Capítulo 160: Chapter 160: "Master"
The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as students filed in for breakfast the next morning. The events of the previous night – the Sorting Ceremony and the dramatic arrival of Charles Potter and Ron Weasley – were still the hot topics of conversation. As Harry made his way to the Ravenclaw table, he caught snippets of animated discussions about his brother's fate.
"Did you hear? They're not expelled!"
"Just detention, can you believe it?"
"And no points lost for Gryffindor either!"
Harry suppressed a sigh as he sat down next to his friends. It seemed that, once again, Charles had managed to escape serious consequences for his actions. The Gryffindor table was particularly jubilant, celebrating their narrow escape from starting the year with negative points.
After breakfast, the Ravenclaws made their way to the Charms classroom. Professor Flitwick, standing atop his usual pile of books, beamed at the class as they entered.
"Welcome back, everyone!" he squeaked excitedly. "Today, we'll be starting with the Summoning Charm, Accio. Now, who can tell me..."
As Flitwick launched into his lecture, Harry found his attention drifting. He'd mastered this charm long ago, and his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the missing diary and the potential dangers lurking in the castle.
When it came time to practice, Harry effortlessly summoned his cushion on the first try, earning a delighted clap from Flitwick. The rest of the class struggled, with cushions flying erratically or barely twitching in response to their incantations.
As the bell rang signaling the end of class, Flitwick called out, "Mr. Potter, a word please?"
Harry approached the professor's desk, curious. "Yes, Professor?"
Flitwick's eyes twinkled with excitement. "I had the good fortune of watching you duel this summer, Mr. Potter. I must say, I was immensely proud of your strength and skill. Truly impressive for a wizard your age!"
Harry felt a warmth spread through his chest at the praise. "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot coming from you."
Taking a deep breath, Harry decided to seize the opportunity. "Professor, if you don't mind, I'd love to hear your honest critique of my dueling. You're a champion duelist yourself, after all."
Flitwick looked surprised but pleased. "Well, Mr. Potter, since you ask... You have great skill and magical strength, there's no doubt about that. However, you often lack efficiency in ending duels. From what I observed, you have an impressive repertoire of spells, but you don't always use them to their full potential."
Harry listened intently as Flitwick continued, "For instance, instead of using simple shield-breaking spells to counter your opponent's defenses, you often try to overpower them. While this can be effective, it's not always the best strategy. Dueling isn't just about raw power – it's about outsmarting your opponent, using the right spell at the right moment."
The professor went on to provide more specific examples, pointing out moments where Harry could have ended duels faster or conserved his energy better. Harry absorbed every word, recognizing the truth in Flitwick's observations.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said sincerely when Flitwick finished. "This feedback is incredibly valuable."
Flitwick beamed. "I'm glad to help, Mr. Potter. If you ever have any questions about dueling, my door is always open."
In a moment of sudden inspiration – or perhaps recklessness – Harry blurted out, "Professor, would you consider taking me on as an apprentice?"
Flitwick's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my! Well, I'd be delighted, but as a Hogwarts professor, I can't officially take on apprentices for dueling, as it's not a Hogwarts subject."
Harry, thinking quickly, suggested, "What if it were a Charms apprenticeship that... happened to include some dueling instruction?"
Flitwick stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "An interesting proposition, Mr. Potter. However, I must warn you, my conditions for accepting apprentices are quite rigorous. It's been many years since I've taken one on."
"I understand, Professor," Harry said eagerly. "I'd be willing to take any test you deem necessary. In fact, I've already studied Charms up to the NEWT level. I just lack practical experience in applying some of the more advanced skills."
Flitwick's eyebrows shot up in astonishment. "NEWT level, you say? Well, let's put that to the test, shall we?"
What followed was an impromptu examination that left Flitwick increasingly amazed. Harry answered complex theoretical questions with ease, demonstrating a depth of knowledge far beyond his years. When they moved to practical demonstrations, Harry performed lower-level charms silently, showcasing NEWT-level proficiency.
But it was when Harry conjured his Patronus – a majestic lion that prowled around the classroom – that Flitwick nearly toppled off his stack of books in shock.
"Merlin's beard!" the tiny professor exclaimed. "Mr. Potter, this is... this is extraordinary! A corporeal Patronus at your age... I've never seen anything like it!"
Catching his breath, Flitwick composed himself. "Mr. Potter, I would be more than happy – honored, in fact – to take you on as my apprentice. This is a bargain for me, I assure you! I'll complete the necessary paperwork this week. Since you're an emancipated adult, the process should be straightforward. We can make it official by next week."
Harry felt a surge of excitement and relief. Not only had he secured a master to teach him advanced Charms and dueling, but he'd also gained a valuable ally and a legitimate reason to be out of the dorms at odd hours – something that could prove useful in his hunt for the diary.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, barely containing his enthusiasm. "I look forward to learning from you."
As Harry left the Charms classroom, his mind was buzzing with possibilities. He was free for the second part of the day since it was History of Magic, a class he had long since stopped attending.
This apprenticeship could be the key to preparing himself for the challenges ahead. As he climbed the spiral staircase to Ravenclaw Tower, Harry felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever this year might bring, he would be ready to face it.
Spotting an empty classroom nearby, Harry slipped inside and pulled out his two-way mirror. With a quick glance to ensure he was alone, he called out, "Sirius Black."
The mirror's surface shimmered, and soon Sirius's grinning face appeared. "Harry! To what do I owe the pleasure of this mid-day call?"
Harry's excitement bubbled over as he recounted his conversation with Flitwick and the unexpected offer of an apprenticeship. Sirius listened intently, his smile growing wider with each detail.
"That's brilliant, pup!" Sirius exclaimed when Harry finished. "Flitwick's not just a good professor, he's one of the best. You'll learn loads from him, especially when it comes to dueling. This could be a game-changer for you."
They chatted for a few more minutes, with Sirius offering advice and Harry soaking it in. As they said their goodbyes, Harry felt a renewed sense of excitement for the year ahead.
Pocketing the mirror, Harry decided to head to the school library. As he navigated the corridors, a familiar voice caught his attention. Rounding a corner, he came upon an unexpected and somewhat disconcerting sight.
Gilderoy Lockhart, resplendent in robes of turquoise, was engaged in an animated conversation with Charles. Harry instinctively stepped back, concealing himself behind a suit of armor to observe unnoticed.
"My dear boy," Lockhart was saying, his teeth gleaming as he smiled, "your entrance was nothing short of spectacular! Next time, do consult with me first. I could give you some marvelous tips to make the show even better!"
Charles shifted uncomfortably. "I don't think that's a good idea, Professor. The Gryffindors weren't happy that I nearly lost us more points so soon after... well, you know."
Lockhart waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, but that's because you're approaching this all wrong, my boy. You're a celebrity! You need to learn how to act like one."
What followed was a surreal lecture on celebrity behavior. Lockhart expounded on how to handle criticism ("With a smile and a wink, dear boy!"), maintain a loyal fan base ("Always leave them wanting more!"), and cultivate a public image ("Mystery and intrigue, Charles, that's the key!").
Charles seemed to be hanging on every word, his initial discomfort giving way to rapt attention. Harry felt a chill run down his spine at the sight.
Unable to stomach any more of the conversation, Harry silently slipped away, his mind reeling from what he'd witnessed. As Harry finally made his way to the library, his mind was still reeling from the conversation he'd overheard between Charles and Lockhart. Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused on the tasks at hand.
Settling into a quiet corner, Harry started looking for ways of finding a way to detect if a student was possessed by a dark object. He scoured the shelves for books on magical detection and dark artifacts, but most of the texts he found were frustratingly vague or dealt with much simpler enchantments. It looked like he should go to the Room of Requirements or the Black Castle Library for the required information.
As the afternoon light began to fade, Harry packed up his notes and books. He hadn't found what he was looking for, but he had a clearer idea of his next steps. With a sigh, he stood up, stretching his stiff muscles from hours of research. As he left the library, Harry's mind was already formulating plans for his next move in the search for the diary Horcrux.
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