When McGonagal shifted back into her human form she was pleasantly surprised at the started expressions staring back at her, and one not so startled.
"Mr. Potter, you didn't seem all that surprised by my entrance."
"Oh, I apologize professor, I recently had time to look over my text books and considering this is transfiguration class, and I haven't seen any stray animals or pets at Hogwarts, save for the occasional toad and owl, I assumed that you had the ability to shapeshift."
The woman's eyes widened a bit, before her mouth turned up in a smile. "Ten points to Slytherin for brilliant reasoning. Now then as Mr. Potter here hinted at we will be studying the art of changing objects into different forms with our magic."
...
"Welcome to Charms class everyone, my name is Professor Flitwick. I hope that most of you have had time to at least glance over your books, if not please do so before our next meeting. Now then can anyone tell me what the most important item for my class will be?"
As usual Hermione Granger's hand shot up almost instantly, earning scowls from many of the other students.
"Ah yes, miss…"
"Granger, sir. The answer is our text books."
"A good guess, but I am afraid incorrect, anyone else?"
'Girl looks like someone just kicked her puppy' Harry noted with amusement as several other hands now raised.
"A quill and paper?"
"That would be two objects, both incorrect as well." the professor answered the next student.
"A wand?"
"Another good guess, but no."
At this point the young Potter was becoming annoyed, he wanted to have at least one class where he could learn something more than just what the introductory paragraph of the text book said. A moment later he raised his hand.
"Ah yes, Mr. Potter."
"Our minds"
The diminutive man grinned, "Correct! Ten points to Slytherin. Everything else can be compensated for with time… but the mind cannot. It is the most important tool that any of us will ever wield and the primary subject that all of your classes will focus on for your time at Hogwarts. Now then who can tell me what a charm is?"
...
"W-w-w-welcome t-to D-Defense A-Against the D-Dark Arts c-class."
Harry just stared, who in their right mind would hire someone like this to teach a defense class? Ignoring the obviously dark aura that emanated from the man, another oddity that the boy-who-lived was surprised no one had noticed, the turban clad professor was a bumbling mess.
Maybe it was just an act, like the one that McGonagall had tried. If it was then it truly was impressive, the man should have been an actor rather than a teacher.
Yet as the class continued on, and he showed no signs of improving, Harry's theory began to fall apart.
Twenty minutes later a loud bang, caused when one of the Gryffindor's had dropped their book onto the floor, revealed the man's true colors… as he promptly bolted out of the room.
Utterly useless.
...
"I warned you this would happen…" the soft voice noted as Hedwigs fingers gently wove through her boy's hair. Currently his head way laying in her lap on his bed, it was a soothing tradition that had calmed him down many times during his years at the orphanage, and stopped him from causing too many disappearances. With the other Slytherins taking part of a study group, which Harry had not been invited to due to his blood status, this had been the first opportunity they had to start again.
"I know" the boy sighed, his eyes closed and relaxed. "I just figured that there would be someone who I could relate to here… someone who would understand me… who would be likeme ."
"There is no one like you… it is both a gift and a curse."
A slight nod confirmed he was listening, and agreed.
"You will always have me though" she whispered, thus earning a slight smile.
"And you me my dear."
Once again her heart fluttered, true the boy was only eleven but with his intellect and 'childhood' he was far more mature than that. If she had to guess, his mental age was probably closer to 'thirty' than 'ten'.
"So why do we stay? Why not just leave now? We could run away from this place, from the orphanage. You have a reason to access your vault now, there is more than enough money for us to live on for the rest of our lives. It could just be us against the world, like it always has been."
The child's eyes opened, and peered up at her. "It always will be us against the world my dear, but…"
"You want more ."
A nod confirmed her suspicions.
...
Albus Dumbledore smiled warmly as his staff entered the office. This truly was one of his favorite events of the year, when the various teachers would get together and discuss any unusually talented students that they had observed. Usually this would only apply to the first years, but occasionally a 'late bloomer' would be found and surprise everyone years after beginning their magical education.
Slowly the professors filtered in and took their various seats. Refreshments, and lemon drops, were offered until everyone was appeased, then the older man began. "Quite a class we have this year hm?"
Several nods confirmed his suspicion. With so many Pureblood heirs it would bound to be a very interesting school year.
"We will start with you this time Filius, are there any Ravenclaws who stand out to you?"