From that moment onwards, Harry's life underwent a radical transformation. For the first time, he had someone other than Remus whose primary concern was his well-being, and who also possessed the legal authority to ensure it. Initially, he hadn't fully grasped the extent of her power, but Ginna had explained that, due to various historical abuses of power by the parents of different apprentices, the Council of Seers had enacted protective laws for students, which were recognised by magical governments worldwide.
These laws were remarkably straightforward: once an apprentice's gift was discovered, they immediately fell under the protection and authority of their designated mentor. The mentor's power over the apprentice superseded that of their parents, and they could even revoke custody of the child if they deemed it against the child's best interests to remain with their parents.
Although these laws had historically been applied quite stringently, in recent years, mentors typically refrained from interfering directly between parents and children, preferring to act solely as advisors. While still legally binding, thanks to a heightened societal awareness, they were rarely invoked. Ginna, however, had needed only five minutes with Harry's parents to decide to exercise these powers to a significant degree. The Potters now had no legal right to make any decisions regarding their eldest son without the psychic's express consent, much to their chagrin. This was why they could utter no protest when Ginna departed the Headmaster's office, taking the pre-teen with her, despite observing Professor Sprout's expression of profound satisfaction with palpable anger.
Ginna guided the boy through the various halls of Hogwarts, oblivious to the surprised glances they received from both portraits and students, until they reached what appeared to be an empty, yet strangely comfortable, room.
"Well, now that we're finally alone, we can discuss our next steps comfortably," the woman said, settling into what seemed to be a plush armchair. "You'll need to work diligently, because from what I observed during our encounter on the astral plane, you possess a powerful gift."
"Madam Piori, I cannot do what you have suggested," Harry began, his brow furrowed. "If I know Voldemort is going to kill someone, I can't simply stand idly by."
"And no one is asking you to do nothing, Harry; in fact, that would go against our very own moral code."
"Then what?"
"We simply aren't going to work for anyone. If, during a vision, we foresee someone being killed and how, we will warn that person, not Dumbledore, not the Ministry. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now, let's move on to another matter. We need to organise a schedule so that I can teach you how to utilise your abilities. You must tell me everything you do so we can arrange it, alright?"
Harry, at first, was not enthused by the prospect of having to disclose his every activity; not even Remus or his friends knew the full extent of his undertakings. He had been concealing his actions, as well as his additional abilities, for so long that it was incredibly difficult to trust anyone now, especially an adult. It was only the understanding that it would be necessary to learn to control this new power that compelled him to entrust his many activities to his new mentor.
Ginna understood how challenging it was for the boy to trust her. She doubted Harry had ever trusted anyone enough to voice his deepest doubts and concerns. However, she initially struggled to comprehend why he found it so difficult to simply list his activities. That incomprehension swiftly dissipated as the boy began to recount his packed schedule, leaving her genuinely impressed. Not only had he advanced several years ahead of his OWLs in a matter of weeks, but he was also a key member of his House Quidditch team, engaged in several independent studies, and, astonishingly, had single-handedly established a rather profitable business brewing potions for European apothecaries! What she couldn't fathom was how he found time to eat and sleep.
"Well, it's quite clear that it's impossible for us to begin lessons right now," the woman said with a sigh. "You have far too many activities, and the fact that your OWLs are upon you certainly doesn't help. It will be best to wait until you have passed your examinations, and then we shall arrange a suitable schedule."
"Alright," the boy conceded. "Can I… can I tell my friends what I am?"
That simple question quite surprised Ginna. Seeing how his parents had reacted to the news of his gift, how quickly they had sought to transform their son into an instrument for their own designs, and their clear favouritism towards his other son, she would have assumed it impossible for Harry to trust anyone. Evidently, that wasn't the case, which meant that despite his parents' behaviour, there had been someone who genuinely cared for him. She would have to discover who it was and express her gratitude.
"Yes, Harry, you may tell your friends. In fact, given how indiscreet they are in this country, I'd say it won't be long before it's splashed across the Daily Prophet. Merlin knows more important things have been published despite cautions to the contrary," Ginna said with a smile. "Don't worry about keeping the secret; now that you have a mentor, it's no longer necessary."
"Thank you!"
"You needn't thank me; I'm merely doing what I ought. Now, what do you say we go for a bite to eat? Then we'll ask your Headmaster to show me my quarters."
"Alright."
The journey to the Great Hall was considerably more pleasant than the one they had made when leaving the Headmaster's office, likely because on this occasion, the boy knew what to expect regarding his new mentor and his lessons, which helped to allay his fears about them and his family.
Although his intention was to tell his friends himself, he found he didn't have the chance. As soon as he stepped into the Great Hall, Brian accosted him, practically spitting fire. His brother, who despite the punishments he still had to serve, had returned from the Christmas holidays as full of himself as he had been at the start of the term, was clearly furious. Harry, however, couldn't fathom why, as he had nothing to do with whatever might have upset him.
"You'll be happy, won't you?" Brian snarled. "You're finally getting what you wanted!"
"I don't understand you, Brian."
"Don't play innocent! You've always envied me! You've wanted nothing more than to be better than me! Tell me, how did you manage to convince her to pass you off as her apprentice, eh? Because you don't actually expect me to believe you're a Seer?" the youngest of the Potter brothers shouted, causing a sudden, profound silence to fall across the entire hall. The silence was abruptly broken by a laugh from beside Harry.
"Please!" Ginna interjected, by way of explanation. "Don't pay him any mind, Harry. As the Spanish saying goes: 'The thief believes that they are all of the same condition.' He is angry, and consumed by envy towards you. All his life he has been told he is better than others, superior to them, but now he sees that there are many people far better than him, starting with and led by his own brother. Now, boy, behave like someone your age and sit down to eat."
In that moment, had it not been for the sheer strangeness of the situation, more than one student would surely have applauded the woman who had so effectively put Brian in his place, and who was apparently some kind of Seer. Brian, meanwhile, stared at her with a mixture of disbelief and fury. But knowing that complaining or making a fuss would only prove her right, he summoned all the dignity he could muster and returned to his table, though not before casting a hateful glare at his elder brother.
"Harry, is what she said true?" Athenea asked as soon as she sat down at their table.
"Yes, it is."
"Then your dreams… Your dreams were…"
"Yes."
"And how did she know?" Jonathan enquired. "I mean, apart from us, you didn't tell anyone else that some of your dreams were coming true."
"She found me during one of my dreams. She gave me a bit of a telling-off, and then told me she would come to teach me."
"So, that means you'll still have more classes, right?" Cedric Diggory asked suddenly.
"Yes."
"Even more? When are you going to sleep? Between your normal classes, the OWLs, the team, and now this… It's impossible for you to manage it all at once. Oi, Morris!"
"What?…"
In the end, the Quidditch team convened to discuss Harry's situation. As Cedric had rightly pointed out, it was impossible for him to carry out all the activities he had pending; Harry simply had too many commitments. So, after much deliberation, they concluded that it would be best for the boy to cease practicing with them for the remainder of the time before the OWLs, as well as for the entire duration of the examinations. Thanks to that, Harry gained extra time not only to prepare for his exams but also to catch up on his potions orders.
In this manner, his days passed, and almost without realising it, the time arrived for him to begin his OWLs. There was only a week left before the Easter holidays, and it was during this period that the examiners were due to arrive. Although his exams wouldn't commence immediately, he was summoned to his Head of House's office, a somewhat solemn tradition in such cases, where he would be introduced to those who would objectively judge his progress.
He was sitting at the desk, nervously nibbling on a biscuit, when he heard the examiners approaching, led by what appeared to be Professor McGonagall. Apparently, and from what a woman was saying, the Headmaster had disregarded tradition by having the Deputy Headmistress guide them instead of himself.
"No, Madam, nothing regulates this situation!" the woman's voice boomed. "Never has Dumbledore shown such contempt for tradition… Of course, he enjoys innovation, but this… No, Madam, no."
"I truly regret it; I myself don't understand it," Professor McGonagall said.
"Then I'll have to have a word with him. He cannot simply do something like that. But duty, and in this case tradition, comes first. Let us meet this young man who has shown enough ability to take his OWLs in advance…"
By this time, they were already in front of Professor Sprout's office, who herself had been nervously pacing the room, and who, hearing the voices, had stopped abruptly, staring at the door in terror. She took a deep sigh and adopted a friendly and welcoming smile. For a few seconds, Harry wondered if the woman was some kind of ogre that both Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout would show so much respect while simultaneously being so afraid of her.
The door opened, and the boy held his breath as he decided whether or not to stand. Finally, he chose to emulate the respectful attitude of his professors and rose from his chair. He didn't know what he had expected, but an ancient witch, looking almost two hundred years old, certainly wasn't it.
"Good morning, Pomona," the woman said upon seeing her. "It's always a pleasure to see you."
"The same, the very same," his Head of House replied nervously.
"Well, let us see this student… he must be exceptionally good for you to request him to take his OWLs early."
"He is," McGonagall replied.
Finally, the woman turned to Harry and stared at him with an expression of disbelief. She observed him for several minutes before turning to both teachers with an angry expression.
"Is this a joke?" she asked coldly.
"What? No!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, astonished. "Harry is a brilliant student and has proven himself capable of taking his OWLs… What's more, we believe it is counterproductive for him to wait."
"How old are you?" the woman asked sharply, addressing Harry directly.
"Twelve, Madam," he replied timidly.
"Are you telling me that a second-year student is ready to sit his OWLs? Forgive me for being sceptical."
"I assure you that he is qualified for them," Professor Sprout interjected, momentarily forgetting her fear, seeing her student being underestimated. "Although he is only a second-year by age, he has already completed the equivalent of five years of study, consistently demonstrating great ability and maintaining exemplary grades and conduct. He couldn't be more prepared."
"Very well… you win. But if, due to your insistence, the boy takes his examinations unprepared, then he will not have another chance," the woman finally stated.
At this, both professors sighed with relief. They knew perfectly well that the boy was more than prepared for the examinations. Now that the examiner had finally agreed to test him, everything would proceed much more swiftly and, above all, would yield magnificent results.
His examinations commenced the following day. Both Professor Sprout and Professor McGonagall had explained to him that he would have one subject per day, with his theoretical examinations in the morning with the formidable woman, and the practical examination also with her in the afternoon. Contrary to what many might have thought, Harry was remarkably calm. On one hand, he knew that becoming nervous would achieve nothing, and on the other, Ginna had told him that as long as he remained calm, everything would be fine, advice he had also received from Remus.
The first examination he faced was Charms. He separated from his friends to go to a room off the Great Hall, which would serve as his examination chamber. He thanked the many well-wishers and, after a quick wave goodbye to his friends, entered the room. He didn't know what the usual décor of the room might be, but at that moment, there was only a single desk, an inkwell, and a quill.
"Sit down, Mr. Potter, let us begin," the examiner said as she gestured for him to take a seat.
The moment he was settled in his chair, the woman presented him with a scroll of parchment filled with questions, instructing him to begin. Harry scanned the questions briefly, sighed, and began to write down the incantation for the Levitation Charm and its corresponding wand movement.
Two hours later, the examiner informed him that time was up and he had to hand in his examination. The boy meticulously added a final punctuation mark, blew gently for the ink to dry, rolled up the parchment, and presented it for marking.
During the meal, many approached him, asking how the first examination had gone, if it had been very difficult, or if he had suffered a mental block. Even Professor Flitwick approached him to enquire about his performance, asking if he thought he had done well, or if, on the contrary, he had found it too complicated. Poor Harry had almost no time to answer, and what was most amusing was that everyone else seemed more nervous than he was. It was also during this time that he received a great surprise, for when he glanced at the High Table, he discovered his Uncle Remus, who was engaged in a quiet chat with Professor McGonagall.
"Uncle Remus!" Harry exclaimed, amazed, before rushing over to greet him. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Harry, how are you?"
"Not bad… But truly, what are you doing here?"
"I've come to see you, to see how the OWLs were progressing… Which examination did you take?"
"Theoretical Charms."
"Ahhh… Then you have the practical this afternoon."
"Yes."
"Good luck."
"Thank you."
That afternoon, he had to take his practical examination again in the same room, where there was now a table laden with various objects. Harry could see that, just like the morning's theoretical examination, it progressed from easier to harder, so he began with a simple Levitation Charm and proceeded from there.
The following day, Wednesday, he had both Transfiguration examinations, which, from his point of view, had gone quite well. In fact, all of his examinations were progressing rather smoothly. The most amusing thing was to observe the nervousness of the people around him, and mysteriously, he didn't know if it was because Brian still held a little consideration for him, or if someone had given him a stern lecture, but Brian even left him alone and looked nervously towards the area where Harry was taking his examinations.
By the end of the week, Harry had completed his OWLs. Despite it being Saturday and Sunday, he had also taken examinations on those last two days, much to Hermione's indignation, who insisted he wouldn't be able to revise if he didn't have the weekend off. As he bid farewell to his examiner, Harry couldn't resist asking a small question that had been on his mind.
"Excuse me, Madam, I know that normally the results are delivered in July, but when will I receive mine?"
"In a few days, Mr. Potter," she replied. "Since it was only you who was examined, and I alone conducted it, it will take much less time."
"Thanks a lot."