Charms Classroom, (Sept. 22 nd )...
"Professor Flitwick, can I talk to you in private, sir?"
Flitwick looked up and smiled broadly. "Of course, Harry." With a wave of his wand, the classroom door closed and locked behind the last first year student leaving the room. "Now what can I do for you?"
Harry shook his head at Professor Flitwick's casual, effortless display of silent magic. He had seen his Grandfather, Albus Dumbledore, and his mother use such magic, but he had only recently come to appreciate just how amazingly talented they really were. "Was that some kind of banishing charm to close the door?"
Flitiwick's smile seemed to grow. "No, not quite, Harry. Once you get older you'll find that actual spells are not as important as the intent behind your magic. I suppose you could say I used a subtle banishing charm to close the door, but, in reality, I didn't use any specific spell. I simply desired the door to close behind the last student, and I used magic to fulfill my intent."
"Sir, could you teach me how to do that?"
"Harry, you're progressing amazingly well, but you are far from that kind of magic," Flitwick chided with a smile. "Clearly you have inherited your mother's gift with charms, but, trust me, silent and intent-driven magic is still a few years away for you."
"No, well, sir, I didn't mean that kind of magic exactly. I meant, well…I know a lot of what we do in class already."
Flitwick seemed to appraise his young student for a moment. "I see. Your mother hinted in a letter that she had been teaching you and your brother some magical theory."
"Since I was eight, sir," Harry said quickly. "I've already read the entire first year book, and I've read an older edition of the second year Charms book as well. Do you think you could, umm, maybe teach me some advanced charms?"
Flitwick shook his head sadly. "Harry, you've been at Hogwarts for less than a month. I know it all seems easy now, but trust me, it will get harder." When it appeared Harry was going to protest, Flitwick continued. "Harry, I've been teaching for a long time. You aren't the first student I've ever seen that has been taught at home and are a little ahead. While your marks are outstanding, so are your brother's and several other purebloods. As your Head of House, I, more than anyone, appreciate your desire to learn more, but believe me when I say that your lessons will get more difficult."
"That's what Professor McGonagall said," mumbled Harry.
"What's that, Harry?" Flitwick asked. "You approached Minerva as well?"
"Yes, sir, and Professor Snape."
"You asked Professor Snape," Flitwick said with surprise. "And what did Professor Snape have to say?"
"To talk to him next year if I continue to show improvement," Harry grumbled.
"Harry, that is quite a compliment, and you should feel proud. Professor Snape has not ever, to my knowledge, offered extra lessons," Flitwick said, surprised at his usually surly colleague's offer.
Harry did feel a little proud hearing that, but it still didn't help him much. "Thank you for your time, Professor Flitwick, I should be heading to History of Magic now."
"Yes, well, off you go then, best not to be late." Flitwick was about to unlock the door when Harry casually waved his wand and said, "Alohomora," before quickly walking out of the room.
"5 points to Ravenclaw, Mr. Potter," Flitwick said to himself after Harry left. As Filius arranged his desk in preparation for his next class, he couldn't help but reflect on everything he'd seen so far from Harry Potter. The boy's work had been perfect. Not a point missed on a quiz, his essays were well written, and his practical work was flawless. Filius wasn't kidding when he said that he had seen several students breeze through the first part of his class, but even he couldn't remember a student who had never seemed to struggle on a single assignment. He'd have to keep a closer eye on Mr. Potter for the rest of the term.