If you were Headmaster of Hogwarts...

[mongo62aa]

No: HPFGUIDX 36999

I am curious if anybody else has thought about what they would have 
Harry learn if they were Headmaster of Hogwarts.  I think that we can 
take it as a given that at some point, probably in his seventh year, 
Haryy will face Voldemort, probably alone, and only one of them (at 
most) will be still alive after that.  If that is the case, then I 
would think that it is ESSENTIAL that Harry be given far more 
preparation than he is getting now.

So what would I do?  First of all, eliminate all of the nonessential 
classes that Harry is currently taking, in order to free up time for 
more useful studies.  History of Magic: drop it.  Divination: drop 
it.  Astronomy: drop it.  Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures: 
there is some useful material here, but not enough to justify the 
time spent, in my opinion.  Drop both of them.  Potions: keep it, but 
advise Snape not to give detentions without the concurrence of 
another Professor.  We cannot afford to waste time on unnecessary 
detentions.  Transformation: definately keep.  Add training in 
animagi--this ability could be very useful to Harry in the final 
confrontation.  Charms: definately keep.  Flitwick was a dueling 
champion once as well; have him give intensive dueling training to 
Harry.  DADA: definately keep.  In fact, I would expand this with as 
much Auror training as Harry can handle.  This would be the most 
important training that he would take.  In addition, I would add 
several new classes.  Muggle Martial Arts: these would be useful in 
themselves if Harry loses his wand at some point, and also help Harry 
with his physical stamina, strength, speed, etc. as well as his 
mental toughness and discipline.  Physical Training: taken in 
conjunction with Muggle Martial Arts to improve Harry's physical 
condition.  This may well be part of Auror training, rather than a 
separate class.

However, all of this training would not be enough to beat Voldemort, 
who would remain much older and more experienced.  I would also teach 
Harry as much as possible of the 'Old Magic,' whatever that is.  It 
is apparently very powerful, and difficult for Voldemort to break.  
Most important of all, I would have Harry learn some 'New Magic,' by 
which I mean magic specially developed for Harry, and which Voldemort 
cannot know how to counter.  I suspect that Hermione would play an 
important role in this.  Ron, also, would play a role, developing 
strategies and tactics to deliver that 'New Magic' while keeping 
Harry alive.

If anybody has comments, I would love to hear them.

Bill