Harry had never expected to receive Dumbledore's personal instruction.
Although Dumbledore had always guided him, he had never interfered much when it came to spells or technique.
In fact, Harry had probably learned more magic from Snape than he had from Dumbledore.
He was excited.
Dumbledore's recognition made him prouder than getting twelve Outstanding grades in his O.W.L.s.
He looked once more at the note in his hand.
"Meet me outside Hagrid's hut at 8:30 p.m."
Harry found it strange. Why did they need to meet outside Hagrid's hut?
But out of trust in Dumbledore, he set off before half past eight, bringing his Invisibility Cloak with him.
As he prepared to leave the castle, he put on the cloak.
Now that Harry was in his seventh year, he had grown much taller. The Invisibility Cloak had once been able to cover him and his friends, but now there was barely enough room for him alone.
As he walked, he felt a little nervous.
When he reached Hagrid's hut, he heard voices coming from inside.
"Have some more tea, Dumbledore."
"No thank you, Hagrid. That's a very fine suit of armour."
The door opened, and Dumbledore stood in the doorway.
"I should be going now."
"Alright, Dumbledore. We haven't seen much of each other lately."
Hagrid escorted Dumbledore outside. Inside the hut, golden flames burned in the fireplace, heating the kettle until it glowed red.
Hagrid hurried over and used the tongs to lower the flames.
After closing the door, Dumbledore spoke to the empty air.
"We're going somewhere else, Harry."
Harry removed the Invisibility Cloak and asked curiously, "Where are we going?"
"The Forbidden Forest," Dumbledore said, pointing in its direction. "There's a rather good place there where you can learn a few things."
With that, Dumbledore began walking forward.
Harry hurried after him and asked in confusion, "But why aren't we going to the castle? Like before, finding a classroom?"
"No, Harry. Classrooms are too confined." Dumbledore did not slow his pace. "We need to hurry. That way, you'll have more time."
More time?
Was time really so urgent?
Harry did not understand what Dumbledore meant.
Following Dumbledore's footsteps, they entered the Forbidden Forest.
The forest at night was pitch black, and Harry lit his wand.
Dumbledore spoke casually as they walked.
"I imagine you've been reading the newspapers in your spare time."
"Yes, sir."
"A great many important things have happened recently." There was a trace of emotion in Dumbledore's voice as he spoke.
Harry nodded. "It's Grindelwald. He died."
It was hard to believe how much had happened in 1997.
Voldemort had died at Hogwarts, and Grindelwald had died in Poland.
Hearing that familiar name, Dumbledore sighed softly.
"Yes, he died." Then he changed the subject. "Do you believe he is truly dead?"
The question caught Harry off guard. He had never paid much attention to Grindelwald.
Unlike the rest of Europe, Britain had been affected the least by Grindelwald.
But if Dumbledore was asking, there had to be a reason.
After thinking for a moment, Harry said hesitantly, "All the newspapers say so..."
"Sometimes, what is written in newspapers is not the truth."
Dumbledore shook his head.
"The Grindelwald I knew was not a man who would die during an arrest."
"You mean... Grindelwald is still alive?" Harry's eyes widened.
Dumbledore did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at the glowing lights ahead.
"We've arrived."
Passing through the narrow forest path, they emerged into an open clearing.
"Where is this?" Harry looked at the floating lights around them. The place was dreamlike, as though it existed apart from the rest of the world.
"I discovered this place when I was still a student at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said as he walked forward. "I call it the Firefly Meadow."
As they stepped across the grass, tiny points of light rose into the air.
Harry was stunned by the sight.
"I've never seen anything like this."
"There is much knowledge that can only be found beyond books, Harry."
Dumbledore led Harry to an oval-shaped rock and sat down.
"Everything we do is a constant exploration of the unknown. A wizard's magic comes from here."
He pointed at Harry's chest and said kindly, "The stronger the heart, the stronger the magic. That is what love is."
"We'll spend this term here. I can't teach you too many powerful spells," Dumbledore said. "Every spell changes according to the strength of its user. Harry, what you must learn is how to master your own power."
"Can I tell Ron and Hermione about this?" Harry asked. He did not want to keep secrets from his friends.
Dumbledore smiled kindly.
"You may tell them."
Harry still had one more question.
"Dumbledore, why me?"
This was the second time Harry had asked that question. The last time, Dumbledore had told him it was because he possessed love.
This time, the answer was the same.
"Harry, you possess something different." Dumbledore looked deeply into Harry's eyes. "You have love."
"But I'm not the Chosen One," Harry said. "John killed Voldemort."
"It is precisely because he possesses so much that he does not need others to help him. You are different, Harry," Dumbledore replied.
"Because I'm weak?"
Though it was disheartening, Harry knew it was true.
He lowered his head.
Dumbledore did not deny it. Instead, he said, "You need a goal. John would be a good one."
"Don't say that. I'll never catch up to him in my lifetime."
Harry had been beaten down to the point where he no longer had any competitive spirit. He knew his own talent.
"That is why I came to you," Dumbledore said earnestly. "John will continue to grow stronger, but he may also make mistakes."
"When that happens, someone must be there to correct them."
He openly told Harry the reason he had chosen him.
As Dumbledore's successor, Harry would have to shoulder the responsibilities that belonged to Dumbledore.
To preserve peace in the magical world.
"And it won't just be me. Others will train you as well, Harry."
"Others? Who else?"
Harry was puzzled about who else could possibly train him.
Dumbledore smiled mysteriously.
"You'll find out."
Their first lesson today would begin with Transfiguration.
However, Dumbledore did not teach Harry spells. Instead, he taught him the principles and experience behind Transfiguration.
In truth, Harry's achievements in Transfiguration were not particularly remarkable. One could even say that Hermione was more talented than he was.
What set Harry apart was his almost instinctive aptitude for learning Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Even under the instruction of a series of bizarre Defence Against the Dark Arts professors, Harry had still managed to achieve excellent results in the subject.
Transfiguration was an indispensable skill.
It was difficult to judge whether a wizard was truly exceptional, but if they possessed outstanding Transfiguration skills, it meant they already had one foot in the ranks of great wizards.
Before becoming Headmaster, Dumbledore had taught both Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.
As a result, these two subjects came to him as naturally as breathing.
"I have a question," Harry said before the lesson ended. "Why can John turn into a dragon?"
"That is an extremely rare occurrence," Dumbledore replied. "Among Animagi, most people transform into ordinary animals, much like Patronuses."
Dumbledore waved his wand, scattering silver light that formed a silver phoenix before Harry.
"Most people's Patronuses are non-magical animals, though a small number may take other forms."
The silver phoenix soared into the air. Its song caused the glowing lights around them to rise and circle behind it.
Harry stared in amazement.
It was the first time he had ever seen Dumbledore's Patronus.
Unlike his own, it was a magnificent phoenix, possessing a power that inspired awe.
The silver phoenix flew back to Dumbledore and vanished.
"I believe our lesson should end here today," Dumbledore said.
Harry still wanted more, but after checking the time, he knew that if he did not return now, he would have to endure Snape's death stare in Potions class the next day.
He parted ways with Dumbledore at the castle.
"Do you really think he can do it?" Snape appeared after Harry had left.
Dumbledore shook his head.
"John has created new magic. He is becoming increasingly difficult to understand."
He had heard from Hagrid about John's Star Spirit Guardians.
"I hope you will take over Harry's Occlumency lessons, Severus," Dumbledore said, looking at Snape.
"I'll consider it."
Snape turned and walked away.
____
o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and Read 12 Chapters ahead: Patreon/Dragonel