TFA: Chapter 5: Forgiveness and Friends

> *"By the heavens, it's… perfect. That-that was your first attempt, Mr. Potter?"*
>
>

— Professor McGonagal after Harry Potter demonstrates impressive skill and talent in transfiguration.

## Summary:

Snippets from Harry Potter's Herbology, Transfiguration, History of Magic, and Potions classes in his first week at Hogwarts. He gets a letter from his father and Charlus Potter meets with Professor Dumbledore about Harry.

## Plot:

**September 3rd, 1991:** Harry Potter has Herbology with Ravenclaw, in which Professor Sprout introduces them to the topic, and informs them while Herbology isn't the sexiest class in the school, it is very important and can be dangerous, with plants like the Devil's Snare present. They then proceed through the course aims.

History of Magic disappoints Harry with both how boring it is and the teacher's lack of liveliness. He resolves to just read the textbook and not show up. When he discusses this with Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis, they are shocked with how different he is from his brother and he explains he isn't on the best of terms with Charlus Potter. He also talks about how he loves learning magic and is excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms.

In transfiguration, Professor McGonagall gives her introductory lesson on the subject. She discusses the Four Branches of Transfiguration: Transformation, Untransfiguration, Conjuring, and Vanishing, and Harry asks her a pertinent question on the subbranches of Transfiguration. When she finishes her long lecture on the introduction to Transfiguration, they begin their first practical Lesson: Matchstick to Needle transfiguration. Harry successfully transfigures the matchstick into a needle on his first try, for witch he earns 20 points.

After class, she reflects on how Hermione Granger succeeded, and Charlus Potter had a good deal of success, but Harry potter outstripped his father by a great deal in raw, prodigious talent.

**September 5th, 1991:** Harry awoke and went to the library immediately to study, going to breakfast later than most others because of it. At breakfast, he receives an owl from James Potter which apologizes for how he was treated at the Dursley's and arranges a meeting between the two of them. Harry makes the politically savvy decision and accepts the meeting request.

**September 6th, 1991:** In Potions, Professor Snape once again verbally eviscerates Charlus Potter, and Daphne Greengrass offers to team up with Harry Potter for the brewing of Cura de Gorxa. Daphne explains everything that she does to make the potion better, and how the ministry approved curriculum is "the least risky, least difficult, and most conservative way' to brew a potion, whereas she uses better methods that are more effective. After their successes in this class, Daphne offers for Harry to use her first name instead, and they become friends.

That evening, Charlus Potter is in Professor Dumbledore's office and discusses Charlus's Detentions, Albus's busy schedule, and the importance of family. Dumbledore implores Charlus to extend an olive branch to Harry.

## Characters Introduced:

Pomona Sprout.

Lisa Turpin.

Chronological Order