Chapter 24: Convincing McGonagall
It was a rather tired Harry that made his way towards breakfast on the second morning of September. Today was a Friday, and the students therefore were to be attending trial classes today. They would be allowed the weekend to decide whether or not they wished to attend, and a month to potentially switch subjects.
Contrary to what Salazar had told Harry, they had not finished the study of Ancient Runes by six in the morning. It had taken an additional hour and a half to learn everything Salazar had wanted to teach him. His dorm mates had even noticed he was not in bed, although Harry had simply told them he had woken up early to go for a walk.
Harry was pleased, however, to note that Salazar had indeed been right about one thing. Harry had found a copy of the third year Ancient Runes textbook in the library on his way to breakfast. Salazar's teachings had made the book look like utter garbage; he had come up with at least four different, more efficient ways of doing every sample rune work in the book.
He was also pleased to note that Salazar had not properly remembered how long the Ancient Runes third year course spanned. The portrait had ended up teaching him almost the entire fourth year course. Though it was true Harry would have liked to sleep, it was more than worth it if it meant no studying for one of his classes. Harry really hoped Salazar was as good a teacher in his other subjects as he had been runes.
Unfortunately, Harry had now arrived at the harder part of his plan to switch classes; getting the approval of his head of house, one Minerva McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall was walking back and forth besides the Gryffindor tables, passing out schedules to students. Many of the students had been attempting to receive schedule changes, although none succeeded; McGonagall was a rather strict professor.
Harry truly hoped that McGonagall would give him the benefit of the doubt. Although it was true that he had never really shown an interest in his studying, he knew McGonagall at the very least didn't hate him. If she could simply get him into the fourth year classes, he could prove he deserved it.
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, gently combing his fingers through Hedwig's feathers. Hermione had already received her schedule about ten minutes prior, and had quickly rushed off after that, entirely uninterested in waiting. As for Ron, he had greatly surprised Harry by waking up early, although Harry quickly realized it was simply so he could eat more.
Hermione has specifically asked McGonagall for Ron's schedule beforehand, simply to get the redhead away from the table (something which Harry suspected she had done for the sake of the Hogwarts house elves). Harry therefore sat with the Gryffindor Quidditch team, seated between Angelina and Alicia.
The both of them, as well as Katie, were all attempting to sneak some food onto his plate when he wasn't looking. It had been quite a while since Harry had been the skinny little boy he had been on his first day, although nearly everyone seemed to overlook that. The three chasers had eventually stopped after Fred made a joke about their actions, although they still begged Harry to add more to his plate every few minutes.
"Mr. Potter." said a voice behind Harry just as he had finished talking to Alicia about her O.W.L's. He, as well as the five older students around him, all turned to face Professor McGonagall.
"I have your current schedule for the coming school year." She handed Harry a slip of parchment, which was nearly identical to the schedule he used the previous year.
"As per usual, if you have any adjustments you would like to make, you must inform me now." she said in a crisp voice.
"Er - Professor, I was actually wondering if I could change one of my subjects, and take another one as well." said Harry slowly. The eyebrow's of those beside him on the table (as well as McGonagall, all though much less noticeably) rose in shock.
"And which subjects were you interested in changing?" asked the deputy headmistress.
"I was hoping to switch Divination with Ancient Runes, and take Arithmancy as well."
McGonagall's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You do realize, Mr. Potter, that these are two of the most difficult subjects Hogwarts has to offer. Nearly everyone who has taken Ancient Runes in the past dropped out before N.E.W.T's, and Arithmancy is a subject that many have a hard time learning as well. You must forgive me if I deem you incapable of adapting to such tasks."
"But Professor!" said Harry before McGonagall could walk away, "Pre O.W.L Arithmancy is exactly the same as muggle math, which I'm very proficient at. And I've been studying the Ancient Runes course during my free time for quite a while now." Harry lied smoothly.
"If you could just give me a chance, I can prove that I can maintain good grades in the subjects. If not, you can just switch me back at the end of the month, right?"
McGonagall's lips thinned, before they formed a very small smile.
"Very well, Mr. Potter, I will change your schedule, and hand it back to you in ten minutes time. You are expected to do well in both of your new subjects, and to not drop your performance in any of your other classes. You schedule be reverted if you fail to do so."
Harry nodded quickly, turning back to his teammates as the Transfiguration Professor walked away. They all wore identically dumbfounded expressions.
"I don't know how you managed to convince McGonagall," started George.
"But why in Merlin's name would you waste it on something like that!" finished Fred, nearly yelling.
Harry just smiled at the twins, before turning back to his breakfast. After both he and Hedwig had finished their breakfast, McGonagall returned with his new schedule. It was the same as the one shown previously, although Divination and Ancient Runes were switched, and Arithmancy had been added.
Harry groaned as he did another scan through the piece of parchment. He had Potions in ten minutes, which was somehow made worse by the fact that it was with the Slytherins.
Harry would have to ask Salazar what he knew on potion making; he would be more than willing to learn the subject properly from the portrait if it meant Snape would leave him be, perhaps even moving onto another target. Harry was willing to bet his firebolt that the new target would be Neville.
After Hedwig flew off to the Owlery, Harry got up, said farewell to his teammates, and began the journey to the dungeons. For the time being, Harry would have to stick to the subpar knowledge he had on Potions. After learning Ancient Runes from Salazar, Harry was already beginning to doubt he would learn anything from his professors after a few lessons with the portrait.
Although Salazar had stated firmly that he would not have as easy of a time in other subjects as he would with runes, Harry still thought the portrait was a rather superior educator. Especially when compared to the likes of Professor Snape.
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