Disclaimer: I don't own anything that I've written. Yep, that's right, I own not even one iota of the below work.

Summary: Harry became disenchanted with Dumbledore, so he works toward enlightenment, and this has several effects on the wizard, but what effects will it have on the world around him.

Authour Note: Alright so this chapter... I don't know. I think it will show off a lot about Harry's current personality and help me to better develop his character. I have no idea if I love it, or completely hate it. Draco and Harry currently have a rather complicated relationship - which is quite clearly displayed in this chapter. They are struggling to find some sort of neutrality, but Harry broke it. Guess we'll have to see where that goes.

Now, the relationship pole on my profile has undergone some changes. Luna is still easily winning, but I had to remove Tonks. At first I thought I would know how to write her in, but I've come to the conclusion I really have no idea how I'd pull it off. Also, I added in Draco and Neville as possible ships. Please vote and throw your say into the mix.

Chapter Four: Lessons in Human Significance

...

Harry was startled awake by his alarm, which he swiftly turned off. It was a nice way to start the day, feeling completely and utterly neutral to everything. He didn't have a good, or a bad sleep, he wasn't feeling annoyed or tired, but not particularly happy or well rested either. That meant his day had a lot of potential, because if it started out good, all there was left to go was down.

Getting up from his bed, he looked toward the still closed curtains around the other Gryffindor beds, and shook his head lightly – Heading in to take a shower, bringing a change of clothes with him. No one else seemed to be up yet, but then, they weren't the ones that had a rather important meeting to discuss their future today – So it made sense. He got dressed in his now typical long sleeved black shirt and fitted black jeans with a black belt and high-top sneakers, and looked in the mirrour. The green was starting to spill back into his eyes, and the scar was also starting to fade back in.

Harry had noticed that his Metamorphmagus ability tended to fade if he didn't renew it every day, especially when it came to his scar and eyes. His hair usually stayed straight and at the correct style, but for some reason other aspects seemed to prove themselves difficult.

He went back to bed and started up his laptop, activating the runes that connected his keyboard with his spiral notebook and pen. Making sure that it worked, he started for McGonagall's office.

As Harry made his way, his brain listed all the important talking points and responses, so as to not become unbalanced in the conversation, and before he knew it, the Potter was standing right in front of a familiar way, the door was open already showing a deep in thought Head-of-House.

"Professour, I was hoping to speak with you for a minute." Harry started.

"Please come in then, Mr. Potter." She said, not looking up at the moment, but when she did, her eyes went wide and ran over her student, her eyes going stern but with an unfamiliar glint to them, "Mr. Potter, what is wrong with your eyes, and by Merlin boy, where are your robes?"

Normally, the woman was far more composed, but there seemed to be a deep seeded worry in her, if Harry was reading the woman's behavior clues correctly. From his own memories, he knew that Professour McGonagall wasn't one to worry needlessly, and if she was upset about the robes, the worry wouldn't be present, only the typical stern behaviors. So, she was worried about the red-eye colour. No need to hide the reason behind it, and Harry didn't want his Professours worrying about him so much that they paid too close attention –

"I'm a Metamorphmagus, although my ability is somewhat lacking in the area, I can do basic transformations." Harry absently explained, "As for the robes, there is no rule stating that I must wear them, and I feel that their overly bulky nature interferes with my ability to concentrate. I was extremely thorough with my checking of the rules on this issue, so I wouldn't bother trying to look for yourself, it would be a waste of time. All of which, is beside the point. I came to talk to you about the future of my education here."

The woman went through an array of emotions, pleasant shock at the idea of her student being a Metamorphmagus, to angered and insulted about the robe issue, but it smoothed out into professionalism the second Harry mentioned his education, "I will look into the robe matters despite your words, but tell me what it is you are here for this morning."

Harry had expected no less, but couldn't help the amused curl to his lips at the idea of his Professour going through rule books in an attempt to find an non-existent rule, "I want to drop everything other than Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, DADA, and Potions, and take that freed up time to study for taking all the extra O.W.L's offered at this school. Including Runes, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, History, Divination, and Muggle Studies."

Silence.

"Even Ms. Granger couldn't handle such a workload, although I am quite encouraged by your new found want to learn, Mr. Potter, I don't see how I could possibly accept such a request." McGonagall finally answered, after a a few moments of stunned thought.

"I thought you might say something like that – Which is why I get the privilege of telling you that you have no choice." Harry gave a careless shrug, seeming annoyingly nonchalant. "You see, it's the guardians place to decide on choices like these regarding my education, and I already have written orders from my wondrous muggle relatives saying that the decision is perfectly okay. So, to be perfectly blunt, I'm doing this regardless of your wishes on the matter."

"25 Points from Gryffindor for such blatant disrespect of your Professour." McGonagall snapped, but seemed otherwise frustrated at the situation she was placed in. Potter had made an airtight case, and from the almost satisfied look on his face, the boy knew it as well.

It reminded her of someone she preferred to forget – A student that she had gone to school with herself. This student pretty much always got his way, and, if the Transfiguration Mistress remembered correctly, he had also done all of his O.

The situation was pretty futile, if she recognized that level of determination correctly but still, "Mr. Potter, please rethink this. Such a work load will cause you to burn out before you end the year, never mind your fifth."

"I don't think I will." Harry said simply, giving his Professour an almost practiced smile, "Thank you for your help Professour, I can't wait to see my timetables at breakfast. I'm sure we will all have a great year together. I'm looking forward to learning a lot."

Considering the amount of almost blatant disrespect, both parties read that as pretty much bullshit, if one would be so blunt. Harry sauntered out of the room a moment later, making his way down to breakfast without pause, or looking back on the worried, borderline suspicious teacher.

The red-eyed boy knew that he was being overly confrontational, and he knew that it would have effects that he didn't want. Although he didn't care about points of things of the like, he'd originally wanted to keep out of the spot light of a teachers suspicion, and that certainly wasn't something he'd accomplished. The answer to why he was so harsh was actually something Harry personally hadn't been expecting, since dropping the mask, Harry felt... Slighted by the woman. She was clearly blinded to every opinion other than Dumbledore's, and she didn't possess an open enough mind to actually listen to her students. As she'd proved in Harry's first year when they warned her about Voldemort going after the stone.

McGonagall just wasn't someone that could be trusted, and Harry hadn't been taught to pretend playing polite with someone that he disliked – Not without his well practiced Boy-Who-Lived mask anyway.

...

A scowling McGonagall handed Harry his rather empty timetable around the middle of breakfast, Harry only giving her smirk as he received it. Somehow he doubted that the woman was scowling about the meeting – No, this scowl was far more likely caused by the fact she couldn't find a rule about actually wearing the robes, just that they were to be bought.

Everyone just assumed that they must be worn as well.

No one would make a big deal about getting a new rule made just for one student that wasn't wearing traditional clothing. Even if one was made, Harry just wouldn't abide by it. He hadn't been exaggerating about robes being an unneeded distraction. This was beside the point, even when Hermione looked at him in disappointment on the issue, apparently agreeing with their Transfiguration Professour. It was easy enough to ignore his friends looks though, he'd been doing it for years now.

"Despite the whole robe issue, I am happy that you will be taking the time to learn something interesting instead of taking Divination, Harry. Learning something like Runes and Arithmancy will actually help you in the long run, unlike that 'easy outstanding' subject you originally decided on." As Hermione spoke, she looked rather pointedly at Ron.

"I see that you have decided to eat again." Ron retorted, but was too busy stuffing his mouth for it to be anything close to cutting.

Hermione gained a superior air around her, "I thought about it, and decided that I would find a better way of standing up for the house-elves."

"Ahuh... I bet you were just hungry." Ron finished, a grin spreading across his face.

Harry however, wasn't feeling so generous, "You're being a little bit hypocritical my dear Hermione. You can either believe in the elves right and not take advantage of the slave labour, or you can be a hypocrite that says one thing and does the other. Never mind the fact that you seemed to have discarded my advice about researching first rather handedly. I'm almost disappointed, but then I realized that your personality shouldn't have lead me to expecting better."

Hermione's eyes got wide for a moment, and she seemed genuinely hurt, "Harry..."

"Woah, Mate, don't you think that's a bit too much?" Ron spoke, seeing shocked at his friends words, and looking worriedly toward their bushy haired friend.

Harry almost continued on with his previous attitude, but bit it back when he noticed Hermione's eyes glassing over. Maybe it wasn't right, to take out his realizations and frustrations about McGonagall on his friend, which was only part of the problem, he also didn't like stupidity, but he held back for Ron's sake, why not Hermione's.

"Look, you want to stand up for what you believe in – Whatever. Just keep a wider scope in mind." Harry finally replied a moment later.

Hermione cleared her throat, and lowered her voice slightly, noticing the attention that they were starting to pick up from their fellow classmates, "What do you mean?"

Keeping Hermione's apparent emotional fragility in mind, Harry explained, "You think you are doing something for the good of the Wizarding World, but you are doing it without actually knowing anything. I can think of a few large scale examples of this thought type, namely Hitler, or perhaps Voldemort, if I wanted to be as extreme as possible. Of course, I don't expect you to go all Dark Mistress Hermione; Leader of the House-Elf Rebellion, but the thought process is definitely there."

The hurt seemed to fade from Hermione's eyes as she thought over the words, but it seemed that they wouldn't be having time for a response, as they all hurried along to Herbology.

...

Herbology, was as usual, rather uninformative to Harry and what he planned in life. Never mind the planned lesson had been rather disgusting and almost degrading to have to perform, in Harry's opinion. There were people who did menial jobs like that for money, and it should probably be kept to them.

Bubotubers, of all things.

Although Harry had hide his dislike of the project better than one Seamus Finnigan, he was sure that the feeling was written all across his face.

Apparently he pus that they had collected was perfect for acne treatment, which cheered Harry right up in a vein way. He no longer would ever suffer from that particular problem, considering his ability. One of the lesser advantages, but never turn down a free advantage – Right?

After that, Harry had a free period which was used to write notes on important information pieces in Arithmancy and Runes, essentially creating a chapter outline for both subjects. Thus far, Harry was most satisfied with his study in Runes, which had proved incredibly useful. The multiple runic languages were somewhat like written spells that activated in certain circumstances, and had interesting effects in particular orders. In other words, the usefulness wasn't to be denied as the limitations were typical the imagination of the wizard that was using the Runes. Harry was so intent on outlining the first few chapters of both subjects that he almost missed lunch.

He couldn't go proving McGonagall right though, could he?

After a quick bit of lunch, a simple roast beef sandwich, Harry just opened his books up on the lunch table, uncaring toward the idea of moving when it saved a lot of time to just do his work where he was. History and Care of Magical Creatures were quickly outlined as well, Harry didn't even register when both of his friends went off to their own classes – Or in Hermione's case – The Library.

Harry might have thought he was neglecting his friends when compared to the previous years, but that wasn't exactly true. He was doing his work during class times that he no longer had, and using the time more efficiently. When classes ended for the day, or on actual breaks, Harry would socialize just like all the other humans beings, weak as they were in their need for interaction.

"Potter."

The voice was familiar, and suitably neutral. Harry looked over toward the blonde pureblood that had spoken. He was looking down at Harry with an appraising eye, but it seemed somehow disgusted as well – Likely because Harry was wearing muggle clothing, to once again showcase Wizarding World bias.

"You've changed a lot over the summer, Potter. Why is that?" He sounded a mix of truly curious, and information fishing.

Information fishing was now an action that Harry could get behind, at least, when it was faced toward just about anyone other than himself, "I grew up a bit, and I got a makeover."

After which, Harry got up and went to one of the various empty classrooms to study, ignoring any farther queries from the Malfoy heir. He wouldn't be making the mistake of doing so in the Great Hall again after that experience. Not that it was a bad experience, just that Harry didn't want to accidentally do something in the Great Hall that would give people information on him that he didn't want. Never mind the fact that he wouldn't be able to use his technology in the Great Hall – Something that should have occurred to the raven haired boy before he bad opened his books.

A lesson learned is an action not repeated. Harry thought to himself ruefully.

On the way, Harry spotted something of interest, causing him to hide behind a corner and observe.

Two little Creevey brothers having an argument – and a now familiar grin spread across Harry's lips as his mind worked out ways that the new information could be used. This was a plan to be executed another day though, better to let the brothers stew in their arguments for a few days before making a move.

Harry was rather glad that Colin hadn't listened to the advice given to him at the sorting, if this was the outcome the Potter got.

...

The Trio let up a few hours later when on their way to dinner, Ron promptly complaining about getting homework from Divination.

"Looks like I escaped that narrowly enough." Harry remarked, an actual friendly grin to the red-head.

"You know, Professour Vector didn't give us any homework. Too bad you decided to take up such an useless subject, Ron." Hermione teased the red-head with a rather bright demeanor. Of course, Hermione would be the type who became more cheery as a long day of schooling unfolded.

"Weasley! Wait up a moment!" Exclaimed Draco Malfoy, who apparently had not been in Harry's presence enough today. As was typical, Draco was followed by his thugs – Which Harry was starting to think didn't deserve their own name considering their apparent inability to come up with an opinion all on their own. At least, that was how it seemed from the way they always had nothing to do other than follow around the young Malfoy.

Ron actually surprised Harry by responding in a reasonably curt and polite fashion, "What?"

"You'll never guess who made the front page! It's not Potter for once, but perhaps just as interesting. Listen to this –

FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent.

Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.

Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and at-tempted murder.

Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene."

(Book Four Pages 202 and 203)

"Seems as if the reports couldn't even get your father's name correctly! It's practically like he doesn't even exist." Malfoy commented, feeling some sort of superiority over Ron because of the article – As though the blonde needed more of a reason.

Ron looked about ready to blow up at the blonde, he was quaking with fury, his fists clenched tightly. It seemed, should violence occur, as was typical for humans, Ron wouldn't bother with taking out his wand this time. He'd probably be pounding the poor aristocrats face in with a well aimed fist.

"You think you're special, Draco? Coming over here as though you're somehow better than Ron, with such a smug look in your eyes. I'm here to tell you, you aren't special Draco. You're a copy, there isn't anything original about you." Harry paused for a moment, making sure to meet the blondes eyes with steady red globes. If Malfoy had been projecting a feeling of superiority, there wasn't a work for the oppressive feeling that Harry was filling the air with – Yet, the Potter spoke almost quietly, only Ron, Hermione, and Draco could hear him, perhaps for the best.

"You're attitude, actions and oh my! – Even the way you look – It's all modeled after someone else. If you were dead, the world couldn't miss you, because it wouldn't even notice you were gone. You're insignificant just like everyone else, no, you're more so because of your own actions. If you died, there is still another Lucius Malfoy." Harry spoke, cutting as deep as possible with each word, making sure that the blonde understood his own insignificance as much as possible.

The words probably wouldn't have been so effective, had they not been so completely true.

The Malfoy shied away from Harry's eyes and practically wilted in on himself, before the boy seemed to remember his training and held his head high, seemingly intend on walking away – As though It would give him the last word.

"What do we have here?" A gruff voice spoke from behind the trio.

Harry spun around to face their new DADA Professour, who looked just as intimidating as before, his wand was actually drawn, making the Potter wonder how long he'd been there. Harry sincerely hoped it hadn't been too long, otherwise he'd likely be getting some points taken off for his words.

He probably deserved it, for falling into old patterns as he'd promised himself he wouldn't.

"A little disagreement about something that the Profit wrote, nothing serious." Harry said, his tone making an abrupt turn from a drawling taunt, to a smoother conversational sort.

"Really? It didn't seem like that was the case. You sure the Malfoy isn't bothering you, boy?" The practically growling man asked.

Well, at least the DADA Professour wasn't the type that was unable to read the air. Likely helpful in his past profession. Still, Harry had no intention of allowing Draco to get in trouble for teasing Ron, when that would more than likely reveal his own wrong-doing.

"I'm quite sure, sir. Even if he had, I'm sure he's learned his lesson. After all, Lucius Malfoy without raise an utter fool, I'm sure." Harry alluded, smirk spreading wide once more, shooting a look at the Malfoy that was attempting to stand proud and tall. He was also failing, looking almost blue from how pale he'd gotten.

"I don't suppose he would." Moody said, walking toward the Malfoy, who took a step back, not bothering to hide his fear of the teacher, "After all, that Lucius somehow managed to worm passed every charge placed on him. A cunning fellow, that one. Perhaps you'll tell your Daddy that his old friend Moody is watching his son nice and close – Won't you?"

Malfoy just nodded hastily in agreement.

"I don't like you either, boy." Moody suddenly announced, looking back at the now surprised Harry James Potter, "I've seen those eyes before, I wouldn't forget them... I've got my eye on you."

As if on queue, the mans magical eye started to spin uncontrollably, making Harry very much want to research it - If only to protect him from the new threat that seemed to be in front of him.

"Off you go! Nothing to see here!" The Professour suddenly announced, only then did Harry notice the crowd which had gathered since Moody had entered the confrontation.

It was a good source of information though, this little argument – Harry could easily say now that Moody disliked the Malfoy's as their carriers had set them as enemies. The Potter already had enough dirty to essentially ruin the elder Malfoy when he thought about it. After all, he did have memories of the Malfoy placing the diary in Ginny Weasley's things, and of the Malfoy attempting to kill Harry after the Dobby situation.

That didn't mean that Harry didn't want to know more, especially in regards to how the Malfoy related to their new Professour, considering it was usually the DADA Professour that had something to do with the yearly life attempt, especially after that comment about 'not likely' Harry.

The trio continued on their way to the Great Hall for dinner after that little spat untouched.

"Wow, Harry. I know that you've been harsh lately but... That certainly wasn't called for." Hermione mentioned, almost cautiously.

"Pfft! Are you kidding? That was amazing, I want to commit this to memory – That look on Malfoy's face as you ruined him... Priceless." Ron was practically giddy. Too happy to have noticed the little piece that Moody had said about his friend, apparently.

Harry was disappointed with himself though, so instead of replying farther, just gave a shrug.

Clearly, despite his intelligence having increased and his attitude having changed quite a bit, Harry was far too volatile for his chosen job. The Character never had outbursts of anger like that, and for good reason. If you lost your cool in front of a client, why would they want to hire you again? Especially for such an intellectually involved job. This simply wouldn't do. Harry didn't mind his wit, or even the horribly cutting remarks that he'd been making, but the abrasiveness needed to be addressed.

He needed to change.

A mask wouldn't do, no, Harry wanted to be himself. After this summer, he had come to realize that his incredibly short human life was just that, short. Pretending to be someone that he wasn't happened to be a waste of time. If Harry wanted to fix this problem, he'd have to change himself.

Not exactly an easy task –

"Don't tell me you're already going back to the library?! You just said that you had no homework." Ron suddenly exclaimed, dragging Harry's attention.

"I'm researching... Harry was right, I don't know anything about the House-Elves, and I need to if I want to potentially do something about the situation." Hermione said, actually giving a grateful look toward her raven haired friend.

Harry was surprised, but gave the girl a small smile, "Good for you Hermione."

The girl rushed off, leaving Ron to stare at her back in continued confusion, "I'll never understand her, how can she put herself up for more work?"

Harry didn't reply, just got up himself and made his way toward the Gryffindor Common Area, although he did get some amusement from the way Ron bemoaned about having lost his friend to Hermione's craziness. There was too much to plan though, so Harry needed a little bit of quiet, and laying down in bed was one of the best ways to accomplish this.

And to decide just how he wanted to change himself next. After all, as the character had said, To enjoy life, one must constantly evolve.

R&R

So, what do you guys think I should do about the gun problem? Involving technology but not involving explaining guns would be moronic, but I won't have Harry being O.P because of muggle weapons to the point he could just shot Dumbledore or Voldemort and be done with it. I have an idea, but I'd love your opinions on the matter.