HP: Fairborn Adventures

January 28th, 1978

Peter nervously watched as her name floated up the giant staircase, bypassing a few of her housemates. When she reached the entrance to the abandoned sixth-floor corridor that led to the classroom they'd meet in, he hastily pocketed the Map. Next, he attempted to straighten some of the many wrinkles in his school uniform, brushing off a few breadcrumbs as well.

'That should do.'

Anxiety clawed on his insides as he caught his own reflection in the nearby window. He studied his unkempt, mouse-brown hair for a few seconds.

'How did Sirius and James do it again?'

Peter attempted to comb it with his fingers to one side, yet, only worsening the way it looked. Cursing under his breath, he roughed it up, trying to make it look like his friends' hair anytime they stepped off a broom.

Suddenly, the door creaked open behind him. Peter spun on the spot, yelping in shock.

"Calm down, Pete. It's just me." Elana's eyes met his. Something hungry sparkled in their depths: "So, you said you found the place?"

'Not even a hug in greeting?' Peter swallowed down a stab of unease: "I- I think so."

"What do you mean you think so, Pete?" Elana turned on the spot: "It can hardly be this room. They would've been spotted by the first patrol."

"It- it's on the seventh floor." Peter winced at the harshness in her tone: "You- you said you wanted to see it for yourself so that may- maybe we can use it together. I can show you if you like?"

"I see..." The slightest traces of annoyance vanished and made space for a broad smile: "Of course, Pete. That was the plan to begin with, wasn't it? Lead the way, please."

'Yes, indeed.'

Peter waddled over to the door, holding it open for her before stepping out into the dimly lit corridor. He left plenty of space for Elana to walk beside him, yet for some reason, the Slytherin girl chose to remain slightly behind.

After checking that no one else was using the giant staircase, he led her up to the seventh floor and past the tapestry of the dancing troll until they faced the very wall Harry and McKinnon had vanished through a few days ago.

"This- this is it." Peter nervously gestured to the cold stones: "This is where they met. They call it the 'Room'."

"I don't see any room, Pete..." Elana frowned at the blank piece of wall brushing over the stones with her open palm: "I hope you didn't make me walk up all the way to the seventh floor for some kind of prank?"

"No! I would never do that!" Peter squeaked in fright: "I promise this is it. This is where they go! I've seen it twice already!"

"It must be somehow hidden then, but it's not like the barrier at King's Cross Station. These stones are all solid matter," Elana mused: "A secret room would explain why they're so rarely seen together outside of classes and mealtimes and why no one has ever found them..."

"Let's try this." The dirty blonde witch pulled her wand and tapped it against the wall: "Specialis revelio."

Peter swallowed nervously when nothing happened. 'This was not good.'

"The charm always comes back negative." Elana slowly turned towards him, green eyes slightly narrowed: "Are you sure this is the place, Pete?"

"I've seen it with my own eyes!" Peter winced.

"Well, what actually happened? How did you see it?" Elana walked towards him: "Did you hide somewhere and watch them walk through the wall?!"

"Yes- No- I mean, not directly..." He nervously chewed on the edge of his thumb.

Elana gave him a long look. "Well, it seems I'm wasting my time here. You obviously watched them but refused to share how." Her lips curved into a sad smile that almost broke Peter's heart: "I was really hoping that spending some time with me was worth more to you, Pete."

"No, wait!" Peter squeaked when she turned to leave: "I- I watched them on a Map."

"A Map?" Elana paused and turned back towards him: "What kind of Map? Can you show me?"

"I- I don't have it with me right now." Peter lied nervously: "My friends and I created it and it shows the position of everyone within the school's wards at every point in time."

"I see." Her eyes sparkled with a bright gleam and she licked her lips with the tip of her tongue. "So that's how you pulled off so many pranks without getting caught? You've always known where the professors were?"

"Yes- yes exactly," Peter sighed, relieved that she believed him.

"That is brilliant." She invaded his personal space, standing so close that he could count every single one of her dark eyelashes: "I'd like to see that Map someday, Pete. It will be the key to figuring out this secret room so that we can finally spend some time alone... Do you understand me?"

"I- I can't really take it often..." Peter murmured: "The others also use it from time to time."

"I bet Black uses it to shag some underage Hufflepuff while Potter and Peverell use it to sneak away with their girlfriends..." Elana huffed and trailed down the length of his arm with one slim finger, sending goosebumps over his skin: "Don't you think it's your turn to be a bit selfish now, Pete?"

"May- maybe you're right." Peter gulped and wiped his sweaty palms on the sleeves of his uniform: "I- I mean I can give it a try..."

"Good. Very good..." She took another step closer, placing both her hands on his shoulders. Her warm breath sent pleasant tingles down his spine: "Don't follow Peverell in person, it's too risky. Follow him on that Map and try to find out how they open this room. Once you've figured something out, you can take the Map and meet me up here. And then..." She trailed off.

"And- and then what?" His breath came ragged. He felt his heart pounding frantically against his ribcage.

"Then I will finally have you all to myself in a hidden room where no one can disturb us." Her lips came closer, impossibly close.

'This is it.'

'I will finally know what it's like.'

Having watched his friends exchange such intimacy more often than he could count, Peter instinctively closed his eyes and leaned forward. In the last possible second, Elana must have tilted her head sideways, as her lips merely brushed his cheek, lingering for a fraction of a second before she pulled back.

'Why?' Disappointment spiked through him and settled in his stomach.

"Don't be mad at me, our first kiss will soon be in the hidden room. And I promise that many more will follow. " Elana smiled at him: "I know it's cruel, but this will be the motivation you need to succeed, Pete."

'Yes.' Peter nodded, stiffening a flare of frustration. 'I certainly have more than enough motivation now.'

February 20th, 1978

Rain gently drummed against the large windows. Outside it was a cold, gray, and gloomy late afternoon in February, yet the high oil lamps bathed the tall shelves underneath them in a warm golden light. The scent of century-old books and dried ink lay thick in the air.

Marlene passed several small groups of students who sat around cramped tables in the frequent bay windows and alcoves of the extensive Hogwarts library. They eyed her warily as she passed them as if they feared being attacked by her any second.

She snorted: 'I suppose now I know what Harry felt like for the majority of his time in the Castle.'

At the far end of the corridor, she spotted a familiar patch of auburn hair.

'Time for some daughter and mother-in-law bonding.'

"Mind if I join you?"

Lily looked up in surprise. Her eyes softened when she recognized her: "Of course not." The redhead moved a stack of NEWT books and shifted over the bench to create some space for the other witch: "How come you're all alone? Where did you leave your soulmate?"

A small grin curved Marlene's lips while she emptied her bag: "Harry is off being a child, together with your boyfriend and Sirius. I found that every so often they need some boy time for themselves."

Lily rolled her eyes with a snort: "Those boys will always be Marauders first and boyfriends second. Well, fiancé even in your case," she added with a quick glance to the band of gold around Marlene's ring finger: "I don't think I've ever seen you without it since the proposal."

"I haven't taken it off yet," Marlene replied with a hint of pride.

"I noticed you keep it on during Potions and Herbology, but what about Quidditch practice?" Lily frowned: "Are you not worried it might get scratched?"

"It's Goblin-made," Marlene explained. "Harry's ancestors also cast a bunch of protective charms on it, so I doubt that any broom handle in the world could get a scratch on it."

"Interesting," Lily hummed: "What about when you go to bed?"

"Then Harry comes with me." Marlene placed down her quill and brushed her thumb over the Granian and grinned at the redhead: "Either physically or in my thoughts. Our rings are much more than just jewelry. I am his alone and he is mine alone."

"Now that sounds rather possessive," Lily chuckled.

"I won't deny it." Marlene shrugged with a weak grin: "But I know Harry secretly likes it..."

"Two years ago, I would've understood keeping an eye on him if I were his girlfriend; he was a massive flirt back then." Lily laughed: "But now, everyone can see that he only has eyes for you."

"I'd hope so, I intend on marrying the prat after all." Marlene grinned. "Besides, he knows better than to rile me up."

'Although a little teasing is just fine.'

"I thought that it was weird how he never flirted with me though," Lily murmured absently.

'Wait, what did she say?' Marlene paused her scribbling and turned her head.

The redhead eventually glanced up and caught Marlene's eye: "Not that I wanted him to flirt with me, of course. You know I'm perfectly happy with James." She raised two soothing hands and chuckled nervously: "I just thought it was weird how he never made a move on me when he sweet talked pretty much any other girl before you came."

'Maybe because you're his mother.'

Marlene cleared her throat, stiffening a burst of giggles: "Well I'm glad to know I won't have to add your name to the list of my competition. And as to why he didn't flirt with you? I think there are two main reasons." She held up two fingers: "First, I could imagine that James insisted you're off limits to anyone else. With Harry staying with the Potters over the Yule holidays, your name must've been mentioned at some point, and out of respect for his newfound friends, he adhered to the condition. The second reason is a bit more simple..."

"-I'm just not his type..." Lily snorted, curling a finger around her auburn hair: "He went for blue and gold instead of green and red."

"Blue and gold it is." Marlene smiled, tossing her braid over her shoulder: "For the rest of his life."

"And there's the possessiveness again." Lily laughed, dibbing the quill into her pot of ink to continue writing. "What are you working on by the way?"

"I still have the Arithmancy essay on perpetual magical configurations to finish." Marlene showed her a roll of parchment with half a foot missing at its bottom before she fished for a full pot of ink within her bag: "What about you?"

"Potions." Lily motioned for a list of ingredients.

"I didn't know Slughorn gave us an essay to finish?" Marlene frowned.

"It's not an essay, just some stuff for a personal project of mine," Lily sighed.

"Is it not going too well then?" Marlene raised an eyebrow.

"I've made some decent progress, but I just don't find the time for it anymore," Lily explained, the regret evident in her voice. "There are other areas I want to focus on right now."

"Like what?"

"Well, for example, Remus and I are practicing the Patronus charm every other day now. Both of us managed to conjure a corporeal one and soon we'll try to use them to send messages like you and Harry did." Lily beamed proudly: "And then sometimes I also join James and Sirius for some basic dueling exercises."

'Her days are getting almost as cramped as mine.'

"Sounds like a very busy schedule," Marlene admitted: "Especially with NEWTs coming up soon."

"Exactly..." Lily took a deep breath: "I need to prioritize what's most important, so now I'm summarizing any theories for the potions project I haven't written down yet, before passing it on to someone else."

"Passing it on? How does that work?" Marlene asked curiously: "I thought it was your own project?"

"It basically is. Professor Slughorn has this little 'after-class potions club' for anyone interested in taking up a career in brewing," Lily said: "It's about half a dozen students who finished their OWLs already. Slughorn usually hands out these projects, not expecting any of us to actually succeed but merely to test our abilities."

"I see." Marlene replied: "Who will you pass yours on to?"

"I'm meeting Damocles Belby from the year below us in an hour." Lily said, glancing at her watch: "Slughorn says he has real talent, so I sincerely hope he will succeed."

'Belby.' Marlene frowned. As far as she knew the surname was not one associated with brewing in the Wizarding World. She was about to return her attention to the essay when a memory swirled passed her inner eye.

'Just not one of my own memories.'

The wild Scottish scenery flashed past them outside the window. Marlene's fiancé sat on a round table, facing a future Professor Slughorn. "I was just telling young Marcus here that I had the pleasure of teaching his Uncle Damocles." Slughorn passed around a basket of rolls. "Outstanding wizard, outstanding, and his Order of Merlin most well-deserved. Do you see much of your uncle, Marcus?"

Marlene tore herself away and blinked her eyes rapidly, shaking her head to regain her senses. Her heart began pounding in excitement: 'What were the chances?'

She forced her voice to come out relaxed so as not to raise any suspicion: "Uhm, just out of curiosity, Lily, what was the main thesis of the project you've been given by Slughorn?"

The redhead glanced up from her work: "I suppose there's no harm in sharing it now." She shifted closer down the bench and placed her notes and drawings before them: "I was actually the one coming up with it and pitching the idea to Professor Slughorn. The task is worded in quite a simple way: 'Cure lycanthropy forever'."

'This could actually be it.' A sharp spike of triumph surged through Marlene. 'I can't be certain yet, but it'd be foolish to allow her to waste such an opportunity.'

She forced back the curious expression on her face and addressed Lily casually: "For Remus then?"

"No! For everyone who suffers from the condition each month," Lily corrected her fiercely: "But yes, the fact that Remus is now forced to complete his transformation all by himself since Dumbledore blocked the secret passageways was the trigger for my interest."

"And what is your theory on how to achieve that?"

"I don't think there will ever be a cure for lycanthropy." Lily bit her bottom lip: "The wounds are infected with a curse that grows stronger the older it gets. From our records, we know that werewolves have existed for over two millennia already. Fighting ancient, abstract magic like that is pretty much pointless."

'Abstract magic is a curse and a blessing.'

"It's more about the symptoms then?" Marlene piqued.

"Yes- how did you- how did you know?" Lily frowned.

"You wound me, Lily. Have you forgotten that I did score an Outstanding as well in Potions? Besides, it's the only logical conclusion, isn't it?" Marlene shrugged: "If you can't treat the root of the problem, the least you can do is make the symptoms bearable."

"Yes." Lily nodded eagerly, pointing at a few of her notes: "I believe that aconite can be used to repress aggressiveness. I just haven't quite figured out how yet. The werewolf will likely still transform during the full moon, he just won't feel the desire to bite anyone."

"That would be a huge step in the right direction already!" Marlene encouraged her: "It doesn't sound right for you to just drop this project, no matter how slim the chances of success are."

The redhead sagged: "I told you, Marlene, I just don't find the time for it. It sounded like the best possible option to let someone else have a go."

"No, we can't have that." Marlene shook her head with determination. "How about this instead: I teach you and Remus how to master the Patronus charm and I will also get Harry to support you with the werewolf project. With the two of us helping you out, you should have time to occasionally delve even deeper into it and continue where you've left off."

Lily considered the matter, biting her bottom lip in concentration: "Are you sure you can make the necessary time for it? You and Harry always seem incredibly busy and half the time you're off doing-", she averted her gaze with a faint blush,"-well, whatever you're doing when you're sneaking off."

"We're not even doing that," Marlene snorted. A burst of laughter escaped her lips the next second when Lily stared at her challengingly: "Well, maybe that was a lie; okay, we're doing it a lot as well. But I swear there's more to it."

"Don't worry, I don't blame you." Lily grinned somewhat nervously: "Especially not anymore, now that James and I..."

'Oh...'

"Spill!" Marlene squeaked so loudly that they already had heads turning in their direction: "Tell me everything!"

"Be quiet!" Lily hushed; her blush now rivaling her hair in color. She started packing her books and materials, nervously glancing over her shoulder to check if Madam Pince had already spotted them: "We'll talk some other time about that. I first need to let Belby know that I'm keeping the project."

"You're making the right choice." Marlene bobbed her head, thrilled by the redhead's decision. She quickly packed her own bag and followed Lily out of the library back into the corridor.

"I seriously hope so." Lily chuckled weakly: "Just stick to your promise to teach me and Remus the Patronus charm, please. It's incredibly useful in times like these."

"Don't worry, I will," Marlene replied smugly, linking their arms with a playful bounce in her step: "But first the two of us are going to have a nice, long talk among witches..."

'Successful daughter and mother-in-law bonding time...'

March 10th, 1978

"Enter, Mr. Peverell."

'Career time it is.' Harry twisted the handle and stepped into the office of his Head of House. 'It can hardly be worse than last time.'

McGonagall sat behind her wide wooden desk. Graded essays from different years were arranged in neat stacks towards her left. A few rolls of parchment were still placed in front of her.

She placed down the quill and looked up from her work when he approached her. "Take a seat, Mr. Peverell." The Scottish woman gestured for a simple chair: "We shall begin shortly; I'm merely waiting for-"

A rather annoying, rhythmic knocking sounded from the door behind Harry. 'Oh no...'

"Come in, Albus!"

'Is this a joke?' Harry groaned internally when the Headmaster's silver beard peeked behind the door, blue eyes twinkling madly. "Good afternoon, Minerva, Mr. Peverell. I hope you've not been waiting long for me?"

"I'm pretty certain the notice on the blackboard mentioned this was a talk between the student and their respective Head of House, sir." Harry raised an eyebrow: "May I ask what you're doing here?"

"It is common practice at Hogwarts for the Headmaster to be present during the career talks of those NEWT students, who have excelled academically in their OWLs. Professor Dumbledore was present when Ms. Evans visited me earlier this morning, as I'm sure he joined Ms. McKinnon and Professor Flitwick." McGonagall flared her nostrils: "You should feel honored instead of questioning a practice as old as the school itself, Mr. Peverell."

'Well, I can't actually prove them wrong.' Harry reluctantly returned to his seat, feeling the Headmaster's gaze on his neck: 'Dumbledore wasn't present in the Castle during my OWL career advice and I never did have a proper NEWT year before...'

"Well then, Peverell, today, as I'm sure you've been told, is the second of two meetings any Hogwarts student takes part in. If you had arrived in Britain before the Yule of 1995, we would've already spoken to help you decide which subjects you should continue into your sixth and seventh years," McGonagall explained while Dumbledore walked around her office, seemingly taking an interest in some of the transfiguration work that was displayed on a shelf: "Today, we'll therefore share our knowledge to allow you a smooth transition from school into the professional world."

"Understood, Professor." Harry nodded. 'Let's see why Dumbledore is here then. At least he doesn't have a clipboard and chronic coughs.'

"Good. Have you had any thoughts about what you would like to do after you leave Hogwarts, Mr. Peverell?" She pulled out a file from a drawer underneath her desk, skimming through a few notes.

'Survive.'

"I've had a few ideas, Professor," Harry admitted. "But first I'd like to see a bit more of the world; perhaps travel to the mainland and learn about rare types of Magicks."

"It used to be a tradition for young wizards to leave behind the community they grew up in and travel to foreign places in an attempt to broaden their horizons." Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noticed the Headmaster had become very still. Then Dumbledore slowly placed down the book he had studied and turned around: "I myself would've undertaken such a trip with my oldest friend if it weren't for some unforeseen tragedies. Luckily, I did manage to follow through with my plan eventually, as did many wizards before and after me. We all returned to our mother shores, with dusty, ragged cloaks and empty pockets, yet rich in knowledge and experience."

'Tom Riddle also traveled the world.' Harry studied Dumbledore's expression, trying to find traces of concern: 'And he learned more than anyone else on his travels. It was what made him so powerful.'

"Admittedly, such an experience will be a treasure no one can ever take away from you, Peverell," McGonagall spoke up again: "However, you should also think about what profession to take up after you've returned. Living in the Wizarding World is not cheap after all..."

'Gold is hardly the issue.' Harry inclined his head as if to acknowledge and contemplate the matter: 'My wealth steadily increases with every opening of business I know will perform well.'

"Perhaps you've given thought about returning to the Unspeakables." Dumbledore took a seat next to his colleague and smiled over his half-moon glasses: "They are a rather secretive bunch but the few people I do stand in contact with hinted that you've left quite the impression with many of them during your internship, even if it came to an unfortunate end."

'Unfortunate indeed.'

'For Croaker anyway.'

"Working with them was very interesting, if somewhat restricting," Harry said: "The Unspeakables are still subject to the Ministry's endless bureaucracy and legislations. I'd probably feel more liberated doing something on my own."

"Well, let's be frank for a moment, Mr. Peverell. Any employer in all of Magical Britain would be glad to have you." McGonagall skimmed over a table with grades: "Despite the slight drop in quality in some of the essays you handed in this year, your practical work in all your classes has been superb. Every door is open to you, you'd simply have to pick one."

"What would be some of my options?" Harry asked.

"There are many different Departments within the Ministry that have already reached out to me as your Head of House and made inquiries on you, most notably the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," McGonagall shared with a small touch of pride: "With the classes you're currently taking and the grades you achieved in your OWLs, you could apply to become an Auror, a Hitwizard, a Healer, a Cursebreaker, or pretty much any other well-paying job in our society."

He tried to picture himself in long white healer robes, grinning at the absurdity: 'The only set of robes I see in my path are of midnight black. And the person they belong to has eyes burning like coals.'

"However, since you do not seem to be a fan of bureaucracy, you might also be delighted to hear that several scouts from professional Quidditch teams playing in the major European league are eager to contact you," Dumbledore chimed in, still being the good-natured, grandfatherly figure so far: "The school was unable to invite outside spectators to the matches this season, however, your performance on the pitch during the last two years must have persuaded them."

"Quidditch is very fun, but I hold a love for flying, not for the sport particularly," Harry expressed.

"There's another option, one I have recently discussed with a few of my colleagues." McGonagall shot him a rare smile: "It's been many years since the Castle has offered a student to stay as an apprentice, but I think you'd make an excellent candidate, Mr. Peverell."

"Really?"Harry raised an eyebrow and glanced over to the Headmaster. 'He doesn't seem to agree.'

"Minerva-" Dumbledore frowned at his deputy: "I'm afraid I have not been briefed on this part yet. Perhaps we should-"

"Matters of staff are within my line of work. I have prepared this offer rather spontaneously, Albus." The witch's lips thinned considerably: "I will answer your question after our session with Peverell."

"Oh, I'd love to hear more about it." Harry nodded curiously and bit back a grin at seeing the Headmaster's pale expression: 'This must be a nightmare for him. It's Tom Riddle all over again.'

"You would apprentice under me for a Mastery in Transfiguration, Peverell," McGonagall explained: "The staff was split between offering either you or Mr. Potter the spot since both of you possess an incredibly rare talent for the branch."

"Why was I picked then?" Harry glanced over to Dumbledore: 'I bet he'd much rather see James here.'

"Because simultaneously to your apprenticeship, you're the candidate more suited to teach a second class from time to time."

"A second class, you say?" Harry chuckled. "I assume that will be Defense then?"

"Minerva, I think we should-"

"-you assume correctly, Peverell," the witch interrupted her colleague again, scowling at him before she turned: "We can't seem to keep a professor in the subject for longer than a year. The students need stability and you're more than qualified to assist teaching the lower years, perhaps even up to OWL level."

"I cannot allow this and have no choice but to overrule your offer, Minerva," Dumbledore spoke with a finality; gone was the twinkle in his eye: "Mr. Peverell will not be staying at Hogwarts after his NEWTs."

"Albus, I don't know what has gotten into you, but this is extremely unprofessional," McGonagall snapped.

"Perhaps we shall allow the Headmaster to voice his concerns," Harry suggested: "Just to better understand the position he's coming from..."

"Very well, speak your mind, Albus!" His Head of House glared at her colleague expectantly: "Otherwise you'll just interrupt me and we'll all sit here until midnight."

Dumbledore took a deep breath and sighed: "I don't doubt that Mr. Peverell has the technical qualification to excel in such a role. However, there's much more I expect from an educator, especially one who instructs small children regularly."

"So what qualities am I lacking?" Harry failed to hold in his chuckle.

"We could start with your inability to keep your temper in check, my boy." Dumbledore said calmly: "Add to that your tendency to escalate any situation and your obvious prowess to violence."

"These are ridiculous and baseless claims!" McGonagall shook her head.

"Are they really?" Dumbledore's penetrating gaze shifted to his colleague: "May I remind you, my dear, that on his very first night at the Castle, Peverell did not hesitate to engage in a violent conflict with upper-year Slytherins. Only a few months later, we find the very same students frozen half to death and with various injuries in Hogsmeade."

"Which has never been linked to Peverell!" McGonagall retorted heatedly: "In fact, given that two of them have recently sneaked out of the school to participate in Death Eater raids, speaks volumes what their intentions might have been in Hogsmeade back then!"

"Be that as it may, again and again, Peverell is discovered in situations with his wand drawn threateningly instead of trying to solve a conflict without resorting to violence," Dumbledore said: "Violence has no place in a school."

'These are violent times we live in.' Harry patiently listened to the older wizard's reasoning, hands folded and a small smile on his lips. 'But violence is a universal language.'

"But that is not all." Dumbledore regarded Harry with sad blue eyes full of disappointment: "As you're very well aware, Minerva, the latest encounter took place after the last Opening Feast, when Peverell defended his girlfriend's brutal attack on another student. Keep in mind that these are merely the occasions we've been made aware of. And I have no doubt that there's much more to it."

McGonagall's lips had been reduced to a single flat line. She was about to reply when Harry spoke up: "I think we can avoid any further heated exchange of words." He turned to his Head of House with a small apologetic smile: "I really appreciate the opportunity and the offer you have worked out, ma'am, however, I can lessen the Headmaster's great worries and put his mind at ease. I just don't see myself in academics, at least not for the foreseeable future."

"Mr. Peverell..." The Transfiguration professor attempted once more.

"I'm sorry, Professor. But in times like these, my future seems more uncertain with each passing day. Thank you for the informative talk. I will keep my option open for a bit longer and stick to the original idea of traveling the world, just as the Headmaster and many other great wizards did."

Harry stood from his chair and swung his bag over his shoulder. He cast a last glance at Dumbledore: "There's still so much ancient sorcery to master, knowledge to gain, magical secrets to unravel. I'd be a fool to pass on such an opportunity."