Thoughts

Making their way to the Great Hall for supper, the Golden Trio just finished their last class for the day.

Taking a good look at Hermione leading the group, Harry started to smile. Harry leaned towards Ron and loudly whispered, "I don't think her feet's touched the ground once since History of Magic."

Taking the ribbing in stride, Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

Nodding his head, Ron quickly replied, "It's better than her staring at that git, Lockhart. At least Dovahkiin seems to actually know what he's about."

Whirling around in a bushy-haired fury, Hermione sternly stared at Ron. "It is Professor Dovahkiin, Ron, and I don't think you have a clue as to what he's started."

Slightly startled by their female companion's reaction, Ron tries to appease Hermione. "Okay, okay. It's Professor Dovahkiin."

With a curt nod, Hermione turns around and resumes walking to the Great Hall.

Following behind, Ron looks to Harry for an answer. Seeing the slight shrug and shake of Harry's head, Ron turns back to Hermione. "So, what did he start?"

With a shake of her head and a disappointed sigh, Hermione is faced with another example of Ron's ignorance. "Professor Dovahkiin has his work cut out for him with you."

Ron made a mocking face behind Hermione's back but failed to get a reaction from Harry. Noticing the look on Harry's face, "You alright, Harry?"

Harry hesitantly said, "I was just thinking about what Professor Dovahkiin said, about my family."

"You mean about you marrying a pure-blood?" Ron asked.

Harry quickly gave Ron a scandalized look! "What? No! I meant about my father. About how he was a pure-blood."

Not trusting Ron to give an answer about something so sensitive, Hermione slowed her march to walk between Harry and Ron. "The Potter line is considered a pure-blood family, Harry. Like most pure-blood families, they married into many other pure-blood lines." Hermione slowly said.

Seeing the thoughtful look on Harry's face, Hermione got an idea. "After dinner, we can check the library for anything on your family."

Harry quickly looked at Hermione before he smiled and nodded his head. "I would like that."

***********************

Picking up my class schedule, I commit it to memory. Choosing to teach History of Magic over D.A.D.A. was a brilliant move.

I only have morning classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Even Thursday and Friday aren't bad, with only one lesson after lunch. That means my classes will end by noon or two o'clock.

That's how I found myself sitting behind my desk, with a glass of whiskey in my hand.

Oh, the benefits of not having any N.E.W.T. classes!

Unfortunately, the whiskey was half-forgotten.

I couldn't stop thinking about my last class, or more accurately, I couldn't stop thinking about the students. They're just young kids! Barely even twelve years of age! Hell, you wouldn't be wrong to call Harry, a runt!

When I decided to take on the role of the Professor of History of Magic, I came up with a plan. A long-term plan. I would be able to deeply ingrain ideals of equality and freedom into each student. Ideals to make a change in the Wizarding World.

The changes would take years to fully take effect, but it was likely to improve my quality of life while in this world. There is also the added benefit of potentially reducing Voldemort's recruitment pool.

But... After seeing the Golden Trio, I'm starting to question my approach.

Knowing the horrors, they will soon be forced to face...

Am I supposed to just sit back and let kids fight for their lives against full-grown assholes?

I can't even confidently say things turned out for the best in the books! No child should have to suffer what the Hogwarts students went through the last couple of books!

What the fuck was Dumbledore thinking, to let the Trio fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters alone?!

Oh! And speaking of that Milkdrinker, what the hell did he mean by that last comment?!

When I noticed him sneak into my classroom, I just thought he was coming to check on the unknown wizard in the castle. I really wasn't surprised by it. But our conversation... I was not expecting that from the Dumbledore I read about.

When I was reading the Harry Potter Series, I found Dumbledore to be extremely complex.

His story was that of a powerful wizard with ambitious plans for the entire world. It's possible he would have stood beside Grindlewald, if not for the tragic death of his sister.

Later, his attempts to be the perfect Light wizard, resulted in the needless death of many of the people who believed in him. He feared his own ambition so much, he refused to intervene where it would have done the best for all!

It's hard to really pin his personality down. We never got to really see what he was thinking, only doing. And his actions ranged from a wise old man to a master manipulator and everything in between.

I think that's what I'm having the hardest time with. What kind of Dumbledore did I just speak with?

Was he scouting me out for future plans, or ensuring the protection of the students from a possible threat?

If I was a betting man, my money would be on him trying to get a feel for my character.

But for what purpose? What was his agenda? And what battle does he plan to lose?!

Our conversation didn't shed a bit of light on the mystery that is Albus Dumbledore.

It was hard to relax or focus on my own training. I just have so many thoughts running through my head about today.

"Fucking politics. I need to break something." Finishing the rest of my whiskey, I stand and make my way out of my office.

I slowly made my way out of the castle, attempting to familiarize myself with every hallway and point of interest.

I debated on heading to the Room of Requirement but didn't want to risk Dumbledore spying on me.

I also thought of heading to the Restricted Section of the library, but I was too annoyed to read. I needed to lash-out at something.

It didn't take long before I gave up on exploring the castle and made my way towards the Forbidden Forest. Time to do some hunting!

Entering the Forbidden Forest, I was surprised to see how dark it was. The canopy was thick enough to block most of the afternoon sunlight from reaching the ground, causing it to appear as if dusk had already arrived.

I wasn't concerned with the darkness, the heart-shaped herb fixed that issue. Even here, I had no problem seeing into the deep shadows scattered about.

As I made my way deeper into woods, I began to feel multiple presences following me. Based on the size and number of the beings following me, I'm sure it's a group of acromantula.

Perfect!

I continued walking deeper until I was sure I wasn't going to be interrupted.

Coming to a stop in a small, open area, I waited for victims to surround me.

The moment the beings began to creep closer to me, I lashed out with Grand Telekinesis, ceasing every being in the area!

Pulling over a dozen dog-sized acromantula in front of me, I quickly crushed all but one.

Their deaths were quick and painless. I felt no sympathy for the ones I killed. I'm sure they weren't following me to ensure I didn't get lost.

The sight of me killing its brothers and sisters, caused the sole survivor to struggle against my magic. No longer having to divide my attention, I carefully wrapped the last acromantula tightly as I levitated it towards me.

Getting a better look at the giant spider, I had to suppress a small shudder. And I'm not even afraid of spiders!

Focusing on the current task, I remove my enchanted ring and place my left hand under the acromantula's fang. The damn thing didn't even need to be coaxed before injecting me with a large dose of venom.

Having fulfilled its use, I crushed the acromantula and tossed it on the pile of the other dead spiders.

My hand begins to ache and swell. A hollow sensation begins to climb up my arm as I break-out in a cold sweat.

Yup, that's a neurotoxin.

The hollow feeling reaches my shoulder before it begins to retreat back to my hand.

My body is adapting to the venom rather quickly. After a few more minutes, there isn't a mark on my hand, and I feel completely normal.

Looking around the area, I notice that I'm not nearly as frustrated as before. I have to say, all in all, a worth-while trip.