Training and the Chaos

Harry stood at front of the group, as the morning stretched into the afternoon. He had to spend hours carefully dismantling their preconceived notions about magic. With the help of Ron and Hermione, along with another surprising person—Ginny, he took hours explaining the basics of magic and magical energy to rest of the group.

Petunia and Abigail's arrival around noon added fresh energy to the session. Unlike the rest of the group, Petunia caught on rather quickly. Abigail too caught on quick, but it was mainly because Harry had taught her everything before, and she had started to sense magical energy.

Sirius who arrived about 15 minutes after Petunia and Abigail, was very reluctant to join at first. But after not being able to land a single hit on Harry for over a thirty minute duel, he joined reluctantly. 

By the time 9 p.m. rolled around, Harry assessed their progress. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione had managed to consciously connect with their magical energy. Abigail had improved significantly, and Petunia, to Harry's delight, was a natural. Vernon's determination had also paid off, and though his connection was faint, it was there—a glimmer of potential he had never expected. Fred, George, Percy, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Sirius, however, still struggled, though Harry noted their gradual improvement.

Harry clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, that's enough for today."

Fred collapsed onto the floor, throwing his hands dramatically over his head. "Finally! I thought you were going to kill us."

George groaned. "I think he already has. I can't feel my arms—or my legs."

Percy adjusted his glasses, "This is harder than any O.W.L preparation I've ever done."

Sirius sprawled across an armchair, waved a hand weakly. "This better be worth it, Harry. I swear, if I don't see results tomorrow—"

"You won't, Sirius." Harry laughed. "Not until you can at least feel you magical energy. But I'll show you an example. A week later, I can guarantee you that Ron, Hermione and Ginny will be able to defeat you in a duel."

Sirius sat up abruptly, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. His brows furrowed, and he scoffed. "You think those three will be able to defeat me? In a week?"

Harry's grin widened, "I don't think, Sirius. I know. By the end of the week, after I'm done with them, the three of them will be able to at least take on an adult."

Sirius groaning dramatically. "Merlin save me. Mocked by children and outdueled by my own godson. My legacy is crumbling before my very eyes."

"You'll live," Harry said, shaking his head.

Mrs. Weasley spoke up, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Harry, how did you even come to know all of this? This isn't something they teach at Hogwarts."

Harry smiled, "I read. A lot. And I experiment. My understanding of magic is different because I was lucky enough to read those two books before I got into Hogwarts."

"The ones you gave us for Christmas?" Percy asked. 

Harry nodded as he looked at Percy. "Remember, I told you that day, that you should read it and it might give you some unexpected gains?"

Percy flushed at Harry's knowing look. Harry chuckled softly. "It's alright, Percy. I get it. You didn't want to experiment right before the exams."

Percy nodded, but silently vowing to read the books Harry had given him.

Harry then thought of something. Ginny and Abigail didn't have their wands, yet they were progressing faster than others. Why don't he just get them their wands early, so that they could learn more. But he couldn't go to get them their wands himself, he still had work to do. 

As Harry was lost in thought about Ginny and Abigail's progress, Fred groaned dramatically from the floor, throwing an arm over his eyes. "Harry, you didn't set these exercises to your standards, did you? Because if you did, I'm quitting right now. No way we'd survive that."

Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Relax, Fred. I didn't. These exercises are tailored perfectly to match everyone's current abilities. You're all doing fine."

Fred let out a mock sigh of relief. "Good, because I don't fancy meeting my maker this early."

Harry smirked. "Well, I hate to disappoint, but I have to leave now—I've got a potion brewing that needs my attention. But please, make sure you all have dinner before heading home." He turned to the Weasleys and Hermione with a reassuring smile. "The elves have already prepared everything. Dinner should be ready and waiting, so no panicking, Mum," he added with a playful glance at Petunia, who chuckled softly.

As he turned to leave, Harry paused, glancing back at Fred. "Oh, right—Fred, make sure to get Ginny a wand by tomorrow."

Still sprawled on the floor, Fred managed a weak thumbs-up. "Consider it done, boss."

Harry chuckled at the sight and started toward the door. Just as he crossed the threshold, he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a chuckle, "My standards? If I pushed them the way I push myself, they'd be long dead by now."

The quiet room carried his words farther than he intended, and they echoed clearly to everyone still present. Harry, oblivious, disappeared down the hallway, leaving behind a room full of stunned faces.

Fred lifted his head slightly, blinking. "Did he just… Did he really say that?"

George, still lying beside him, nodded, his expression one of disbelief. "Oh, he said it. That wasn't just you."

Vernon and Petunia exchanged uneasy looks, and Sirius shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "That boy... he's going to drive himself into an early grave if he keeps this up."

Ron groaned absentmindedly, "Oh, I think even death will have a tough time claiming Harry. I wouldn't be surprised if Harry does death's job better then death."

Everyone burst into laughter at Ron's comment. They could certainly see Harry teaching Death how to be more Death. 

The laughter soon tapered off, but the mood remained light as Percy slowly sat up, wiping a hand over his face. "You know, he's got that... hunger. Like, he's constantly reaching for something just beyond the horizon. It's not like he's trying to outdo anyone—he just wants more. Always."

George rolled onto his stomach, propping himself up on his elbows. "Yeah, it's like he's looking for the next big thing. You know, like he sees some future that none of us can even imagine yet. And he's trying to make it happen now."

"He'll do it, you know," Petunia said, looking at Vernon. "He's going to change everything. I can feel it."

"You're right," Vernon agreed, "and when he does, we'll be right there with him. After all, he's got us all believing in a future where there are no limits to what magic can do."

As the conversation continued, the soft whoosh of flames in the fireplace drew everyone's attention. Dumbledore stepped through, his eyes twinkling as usual, quickly followed by the stern and composed figure of Snape. The group fell silent, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

Dumbledore's gaze swept over the room, taking in the Weasleys sprawled across the furniture and the faint traces of magical energy lingering in the air. His eyes twinkled even brighter. "Ah, what a delightful gathering we have here. Though, I must say, everyone seems rather... well-used." He smiled warmly

Snape had his usual neutral expression but his eyes seem to be searching for Harry. He gave a brief nod of acknowledgment to Petunia and Vernon. 

"Albus, Severus," Petunia greeted politely, "It's a pleasure to see you both, Welcome."

"Indeed," Vernon stood smiling. He quickly shook Snape and Dumbledore's hands. 

Dumbledore's gaze lingered on the youngest members of the group, his curiosity piqued. "I must admit, I did not expect to find such a lively scene. Might I inquire as to what has left everyone looking as though they've run several marathons—magically, of course?"

All the children groaned together as they said collectively. "Harry."

Dumbledore chuckled deeply, his tone light yet teasing. "Ah, I see. Harry has taken it upon himself to train you all, has he? Judging by the state of things, I imagine his lessons were... rigorous."

Mrs. Weasley, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Rigorous? You should try exhausting, Albus. That boy doesn't stop until we push past our limits by miles."

Vernon chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. "She's right. Harry has us working harder than some of the instructors I had back at Hogwarts."

"You handled it well," Petunia added, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "Considering you did complain the loudest."

"I did not!" Vernon protested, though his sheepish grin betrayed him.

Dumbledore raised a brow, clearly entertained. "I must commend you all for your dedication. And Harry's teaching, I hear, is something quite remarkable. In fact..." He paused for dramatic effect, "...I am particularly looking forward to the classes he will conduct next year at Hogwarts."

The room froze. Everyone, except Ron and Hermione, turned to stare at Dumbledore in stunned disbelief. 

"Next year?" Mr. Weasley was the first to break the silence, "Wait, you mean Harry's going to be teaching at Hogwarts... next year?"

Ron and Hermione exchanged guilty looks, they had forgotten to tell everyone about it. 

"Well, er..." Ron mumbled. "Yeah, about that..."

"We sort of... forgot to mention it," Hermione admitted reluctantly, wringing her hands.

"Forgot?" Ginny exclaimed, her voice rising in incredulity. "How do you forget something like that?"

Fred and George looked positively delighted, their identical grins wide and mischievous. "Harry's teaching?" Fred said, clearly trying to process the revelation.

"At Hogwarts?" George added, finishing his brother's thought. "As in, officially?"

"Our little professor," Fred teased, elbowing George.

Petunia's jaw dropped, and she looked at Dumbledore to clear up the confusion. How was Harry going to teach at Hogwarts?

Everyone else had the same expression as Petunia. Snape stepped forward and explained to everyone. 

"I suppose it's time you all understood the reasoning behind headmaster's words," he began. "Before the term end, Harry approached the headmaster with a proposal. He expressed concerns over the stagnation of magical progress among students at Hogwarts."

Arthur Weasley, intrigued, furrowed his brows. "Stagnation? How so?"

Snape glanced at him before elaborating. "He observed—and quite accurately, I might add—that many students become disheartened by the minimal results of their efforts in spellcasting. They lack proper connection with their magic, and this disconnect leads to frustration, diminished confidence, and in some cases, abandonment of magical pursuits altogether."

Everyone nodded in understanding. Snape continued. "Harry, in his own... bold manner, pointed out that this was not merely a matter of individual failure, but a systemic issue that could ultimately lead to the decline of the wizarding world."

"Which is why he proposed the introduction of a specialized class—one where students will learn to connect more deeply with their magic. His idea was to host weekly sessions for all years, guiding them to understand the nuances of their magical energy and utilize it more effectively."

Sirius cleared his throat, "But such a task, can Harry manage it himself?"

Snape sneered, "Luckily he has a good brain in his head. Which is clearly something that can't be said about you." He then continued. "the entire Hogwarts staff, myself included, unanimously agreed to support his proposal."

The room erupted into murmurs of shock and amazement.

Fred, nudging George, whispered, "Blimey, Snape actually complimented Harry. Did we hear that right?"

George smirked. "Either that or we've gone mad."

Vernon, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "That's... a lot of responsibility for a boy so young."

Snape turned to him, "Vernon, your son may be young, but don't do the mistake of considering him an ordinary boy. I believe you know all the reasons not to."

Dumbledore interjected. "Precisely, his vision and drive are unparalleled. It would be a mistake on our part if we consider him just a young wizard. After all, Harry has already given us so much that states otherwise."

He smiled at the group, "His plan, if successful, will reshape magical education at Hogwarts. Students will not only excel academically but also grow into more capable and confident witches and wizards. It is a vision for the future—one born from Harry's desire to see others succeed where the system has failed."

Dumbledore then turned to Vernon with a thoughtful expression. "That was an excellent suggestion earlier, Vernon—the idea of using Hogwarts students proficient in Potions to brew the Moonsbane Elixir. It offers practical experience and could provide stipends to students who might otherwise lack resources."

Vernon chuckled and nodded, "Well what can I say... Harry's ideas are always excellent, Albus. He has this weird kind of vision which allows him to look at a problem from all sides and put up multiple solutions in place at once."

Snape nodded, "Yes, indeed. Harry does seem to have a keen intuitive insight."

Dumbledore chuckled, "Speaking of Harry, where is the Potion Master himself? I am yet to see him."

Petunia chimed in and explained how he had taken his leave saying that he needed to work on something and would join dinner later. 

Vernon offered, "Perhaps we can continue the discussion in Harry's room, considering he might still be there."

Dumbledore beamed, his eyes twinkling. "An excellent idea. After all, it is his vision we're building upon."

Standing, Vernon motioned toward the door. "Well then, let's go to his room. He's probably cooking up another scheme in that overactive brain of his." Turning to the rest of the group, he added with a wave, "Petunia, love, why don't you and the others get started with dinner? We'll join shortly."

Petunia smiled and nodded. "Fine, but don't be too late or we might just eat everything up."

Vernon chuckled as he guided Dumbledore and Snape out of the room. After about 5 minutes they reached Harry's room. Just as Dumbledore raised a hand to knock, an earsplitting BOOM echoed from inside. The entire hallway rattled, and a faint cloud of purple smoke began seeping from under the door. 

The three of them drew their wands and burst through the door, expecting trouble. The scene that greeted them could only be described as magical mayhem at its finest.

The pristine room now resembled the aftermath of a battle. The far wall was completely blown open, revealing a picturesque view of the sprawling grounds outside, framed by jagged remnants of charred wood and brick.

The wind blew in, scattering bits of parchment, feathers, and what looked suspiciously like a singed sock.

In the middle of the chaos, Harry was slowly pushing himself up from the floor. His face was covered in soot, his clothes singed and torn in several places, and his hair somehow looked even messier than usual—an impressive feat.

Blinking, Harry rubbed the back of his head and looked up at the three men. He froze for a moment, taking in their wide-eyed stares and the fact that all their wands were pointed directly at him. Then, with the casualness of someone who had just woken up from a nap, he gave a little wave.

"Oh, hello Professor." he said brightly, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Snape, his voice dripping with exasperation, stepped forward, his wand still raised. "Harry, what exactly have you done this time?"

Harry winced, brushing some soot off his shirt. "Well... I might've tried to modify a potion, and, uh... let's just say things got a little out of hand."

"A little out of hand?!" Snape gestured wildly at the gaping hole in the wall. "You've blown up an entire section of the house!"

Harry glanced at the destroyed wall and scratched his head thoughtfully. "To be fair, I think the wall was a bit... overreactive."

Vernon, who had been silently taking in the carnage, finally spoke, his voice a mix of disbelief and resignation. "Harry, we just had this room redecorated last month."

Harry gave him an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Dad. But you know..." He gestured vaguely to the hole, "The view is nice, though isn't it?"

Dumbledore, who had been silently observing the scene, chuckled softly. "Indeed, Harry. A rather unorthodox method of home improvement, but effective nonetheless."

Snape groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course you would find this amusing, Headmaster."

Harry, meanwhile, had wandered over to the edge of the destruction and was examining the jagged remains of the wall. "Actually," he mused, "the last time something like this happened, I was trying to infuse a potion with lightning. The explosion was way bigger. This is progress if you think about it."

Vernon threw his hands up in frustration. "Last time?! You mean this has happened before?"

"Well, yeah," Harry admitted sheepishly. "But you didn't notice because it was in the east wing."

"The east wing?!" Vernon's voice echoed through the room, and he looked moments away from pulling out his wand and blasting something himself.

Snape cut in, glaring at Harry. "And what, pray tell, were you attempting to 'modify' this time?"

Harry brightened up, as though he hadn't just caused catastrophic damage to the house. "Oh! I was trying to modify a potion. Thought I could speed up the Wiggenweld brewing process. Turns out, it's a little unstable with time acceleration."

Snape's expression darkened, his tone biting as he folded his arms. "Time acceleration. Harry, are you mad? Do you even comprehend the implications of meddling with temporal magic in potion-making?!"

Harry perked up, clearly excited. "Oh, it wasn't just time acceleration! I was also trying to incorporate fluxweed at the seventh stage of its growth cycle—"

Snape's eye twitched. "Fluxweed? Seventh stage? Combined with time magic?" He let out a strangled sound that was somewhere between a groan and a growl. "Do you have any concept of the chaos you could have unleashed?"

Harry scratched the back of his head, his grin sheepish but unrepentant. "Well, I thought I did... Turns out, there's a bit more to it than just, you know, speeding things up."

Snape's glare intensified, and he jabbed a finger toward the blown-out wall. "Clearly."

Vernon, still processing the words time acceleration and visibly trying to suppress his mounting frustration, threw his hands in the air. "Harry, this isn't Hogwarts! This is our home! A home that you've now turned into—into a danger zone!"

Harry raised a placating hand. "Relax, Dad. I've got it under control." He gestured vaguely to the debris around him. "Mostly."

"Mostly?" Vernon sputtered. "There's a hole in the wall the size of a small car!"

Vernon looked like he was about to explode himself, but Dumbledore placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "Let us not dwell on what might have been," the headmaster said serenely. "After all, no one was harmed, and Harry has gained valuable insight."

"Valuable insight?" Snape muttered. "The only insight he's gained is how to vaporize an enchanted wall."

Harry gave them an innocent grin, dusting off his singed sleeves. "Well, next time, I'll reinforce the wards first. Lesson learned."

Just as Vernon opened his mouth to unleash another tirade, the room let out an ominous creak. All four of them looked up to see a chandelier wobbling dangerously. Before anyone could react, it broke free, plummeting to the ground with a resounding crash.

Harry winced. "Okay, that wasn't me. Probably."

"Harry!!!!!!" Vernon groaned, his voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. His face was practically purple, and Harry could almost hear the vein in his neck pulsing.

"Relax, Dad. I'll fix it, now." Harry said as Elythral materialised in his hand.

"Reparo!" he called.

The shattered chandelier fixed itself, the blown-out wall mended seamlessly, and even the furniture returned to it's original impeccable state. The glass shards hovered in the air, reassembling with surgical precision. The room was now pristine, as if nothing had ever happened—aside from the slightly unnerving whirr of the chandelier, which, oddly enough, now gave off a faint glow of purple light.

"Well, that should do it," he said casually.

"I just hope, Abigail doesn't pick up on his chaotic quirks." Vernon sighed, pinching his nose. 

Harry glanced over at the chandelier, which now sparkled with a suspiciously perfect light. "Might have overdone the glow a little, though. Could be a bit too 'avant-garde'."

Snape, who had been silently observing the spectacle with a scowl, crossed his arms. "I can't decide if you're the most brilliant disaster I've ever met or the most terrifyingly casual student I've ever had the misfortune of teaching."

"Well," Harry said, looking at the now-perfect room, "another day, another room that's totally fixed before anyone even noticed it was broken."

"That's the most terrifying part," Snape muttered under his breath.

Dumbledore gave a soft chuckle as they all made their way out of the room. "Indeed, Harry. You do have a remarkable way of making chaos look effortless."

Vernon, finally muttering to himself, turned on his heel. "I'm going to find a place to sit down before I lose it."

Harry then looked at Dumbledore and Snape, "Now, what can I do for you, professors?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he glanced at Snape before speaking. "I must say, Harry, the Moonsbane Elixir Program is an inspired initiative. It struck me that utilizing the best potion students from Hogwarts could not only expedite the brewing process but also serve as an excellent learning opportunity for them."

Harry nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's exactly what I was thinking, Professor. It would be the most efficient course of action. The students gain valuable professional experience, earn a stipend, and the program spends less on labor compared to hiring all potion masters or professional potioneers."

Snape crossed his arms, his usual frown softened into a thoughtful expression. "And I presume you plan to have potion masters overseeing these students to avoid any... catastrophic blunders?"

"Of course," Harry said with a reassuring nod. "The students would work under the direct supervision of experienced potion masters. The stakes are too high to allow for unchecked experimentation."

Snape gave a slow nod of approval. "A sensible plan. How many students are you considering for this endeavor?"

"Fifteen to twenty should suffice," Harry replied confidently. "We'll need enough hands to maintain efficiency but not so many that it becomes chaotic. Since we're planning to distribute the elixir for free, we also need to make adjustments to the brewing process. Specifically, we'll omit adding the drinker's blood during the initial preparation."

Dumbledore raised an intrigued eyebrow. "And how do you propose to address that crucial step?"

"We'll prepare two doses per recipient," Harry explained, "and instruct them on how to mix a drop of their blood into the potion before consumption. This way, the potion will align itself with their unique magical signature without complicating the brewing process."

"Clever," Snape murmured, his tone carrying a rare note of admiration. "You've accounted for both efficiency and customization. I see no flaw in the approach."

Dumbledore smiled warmly. "An elegant solution, Harry. Now, as for the stipend... what do you propose we offer the students?"

Harry pursed his lips, thinking for a moment. "I'd say five Galleons per month is fair. It's enough to reward their efforts while keeping the program's expenses reasonable. After all, they'll also gain invaluable practical experience, which is worth more than gold in the long run."

Snape inclined his head. "Five Galleons per month is sufficient. Ambitious students will jump at the opportunity to work on a potion of this magnitude, especially under the supervision of potion masters."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with approval. "Then it's settled. I'll make the necessary arrangements to select the most promising students, and we'll ensure the program is implemented smoothly. You've thought this through remarkably well, Harry."

Harry shrugged modestly. "I just want the program to succeed. The Moonsbane Elixir could make a real difference, and this seems like the best way to get it done."

Snape asked thoughtfully, "And who are the potion masters you intend to use for supervising? Surely you didn't just recruit the first names that popped into your head."

Harry chuckled softly. "Not at all, Professor. The Gromer couple—Garrick and Bartha—personally wrote to me, offering their services for the program. Considering their decades of experience as Potion Masters, and the fact that their requested compensation was surprisingly reasonable, I didn't see a reason not to involve them."

Snape raised a skeptical eyebrow. "The Gromers, you say? An interesting choice. They are competent enough, though perhaps a bit eccentric."

"Well, that might actually help keep the students engaged," Harry said with a grin. "At first, I thought you and I could handle the overseeing ourselves, but realistically, that would only work during the summer. Once the school year starts, it would become... problematic."

Snape gave him a sharp look. "Problematic? Harry, the school year is my life."

Harry raised his hands in mock surrender. "Exactly my point. I didn't think you'd appreciate splitting your time between teaching at Hogwarts and babysitting overenthusiastic potion students. And frankly, I have enough on my plate without committing to such a schedule myself."

Dumbledore nodded sagely, his expression serene. "The Gromers are an excellent choice, Harry. Their skill is well-documented, and they are known for their ability to manage young apprentices."

Harry gave a satisfied nod. "Exactly. They're seasoned enough to handle the students while ensuring the quality of the potion. Plus, they're already familiar with modifying high-complexity brews like the Moonsbane Elixir."

Snape crossed his arms, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Very well, but I expect to be kept informed of their progress. If they show any signs of deviating from the standards required for such a project—"

"I'll handle it, Professor," Harry interrupted, smirking. "You have my word. Besides, I doubt Garrick or Bartha would dare to botch something under your watchful eye, even from a distance."

Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "You're handling this with remarkable foresight, Harry. I dare say the Gromers' involvement will add an element of efficiency to the program."

Vernon cleared his throat, breaking the brief silence. "Well, all of this planning is fine, but shouldn't we get started sooner rather than later? Time isn't exactly waiting for us."

Harry turned to Snape, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Think you can gather the students in three days, Professor?"

Snape smirked, his dark eyes gleaming. "Three days, Harry? Hardly a challenge. Consider it done."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "I'll personally visit the parents of the selected students. It's important they understand the significance of this program and what their children will gain from participating."

Harry inclined his head, appreciating Dumbledore's willingness to take on the task. Then, turning to Vernon, he asked, "Which vault are we using for the program?"

Vernon raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Your vault, of course. You made it quite clear you didn't want mine connected."

Harry blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly. "Oh, right. That makes sense. How did I manage to forget that?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he chuckled softly. "A busy mind, Harry. Now, while we're on the topic of funding, I'd like to contribute 20,000 galleons to the program from my personal vault."

Harry smiled, "Professor, that's incredibly generous of you—thank you."

Snape cleared his throat. "I would also like to make a contribution," he said, his tone neutral but his expression showing a flicker of something genuine.

Harry held up a hand, his expression warm and humble. "Thank you, Professor, but I assure you, Dumbledore's contribution is more than enough for Hogwarts' involvement. And with my own funds—which, frankly, I'll probably never run out of—I don't really have a need for additional financial support."

Snape raised an eyebrow, his smirk faintly returning. "Your humility is only slightly less irritating than your arrogance, Harry."

Harry laughed lightly. "What I do need, though, is for you both to stand by the effectiveness of this potion. If we have your backing, we'll gain far more trust than any sum of gold could buy."

Dumbledore smiled, his voice carrying a note of pride. "You've grown into quite the remarkable young man, Harry. Very well, I'll ensure the program has the full support of Hogwarts."

Snape gave a curt nod. "If you manage to pull this off without turning the program into a series of magical catastrophes, I may even consider saying you've done well."

Harry grinned. "High praise, Professor. I'll do my best not to disappoint."