The real Herry Potter

As Harry and Neville continued their early morning regimen, their bond grew stronger, and Neville's progress was impressive. Each day, Neville's physical fitness improved, and he became more adept with his magic. The wand Harry had given him had made a significant difference, enhancing Neville's spellwork and allowing him to perform spells with greater precision.

Their routine was well-established: they would start with a rigorous workout outside, pushing their limits and improving their strength. Afterward, they'd go for a jog around Hogwarts, exploring the castle's many hidden corners. During their runs, Harry would often take the opportunity to teach Neville new spells and charms.

One chilly morning, as they jogged through the castle grounds, Harry began instructing Neville on the basic Dwelling Charms.

"Alright, Neville, try to focus on the intent of the spell. It's about creating a small, temporary fire pit," Harry said, demonstrating the wand movement. "You've seen how it works in theory; now let's see how you can apply it."

Neville nodded and raised his wand. "I think I've got it. Here goes—"

"foco ingis!" he said, creating a small, flickering fire pit.

"Perfect," Harry said, beaming. "Now, let's see you do it with the Dwelling Charm."

Neville focused again, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Domicilius!"

A small tent appeared in front of them, though it was rather wobbly and unstable. Harry clapped. "Nice job! It's a bit rough around the edges, but with practice, you'll get it just right."

Neville smiled, clearly pleased with his progress. "Thanks, Harry. This is really helping."

As the days went by, their jogs inside the castle became a daily adventure. Harry took different routes each time, discovering new passages, secret doors, and hidden staircases. The castle was full of surprises, and Harry relished the thrill of uncovering its mysteries.

One morning, as they jogged through a particularly dim corridor near the dungeons, they encountered Peeves, the notorious poltergeist. Peeves floated above them, grinning wickedly.

"Morning, Potty and Fatbottom!" Peeves cackled, pulling out a water balloon from his bag of tricks. "Ready for a splash?"

Before Harry or Neville could react, Peeves threw the balloon, and water splashed over them. Neville let out a surprised laugh, while Harry shook his head, grinning.

"Peeves, you're relentless!" Harry called out. "Can't you let us have one peaceful run?"

But Peeves just zoomed away, laughing and singing an off-key song about "splashing and dashing." Neville, dripping but in high spirits, tried to use his new Shield Charm to deflect the next attack, but Peeves was already gone.

As they continued their jog, they came across Argus Filch, the caretaker, who was busy sweeping the corridors. Filch, a grim-faced man with a perpetual scowl, looked up as they approached.

"What are you two doing here?" Filch asked gruffly. "It's still early."

"We're just getting some exercise, Mr. Filch," Harry replied, trying to sound respectful. "We'll be out of your way soon."

Filch grumbled but waved them on. "Just don't make a mess."

His cat, Mrs. Norris, was never far behind, and she always seemed to be watching Harry with an intense stare. Harry met her gaze with a smirk, but Mrs. Norris remained unblinking, as if assessing him.

One day, Neville mentioned to Harry that he was feeling overwhelmed by his new role as president of the club they had formed. He had no idea what he should be doing or how to run a meeting effectively.

"Don't worry, Neville," Harry reassured him. "Hermione's got experience with this sort of thing. She can help you out."

True to his word, Hermione had agreed to help Neville understand the responsibilities of his new role. She spent time with him, explaining the basics of running a club and preparing for meetings.

"First and foremost, you need to have an agenda for each meeting," Hermione said one afternoon in the library. "Decide what topics you want to cover and how you'll structure the meeting. Also, be sure to listen to everyone's ideas and keep things organized."

Neville nodded, taking notes. "Got it. Anything else?"

"Make sure you're fair and encouraging," Hermione added. "And remember, as president, you set the tone for the club. Be positive and make sure everyone feels included."

By the time the next club meeting approached, Neville was feeling more confident. He had practiced his speech and prepared an agenda, thanks to Hermione's guidance.

Sunday dawned with a crisp, invigorating breeze sweeping through the corridors of Hogwarts. Harry, Neville, and Hermione gathered early, ready for their usual morning exercise. The trio completed their jog through the castle's expansive grounds, the castle's shadowy spires casting long, dramatic shapes on the dew-laden grass. Their breaths formed fleeting clouds in the cool air, and they shared smiles and laughter as they warmed up.

After a hearty breakfast in the Great Hall, where the enchanted ceiling mirrored the bright blue sky, the friends decided to spend their day exploring Hogwarts and gathering supplies for their club.

"We should start with the library," Hermione suggested as they left the hall. "I need to borrow some reference books for our projects."

"Sounds good," Harry agreed, his curiosity piqued by the promise of discovering more about the castle's hidden corners. Neville nodded enthusiastically, eager to explore.

The library, with its towering shelves and vast collection of books, was a haven of quietude and learning. Hermione quickly found her way to the intended section, where she was granted access after a brief discussion with Madame Pince, the librarian.

As they made their way through the library, Harry caught sight of Professor Quirrell, who was hunched over a stack of dusty scrolls. Professor Quirrell's face was partially hidden by his turban, but his nervous demeanor was unmistakable.

"Professor Quirrell," Harry greeted him with a friendly nod. "How are you today?"

Quirrell looked up, his eyes wide behind his spectacles. "Oh, Mr. Potter. I—uh—was just, um, researching some... old magical artifacts." He seemed somewhat jittery, but his tone was polite.

"We were just exploring the castle and gathering some books," Hermione said, stepping closer to the professor. "I'm looking for some references on advanced charms."

"Ah, yes, of course," Quirrell stammered. "I—I'm sure Madame Pince can assist you." He gave a nervous smile and quickly turned back to his scrolls.

With their interaction with Quirrell done, the trio continued their exploration. They wandered through the castle, discovering secret passages and hidden alcoves. The grand tapestries and portraits lining the walls told stories of Hogwarts' rich history.

As they made their way through a particularly shadowy corridor, they encountered several teachers. To Harry's surprise, most greeted him with genuine warmth and interest. It seemed that the faculty had a positive view of Harry, perhaps influenced by his parents' legacy or his own reputation.

When they crossed paths with Professor Dumbledore, however, the encounter was a little more strained. Dumbledore's eyes, though twinkling with his usual enigmatic charm, lingered on Harry for a moment longer than usual.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Longbottom," Dumbledore said with his characteristic warmth. "I trust you are enjoying your exploration of our esteemed institution?"

Harry forced a pleasant smile. "Yes, Professor Dumbledore. We're discovering new parts of the castle and learning about its history."

"Excellent," Dumbledore replied. "Hogwarts has many secrets, but it rewards those who seek knowledge with wonder and insight."

The conversation ended on a cordial note, but Harry remained wary of Dumbledore. He chose to keep his reservations to himself, focusing instead on the day's adventures.

In the afternoon, the club meeting commenced in their secret room. The space had been transformed from a dusty storage area to a clean, inviting base thanks to the cleaning spells Harry had taught. The room now looked fresh and ready for use.

Neville, with Susan by his side, took the lead in the meeting. He cleared his throat and addressed the assembled members. "Welcome, everyone. Today's agenda is to decide on a name for our club."

Susan stepped forward, holding a list of proposed names. "We've gathered quite a few suggestions. Let's go through them and vote on the best one."

The room buzzed with excitement as members offered their ideas. Some suggestions were whimsical, while others were more serious. After much discussion, Harry's suggestion—"Order of the Stars"—was put to a vote.

"I think it's perfect," Harry said, a spark of enthusiasm in his voice. "It reflects our desire to explore and aim high, much like the stars."

The members mulled over the name. They eventually agreed that "Order of the Stars" captured the spirit of their ambitions and the mystery of their club. Cheers erupted as the name was confirmed.

With the club's name decided, Harry shifted the focus to their next task. "Now that we have a name, let's discuss setting up our base. We need furniture and other supplies."

Harry demonstrated several cleaning spells—"Scourgify" for general cleaning, "Evanesco" for removing stains, and "Reparo" for fixing broken items. The club members practiced diligently, their combined efforts turning the room into a polished, functional space.

"Great job, everyone," Harry praised as they finished cleaning. "Now, let's gather some furniture. We can find items in abandoned classrooms and repurpose them."

The group split up to search the castle. They returned with a motley assortment of furniture: a few old desks, some chairs, and even a couple of battered armchairs. The room was soon furnished with these finds, arranged to create a comfortable and functional meeting space.

As the meeting drew to a close, Neville addressed the group. "Thank you all for your hard work today. Our base is coming together nicely. We'll meet again next Sunday. Be ready with any new ideas or suggestions."

The members dispersed, their faces bright with satisfaction. Harry, Neville, and Hermione exchanged smiles, pleased with their progress. The day had been productive, and the club was off to a strong start.

As they left the castle for the evening, Harry felt a sense of accomplishment. The secret room now represented more than just a hidden space; it was a symbol of their shared commitment and friendship.

Life at Hogwarts had settled into a rhythm, a mixture of demanding classes, endless homework, and brief respites. The students, especially Harry, Neville, and Hermione, found themselves engulfed in their studies, leaving little time for anything else. The workload was immense, but they managed to navigate their schedules with a combination of determination and teamwork.

Their only true break during the week came in History of Magic. The class, notorious for its dry and monotonous lectures delivered by Professor Binns, was often a welcomed pause from their more engaging subjects. It was during these lectures that Harry and his friends would occasionally allow themselves a moment of rest, heads resting on their desks, eyes drooping as they caught a few precious minutes of sleep.

The rest of their classes were far from restful. Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts demanded their full attention and effort. Potions, in particular, was a challenge, though Harry had managed to excel despite Professor Snape's ongoing hostility. Snape's sharp remarks and disdainful glances seemed almost like a ritual, aimed specifically at Harry. Yet, despite the harsh criticisms, Harry's potion assignments were consistently flawless.

Neville, too, had begun to gain confidence in Potions. His earlier struggles had turned into successes, though he faced ongoing challenges from the Slytherins. Malfoy and his gang seemed to take particular pleasure in making Neville's life difficult. They would often trip him in the corridors, knock his books from his hands, or make snide remarks during class. Yet Neville, demonstrating newfound resilience, chose to ignore their provocations and focused on his work.

One crisp autumn morning, as Harry sat in the common room studying, he received a letter from Sirius. The letter was a welcome distraction from his studies. Harry eagerly unfolded the parchment, his eyes skimming over the familiar handwriting.

Dear Harry,

I hope this letter finds you well. Remus and I have been traveling through the West, exploring some old magical sites and gathering information. We've encountered some fascinating things, but I won't spoil it for you just yet.

The good news is that we will be returning to Hogwarts for Christmas. We're looking forward to seeing you and catching up. I know it's still a ways off, but we wanted to let you know so you can look forward to it. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to spending time with you and hearing all about your adventures at school.

Take care, and keep up the good work. We'll see you soon.

Yours,

Sirius

Harry's heart lifted as he read the letter. The thought of seeing Sirius and Remus, of having familiar faces around during the holiday season, was a comforting one. He might not have said it out loud, but he missed them both more than he cared to admit. Their presence had always been a source of stability and warmth, something he yearned for amidst the whirlwind of his Hogwarts life.

He shared the news with Neville and Hermione as they sat in the common room, their faces lighting up with excitement. Hermione was quick to ask about the details of Sirius's travels, while Neville expressed his eagerness to meet them.

"Christmas is going to be amazing," Harry said, his eyes bright. "I can't wait to hear all the stories from Sirius and Remus."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "It's nice to have something to look forward to, especially with all the work we've been doing. It will be a welcome break."