5 Hello Hogwarts!
A few days before the train ride, I advised Neville to let his toad at home in his greenhouses: "Nev, a toad need a damp natural habitat. The castle is stone and dry, you better buy a postal owl. I suspect Hogwarts owls are trained to bring the mail from certain students to be checked by someone first."
Hey! Don't judge me for lying! No matter how powerful you are, dragging a toad around is just plain stupid.
The girls heard me and backed me up. Hannah said: "Neville, let your toad stay at home, it will be happier in your greenhouses. It is a great pet to help in your hobby, but the castle is a bad environment for a toad. Let's go together and buy an owl." Susan helped: "I'll come along. I am not ready for a pet again, my cat died last winter. It was the last present I got from my parents and I'm not yet over it." That caused a mass girl hug, Tonks included.
Neville looked at me, I shrugged and joined the hug, motioning him to join as well. When we let go, the girls were blushing, but not angry about the hug. Daphne: "I'll bring my cat along, Tracey has her owl, Hannah, do you have a pet that you want to bring along? Hannah nodded: "I have Zeus, my owl. Uncle Tom gave it to me, he said it was so I won't forget to write."
Neville, Hannah and Susan left. Daphne asked: "Why did you not go along with Neville?" I answered: "I had six years to get my confidence back. Neville is still a bit timid and uncertain, he needs to do things himself, interacting with pretty girls alone is one of them."
Tracey: "Pretty girls?" I smiled: "Yeah both are pretty girls, but don't worry dear, I find you both pretty too." Tracey had a mind freeze. Daphne tilted her head: "Only just pretty?" I grinned: "It is a bit early dear to fish for compliments that go beyond pretty. I'll tell you in a few years, can you both wait that long?"
Thoughtful she answered: " We can wait for it if you want us to." Oops! she is fishing for more than a compliment. I just nodded. It is just a puppy crush of two kids.
We went over our school stuff, my telescope got a lot of attention, compared with the wizarding one, mine won hands down. They took it home with them to compare them at night. Both swallowed though on how much I spent on enchants for the telescope.
I defended my purchase: "Every course is easy for me, but I have no clue about the stars and how they can possibly affect us. Planets I can understand, they are in our solar system, but constellations? Some of them are thousands of lightyears away from us. Hence a badass telescope."
Tonks: "I admit it is a good telescope, how is your equipment for potions? Snape is a pain in the butt and can be nasty if you are not a Slytherin. I had to get tutored by mum in the holidays to pass my owls." I showed my mum's potion kit, it should be good enough: "You are going for a Newt in potions Tonks? I can loan you my mum's notes on the subject, together with your mother's notes will give you a better chance." I got smothered in a hug: "Thank you, Harry! That bastard was doing everything he could to fail me." I was starting to like Tonks's hugs.
Xxxxx
A few hours later a big eagle owl flew in with a letter from Neville: "Harry this was a great idea, we chose Demeter, she is great! See you tomorrow, I am taking Hannah and Susan home for dinner."
I remarked: "Dammed, he moves fast. Daphne? Tracey? Do you want to have dinner with me?" I can't let Neville get ahead too much."
Tracey answered: "We love to, Harry, but not if it is just to compete with Neville." I smiled at her: "Nah, Tracey, that is just an excuse to invite you both. I do enjoy your company very much." The six of us were spending practically all our time together. Sirius watched us from a distance, glad to have some happiness back in his life.
The night before our departure I took Sirius apart: "Sirius, there are a few things that need to be done. Can you check up on my other properties? See if it needs work? Maybe check yours too, you can ask Tapsy if you need a few helpers to clean. Also, what has to be done to bring Andromeda back into House Black? I heard Nymmie's metamorphmagus ability is originally a Black treat."
Sirius sighed: "You are too wise for your years Harry, you are right to point it out to me. I'll make arrangements to bring Andromeda back in the family." I grinned: "Maybe you need to talk to your account manager, I want to bet there are some loans due to House Black. To Malfoy or Lestrange for example. I am certain the payments stopped when your grandfather died."
I gave purpose to the Dog, and a stick to play fetch with.
Xxxxx
We all met on the platform at ten, said goodbyes to the parents, and boarded the train, we claimed a compartment for our own and made ourselves comfortable. The month practicing magic gave them confidence. Tonks went to see her friends, her chaperon job on hold during school.
The only pet in the cabin was Daphne's cat, Rover. Putting owls in cages the whole train ride is plain stupid, we just told them to fly to Hogwarts. When the train left, I took a book to read, the girls went to see some friends, Neville read a herbology book from the Potter library. The Longbottom ones were already memorized by him.
An hour later, Daphne and Tracey came back with two other girls, she introduced them as Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode. Daphne asked me: "Harry, can you explain to them what you heard about House Slytherin?" She needs me to save two maidens from the evil snakes? I'll just put on my White Shiny Armor and… dammed, there is no room for my White Stallion in here.
I started: "Misses Parkinson and Bulstrode, as you know the pure-bloods are a male-orientated society, women are regarded as cattle to be traded for favors or alliances. Girls can be married off at thirteen to men older than your grandfather if it gives your House a benefit. You know I am right. Sadly it starts in Hogwarts. Most of the die-hard pure-bloods end up in Slytherin. With me so far? Did I speak any lies just now?" Both shook their head, it was common knowledge.
"Well if you happen to be a half-blood or from a more common House daughter, life becomes hard in Slytherin. Half-bloods are harassed, and in third year no doubt raped because they are not pure-blood. Dumbledore just slaps their hands, a few detentions later the girl gets raped again if is she stubborn and complains again, the third time she gets gang-raped and obliviated. The only way to survive in there is to stick yourself to a boy or boys. The lower-class pure-bloods have it only a little bit better.
This was the situation in the time of our parents, I heard it is almost the same now. I read my mother's journals, no matter the sexual harassment, rape and abuse. The only thing they got was detentions and a disappointed expression on Dumbledore's face. I talked to a seventh-year puff, she said it hasn't changed much. Rumors of rape and obliviate caused most girls to move in groups.
I am certain male scum are in every house, but most of them are in Slytherin."
Parkinson said: "If I am not sorted in Slytherin dad is going to be mad." Daphne laughed: "Harry told my dad a true cunning Slytherin gets sorted in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, because of the Snake-house's bad reputation. I agree with it to be honest. You heard what death eaters did to muggle-borns and muggle girls. Don't deny it, their sons are sitting in Slytherin right now."
Tracey: "I am glad the worst one of our year went to Durmstrang, now we only have to deal with Not"
I said: "Well, I am not trying to convince you, just stating the facts, so you can make your own decision"
Millicent asked: "We can decide our house?" I shrugged: "Isn't that obvious? Miss Parkinson's dad will be mad if she is not sorted in Slytherin, if she has no say in the procedure, he can't get mad about it at all. I think who or what is going to sort us, takes our opinion in the decision."
The two left with a puzzled expression. I grinned at Daphne: "Saving fellow snakes dear?" She smiled: "But of course dear, they are friends we just had to warn them."
Both sat next to me and took a book.
Our Puffs dragged Megan Jones along to meet us. Hannah: "Megan is a fellow puff, and…" I interrupted: "Hold on a minute! Is this again a sales pitch to get us in Huffelypuff?" Hannah stumped her foot on the floor: "It is Hufflepuff you barbarian! And for your information, it is Neville we want to convince to join us, our head of house is the professor of herbology, so he will fit right in."
I shrugged: "She has a point, Nev, you would fit right in." Neville thought about it: "Gran expect me to join Gryffindor, but she was wrong with dads wand, maybe it is time I'll make my own decisions"
He looked at Hannah: "If the sorting let me choose, then I join the puffs, it's all I can promise." All three jumped with a fist pump. "We got one!" Three heads turned to me and the girls next to me.
Susan: "Daphne? Tracey? Did you know the Hufflepuff common room is almost in the center of the castle? Everything is close by." I stage whispered: "They make you wear underwear in badger colors. Tonks told me so." Daphne and Tracey snickered while the three puffs screamed from indignation. Megan: "Not true, we are not forced to wear them! We just like the colors!"
The moment the words left her mouth she realized what she said. I smiled: "Too much information miss Jones, you made Neville's brain freeze up. I bet he is picturing Hannah and Susan right now." That got me two elbows in my side. Tracey: "Now you are crossing the line, dear, apologize."
I sighed: "You are right dear, everyone, I am sorry I went too far with the joke, I am sorry. Hannah, Susan, I am yet undecided, but it's between the Claws and the Puffs. And will be proud to be in either one."
Xxxxx
The food cart arrived and as punishment, the food was on me. Later on Not came visiting: "Heiress Greengrass, if you like, you can join us with the upper class" it was kind of funny to hear a little kid spouting his rubbish, feeling superior because he inherited Draco's bookends. I could not help but laugh. Not: "What are you laughing about half-blood? You better learn your place."
I laughed at him: "Upper class? Goyle, sixth generation, Crabbe, seventh-generation; Not, from around sixteen hundred. Before that time? Muggle! Now take us here, Greengrass at least from before Merlin's time. Longbottom came with the Vikings and was an Ancient line even then. Potter, we came with the Romans, my ancestors trace back to Greece and old Egypt.
Bones, also more than two millennia old. Davis and Abbot are before the founding of the Wizengamot, Black, traces back to Egypt. So piss off little boy and go pretend to be important somewhere else."
The little boy thought to be strong with his bookends and grabbed his wand, which I yanked wandless out of his hand the same with Crabbe and Goyle. I held them in place with my magic and told them: "You three have a choice, you leave through the door or out the window, ask a prefect to retrieve your wands. Now buzz off."
I released them and the three stooges ran off. Tracey smiled: "I love it when you get possessive dear." Daphne agreed: "Yes, Hannah is right, he can be a barbarian."
A few minutes later, two Slytherin prefects came into the cabin. One asked: " Who has the wands from Heir Not, Goyle and Crabbe?" I looked around and said: "See how far they are degraded? No knock on the door, no introduction, no one asking who we are? Now, gentlemen, where did you learn your manners?" One said: "We don't need them for scum."
"Alright, leave and let someone else collect these wands. You get five seconds to get out of here." Five seconds later they slammed into the wall outside our compartment, I closed our door and held it close. A bit later someone knocked on the door, I opened the door, the Headboy, introduced himself: "Good day, I am Brian Carpenter, I came to inquire what the problems are, can you introduce yourself please?"
Daphne hold my arm and nodded to Neville. Neville stood up and introduced us to all the Most Noble and Most Ancient titles upfront, it took three minutes to finish the introduction. I whispered to Tracey: "I did not know we were so important." She giggled: "You'll learn it soon enough."
The Headboy was sweating buckets, these were not someone to anger. He said: "you have appeared to disarm Heir Not and friends, he would like to have his wand back." I handed them over: "Here, you needed only to ask politely. Those two prefects who came first, badly need some etiquette lessons. You can tell Heir Not he needs to learn who is upper and who is lower class."
Neville remarked when he left: "That was fun." Megan was part of the group now.
Xxxxx
We let the Girls change in my apartment trunk, Nev and I went after. My main wand was at home, my spare in a drawer in my trunk. The fake one, Neville remembered me asking for Yggdrasil. His ancestors planted an Ash tree the year they build their manor, it is rumored Yggdrasil is an Ash tree, so I got a 1200-year-old fake wand from the World Tree.
At the station we heard Hagrid call the firsties, we followed him down a slippery road. We lit up the path with six Lumos, getting surprised looks from the others.
Neville took his Puffs in a boat, while we boarded another, a little Chinese girl joined us, introduced herself as Su Li, we introduced ourselves, the short version, and Hagrid moved the boats, with magic? Isn't it hard with a broken wand? Or are these boats the same as in the amusement parks? The trip was nice though, the first sight of the castle was impressive, towers everywhere, big buildings, the movies did not even come close to the real thing.
I helped the girls out of the boat. The speech of McGonagall was the same as the books, the appearance of the ghosts too, I think they do it each year, you know, the little joys of the afterlife. Anyway, I was rather curious about what changes I brought into the story.
They can sure make those kids nervous, Ron felt brave with his new wand and was ready for his troll, Hermione was a nervous wreck, I whispered in her ear Ravenclaw has a library in their common room, the others not. the other side characters had different levels of scared.
Xxxxx
I tuned out when the floppy hat sang the bloody song but looked up when McGonagall called: " Abbot Hannah". Hannah got on the stool, had a little conversation with Hatty, and was Puffed. Susan got Puffed too. Millicent Bulstrode went to Ravenclaw, which started murmurs.
Tracey Davis took a lot longer, almost fifteen minutes, slowly she took her wand and pointed it at the Hat, who yelled: HUFFLEPUFF! Tracey stood up smiled at McGonagall, and joined Hannah and Susan. Well, I know where I'll end up, Sure enough, Daphne was a Puffy too, so was Neville. Hermoine joined the Claws.
When my turn came up, the hat was placed on my head, his voice sounded in the hall: "Potter Harry, lower your barrier. When I gave him access, I just thought to him: "Hufflepuff please, you know why you sorted the others there."
Hat asked: "Are you sure? Slytherin can make you great you know." I thought: "A true Slytherin is in Hufflepuff, now, do I need to take my wand out?" Hatty: HUFFLEPUFF! I stood up, smiled at McGonagall, and gave the hat to her. I sat between the girls, Tracey snickered: "Did you threaten him too to blast a hole in his hat?" The hall was silent, so the question was heard by half of them. I answered: "No I just threaten it to take my wand out. That thing wanted to put me in Slytherin."
Tracey: "Me too! it would not listen to reason at all!" I grumbled: "yeah but you could have asked for Ravenclaw you know? Now I have to buy Bumblebee boxers. And I don't look good with stripes."
Daphne: "No moping around dear, you chose your colors, wear them proudly." "Yes, dear."
Xxxxx
Dumbledore made his speech and ended it with his usual Blubber Nitwit Odment Tweek! Several muggle-born asked if he was crazy, I shrugged: "He definitely is crazy, but he just called the house elves to serve the food. His hidden meaning though, Dumbledore has a pensive, to recall the memory from his speech, so he can study who is for, against, or indifferent of him. So he can manipulate us better."
Even the pure-bloods were surprised by my revelation. I said: "What? He is a bloody politician for over fifty years! Guiding students to follow his bidding is his highest priority. Did you not know more than half of the school worships the ground he walks on? Some loyalty potions in our drinks, and we all think rainbows are coming out of his butt." Some upper years protested: "We have spells to check for potions!" I shot back: "Do you have spells for Alchemy-based potions? Why do you think Alchemy isn't taught here anymore? I even heard Potion classes are sabotaged with an incompetent teacher. But I confess, these are my speculations, not necessarily the truth. Find it out yourself."
The first step to freedom: Teach the sheep how to think for themselves. The irony: It is by manipulating the sheep.
Dumbledore's speech at the end of dinner ended with certain death on the third floor. On the way to the Badgers den, the students talked it over. I poked the fire: "maybe he rented that part of the castle out to rich clients, to store an important artifact. You know, for some extra galleons. They say Hogwarts is the safest spot in Britain, Hagrid told me so. He retrieved an artifact from Gringotts on my birthday, the same day someone tried to rob it and got caught."
Xxxxx
I could have said more but we arrived at some barrels in the cellar, the prefects showed us the secret knock sequence to get in. Sprout welcomed us smiling, this year she has a big haul, six males and six females. Slytherin ended up with only boys, Pansy had a long discussion with the Hat and ended in Ravenclaw.
Sprout is a motherly type, she explained the rules of the house, you know boys are not allowed in the girl's rooms, but they can crawl in our beds whenever they want.
We got two rooms, Nev and I decided to bunk with Justin Finch-Fletchley a muggle-born upper class. When he started to brag about Eton I countered with Oxford and Cambridge, once we got that out of the way we got along just fine. The girls had a room for themselves, Megan had to bunk with expendable side character B.
Neville summed it up: "We survived the first day Harry, I am glad we sorted in the same House."
The next morning Tonks guided us to the great hall, pointing landmarks and interesting facts about the Castle. She explained: "The worst off are the lions and claws, they live on the seventh floor. Every time they forget a book, they are late for class if they don't know the shortcuts. The stairs are moving irregularly, so those poor sods are always late for class the first month."
At breakfast, I had my first taste of pumpkin juice. That tastes awful! I asked out loud: "can I have a jug of water please and an empty cup." it popped in front of me. "thank you." Justin tasted his drink and asked for water too. He commented: "Good Lord! I thought it was orange juice." I answered: "I suspect their taste buds are numbed down with all the potions in their drinks." Daphne slapped my arm: "Stop complaining dear and start eating."
What started as a joke and teasing, is becoming a habit. Tracey, Daphne, and I always say 'dear' to each other. Meh, we are kids having fun.
Sprout handed us out time table, she said to me: "Mr. Potter, the headmaster wants to talk to you after breakfast." I reacted: "Oh did I do something wrong already Professor? What does he want with me?" She looked at me: "He did not say, Mr. Potter."
"Then Professor Sprout, I have to decline. If he wants to talk to me, it has to be about school business, any other reasons have to be talked about in the presence of my solicitor, magical guardian, or Godfather. In no circumstances am I to be alone with Headmaster Dumbledore, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall, Hagrid or Professor Snape."
She was speechless, after a moment she asked: "Can you explain your reasons, Mr. Potter?"
I nodded: "Professor Snape told Voldemort about a prophecy he overheard between the Headmaster and someone else. Voldemort thought it was about me, so he hunted my parents and eventually murdered them. Hagrid kidnapped me from my wrecked house, denying my Godfather to take care of me. The Headmaster bound my magic, put blood trackers and a drain to blood wards on my body, and delivered me at the doorstep of my magic-hating aunt with Hagrid and McGonagall present. Those three criminals did not even knock on the bloody door. Now tell me, are these the kind of people to be alone with?"
I had quite the audience, I was heard by the Puffs, half of Ravenclaw, and a bunch of Slytherins. Sprout was slack-jawed, it took her a minute to recuperate: "Very well Mr. Potter, I also will be present with every meeting. And will make sure any detention with them will be transferred to another Professor."
I smiled at her: "Thank you, professor. Now I understand why the Puffs are so fanatically promoting your House, and I'm proud to be one of them." OK, I am buttering Sprout up, but going on the books, McGonagall can take a lesson or two from Sprout about student care.
When Sprout was out of range Tonks said: "You sly Slytherpuff! You managed to evade detention with Snape and McGonagall! Those two are the worst." I blew on my fingernails: "What can I say? It is a gift."
Xxxxx
It so happened our first class was double transfiguration with the Claws, a fifth-year prefect dropped us on time. When we went inside, Susan spotted the cat and got closer. I decided to have some fun, I walked to the cat, picked her up, said to Susan: "Susan, this is a nice cat. No? Well, if you rub her belly and torso like this, they will love it. See she loves it. Hey, let's see if it's a boy or a girl." I turned the cat, took her tail, and lifted it. Yeah, years of handling pet cats finally paid off. By now she was hissing and scratching to escape. "It's a girl, but not pet material, it is a vicious beast. We better let her outside before the professor comes in. Is this Filch his cat?" I put the cat out of the door, walked back in, and planted me next to Neville. "Nev, this could be a fun year."
McGonagall came in, raging mad. She felt violated. I rubbed her chest, and looked at her pussy… you know what I mean. Or it could be the comment she was vicious stung. She did her speech of: do what I say or else, instead of turning her desk in a pig, she turned it into a lion and let it roar in my face. Neville on one side and Daphne on the other screamed. My occlumency held my face calm. That petty bint! If she wants to get back at me? Fine, but leave my friends out of it.
I commented: "Real lifelike professor, it even spitted saliva on my face. But is it your habit to terrify first years on their first day? Do you feel better now? Superior? You know what? If you are angry because I treated you like a cat, you should not have pretended you were a real cat. I knew you were an animagus the moment I walked in the door. I read my dad's journal." Yep, ten years of Durskaban creates big grudges. Starting a rumor Potter rubbed her titties, and looked at her pussy, is just the beginning.
Ten minutes later she had cooled down enough to start her lesson. Forty-five minutes theory and an hour changing matchsticks into needles. We already covered that at home, so we tried to make the prettiest one, Hannah and Susan put Badgers on it, Daphne her cat, Nev and I made it with pretty colors.
When that became boring, Daphne and Tracy began helping Pansy and Milli, Neville and me, tutored our housemates.
You could hear McGonagall grinding her teeth. Anyway, my friends gathered our first points, although I did get none.
Lunch was great! The rumors I started were getting their own life: Dumbledore had me chained in a dungeon with my muggle relatives, Hagrid was the man to contact to let dangerous animals guard your treasures, Potter did unspeakable things with McGonagall in front of the class. Although the last one backfired. Several sixth and seventh-year girls were hounding me for details.
I held up my hands and told them: "A gentleman does not kiss and tell, then it is a good thing I did not kiss her, so I can tell I gave her a belly rub and checked out she was a female. I did not dare to kiss her, because she bit and scratched too hard." Yep, rumor NR. Two: Minnie is into rough play.
Xxxxx
The afternoon was dull, history was mind-numbing, Dada is canceled, due to a lack of a teacher. We explored the castle instead. With my dad's map, we tracked all secret passages. Eight of us, which means us six, Megan, and expendable character B ended up in the third corridor.
I asked: "Who wants to look behind door number 1? To see if it kills us?" Those traitorous puffs pushed me and Neville forwards. I wanted to sacrifice our expendable on this. Well… we have to look brave in the eyes of the chicks, or Diggory gets them. I looked at him and he is a pretty boy.
We walked to the door, I had my magic senses spread out, no wards, age lines, alerts, just a locking charm. Neville unlocked it, while I explained the lack of security. He pushed the door open, to show a three-headed dog… alright, looking at it for real? I had to clamp my butt cheeks tight, that was a big ass Dog! Slowly Neville closed the door and locked it again. He turned to the girls and said: "We skip this part, does everyone agree? I answered: "Let's find a bathroom first."
6 The first week.
Megan nodded speechlessly, Hannah said: "This can definitively kill us, eat us too. I agree with Neville, let's skip this part." Tracey: "Bathroom for me too, what idiot is keeping a three-headed dog in a school?" Susan grinned evilly: "Why don't we let aunty Amelia ask that question to the staff?" Expendable side character B: "I'm returning to our dorm, I need fresh knickers." She turned and ran off… completely in the wrong direction.
Daphne agreed with Susan: "Sue, we will all write to aunt Amelia, Dad taught me how to extract a memory, I will send it to my dad. Mention it to aunty. Dad won't mind showing it to her."
I shrugged: "Maybe Sirius wants to play with that dog. But you are right Susan, once first years learn the unlocking spell, the whole school can get in here. Dumbledore mentioning it made it even worse, some will be curious, like us, others will take it as a challenge. He could just ward this corridor to repel everyone under eighteen. It is as if he wants us to come here." Neville remarked: "I won't be surprised if it was to attract students to try."
When our visit to the bathroom was done, I guided our group to the seventh floor, we admired the dancing trolls for a bit, after considering the pro and contra I told them: "Ladies and gentlemen, what I am going to reveal is not even a Puffy secret, but our little group only. Can you all agree to this? To keep it completely silent?"
Daphne: "What can you possibly have learned that we did not? We were always together the last few days." Megan: "Am I allowed to know it too? I only met Harry on the train." Hannah hugged her: "Megan, you met Harry just yesterday, but the rest of us know each other for years, you are part of our group." Tracey: "We all agree, dear, show your surprise."
I started pacing the blind wall, after the third pass, a door appeared. We entered a big hall, divided into several sections, a training section with all kinds of workout devices, training dummies, even a swimming pool. Another part was furnished with comfy couches and a wall filled with books, another section had a potion lab.
I spread my arms and said: "Ladies and gentlemen: I present to you our secret training quarters. The Room of Requirement. Rowena Ravenclaw's private secret chamber. If you will look at the door, see? We can have total privacy, the one in control can make the door go away."
This led to an hour of explanations of the workings, and limitations. At last, I said: "You all realize that if this becomes common knowledge, we will never get a chance to get back in here because everyone will stand in line for a turn. So for us only, no boy- or girlfriends, or telling mum and dad. If we want to add a member, we all have to agree with it. Now, we have an hour before dinner, let's have some fun."
I went to the locker room and changed into a swimming trunk, and took a dive in the pool. I yelled: "Just think of the kind of swimwear you want." Alright… the fashion sense of wizards is way off… they came into the pool dressed in pre-WWI style. Tracey, as a half-blood had a modest one-piece, the rest were covered from neck to knees. Meh, we had fun.
Xxxxx
The next day at breakfast, I sat down next to Hermione and asked: "Well miss Granger, how many books have you already read in your common room?" She turned to me with a big smile: "Thank you for telling me, I originally wanted to be in Griffindor, but the library convinced me for Ravenclaw."
I grinned and pointed to Roger: "You can thank Mr. Davis, he told me about it. Though I followed his sister and friends into Hufflepuff.
After some small talk, I joined my friends. Tonks could not help but remark: "Cheating on your girlfriends already Harry? Branching out to the Claws?" I joked back: "Nimmie, don't be jealous, I still like you." Tonks's hair shifted through several colors and ended up red: "You cheeky kid, there is a stinging hex with your name on it coming your way."
Daphne looked at me with a question in her eyes. I told her: "Yesterday, she was first to complete her needle after us. It can't hurt to get to know smart people. Before the sorting, I told her that only the Claws had a library in their common room, I heard her recite several spells while we waited, so Claw material. I thought mentioning it cost nothing, and she might be grateful for the tip."
Daphne: "You are learning fast dear, Dad and uncle Jacob was planning to tutor you in politics this Yule break. We are supposed to attend a few balls too, so polish your dancing skills." Tracey snickered: "Yes, train hard because we plan to dance a lot." I shrugged: "It is not a punishment you know, I happen to like dancing with the both of you." Both had happy faces through breakfast.
Xxxxx
We started the lessons with a double-charms, again with the Claws, Flitwick, for some obscure reason stood on a stack of books during his roll call. He followed canon when I responded, and he fell off the stack. Anyway, the first hour was filled with magic theory, explaining the wand movements and incantations.
The second hour was devoted to the Lumos spell. Our group stole the show again. Neville started with color changing, Hannah and Susan changed size, Tracey and Daphne were casting silently. I tutored Megan and expendable character B: "Megan, wand movement and spell are important, but most of all, you need to picture in your head what result you want and demand your magic to follow your intent. Eventually, we need to learn to do this silently, with a minimum of wand movements, so use intent and imagination to guide your magic." I demonstrated it with a silent Lumos without wand movements. "Fifteen points to Hufflepuff, for helping your classmates and for a perfectly executed silent Lumos spell.
Tell me Mr. potter, how long are you practicing magic?" I answered: "I got my wand since August first Professor. But I am aware of magic since I was four years old. Heir Neville, miss Abbot, miss Bones, miss Davis, and miss Greengrass have been practicing with me since the first week of August."
Flitwick looked thoughtful at us: "I must admit it is a month well spent Mr. Potter. The six of you have clearly a good grasp on your magic. Feel free to help your classmates." Well, the little man approved, Megan and B got it after five minutes.
I went to Hermione to help her, annoyed she said: "I have been practicing last month too, how come you are so much more advanced?" I replied: "Miss Granger, as I told professor Flitwick, I am aware of magic since I was four years old. I have my own theories about it, which has helped me grasp the spells better. You want to hear it?" Reluctantly Hermione nodded. I smiled evilly: "First forget everything you read in your books." I know! I just could not help saying that. The expression on her face is priceless.
Hermione started to rant: "How can you say that! How can you learn something if you don't learn it from books!" I held my hands up and calmed her: "Miss Granger, what I mean with that, it is books don't know everything, they are written by humans, so there are bound to be errors in them. Do you know how many books were written with theories of a flat earth? Or the scientific explanations of the planetary movements with the earth as the center?
Even now our science books are inaccurate, discoveries are made every year, and science is rewritten because of it. I use books as a guide, not as an absolute, based on the books and my own observations I form my own opinion. Right or wrong does not matter, with every new fact I learn, my knowledge expands and evolves.
Now, concentrate on the effect you want to achieve with your spell, create a clear picture, and will it into reality through your wand, no spell or wand movement. Just use your intent and willpower."
Hermione closed her eyes, focused on her Lumos, and willed it into existence. Her wand tip started to glow, and a weak Lumos appeared.
Flitwick ruined it: "Ten points to Ravenclaw for a splendid silent Lumos. Another ten points to Hufflepuff for tutoring your classmate." Hermione's Lumos disappeared: "I did it?" Flitwick confirmed it: "A first Lumos and already silent and without wand movements, this is advanced spell work, miss Granger. Well done."
I already moved on to Padma Patil, she asked me: "Can I do that too?" Silently I said: "Do, or do not, there is no try." Hah! I did a Yoda! "Seriously, miss Patil, it is all in your mind, create a clear picture of the Lumos you want, and use your willpower and intent to force your magic through your wand. No spell shouting or wand movements, just will it to happen." A minute later Padma succeeded. Five minutes later Su Li managed it as well.
I decided to stop there, I picked the three most intelligent students from Ravenclaw, I am certain the others will not succeed. Neville and the girls were helping the others too. Flitwick was ecstatic, these first years were moving frontiers before his eyes. By the end of class, everyone could do the Lumos, nine of them silent and without wand movements!
Xxxxx
Our afternoon was free so we could take a nap, Astronomy class started at midnight, again with the Claws. Professor Sinistra could keep our attention with her explanation, her looks did not really matter...yet. Although I'll bet when puberty sets in, she will have a lot of fans. She is early thirty, and very beautiful.
My telescope had her approval, Tracey and Daphne frowned when she leaned over my shoulder to look through my telescope, slightly making contact with her body against mine.
"Mr. Potter, this telescope is a marvel. To know muggles can create such a piece of precise equipment is amazing." I responded: "It is not all muggle professor, I had it enchanted with extra zoom, unbreakable, and some other enchants, it was quite costly. But I am glad I did it."
Hannah muttered: "Two hundred fifty galleons if you can't see the stars with that kind of money, I don't know what will." Neville gave her a one-arm hug: "Don't worry Hannah if it needs be, we will twist his arm to let us use it sometimes too." Susan grinned: "Yes! Neville will hold him while we twist his arm." I muttered: "I am surrounded by violent friends, I hope I survive this year."
Xxxxx
Wednesday started with Herbology, the first time a class shared with Slytherin, Neville was in his element, this time we let him guide us. With a lot of enthusiasm, he explained how to handle the plants. I admit, Herbology is not my main interest, but Neville made it interesting for us with facts and tips. Not was the undisputed leader of his class, well… Crabbe and Goyle were his underlings, and Zabini didn't give a fuck. I heard there was a lot of mockery with the senior snakes about his lack of girls this year.
The poor sob tried to compensate by agonizing me: "How do you like the duffers' Potter? There was no other house that wanted you?" It was a good try, although being insulted by a kid… Hmm… what to do?
Let us mess with the kid: "Little Theodore, let your daddy ask Malfoy why baby Draco is in Durmstrang instead of here. Let him say I gave permission, only for him, and I like to play with irritating snot noses." Let's see if he runs to daddy too.
Anyway… the herbs class was fun, in the afternoon we had an hour of the sour pussy in transfiguration. I had yet to receive a single point from her. I was always first to succeed the spells, somehow she just looked in the other direction when it did. Vindictive bint…
Xxxxx
It was fairly easy, we had only seven courses, even with four hours a week per subject, it was still only twenty-eight hours of class, an hour flying lesson, and two hours of magical theory. We aced the practicals.
In the afternoon we had our first potion double, with the Claws, our seniors already warned us for Snape and his temper. I was ready for him, when he dramatically pushed the door open, I wandless slammed it back into his face. After a moment he opened the door and walked in. You see? Even a Snape can be trained! He started with the usual talk, no mindless wand waving, bottle glory, yatayata, with the roll call he got to me.
"Harry Potter... our new Celebrity." I responded: "Sorry sir, I promised my guardians that I will not give autographs, not even to teachers." He fumed: "You arrogant brat! You are just like your father Let's hear if you know something at all or are just filled with hot air. Tell me what do you get when you mix wormwood with asphodel root?" Hermione had her hand in the air, I answered: "I was hoping to learn that here… sir. But if you add some more stuff to it, you get a nasty sleeping potion… sir." Not admitting defeat, he asked: "Where would you look if you want a bezoar?" Hermione was practically jumping to answer the question. Meh… I am prepared: "The Greengrass family has a tenant with a goat farm that specializes in bezoars, I would go there if I need one. Or I could ask Miss Greengrass here, maybe I can get a discount. They are quite pricey." Daphne protested: "They're not pricey! Do you know how long it takes for a bezoar to form?"
Snape fumed: "five points from Griffindor for your cheek!" I stage whispered to Neville: "Does he not know we are Hufflepuffs?" Neville whispered back: "Shh! Don't tell him that! Maybe he is colorblind."
"Twenty points from Hufflepuff! For disrespecting me. Now pair up and brew the cure for boils. The recipe is on the board. You have half an hour."
I asked him: "This is your teaching method? The recipe is on the board, you have a half-hour? I thought Bins was the worst teacher, I stand corrected." Snape was ready to explode: "Fifty points from Griffindor for disrespecting me! And detention until Christmas!
I shrugged, I may look like an eleven-year-old boy, but I eat bullies like him for breakfast… now, that is a nasty mental picture. I told Snape: "First teach us the safety rules, then explain how and why to shop the ingredients up, teach us the methods to heat the cauldron, and the different ways to stir the potion. Maybe then I will attend detention from you, you incompetent twat." I looked him in the eyes, he knows I have a mind-shield, good enough to block the sorting hat. But I made him mad enough to forget it, he used legilimence and invaded my mind. I was kind of curious my defenses were enough, the theory was sound, but still.
Snape dove into my mind, straight into the black hole that was waiting for him. Snape got sucked in with exceptional force. If it can suck light in, some grease ball is no challenge, I felt him losing his mind, his magic was struggling in a panic to abort the spell, the suction was too big to overcome. Before he would completely lose it, I ejected him out of my mindscape. Without a word he collapsed.
I said: "Susan, can you contact aunty Amelia? Snape here invaded my mind with Legilimence, and now is suffering the consequences." Am I too ruthless? First the rat, then the bug, now almost the grease ball? It does spare me a lot of suffering though. Nah, as Luna would say: "One Nargel less." Susan broke a crystal, I guess it is an emergency beacon of some sort.
I asked: "Does someone know where the medical wing is? Ow, stupid question, this is our first week, of course we don't know." Hermione panicked: "Did you attack a teacher? Are we in trouble? You are going to be expelled! They break your wand and bind your magic! I read about it in Hogwarts, a History twenty-one's edition."
After that statement, the Ravenclaw's made a run for it. The Puffies stayed their ground. I asked Neville: "Are the Griffs going to be angry that snape took fifty-five points from them because of me?" Neville shrugged: "Going on the tales about him, you will be declared a hero. Do you think he will recover?"
"I doubt it, my defense is made to destroy anyone that tries to invade my mind. I went easy on him, and gave him a chance to survive, although his teaching days are over."
While waiting, we tried to brew the potion. Daphne remarked: "That recipe on the board has some minor flaws. When you follow it, you get at most an acceptable for it. I heard he sabotaged the other houses, this is clearly the prove."
Madam Bones barged into the room followed by four Aurors and Dumbledore. She looked at Snape, who was still on the floor and demanded an explanation. Susan did a brief summary and ended: "I already extracted a copy of my memory, Aunty, Daphne here did so as well."
Dumbledore was busy examining Snape: "Harry what did you do to Professor Snape? His mind is almost completely gone." I answered: "Well Albus, do a Legilimence spell on me and find out." He frowned: "It is Headmaster Dumbledore, Harry, show some respect." I shot back: "It is Heir Potter or Mr. Potter to you, Albus. Show some respect. And that bastard did a legilimence spell on me and is now suffering the consequences."
Madam Bones interrupted: "We will analyze the memories. And go from there." Daphne added: "Analyze the recipe on the board too. It is designed to let us fail. With that, we can get at most an acceptable. If Snape recovers I want him fired."
Dumbledore: "Professor Snape has my complete trust miss Greengrass, I am sure you are exaggerating the issue." Daphne glared at him: "Look at the board Headmaster, if you state that you can brew a flawless potion with that recipe, then you are getting senile." Dumbledore looked insulted: "Miss Greengrass! I am definitively not getting senile! Mind your manners." Daphne shot back: "Then you admit that you know Snape is sabotaging our education, even aiding him. What are your plans for our future Headmaster? Turning all of us in ignorant puppets?"
One of the Aurors studied the recipe and stated: "There are two minor flaws in this recipe. It will result in a mediocre potion at most." I added: "His only command was: the recipe is on the board, you have a half-hour to complete. No explanation about safety, how to prepare the ingredients, to heat the cauldron, or how to stir. In other words a complete failure of a teacher, and you Albus, keeping him employed makes you a failure too."
Madam Bones interrupted: "Dawlish, alert St. Mungos and transport Snape to it. He will be arrested the moment he wakes up. Headmaster, I received an interesting owl from my niece this morning. Come with me to the third floor to inspect the forbidden corridor, which can cause students to die in school."
Dumbledore back paddled: "That will not be necessary Amelia, I have matters well in hand." Madam Bones replied: "That is what worries me Headmaster, and address me as Madam Bones. You lost the right to be familiar with me the moment I read Heir Potters Will. Shacklebolt, Jones, and Wilder follow me."
Xxxxx
Our group just tagged along, at the third floor, Amelia asked Neville to open the door. With a grin Neville opened the door with an alomohora, he pushed the door open to reveal a growling Cerberus. Madam Bones analyzed the corridor: "Dumbledore! This level of incompetence is unheard of! No wards, age lines, repellents, not even a sign! That animal is clearly guarding that trapdoor, is it another deathly animal down there? Shacklebolt, Jones, Wilder stun that dog! Let's find out what is down there."
Four stunners later the Cerberus is down and bound in ropes. Amelia shot all protests from Dumbledore down: "This is a school you are supposed to run, not a bloody circus. The school board will hear of this Dumbledore. What? Devils snare? Is this an obstacle course? One first-years have access too? Shack, Jones, and Wilder, get down there and document everything you find down there. Destroy everything dangerous. Dumbledore, I will call for a meeting of the board, there you can explain your actions. Personally, I think you lost your marbles… all of them."
Luna will be happy, Nargel number two is almost gone.
Xxxxx
Back in our common room, I hugged Daphne: "Dear, I was impressed how you gave Dumbledore a tongue lashing. Well done!" Everyone joined the hug, Neville said: "Daphne, can you teach me to extract a memory? I want to send it to Gran. She is on the board." Megan added: "This is something we all need to know. But who has a pensive? They are quite expensive." I answered: "I think there is one at home. I'll ask Sirius for one." Now with everything happening so fast, I need to secure my cloak.
Xxxxx
At dinner, when desert started I went to the head table and addressed Dumbledore: "Headmaster, you have a Potter heirloom in your possession. I am talking about our cloak. Please return it to me as fast as possible. And sir, I will take it to Gringotts to have it examined. The fees for removing any tracking or monitoring spell will be taken from your vault tenfold. Also, if you have robbed something else from my family, return it."
I turned around and left him before he could react. Dumbledore had a really bad week.
Back on the Puff table, Tonks called on me: "Harry, if you were ten years older I would marry you! Thank you for taking care of the bat!" I smiled evilly at her: "So you are into older guys? Us young blokes don't have a chance? Neville? Tonks is off-limits for us." I joked at Daphne and Tracey: " You are ok with someone your own age right? Not someone twenty years older?"
Tracey smiled and said: "You are perfect for us, dear. Now eat your desert so we can leave. Tonks is ready to hex you."
I held my hand up to Tonks: "Sorry Tonks, I will mind my big mouth. I was just happy to get rid of Snape. Now I have to think about Bins." Some sixth years protested: "Don't take our nap time away!"
Xxxxx
That evening I started a letter to Luna:
Hello miss Lovegood,
I am sorry we did not have a chance for that interview last August.
So I thought we can do this interview by correspondence.
Allow me to introduce myself, I am Harry James Potter, most call me the boy who lived, but frankly? I am the boy whose parents got murdered.
I spend the last ten years with my muggle aunt and uncle, who hate and fear magic with a passion. Life was difficult the first years, only until I could control my accidental magic, it gets better. I discovered my magic when I was four, I felt the blood wards Dumbledore erected on the house, and learned to control my magic.
I am fairly intelligent, I finished muggle primary education in two years instead of five, and secondary in three years. I have offers from muggle universities with a full scholarship, you can compare it with studying for a master's in a magic course.
My relatives never mentioned the wizarding world to me, the first contact was my Hogwarts letter. A joke was my first reaction. Dumbledore put a mail block on me, a blood tracker, and a drain to the blood wards at my aunt's house. So the first fan-mail I received was in last August. People who had written to me and never got an answer: I am very sorry, but I don't know where those letters went too.
When Hagrid took me to Diagon Alley, I found out I had a vault! Even more than one. Dumbledore, who was a witness to my parent's last Will, taken only five days before their death, completely went against my parent's last Will, he dropped me on my aunt's doorstep, even before the arrest of my Godfather and the attack on my Godmother. Although it was strictly forbidden to leave me at my relatives, they even said a muggle orphanage was preferred before my aunt.
So why did Dumbledore drop me on the doorstep? He did not even ring the doorbell! My aunt found me the next morning half-frozen in a basket with a letter. I found out at Gringotts, Dumbledore took money from my vault for 'taking care of me' Although I never saw him, and my relatives never received any money for my upkeep.
I can clearly state that Dumbledore is an enemy of House Potter. I don't know what his plans for me are but I suspect they are not in my favor.
Now, I am in the school led by the same child abuser, in other words: I am in constant danger.
It was proved the first night when he told the students not to go to the third-floor corridor if you don't want a gruesome death. Turns out, he rented out that corridor to store an artifact and let it guard by deadly traps. Only the traps were behind a door, a door a first-year student can open with an alomohora, a spell we learn the first month. No age line, or wards, nor any spell or charm to deflect students. Behind the door was a full-grown Cerberus, the first of the traps.
Another enemy is the potion teacher. Snape… a death eater, protected by Dumbledore for some obscure reason. I read in my parent's journal there is a prophecy about me and Voldy. A prophecy death eater Snape overheard the first part between Dumbledore and the seer. Snape ran to Voldy and ratted us out.
Why is Dumbledore protecting that death eater?
My first potion class started with Snape trying to embarrass me, when I pointed his unprofessional behavior out, he attacked my mind with legilimence. My mind is very protected, and my defense repelled him, making him suffer a backlash. At that point, a classmate called the Aurors.
My apologies miss Luna I am ranting again. Feel free to use everything or parts of this letter in your paper. Any questions you have can be owled to me, I'll try to answer them as well as I can.
Your friend Harry James Potter
If they print this letter then Dumbledore gets shafted for sure. A asked Neville: "Nev, your Gran is on the board, yes?" Neville nodded. I continued: "So your house-elves have access to Hogwarts?" Neville shrugged: "I don't know, it is possible. Why do you ask this?" Answering: "If my mail is checked it is best to use an elf to deliver the mail. My best guess is the elves from the school board have access to Hogwarts."
I got my mail on the elf post to Luna.
Xxxxx
The next morning I visited the lions… Weasels, I sat next to Ron and asked: "Hey Ron, what name did you give your owl?" He grinned: "I named him Chudley! I let my brothers use him too, to spare Errol a bit, he is getting old, but we love him." I greeted the twins: "Hello One and Two, how are the current Hogwarts pranksters doing? Do I have to fear for a prank coming my way? I did cause Griffindor to lose fifty-five points yesterday. For some reason, Snape thought I was in Griffindor."
One: "No way, Harrikins."
Two: "No pranks on you this year."
One: "Getting rid of Snape."
Two: "Gets you a free pass."
One: "Too bad you ended up"
Two: "As a Puff. We would like"
One: "To have you as a,"
Two: "Lion."
One: "Those fifty-five points"
Two: "Are worth it."
I shrugged at that: "Well, I believe we all are courageous, smart, loyal, and ambitious, That hat just picks one he thinks fits best. For some reason, he wanted to put me with the snakes, but I like my Puffies too much and wanted to be Puffed too. Sprout is great though."
I went to my table after some small talk. Daphne asked: "Gathering ally's dear?" I nodded: "They are nice guys, to me anyway, I got a free pass this year from them. No pranks on me this year, as thanks for getting rid of the bat. Now, I have a feeling mister Not is going to be Durmstrang material sometime next week. Care to bet on it?"
Tracey asked: "Sure, what are we betting for?" I thought for a bit: "Chores, I'll bet Not is gone to Durmstrang within seven days from now. If I win, you do little chores for me, for example getting books from the library, helping me with my homework, things like that. You both define the task if I lose." Daphne and Tracey looked at each other, grinned and Tracey said: "Dancing lessons! Until the first ball, three times a week. At the Ball, you dance exclusively with us. And a few times with Hannah, Susan, and Megan. Deal?"
I nodded: "Deal, although it is not a very balanced bet, in my opinion, I have faith in my prediction."
Xxxxx
Our first class was magic theory, followed by an hour of Charms. We raked our points in with Flitwick, the little bugger was excited with our silent casting, and our ability to teach it to others as well. Our afternoon was free, we did our homework first and moved to the RoR.
Hannah made the room, we entered a big ballroom. She said: "Talking about Balls, made me want to dance. Susan and I will take Neville, Daphne and Tracey take Harry, Megan will switch between both." Dammed, divided up as a piece of cake. Neville was happy though.
We spend two hours dancing, I said: "Why do I have the feeling I already lost the bet?" Daphne: "Hush dear, you taught us your kind of magic and helped us choose our wands, we help you with social skills." Tracey added: "And we happen to like dancing with you." Megan: "Neville is the better dancer, but for only doing it for less than a month, you improve rapidly."
Hannah changed the room to a small cozy sitting room with couches and a fireplace. Daphne asked me: "Harry what is your limit for the number of things you can lift?" I thought about it: "Hannah, think of a few decks of playing cards." When they appeared, I lifted the cards in the air and rotated them around me, each card flew individually. I trained this for years, I got over a hundred cards flying through the room.
I said: "I have been doing this from eight years old. My aunt and uncle did not like me much so I was a lot in my room, meditating and practicing this. I started meditating at five years old. Every morning and evening. You can do the same. Even faster, because my magic was bound, yours is not. I'll bet Astoria is advancing fast, she has time to practice and is motivated, my guess is that next spring she will be able to do wandless magic. And before I forget Megan, can I have your wand for a bit? I am going to try something."
Suspicious she looked at me: "No funny things with my wand Potter, it is highly irregular to hold another person's wand." Susan: "Harry are you going to connect the wand to Megan?" I nodded: "Megan, I did this with everyone here, I create a better connection between the wand and witch. Now, give me your wand. Let me hold your hand and strongly think of doing magic. Hmm, your wand is not ideal for you, about 75% compatibility." I concentrated and started to change the resonance of the core, to be more in sync with Megan. Then I connected the wand with Megan.
It was not the best response, but I got her compatibility up above 90%. Dazed she looked at her wand: "It is like a brand new wand, it feels like a part of me now." Neville smiled: "I had the same reaction Megan, you will notice your spells are going to be more powerful and you will be able to learn new spells easier."
I warned them: "Don't depend on your wand too much, like I said, practice every morning and evening for a couple of years, and you are doing everything wandless. You will find that your wands amplify your magic too much, hence my World Tree wand here.
Megan was puzzled: "What is wrong with your wand Harry?" Daphne laughed: "It is not a wand Megan. It is a fake wand. If Harry uses his best wand, his spells are so overpowered that it is dangerous to be around him." I protested: "Hey! I was learning to control it!"
Tracey: "We better head down, Tonks will be worried if we stay away too long."
Xxxxx
Flying lessons were… meh. The brooms were one step away from being firewood, the one Neville was standing at was the worst. I took it in my hand, and snapped the thing, and threw the pieces aside. I said to Madam Hooch: "If you want to kill us why don't you use a spell? It is much quicker than sending us in the air with those death sticks."
She snapped back: "These death sticks are all I have to work with Mr. Potter. Do you want new ones? Well so do I!" I muttered back: "Ok, ok, cheesh don't bite my head off." I got an idea: "Daphne dear? Write to the Daily Liar and place an ad to ask for a donation of old unused brooms for the flying lessons. That will get us a few." I looked at everyone: "For you all as well, if you have an old broom at home ask your parents to donate it to the school. Because to be honest? These sticks are so good as dead."
"Ten points to Hufflepuff, may we hope it will work out."
Well… we got in the air… I wonder, if the wizarding world is going to modernize, will they fly a vacuum cleaner?
The last lesson was back in the greenhouse with Sprout. I let Neville have it all, those things are almost like animals! Biting, strangling, shooting pus or poison, sometimes both, I had goggles and dragonhide gloves and still smelled like dragon dung.
Xxxxx
Saturday we spend doing our essays, messing around with Tonks, socializing with Expendable character B and the other boys from our year. I decided to take a walk on my own. It was time to get a Tiara.