A/N: I actually wrote this straight after the prologue so if I don't respond to a review that's why, also for some odd reason fan fiction is blocked in my country and I use a glitch version of the site, although it seems normal when I log in, so I will respond to reviews in Author Notes.
Onwards my owls. Oh and by the way, this is based on the books/movies themselves so there will be stuff I may sort of copy, but add my own stuff to.
Chapter 1
"HARRY JAMES POTTER YOU'D BETTER NOT BE IGNORING ME OR I WILL HEX YOUR TESTICLES OFF!"
Merlin's Beard.
I opened my eyes to see who the shrieking voice belonged to. Before me was a girl with black wavy hair with a straight full-fringe, grey slanted eyes and thick lashes, her arms folded across her chest, "well?" She demanded, reminding me of Molly Weasley.
I blinked a few times as she sighed, "are you alright?" she asked, concern entering her voice. What just happened? Voldemort killed me... I'm sure of it, yet here I was at Platform 9 and a 3/4 with some random girl.
"Um ... yeah, I'm fine ... who are you?"
The girl blinked at me a few times like I was crazy, but then laughed harshly and stuck a thumb to point at her chest, "why only your partner in crime since first year, BREE SELWYN! HAHAHA!" I blinked again and this time her eyes widened, "Merlin's Beard! You really don't remember do you? We need to see Snape as soon as we get to Hogwarts to figure out what's wrong with you, did your stupid muggle cousin hit you on the head or somethig? What a great start to our 6th year!"
"Sorry..." I winced and the girl, Bree, smiled, "what are you sorry for, come on let's go find Draco, his dad was sent to Azkaban thanks to Longbottom", she spat the name.
Draco? As in Malfoy? And Longbottom!
"Er, Neville Longbottom?" I asked, trying to keep the familiarity of the name out of my voice, Bree frowned, "yeah... him, the 'Boy Who Lived'", she sneered, "plays hero to anyone who'll whine to him and likes to interfere."
I gulped as Bree turned to me with a mocking smile, "say... how come you remember him but not me?"
I smiled nervously, "you looked familiar but I just couldn't find a name." It was true, I had seen her around before, but never knew her name.
"I see..." She grinned at me, almost knowingly, "well anyways, we need to get a compartment, whether Draco is here or not, he can suck it up and join us when he sees us."
I followed her onto the train, nervously returning waves from Slytherins who smiled at me, I'm no genius but it didn't take me long to figure out that in this twisted reality... I'm probably a Slytherin, or maybe the Ravenclaw son of a Death Eater...?
Bree sat down opposite me, both of us next to the window, "what do you think caused you to lose your memory?"
Before I could answer, a deep voice interjected, "probably offered to be Malfoy's lapdog, messed up and got cursed on the head for being such an idiot, what's the matter Potter? Malfoy didn't like your skills in bed?"
With an arm on the top of Bree's seat, was a young man about my age with short dark blond hair, his short fringe pushed up, hazel eyes and a toned build, oddly enough he had a small crescent scar on the left side of his head, wearing a lopsided grin on his face, it took me a while to register the fact that he had just insulted me, but before I could respond, Bree silently whipped her wand out and pointed it at the man, "fuck off Longbottom, Harry's not feeling well and we don't need you messing with his already fragile mind."
'If you were just murdered under an hour ago by your mortal enemy and then transported to some other world, your mind wold be fragile to', I said bitterly in my mind.
Wait. Longbottom?
THAT was Neville? No, Neville was chubby, nervous, and wouldn't even insult his greatest enemy, let alone in such a hostile and crude manner. Neville turned to me suddenly, his grin fading into a serious face, "you alright, Potter?"
"He's fine! Just piss off you Gryffindor git!" Bree hissed at Neville.
"Alright Selwyn, whatever", he snorted and then turned to me, "take care of yourself, Potter."
"Thanks", I mumbled and turned to Bree, who gave me a puzzled, yet concerned glance, "ignore him, he's just bitter that Hannah Abbott dumped him last year and he's taking his frustration out on you, as for him being caring, that's his 'hero' demeanor."
I just nodded, "oh Draco, there you are!" Bree smiled at Draco as he sat down next to her, looking paler than usual, "hey guys..." he greeted us, smiling at us both weakly.
It was odd, in my original reality, he was my enemy, now we're friends... I sighed nervously, Bree looked at me then Malfoy, "Draco... Something's wrong with Harry-"
"What happened? I bet it's Longbottom's fault!" He growled in frustration, and I was surprised to hear the concern in his voice.
"No, Draco, Longbottom has nothing to do with it, Harry's just had a bit of memory loss, we should take him to Snape, he'll have some potion to fix him up", the look in her eyes made it obvious to me that it would be best to not mention Neville to Malfoy at all.
He blinked at me, "so ... you don't remember us?" Malfoy's voice almost sounded hurt.
I jumped, it felt weird to be addressed with such a gentle tone from him, "um ... not really, just a bit."
Just as he was about to open his mouth the whole carriage was covered in black smoke, causing some girls to shriek in terror, as the smoke died down, Malfoy stood up, "what was that!" He hissed in a threatening tone.
Bree smiled lightly at him, "ignore it Draco, it was probably some git playing a prank", when Malfoy didn't respond she tried again, "come on Draco, sit down and relax... we'll be at Hogwarts soon."
"Hogwarts", Malfoy spat the name, "what a pathetic excuse for a school." At that remark both me and Bree turned to give him a weird look as if he had grown another head.
Despite the looks he earned from us, he continued, "I'd throw myself of the astronomy tower if I thought I'd have to continue for another two years."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, when I had finally found the courage to speak, Bree looked at me encouragingly, "let's just say I don't see myself wasting my time in Charms class next year, " Malfoy sneered at the table.
Blaise Zambini made a laughing noise from the compartment next to us, biting his lips in an attempt to not make a noise, "amused Blaise?" Malfoy asked him sternly, "we'll just see who's laughing in the end."
Bree and I exchanged looks, and then looked at Malfoy, the rest of the trip as awkwardly silent, Bree had informed me that Hedwig and my belongings were already at Hogwarts, which was a major relief.
When we finally arrived, it had felt like an eternity. Bree yawned and got up, "come on guys", she smiled and linked our arms, frowning when Malfoy didn't walk along with us, "you guys go on, " Malfoy instructed us, "I have something to take care of."
We both waved at him and walked onto the platform, "Merlin ... what's wrong with him?" I asked in an attempt to make conversation and to possibly figure out what was with Malfoy, "I don't know, I suppose he's feeling bitter about Longbottom getting his dad chucked into Azkaban, git."
As we approached the Hogwarts gates, I noticed there was an unusual amount of staff, some I'd never even seen before, Professor Flitwick was standing outside with a long list, asking students for their names, he looked sternly at Bree and I as he called out again, "names?"
Bree blinked, "Professor Flitwick you've known us for five years."
The dwarf went red, "no exceptions S-Selwyn!"
"Who are those people?" I asked, pointing at the new staff.
"Aurors ...security..." Professor Flitwick coughed, "anyways you two, off to the great hall!"
"Yes sir!" Bree saluted and grabbed me by the hand.
After we had changed into our school robes (and my fears were confirmed, I'm in Slytherin now.), Bree and I made our way to the Slytherin table, greeting a smirking Malfoy, "what are you smiling about?" Bree nudged their shoulders together, Malfoy grinned, "wait for it ..."
"What happened to your face!" I heard Hermoine's voice ask Neville, who was carrying a small, blood stained towel in his hand, holding it up to his nose, I couldn't help but feel a tug as I heard Hermoine's voice, I missed her and Ron, the latter of which was stuffing his face with pudding, typical.
"I'm fine Hermoine, really." Neville clenched his teeth and glared at Malfoy.
"Nice face Longbottom", Malfoy smirked, Neville only sneered in response, before he could open his mouth, the hustle and bustle of the hall died down as Dumbledore walked over to his podium.
"A merry evening to you all", Dumbledore's kind voice began, a twinkle suddenly illuminating his pale blue eyes, "first off, I'd like to introduce our newest member of staff, Horace Slughorn. Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post, as Potions Master, meanwhile, the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape", at that, the entire Slytherin table, myself included (weirdly enough) started cheering, while the other houses didn't react at all, "now", Dumbledore took a deep breath, "as you all know, each of you was searched upon your arrival here, and you have the right to know why, there once was a young man, who like you, sat in this very hall, walked this castle's corridors, to all the world, a student like any other, his name, Tom Riddle." The name aroused the hall to break into mumbling, "of course, today he is known all over the world by another name, which is why as I stand here before you tonight, I am reminded by a sobering fact, every minute, every hour, this very minute perhaps... dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls, but in the end, their strongest weapon is you. Just something to think about. Now off to bed, pip pip!"
"That was cheerful", Bree smiled and got up, "come on guys, bed time, I'm beat."
Draco yawned and lead me to the boy's dorm as we waved goodnight to Bree, "you alright ... Draco?" I asked, hesitantly using his first name, "yeah Harry, I'm fine", he gave me a fake smile, once we reached the dorms I collapsed on the bed Draco told me was mine.
These are undeniable facts:
This world is possibly the reality in which Neville was marked by Voldemort as his equal.
I am no longer the Boy Who Lived, but pushed that burden onto Neville.
Tears stung my eyes, I didn't want it to happen like this...
"Night Harry", came Draco's voice.
"Night Draco.." I repeated in an empty voice.
End of the first chapter, love it? Hate it? Anything I can improve? I'd love to hear your opinions, I will ignore flames but CONSTRUCTIVE criticism will be highly respected and I will act upon them.
