"See? You can't blame me…" Harry sighed as he closed his eyes. But even in the darkness behind his eyelids he could still see the number on the lens of his Scouter. The absurdity of the reading and Nicholas' pleasant smile creating a contrast so vivid he was sure it would be imprinted into his mind forever.
"You…you're…you're at…at '1098632'." Harry recalled stuttering out as Nicholas continued to smile pleasantly.
"I did get heavily into Dueling for several decades…maybe that has something to do with it?" Nicholas queried only for Harry to be unable to respond.
It was the first morning of classes after the break and everyone was in the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry, Tonks, and Penny were enjoying some light conversation and both girls were talking about the upcoming O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s that would start in May. Both felt confident that their studying was preparing them well and that their Wandless skills would gain them extra points on their practical tests. Harry had no worries about his end of year exams. He knew the material and his practical skills were undoubtedly the highest in his year.
"Students, I have an announcement before we start another day of classes." Dumbledore called out to the Great Hall. Everyone quickly quieted and turned to the Headmaster to listen. "It came to our attention over the break that our Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor was not feeling well. Professor Quirrel has unfortunately had to leave his position early and seek treatment. I'm unaware of what treatment he made need, but I feel he'll make a full recovery with time."
"Well, looks like you were right, Harrikins." Tonks whispered and Harry could only shrug.
"Fortunately as we only have a short time until the end of the school year I've been able to make time in my duties to take up your instruction. I hope you'll all be alright with learning from an old man such as myself." Dumbledore joked getting smatterings of chuckles and even several excited gasps from multiple students. It wasn't every day that anyone got direct teaching from Dumbledore any more. The man had been Headmaster since before even the Seventh Years had been born after all. A loud, but polite, applause filled the Great Hall for a minute as Dumbledore directed his twinkling gaze over the students before sitting down and resuming what was left of breakfast.
"Well, maybe DADA won't be completely useless for the remainder of the term?" Harry mused getting Tonks to crack up while Penny smiled.
"I am looking forward to what the Headmaster can teach though." Penny admitted with an interested look. "He's well-travelled, and has worked with multiple leaders of several Magical Fields. I'm sure his DADA lessons will be very interesting and informative."
"True enough; might even be able to pick up an extra spell or two to impress the N.E.W.T. Examiners and the Auror Recruiters." Tonks grinned before looking at Penny. "You totally just had a nerd moment!"
"Hush you!" Penny admonished as she swatted Tonks on the arm.
"Harry, help! Penny is being mean to me!" Tonks wailed overly dramatic.
"You earned it." Harry smiled back making Penny smirk while Tonks stared at him with the most overdone look of betrayal.
"Traitor!" Tonks called and wandlessly threw a bit of porridge at him. Harry focused on the glob and it stopped in mid-air.
"No food fights, Tonks." Harry chided as he returned the glob to Tonks' bowl.
"They're against the rules." Penny glared as Tonks pouted at both of them.
"You're no fun!" Tonks claimed as she playfully stuck out her tongue. Both Harry and Penny fondly sighed at their Metamorph friend.
-End of Year Exams-
Harry sighed; finally he was finished with all the paper tests! He was confident that he'd done well and now he was actually looking forward to getting the practical exams done too. Penny and Tonks were both still cooped up for their Exams. As both the O.W.L.s and the N.E.W.T.s were the biggest exams for students during their schooling, many more precautions were taken to ensure no cheating could take place. Harry figured he could just wait for his name to be called and retreated partially into his thoughts to try and work out ideas for new projects. He still wanted to try and work out an Artifact Sword for himself. He'd start with basic enchantments on a self-forged blade, Durability, Ever-Sharp, and the like; before moving on to more complex enchantments. With any luck he'd be able to create something truly unique. He'd aim for at least a Median Grade Artifact for his future sword. But if a Greater Grade was achievable when he was designing the Runic Array, why not try and reach it?
"Mr. Potter! Please enter the testing room." Flitwick called out. Harry pulled himself out of his thoughts and stood up. Heading into the Charms classroom for his practical exam he smiled at his Head of House.
"Good morning Professor." Harry greeted politely.
"Good morning Mr. Potter. Are you ready for your practical?" Flitwick asked though the look in the Charms Professor's eyes said that he was already certain of it.
"I think I've learned well, sir." Harry replied as he stood behind the long table that had been set up in the room. Various items were laid out on the table and Flitwick motioned to a set of feathers on the closest end.
"First the Levitation Charm. Levitate one of the feathers and have it circle the room, Mr. Potter." Flitwick instructed a clipboard in his hands.
"Yes sir." Harry nodded before all three feathers floated up from the table. Flitwick looked on wide-eyed as the three feathers made a circle around the room before gently settling back on the desk.
"Bravo, Mr. Potter, bravo! Wandless and Silent and you're only a First Year! I dare say even your mother wasn't so gifted!" Flitwick praised as he made a mark on his clipboard.
"Thank you for the praise, Professor." Harry smiled as he was compared to his mother. It was a great compliment in his eyes.
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