Harry Potter couldn't explain how he saw them, but somehow he could perceive those strange and important visions.
Dumbledore had actually already addressed this, or rather, he had warned Harry Potter that being able to see such things was extremely dangerous.
To deal with it, Dumbledore had specifically arranged for Snape to teach Harry how to prevent these occurrences. That was the Occlumency he had mentioned before.
But perhaps it was the rebellious blood in every Gryffindor that made it difficult. Or maybe it was because Harry's progress in Occlumency had stalled. Either way, not only had he failed to stop these visions, but over time, they had begun appearing with increasing frequency.
Calling them "visions" didn't quite capture it, they were more like someone else's perspective.
These perspectives were almost like prophecies, allowing Harry to occasionally foresee Voldemort's plans and movements in advance. Just like the last time Mr. Weasley was attacked, Harry had learned about it first and alerted the members of the Order of the Phoenix, which made it possible to rescue him.
It was around that moment that this "ability" of his was exposed, earning him a warning from Dumbledore.
Yet.
Success after success.
And time and again, nothing went wrong.
Naturally, in Harry's subconscious, these so-called prophecies became something trustworthy, something to rely on.
This was also why Snape's lessons never seemed to progress much, it wasn't simply a matter of their difficult relationship.
After tasting this advantage, Harry began to treat it as a gift from Merlin, a golden cheat to fight the Dark Lord.
But the young Chosen One didn't realize one thing, what he saw with his eyes wasn't always the truth.
....
The Transfiguration classroom.
Harry had long since lost count of how many times he'd made shocking statements in front of everyone, and, almost inevitably, each time, the name Voldemort came up.
Over time, when the others heard the name from Harry again, their reactions had dulled. They were no longer shocked or startled.
Now, they were simply curious, what astonishing thing would this Chosen One, bathed in his savior's aura, say next?
"Not this again?"
"Did you hear that? Did he just mention that fugitive? I thought he'd already been caught."
"Sirius Black, the one who escaped from Azkaban."
"Potter says he saw him, he must have lost it."
"And that other guy…."
The murmurs from below revealed their disbelief. Most of the students present, even the Gryffindors, dismissed Harry's claims as nothing more than dreams, mere nonsense.
But unlike the others, who responded with ridicule, Draco immediately noticed the unusual expression on Professor McGonagall's face.
'Is she… actually believing Potter?'
He couldn't help but think it. McGonagall hadn't refuted Harry immediately, she had even looked slightly flustered. Though she quickly masked it, Draco had already seen it.
And the way Minerva McGonagall acted afterward seemed to indirectly confirm his suspicion…
…
After shooting Harry Potter a sharp glare, Minerva McGonagall swept her piercing eyes across everyone in the room.
"Quiet! Everyone, quiet! Now, Potter, come with me!"
She didn't order Harry Potter back to his seat, nor did she intend to punish him for dozing off in class. She didn't even seem concerned with his disruption of the lesson. Instead, she simply moved to take Harry Potter out of the classroom.
Her unusual decision suggested that what they were about to discuss was not meant for everyone to hear....
But perhaps out of nerves, Harry Potter didn't immediately understand her intent: "Professor, we must—"
"Silence, Potter! Don't make me say it again!"
Just as Professor McGonagall was about to lead the flustered Harry Potter out of the classroom, a previously silent High Inquisitor could no longer stay quiet.
A strange light flickered in her eyes as Umbridge rose from her seat. "Very well, very well. As Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, I cannot ignore this issue. Don't you agree, Minerva?"
"Umbridge, I don't have time for this right now..."
"Tell me, Mr. Potter, what have you learned this time?"
As Umbridge's questions grew sharper, several figures appeared suddenly at the doorway. On closer inspection, one was a tall wizard who seemed to be Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff.
Their presence had to do with the student organization Umbridge had recently created. These were... members of the Investigation Task Force.
Seeing them appear, along with Umbridge's relentless questioning, McGonagall's face darkened, and Harry Potter beside her grew even more restless....
He reminded her urgently, "Padfoot has been captured. We need to find him!"
"Calm down, Potter. Panicking won't solve anything."
Finally reaching her limit, McGonagall let out a low growl, which managed to temper Harry Potter's agitation slightly, though his expression still revealed a burning desire to rush out immediately.
Meanwhile, the smile on Umbridge's face grew even more calculating....
"Perhaps I could offer a little help—say... a few drops of Veritaserum."
She spoke the cruelest words with a smile. Even those not directly involved in the situation were silenced by the sheer ruthlessness of her suggestion. McGonagall, furious, drew her wand.
She would not allow any of her students to be treated like that, especially not Harry Potter, who carried a critical secret. The very existence of the Order of the Phoenix could never fall into Umbridge's hands.
But Umbridge, having long set her sights on Harry Potter as a point of leverage, was never going to let this chance to uncover what Dumbledore was planning slip away.
And so, the two sides remained locked in a tense standoff....