Harry potter : Forgotten Lord

Looking at Padma and making sure his tone contained both concern and seriousness Harry said, "If you sure, but if you want to talk about whatever has upset you, I will be here to listen. Otherwise, let me know if I can help with anything." He then went back to his book about charms.

"Thank you," was the soft reply, to which Harry just nodded.

...

Both of them got to work on their respective tasks and after finishing the work set by Professors McGonagall and Snape, before Padma finally spoke up.

"You know how you said if there was anything you can do?" Padma asked curiously.

"Yeah," Harry replied, looking up from his assignment.

"Can you check my Charms homework for any mistakes?" Padma asked, pushing the roll of parchment towards him.

Harry was tempted to tell her that wasn't what he meant and to do it herself, however he had a different idea when he looked down at his own Potions assignment. He knew it was correct, but just wasn't sure it was written in the proper format. Looking back at Padma with a cheeky smile, he said, "Sure, as long as you check my Potions essay for me."

"Deal," was the quick reply, paired with a smile.

They swapped their work and started pointing out mistakes, or areas that could be improved upon. Both of them stayed in the library until they were forced to leave because it would soon to be closing time, but before leaving they each checked out a couple additional books.

Harry's choices were a few second year charms books, since he had already completed and memorized most of their first year counter parts. This was thanks mainly to his study of Occlumency, as well as his wish to get a head start. Even if he wouldn't fully understand the texts for a while, he could always ask his Head of House to explain the concepts if he was confused.

After all, without understanding the knowledge would be worthless; he might as well be a book just stating facts. And that would only be useful during quizzes, not in the real world.

Padma just gave him a questioning look at his selections, before taking out some astronomy texts. Since she loved star gazing, and wanted to impress their teacher the following evening.

Both of them went back to the Nest, where Padma brought out a wizarding chess set she had brought with her to Hogwarts. She explained that she liked chess over wizard card games since it kept the mind sharp, due to the need to plan ahead. A card game like Exploding Snap was all about quick reflexes, which her sister always beat her at, she admitted somewhat bitterly.

Harry was amazed by the animations of the chess pieces; they would moan or curse whenever they moved into danger or were destroyed by another piece.

This would become their routine in the evening in weeks to come. After completing their workload, they would sit down and discuss their lessons and different theories, while pointing out each other's mistakes or misconceptions. They would also talk about the latest stories in the Hogwarts rumour mill, all over a game of chess before retiring to their beds to repeat the cycle the next day.

...

Mightnight Gold

Several weeks later -3rd week at Hogwarts

The chess games themselves became far more evenly matched after a while. All Harry's previous experience had been against the aged librarian in his childhood haven and even then had only played the game a couple times. Padma however, had played against her entire family; her dad and grandfather were chess masters, hence Harry was easy prey for Padma.

The first couple evenings had been a total white wash for Harry, who was continuously defeated by Padma over the course of the evening to the amusement of the rest of the Nest. However, Harry had the advantage of learning Occlumency and was quickly learning and countering her tactics, all the while developing his own complex strategies on the fly.

He never forgot his mistakes or the traps he had fallen into over first few weeks, forcing Padma to adapt and develop new styles of play. He thought it was unfair in part, and planned to tell Padma soon so she could search her own family library during Christmas break for her own texts on the mind arts.

He couldn't risk being found out and if he loaned his own copy to her, it could be confiscated for the remainder of his time at Hogwarts, since it could be deemed a dark text by the Headmaster, plus made the staff aware of his own study of the subject.

The chess games slowly changed from Harry stalling Padma's eventual victories as long as he could, to causing her victories to be increasingly costly much to the complaint of her own pieces. Finally he managed a victory, much to Padma's dismay at the loss of her winning streak.

Harry favoured the style of lethal counter attacks after drawing Padma in. Padma had, after several defeats by this method, changed to a strategy of weathering the storm, resulting in a balanced game.

However, now he was currently sitting in his Head of House's office, waiting for their meeting to start. The chair itself was bit small for his own taste, so he decided to do something about it. Standing up, pausing a moment to remember the enchantment, he tapped his wand to the chair and said, "Engorgio,"causing it to grow to a more comfortable size.

Behind him he heard clapping and turning he saw Professor Flitwick clapping excitedly from seeing him perform the charm. "Most impressive Mr. Potter, take ten points for performing a second year charm."

"Thank you Professor," Harry replied.

"Please take a seat," Flitwick said while gesturing to the seat Harry had just enlarged, with a smile on his face.

"Would you like some tea Mr. Potter or perhaps some biscuits?" the tiny wizard offered.

"I'm full thanks, I might take a tea though," Harry said, accepting the cup of tea and taking a sip, idly thinking that it could use some more sugar. Harry was still getting used to being able have sugar in his tea; it had been another thing his 'relatives' had denied him.

"Now, let's get started shall we?" the Professor began with a cheerful voice. "I'm sure you're wondering what this is about. This is merely a way for me to get to know the new students and connect with them. Since you have been performing so well, I decided to begin with you. It also helps build trust, so I can better advise you in your educational choices," he continued. "So how are you enjoying your stay at Hogwarts? Is it living up to your expectations?"

"Hogwarts itself is very beautiful," Harry answered, with a smile on his face. "I had read a bit about it before coming, but seeing it myself, simply put; the books don't do it justice."

"Hmm, wonderful," Flitwick chirped happily."Many students tend to think that. It's the reason we have the first years enter Hogwarts for the first time the way they do, it adds to the school's beauty and helps set the tone."

"Now let's talk about classes and what you think of them. I know you're performing well above expectations in my class and most of my fellow teachers say the same about you in their classes. Your talent is most unexpected, unlike your fellow student Mr. Longbottom," Flitwick continued, with another smile.

"Now what do you think Harry, can I call you Harry?" Flitwick asked.

"Of course, as long as it is in private, I'd rather other student's don't think my achievements are due to favouritism," he answered honesty. "May I ask you why you're not surprised that Mr. Longbottom is a talented student?"

It had really been puzzling Harry over the last week; Longbottom had shown ability, while at the same time displaying a lack of the necessary knowledge to answer the theory behind it, which could only be gained from reading.

"Mr. Longbottom has received training since his eighth birthday. His grandmother insisted that he be allowed to train, due to his status as a celebrity so that he could protect himself. There have been a number of attempts on his life, therefore it was deemed necessary for his own safety. That said, they focused primarily on the practical applications of magic, mainly duelling, with a bit of charms and transfiguration," Flitwick answered. "However, he still has to obey the law. It just means he can train and practice during summer holidays."

"Now, what do think of your lessons?" the Professor asked again.

Weighing up how to word his response before replying, "The best way I can put it would be that I have mixed feelings. Some lessons are a disappointment, such as History and Defence where both teachers are horrible. It's getting to the point that I am considering skipping the lessons and doing independent study in library, whereas others have been enjoyable. However, I do find some of the classes unchallenging," Harry finished, hoping his answer wasn't cocky or arrogant.

"Ok Harry, tell me what classes you find unchallenging?"

"No disrespect intended, but I find both yours and Professor McGonagall's classes lack a challenge. As you saw earlier, I am already into second year charms and I spent most of last Saturday going through all the first year charms, making sure that I could cast them effectively. Mastering them now is just a matter of time, likewise with most of the transfiguration material."

"Simply put, I expect I will be able to take the second year exam for both subjects this summer without much difficulty. You yourself just saw part of my charm work," Harry said, tapping his seat before continuing.

"The rest, I am finding reasonable enough. That said, the only negative so far is Potions class, more specifically Professor Snape's attitude towards me. I find it most unprofessional, especially considering this is meant be place of education," Harry answered.

"I understand the need to have a strict classroom work ethic, due to the dangers involved in brewing potions, but the attitude is not required."

...

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