"Okay, now just twirl your wand like so and remember to really get the image in your mind, that's the important part, visualization. The more you understand the object the easier and more accurate the transformation."
Harry nodded slightly as he did as the older man instructed, and sure enough the rock shifted forms into a lightweight sheet moments later.
"Great! Remember, every change you make is going to complicate the transformation. Size, shape, mass all makes a difference and that's not even considering the more complex Transfigurations like machinery or anything with moving parts or objects containing different compositions and elements."
With that the man gestured to a nearby pair of chairs, a universal indication to take a break. Harry did so with ease and appreciation, letting out a breath or two as he did so. "Never thought I was this bad at Transfiguration."
James quickly shook his head, "You aren't Harry, I just think you haven't had the time or proper instruction to really focus on it, but you are catching on quick. You might not be a natural prodigy like me," here the man grinned in a disarming, joking, manner and earned a smile from the boy in return, "but you are certainly talented." The duo sat in silence for a few moments before the older wizard spoke again, "Did McGonagall give you lessons in your own time?"
His answer was the shaking of a head, "No, I mean she was professor and Head of House but…"
"But that's all…"
Harry shrugged, "I wasn't really expecting anything more. I mean she did get me a broom in my first year, but I always thought that might have been to encourage me to win more games."
A frown marred James' face, "She should have done more, done better."
"It wasn't like here, at least I don't think so. Mentorships and all that weren't really a thing so maybe she wasn't as close to you or Lily?" The older seemed far from happy at the explanation, as evident by his frown, and Harry promptly took the opportunity to change the topic. "So, what about the Animagus transformation?"
It worked, and his father grinned before leaning forward with obvious excitement in his eyes, "Now that is a fine bit of magic, really the height of Transfiguration, if you ask me."
Harry nodded in encouragement, "How does it work?"
At that question the other leaned backwards, thoughtful expression on his face, "It's a bit complicated really, it takes a lot more willpower than normal transformations, and a much higher understanding of anatomy and physiology. More than that though you need to understand yourself. The form isn't chosen, it's a natural representation of you, this is what is often the most difficult part, letting go of that control and not trying to force a form that doesn't exist."
"Makes sense, wizards and witches are always trying to control everything, the hardest part would be letting go of that."
James grinned, "See, now you understand. So, I hate to ask since Dumbledore wanted us to avoid the topic and all but… is there anything we should be worried about this year?"
The boy-who-lived wanted to tell him 'No' but he would have said the same thing the previous school year as well. "There… shouldn't be. Unless you know of someone currently imprisoned in Azkaban who wants to break out and seek vengeance."
He received a snort for his efforts, the information already being told prior. "Thankfully no, and we don't have any enemies, so I think you are in the clear."
Harry nodded, "Good, although Sirius wasn't after me during my own third year everyone thought he was."
"Well, at least that's something we don't need to lose sleep over."
The teen didn't respond, instead staring off into the distance and fighting against the foreboding deep in his chest.
****
Harry wasn't exactly proud to admit he was fidgeting. In his mind it wasn't exactly fair, seeing as how neither Amy nor Harriet had to go through this sort of thing, but he did. The basics made sense, and honestly, he wished there had been something similar when he had first started third year but having his Head of House and parents sitting at the table with him felt like he was about to either receive a lecture or was in trouble for something.
Neither was true, of course, but it felt that way.
"So, have you thought about what electives you want to take?"
He… hadn't, last year had been rather busy and the year before everything was simply too new. Hell, he didn't know, until recently, that the electives were different between his world and this one. "Uhm… no?"
The three looks were filled with surprise until realization kicked in as to why he hadn't, and shame immediately replaced it in the adults.
"I took bad ones my first time around," he was quick to explain, not wanting to continue the unnecessary blame, "I ignored Hermi… my Hermione's suggestions and went with the easy classes instead. I don't want to do that this time, I want to learn things I'm interested in or will use."
Lily and Grace exchanged glances while James leaned back in his seat, tapping idly on his chin, "Well, there aren't any dueling classes or defense classes apart from what you're already taking. What other things are interesting to you?"
Harry frowned before glancing back over the parchment, a list and brief description of the options, "Maybe culture? I assume that is Magical culture, correct? I didn't know much about it before and even less now. It sounds like something that might fill in some gaps."
"It's an easier class" Lily noted, a bit of hesitancy in her voice. "Not that it's a bad idea to take, I'm just stating a general opinion."
Riddle nodded in agreement, "I think maybe that and something a bit more complicated would be a good start. You can always switch later if you find it dull, but not overworking yourself would be good for you. Between these two and club activities your schedule is going to be a lot fuller in the coming year."
"Plus Hogsmeade," he noted with a grin, earning a snort from the woman and frowns from his parents.
The redhead leaned forward slightly, "Is there someone in particular you are thinking about when talking about Hogsmeade?"
"My friends and sisters?"
She blinked before realizing her subtle accusations and gave a quiet swear, "Sorry, I didn't mean… I'm just being an overprotective parent when it comes to you and… girls."
Before the conversation could become any more awkward his Head of House spoke up, "What about Spell Theory? It is up there with Runes and Arithmancy in terms of workload but rather than purely number or rune based it revolves around the concept of magic. It can lead into Spell Crafting which is heavily used in the creation of new spells and incantations. Considering how invested you already are in Elemental Magic it would likely fit in with how quickly you learn new things."
He nodded and made his selections.
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