Chapter 24 - Discussions with Dumbledore

***** REGULARLY SCHEDULED RELEASE ***** A/N: So results of the vote in this chapter.... although it was really close ..... like 3 votes counting everything up..... too close to call LOL so gonna be blending the two more, at least during this initial year. You'll see what I mean..... Anyways.... Hope you all enjoy! *****

"I wish to discuss my current Hogwarts student status."

Dumbledore appeared a little bit lost with his statement, so Khan clarified.

"I have learned that much of the current curriculum is perhaps further behind than it was during my time at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, I have not taken any school exams, nor are any O.W.Ls or N.E.W.Ts. on my academic record."

"Thus, I wish to clarify my position as a student of Hogwarts." Khan finished, addressing Dumbledore.

Dumbledore moved around to have a seat in his desk, his wrinkled face deep in thought.

Sitting down, he mused over this slight oversight of his.

'I haven't paid much attention to our current educational standard recently.' Dumbledore thought to himself. 'I suppose in comparison to what we were learning in 1890, the level of learning and comprehension has indeed dropped..... His lack of standardized testing complicates this matter greatly however.'

Dumbledore, himself being also the head of the Wizengamot, as well as the head of the ICW, knew how important education was to establishing one's background. Similar to the Muggle world, graduating from a Prestigious educational institute would land you more respect socially as well as infinitely more networking opportunities.

No, Jordan could not be exempt from his education, considering his family name. Especially a family that was as infamous worldwide as the Khans were. The Khan name was still spoken as a taboo, in some parts of magical Asia. To discover that the head of that family, was a dropout of Hogwarts, could not be allowed.

"Have you thought about what you would like to do after your magical education?" Dumbledore inquired, hoping to help his senior out. "Perhaps we could tailor your education to match your future goals."

"I haven't truly thought about it before." Khan responded pensively. "I was so preoccupied with my various adventures, that I never really gave it any thought.... I thought originally an Auror, but after the world cup..... I think a Professor would be my profession of choice, if I had to choose."

"Oh? I suppose Auror is to be expected with your talent for combat." Dumbledore jovially commented, eyes twinkling in curiosity. "But why a Professor?"

"I came to Hogwarts at a later age, as you know sir." Khan began to explain. "Growing up in a Noble Family, I was always exposed to powerful wizards and witches. So coming to Hogwarts, it was quite easy to recognize each of my Hogwarts Professors as magical Powerhouses."

"Getting to know them through the year (courtesy of the many extra assignments to catch up with my peers), I learned that many of them held very prestigious positions previously, before coming to teach at Hogwarts." He continued. "Our Deputy Headmistress for example, was quite the world famous curse-breaker, before coming to teach Transfiguration."

"So I decided to ask them all, why they would decide to leave their prestigious careers, to teach children? Each of them was established in their chosen career after all….. And do you know what they all told me?" Khan asked mysteriously.

"What did they tell you sir?" Dumbledore asked curiously. He oddly felt like a student, being lectured. A strange feeling to be sure, at his age.

"It must have been something shared among all the professors, as they each quoted it verbatim. It was a quote from the Greek Philosopher, Aristotle. 'Those who know, do. Those who understand, teach.'"

"And while I do believe I am still in the 'knowing/doing' stage, eventually I will come to the 'understanding' stage, and it will be my duty, to teach and pass it on to the next generation!" Khan finished heroically.

Dumbledore shed a few tears with surprising emotion. Khan's words, specifically at the end there, had effected him greatly. He had been working so hard, and so long at stopping Voldemort, taking responsibility for everything, keeping all his cards and secrets close, not passing or sharing anything for fear of creating another Voldemort.... Not that it's ever really worked out for him.

Thinking over everything, it was probably time to take Khan's advice and start passing some responsibilities and knowledge on to the next generation....Start trusting them a bit more... It seemed he still had much to learn from his senior.

"Sir?" Khan had noticed an emotional Dumbledore tearing up. "Is everything all right?"

"Just a junior learning some life lessons from his mentor's best friend." Dumbledore replied, drying his eyes. "You are wise beyond your biological years; this old man still has much to learn indeed."

"Sir?"

"But back to the matter at hand... Perhaps an apprenticeship to a Hogwarts Professor?" Dumbledore suggested with a renewed twinkle in his eyes. "I understand that for much of the applied/practical course work, you will be much further ahead than your peers, and even some 7th years. Unfortunately, for the much of the written work, there will be many nuances and general knowledge to catch up on."

"An apprenticeship to a Professor would allow them to tutor you as their protégé, allowing you to not only catch up in general knowledge, but also learn their unique magical skills, should they choose to pass it on to you as your mentor." Dumbledore continued. "This will also allow you to study at an accelerated rate, meaning you may attempt your O.W.Ls during Christmas break, with your N.E.W.Ts to follow during the regular testing time in the spring. Afterwards, it will give you a full year to work towards your Teaching Specialty as a Masters program, here at Hogwarts as a student Professor."

"An apprenticeship would also allow you the unique opportunity to not only teach and begin to pass down your practical knowledge and skills while still 'technically' a student, but to also still experience Hogwarts with people similar in biological age to yourself." Dumbledore continued happily. "Following this plan, you would be able to graduate with your N.E.W.Ts, and would be able to complete your Teaching Specialty all within 2 years!"

"As you are familiar with Senior Auror Moody, as well as Professor Flitwick who is also your head of house, you may apprentice to the 2 of them. Professor Moody will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, and Professor Flitwick is our resident Charms and dueling master." Dumbledore finished narrating his plan, happy with his quick thinking. "Both of them have already stated how delighted they were to meet you, and I know personally they would both be ecstatic to be given the opportunity to mentor you."

Khan was taken aback. Although he was slightly expecting to be accelerated in school, it was not by this much! He had originally come to clarify his student status, and perhaps discuss taking an accelerated learning approach due to his advanced practical abilities. This however, was something else entirely.

Graduating with all his O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts, and completing a teaching specialty, all within 2 years? An apprenticeship to not 1, but 2 Professors?

"Sir..... This is quite unexpected." Khan replied hesitantly. "Is it appropriate, or even allowed? Surely the students or even the ministry will have an issue with this..."

"Nonsense! There shant be a problem!" Dumbledore brushed him off. "You are already legally an adult in the eyes of magic, as Head of the House Khan. And in Defense and Charms, you are, practically speaking at least, better than any student we have ever had, myself included. Perhaps, you are even better than most adult wizards if recent events at the World Cup are to be taken into account..... For all intents and purposes, nobody should have anything to complain about regarding the legalities and merits of this plan, especially after seeing you in action."

"Well.... I would be remiss to not accept this generous offer." Khan stated with gratitude. "I will be sure to thank Senior Auror Moody and Professor Flitwick for the opportunity."

*COOOOO*

Sol, sensing Khan's emotions, stopped playing with Fawkes and trilled out in happiness, mirroring Khan's mood, calling their attention over to the 2 Phoenixes.

Khan, hearing her coo and sensing her similar emotions through their bond, looked over at Sol and the other larger Phoenix. Sol had grown a bit over the past week and 1/2, but was still quite a bit smaller than a fully grown phoenix like Dumbledore's.

"She is beautiful." Dumbledore commented in observation of Sol. "It appears she recently went through a burning day..... May I ask about her name and how the two of you came to become partners?"

"Her name is Sol." Khan responded, as Sol flew over and landed on his shoulder. "I rescued her from a mountain mine, as she was being pursued by a poacher group. Afterwards, I took her back to the safety of the vivariums in the Room of Requirement, and she naturally joined me on my numerous adventures throughout the year. Our trust grew, and eventually, she subsequently bonded with me."

Nuzzling with her briefly, Khan bathed in the natural joyful feeling Sol shared with him, as he spoke about their destined meeting.

"May I ask about your Phoenix?" Khan followed up politely. "What is his name, and how did the two of you come to become partners?"

"Absolutely Amazing....vivariums indeed…." Dumbledore stated more to himself, before turning to answer Khan in response. "Well this is Fawkes..... He is actually bonded with Hogwarts herself, so he is not exactly 'my' Phoenix, though he has helped and served me faithfully during my tenure as Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"As for how he came here, he actually helped me during one of my adventures during the first wizarding war. And continued to help me throughout, even though we were not bonded." Dumbledore continued to explain. "In thanks, after the war, I brought him to stay in the nearby Hogwarts valley, since it is much safer here, and a magical hotspot. But immediately upon arriving, he bonded with the castle herself."

"It is a common misconception that Fawkes is my bonded companion, since he showed up helping me during the first wizarding war, and has stayed with me during my tenure as Headmaster." Dumbledore finished with an amused smile on his face. "Unfortunately for those hoping to bond with him after my death, Fawkes is bonded with the castle, and will stay as her protector, for the rest of her days."

Khan snorted in equal amusement. This was something him and Sol would not have to worry about for some time and hopefully, Sol would agree to bond with his future descendants when it came time for him to eventually pass.

Speaking of future descendants..... His closest girl friends had been Poppy and Natty during school. And while he always thought of them as attractive, he had never given any thoughts towards a romantic relationship with them. Especially with all his escapades and adventures during his first year. Perhaps, it was time, explore a romantic relationship.

Shaking his head of the wayward thoughts, Khan refocused on the topic of conversation, mainly how it was even possible for a castle to do that?

"You speak as if the castle itself is sentient." Khan clarified. "How is it possible that a castle is able to magically bond with a Phoenix?"

"There are a great many mysteries of magic, Lord Khan." Dumbledore stated mysteriously. "Some of which cannot be explained. Such as, how is it possible for a castle to bond with a Phoenix? Or in your friend's' rumored case, how is it possible to bond with a dragon?"

"Or in your case, how is it possible to see magic and the different Colors of spells?" He finished eyes twinkling in amusement.