Backward Progress

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The class continued with Professor McGonagall explaining the intricate steps required to achieve the transformation, emphasizing the importance of patience and caution. "Many wizards and witches have attempted this and failed," she warned. "Only those with the greatest discipline and understanding of their magic can succeed."

Harry listened to the class calmly, but in his mind, he couldn't help but shake his head at the method being taught. The way Western wizard communities approached the Animagus transformation was laughably backward. Purebloods prided themselves on the process, believing it to be progressive, much like their reliance on wands. Yet Harry knew better—some advancements had only served to hold the wizarding world back. Take wands, for example. Sure, they made magic easier to control by focusing power into a single core, but that raw, unfocused magic allowed for creativity and innovation, something Western wizards had lost over time.

The founders of Hogwarts were a prime example. Gryffindor, known as a battle mage, wielded both sword and raw magic, channeling his power without the crutch of a wand. Hufflepuff had a unique ability to connect with others, like a queen bee leading her hive, guiding them with unparalleled empathy. Ravenclaw's brilliance was such that she could craft new spells on the fly, adapting her magic to whatever situation arose. And Slytherin—his mastery of curses and control was so refined that he moved like a player manipulating pieces on a chessboard, rather than being just another piece himself.

Professor McGonagall's voice brought Harry back to the present as she outlined the intricate process necessary to become an Animagus, emphasizing the inherent dangers and the need for absolute precision. She refrained from divulging the details of the ritual, understanding that sharing such knowledge with a group of eager and reckless teenagers could lead to disastrous consequences. Instead, she offered a general outline, warning the class to approach the subject with extreme caution, even if they were tempted to try it.

Harry listened, not because he needed the guidance—he was well beyond the point of requiring a tutorial. During the summer, he had traveled to Nigeria, where he had successfully mastered the Astral Soul technique, a form of deep spiritual attunement that aligned one's magical core with their very essence. This achievement put him on the path to becoming an Animagus naturally, bypassing the need for dangerous rituals altogether. The Western approach to the Animagus transformation, which relied heavily on external rituals, seemed primitive in comparison to the method Harry was now familiar with. His way was not only safer but also allowed for a more natural and flexible transformation, one that could evolve as he grew in power and understanding.

The thought of his summer achievements brought a faint smile to Harry's lips. He knew that his Animagus transformation, when completed, would be something far beyond what any Western wizard could accomplish. It would be a reflection of his true self, not just a mere animal form imposed by an outdated ritual. The path he was on required patience and dedication, but the rewards would be well worth the effort.

After class, Harry found himself surrounded by his friends as they walked through the bustling corridors of Hogwarts. Daphne and Tracey flanked him on the right, while Pansy kept pace on his left. Draco, Theodore, and Blaise followed closely behind, their conversations mingling with the ambient noise of other students heading to their next classes.

Pansy, ever quick with a quip, glanced at Harry with a knowing smirk. "You didn't seem all that interested back there, Harry. I would've thought you'd be rushing to complete the Animagus ritual by now. What's your spirit animal, anyway?"

Tracey chuckled softly beside him, adding her own playful jab. "Maybe it's that beautiful doe—though it is a bit feminine, isn't it? Wasn't your Patronus a doe?"

Harry rolled his eyes good-naturedly, accustomed to their teasing. "I'm in no rush," he replied calmly. "And as for my Patronus, it's not about what it looks like—it's about what it represents."

Pansy raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And what does it represent, then?"

Harry shot her a sly grin. "Something worth protecting," he said simply, not offering more. The answer seemed to satisfy her, at least for the moment.

As they walked, Draco broke off from his conversation with Theodore and Blaise to chime in. "You're not seriously considering waiting, are you? I'd have thought you'd already done it actually. Thinking about it, you are years ahead, so it is normal for you to already complete the ritual."

Daphne glanced at Harry, raising an eyebrow with a hint of curiosity. It was true; Harry was far ahead of their peers in many aspects, and the idea that he might have already completed the Animagus ritual seemed plausible. But she shook her head, dismissing the thought. If Harry had done it, he would have surely mentioned it to her and Tracey, even if he kept it from Draco and the others.

Pansy, ever the one to push boundaries, added with a teasing grin, "Harry, if you're a beautiful doe, can I ride you?"

Harry smirked, the mischief in his eyes unmistakable. "You can ride me even if I'm not a doe, Pansy," he replied smoothly, his tone laced with a playful challenge.

Pansy's cheeks flushed a deep red, caught off guard by Harry's audacity. Before she could retort, Tracey slapped Harry's arm, her expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Ugh, puberty hit you hard, hasn't it?" she muttered, shaking her head.

Harry chuckled, glancing at Tracey with a playful grin. "Tracey, you have quite the imagination. I was talking about her riding my broom."

Draco, who had been quietly observing the exchange, let out a snort of amusement, while Blaise shook his head in exasperation. "I shouldn't have let my mother spend time with you," Blaise muttered, clearly dismayed by the banter.

Pansy, on the other hand, walked away with a huff, her cheeks tinged with a deep crimson, clearly embarrassed by the direction the conversation had taken. Even Tracey, who usually relished in such jokes, looked a bit flustered, trying to maintain her composure. Daphne, who had been watching with a half-amused, half-something-else expression, finally allowed herself a small smile, though it was clear she was pondering something deeper.

The classes that day were particularly packed, and after a quick lunch, Harry and his friends made their way to Hagrid's hut for their first Care of Magical Creatures class. It was also Hagrid's debut as a teacher.

The warm afternoon sun cast long shadows over the grounds as the students gathered around Hagrid's hut. His large, friendly face broke into a wide grin as he saw them approaching. "Alrigh', gather 'round, everyone!" he called out, his booming voice carrying across the field.

Harry, standing with Daphne and Tracey, exchanged a quick glance with his friends. They knew Hagrid had a deep love for magical creatures, and they were curious—and a bit apprehensive—about what he had planned for their first lesson.

Hagrid's enthusiasm was palpable as he led them toward a fenced area near the Forbidden Forest. Inside the enclosure, strange, winged creatures with sleek bodies and sharp talons prowled restlessly. Harry recognized them immediately from his extensive reading. "Hippogriffs," he whispered to Daphne, who nodded in understanding.

"Now, these beauties 'ere are Hippogriffs," Hagrid announced proudly, waving a massive hand toward the creatures. "Magnificent, aren' they? But yeh've got to show 'em proper respect. Approach 'em slowly, bow, an' wait fer them to bow back. If they don't, well… best back away nice an' slow."

The class murmured amongst themselves, some more excited than others. Hagrid, noticing their mixed reactions, reassured them with a hearty laugh. "Don' worry, they won' hurt yeh if yeh follow the rules."

Hagrid demonstrated the proper way to approach a Hippogriff, bowing low before a particularly proud-looking creature with gleaming feathers. The Hippogriff eyed him for a moment before dipping its head in return. "See? Nothin' to it!" Hagrid declared, giving the creature a friendly pat.

Hagrid looked at the students, his eyes scanning the crowd with an expectant smile. "Who wants to give it a try?" he asked, his voice filled with enthusiasm. The question hung in the air for a moment as the students exchanged nervous glances. One by one, they all took a step back, leaving Harry standing alone at the front.

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