand, as always, but you will grasp his entire forearm, right up to the elbow if you can." He also displayed the handshake with the older witch. "Whenever you are speaking to another person, you should maintain eye contact, no matter how uncomfortable you are with that person. You are showing, by locking eyes with them, that they are your equal and that you respect them."
"Just like you are doing with me," the young boy replied, smiling.
Minerva chuckled. "Yes, young one."
"And when you speak to a crowd of witches and wizards, you look around the room, catching the eye of at least one person in the crowd. Be sure to speak up so everyone can hear you. Another thing that we purebloods do not tolerate is using any slang terms, like what half-bloods and Muggleborns will use. Those terms are not for our use and many purebloods will believe that slang is below them. While amongst other purebloods, please refrain from using them."
"So I can use those words but not amongst purebloods?" Harry asked, looking puzzled.
"Yes, Harry," Minerva responded. "I know it is confusing, but you will get it in time. Severus, I think it is time to let our young charge practice what we have taught him today."
"You are right, Minerva. Harry, I want you to pretend that you do not know Minerva and I want you to greet her in a proper way."
Harry nodded and he got up from his chair.
"Shoulders and back straight, Harry," Severus said with amusement. Harry straightened his posture and it seemed to make him look inches taller. "Feet pointed straight ahead. Straighten your neck line, hold your head high."
"This is weird," Harry muttered, feeling as though he were being stretched.
"This will be another thing for us to practice, and your body will adjust so that it will be like second nature," Minerva reassured her charge, smiling. "Now come and greet me, young man."
Harry smiled and then it was wiped from his face, giving him a blank, serious look. Minerva and Severus shivered, each flashing back to the boy's father, a boy who walked much like him. The boy walked forward with grace, his feet straight and in line. He stopped in front of Minerva and bowed at the waist, keeping his posture straight, though it was hard to do. His spine felt like snapping in half. "It is a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. My name is Harry Potter. What is yours?"
Minerva smiled, pride shining in her eyes. "My name is Minerva McGonagall and it is a pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter." She offered her hand to him and Harry brought her hand to his lips, kissing it gently on the back of her hand.
"Very good," Severus said, smiling as well. Harry relaxed his stance and he shook out his limbs. "As you get older and taller, you will grasp the lady's hand in yours, like you are taking her hand and holding it, and you will kiss it, but that will be for later. I believe it is about time for dinner."
"Will I learn how to dine like a pureblood as well?" Harry asked as they moved toward the dining room, where they could already smell the delicious food.
"Eventually, yes, but we must teach you all the manners of a pureblood in conversation," Minerva replied. "And mark my words, Harry, we will break your little habits." She smirked down at him.
Severus and Minerva have tried to stop Harry from doing all of the chores and so far they have succeeded a little. Harry was only allowed to do the gardening and cleaning up his room, but he could not do anything else. The small handful of house-elves they had could do all the work. When Harry had first met a house-elf, it was amusing. He tried to talk to it like it was a human and the house-elf, named Holly, was shocked that she stopped doing her chore of sweeping the kitchen.
When the three entered the dining room, all the house-elves were present, lining up against a wall, backs straight. Severus waved them away and they vanished with little pops. They tucked in to their meal, unaware of the events happening in the world outside their door.
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End of chapter
This is a little shorter than I wanted it to be, but I got done what I wanted done. Thanks again to all of you who have reviewed the last chapter and I hope you will review again for this chapter.