8 Harry Potter 7

Day by day passed, and Michael continued with his routine, workout in the morning, one on one teaching with one the Professors afterward, followed by Aura training, and finally, meditating during the night. He also managed to squeeze in a couple hours of reading to go through the various books he had purchased. During his free day, he read even longer, replacing the teaching session with that.

After the first session with Minerva, Michael spent the next week working on Transfiguration with unmatched determination. Just the possibility of being able to create his own weapon, even if won't be as good as a magically crafted and enchanted one, was enough for him. Minerva couldn't hide her surprise after she saw how much he had progressed with the simplest of Transfiguration spells. Yes, she had told him what a powerful wizard could do with it when taken to the highest level, but students were normally not interested in it. They usually preferred and enjoyed the inanimate to animate spells or vice versa. Turning a cup into an animal or the other way around was much more interesting to them.

It's not like Michael didn't see the potential of that, but he desperately needed to have a weapon with him. He always carried his wand with him, but it wasn't the same. Magic was still something he was only a beginner, an apprentice if you would, while he had used a sword for decades during his time in Liorderat. Having a blade tied to his waist also made him feel much safer and more comfortable. Michael also got a new skill out of it, though it also made him cry.

[Sword Mastery(Novice)] Novice! He was anything but a Novice! Thankfully, the skill leveled quickly and reached Adept in no time. He was still unsatisfied, but it was better than nothing. Practicing with a sword was added to his morning workout, and Body increased by one shortly after. His two other Stats however, were still stuck at five no matter what he did.

Michael even asked Filius for a spar. Despite the short Professors looking reluctant at first, he ended up accepting in the end. He always thought that Filius had a bit too much energy for his presumed age, but after seeing him jump around like an acrobat, Michael changed his thought to 'waaaay too much energy.'

He also got to witness Filius using his axe, but that happened only once due to how unfair it was. The goblin made weapon simply cut through Michael's sword as if it was made out of butter. Getting the goblins to make one for him was definitely something he would do in the future. Knowing they were a war-loving race, he had something of value to bargain for it, even if he somehow doesn't best one in combat.

Filius proved to be a good sparring partner. Surprisingly, the short Professor was remarkably strong for his stature. He was able to easily match Michael, granted he was still too weak and used his Aura only to protect himself. Not that he didn't want to enhance himself with it, it was just too hard to focus on that while sparing with Filius. Michael was getting close to doing it, but he was still not there.

Michael sessions with Filius had progressed quite nicely. He was taught the Charms up to third-grade before the Professor started helping him with casting without the hand movements. The way Filius described it was such. "In essence, a spell is like an empty canvas. Your mind draws the picture while your magic fills it in with colors."

Simple and easy, one would assume, but he would be very, very wrong, and Michael certainly didn't think like that. Nope, definitely nope. He's innocent of that until proven guilty.

Nevertheless, Michael made some progress with reducing the hand movements while casting, but he was still far from completely eliminating them and using spells by only pointing his wand. Filius advised him to look into Arithmancy to get a better understanding on how magic was supposed to flow.

[Potion Crafting(Novice)] was the skill Michael gained from Snape's lessons, but even with the slimy Professor's guidance, he was having a hard time increasing it. It took him three weeks of brewing potions until he managed to raise it to the Apprentice level. Michael wasn't even exactly sure on how he was supposed to increase Potion Crafting besides simply brewing potions. Maybe he needed to successfully make more advanced potions? That would take some time since Snape wanted him to perfectly brew the ones he taught him before advising him on others. "Valuable ingredients should not be wasted." Was what Snape said when Michael asked him about them.

As such, Michael's days passed until he finally achieved his first goal. Three days before Hogwarts started, he woke up from his meditation. During the night, Michael had delved deep into his mind, even witnessing a few of his memories from his first life. That seemed to have been enough to level up Meditation and also…

[New Skill Acquired: Occlumency(Novice)]

[Occlumency(Novice): The magical art of guarding one's mind from others. At the current level, you can only detect if someone is accessing your thoughts, feelings, or memories.]

Now, Michael had to go through all of his memories and sort them. This would surely take some time as he had a lot of memories to go through. Afterward, he could start setting up his mind barriers to protect his memories from others. Nonetheless, having Occlumency and with Meditation at the Adept level, he could find out more about this Dimension and bargain for that information with Dumbledore.

Leveling up Meditation affected him in more ways. Michael's mind felt sharper and more free, able to process information faster. And that wasn't all. He felt… larger, that was the only way he could describe it. Looking at his status, he understood why.

[Michael Wynneiros

Body: 4

Mind: 6

Soul: 6]

[Skills:

Aura Manipulation(Apprentice)

Meditation(Adept)

Spell Casting(Apprentice)

Transfiguration(Apprentice)

Potion Crafting(Apprentice)

Sword Mastery(Adept)

Occlumency(Novice)]

[Perks:

Magically Gifted]

Both Mind and Soul had finally increased past five, and he definitely felt it. It seemed there was some kind of threshold at that point. Michael would find out soon enough if that was the case, as his Body was nearing five.

Seeing the number of Skills he currently had also pleased him. Michael had started off with only one, now they were seven. All of them were at least at the Apprentice level, except for Occlumency of course. However, that's the one he would be focusing in the following days.

With that in mind, Michael went straight towards the Headmaster's office after his morning workout. He stood there awkwardly for a moment. Usually, someone accompanied him and moved the gargoyle for him, but he was alone this time.

"Hello?" Called out Michael and knocked on the gargoyle.

"Lemon drops?" Michael tried with that, but had little success. He started saying random words until the gargoyle finally moved aside. Stepping inside, he found the Headmaster sitting behind his desk with piles of books in front of him.

"Good Morning, Michael. Is there something that you need?" Asked Dumbledore, moving a few of the books to the side.

"I'm going to start sorting my memories." He answered simply, getting straight to the point.

"That's great!" Said Dumbledore, happy that they would soon learn more about Tom and his horcruxes. "However, I don't believe you're here just to tell me that." He continued.

"I have questions." Replied Michael.

"And you should ask them." Dumbledore urged him to speak his mind.

"The rituals you spoke off. I need to know more about them. Specifically, ones that could help me with my soul." Said Michael.

"I see." Nodded Dumbledore. "I've looked into that topic lately, but let me explain exactly what rituals are. There are a few types of them, but the ones you are after work like… a permanent potion. An example being the Strength Potion you recently learned how to brew. There is a ritual that could permanently increase your strength, but due to its permanence, the effect would be weaker than the potion."

"I see." Said Michael. Getting a permanent increase sounded nice, but… "Are there ones that could… increase my potential for example?"

Dumbledore stayed quiet for a moment, just simply staring at him, before he answered. "Yes there are. I myself have undergone such rituals. Three sets of three – rituals are best done in magical numbers for the most effect – three to boost the potential of my mind, three to boost the potential of my magic, and three to boost the potential of my soul."

Michael had to stop himself from straight up requesting those rituals. As nice as they sounded, he wanted ones that increased the potential of his body as well. From reading a little bit of Arithmancy, he also knew that three wasn't the magically strongest number.

"I have been in talks with a dear friend of mine, who is much more versed in this topic. Though, receiving a response form him could take anywhere from a day to a month, depending on his mood." Continued Dumbledore.

"I want… seven for the body, seven for the mind, and seven for the soul, all to increase my potential. Is that possible?" Michael asked. Three sets of seven should provide him with the boost that he wished for. Due to their number, they would be a few weaker rituals, but should be overall better than the ones Dumbledore had undertaken. At least that's what he assumed.

"Three sets of seven? Hard, but doable, I suppose." Replied Dumbledore after thinking it over. "I will send a message to my friend, but I can't promise you anything. Is there any particular reason you want those three?"

"They are important for me." Michael said simply. Increasing the potential of his three Stats seemed like a good idea to him. As long as the rituals weren't harmful of course. Plus, his magical potential was already covered with his only perk.

"I understand." Nodded Dumbledore. "Is there anything else that you need?"

"For now, no." Michael shook his head. "I will be spending the following days focusing solely on sorting my memories. I would appreciate if you'd notify the Professors."

"I will." Confirmed Dumbledore. "On that note, I would like to discuss your upcoming year at Hogwarts."

Michael nodded and waited for Dumbledore to continue. He would've preferred not to go to school at all, but Filius had explained why that would be a good idea, when he brought it up. A random kid living in Hogwarts and being taught by three Professors without studying there would simply bring too many questions.

"Your sessions with the three Professors will continue, though they will less frequent. A bit of creativity will also be needed, as they would need a reason to spent personal time with you. I hope you understand that."

"I do." Michael replied. He would draw too much attention if the Professors sought him out without a reason.

"Good." Exclaimed Dumbledore, happy that he understood. "I would also request not to carry a sword with you around during school. As impressive your skill with the most basic Transfiguration spell is, carrying a weapon like that would alienate you from your peers."

"Fine." Grumbled Michael. Everyone had a wand with them, so he didn't see the problem with carrying a sword. He still accepted the request, although begrudgingly.

"During classes, I'd advise you to show your talent. Show everyone how good you are, but don't overdo it. If you prove you are above your current year, the Professors would have a reason to exclude you from homework." Dumbledore suggested to him with a twinkle in his eyes. "Unless, of course, you spent a few hours a day writing homework like the rest."

Michael grinned at the Headmaster. He liked Dumbledore's suggestion. Homework would only waste his time, one which he could spent improving himself.

"Finally, you would have to arrive like all the rest of the students." Dumbledore mischievously grinned at him. "The Hogwarts Express is something every student should experience and would give you a chance to meet your peers before the school starts."

"You're serious?" Michael asked with wide eyes. He'd heard from Filius how the students arrived to Hogwarts. "You would send me to London, only for me to take an hours long train ride back to here?"

"I promise; you will love the Hogwarts Express!" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, and Michael was sure he was being messed with.

"It is for your own good." Continued Dumbledore shortly. "There will be too many questions about you if you are already here when the rest of the students arrive."

Michael let out a sigh and dejectedly said. "As you wish. I'll be in my room sorting my memories."

"Notify me as soon as you have more information. The password for the foreseeable future will be Pop Rocks, the way it explodes in your mouth is absolutely delightful." Replied Dumbledore with a wide smile.

Michael just shook his head and left. 'At times I don't know if he is joking or not.' Dumbledore's eccentrics baffled him at times.