Hey guys, my first fic. I've been sitting on this for awhile. Warning, this will be a lot different from canon, as Harry is a much different person, along with a HUGE difference in a previously minor character. Also I read a LOT of fanfic and can't help but assimilate that into my personal headcanon, so if you see anything you recognize I'm not trying to steal it, point it out to me and I'll give credit where credit is due, but I've read so much fanfiction (to give you an idea, I've been reading fanfiction since I was like eleven and I'm eighteen right now) so it's impossible for me to remember them all and whether or not my story ideas are 100% mine or not. I will say its probably got quite a bit of inspiration from Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality along with Moratorium by DarkPetal16, the second of which I just finished reading when I started this fanfic. If you haven't read either of those I suggest you do now.
Also, yeah Harry Potter's not mine, no matter how much I want him to be.
I'm not sure about any pairings right now, after all Harry's only eleven. Also the Dursley's are a bit more abusive than in canon (you'll see a small bit of inspiration from DarkPetal16 there).
Also anything in Parseltongue is going to be in quotes like everything else, since Harry hears it as English and this is pretty much entirely from his viewpoint. It should be fairly obvious what's Parseltongue and what's not anyways.
Lastly, this has obviously not been betaed so if you see any mistakes feel free to point them out. Also, reviews are welcome, along with any ideas, its very possible that I'll end up incorporating them into the story. Enjoy!
Harry sat calmly in his closet, trying to be as quiet as possible, while listening to his Aunt and Uncle as they entertained their guests. Harry had cooked a seven course meal for a total of fifteen people, two of those people being his very large Uncle and his pig of a cousin. And he had done it all with hardly any help from his Aunt, who had spent most of her time cleaning and gardening, and no help from anyone else. And he got none of it, unless they didn't finish it all. It just wasn't fair and he knew it. And yet he saw no way around it, fighting it helped in no way, his scars were proof of that.
So what to do? He really didn't know much, he was after all only eight. He decided that right there was the problem, he didn't know much, so what else was there to do, aside from learn more. He'd never been a great student, but he would try harder now, knowing it could possibly make his situation better. So, as all fifteen people outside his small closet ate away at the food he'd cooked them, he scooted closer to the door, so that he could see better, pulled his school books (which rested on the shelf above his head) close to him, and began to read them.
(^o^)
He landed heavily onto the still slippery tile floor, "What's your problem boy!? Cheating and making our Dudders look stupid!?" His Aunt spoke up now, "Probably stole our Dudders homework and wrote his own name on it!" His Uncle nodded, "Of course he did! Stupid boy! As if we wouldn't notice that! As if you, a FREAK, an IDIOT, a MONSTER, could ever take credit for our Dudders work!" Harry couldn't help but shake his head, he'd worked so hard for those grades, and they were his and his alone!
Seeing this his Uncle grabbed his hair with a growl and shoved his head into the soapy water in the mop bucket nearby. Harry knew, logically, that it was stupid to fight, but he couldn't help it, he couldn't breath and it hurt so much, it stung his eyes and everytime he tried to breath he just swallowed the soapy water that burned all the way down his throat. After less than a minute he began to gag and the soapy water filled with his bile, as he'd had nothing to eat all day. His head began to get dizzy and he stopped being able to fight. It was only then, after over a minute, that his Uncle let go of him and allowed him to remove his head from the water, for which he was rewarded with a swift kick to the stomach, and he heard a few ribs crack.
"Finish your chores boy, and if we ever catch you stealing Dudder's work again we'll skin you!" If they thought that would in any way impede his learning they were wrong, it simply impeded his grades. From that point on he only ever did half of his assignments, though he made sure to get the answers right on those. He also was more motivated to learn and somehow make things right between him and his Aunt and Uncle. How he still wasn't sure, but he would do so.
(-)
Harry was kicked, quite literally from the house, into the backyard to resume his chores. He moved slowly, hoping they wouldn't notice. He couldn't help it, he'd just been whipped, simply because his Uncle had a bad day at work and he was the house freak.
As he set about weeding he started to clear his mind, pushing the pain to the back of it by reciting the elements of the periodic table. "1 Hydrogen, 2 Helium, 3 Lithium, 4 Beryllium, 5 Boron, 6-" Suddenly he heard a soft voice, "Come here little mousssy, I won't harm you, I promissse." Harry looked around but saw no one. He decided to return back to work, "6 Carbon, 7 N-" Harry was once more interrupted by the soft voice, "Come here little girl, it'sss ok. I promissse." Harry glanced around once more, but finding no one he looked at the garden, maybe a hidden speaker of some kind?
As he looked he found a small snake and a mouse that was looking between a small hole in the wall, that would no doubt mean freedom, and the snake. "Yesss, that'sss a good little mousssy." The mouse glanced one more time at the hole then began to move uncertainly towards the snake. Harry watched in morbid fascination as the snake quickly attacked the mouse when it got close enough, then swallowed it whole.
"Wicked," Harry whispered. The snake turned quickly and saw him, "What are you looking at?" Harry jumped in surprise, "Oh! Sssorry! I thought a heard a voice, well I guessss it was yoursss." The snake nodded, "Enjoy the ssshow little one?" Harry nodded, "But it'sss even more cool that you can talk!" "I would dare sssay the sssame to you."
Harry furrowed his brow, "What do you mean, of course I can talk! I'm a freak but not that big of one!" The snake shook its head, "On the contrary, few can ssspeak in the sssnake tongue." Harry blinked again, "Ssso we're speaking a different language?" The snake did a movement that seemed to mimic a shrug, "To you, perhapsss. Thisss isss my natural tongue."
Harry smiled wide, this was awesome! Then something occurred to him, "Well, sssorry for bothering you, I'll let you go, I've got to get back to gardening anywaysss." The snake simply nodded and allowed Harry to begin gardening again, however it didn't leave. It seemed the snake was as fascinated with Harry as Harry was with it, and asked him many questions.
For some reason, when the snake, who Harry discovered was name Rusé, asked about Harry's family, and Harry told her, she got mad. "The outrage! Treating a little one with such evilnessss! How ssshameful!" Harry blinked, "I don't like it, but I am a freak so all I can do is study and learn and make it a little bit more fair." Rusé bristled, "How awful. I ssshall help you asss bessst I can."
Harry stared quizzically, "How could you do that? No offence, but you're a sssnake, humansss ssshriek at you sssure, but that won't help in the long run, and honessstly how much more could you help?" Rusé though, "I'm not sssure, but I ssshall find a way!" Harry nodded placatingly, knowing that unless there was some miracle she could do little.
(X X)
( U )
Harry allowed the his family to try to abandon him this time, as they went shopping. He'd find them later, knowing that Rusé, who was hiding in the coat he'd been permitted to wear only because he pointed out that it'd be odd for a child not to wear a coat in winter, could smell them.
He fidgeted nervously by the wall while Rusé peaked excitedly from his pocket. "You ssshould do it sssoon, Harry, they won't be here forever. Harry nodded and took a deep breath, then walked into the nearest women's clothing store and sat near the changing rooms. Most women barely spared him a glance, assuming he was waiting for his mom, and left their carts, most with their purses still in them, outside their stalls.
While no one was around Harry dug through as many of the coats and purses as he could, stealing as many wallets he could get his hands on. Finally, after several minutes, and when he heard a woman opening her door, he stuffed them into his oversized pockets (thanking for once that Dudley was so much bigger than him), and ran to the nearest bathroom. He sat in a stall and waited for the bathroom to empty entirely before going through the wallets.
He found a lot of cash, but more than cash he found hundreds of the cards that his Aunt used to buy groceries with. He thought back to the eye glass store he'd seen. The cash wouldn't been enough to get him a check up, let alone a new set of lens. He decided to use a card, though he really didn't want to. He stuffed several cards and all the cash and coins into his pockets, apologising to Rusé if he had hurt her, and left the wallets on the floor. Someone would find them and turn them into lost and found he was sure.
Harry nervously walked into the eye store, "Hi. My mom wanted me to come and get my eyes checked." The woman behind the desk smiled, "Do you have an appointment?" He shook his head, "I don't think so." "Well let me check, what's the name." "Haver-Havershire." Harry tried to pronounce the name on the card the best he could.
The woman smiled at him, then turned to her computer and he could hear her large nails clacking away at it. "Hmm, nope, I don't see ya, what time do you want them checked?" "Umm, is now okay?" "Hmm, well...Let's see, Dr. Wendell just got back from lunch lets see if he'll be able to squeeze you in." And she disappeared into a door behind the desk. Harry fidgeted nervously as he waited, but she didn't take long. "Right, he'll take you in now. Firstly, do you have your mom's insurance card?"
Harry shook his head, "We don't have insurance." "Hmm, ok, that'll make it more, do you have enough?" Harry nodded and passed her 'his mom's' card. She chuckled a little, typed some things, then asked for his name, he told her it was Dudley, she typed some more, then slid the card and passed it back to him. "Alright, lets go."
The check up didn't take very long and the doctor gave him a prescription for his lens, and reassured him they could use his current frames, since Harry's 'mom' couldn't afford a new pair.
It took them nearly half an hour to make his lens and fit them into his frames, but when they were done Harry was delighted to see that he could, well see! Rusé chuckled as Harry walked towards the food court to find his family, "I told you, little one, it would be much better with me around." Harry nodded happily as he took in all the sights he'd walked past before, since it was all a blur unless he'd focused really hard, "Yesss." "And you didn't really need me here little one." Harry stopped short, "Yesss I did! I wasss ssso ssscared, I wasss only able to do this becaussse you were here!" Harry started to freak out a bit, but Rusé nudged him, "Alright little one, calm down, let'sss go find your family. They're Ssstill eating thossse meat sssacksss."
The meat sacks in question were the burritos that Harry found them eating, when he got there. They all looked mildly disappointed when they saw him, and only his Uncle grunted, "Where you been boy? Not causing trouble?" Harry shook his head, "I went into the book store." "Why?" Dudley asked dully. Harry just shrugged and no one pressed him on it. Afterall he was just a freak.
(X_X)
Harry ran as fast as he could, trying as hard as he could to get away from Dudley. Dudley was getting closer and closer and Harry felt like crying, this would be awful, now his new glasses would be ruined. As he pushed his legs to run harder, he suddenly felt the ground change and he glanced down, then slid to a stop to stop himself from falling off the roof. He blinked, glancing around himself.
How on earth had he gotten up here? He glanced down and saw Dudley glaring at him from below, then felt the roof begin to cave in at the edge and he scrambled away from it and ran to the other side of the building, where he thankfully found a door propped open, that he was able to slide through, then he ran to the library to hide out there for the rest of the day, passing the librarian a faked note that said he could be there. He'd gotten quite good at them, and the teacher didn't really like him so she didn't care too much, so long as he turned in all his work.
(U.U)
Harry retrieved the mail and flipped through it to discard the junk mail, as he'd been taught, and slid it into the trash as he walked into the kitchen. He passed the mail to his Uncle, then went back to the stove and resumed cooking. Harry did all the cooking in the house now, with few to no exceptions. This had left more time for his Aunt, who had decided to start a garden of fruits and vegetables two years ago, to be a trendsetter. Naturally Harry did most of the work, but that suited him just fine, as it gave him plenty of time with Rusé.
Rusé had all but taken him under her wing, though he suspected that was only due to her not having wings. She had helped him find reasons as to why he should be able to do things, like say go on a field trip ("But if I don't go then everyone will wonder why. I'd be the only one and everyone would think us weird, or worse, poor.") to ways to sneak away plenty of food to eat. Harry, it turns out had been right, knowledge had been the way to make things fair, he'd just been going about it at the wrong angle.
When he'd shared this view with Rusé she'd shaken her head at him. Knowledge, she'd said, in any form was useful in the human world, if one could learn how to use it. How she knew this he had no clue, but she hadn't steered him wrong, and so he'd allowed her to convince him to study more often, about anything he could. And he really did like it, learning. When he applied himself he was really smart, maybe he'd be someone really important one day, if he worked hard enough. Rusé assured him he would be.
Harry served them breakfast, sneaking his food into the potted plant by the door, and began to head outside to begin his Saturday chores. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, "Go get that boy!" His Uncle grunted at him. He simply nodded his head and slid the back door closed, then headed to the front door. When he pulled open the door he stared quizzically at the woman. She wore the oddest outfit he'd ever seen, a stiff black dress that was covered completely with red and yellow frills and looked more suited for his history textbook than a common neighborhood. And her hat . . . There was a cat on it. A black cat with red eyes, on top of a red and yellow hat.
The woman smiled at him, "Good morning, you must be Harry." Harry nodded mutely. "Lovely to meet you Harry. I'm Professor McGonagall, are your Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin available?" Harry blinked, he doubted so for someone dressed so . . . eccentrically? He wasn't sure that was the right word, but nevertheless he knew his Aunt and Uncle wouldn't like speaking to her, though they might have to, with her being a Professor. "Uh, hold on." She nodded, "Take your time."
Harry closed the door and walked back to the dining room, "It was a Professor, she wanted to talk to you about Dudley." Harry could only assume that's what it was about, since she'd asked to speak to them. That's all it could be about. Probably door to door recruiting for a new nearby school, now that he thought about it. His Aunt and Uncle though, looked excited, "Probably the representative from Smeltings wanting to accept our Dudders into the school personally! Top of his class our Dudders!" Yes, because I do his work, thought Harry bitterly. His Uncle nodded excitedly, "Of course! Let her in idiot boy! Put her in the sitting room while we freshen up!"
Harry obliged and offered her tea, as he was supposed to with strangers. She smiled, "That would be lovely, Harry." Harry nodded, a bit confused as to why she knew his name. After several minutes he brought tea and biscuits into the sitting room. He went to go, when his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin all barrelled into the room excitedly, shoving him further into the room as they did so. Harry made to go again, but the Professor turned to him, "No, you may listen in Harry, please sit." Harry blinked but did so by sitting on the corner of the fireplace, his customary place, if he sat in there at all.
"Well, it's nice to see you three so eager about this, I honestly hadn't expected it."
His Aunt shook her head vigorously, "Oh no, we're all about education in this house." The professor smiled, "That's truly good to hear. Now, as I'm sure you've noticed, it's not just Harry that has magical talents, but Dudley as well-"
Suddenly his Uncle screamed as his Aunt paled, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY ABOUT DUDLEY!?" The professor seemed taken aback, "You're excited about Harry going to Hogwarts but not-" His Aunt screeched and covered Dudley's ears while Harry looked around confused. What on earth was happening. Meanwhile his Uncle was screaming obscenities. The Professor listen for a time, trying to get a word in here or there, but failing.
Finally, seeing no other option, she pulled out a long stick and his Uncle was silenced and seemed to fall into the chair. Dudley screamed as Harry heard the Professor mutter, "This is more what I expected."
"Right, so there's nothing to be done for it. Both Harry and Dudley are wizards-" Harry decided it was time to interject, "Wait, what? Wizards aren't real! Magic isn't real!" Harry had had that one ground into his head often enough. Sure his Uncle was uncharacteristically quiet and still, but that didn't mean he was under a spell. Maybe he'd just had a heart attack.
However the Professor simply sighed sadly and turned her teacup into a small yipping dog, then a slightly larger pig, then an even larger cat who decided to leap away as the professor transformed it back to a cup and calmly caught it before it could spill any tea. Harry stared, "So- so I can do that? I can do magic?" Harry stared wondering what this could mean.
As he contemplated this his Aunt shakily pulled away from her son and husband, "N-now listen, that boys a freak just like you, no doubt about it, but- but I don't know what you're trying to pull saying that my beautiful Dudders is too!" The Professor shook her head, "There is no doubt, his name is on the list and that means he's a wizard, plain and simple."
Harry sighed angrily, of course Dudley had to be one too. Of course he did, it was only FAIR. The Professor straitened, "Now, I've got both the boys' letters, if you'd like I can take them shopping, or you may come with." His Aunt gulped, "Please release my husband so we can talk." The professor nodded obligingly and released him.
He gasped as if he couldn't breath, "GOD DAMN IT PETUNIA YOU ASSURED ME THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN!" His Aunt turned to Dudley, "Dudley, you and Harry go play in the garden while mummy and daddy talk."
The two rushed from the room. Harry didn't really know what else to, since he wasn't allowed to play ever, so he started his chores, hissing quietly with Rusé, while Dudley just sat in a garden chair and listened to his parents fight.
"I-I don't know what happened! I wasn-I'm not a witch!" "SURE! LIKE I'D BELIEVE THAT YOU MONSTER! YOU LIED TO ME! PROBABLY FOR MY MONEY! NOW WE NOT ONLY HAVE A MONSTER OF A NEPHEW BUT A SON TOO!" "Dud-Dudley's not a m-m-monster."
Harry zoned out the fight, "I'm a wizard Russsé." "Well of courssse you are young one. I could sssenssse your magic from the day you ssspoke to me firssst." Harry looked down at the snake, hurt, "Why didn't you tell me?" Rusé shrugged, "You weren't ready, and you could do nothing with the knowledge then, assside from get more confusssed. Now you have the meansss to do sssomething." Harry nodded, he supposed that made sense. "I wonder what happensss now. Oh and Dudley'sss one too." Rusé nodded, "Yesss of courssse, not nearly asss powerful. He'sss not sssmart enough." Harry snorted as he struggled with a weed, "Underssstatement of the year."
Suddenly Harry heard a wail, he quickly whirled around and saw Dudley crying heavily. Suddenly the fight came back to the forefront of his mind, "NO! NO! Vernon! Please, don't go!" The door slammed shut, no doubt shaking the wall.
After a few minutes the Professor called them back into the room, "Boys? We're ready for you." The two walked slowly into the sitting room. His Aunt was shaking heavily on the couch. "Dudders. I'm so sorry, I never meant for this to happen, truly. I ne-never thought that you could...And I just...I'm so sorry Dudders." Dudley heavily sat on the couch next to his mother, "It's ok mum."
The Professor sniffed, "There's nothing wrong with being a wizard. Now in the fall, on September 1st, you two will get on a train that will take you to the school Hogwarts. Before that you must get your school supplies, I will accompany you two, along with Petunia to Diagon Alley where we will get all your required school supplies. That will be next week on Saturday at 10am sharp, with the rest of the Muggleborns. Here are your letters."
Harry quickly grabbed his and read it through twice, then his heart sank, "Um Professor?" "Yes Harry?" "I've got a- a friend, a snake, who I wanted to come with me. Could she?" The Professor frowned slightly, thinking, while his Aunt and Cousin looked at him, confused. "Well we do make some exceptions to the rule, mainly to magical animals." "Oh well, she said that she sensed my magic from the moment we met! That was like three years ago!"
The Professor stiffened slightly, "May I meet this snake?" Harry nodded and rushed from the room.
"Russsé! The Professssor wantsss to meet you! Ssshe sssaysss you might be able to go to ssschool with me!" Rusé slithered up, "Really? How interesssting. Well, letsss go meet her." Harry picked her up carefully and walked back into the sitting room, "Professor this is Rusé." "Russsé, thisss isss the Professssor." The Professor looked startled, "Harry, you speak Parseltongue?" Harry nodded happily, "I didn't know that's what humans called it, but yeah."
The Professor frowned and nodded, pulling out her wand, "Let me speak to our Headmaster and see what can be done but first, may I see her?" Harry held her protectively, "No, you're not going to hurt her." Harry had recognized the look in her eyes to be very similar to the one his Uncle wore before he was about to be him. "No, no! It's just many dark wizards hide under the guise of snakes! I just want to make sure she's not here to hurt you!" Harry frowned, thinking it over. "What'sss wrong Harry?" "Ssshe sssaysss ssshe wantsss to check to make sssure you don't want to hurt me." "Then let her Harry. I'm not here to hurt you, and if ssshe triesss anything bad, I'll jussst bite her."
Harry nodded nervously and passed Rusé over. "Be careful," he pleaded, the Professor nodded and began to wave her wand, but nothing happened, aside from Rusé wiggling slightly and doing the snake version of giggling. "That felt funny." Harry smiled at the snake, then looked at the Professor, "So she's ok?" The Professor nodded, still frowning, then made her face neutral after she passed Rusé back. "She's clean, I shall talk to the Headmaster about her and let you know by Friday." Harry smiled widely, "Thanks!"
The Professor nodded, "Of course, now does anyone have any questions?" No one spoke up for a minute then Harry asked, "Where's Hogwarts? Is it a private school that we live at or will we have to take the train often, because that'll get expensive fast." The Professor smiled, "It's in Scotland, and you'll be living there." Harry nodded, "And how much do these things cost? I'll need to know how much to bring."
The Professor frowned. "Well here's a pamphlet on our currency and the cost of things, but... you won't need to worry about any of those things Harry, you've got a vault at Gringotts that will be more than ample to pay for your school supplies." Harry frowned, Gringotts was clearly the bank, but he had a vault? "Why do I have a vault?" "Well you're the heir to the Potter fortune of course!"
Harry blinked, "W-what? My parents were penniless, no good freaks, how could they have a fortune?" The Professor looked as if she was going to blow and she turned to look at his Aunt, "Penniless, no good, freaks!? How dare you Petunia!" His Aunt squeaked, "Well we couldn't let him going and getting a big head!"
The Professor took several calming breaths, "Now Harry, your parents were neither penniless or freaks, and they were certainly good. Your mother was the best spellcaster to enter Hogwarts' halls for over a century, and your father was not far behind, along with being from the esteemed Potter family, making him quite rich. In their time there was a very . . . horrible man, who was trying to take over the country. Your parents fought him valently, many times, and only stopped when you were born, to keep you safe. Unfortunately this man hated them and tracked them down. Your mother cast a powerful spell on you to protect you from him, but ended up dying, along with your father. That protection continues to this day, thanks to you living with your Aunt and Uncle."
Harry stared at her, trying to process everything he'd heard. "So...that man is still after me?" She shook her head, "When he went after you, your mother's protection spell caused his curse to rebound onto himself, he is dead. No the protection is from his followers, who it took many years to round up, and wanted to come after you, despite you being just a baby."
Harry sat in stunned silence until Rusé bumped him, "What'sss wrong, Harry?" "It'sss...Ssshe jussst told me a lot of ssstuff. I'll tell you later." Rusé nodded, "Okay, young one." The Professor smiled down at him kindly, "It's alot to take in I'm sure, but do you have any other questions?" Harry shook his head, trying to clear it, "So, I'll have to pay for Dudley and I?"
She shook her head, confused, "Absolutely not! No matter what they may say, they have no right to your money! You do not have to give them any unless you want to! Your Aunt and Uncle will have to pay for Dudley, just as your parents will be paying for you." Harry smiled, he liked the way that sounded, "Okay."
The Professor smiled, "So, Dudley do you have any questions?" He stared at her apprehensively, "Why me?" She looked at him disdainfully, "You've been given a gift young man, be grateful." "Now, have a good day, I will see you next Saturday." And with that she saw herself out, leaving the house in stunned silence.
(O-O)
The week dragged by slowly, with very little changing, aside from his Uncle not coming back all week, which meant less beatings for Harry, which suited Harry just fine. Dudley also didn't spend much time bullying, choosing instead to brag to his friends about how we got into an exclusive school in Ireland, nevermind that it was in Scotland, and he wasn't even pronouncing Ireland right. He complained about having to drag his lazy cousin with him, but mostly just bathed in the glory and awe his friends gave him for getting into an exclusive school. Harry tried to block it out but he couldn't help but wish that it'd only been him, that Dudley wasn't a wizard to, that for once the spotlight would only be on him.
Thankfully on Thursday an owl (Yes an owl! He couldn't believe it but sure enough an owl had shown up!) with the letter from the Professor, saying that they would be more than happy to accommodate the snake so long as he took care of it and took precautions to make sure it bit no one. Rusé bristled at the thought of such an act and Harry just laughed.
The three of them left on Friday to go to London and spent the night in cramped hotel room. Harry had slept in the tub in the bathroom, since Dudley had the bed and his Aunt had the couch. They walked to the meeting place, a dirty looking pub by the name of The Leaky Cauldron. There were several people gathered there, but they headed straight to where the Professor was standing. She greeted them, then crossed them off the list.
While they waited for the rest (just the Granger family from what it said on the list Harry had snuck a peek at), everyone chatted quietly, getting to know each other, aside from his Aunt and Dudley, who were huddled close to each other, and himself, who had never been good in social situations. Finally a rushed looking group of three ran, "Oh I'm so sorry Professor McGonagall! The traffic was horrible on the way here!" She smiled, "Not a problem, I completely understand, you're only five minutes late. Now if you'll please join the groups at the tables." They nodded and did so while the Professor crossed their names off, then slid her parchment into her robes.
As the Professor walked them through their lists, then game the various tidbit of information about the wizarding world that were common knowledge (such as using owls for their post, using the FLOO fireplace system, brooms, and apparition, which all sounded useless to Harry), his Aunt and Dudley refused to sit and instead remained huddled next to eachother. Harry however had chosen to sit several minutes before the Grangers had arrived, and so was sat right next to the girl that had come with them, who was scribbling everything the Professor was saying down in a notebook that already seemed to have notes in it somehow.
Finally the Professor took them to the bank, Gringotts, and Harry decided he'd try to make some friends. "Hi, I'm Harry." The girl glanced at him while she stood, "I'm Hermione. How do you do?" Harry shrugged, "As well as anyone else I suppose." Hermione nodded, brushing her bushy hair out of her face as the group headed towards the back of the pub. As they got closer Harry noticed people were confused and wondered why. Finally he saw the brick wall they were stopped at. The professor took her wand out and tapped the bricks in several places. They waited a few moments and the bricks slid out of place and revealed a heavily trafficked street, though it was only occupied by people. They followed her to a huge white marble building and walked through it. Inside were the strangest creatures he'd ever seen, goblins probably, from what the pamphlet had said. Instead of walking down the main hallway, where all goblins were seated at desks, the turned directly to the left into a hallway that Harry had not seen. He noticed it said Muggle Money Exchange above the entryway. The Professor talked to various people about getting their money ready, then pulled Harry to the side, "Harry, this is Griphook, he's going to be talking to you about your vault." Harry nodded and greeted the goblin who merely grunted at him. The Professor was called and she disappeared amongst the group, leaving Harry alone with Griphook. "So, I have a vault?" He asked as he followed the goblin. "Several, there are five vaults for the Potter family, two of which are in our last level, which is our most guarded level, there is also one vault the is yours alone. That is the vault we shall be accessing today." "Mine alone?" "Yes, it is a vault we opened in your name for your earnings for defeating the Dark Lord. You also have three properties in the Potter name." Harry blinked, that was odd... Nevertheless he filed the information away to look up at a later date. "So how much money do I have exactly?" Griphook stopped by a break in the counter, "Stay here." A few seconds later he appeared with a thick manila envelope, "This details all of your vaults." Harry opened it and began to read as he followed Griphook to a cart which he easily climbed into.
The first page detailed his own vault, which was started by the head goblin by the name of Prigston. It detailed each amount that was entered into it, all within a three week period. None had accessed it since, aside from the goblins to take out the small fee for the basic maintenance and upkeep of the vault, which happened once a year. This only decreased the amount minimally and right now, in that one vault he had 750,794 Galleons in his vault. He rounded that down and did some quick mental math. Holy smokes! He had over 2 millions pounds in that one vault! All from somehow defeating that guy when he was a baby! He stared at for several minutes, then moved onto the next page. It detail who started the vaults (A Novak Potter opened the first two of the Potter vaults, while transferring the other three vaults from somewhere, though it didn't say where), who had inherited the vaults, and who had had access to the vaults at what times. This went on for several pages, along with various significant increases or decreases that were made. Harry skimmed these and went to the last page of each vault, to see how much they contained. The first two vaults were the only ones with money in them, though that didn't decrease the amount by any. One vault contained almost 3 million galleons and the other contained almost 2 million. He didn't need to do any calculations to know that he was richer than the Dursleys.
The other three vaults contained items, a lot of items. They went on for several pages, detailing each item in each vault. Harry was reading through them when he felt water pour down onto him. He gasped and quickly moved the envelope towards his chest to protect it, but then realized he was not wet and looked around. He'd just gone through a waterfall, and yet he wasn't wet. "Griphook, what was that?" "Fools downfall, it makes anyone who's hiding behind an enchanment be revealed." "Oh, that's comforting." Griphook just nodded and Harry continued to read. "Hey Griphook?" "Yes, Mr. Potter?" "Do you know the contents of my vaults, it says here you're the one in charge of them." "Yes I do." "Right, well my cousin, and Aunt and Uncle probably, will try and steal my money. Can you make it so they don't have access to my vaults?" "They already don't, only you do." Harry nodded happily, "Ok, lets keep it that way. And... are there any like bags or things like that I can keep my gold in that they can't get into?" Griphook nodded, "A moleskin pouch is what you're looking for, you have several, of varying quality." "Right, can I get the best quality one there is today, while we're getting my gold." "Very well." Harry flipped past his vaults to the last few pages. They detailed his three properties. One was in Godric's Hollow, it seemed that was where he'd lived before whatever it was that had happened, happened. Another was called the Potter Estate, his parents had lived there for a brief time, before Godric's Hollow, along with a long list of people before them. The last was the Potter Villa, which was in Greece, it seemed no one had lived there consistently in almost a century. "Can I keep this Griphook?" The goblin nodded. "Is there anyway that I can be the only one who can read this?" "Of course, Mr. Potter, you are already the only one who can read it, or touch it for that matter. Anyone else would need your permission." "Good. Thanks, Griphook," The goblin nodded at Harry's smile.
Harry sat mulling things over until the cart stopped in front of a door, "We'll get your moleskine pouch first." Harry nodded as the goblin approached the door and ran his fingers over it. Several latches, wheels, and other parts turned and moved in odd ways, until suddenly the door was open. Harry wasn't sure how that worked, but he figured it had something to do with magic, so he didn't question it too much. They walked in and Harry gaped at the room. He'd seen the papers, sure, but the sheer amount of antiques in this room was mind blowing. Griphook disappeared amongst the furniture and Harry walked around. There were cases full of jewelry, what he knew to be thirty different couches, twelve desks, and four chests. One of them, he remembered, had an invisible extension charm on it. He looked for the dark oak chest with silver details on it (he had glanced at the paperwork to see which one it was), and found it quickly. He gently opened it and saw a staircase leading down. Griphook appeared suddenly and presented him with a furry pouch. "Thanks, can I look in here real quick Griphook?" Griphook only nodded and Harry hurriedly climbed in. Inside he was surprised to find all the books listed in the paperwork for this vault, right here, neatly organized in bookshelves. Sitting far from the stairs was a plush chair that looked more comfortable than anything he'd ever sat in before. He decided he needed this chest more than anything. He climbed out of the chest and closed the lid, "Griphook, can you put a spell or something on there so that I can be the only one to access it, and then send it to Hogwarts on the first day of term? I'll pay you whatever that costs, naturally." "Of course Mr. Potter." Harry then left and climbed back into the cart, "I'll come back and have a look around again, when I can." Griphook just nodded.
The cart moved backwards towards the way they'd come, but it didn't go far before it stopped in front of another door. This one Griphook slid a key into and the door opened in the strange way once more. This one was even more stunning, with only gold, silver, and bronze, the entire room shone. There were piles of it everywhere and it was hard for Harry to comprehend how much was there, despite knowing exactly how much was there, and knowing that he had two more vaults with even more in them. "Griphook, how much can my pouch hold?" "As much as you please, there is no weight or size limit, and you won't feel any of the weight. "Excellent." It cost about 270 Galleons for what he figured were low end stuff, but he wanted high quality stuff, so that Dudley couldn't break it. Also he wanted to rub it into their faces, that for once he was better. So he counted 400 Galleons and slid them into the bag. He was pleased to see that Griphook was right and it felt just the same as when there wasn't anything in it so he zipped it shut and slid the thing around his waist. He didn't care if it looked lame, he was rich and proud of it. He walked out with a smile and climbed back into the cart.
On the way back he remembered something his uncle had once said (and he'd confirmed with several books he'd read), when presented with a large sum of money, one always tries to grow it. "Griphook, what're some ways to grow money here?" Griphook looked surprised at the question, "Well, buying land and opening shops, or renting it out to shops. Or just investing in shops for a percentage back. There are quite a few options actually." "Are there any books about it? Written by Goblins of course." Griphook stared at him, "Why written by Goblins?" "Well, you guys control the money, so it makes sense that you would know the best ways to grow it." He stared at Harry for several seconds, "There is one book, however it did not sell well and as such is no longer in print. We may have a copy laying around somewhere." "Right, well if you can find the book I'll pay its value and a half." Some incentive, Harry thought, which was proved when Griphook's eyes lit up, "I will do my best Mr. Potter." "Thank you, Griphook." They were quite the rest of the ride back.
When Harry got back to the rest of the group they were nearly done exchanging the money out and the Professor was passing around maps of the Alley. "If you need me for anything have your child touch the symbol of the cat and say help, I will come as soon as possible. For any interested there will be a final Q&A in the Leaky Cauldron at 5pm." People went their separate ways, many families living together, though he noticed that his Aunt and cousin left by themselves. Hermione appeared before him, "Hey, want to shop with us?" "Sure." "Where are your parents?" "They er- couldn't make it." Her mother appeared behind her, "So you're here by yourself?" "Kind of..." Her father appeared as well, "Kind of?" He asked sharply. "Well, they died, a long time ago. I'm here with my Aunt and cousin, but they don't like me much, so they left without me." Her dad stared him down, "Well, why don't you come with us and we'll meet up with them later, I'm sure they'll want to go to the Q&A." Harry nodded, not at all sure about that, but accepted the idea. Her mother clapped her hands, "So! Where to first?" Hermione immediately said, "The bookstore!" Harry shrugged, "It'd probably be best to get stuff to hold it first. There's an equipment shop next door." Hermione nodded, "Of course, why didn't I think of that?" Harry shrugged and they walked next door. Hermione got a case that was about double the size it looked for 5 Galleons. Meanwhile Harry, who felt like spending what he had, got a super high quality one that would shrink itself down to the size of a briefcase and follow him around, without muggles noticing it. In its main area it held triple what Hermione's held. It's lid also opened up to reveal spots to hang clothing on and several small drawers for miscellany. The outside also held several drawers that were three times deeper than they looked. He paid 15 Galleons for it, along with 2 Galleons to have it keyed in so that only he could open it. The Grangers seemed surprised that he could afford such a thing, but said nothing about it. Then they went to Flourish and Blott's. They firstly grabbed all the school books they'd need, then looked around. Both Harry and Hermione gravitated towards the history section, each grabbing a copy of Hogwarts, A History. Harry also got The Rise and Fall of The Dark Lord; The Potters, an Unauthorized Biography; and A Brief Look Into Englands Fall From Grace. Harry was about to move onto another section when his eye caught a book near the bottom; Parsletongue and Other Dead Languages, which he quickly added to his own pile. He moved next to the language section. A quick glance into the books and he saw that knowing Latin would surely help him so he got A Beginner's Guide to the Latin Language and It's Relationship to Magic. Upon seeing this Hermione quickly grabbed a copy as well. Skimming the section he found nothing else, so moved on to look for a section on snakes. There were no such sections, it turned out, only ones on Magical Creatures. There were however, several book on snakes themselves, so he grabbed, How to Care for Magical Snakes along with A Quick Guide to Magical Snake Species. Satisfied Harry brought his stack to the counter and found that his own rivaled Hermione's, who frowned at this. The adults just chuckled. When the clerk was done ringing his out he said, "107 Galleons 11 Sickles 25 Knuts." Hermione's parents looked startled and were about to say something however Harry just rummaged around in his pouch and pulled out 108 Galleons and the clerk handed back 5 Sickles and 4 Knuts. Hermione's mom approached Harry as he was putting the books in his trunk, "Harry, do you think you should be spending so much money, won't your Aunt be upset?" Harry shook his head, "It's not her money, it's mine, from my vault." She looked surprised, "You already have a vault?" Harry nodded, "The Potter family was quite rich, I have alot." She thought about that, "Well, don't you think you should slow down a bit? You don't want to run out by the time you graduate." Harry shook his head and pulled out the manilla folder and showed her the first page. She paled, "You, you should put that away Harry. Don't show that to anyone else, ok?" Harry nodded, "Alright Mrs. Granger."
Next they went to the stationery shop and bought several packets of parchment and quills. Harry got two automatic refilling quills with never drip spells or something on it that said it should last a long time, they cost 2 galleons a piece. Then they got lunch at a Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, which apparently served more than ice cream. While they were there Harry snuck away to Gringotts and got some more, since he hadn't planned on spending quite that much on books.
When he got back they went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and got robes. Hermione got the prescribed 3 robes for daily wear, along with the pointed hat, winter cloak, and fastenings. Harry meanwhile got water and stain repellent robes that also resisted tears of a much higher quality.
Then they went to the cauldron shop, since they were nearby. Harry got two cauldrons, instead of one, in case it melted somehow or something like that, along with crystal phials, dragon hide gloves,and his brass scales. Then he asked to go to the Apothecary across the street and bought a beginners potions ingredients kit, so he could practice. He also bought a book titled How Ingredients Affect The Potion, which Harry thought looked fascinating when he skimmed through it, along with a medical kit, guessing Dudley's beatings wouldn't stop at Hogwarts.
With that done they headed to Ollivander's. On the way Harry saw his Aunt and cousin leaving the second-hand robe shop and he smirked at them. For once he was better than them. They spent nearly an hour in Ollivanders. Hermione found her's really fast and so was wandering around the shop for the better part of the hour while Harry tried wand after wand. Finally he found his and bought it, along with a wand holster and wand cleaning kit for both him and Hermione, since he felt a bit bad for spending so much money around her. They stopped by Magical Menagerie so that Harry could see what was needed to take care of a snake. It turned out not much, but he bought her a sweater for the colder months at Hogwarts, since that did come suggested. Finally they stopped by Gringotts one more time so that Harry could see if they'd found the book, which they had and he bought it true to his word.
They were heading towards the Leaky Cauldron with less than half an hour till 5 when they saw his Aunt and cousin leaving the cauldron shop. "Ah, Mrs. Dursley I believe, and Dudley, if I'm not mistaken." The two looked surprised to be addressed by Mr. Granger and shrank from him. "We've been shopping with Harry all day, and I must say he's a delight to be around, you raised him well." His aunt shot him a venomous look, "Let's go boy!" Harry nodded, said a quick good bye and ran after them.
(+_+)
It turned out that after Harry had left Hermione had somehow convinced her parents to get her an owl. Dudley also had an owl, which was why they had to get second hand robes, since his Aunt hadn't brought enough money with her. Regardless, one evening, while Harry was in the garden, after his chores were done and was reading Parseltongue, and Other Dead Languages aloud to Rusé Hermione's snow white owl appeared and stuck out her leg for him. Harry quickly unfurled it and began to read.
Harry, sorry if this is a surprise but mum and dad let me get Hedwig after you left and I wanted to see how you were doing. I've been great. We went to France, as we planned and its just as pretty as always. I've also been doing loads of reading. I've read our Transfiguration book three times! I've also been trying to write with a quill, I'm not very good right now. Speaking of, sorry if this is a blotty mess. How are you doing with your writing? Probably amazing with those quills you bought. How about your reading? You bought a lot of books. Well anyways mum and dad are calling me, so I've got to go.
Hermione
The letter was in fact a bloated mess but Harry hadn't tried to write with his yet. He whistled and his case came running. It turned out his case could be trained. He taught it the names and subjects of all his books and now all he had to do was call one and they came. He could also whistle to get it to come, and whistle again to stop. He quite liked that. It appeared before him and he murmured, "Quill and paper." They both spit out of the case, which he then used as a writing surface.
Hermione,
Nice to hear from you and its no problem, about the mess or the bird. Speaking of Hedwig, can I borrow her for a bit, I have some letters I'd like to send. This is my first time writing with my quills, and it seems to be fine, feels a bit weird, but fine. I've read most of the books, I'm on the last one right now. I've never been to France, but I heard it's cool. Hope your having fun.
Harry
Harry was making slow progress with the books, simply due to his chores. His aunt was depressed, so she didn't leave him many chores and instead flitted around the house randomly cleaning things, pretty much only stopping to eat or sleep. However that didn't mean he didn't have chores. He still had to cook all the meals and take care of the garden. He also had to make his Aunt pay the bills that came in the mail, as his Uncle was usually the one who did that, but the power had turned off twice from her not doing so, so Harry made sure she did so. Twice she'd snapped at him, why don't you, you're bloody rich, and twice he'd snapped back, "It's not my bloody house." He'd been locked in his closet for several hours each time, only to be released to cook dinner.
School was approaching soon and Harry felt his anticipation building. He really liked the subjects they'd be learning, though he was a bit concerned on the lack of maths or sciences, along with the fact that the History class seemed to revolve entirely around an extremely out of date book that only talked about Goblin rebellions. He decided that he wanted to be tutored on those subjects while at school, so he went to the library one day, after waking up early so he could finish the garden early. He walked up to the familiar librarian, "Hi Mrs. Shannon." "Hi, Harry, what can I do for you?" "I'm going to be visiting my Aunt's family for awhile, helping out with the farm and stuff like that, and I was wondering if you had anyone who'd be willing to tutor me through the mail. Like mail me the stuff I need to know and like worksheets and stuff, then test me when I get back?" "Well I don't know Harry, that's a bit of an odd request, but let me see who's tutoring at your level." She pulled out a thick binder and flipped to his group, "Well Harry, it looks like Mr. Lupin is here right now waiting for someone, you could go ask him." She pointed out the man and Harry thanked her and walked over.
"Hi, Mr. Lupin?" The man in question, who appeared to have been dozing jolted awake, "Oh, yes?" Then he took a good look at Harry and jumped, "James?" Harry frowned, "Uh, no Harry. Harry Potter." The man's eyes widened, "Right, sorry. Umm, what can I help you with Harry?" "Right, well I'm going away to help on a family farm, and it'll be during school, and I was wondering if you could tutor me in maths and sciences through the mail, then test me when I come back." He stared at him, "Of course Harry, I'd be glad to. What's the address that I need to send them to?" Harry glanced around nervously, "Actually, all you have to do is write my name and the farm's name on it and it'll find it's way to the farm." He'd read that wizards who worked in the post office passed along the letters to the school. Lupin smiled at him funnily, "And what's the name of the farm?" "Uh-Hogwarts. Spelled the way it sounds." "Harry." "Yes?" "Can I tell you something?" "Ok..." He leaned in and whispered, "I'm a wizard too, I'll just use an owl." Harry's eyes widened and he backed away a little bit, "Oh-Okay... Well I've got to get home, thanks Mr. Lupin. Have a good day." And he ran all the way home, remembering what the Professor had said about people wanting to hurt him and him being safe at his Aunt and Uncle's house. He stayed inside for the rest of the day, glancing outside every so often, looking for signs that the Death Eaters (he'd found the name out from his books) were coming.
The next day Hedwig arrived and Harry immediately sent a letter to the Professor about what had happened. Within the hour he got a response back. Inside was a picture of four people, one who looked alot like him, and one who looked a lot like Mr. Lupin.
Mr. Potter,
Sorry if Mr. Lupin scared you, but rest assured he is not a Death Eater, and he will not hurt you. Mr. Lupin was a childhood friend of your parent's and was more than likely excited to finally see you after so long.
In the picture inclosed he is featured with your father (in the glasses) and mother. He is the one with auburn hair. I hope that clears everything up and that you are ready for term. Have a lovely day, Mr. Potter.
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Harry felt significantly better about this, though he was slightly unnerved to see Sirius Black in the picture. And a bit confused. He had alot of questions, which meant alot of letters, so he decided that first he needed an owl of his own, so that he didn't have to rely so much on Hedwig.
Dear Owner of Eeylops Owl Emporium,
My name is Harry James Potter and I would like an owl. Preferably one that is highly trained, does not like strangers very much, simply tolerates them, and does not mind snakes. I'll need any and all supplies that go with caring for an owl, of the highest quality please. I'd also like a book on training and bonding an owl. Please feel free to bill my Gringotts bank.
Harry James Potter
He actually hadn't known his middle name, as no one had bothered telling him, until he'd read his books. He thought adding it made it more official. He rolled it up and tied the letter to Hedwig's leg, who flew off. Later that day, after dinner, there was a loud crack sound in the living room and his Aunt screamed. Harry ran to see what it was and saw Griphook standing in the living, "Hello Harry." "Hi Griphook, whats up?" "We must talk." "Ok." Harry led him out of the living room, to the backyard. "Now, it's not unusual to have things billed to your vaults, however doing so requires two things. Firstly, there is a small fee from Gringotts of between a Galleon and 10 Galleons, depending on the price being moved." Harry nodded, "That's fine." Griphook nodded, "Secondly, you will get a small bill that you must stamp with your house crest. Now, as the head of the house you may change it, otherwise this is the Potter crest." Harry was shown an image of a shield with a knight's helmet on top with a creature of some kind above it. Harry shrugged, "That's fine." Griphook nodded and pulled out a stamp, "This stamp requires no ink, all you must do with it is set it to paper and it will place your stamp on it. Be warned though, stamping anything with it makes it a legal binding document, so you should be wary of using it too often, or in the wrong situation, especially on anything that talks about losing nobility, fortune, or magic, for any period of time. Now, when you bill your vaults it will take it from your default vault, which is currently the vault we visited, do you wish this to remain as such?" Harry nodded. "Very well, when you tell someone to bill us we will send you a bill that says how much will be taken, at what time, for what reason, and who it will be sent to. You then must stamp the paper and it will duplicate itself. The duplicate will disappear and reappear in our paperwork. You should keep the original, perhaps in the manilla folder I gave you." Harry nodded, "Alright." "Here is your first bill." He passed both the bill and the stamp to Harry. Harry whistled and his briefcase came running. Harry set it on his lap, stamped the bill and watched as it duplicated itself and disappeared. Harry opened the briefcase and said, "Manilla Folder." The folder appeared and Harry set the bill in it, then set the folder back in the case. He opened one of the small drawers and set the stamp in it. He shooed his briefcase away when he was done. "Anything else?" "That will be all Mr. Potter." "Have a good day Griphook." Griphook paused, "You as well, Mr. Potter." And with a loud crack he was gone. A few seconds later he heard his aunt storming towards him, he sighed and prepared himself.
( ((OoO)) )
His owl had arrived with the name Mandarin, which Harry didn't like or dislike, so he left it alone. Rusé didn't care for him, but Mandarin didn't care about her so Harry was satisfied. He also plenty disliked Harry, his aunt, and his cousin, which meant he was less likely to get intercepted. He then sent him to the Flourish & Blotts and requested a copy of every book about the Potters, the Blacks, and the Dark Lord, along with some beginners looks into both the economy and the government and that they all be sent to Hogwarts for him, since the term was only a few days away. The bill arrived and Harry stamped it easily, then awaited his owl's arrival. He came back by dinner and Harry sent him back out with another letter to Gringotts, requesting a copy of any books that had been written by Goblins, and that they be sent to Hogwarts with his chest. Another bill arrived, this one quite a bit heftier than the previous one, but he stamped it nevertheless. Then he owled Mr. Lupin his pretest. Harry had, after getting Hedwig back from Eeylops, sent one to Mr. Lupin apologizing for his behaviour, explaining it and how he'd calmed down. Mr. Lupin had sent his own owl back, as Hedwig had dropped the letter off and flown home, as Harry had told her she could do, saying that it was quite alright, then he requested to know where Harry was in his subjects. Harry suggested a pretest instead, and asked how much he charged for tutoring. Mr. Lupin had sent a pretest back, which Harry had just finished, and thought he did quite well on. He'd also told him he wouldn't charge Harry for the tutoring. He thought this was rubbish and planned to send him 35 Galleons a letter (just over 100 pounds) and would tell him in no uncertain terms that he would not accept the money back.
The day before term started the three of them left to London and spent the night there again. Once more Harry slept in the tub, this time with Rusé, who liked it just fine. They got to Kings Cross twenty minutes before it was scheduled to leave and parted ways with his Aunt in between 9 and 10. Harry didn't bother to say goodbye, and instead ran through the barrier, holding his briefcase. He got on the platform and didn't see Hermione, so he boarded the train and found an empty compartment quite easily. Harry had just pulled out a book (How Ingredients Affect the Potion) and flipped to the page he was on. He'd already read the book, but he quite liked it and decided that he wanted more potions books when his compartment door slid open and a blond boy stepped in. "You look like Harry Potter, are you Harry Potter?" "How do you know I look like Harry Potter?" He challenged. "My dad went to school with your dad, he said you look just like him." Harry shrugged, no point lying to a classmate, "Yeah, I'm Harry Potter, and you are?" "I'm Draco Malfoy, nice to meet you. Mind if I sit here?" He asked as he sat, "Sure mind if Rusé joins us?" As Rusé slithered out of his pocket Harry contemplated the name Malfoy. It was the name of a family that had helped rebuild Europe after the great war of 1850, and old family then. And from Malfoy's tone, still important, probably someone he should get to know and be friendly with, so long as he liked Rusé. Draco froze when he saw her then glared at him, "How'd you get them to let you have a snake? The letter only said toad, cat, or owl!" Harry shrugged, "I guess they made an exception." For the great Harry Potter, was the insinuation. He pouted, "Well she looks cool, can I touch her?" Harry looked at her and she nodded so he passed her over. Draco was happily petting her when the door slid open and Hermione walked in, "Hi Harry! Can I sit with you guys?" Harry shrugged, "Sure." Draco however, frowned, "Who are you?" "I'm Hermione Granger." She grunted as she tried to put her luggage up. Harry stood and helped her. "Granger...The name doesn't sound familiar, are you a mudblood?" Harry turned after the got it up and asked, "What's a mudblood?" "A witch with no magical blood, a muggleborn, how don't you know that?" Hermione nodded, "Yeah, I am." "Harry, why would you let her sit with us?" "She's smart and friendly." "And...So what, she's still a mudblood." Hermione frowned and Harry glared, "Listen, it doesn't matter who someone's family is. My mum was muggleborn, but she was also top of her class and brightest witch in a century. She earned loads of awards and was the first ever witch to be a certified healer right out of school, no training, just test and go." Draco glared at him, "Yeah right. Listen if you're hanging out with her, you're not hanging out with me." Harry shrugged and he stormed out as the train started moving. "Thanks Harry." Harry shrugged again, then introduced her to Rusé, who Draco had set down before leaving. Hermione wasn't as crazy about Rusé as Draco was, but she seemed to like her well enough. They rode mostly in silence, reading the whole way, except when it came time to get changed, stepping out so that the other could change.
Harry thought the ride over the lake would have been beautiful, if it hadn't been raining so freaking hard. Too make matters worse a poltergeist of some sort was throwing water balloons at every body when the entered the hallways. Thankfully Professor McGonagall came and shooed him away. Harry stood quietly in the waiting area that she had shown them to, listening to Hermione fret about whether she had read enough. When Professor McGonagall came to retrieve them the walked into the Great Hall and Harry heard Hermione telling some girl that he vaguely recalled from the Muggleborn intimation about the fact that the hall ceiling was bewitched.
They waited as a hat sang a song that Harry paid no attention to, because it was a HAT with no true consciousness to speak of, or at least none that Harry would ever acknowledge. He quickly figured out that this would be the method of sorting and now he just wanted it over so he could get to his classes. He stood listening quietly to the sorting.
Abbott to Hufflepuff.
Bones to Hufflepuff.
Boot to Hufflepuff, so many Hufflepuffs!
Brocklehurst, to Ravenclaw, finally the cycle broken! Though with an unfortunate name.
Brown to Gryffindor, the first to go.
Harry was only paying attention to find out where HE would be going, so that Harry would not go there.
Bulstrode to Slytherin, another unfortunate name, for the first to go there.
Cornfoot to Ravenclaw, what a weird name.
With each name called the house in question cheered.
Corner to Ravenclaw.
Crabbe to Slytherin.
Davis to Slytherin.
Dunbar to Gryffindor.
And then HE stepped up. Harry rocked on the edges of his feet.
Dursley to Gryffindor, Harry sighed, so Gryffindor was out of the running.
He didn't bother to pay much attention to the rest of the sorting, aside from thinking about the names. Entwhistle went after Dudley and how could that be anything but a sad name. The Error. He wondered how many mistakes that kid would make. He chuckled at his own joke.
Then Ganesha, and odd name again. Then Longbottom. The boy in question looked as unfortunate as his last name. He noted Hermione went to Gryffindor, a pity they couldn't be together but oh well. A girl from the Muggleborn orientation went to Slytherin and he knew that probably wouldn't end well. Then Draco went to Slytherin, not much of a surprise really. Eloise went later and Harry thought about the fact that it'd fallen into disuse. Then some twins who got separated. Then the girl before him went to Slytherin, and then it was his turn. Harry walked forward when his name was called and heard people instantly begin to whisper but he didn't pay any attention and instead sat down. The hat landed on his head and his first thought was, 'Not Gryffindor.' 'Oh? But you could be great there.' 'No, my cousin is there and I will not be stuck with him.' 'Very well, let's see what else is here. You're loyal, but more concerned with yourself. Intelligent, but study only to advance yourself. Well I suppose with your cunning, you and your little Rusé will head to-' "Slytherin!" The hat screamed it and the hall, which had been filled with whispering only moments ago fell silent. Harry stood as the startled Professor McGonagall pulled the hat from his head, probably reflexively. Harry walked towards his house, which was staring at him calculatingly, and sat next to the girl from orientation. The hall remained quiet for several minutes before the headmaster cleared his throat. Professor McGonagall, who'd been staring at him as if he was a lost puppy, shook her head and continued the sorting, though there weren't many left.
Thomas went to Gryffindor.
Turpin went to Ravenclaw.
Weasley went to Gryffindor.
Zabini joined Harry at the Slytherin table, though joined was not quite the right word as he sat at the complete opposite side.
The headmaster stood with that completed and said some nonsense and food appeared on the table. The girl, Clarice if he recalled correctly turned to him as he put food onto his plate. "Right, well want to join into an Alliance, fellow Muggleborn." Harry shrugged, "Fine, but I'm not a Muggleborn, though I'm probably more hated here than one." "Who could possibly be more hated than a Muggleborn at the Slytherin table?" "The boy who defeated Voldemort." Nearby several people choked and turned to shout at him but he just waved them off. "Who's that?" "The dark lord most of their parents supported, all blood purity and that nonsense. Killed a bunch of people, then was defeated by me as a baby." "How'd you do that?" Harry shrugged, "That's my little secret." A boy nearby spoke up, "I don't know what nonsense your precious blood traitors have been telling you, but just because we're in Slytherin doesn't mean our parents supported You-Know-Who." Harry nodded, "Nobody's been telling me anything, but as houses tend to run in the family, from what I've read anyways, I would imagine most of your parents were in Slytherin, and since Slytherins are cunning and want power, it would only makes sense that your parents would align themselves with the rising power of the time, who was Voldemort." Many people choked again and yelled at him. "You shouldn't say his name," the boy muttered. Harry shrugged again.
Dinner went by pretty quietly, with Harry and Clarice both being glared at for most of it. At the end the headmaster made a speech talking about the most important rules, and clearly baiting people to go to the 'forbidden forest' and 'forbidden third floor.' Harry didn't particularly care about either of those things right now so he ignored them. They left, with most of the Slytherins giving him a wide berth. They went down several flights of stairs, into the Dungeons. The reached the end of a hallway the seemed inconspicuous, but the prefect they were following pulled out his wand, then looked directly at Clarice and said, "Pureblood." The wall opened and showed a large cavernous room decked out in green and silver. It was really quite charming. The prefect lead them in, "Right, first year orientation is before breakfast tomorrow at 7 am. Dorms are down this hallway, first year rooms are the third hallway on the left. First year bathrooms are the third hallway on the right. Get some sleep." With that they were dismissed.
Harry and Clarice walked through the large common room, down the hallway and into the first year hallway. Their rooms were right next to each other, since they were organized alphabetically. "Come here Clarice, I want to show you something." Clarice obliged and walked in. Harry was pleased to see his chest at the end of the bed, with his suitcase and a monstrous stack of books on top of it. "God Harry, how'd you get all that on the train?" Harry smiled at her, "I didn't, I had it sent here. But that's not what I wanted to show you. He sat on his bed and patted it to get her to sit next to him, "Come on out Russsé." She tensely slithered out of his pocket. Clarise's eyes widened, "Did you just hiss?" Harry nodded, "I can speak Parseltongue it's the snake language." "Can I?" "I doubt it, it's genetic and you would've understood the hiss." She looked upset, "It's so cute! What's its name?" "Her name's Rusé." "Cool!" "Harry!" Harry looked down at Rusé, "What'sss up?" "There'sss another sssnake here. An alpha. I have to go meet her." Harry frowned, "What do you mean?" She shook her head, "I don't have time, I have to go, ssshe'sss demanding it. I'll be back, I promissse." Harry nodded, "Alright, be careful." "I will." And with that she slithered out of the room. "Where'd she go?" "I don't know."
So there's the end of the first chapter. I can't guarantee they'll all be this long, since I kind of just write until I run out of steam. To give you an idea of how long chapters will take to push out, I had four consecutive days off this week from work, I wrote almost all day on each day, getting very little sleep. On the fifth day, in between work, seeing Age of Ultron (EPIC!), and hanging with my bf and mom, I transferred this into google docs and worked through the tedious process of spelling and grammar checks, made even more tiresome when Parseltongue was added to it. So yeah, I have no idea how long the chapters will be or how long it'll take to push out chapters, I guess we'll figure it out as we go!
If any of you are curious about how much Harry spent on his shopping spree, not including the books he later order or how much he paid Gringotts;
He initially drew 400 Galleons out of Gringotts.
17 Galleons for his special case.
107 Galleons 11 Sickles and 25 knuts for his books.
4 Galleons for quills
5 Galleons 3 Sickles and 10 knuts for parchment (he bought a huge amount)
5 Galleons 12 Sickles and 6 Knuts for lunch (he wouldn't let the Grangers pay for him.
The he snuck to Gringotts and got 800 more Galleons.
75 Galleons 15 Sickles and 2 Knuts on clothes
60 Galleons on Potion's supplies, a book, and a medical kit.
33 Galleons 4 Sickles and 15 Knuts for his wand.
12 Galleons 8 Sickles and 2 Knuts for his and Hermione's wand holsters and cleaning kits.
1 Galleon 4 Sickles and 6 Knuts on the snake sweater.
31 Galleons 3 Sickles and 5 Knuts on the Goblin Written Book.
He was left with 78 Galleons 2 Sickles and 28 Knuts.
Yeah Harry's not afraid to spend money. For the most part I got my prices from the first article that will appear if you Google Search How Much Does It Cost To Go To Hogwarts. I increased a lot of them, taking into account that Harry wanted much higher quality stuff. I also just based it off of real world prices. I used the Beyond Hogwarts Currency Converter, since the HP Lexicon one doesn't like me.
So yeah if you have any questions go ahead and let me know. Reviews would be enormously welcome, good or bad, though you should keep in mind that this fic is heavily cracked on purpose.
Anyways, till next time.