(Harry's perspective)
Ever since the DADA teacher had pulled me aside for a chat my life had changed massively. First of all, Freya, as she was named, was a caring and deeply powerful woman. She had this air about her that no matter what would happen she was there to prevent anything bad from happening. It reminded me of the vague memories I had of being in my mother's arms... That remembrance almost always made me cry... I missed my parents so much it physically hurt sometimes.
Regardless, I was hesitant about her at first. Nothing in my life had ever gone well. My aunt and uncle made me do a lot of chores and beat me if I didn't do them properly. They locked me away sometimes when I defied their orders or did accidental magic, what I now knew it to be. I barely ate at their house and even then when I did it was mostly out of pity from my cousin who was similarly abused. Though not to the extent I was, not that it was a competition.
Freya was kind though. She had taught her classes exceedingly well and always made me think in different ways. Her even hand when it came to punishment was also new to me, perhaps I had gotten too used to Snape's classes... Then she told me that I had something dark attached to me, which admittedly made me a little worried that she was going to hit me like my uncle did. Luckily for me she was very honest, even going so far as to show her arm to us, something I'd learnt from Hermione later meaning that she wasn't a Death Eater; Voldemort's henchmen.
That day was one of the happiest I had ever been. Finally it felt like I had an adult that actually cared enough to impose themselves in my life and take over some of the stress. And lo-and-behold she actually helped me! I mean, I always felt smart, but after what she did I could finally feel the thing fogging my mind disappear. It was amazing! My mind was also filled with images of her touching my forehead or something and the screams of his mother slowly calming down. It was like my own personal miracle...
Then she went and told us to get ready for a trip to Gringotts. At this point I was much more open to the whole interference thing on her part... Plus it'd be nice to leave behind Hogwarts for a little bit. Tests and school work had been a massive pain for my fogy mind this year. When we went the next day with her she had been relaxed. I felt weird and anxious as she made me question a lot about my life the previous day and now she was apparently going to prove that... I had butterflies as we walked in and then were guided to that office.
Sadly Freya was right and Dumbledore had been using me as a tool for something. I still didn't know what it was, but it certainly wasn't for my benefit. The most important thing though was hearing my parents final words! I still can't hold back my tears when i think about them and their message. It was all too fresh and had picked at old emotional scabs. What was equally as surprising after all of that though was the fact that I was apparently related to King Arthur, Morgan LeFay and 'THE' Merlin!? When it was revealed I felt as if I was going to faint and never wake up... 'I was already popular and now all of this', i thought.
But it is as Freya said... 'Fame is a power and a mighty burden Harry'... It was a simple line but it stuck with me. She was kind of right. I could use my fame to do good things and the only catch was the pain of having to deal with the looks and whispers... I still couldn't help but hate the cost, but at least I felt a little better about it.
Then she returned us to the castle after I was em-ans-a-something... Whatever that word was. It meant I didn't have to return to my uncle and aunt, if you could call them that. My mum and dad were so cool as well, they sounded it at least. I wished I could have met them or grown up with them...
*SLAP*
A book smacked up against the top of my head as an angered Snape sneered down at me, his hooked nose imperiously dangling below his rather venomous green eyes.
"Pay attention, Potter. 10 points from Gryffindor." His nasally voice echoed out in the confined dungeon that was the classroom for potions.
"Tell me, Potter... What ingredients does it take to craft a draught of Bravery?" Draco and his lackeys all snickered off to the side whilst Hermione watched on in worry, she never liked seeing me being singled out in this class, though I'm used to it.
"The Draught of Bravery, also called Fortitudo Elixir in older texts, is a rare alchemical tonic said to embolden the heart and clear the mind of fear, sir. The ingredients vary slightly by region, but the most accepted formulation includes: Lionfish Spine, Valerian Root, Boomslang Skin, Chopped Mandrake Leaf, Phoenix Feather Ash and A drop of Dragon's Blood... Stirred with a wand made of Rowan wood for full effect, sir."
I must have been correct because the rest of the class was silent. Even Draco was quiet, a new experience for him I was sure. Looking up at Snape I watched with some glee and excitement as he nodded in actual pride... Before he wiped it away and walked up to the chalk board.
"Why have you all not written down what Potter has just said...?" There was immediate movement as the entire class copied down what they could remember, all the while I simply copied the recipe down in my note-book. I had read the book on this potion last night, it was quite an interesting book altogether... Though some of the things made little sense to me, perhaps a question I could ask Snape?
Looking out of the corner of my eye I noticed Hermione look at me in wonder and excitement... I may have to join her for studying in the future... Snape's voice interrupted the moving of quills on parchment, shocking everyone.
"10 points to Gryffindor for paying attention." His voice died a second later as he began preparing a table with the ingredients, he hadn't even looked at me.
Why did Hogwarts seem fun again after Freya had helped him? A question to stew on, for sure.
...
(Minerva McGonagall's Perspective)
I was surprised today, an otherwise rare occurrence. Especially rare today though, Harry Potter, the young boy who I treated like my own Grandson sometimes, had been the first person to finally accomplish the spell in class today. Usually he was the third or fourth, perhaps even fifth in some topics, but today he had outpaced everyone and was eagerly participating in class.
A tear almost slid down my tired old face, the boy was finally taking his academics seriously! Favouritism was wrong, for sure, but I couldn't help but grant him some points for finally breaking away from whatever attitude had consumed him before. The oddity wasn't lost on me, but that had only increased since the new DADA professor, one Freya Bragisdottir, took over the class.
From all reports she was an extremely well-versed teacher and had already brought many of the students up to the basic levels for their year. As it was, I had gotten some reports from other lions of mine that she was teaching a new branch of spells that she herself created and wished to spread...
I was interested but our interactions so far had been rather confrontational. My mind wandered amidst the idea of perhaps making amends with her and perhaps having a drink with her at the great hall tonight. Supposedly she had left the castle for the day to handle some matters at the DMLE, something with regards to her being of foreign royalty I assumed.
My attentions were snapped away from my own musings when yet again Harry Potter raised his hand to ask a question.
"Mr. Potter, what can I answer for you?"
The boy gathered himself and shifted his robes, perhaps nervous to ask a question as everyone stared at him.
"Professor, if Animagi are bound by the limitations of the creature they transform into... then hypothetically, could a wizard learn to transfigure only a part of their body into something else, like a creature's eyes or hearing, to gain its senses temporarily, without fully transforming?"
The question had stumped me for a few moments. This question was rather complex for this year level and more than that, it was utterly fascinating that the boy was not only digesting the lesson about the nature of changing inanimate into animate and 'living' forms, but taking it and applying reason.
"The topic of Animagi is a fifth year class, Mr. Potter." He deflated for a moment, seemingly disappointed that he couldn't get an answer... I couldn't have that now could i? "However, your question is rather intriguing. It is true that Animagi are tied completely to the form that best fits them. But that form of change is much more permanent and is tied to one's soul. What you are suggesting is self-transfiguration... A most dangerous skill to practice as it can kill you if you do not know how to accomplish it. To answer your question however, yes, wizards and witches that have mastered self-transfiguration can summon individual limbs or body parts to impart upon themselves natural powers that would otherwise be inaccessible."
I paced slowly before the class, hands folded behind my back, murmurs beginning to rise from the students, most in awe, some in confusion.
"Self-transfiguration," I continued, "is not on the standard Hogwarts curriculum. In fact, there are few alive today who could do what you're suggesting with any measure of control. It requires a complete mastery over one's magical core... and an iron will."
I turned my eyes back to Harry, an expression both stern and... quietly approving.
"But it has been done. Documented, albeit sparsely. And your reasoning, Mr. Potter, is sound. Should you truly wish to pursue such studies one day, I suggest reading Myrddin's Notes on 'Bodily Flux and Magical Malleability'. A rare text, but the library may still have a copy."
I looked over my spectacles at him and my lips twitched faintly.
"Ask Madam Pince nicely, if you are interested."
...
The Weekly Teacher Meeting, an hour before dinner...
"Potter has been paying more attention in class." Snape drawled out as he sat across from Flitwick, the head of house Ravenclaw. McGonagall, Sinistra, Trelawney, Sprout, Hooch, Vector, Babbling and Freya were all paying attention to Snape as he swished his drink in its goblet.
McGonagall spoke up next. "Indeed, he has been paying more attention in class. Today he asked me on the nature of self-transfiguration and animagi transformations." She looked over at the DADA teacher who was smirking somewhat before drinking from her own goblet. The look wasn't missed by the rest of the professors as Sprout spoke up soon after.
"In my class he helped Mr. Longbottom understand the use for mandrake roots and more importantly the effects they can have if they aren't safely looked after... His knowledge was most surprising."
Flitwick turned to her and asked a question, "Did you give him points?"
The demure but stalwart herbology professor nodded proudly. "Of course, the boy saved his classmate from ruining the plant whilst conveying information..." The charms professor rubbed his small beard, humming as he did so.
"I wish I had a class today... I'd like to see if he brought the same gumption to my own classes..."
The Runes teacher, Vector and Astronomy teacher, Sinistra simply talked amongst themselves. They would have to wait till the next year to get any personal opinion on the 'boy-who-lived'.
All of the professors looked at Freya, her eyes meeting all of theirs with utter confidence.
"What?" All of them had different reactions to her question but they were ignored when McGonagall spoke.
"You went with him to Gringotts yesterday... Did something happen?" Silence reigned in the room as Freya sighed and placed her goblet down, her posture straightening up before she regarded them all evenly.
"Did you know that Lily and James Potter had a will?"
Snape went apoplectic as McGonagall was agape in slight shock. Flitwick jumped up onto his feet on the chair, his surprise warranted as Lily was his apprentice for quite a while. The rest of the teachers watched on with varying levels of awe and surprise.
"T-they did...?" The strangled voice of the transfiguration professor rebounded off of the rather small room.
Freya nodded and began explaining what the will spoke of and why she did what she did...
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