A/N: Hey guys, I'm grateful for all you guys (and gals) that are following along as I go, so without much hesitation, here is Chapter 1.
CHAPTER 1: Changing Lives
"And it gives me great pleasure in welcoming our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Remus Lupin!" Headmaster Dumbledore stated. The Great Hall of Hogwarts erupted with applause and cheers. After a moment Dumbledore gained their attention. "Thank you all, and Professor Lupin, we wish you luck. I have a few announcements to make after we eat our fill, but for now without further ado, enjoy tonights meal".
The hall broke into a light chatter as students and faculty alike started feasting. Another sorting ceremony complete, and another year begins. As students sat and ate, the night sky above them twinkled in the candle light. Hundreds of candles hovered in the air underneath an enchanted ceiling.
The ghosts of Hogwarts floated around students and through the tables, all while striking up different conversations as they glided on their way.
He is still not here Dumbledore sighed as he looked out among the students. Seeing all the smiling faces of his students, the headmaster could only look on, hoping that one day, Harry Potter might attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, just like his parents before him. Alas, it is not to be.
"Albus, you know as well as I do, Harry won't be showing up this year." Remus said turning the look at the headmaster. The headmaster looked over to regard his past student; one of many to bring chaos and laughter to the halls of Hogwarts. Dumbledore sighed lightly as he continued eating, looking out over the faces of his students.
Remus Lupin, one of Hogwarts finest students, returned as a teacher. Along with James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew, Remus was part of a group known amongst the halls of Hogwarts as The Marauders, reeking havoc and destruction through misfit and pranks. Oh how Dumbledore missed those days.
Gazing around the hall, he noticed the four house colors hanging on the grand banisters above each house; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house created to be a home, where students become families, and friends become siblings within the halls of Hogwarts.
Looking around, he noticed many students finishing their meals, and idly chatting with their neighbors at the different tables. oh well, I guess it's that time again.
Slowly, Professor Dumbledore stood up, but before he could move, and resounding SLAP echoed throughout the Great Hall. All sound stopped as the students' eyes shot towards the Gryffindor table.
"Malfoy you scum, I should kill you" A young redheaded girl screamed as she was being held back by two other people, both struggling to keep hold. Flailing and struggling against the two boys holding her back, the girl tried to get another punch in.
The person named Malfoy looked back at her, and started laughing. As quickly as he started, he stopped. His eyes turned hard, and before she knew it, Malfoy swung his hand out and with an echoing crack, the girls face spun around as he landed on her knees.
The redheaded girl had her head facing the ground, with her hair hiding her face. Slowing raising her hand to her face, she could feel a bruise starting to form. Malfoy stood still, while cracking the knuckles in his hand. After a moment, the girl slowly looked up into his face, a blue handprint stenciled onto her left cheek. Eyes glistening, she let a sob escape her mouth, tears started to drip fee.
"You Ginny Weasley, are scum. You should feel grateful that I would even be willing to deal with a tramp like you" Malfoy sneered as he let his hand swing again, this time knocking Ginny completely onto the ground.
Slowly, Ginny lifted her head up and looked Malfoy in the eyes, a pleading look on her face.
"You foul bitch, how dare you look at your betters!" Malfoy shouted as he went to swing again. Ginny ducked her head away trying to shy away from the hit.
When his hand was two inches from her face, he stopped; more precisely, everything stopped. The air went still, the temperature dropped, and the room darkened. Just before the cold became unbearable and the darkness became blinding, a gust of wind blew malfoy back into the opposite wall.
When everything returned to normal, everyone saw someone in a black cloak from head to toe. The hood pulled up over the head, but you could definitely tell it was a guy underneath.
"You know, it's never polite to hit a girl" the boy said. Ginny's head shot up as the boy talked back to Malfoy. She wanted to run away, but found that she couldn't move a muscle.
"I Don't care what she is! She is beneath me and must be disciplined!" Malfoy shouted as he got back to his feet. He moved a couple feet forward and pulled out his wand.
With a quick SNAP the cloaked man was gone, only to reappear behind Malfoy, furthermore with his wand to Malfoy's neck.
Everyone in the hall froze. If someone had dropped a feather, it would have echoed. All the professors looked on in shock, and awe. Someone had punched right through Hogwarts ward system and apparated inside the Great Hall.
"If you ever pull your wand on me again, I will personally make sure that they never find your body. You are the scum in this room, not her. You are lower than trash. You do not belong near people, you belong in a hole" the man spoke in a voice colder than ice. Many shivered at the tone, while a couple even yelped.
"I don't care who you are, I will finish you" Malfoy sneered as he spun to attack the mysterious cloaked man.
In a blink of an eye, Malfoy's wand broke a crack, he was on his back, and the cloaked figure was standing over him.
"Just so you are aware Malfoy, you have made a very powerful enemy today" He slowly pulled the hood of his cloak back, and a few gasps rang out in the hall, "I am Lord Harry James Potter, Lord of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter"
Gasps were heard as he finished declaring that. Chattering broke out all over the hall, and people started climbing on the tables to get a better view. Harry took a quick glance at the staff table as the headmaster quickly took control of the situation.
"QUIET EVERYONE! Everyone will return to their dorms immediately! Mr. Malfoy, you will report to Professor Mcgonagall tomorrow morning before breakfast to receive your punishment. Mr. Potter, please put your wand away and stay behind" the headmaster ordered as everyone started falling into step.
Before Malfoy could stand up, he got his last warning.
"If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll kill you" Harry stated as he slowly backed up from Malfoy. As quickly as he could, Malfoy got on his feet and sprinted out of the Great Hall and headed towards the dungeons.
Harry bent down and offered his hand to the young girl still residing on the ground. She took it and was easily lifted back onto her feet.
"Thank you, I'm Ginny, by the way" the redhead said to Harry before she rushed away quickly following the rest of the gryffindor students.
Turning back around, Harry found the staff of Hogwarts approaching him from across the hall. Harry sighed, and stood still awaiting for the professors to arrive. It only took a few seconds for them to swoop down around him.
"Mr. Potter, I was unaware you actually decided to show up" Dumbledore questioned. He took a moment to look Harry over. He was shocked at what he saw, and a little scared as well.
Harry stood just over five feet tall, with his pitch black hair looking like a hailstorm. His eyes were clear to anyone that looked, a sharp piercing green that gazed into your very soul, and a set jawline. He was lean, but not skinny, and stood with an air of confidence about him. the scariest thing to Dumbledore though was none of this, but the fact that he exalted an aura of power that not even he possessed. That fact alone shook him to the core.
"Well headmaster, it was not my first choice" Harry replied shortly. Professor Mcgonagall huffed and started to respond when Remus Lupin waved her off. She could tell Lupin wanted to how this played out without interference, but never missed that he had his wand in hand, ready to lash out if needed.
"But Harry, you are here, and that is what matters now. Let's go to my office and have a chat, shall we" Dumbledore replied, trying to placate him.
"I think not headmaster, I am tired, and I just want to get some sleep tonight. I think I would just like to get sorted and get some rest for classes tomorrow" Harry replied.
"Of course, of course, the sorting hat is still here after all. Let's get that dealt with now" and with a wave of Dumbledore's wand, the sorting hat landed softly on Harry's head.
For what seemed like hours the sorting hat shifted through the deepest memories in Harry's head. Completely bypassing his occlumency shields and looking into memories that had been locked away for years.
Shifting and weaving through memories and thoughts, the sorting hat finally straightened up, and just as quickly called out "GRYFFINDOR"
With a pop the hat disappeared into nothingness, and the questioning resumed. Each professor looked ready to jump down his throat, asking twenty questions.
"Harry, where have you been?" whispered a shocked Remus as he stood there and watched the young man before. As he watched, he stood still.
"I've been around" harry responded with a shrug, "Now, if you would excuse me, I really am tired, It's been a long journey and I am exhausted. Oh, and professor, you might to have your wards examined for holes."
Before any of the teachers could protest, Harry walked out of the great hall and started his ascent towards Gryffindor Tower, home of the lions. As he climbed the many staircases, he let his mind wander, and think about everything that has happened…
"But Merlin, why do I have to go at all?" Harry pleaded, "I don't want to go, and they can teach me nothing I Don't already know".
"Ah, but they can my boy" Merlin responded whilst stroking his snow white beard, "As hard it is may seem to believe, they can teach you how to live, how to thrive. through the years I have taught you how to handle pain, and deal death. I have taught you how to save lives, and take others. However hard I try, I can not show you how to feel, how to love. You have never had a friend before, and never enjoyed a holiday. I feel this would be best for you now, your training with me has come to an end."
"Why, I know what I need to know to survive, why learn anything else?" Harry whined.
"Harry, you have never even had your first kiss" Merlin chuckled as he threw a pair of socks at the young boy who was currently packing his bags.
Before he knew it, Harry had rounded the last corner, and was now standing in front of the fat lady; the portal into the Gryffindor common room. That's when he realised it, that Harry didn't know the password to get in.
Great, now I'm going to be here all night. Way to go potter!
Just as he finished these thoughts the fat lady sprung to life, swinging aside to allow him entrance. With a shrug of his shoulders, Harry entered his new home for the next nine months.