O is for Outstanding

Potter Residence, (Dec. 26 th )...

"So Nathan actually didn't catch the snitch, Dad." Harry smirked at his blushing brother. "He swallowed it!"

"We still won," Nathan said indignantly as his brother and father laughed uproariously. This just wasn't fair. He couldn't even defend himself. It wasn't like he could tell his parents that someone had been jinxing his broomstick –they'd have him off the team faster than he could say Quidditch.

"I'm sure you played well, Nathan," Lily said with a smile hinting at the corner of her mouth. "Your father and I will try our best to see your next game at Hogwarts." Nathan beamed at his parents as they all sat around the kitchen table having brunch.

The sound of fluttering wings interrupted their meal as several owls entered from an open window. Two immediately flew towards Harry and Nathan while the third owl settled next to their mother. "Must be your first term scores," Lily commented. "Albus said they would be getting sent out soon."

Harry quickly removed the owl from its burden and opened the letter. He read and then re-read his scores. While he thought his tests were easy, it was still hard to believe. He had perfect scores. Straight Outstandings. A note at the bottom of his letter from Professor Flitwick said that he hadn't missed so much as a single point on his Charms, Transfiguration, Defense, or Potions exams, and that Harry was first in his year.

"So how did you do?" James asked.

"I got an outstanding in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense," Nathan said happily.

"That's excellent, Nathan," James said happily. "How about you, Harry?"

"Yes, Harry, how did you do?" Lily said, putting down her letter and looking intently at her older son. "Perhaps your scores will explain why Filius sent me a letter asking to meet with us on New Year's along with Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall?"

Harry sighed. Apparently the letter he had sent to his Head of House hadn't done as good of a job as he had hoped.

"Well, Harry?" James asked.

"I got Outstandings in all my classes," Harry said somewhat defensively. Did his parents really think he would have done poorly?

James took his son's score card and whistled appreciatively. "Wow, I don't think even you got scores this good, Lily."

Lily looked over her husband's shoulder and her eyes widened slightly. "I know I didn't. Harry, this is an incredible scorecard. Can you think of any reason why Filius would want to meet with us after seeing scores this good?"

"Maybe," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders. "I have to go send a letter."

Harry quickly stood and left the table. A few seconds later, Harry was up the stairs and in his room. Closing his door calmly, he simply walked over to his bed and screamed in frustration into his pillow to not be heard.

Flitwick must have told Dumbledore and McGonagall about him wanting to leave Hogwarts. That could be the only reason for all of them showing up on New Year's. They were all going to try to talk him out of transferring. At least Professor Flitwick hadn't outright told his parents that he wanted to transfer, so his letter had apparently done something to convince his Head of House. Still, it was going to be hard enough to convince his parents that he wanted to leave Hogwarts. Now that he had the Headmaster, his Head of House, and Professor McGonagall to deal with as well, he was going to need a plan.

Taking out a piece of parchment, Harry quickly scribbled out a letter.

Dear Professor Quirrell,

My grades came today along with a letter from Professor Flitwick to my parents...