Days after the party, Harry recalled Lucius Malfoy's words. As Sirius spoke with Azrael's parents, Lucius interrupted grandly, ignoring them. They fled in sync.
"My son is exceptional, top of Slytherin—above Mr. Potter," Lucius boasted, dismissing Azrael's family. "Draco will lead Slytherin, but Potter must guide pure-blood ideals. Study with Draco, perhaps?"
Harry earned Outstanding (O) in Potions under Snape's grueling training, Defense Against the Dark Arts with Quirrell and Umbridge's worksheets, Charms with Sirius's help, Astronomy via Farkas, and History of Magic with Zabini and Azrael. Flying was effortless. But Herbology and Transfiguration fetched only Exceeds Expectations (E), and his Astronomy and History O's were barely secured. Hermione and Ravenclaw prodigies, plus Draco, outshone him.
To craft the Philosopher's Stone, Harry needed Alchemy, requiring all O's in fifth-year subjects. Surpassing Dumbledore and defeating Voldemort seemed impossible now.
Sirius politely declined Lucius. "Rivalry fuels growth. I'll guide Harry to compete fiercely with Draco, in studies and Quidditch."
"With respect, a specialist tutor would benefit him more," Lucius sneered, probing into Harry and Sirius's affairs.
Why's he meddling? Harry thought, disliking Lucius's pushiness, reminiscent of Draco. Like father, like son—both imposed their will. Harry rejected the offer.
"Thanks, but I want Sirius to teach me," Harry said firmly.
"Harry's made his choice. I respect his will," Sirius added.
Lucius muttered disappointment, but Harry saw none. He criticized Harry's stubbornness, urging him to embrace pure-blood values. "You're Slytherin, Harry. Honor magical lineage, not foolish Muggle blood. Your father, a Potions prodigy from the Potter line, is your model. Act worthy, and Slytherin will make you great."
"Thanks, Draco's dad," Harry replied, noting Lucius ignored his mother's Muggle-born heritage. Sirius called it "position talk"—Lucius needed to feel superior.
"Don't become a rude man like him," Sirius warned.
Harry agreed but reflected on Draco's words. Maybe Lucius acts this way to protect Draco and Narcissa. Despite hearing Lucius was a criminal who fought his parents, Harry felt less disgust than toward the Dursleys. He's my friend's dad.
Convinced Dobby acted alone, Harry nodded to Sirius and dove into first-year review to surpass Draco.
Sirius was an exceptional teacher, not letting Harry cast spells but practicing wand movements with a stick. "Bombarda can turn into blue fireworks if you twirl like Wingardium Leviosa," Sirius demonstrated, his teaching clearer than Quirrell's, as thorough as Flitwick's.
Harry absorbed it eagerly. Sirius spent holidays taking him to herb-rich mountains, teaching beyond the classroom. "Wish you taught Defense," Harry said. "Seniors say the teachers are always weird. You'd ensure no one fails."
"I applied to teach Defense, but Dumbledore said I'm unfit," Sirius revealed.
Harry was secretly relieved. Sirius, who gifted him a Nimbus 2001 post-party, might favor him as a teacher. Harry mocked Dumbledore's judgment. "He's got no eye for talent. You're better than Umbridge or Quirrell."
In fairness, teaching one-on-one differed from managing all years, but Harry, a child, couldn't see that. He resented Dumbledore for leaving him with the Dursleys, despite gratitude for leniency and Slytherin's House Cup.
"Don't say that," Sirius chided. "Dumbledore's judgment is sound. I was a troublemaker—probably a bad influence."
Harry nodded, respecting Sirius like a parent.
During summer, Harry struggled with Quidditch practice near Sirius's home, where wizards like Jurgen Smirnoff lived. He met Smirnoff's Ravenclaw son Andrey, Hufflepuff Chaser Cedric Diggory, quirky blonde Luna Lovegood, and the Weasleys. Practicing with them, Harry couldn't beat Cedric, whose skill outmatched his non-Nimbus broom. Harry studied Cedric's techniques intently.
One holiday, Sirius and Harry visited Smirnoff's home, welcomed by Christina, a platinum-blonde woman, and her daughter Anneliese, slightly older than Harry. They enjoyed warm hospitality. Harry liked Smirnoff for rescuing him and grew fond of Christina and Anneliese.
He noticed Christina never used magic. "Curious I don't use magic?" she smiled. "I'm a Muggle. I cooked for Jurgen's wizard friends—hope it suited you."
"Best meal ever, Chris," Sirius said.
"Delicious… the cold salad soup was great," Harry added.
"That's sorrel stew. Want the recipe?" Anneliese offered, teaching Harry. He thanked them but was inwardly confused. How can Muggles be this kind? They're supposed to hate wizards.
The Dursleys and Christina seemed worlds apart, leaving Harry's mind swirling.
Later, Smirnoff confronted Sirius en route to work. "Was that harsh on Harry?"
"He needed to face reality before Slytherin's bubble," Sirius replied.
Slytherin valued wizard marriages, with extreme pure-blood beliefs demanding only noble wizard lineage. This led to Muggle and Muggle-born exclusion, now outdated as most wizards, like Smirnoff, married Muggles.
"Harry's mentally stabler thanks to you. His Muggle hatred lessened. I thought he knew Christina was a Muggle," Smirnoff said, having invited Harry for observation, unaware Sirius hadn't told him.
"If left alone, he'd avoid Muggles forever. I had to show him good ones exist," Sirius insisted.
Smirnoff sighed. "Calling my wife good is flattering, but rushing a child's education can harm them. Forcing your views ignores his will."
Smirnoff, an expert and parent, urged Sirius against imposing beliefs. Sirius's resolute expression left Smirnoff unsure if he listened.
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