This would be a sharp transformation. Anton was teaching his friends almost without holding anything back.
No one knew how much time had passed before Harry finally returned, utterly exhausted. His friends took turns telling him about the lesson Anton had taught.
The group scattered across the valley, each of them savoring the power of their own minds.
Even George and Fred, who were inseparable, were made to split up at Anton's insistence and find places of their own. Anton wanted them to spend some time alone, no longer drawing emotional support from each other, so they could each explore their own inner selves.
After all, even two people who were exactly alike had different inner worlds.
"Faithful Guardian!"
"Faithful Guardian!"
"Faithful Guardian!"
The valley echoed with the sound of people reciting incantations. Anton had to go over to Harry and correct his wand movements and pronunciation, giving him some extra tutoring.
This magic, which drew on the desire to be protected, posed no difficulty for Harry.
He could always find that kind of warmth in his father, James, and his mother, Lily. Whenever he thought of them, his heart filled with happiness.
But for some reason, he felt especially awful right now.
Perhaps it was because of the Clear Cognition Potion he had brewed in Professor Snape's office. He had been told to drink the batch he had made himself and describe how it felt afterward.
To be honest, Harry didn't feel much of anything. He just felt nauseous, as if something were stuck in his throat. The sensation made him clench up from his stomach to his cheeks, as though he were about to throw up.
Fortunately, Professor Snape didn't give him a hard time after that. He only stared at Harry for a long while with an