Harry Potter: The Artisan's Path Chapter 34

Hi all,

Here’s the next chapter. I should have released this last night, but I was on a roll with the second chapter and didn’t want to stop in order to edit this one. The second Artisan chapter will be out tomorrow.

Chapter 34

Headmaster Flitwick observed with rapt attention as Harry showcased his Velocier skill. Wanting to show off a little, Harry pushed the skill to level three, although he could not maintain it for too long. He had to be cautious not to exhaust his magical reserves as the skill was taxing.

After finishing the task, Harry awaited the Headmaster's verdict. At some point, his grandmother joined them to watch her grandson.

"It definitely is the Velocier skill," Flitwick said, though he didn't appear too enthusiastic by the fact.

“What’s the matter?” Charlus asked.

“I can’t fathom how he possesses the skill,” Flitwick admitted. “Harry's situation is unprecedented.”

“Could it be because I am an Animagus?” Harry asked. He began massaging his limbs to ease the ache after the punishment they received.

“It’s possible,” Flitwick replied with a furrowed brow.

“Well, we haven’t seen a magical Animagus before,” Minerva reasoned. "We find ourselves in uncharted territory."

Flitwick nodded in acknowledgement of her point before turning to address Harry. “How much magic are you pushing into your body? It appears that your body is incapable of managing the amount of magic you are currently using.

“Is that true, Harry?” Charlus asked.

“My body is a little sore after I push it to my current limit,” Harry admitted. "I want to hold off on advancing until I completely master this level."

"Level? Do you have a method to measure the skill in its entirety?” Flitwick inquired. “Can you access the full range of the skill without limitations?”

“I have divided the skill into nine levels. I can only push it to level three at this point, but I am still having trouble controlling it.”

“That’s not good,” Flitwick groaned.

“Is it dangerous?” Minerva asked with concern.

“Most definitely,” Flitwick replied. “It appears that his version of Velocier's works is different from mine. If he has the ability to push the skill beyond what his body can handle, then he could potentially cause himself serious harm."

Harry looked away from his grandparents' stern expressions. They didn't need to give him that look, as he was well aware of the dangers involved.

“Mr Potter,” Flitwick said, his face serious. “You cannot, in any circumstance, push the skill beyond your current limit. It would be wise to stick to level two until your body becomes accustomed to the exertion."

“I understand.”

“What can we do to help his body cope with the strain?” Minerva asked.

“His body needs physical conditioning,” Flitwick said. “He can join a muggle gym, where he can start strengthening his body. Also, look at enrolling him in a gymnastics or ballerina class to improve his flexibility. Though he will experience the most improvement over time as his body matures. I don't anticipate him being able to fully utilise this skill for at least a few years."

"What? A ballerina? No way!" Harry protested.

“We will follow your suggestion,” Charlus said, ignoring his grandson’s glare. “Is there anything else we should know?”

“You have started to teach him how to duel?” Flitwick asked and continued when Charlus nodded. “He needs to learn a different movement technique to take advantage of the Velocier skill.”

"What if you teach him your technique?" Minerva suggested..

“I don’t mind teaching him,” Flitwick said. “But it is not my technique to share. I need permission from my master first.”

“Is he a goblin?” Charlus said.

“Master Footshredder,” Flitwick confirmed.

“His name is not reassuring,” Harry said with a shudder. “Where does a name like that come from?”

"When a goblin achieves a certain level of expertise in their field or accomplishes something noteworthy, they are granted a title that replaces their last name." Flitwick smiled. “But the goblins usually keep their titles amongst themselves. Footshredder is a prestigious title bestowed upon those who demonstrate exceptional speed and skill in using Velocier. The user moves with such astonishing speed that it appears as if their foot is being torn to shreds. While this may be slightly exaggerated, it is still impressive."

"Well, if there's anything the Potter family can do to persuade him to share his knowledge, please inform me," Charlus stated.

"Is there truly a hidden secret to it?" Harry asked sceptically. "I believe that, through sufficient experimentation, I can develop my own movement technique."

“Oh, the ignorance of youth,” Flitwick chuckled. "There is more to my master's movement technique than just flooding your entire body with magic blindly. His method enables users to manipulate their magic in order to strengthen specific body parts, which increases the range of options in battle significantly.”

"Yes, I can see how that would be helpful," Harry remarked. "Would your master even want to teach a human?"

“I don’t think he’ll need much convincing,” Fliwick replied with an enigmatic expression. “It's time for me to return to Hogwarts. I'll get back to you as soon as possible with my master's response."

“Have you sorted out the Enchanted Wall yet?” Harry asked.

"That's not your concern," Charlus reprimanded him.

"It's all right," Flitwick said. “Your grandson provided Master Karlsson with an idea to address the problem. Mr Potter, the Enchanted Wall has been successfully contained for the time being. It has returned to its original size and is no longer expanding. Unfortunately, it continues to affect the Hogwarts Wards, making it challenging for me to make alterations to them.”

"That is a relief," Harry replied. “Maybe the rest of the school year will be uneventful.”

“Don't tempt fate with those words,” Minerva sighed.

Minerva escorted Flitwick back to the house while Charlus and Harry went back to training. Harry checked his magic reserves and they were at half capacity. More than enough to continue training. The key was to avoid depleting his reserves completely, as this would lead to magical exhaustion. A wizard needed to maintain a minimum level of magic in order to support their body.

"How do I increase my magic?" Harry asked.

"Why are you interested in knowing? You already possess a decent amount of magical reserves considering your age."

"Well, if I want to use Velocier in battle, I will need more magic," Harry replied in a reasonable manner.

Charlus grunted, conceding the point. He conjured a pair of comfortable chairs and motioned for Harry to sit down. When they were seated, he began a lecture on magical theory.

"I'm assuming you're already familiar with the source of a wizard's magic," Charlus said.

“The magic conduit.”

"Yes, this is a metaphysical channel within each witch or wizard that connects us to the fae realm. It allows us to practise magic. As we consistently use our magic, this channel expands and contracts, gradually growing stronger over time, much like a muscle."

He remembered the time he dived into his own subconscious and witnessed the spectacle of the conduit up close. The experience had been so unsettling that he hadn’t returned since.

“I already know this much,” Harry said impatiently.

"Yes, but were you aware that each conduit possesses its own unique characteristics?" Charlus inquired. "Depending on the individual witch or wizard, it will exhibit different reactions to specific types of magic."

“Is this how magical aptitude is decided?” Harry asked.

“A wizard's magic conduit is set at birth, so this is true to a certain extent,” Charlus said. "But by using a specific type of magic regularly, you can naturally enhance your aptitude for it. But there is a potential drawback in that it could have an impact on your state of mind, especially when it comes to dark magic."

“So I could possibly become a Dark Wizard if I continue to use dark magic?” Harry questioned his grandfather sceptically.

“No. Dark magic is not inherently bad on its own,” Charlus said. “But there must be balance. "Depending too heavily on a single type of magic can shape a wizard's thinking. There are scholars out there who think that the conduit is intricately connected to a wizard's psyche.”

Harry paused, deep in thought. There was a nagging curiosity at the back of his mind, something unsettling about the mechanisms of how magic worked. It took him a moment, but then it clicked—he finally recognised what was bothering him.

“Is this how family magic was able to have such a profound impact on our family?” Harry asked.

Charlus made a face of displeasure before responding, "Yes, that is the case."

“So Modor, who gave us family magic originally, is from the fae realm?”

"Yes, I believe that she is not a deity, but rather a powerful witch from the fae realm. She has the ability to manipulate the essence of our magic."

“And we are completely helpless to resist if she wants to do something to us?”

“No,” Charlus replied. "She was only capable of doing so because we called upon her and reached a mutual agreement. If entities from the fae realm possessed such control over us, I think the world would be much more chaotic."

Harry sighed in relief. For a while now, he couldn't shake off the sneaking suspicion that the Source originated from Modor, a clever ploy to control and manipulate him. However, given that the Potter family's magic had been stripped from them before he was born, she shouldn't have any influence over his magic. So, what exactly was the Source? Could it possibly have come from the Fae Realm as well? And why was he chosen for it?

"I have strayed from the main topic," Charlus said. "There are specific spells that enhance a wizard's reserves with greater ease. If you can discover these spells that elicit a stronger reaction from your magical conduit, it presents an ideal method for augmenting your reserves.”

“That sounds extremely helpful,” Harry grinned.

Now that he was able to measure his magic, he could conduct experiments with different spells to determine the most effective ones. In order to increase the chances of finding the right spells, he needed to expand his repertoire.

“What about rituals?” Harry asked. “Can they help increase my magic as well?”

“Yes, but it is dangerous,” Charlus said. “Our ancestors used a ritual to summon a deity to help with a grave threat to the magical world. Yet, they summoned Modor, someone unexpected, who turned out to be a malicious entity. Although she gave the families the power to deal with the threat, the cost was too high. In most rituals, we open our bodies and minds up to the nebulous magics of the fae realm to enhance ourselves. They require a sacrifice, but sometimes it is unclear what exactly we are giving up, even if it is explicitly stated. You are already a freak of nature when it comes to magic. It isn’t worth the risk to squeeze out some more benefits.”

Harry quickly nodded in response to Charlus's glare, after he failed to receive an immediate agreement. While he may have agreed with his grandfather in principle, he had no objection to rituals themselves. After all, didn't his body and mind undergo a sort of ritual when he acquired new skills and enhancements from the Source? Except without the sacrifice? For the time being, though, he didn't need to be too hasty and go searching for rituals to undergo.

“Teach me some new spells, please,” Harry begged,

"Since Flitwick will take care of your movement skills, then we may as well increase your range of spells," Charlus agreed, standing up. "I will teach you the Protego spell next. While I don't like using shields during battle, there is a use for them, especially for a beginner."

Harry didn't spend much time practising the Protego spell, mainly because it required a lot of magic to cast. By the end of the lesson, all he could manage was a paper-thin shield that shattered under a Stinging Hex. Each attempt depleted around forty units of magic. He was unsure if that cost would change as he became more adept at the spell.

He planned to closely monitor his magic reserves as he continued to master Protego. Once he discovered the spell that boosted his reserves the most, he would begin exercising his conduit by depleting his magic every day. After a few weeks, he expected to see some results. His grandfather stressed that every witch and wizard has a limit to how much their magic can grow based on their age. It's just a question of discovering one's own limit.

Harry returned to his workshop and the smithing station. If he wanted to be able to craft his own bo-staff, then there were several steps he needed to take to get there. It wasn't something he could create from scratch. His design was complicated, with a mechanism that allowed the staff to extend its length.

First, he needed to extract the iron from the ore and turn them into workable iron bars. Harry didn’t know if that was considered a part of the blacksmithing skill, but it would help him gain easy experience if it did. He heated up the furnace and prepared the reducing agent to extract the iron. He had chosen charcoal as the base of the agent and mixed it with sand.

Harry wore his protective equipment before he got started, which consisted of his apron, a face shield and some gloves.

Once the furnace was hot enough, he added the reducing agent and the iron ore. Once the iron heated up enough, the molten metal trickled down to the bottom of the furnace. It formed a bloom, a glob of hot metal that formed after the first melting. Harry plucked it out and set it to the side to cool. He needed to heat it up again to finish it further and remove the remaining impurities. While he waited, he started heating another round of iron ore as he waited for the first bloom to cool.

After further refining the bloom, he poured it into a mould to form the iron ingot and set it aside to cool and harden. Harry repeated this step several times before the symbol on his hand heated up, indicating a new message was waiting for him. It was at the right time because he needed a break. Stepping out of the room, he wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Maybe I should have added a cooling array to the apron,” Harry mused. He cast the cooling charm on himself and sighed in relief.

Retrieving the Source, he opened it up to read the new message.

======

The host has learned a new skill!

**Blacksmithing 1 [30/1000]  -A blacksmith is a metalsmith who creates objects primarily from wrought iron or steel, but sometimes from other metals, by forging the metal, and using tools to hammer, bend, and cut. This skill encompasses every aspect of smithing, including the smelting process. As the host's skill level increases, he will be able to handle more intricate and difficult projects, as well as work with increasingly harder and unique materials.

=======

Blacksmithing recipes have been added to the Crafting Book.

The Host has completed a Workshop Task

Learn the Blacksmithing skill: 100 points

Current Points: 1100

Workshop Level: 1 Next [5000]

======

Before he started making steel, he would start crafting items with iron. Retrieving the Crafting Book from his inventory, he searched through the recipes in order to find a project to start with. He was looking for something simple that would teach him some basic techniques. He chose one of the initial recipes on the list.

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[Iron] Twist Forged Bracelet

Crafting Book Experience: +40

General Experience: + 40

Skill Experience: [Blacksmithing, Dexterity] + 20

Shop Points: +3

Workshop Points: + 3

======

It didn't offer much general experience, but it was a fairly easy project. Before he got started, he needed to forge some more iron ingots. Harry returned to the Blacksmithing station and continued working.

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2nd January

After Harry quietly celebrated the New Year by spending it with his grandparents, he got back to work.  He practised smithing by crafting a dozen twist-forged bracelets, before moving on to another recipe in the Crafting Book. He decided to take on a slightly more challenging task; crafting iron hooks. Although they took him longer to make, the experience gained from creating them balanced it out.

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The host has created a [Iron] Hook.

Crafting Book Experience: +50

General Experience: + 50

Skill Experience: [Blacksmithing, Dexterity] + 25

Shop Points: +4

Workshop Points: + 4

The Blacksmithing skill has increased to level 2.

======

After crafting twelve iron hooks, he advanced his blacksmithing skill to level two. Almost immediately, he observed that every aspect of the process became a bit easier and the frequency of his mistakes decreased. This gave him a lot of confidence and he decided to tackle a more challenging project: fashioning a dagger. The task required additional effort and the utilisation of more techniques. Once he had mastered this recipe, he would then attempt to create a prototype of the spear.

======

3rd January

Harry trailed behind his grandfather as they ascended the front steps of the Granger residence. Hermione resided in a middle-class neighbourhood in Cornwall, where the houses primarily consisted of two-storey homes with vast, meticulously maintained lawns.  Her house, constructed with sturdy brick walls, boasted a sleek, dark shingled roof and an adjacent double garage. It was evident that Hermione's parents were comfortably well off. Harry remembered her saying that they were dentists.

Charlus rang the bell, and the door opened almost immediately. Hermione stood there, dressed in purple leotards and a sweatshirt.

“Hello, Lord Potter,” Hermione greeted Charlus before engulfing Harry in a hug. “The others have already arrived. Come inside.”

A woman and a man were standing in the entrance hall, waiting to be introduced to their guests. They were clearly Hermione's parents, as they bore a remarkable resemblance to her.

"Lord Potter, Harry, allow me to introduce my parents, David and Helen," Hermione said.

David extended his hand and firmly shook Charlus' hand. The man was tall and solidly built, with a tangled nest of brown curls. It was evident that Hermione inherited her hair from him. “Lord Potter? Are you a member of the nobility in the magical world?”

“Yes, but it is less impressive than it sounds,” Charlus smiled. “You may call me Charlus. The same applies to you, Miss Granger."

"I will address you as Mr Potter." Hermione insisted. "It's a matter of respect,"

"That's not necessary, but I appreciate the sentiment. I do wish my grandson showed me the same level of respect."

“Only as much as you deserve,” Harry smirked.

“Hello,” Helen greeted Charlus before turning her attention to Harry.

Helen stood a full head shorter than her husband, her shoulder-length blonde hair shaping her face. She shared the same chocolate-brown eyes as Hermione. “You must be Harry, I have heard a lot about you from my daughter. She failed to mention how handsome you are.”

Harry attempted to mask his embarrassment with a joking remark. "I believe she is more captivated by my amazing personality and intellectual brilliance."

“Mum, don’t embarrass him,” Hermione said before she grinned mischievously. “He will sick his two girlfriends on you.”

Harry glared at Hermione, who poked her tongue out at him.

Helen arched her eyebrows in surprise, although she didn't express any disapproval. “Is that a common occurrence in the magical world? Having more than one partner?”

“It’s rare, but it happens,” Charlus replied. "I have no objections, provided that he treats the young women with respect. The Potter family faces the threat of becoming extinct, placing the sole responsibility on Harry to continue the family line”

“Well, let’s hope Harry chooses my daughter as well,” Helen grinned. "I wouldn't mind having many grandchildren to spoil."

“Mum,” Hermione groaned.

"Perhaps we should allow the children to leave before they become overwhelmed with embarrassment, "David suggested, playfully tugging on Hermione's curls. "We can resume our conversation in the kitchen."

Charlus nodded and followed Hermione’s parents as they left the entrance hall.

"I already mentioned that my Mum is a bit eccentric," Hermione said with a sigh. "She thoroughly enjoys playing pranks on people. It wouldn't be a surprise if she pulls off something truly crazy by the end of the day."

Harry followed her into the living room. “You definitely don’t take after her.”

“I am more serious like my dad,” Hermione agreed. "I do have my moments, though."

They stepped into the living room where Daphne and Susan were waiting. Harry's eyes appreciatively gazed at Daphne. She donned leotards similar to Hermione's but in a shade of navy blue. They complimented her long beautiful legs and her shapely derriere.

Harry kissed his girlfriend and gave Susan a hug.

“Are you ready to work up a sweat?” Harry asked the girls.

Susan turned red. The girl was easily embarrassed by any suggestive jokes.

“Don’t embarrass Susan,” Hermione slapped his shoulder.

The three girls were going to join him at the gym, where they would be taking a gymnastics class. They were the only members of their Hogwarts club who were able to join. Gabrielle was at a Veela conclave to visit some relatives, while the rest of the club was on vacation elsewhere.

“Harry, have you seen the Daily Prophet today?” Daphne asked.

"Not yet. Does the newspaper include my article?"

"That's right," Daphne affirmed, as she retrieved the paper from the couch and passed it over. "Take a look. The picture is definitely interesting."

Harry sat on the couch and the girls joined him. On the front page, there was an unflattering picture of him, showing him striking various poses as if he were partaking in a photo shoot.

“I look like a total wanker,” Harry complained. “What was Lauren thinking?”

“I think Sirius had something to do with it,” Daphne smirked.

“I am going to pay him back,” Harry growled.

“I like the picture,” Susan admitted, then looked embarrassed by the admission.

Harry chose to spare her from further embarrassment by disregarding her words and began reading the article.

Harry Potter Voices His Support for Half-Breeds

Hello, all my wonderful readers. I have had the privilege of sitting down with Hadrian (Harry) Potter to get his thoughts on the Ministry’s recent push to ostracise Half-Breeds. He is also known by other titles–the Boy-Who-Died, and subsequently, the Boy-Who-Lived. It's just as absurd as it sounds. What is the British magical community’s obsession with hyphenated names? But I digress. Allow me to share his thoughts on Half-Breeds and their place in our community.

Do you believe that the Ministry's push to exclude Half-Breeds from significant positions in our society is justified?

No. Individuals should be evaluated based on their abilities rather than their race. Take Headmaster Flitwick of Hogwarts as an example. He has been the Charms Professor for decades and is one of the main reasons why Hogwarts is renowned worldwide. Throughout his career, he has trained numerous students who have gone on to achieve their Charms Masteries, surpassing any other Charms professor in terms of success. Additionally, his reputation as a five-time European Duelling Champion is unparalleled. However, under the new policy implemented by the Ministry, they would fire him because he is a Half-Breed. This decision is utterly ridiculous.

Speaking of Headmaster Flitwick. There is evidence to suggest that the policy was created to specifically target him because he was chosen as the new headmaster.

Well, I don’t know anything about that, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Headmaster Flitwick is half-goblin, and I am sure that is twisting a few wizards and witches unmentionables into a knot. When you step into the Ministry foyer, it becomes evident how they perceive goblins. They have a statue of a goblin looking up at a wizard in worship. Utter nonsense. This exemplifies the British wizard’s arrogance and intolerance towards them and other races. Haven't they learned anything from the Goblin Rebellions?

These words may be seen as provocative. Aren’t you concerned about offending the public with this opinion?

Maybe so, but it is important to acknowledge the truth. Some of our most talented individuals have already departed from Britain to seek better opportunities elsewhere due to the prevailing prejudice. This unfortunate trend includes Squibs, Muggleborns, and Werewolves. As a result, not only does Britain suffer from a loss of valuable skills and trades, but our economy and reputation within the wider wizarding communities are also adversely impacted. Perhaps as an aspiring Artisan, I may seek greener pastures in the future as well.

Strong words. The new policy is being driven by the Senior Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge. Her intolerance of anything that is not Pure-Blood is well-known. Is the policy merely a way for her to satisfy her own prejudices?

I am not familiar with the Undersecretary, so I cannot provide any comments on her beliefs. It is less important to consider who is driving the policy. Your main concern should be the Wizengamot members who will be voting on the policy. I suggest that every member carefully consider just where this is headed. Are we truly going to diminish our population and talent even more due to a mistaken belief of our own superiority?

The article continued onto the next page, but the majority of the interesting content was found on the first page. Harry lowered the newspaper with a self-satisfied expression.

"I sound amazing, don't you think?" Harry grinned.

“Don’t get full of yourself, Potter,” Daphne shoved him. “No one likes a braggart.”

“I think you are going to get a lot of hate mail for this,” Susan said, twisting her hands anxiously. “Although I like the message it sends to those old-timers in the Wizengamot.”

“Lucky I don’t have to deal with the nasty letters,” Harry shrugged. “I am sure I would lose my hearing from all the howlers they send my way.”

“It’s an amazing article,” Hermione congratulated him. "Although, I believe it is irresponsible to exploit a thirteen-year-old as a political pawn."

“I made the decision on my own,” Harry said. “If it helps get the policy thrown out of the Wizengamot, then it is worth it.”

The adults entered the room and informed the children that it was time to leave. Helen would be driving them to the gym, with Charlus providing security. Although the chances of encountering any dangers in the Muggle world were low, they didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.

Harry and the girls squeezed into the back seat while Helen started the car. Susan and Daphne appeared both fascinated and terrified by automobiles, clinging to Harry's arm for security. He certainly didn’t mind. As they made their way through the streets towards their destination, their nerves began to settle a bit as they realised they wouldn’t crash into anything.

Although Charlus could have found a gym on his own, he decided to call upon the Grangers to find a suitable place to train. It was much easier and took less time. David Granger took the opportunity to encourage his daughter to join Harry and engage in some physical activity. Then Daphne and Susan also joined in when he told them about it. Harry appreciated their company as he preferred not to do it alone.

They arrived at the gym, a massive structure that seemed to be a recent addition to the neighbourhood. It was a massive three-storey building that overlooked the parking lot. The entire ground floor was made of glass, providing them with a clear view inside. After Helen parked the car, everyone grabbed their bags and made their way toward the entrance. Harry looked through the window and saw an abundance of exercise equipment and people in the midst of their workout routines.

“This building is huge,” Susan looked around with amazement. “Why would people gather here to exercise together? Wouldn’t they be embarrassed to be seen in such thin clothing?”

She appeared to be self-conscious in her own attire. Like Hermione and Daphne, she wore a long-sleeved leotard. With her ample bust, there was very little that was left to the imagination.

"Unlike wizards and witches, muggles tend to be less self-conscious," Hermione said with a smile, empathising with her friend's uneasiness. "They go to gyms for the sake of convenience, as everything they need is readily available in one place. Generally, people are too preoccupied with their own activities to pay much attention to others, so you don’t have anything to worry about."

They walked into the gym and headed towards the front counter. Harry and Hermione opted for a year-long membership, while Daphne and Susan only paid for a single day. They were uncertain whether they would continue coming to the gym beyond today.

"The class isn't starting for another fifteen minutes," Helen said, gesturing towards a nearby enclosed room. "Why don't you take a quick look to see what they have to offer?"

"Sure, Mum," Hermione replied, before taking the lead and guiding the rest to explore the gym.

Harry surveyed his surroundings with keen interest. To his surprise, he discovered a wide array of classes available, far beyond what he initially anticipated. This was not simply a gym, but a comprehensive sports fitness centre offering a plethora of classes catering to various activities. Given the sheer size of the building, it was not surprising.

He halted beside another closed room and peered through the glass. His attention was captivated by a man wearing a white uniform and black belt. The man skillfully twirled a staff with precision and finesse while moving about the room. He made it seem so effortless that Harry was filled with amazement.

“What is it, Harry?” Daphne asked.

“I want to learn how to do that,” Harry said in excitement.

He glanced at the sign on the door and discovered that the instructor taught karate. He possessed a unique style that seamlessly blended bojutsu with martial arts. A class was scheduled for later in the day, providing him with the option to attend today if he desired.

He was determined not to miss out on this opportunity.

So, what do you think? Is Harry finally going to learn how to fight with a staff?

Thanks for reading