Astronomy Tower (10:15pm) Friday
Harry finished the contemplation of his first week. All in all it had been a success and cemented his role as an apprentice. He could appear knowledgeable without it seeming out of character. Now all he had to do maintain the charade he'd begun and then save the world from a dark wizard who didn't have the good grace to die when he should have. After all, there was absolutely no way on God's green Earth he was going to allow that wanker to live and threaten his family. Little Lily deserved more of a life than what he espoused.
Looking around the tower again, Harry decided it was time to blow off a head of steam before his suppressors began to tingle at the amount they were repressing. That, and students would begin showing up in another hour to begin the night's class. Thinking it would be nice to see Hawaii again, Harry calmly walked into an especially dark shadow against a wall and promptly disappeared.
Had Harry been able to see what was going on in the Headmaster's office, he would have been made aware that his comings and goings weren't as silent and as unsupervised as he would have wanted. On the shelf near Dumbledore's desk sat a small mirror that was propped up on legs. As Harry shadowed to a volcano in the Hawaiian islands, the mirror chimed, alerting Albus that a student had just gone missing from the school grounds.
Rising, Albus approached the mirror. "Show me," he commanded. The mirror obliged and Harry's face appeared on the mirror as the missing student.
"Hmmm," Albus muttered softly. "I wonder why our resident apprentice needs to sneak out to Hogsmeade on a Friday night? What is he looking for?"
"Trouble, old friend?" a painting said over the Headmaster's shoulder.
"Nothing too much, Armando. A student has gone missing from school grounds."
"Hrumph! He's probably gone to the pub to get something to drink. Young whipper-snappers these days don't have any respect for the rules."
"Had the student been a 7th year, I would have agreed, but this is an 11-year old. I wonder what he wants in the village?"
"An 11-year old wandering around Hogsmeade? Send your groundskeeper after him to drag him back and then hand him over to Filch. That should teach him some lessons."
"Armando, he's an apprentice. He does have more rights to be about than normal students. Especially those of his age."
"But… Albus, he's 11-years old!"
"That he is, my friend. That he is. And apprentice or not, he is not an adult in any sense of the word. We need to keep an eye on him first to see what he is up to. His father was a master prankster in his day, and it is possible he is following in his footsteps. We shall see."
"I still think Filch would put him right."
"I think Filch would use an Iron Maiden if he had his way, Armando."
Potter home (8:00am, breakfast) One week later
"James?"
"Yes, dear?" James replied looking for some of that elusive muggle cereal that his daughters had taken to stashing in the kitchen.
"We just got a letter from Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Already? What kind of trouble is Harry in? I thought he was the good kid and we wouldn't have to wait for a letter like that until Leon went."
"I'm not sure, honey. You don't think he's been hurt, do you?"
"Harry? Until this summer I didn't think he had an adventurous bone in his body, but now… I'm not sure. Have you seen any Fruit Loops lately?"
"No, honey. Do you want me to whip up a breakfast for you?"
"No! I mean, don't put yourself out, sweetie. I'll just grab a quick bite in the office. Sorry for leaving you with the kids this morning, but the director is calling in all shifts to placate the goblins. So what does the letter say?"
"Oh, James, it's about Harry's progress as an apprentice. Here. You read."
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Potter,
I want to start out that we at Hogwarts are very happy to have Harry here at school. He is an amazing student and apprentice. Already he has given invaluable assistance in all of his classes. Students look up to his leadership and knowledge. I wanted to allow each of his teachers to give you a quick synopsis of Harry's first two weeks here at school.
Professor McGonagall: Harry is very helpful to the rest of the classes. Even though he is now rooming in the Hufflepuff dorm, he still attends transfiguration with the Gryffindors and helps out in every lesson to those students who are having a difficult time grasping the nuances of the subject. Harry does not have any difficulty with any of the subject matter yet. We had a meeting last week to go over his skill level and he is certainly more advanced than he is letting on. Congratulations, James, he is taking after you.
Professor Flitwick: Harry has been instrumental in getting several students to improve their ability in charms, even though they now have an odd way of starting any charm work by what they say is "propositioning the magic". As long as it gets results, that is all that matters. Harry consistently exceeds all expectations and if I wasn't sure he was 11, I'd say he was a 7thyear. Congratulations, Lily, he is taking after you.
Professor Sinistra: Harry has shown great interest in the subject and has been on the astronomy tower doing research just about every night. He is currently doing his year-end assignment of researching force lines and has not missed a regular assignment yet. He is able to pick out constellations with ease and I fear this class may be too easy for him. Congratulations on raising such a fine, intelligent boy both of you.
Professor Quirrell: For a first year with no practical knowledge of the world, he might survive if vampires were to attack. But I wouldn't count on it.
Professor Sprout: I am simply amazed at the kind of skill level young Mr. Potter is able to display when working with plants. He definitely has a green thumb. You must have some nice gardens if the skill level he shows is any indicator. I am very pleased to have him in class.
Professor Bark: Congratulations on raising a son with so much practical knowledge of the muggle world. He has proven himself invaluable in several of my classes, clearly able to debunk those pesky myths about muggles and their love of kitchen appliances.
Professor Binns: Astounding. Your son is simply astounding. He is able to channel history much like I was able to later in my life when I was still alive. Your son shows all the earmarks of being a master channeler. And he is still only 11! Unbelievable. You must be proud of your son. I suspect that when he's properly dead he will be able to remain behind like I have to train the next channeler. I can see a bright light in my future!
Professor Snape: Your son should be expelled for insulting an instructor. And the competition he's arranged? Ridiculous. Your brat couldn't brew veritaserum to save his life. And apparently after I beat him at this little game, I will be able to prove once and for all that all Potters are nothing but attention seeking prats! Especially upstart 11-year olds that think they know everything like their rotten fathers!
Ah, well, most of your son's professors are pleased as punch to have Harry in their classes. I certainly think that Harry's presence here at Hogwarts has greatly added to the overall learning environment and look forward to his assistance for years to come.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts
"I don't remember my folks getting a letter like this when I was a first year," James commented, finishing reading.
"Didn't you set a toilet seat on fire during your first week in school back then?" Lily commented, never having forgotten the incident, especially since she had been heading for that seat just before it went up in a blaze of glory (as it were).
"Heh, heh, oh yeah. Um. I mean, I don't remember that at all. Say, Lily, have you lost weight?"
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