[A/N] — Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: I accidentally left in some old parts of the chapter before the rewrite when I published this one, and I've fixed it now. Sorry if the mid-chapter restart confused anyone! Thanks for understanding.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30th October 1996
The next few weeks passed by in a blur as I immersed myself even deeper into the study of magic. I made steady progress across different branches and discovered things Harry Potter never even bothered with.
In one particularly obscure reference book on Transfiguration, I found that there are actually two main approaches to it. The first method is all about precise calculations, arithmantic formulas, and theory-heavy spell construction. The second method, on the other hand, relies more on willpower and imagination, with far less emphasis on complex equations.
Professor McGonagall's lessons clearly leaned toward the first method, which made sense since she herself earned her Mastery in Transfiguration through rigorous study and hard work. For me, though, the second method worked better—I relied more on intent, imagination, and sheer willpower rather than the complex formulas of Transfiguration.
In my other studies, I've been making steady progress in Occlumency, thanks to Snape's classes. They're the perfect place to practice controlling my mind—dealing with his constant insults is a workout for my self-control.
Speaking of classes, all the professors seem pleased with my progress—except, of course, for Snape, but that's to be expected. Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall are particularly impressed, probably because my mother was a prodigy in Charms, and my father excelled at Transfiguration.
Professor Lupin's classes went much like in the original timeline—lessons on Boggarts, Grindylows, Hinkypunks, and other magical creatures. But beyond that, I sought out more practical training—things that would actually keep me alive in a fight.
I also managed to 'stea-'*cough*'borrow' the Half-blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making. It had many improved NEWT level potions which were not that helpful for me right now, but the suggestions regarding handling of potion materials were very helpful. There were also notes in the margins of several spells that Snape had invented himself, including Sectumsempra, Levicorpus (Dangling Jinx), Langlock, Liberacorpus (Conter-jinx for Levicorpus), Toenail-growing hex, and Muffliato.
The Room of Requirement became my personal training ground. There, I practiced dueling spells and defensive maneuvers against enchanted dummies that moved and fought back. The dummies could simulate real curses and hexes, which forced me to think fast and react even faster. I spent hours refining my spellwork, testing my reflexes, and pushing my endurance to its limits. I learned to cast on instinct, weaving spells with minimal thought, so they would come to me in battle without hesitation.
Elemental magic was another area that absorbed much of my time. Fire, in particular, had become an extension of my will—I could conjure flames and shape them, bending them to my intent. Conjured fire was no longer just a weapon; it was a tool, a shield, and a test of control. I learned to draw on my emotions to fuel my spells, finding that anger and determination were powerful catalysts.
--Elemental Magic(Fire) was raised by 5%--
--Elemental Magic(Fire): 7% -> 12%--
Dark Arts study proved even more challenging—and dangerous. I had no illusions about the seductive power of dark magic, but Voldemort would not hesitate to use every weapon at his disposal, and I would be a fool to walk into that fight blind. So I delved deeper, researching jinxes, hexes, and curses in the Restricted Section.
A jinx might be amusing to some—a nose-biting curse or a hair-growing spell—but it taught me about the subtle ways magic could be twisted to inconvenience or embarrass. Hexes went further, causing pain or disfigurement. I practiced counter-hexes and ways to deflect them, but I also studied their anatomy, knowing that knowledge could be turned against my enemies.
Curses, though, were a different beast altogether. They were raw, unfiltered violence woven into magic. Sectumsempra fascinated and repulsed me in equal measure. The spell was brutal, efficient, and utterly without mercy. I studied them and others like them, but not just to use them—I needed to understand them, to recognize them in battle, and to shield myself from their effects.
The more I studied about dark arts the more I realized how dangerous they truly are. If one is not careful enough in their studies of Dark magic, they could completely lose themselves in this dark path as dark magic is truly addictive, and more frequent use of it will make the user more violent and irritable. The negative effects can be fought off by a wizard of sufficient self-control. The practice of dark arts truly embodies the quote "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster".
The Quidditch team practices also started in the first week of October. I practiced flying on my broom before going for quidditch practice so that I wouldn't make a fool of myself. It took me some time to get used to the feeling of flying but once I got the hang of it, I understood why Harry loved flying.
In these few weeks, I started branching out and making friends with other people in my year. I made quite a lot of friends in all houses with the exception of Slytherin which was not that unexpected. As much as it pains me to admit it, I can't truly fight against Voldemort alone without any allies and canon Harry's mistake of not branching out and making friends was one of the main reasons for the whole school turning against him, as no one truly knew what kind of a person Harry was.
As for my old friends, Ron remained by my side, though I could sense his occasional jealousy at my rapid progress. Instead of letting it come between us, he started putting in more effort himself—albeit with a touch of reluctance and plenty of good-natured grumbling. He still spent time with Dean and Seamus, but he made sure to stick around for our study sessions. Hermione, on the other hand, grew more competitive than ever, diving headlong into her studies to maintain her position at the top of our year.
Clearing my mind of all thoughts, I headed towards my bed, reflecting on how far I'd come in the past two months.
-Status-
-Name: Harry Potter-
-Stats (Free Stat Points:0)-
--Body: 8--
--Magic: 10--
--Mind: 9--
----Occlumency(Apprentice): 1----
----Legilimency(Novice): 4----
----Obliviate(Apprentice): 5----
-Skills (Free Skill Points:0; Free Experience Points:0)-
--Transfiguration(Apprentice): 3--
--Charms(Apprentice): 4--
--Defense Against the Dark Arts(Apprentice): 6--
--Healing(Novice): 3--
--Divination(Novice): 0--
--Astronomy(Apprentice): 1--
--Alchemy(Novice): 0--
--Potions(Apprentice): 2--
--Herbology(Apprentice): 2--
--Magizoology (Care of Magical Creatures)(Novice): 7--
--Runes(Novice): 8--
--Arithmancy(Novice): 7--
--Flying[Broom](Expert): 10--
--Wandlore(Novice): 5--
--Illusion Magic(Novice): 0--
--Appartion(Novice): 0--
--Wandless Magic(Novice): 10--
--Silent Spellcasting(Novice): 7--
--Parseltongue(Journeyman): 10--
--Dark Arts(Novice): 10--
--Elemental Magic: --
----Fire: 12%----
----Water: 2%----
----Earth: 1%----
----Wind: 1%----
----Lightning: 1%----