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.