Chapter 57: Chapter 57: “Time Skips and Weddings”
As the seasons changed, Harry found himself surrounded by happiness and companionship. Susan often playfully persuaded Sirius to let her join in their adventures with Harry. Harry was always happy to have her around, seeing these moments as a glimpse into what could have been with his brother Charles, under different circumstances. The island, with its inviting beaches and mysterious castle, became their perfect playground.
Amelia sometimes joined their little group, adding to the joy of their gatherings. Arcturus, who had seen the positive influence Amelia had on Sirius, was pleased with their relationship. He saw Amelia as a grounding presence for Sirius, believing that she would help Sirius keep up the positive changes he had made. This eased Arcturus's worries about the future of their family.
As time passed, events unfolded around Harry that brought changes to those he cared about. Emma, Harry's first friend and mentor in potions, found happiness in marriage with David Archer, her boyfriend of over two years. David, still passionate about his teaching career in the muggle world, chose to remain in his job even after marriage. His fascination with the muggle world's technological advancements played a big part in this decision.
Emma, influenced by Harry and David, grew to appreciate the muggle world's innovations. She chose to live there with David but did not give up on her ambitions to become a healer. Emma continued her education and training under Cordelia's guidance, making daily visits to her mentor to learn and assist.
Her journey didn't stop at magical healing; Emma ventured into muggle medical research, blending the two worlds' healing techniques. Her innovative work led to significant medical advancements in the wizarding world, bringing muggle innovations into magical healing practices. Now, Emma was even working with healers from MACUSA who were interested in the same kind of research.
When it came to Emma's wedding, Harry was really happy for her and David. He had gotten to know David pretty well and liked him a lot. At the wedding, Harry half-jokingly warned David to always treat Emma well, or else. It was funny to see Harry, who was just nine years old, giving a serious warning to David, who was much older. David took Harry's warning in good spirits, and it was clear to Harry that the couple was truly happy together. Although Harry's warning was made in jest, there was a serious undertone to his words, promising to protect Emma no matter what.
With Emma's marriage, Harry's visits to the muggle world became less frequent. Emma, now busy with her new life, found it difficult to join Harry on their previous adventures. However, they still made time to meet at David's house for special occasions. Harry continued to explore the muggle world, sometimes taking Susan and Amelia with him, keen on showing them the wonders outside the magical realm. These outings were not just for fun; they were Harry's way of sharing his appreciation for the muggle world, fostering a broader understanding and respect for it among his magical friends and family.
The following year, as Harry turned ten, was highlighted by the beautiful wedding of Sirius and Amelia. The ceremony was a lavish affair, held at a private holiday resort under the Blacks' ownership—a reminder of the family's vast wealth. Harry was in attendance, albeit incognito, adopting the guise of Aries Black, a cousin of Sirius. He utilized his partial Metamorphmagus talent to modify his appearance slightly, ensuring he blended in with the members of the Black family.
James and Lily Potter, despite being invited, did not attend, likely due to the strained relationship with Sirius. Dumbledore showed up for a little while because it was a big deal in the magic world when a Black and a Bones got married. But he didn't stay long because it seemed like Sirius and Amelia didn't really want him there and gave him cold looks.
Harry thought about playing a prank on Dumbledore as a way to get back at him a little, but he decided not to. He didn't want to ruin Sirius and Amelia's big day.
Looking back, Harry remembered the wedding as a really happy time, something bright and joyful in his life. That day, he felt truly happy, like everything was right in the world.
During the wedding party, Harry mingled with the guests while hiding his real identity. He watched Sirius and Amelia closely, seeing how happy they were together, laughing and dancing surrounded by friends and family.
Observing them, Harry couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and happiness for his godfather. "Sirius deserves this happiness," he reflected, his heart swelling with emotion for the man who had become so much more than a guardian in this life.
Finding a quiet moment towards the celebration's end, Harry approached Sirius and Amelia to offer his personal congratulations. Despite the disguise altering his voice, his sentiment was genuine and heartfelt. "I'm so happy for both of you," he expressed, his words carrying the weight of his true feelings.
"Thank you," Amelia responded, her smile radiating warmth and gratitude.
"I wish you could be here as yourself, Harry. But I understand. Thank you for being a part of our day," Sirius said, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and appreciation.
Leaving the wedding, Harry felt a storm of emotions. He was overjoyed for Sirius and Amelia but also thought about the changes he had brought to this world. The path he had carved was diverging from the one he had known, shaping a future both unknown and promising.
"Things are changing," Harry contemplated as he made his way back to Black Castle. The air of transformation was undeniable, and to Harry, it signaled a harbinger of hope.
Reflecting on his own path and the journey that lay ahead, Harry felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The future was a canvas yet unpainted, and he stood ready, brush in hand.
"I don't know what the future holds," Harry whispered to the night, his steps steady and sure. "But I will be ready for it."
Chapter 58: Chapter 58: “School Dilemma and Progress”
Oct 11, 1988
The evening before Harry turned 11 was filled with excitement and a bit of nerves. Tomorrow wasn't just any birthday; it was the day he'd officially be invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. More than just getting his Hogwarts letter, Harry was buzzing about choosing his first wand. With a wand perfectly attuned to him, he was eager to delve deeper into his magical studies, anticipating the swift progress that would follow.
Harry had entertained the thought of attending other wizarding schools. The prospect of exploring new realms of magic, different from the traditional British wizardry taught at Hogwarts, was alluring. He had read extensively about Ilvermorny in the United States, renowned for its emphasis on wandless magic and Native American magical practices. It stood out as one of the premier wizarding institutions globally.
But it wasn't just Ilvermorny that caught Harry's eye. There was Castelobruxo in Brazil, known for its excellent Herbology and Magizoology programs; Mahoutokoro in Japan, which had a reputation for being tough but also great at Quidditch; and Uagadou in Africa, which was the best at alchemy and teaching students how to become Animagi. Unlike Durmstrang and Beauxbattons, which seemed too similar to Hogwarts for his liking, these schools offered something different and exciting.
The other schools around the world seemed a lot better than Hogwarts, especially with Hogwarts having some not-so-great teachers in Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, and Divination. Plus, Hogwarts didn't offer anything beyond the basics. Deep down, Harry really thought about attending a different school.
But after a lot of talking, Arcturus, Amelia, and Sirius convinced Harry that Hogwarts was the right choice for him. Arcturus talked about how important it would be for Harry to make connections and build his reputation at Hogwarts, especially if he wanted to bring honor to the Potter name and get involved in the wizarding politics of Britain.
Amelia and Sirius shared their happy memories of Hogwarts, hoping their stories would make Harry see the school in a new light. But what really made Harry decide was thinking about the things that could happen at Hogwarts if he wasn't there, especially to Susan and other students.
Without him, some dangerous situations in the books could end up being really serious.
So, Harry chose Hogwarts. After all, there was more to Hogwarts than just the classes. He was curious about the Room of Requirement and finding out the school's hidden secrets, maybe even things the founders left behind. There were also all those secrets shown in the new Harry Potter game he hadn't had a chance to play yet.
With his path now set, Harry awaited the morrow with a mixture of excitement and resolve, ready to embark on the next chapter of his magical journey.
While waiting for his Hogwarts letter, Harry thought about how much he had grown stronger, both in magic and in fitness, over the last few years.
Physically, Harry had maintained a rigorous regimen of morning runs, martial arts classes, and gym workouts without fail. He didn't do all this because he was tired or bored; he did it because he wanted to be ready for anything. He wanted to make sure he lived without regrets and ensure his family's safety in a world that often showed no mercy.
"I might only look like an average 11-year-old, but my fitness level is ready to tackle whatever challenges Hogwarts might throw my way," Harry mused, his confidence in his physical prowess unwavering.
His dedication to staying active, along with eating right, had sculpted him into a tall, striking young man. His training honed his reflexes, allowing him to react swiftly whether in offense or defense. The strenuous gym sessions built his endurance, enabling him to withstand any rigorous challenge that came his way.
But for Harry, it wasn't just about being in shape. It was about discipline and respecting himself. He wasn't working this hard just to get by or to show off. He was doing it to be the best he could be, for himself and for the people he cared about.
He felt a quiet confidence inside him. It wasn't because he was arrogant or scared; it was because he knew he had done everything he could to prepare to protect the ones he loved.
In the realm of mind magic, Harry had seen commendable progress. His proficiency in Occlumency had reached a level where he felt confident in shielding his deepest secrets from any wizard's prying eyes. He wasn't sure if he could keep the Sorting Hat out of his head, but Arcturus thought his Occlumency was top-notch, which made Harry feel pretty good.
Legilimency was harder. He had practiced on animals, but there's only so much you can learn that way. And since Legilimency was not that popular among wizards, even Arcturus and Sirius who were not good at the skill, weren't sure how to help him get better at it.
In terms of his magical skills, Harry was doing amazing, thanks to Arcturus's teaching. He was now capable of performing OWL-level spells silently and had mastered several advanced spells, including some third-year spells, wandlessly.
Harry's academic prowess extended to all Hogwarts subjects up to the OWL level. "If I were to sit for the OWL exams today, I'd achieve Outstanding in every subject," he thought with a quiet pride.
Thanks to Emma's tutelage, even his Potions skills were on par with OWL standards.
While the transition from pen to quill was awkward, Harry recognized its importance and planned to adapt as needed. "For classes, quills it is, but for assignments, I'll stick with a fountain pen. It's simply more efficient," he resolved.
Reflecting on his journey thus far, Harry felt a profound sense of achievement. "I've made significant strides," he acknowledged, his heart swelling with gratitude for the support and love that had bolstered him thus far.
With still a year to go before he would set foot in Hogwarts, Harry knew there was ample time to sharpen his skills further, especially once he obtained his very own wand.
As he fell asleep, Harry was grateful for everything he had learned so far and excited for what was coming next. He couldn't wait to see what adventures and challenges awaited him at Hogwarts and in the future.
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