Goodbye Hogwarts?

Filius Flitwick's Office, (Dec. 16 th )...

"Mr. Potter, what are you doing here? I thought you were leaving for the holiday! The train is set to leave soon, is it not?" Professor Flitwick asked curiously.

"I am, sir, I just needed to speak with you quickly before I go," Harry said frantically.

"Oh, what about? Judging from how well you performed on my end of term test, you shouldn't be worried about your grades," Flitwick said good naturedly

"Well, sir, I suppose it is about my grades in a way."

Filius shook his head tiredly. As head of Ravenclaw house, he was used to students asking him immediately about their scores following their exams. "Harry, from what Minerva has told me, you have nothing to worry about in Transfiguration, and Professor Snape also said you had done acceptable work on his exam. Coming from Professor Snape, I assumed that to mean you were probably the best in your year."

"I, well…I know I did excellent on all my exams," Harry said, trying not to sound cocky. "I wanted to ask you if you could send my transcript to someone."

Filius raised an eyebrow in surprise. Typically, transcripts were only sent out when a student was seeking an apprenticeship, and Harry was far too young to even be considering such an option. "Why? And to whom?"

"Please send it to Highmaster Igor Karkaroff at The Durmstrang Institute of Magic," Harry said honestly, "and as for why. Well, sir, I'm hoping to transfer there at the start of the spring term."

Flitwick nearly fell out of his chair. "What!?"

"Please, sir, I'm running late as it is, and I need to make it onto the express to head home for Christmas. I just got a response from Highmaster Karkaroff a few minutes ago saying that he has accepted me as a potential transfer candidate, but he wants to see my first term grades. So can you please send the transcript once it's ready?" Harry asked.

"Mr. Potter, just tell me why you want to leave Hogwarts," Filius said, horrified that one of his Ravens was even contemplating leaving.

"Sir..." Harry said, really not wanting to have this conversation with his Head of House. "I really do need to be going. The express leaves at eleven and it's already half past ten, and I still need to get to the station in Hogsmeade. Please promise me you'll send the transcript."

"Harry," Filius said, using his young pupil's first name for the first time. "I...I will send the transcript. I am bound as your Head of House to honor the request, but this conversation is not, by any means, over. Go if you must, but I will be writing to you and your parents to discuss this over the holidays. Transferring is not something that should ever be considered lightly, and I'm honestly stunned that you did not come to me to ask questions about such a drastic move."

"Thank you, sir, I'll look forward to your letter," Harry said as he quickly left Flitwick's office. Placing a levitation charm on his trunk, Harry began to sprint out of the castle.

Reaching the train with only minutes to spare, Harry turned around and wondered if this would be the last time he would ever see the impressive castle.

"Goodbye, Hogwarts."