Chapter 13: Practice
30th October 1996
The next few weeks passed by in a blur as I continued to immerse myself in the study of magic. I made a lot of progress in many different areas of magic and discovered a lot of things about magic that Harry never bothered with.
In a very obscure reference book for transfiguration, I learnt there are two different methods of performing transfiguration. The first one relied on precise calculations and arithmancic formulas of the transfiguration spell. Second one on the other hand relied more on imagination and will power with a lot less emphasis on calculations.
As it turns out Professor McGonagall lessons relied heavily on the first method as she herself gained her masters in transfiguration relying on this method. For me, on the other hand, second method works better as I rely more on Intent, Imagination and willpower rather than formulas for transfiguration.
In regard to my other studies, I have been making steady progress in Occlumency as Professor Snape's classes are probably the best place to practice the mind arts. Controlling yourself from bursting out due to the steady influx of insults does wonder for a person's control over their minds.
Speaking of classes, all professors are quite happy with the progress I have made, well with the exception of one Severus Snape but that's to be expected. Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall are especially pleased with the change as my mother was a prodigy in charms, as was my father in the field of transfigurations.
Professor Lupin's classes went in the same way as the canon where he taught about Boggarts, Grindylows, Hinkypunks and other magical creatures.
I have also started practicing dueling with the training dummies in the ROR. The dueling training has helped a lot with my speed of casting and dodging. While my elemental practices have increased my control over magic and has helped in my practice of mind arts. My control over fire has increased a lot since I can now transform the conjured flames of incendio into many different shapes.
I have also started studying the dark arts as I will need to be well versed in them if I want to have a modicum of chance against Voldemort. The Dark Arts, by definition, is referred to any type of magic that was mainly used to cause harm, to exert control over, or even kill people and creatures. Dark spells could be further classified into three groups: jinxes, hexes, and curses.
A jinx is a type of dark charm. The effects of a jinx are irritating, but amusing. As a minor type of Dark Magic, jinxes have the least severe effects of the three dark charms.
A hex is a type of dark charm, whose effects causes moderate suffering to the victim. As a moderate type of dark magic, hexes are slightly worse than jinxes, but are not as dark as curses.
A curse is a type of dark charm which is used for the worst kinds of Dark Magic. The most heinous of the three dark charms, curses come in many strengths and forms, but are usually reserved for causing immense suffering to the victim, such as excruciating pain, total control, or even death.
The more I studied about dark arts the more I realize how dangerous they truly are. If one is not careful enough in their studies of Dark magic, they could completely lose themselves in this dark path as dark magic is truly addictive and more frequent use of it will make the user more violent and irritable. The negative effects can be fought off by a wizard of sufficient self-control. The practice of dark arts truly embodies the quote "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster".
I also managed to 'stea-'*cough*'borrow' the Half-blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion-Making. It had many improved NEWT level potions which were not that helpful for me right now, but the suggestions regarding handling of potion materials were very helpful. There were also notes in the margins of several spells that Snape had invented himself, including Sectumsempra, Levicorpus (Dangling Jinx), Langlock, Liberacorpus (Conter-jinx for Levicorpus), Toenail-growing hex, and Muffliato.
The Quidditch team practices also started in the first week of October. I practiced flying on my broom before going for quidditch practice so that I don't make a fool of myself. It took me some time to get used to the feeling of flying but once I got the hang of it, I understood why Harry loved flying.
In these few weeks I started branching out and making friends with other people in my year. I made quite a lot of friends in all houses with the exception of Slytherin which was not that unexpected. As much as it pains me to admit it, I can't truly fight against Voldemort alone without any allies and canon Harry's mistake of not branching out and making friends was one of the main reasons for the whole school turning against him, as no one truly knew what kind of a person Harry was.
As for my old friends, Ron seeing that I was excelling in all my classes, started alienating me due to his jealously and insecurity, spending most of his time with Dean and Seamus. Hermione on the other hand became more competitive due to my challenge on her first position in our year, completely immersed herself in her studies.
Clearing my mind of all thoughts I head towards my bed to sleep as I checked my progress in the last two months.
-Status-
-Name: Harry Potter-
-Stats (Free Stat Points:0)-
--Body: 8--
--Magic: 10--
--Mind: 9--
----Occlumency(Apprentice): 4----
----Legilimency(Novice): 1----
----Obliviate(Novice): 0----
-Skills (Free Skill Points:0; Free Experience Points:0)-
--Transfiguration(Apprentice): 3--
--Charms(Apprentice): 4--
--Defense Against the Dark Arts(Apprentice): 6--
--Healing(Novice): 3--
--Divination(Novice): 0--
--Alchemy(Novice): 0--
--Potions(Apprentice): 2--
--Herbology(Apprentice): 1--
--Magizoology (Care of Magical Creatures)(Novice): 10--
--Runes(Novice): 10--
--Arithmancy(Novice): 10--
--Flying[Broom](Expert): 10--
--Wandlore(Novice): 6--
--Illusion Magic(Novice): 0--
--Appartion(Novice): 0--
--Wandless Magic(Novice): 10--
--Parseltongue(Journeyman): 10--
--Dark Arts(Novice): 10--
--Elemental Magic: --
----Fire: 15%----
----Water: 7%----
----Earth: 5%----
----Wind: 7%----
----Lightning: 4%----