29 Lessons and disappointment

On the first day of second-year classes, many students were excited. It was the beginning of a whole new series of experiences with new spells and learning.

''What do we have now? '' asked Terry who followed Adam with Anthony.

''Transfiguration, and then Herbology'' Answers Anthony checking the timetable with the classes, which they had received in the morning.

''I hope this year we can learn something more advanced than changing a toothpick into a needle,'' Terry said eagerly.

''Did you make any progress over the holidays? '' asked Adam.

Terry puffed out his chest before answering.'' Of course, I read a book on intermediate transfiguration. I think in another year I can start turning a table into a pig''

''So you read it,'' Adam said. But did you practice? '' he questioned, making Terry frown.

''To practice? No, but I read it twice, you know.'' Terry gave a typical Ravenclaw response.

Adam shook his head, saying, ''Reading without practice isn't very useful.''

Terry frowned, he knew Adam was the top student in his year, so it was fair to believe he understood a thing or two.'' Is that how you learn? But I always see you reading, and I never saw you practicing.

Adam looked at his friend and laughed. ''I practice''

''Where?'' asked Anthony, who was also curious.

''It's a secret,'' Adam replied and saw his friends stare at him, ready to jump on top of him and force him to say.

With a simple wave of his hand, Adam made two books appear, they were the same books he had given Harry.

''Learn this, and wait a bit.'' He said with a mysterious smile. ''I have some plans''

The two Ravenclaw picked up the books and found it to be a book on the art of closing the mind.

''Occlumency'' mumbled Terry, confused.

But Anthony got a thoughtful look before he ventured a question." We need to learn to leave the curious out. I suspect it involves some secrets then?''

Adam nodded. ''Nothing illegal.'' He explained. "But learning to close your mind is useful anyway, but it's not easy, so you can see it as the entrance test, if you don't have the determination, you won't be able to. Keep up with the rest.''

Anthony nodded, could understand that some things were left out. Initiation test? Follow the rest? So there was more than the two of them?

Lots of questions, but none very important. What was important was that Adam seemed to want to start something, and he would want to be a part of it anyway.

Terry understood that, too. But his liked to play.'' I don't need that.'' he said looking at the book. ''No one can enter my mind. My mind is like an impenetrable fortress

Anthony laughed and asked Adam ''What is Terry thinking right now? ''

Adam didn't think too much and answered. ''Breasts''

His answer made Terry's eyes widen.'' How do you know? '' He asked, pulling away. ''Can you read my mind?''

Adam chuckled and stopped in front of the Transfiguration room. ''No. It's just that you're always thinking about boobs''

Anthony burst out laughing and followed Adam into the room. Leaving Terry behind, who was mumbling. ''It's your fault, see that demon Queen, damn, the armor almost explodes''

When the trio entered the room, McGonagall was already waiting. This time, it wasn't in Animagus form.

''Good morning, Professor,'' Adam said, and McGonagall nodded in response, a hint of a smile on her stern face.

''Admirable creation. Mr. Davies'' she said, referring to the clear game. Adam hadn't forgotten to send one to each professor .

Adam smiled and thanked her, putting on his best smile. ''Thank you, Professor.'' He said, flashing an admiring look.

"But I couldn't have done any of this without the great teachings of my favorite professor.''

McGonagall had an amused expression on her face.'' I see you haven't changed, Mr. Davies. But I don't remember the screen teaching anything about runes.''

Adam smiled.'' Really? Well it doesn't matter, when I write my book, titled. 'My Magical Self', I'll remember to put my thanks.''

Terry and Anthony roared with laughter, and a few other students did too. Of course, there were a few girls who gave him death glares. How dare he play a joke on his idol, Gilderoy Lockhart.

McGonagall did her best not to laugh, but the hint of a smile gave her away.

''Thinking about writing a book.'' She said, with amusement.''great idea, five points to Ravenclaw, for Mr Davies' words.''

This time it was Adam who smiled.

It wasn't difficult to understand that Professor McGonagall didn't take the new Defense against the Dark Arts professor seriously, either.

It was doubtful, to say the least, why Dumbledore made that choice. But Adam had some ideas.

'From the beginning, Dumbledore did this with the intent of exposing Gilderoy. But I think he didn't count on the fact that this year, Hogwarts would live a nightmare''

If it were another time, Adam could understand these Headmaster choices. But to do such a thing right in the period that Harry is at school, and that a great threat is haunting the shadows, it was stupid.

Adam was sure that a few other professors doubted Dumbledore's actions as well, but they all had a lot of faith in the great wizard, and followed him in his antics.

Shortly thereafter, class began. McGonagall ran a quick review of the latest content, and entered some new explanations.

For the first class of that term, students had to turn a beetle into a button.

Looking around, it was possible to see that most of the students were succeeding after a few attempts, only a few seemed lost.

What was expected, of course there was the difficulty of being a change from living being to object, but it was easy transfiguration.

Adam looked at his beetle without much enthusiasm. The beetle was close in weight and size to a real button, so you didn't have to calculate too much. As long as the image in the mind is clear, and the process is done correctly, there shouldn't be any problems.

With a simple wave, he beetle changed into a button.

Adam sighed and looked at McGonagall, who had a look that said. 'I can't do anything if you're a genius'

At least that's what Adam understood.

For the rest of the class, not much advanced happened, and when the bell rang. All students ran to the greenhouse, they had Herbology soon after.

During the percussion, they encountered the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students coming from Herbology class.

Adam saw the foursome and approached them. ''Did you have fun with the Mandragoras?'' he asked with a smile.

''How did you... never mind'' Hermione gave up on asking how Adam knew, he always knew.

''Hey, Adam. I started reading the book,'' said Harry, which made Adam nod in satisfaction.

The truth was, he hadn't expected Harry to start reading the same day Adam handed over the book.

Then he looked to the side and asked. ''You three too? You will need it if you want to join us ''

Isabella and Hermione nodded. ''We forced Harry to start reading just yesterday, and we're all learning together.''

''Oh sure.'' Snorted Harry. ''That's after I stole your books on that idiot.''

Adam smiled and looked at the girls. ''Don't tell me you two are Lockhart fans?''

Isabella turned her face away in embarrassment, and Hermione lowered her head, but still replied. ''Haven't you read his books? He is incredible''

''He's an idiot, that's all,'' said Ron.

Adam agreed.'' First time we agreed on something, Ron.''

Ron didn't say anything, just fixed Adam with his eyes.

Adam sighed. ''You know, you don't have to be on your guard with me.''

''I know'' was what Ron said.

Adam shrugged before telling the girls. ''Lockhart is a fraud, you'll see.''

Hermione showed a stunned expression upon hearing this. Adam was always right, she knew that. So that meant...

''No, what about the books? '' Questioned, But Adam was already leaving to accompany Terry and Anthony.

Hermione was speechless, and her expression fell. ''Do you think he was telling the truth?'' he asked Isabella hopefully.

Isabella had a thoughtful, slightly dazed look like Hermione.'' I don't know, maybe he just wanted to play with us? '' Risked.

''Yes, that should be it.'' Hermione agreed.

The duo still couldn't believe what they heard.

''What kind of brainwashing did that guy do to them,'' muttered Harry, and Ron shrugged.

''I don't know, but I don't trust that Adam'' Said the redhead.

''No Adam, Lockhart,'' objected Harry.

''I don't trust him either,'' said Ron, ignoring the look Harry got.

''What? I know he hides something

''Okay, Ron… I got it''

For Herbology class, Ravenclaw shared the greenhouse with Slytherin. They would study the mandrakes.

They did as the professor asked, and learned to change the Mandragoras in vases, and understood some of their uses, they would learn more over the course of the year.

''How can they be so ugly?'' cried Terry, as they left the greenhouse.

''You don't have to scream right now, you know. ''Anthony said, pointing to his ears.'' No earmuffs''

''Sorry.'' He apologized, yelling again.

Anthony rolled his eyes and picked up the schedule inside his robes. ''We have Dark Arts in the afternoon.''

Terry groaned when he heard this and lightly punched Adam in the shoulder from the side. ''I have zero expectations for this class, and it's all your fault.''

Adam chuckled, smoothing his arm. ''It's not my fault, I played my part as a friend and crushed your expectations myself, preventing you from banging your heads on the table during class''

Anthony chuckled.'' It's not going to be that bad, is it? '' he asked, but when he saw Adam smile, he took a dry sip.

''Go ? ''

''Not for Lockhart super fan Terry,'' joked Adam.

''Talking about me ? ''

The trio heard a voice off to the side, and they turned to find Lockhart grinning from head to toe.

Adam's eyes lit up, and he took the initiative to speak. ''Professor, we were talking about how excited we are for your class this afternoon''

Lockhart smiled even wider at this, and for a moment the boys thought they would go blind if any light caught on those white teeth.

''Glad to hear that, I've prepared something special for today,'' Lockhart said.

''I can't wait,'' Adam said, stroking Terry's shoulder.

''Professor, my friend here is a big fan of yours, he would love your autograph, and can't wait to hear how the Lord defeated that vampire.''

Terry turned white when he realized what Adam had done, and tried to run, but the professor had already intercepted him.

'''Sure, sure. I never withhold an autograph from a fan,'' said Lockhart, pulling out a quill that looked ready for occasions like this.

Terry had to smile and hold out his book for the professor to sign, as he looked around for Adam and Anthony, but saw the pair running away and waving, grinning.

When Terry found them in the great hall, he was angry and challenged Adam to settle it like wizards, in a card duel...

Adam accepted and beat Terry several times.

When the afternoon came, and they had Defense Against the Dark Arts class, everything Adam said proved true.

Lockhart spent the entire class talking about himself.

Anthony was banging his head on the table as if he'd gone crazy, and Terry was limp in his chair.

''Come on, it wasn't so bad,'' Adam teased, making them both stare at him like he was crazy, but his next sentence made them understand.

''I heard that earlier, he released imps, in Gryffindor class''

The duo laughed and were thankful they didn't have to face imps as well.

The rest of the day went on as usual, after all it couldn't get any worse.

When night came, Adam got ready to leave his room, it was time to start training in the room of requeriment.

''I've got everything I need for today's tests,'' he murmured, pulling out a small, shrunken water bottle, and a mandrake root he'd stolen from the greenhouse.