New Classes

In the Great Hall, the Sorting Hat had just finished sorting the first years into their respective houses. Art had just started digging into his lasagna, savoring the taste. Professor McGonagall was handing out their timesheets and when she got to Art, she told him to meet her in her office after the meal. Art nodded his head and thanked her.

After his meal he told the twins that he would see them later and headed towards his Head of House's office. Knocking on the door, he heard her say come in. Entering the office, Art was stunned as he saw an old man with a long white beard standing next to Professor McGonagall.

Art gave a polite nod, "Professor McGonagall, Headmaster."

"Please take a seat Mr. Cason." Professor McGonagall. "I invited the Headmaster here to discuss your timetable."

Art nodded his head, not saying anything. Dumbledore hadn't took his eyes off since he entered the room.

"According to Madam Bones, you wish to take Healing, Occlumency, Dueling and Warding this year. Professor Dumbledore already knows about you extra classes last year and your performance. Now Professor Flitwick has agreed to teach you Dueling and Warding during after hours." McGonagall told him what he already knew.

Finally Dumbledore spoke, "Why do you wish to take these classes Mr. Cason?"

Art looked into Dumbledore's pale blue eyes. "I wish to become stronger. I believe these classes will help me achieve that." he said, as if stating facts.

"Why do you want to become strong? Is it because of what happened to your family?" Dumbledore said bluntly.

Hearing that, Art subconsciously clenched his fists. "We don't know if the Dark Lord will return or someone else will take his place. I just want to be able to protect myself and those close to me."

"What if the Dark Lord comes back? Will you seek revenge?"

Art remembered those bright red eyes, pale skin and cold voice. He remembered his family falling to the ground lifeless as his mother gave her life to let his escape.

Dumbledore let out a sigh, "Mr. Cason, revenge is something that eats away at us." he said sadly.

Art didn't say anything, he just looked at Dumbledore waiting for an answer.

"You are too talented to be restricted by normal classes. I will teach you Warding myself. Professor Snape will teach you Occlumency as he is a master of it. You must ask Madam Pomfrey yourself to teach you healing." Dumbledore said, before dismissing Art.

Thanking them, Professor McGonagall told him that she would give him his timetable later. Art left the room quickly and heading towards Gryffindor's common room.

"What are you thinking Headmaster?" McGonagall asked.

"The boy is incredibly talented but there is a darkness in his heart. He craves revenge for what happened to his family."

"He watched his family being murdered in front of him, Albus. You can't expect a child to forget that." McGonagall defended Art, she liked this genius student of hers.

Albus nodded his head. "We will watch him. We don't need another Tom Riddle."

"He was raised by muggles Albus! He cares for them to!" she almost yelled, angry that Albus said that.

"You are right… sorry Minerva." Albus apologized.

Art's schedule went to the Hospital Wing the next day to see Madam Pomfrey. Art saw her working on a patient and waited patiently for her to finish. Finally she was done and saw Art standing there.

"Well at least you have patience Mr. Cason, something your uncle never had." Pomfrey said, wiping her hands.

Art smile bitterly, he remembered his uncle for not being a patient man. "I assume you know why I came today Madam Pomfrey."

"Yes, you wish to learn Healing magic from me." she said, giving him a once over.

"Well you will have to learn during your weekends. Do you think that will be a problem?"

"Not at all ma'am." Art said with a smile.

"Okay. Saturday, next week, 8am."

"Thank you." Art said, leaving the hospital wing.

School started the next day and Art found himself immersed in magic again. He still was ahead of the class, easily casting the spells without much difficulty. His first Dueling class with Flitwick was this evening and Art was excited. Not wanting to be late, he left the common room early and headed towards Flitwick's office. He knocked on the door and Flitwick invited him inside.

"Mr. Cason." Flitwick said with a smile.

"Professor Flitwick. Thank you for agreeing with my selfish request."

"Not at all my boy! A genius like you should challenge yourself! Now I want to see all the offensive spells you know before we start."

Art nodded his head and started to display the spells he had learned. He displayed many spells, curses and hexes he had mastered including the Stunning Spell, Full Body Bind spell, Leg Locker Curse, and many hexes.

"Incredible Mr. Cason! Truly lives up to the name genius! Only a second year but you know so many different spells." Flitwick exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Now when dueling, surprise and imagination is what wins duels. You need to plan many steps ahead of your opponent to win."

Flitwick started to explain dueling, which Art quickly wrote down. Being the International Dueling Champion, Flitwick was very knowledgeable and a great teacher. Soon the hour was up and Art headed back. He had Occlumency with Snape tomorrow. Art had continued to clear his mind before bed like Snape told his last year.

Transfiguration class went by slowly as Art easily transformed his turtle into a teapot. He kept himself busy as he tried to turn the teapot into a snake or into a shield. Art was thinking of what Flitwick said about always trying to surprise his opponent. He was wondering if he could try getting his transfiguration to cast spells but when he asked McGonagall this she said was impossible.

Art headed down into the dungeons and knocked on Snape's door. A cold voice came from the other side, "Come in."

Entering the room, Art saw Professor Snape sitting at his desk. "Well if it isn't Mr. Cason, Hogwarts genius. You want to learn Occlumency, a difficult and esoteric magic that even the gifted minds can't learn. Tell me why you think you can learn it?"

"I have to try Professor Snape." Art said, not intimidated.

Snape sneered, "Arrogant." Snape stood up and took out his wand. "Now clear your mind."

Art did what he was told and cleared his mind from all thoughts.

Snape pointed his wand at Art and whispered, "Legilimens!"

Art suddenly saw memories of the Sullivans at the hospital then the memory shift to meeting the Delacours. Art felt violated and tried to push out Snape from his head.

"Not bad Cason but you need to guard your mind. Don't let me in your head at all." Snape said, ready to use the spell again.

This went on for an hour and by the end of it Art's head was hurting but he was now able to stop Snape temporarily from entering his head.

Art collapsed into his bed, exhausted. When he woke up, Fred and George were already dressed and heading for class.

"Thanks for waking me up." he grumbled slowly getting up.

"Hahaha well you don't need to go to class." George said laughing at Art's groggy state.

Together they headed towards Potions class which Fred and George hated. Snape was being himself and taking points off Gryffindor for no reason but still couldn't find fault with Art's potion.

It was Friday and his class with Dumbledore was later this evening. Professor McGonagall sent him a note with the word 'Lemon Drop' on it. Making his way towards the Headmaster's tower, a large gargoyle guarded the door.

"Umm… Lemon Drop?" Art said, unsure.

The gargoyle sprang to life and moved out of the way. Entering the office, Art noticed it was filled with interesting devices that looked old.

"Mr. Cason, welcome."

"Thank you Professor Dumbledore."

"Before we begin, I would like to explain Wards to you." Dumbledore said. He then went on a long explanation of how Wards and their uses. Art listened carefully and jotted a couple notes down.

Dumbledore watched Art closely and start by showing him some simple warding and protection spells. Art quickly learned these spells and performed them. Dumbledore smiled at Art and continued to show him spells.

"The key to wards to protect. Remember that." Dumbledore said, ending there lesson.

Art thanked him and left his office. The weekend was tomorrow and his first class with Pomfrey was early next morning.