Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC's
I apologize if the first few chapters appear a bit rushed, I have always been interested in the middle and later years of Harry's education.
Also, I have decided to go through with my plan to transfer Harry to Durmstrang.
The train continued past miles of countryside, passing the occasional town or farm, until all signs of civilization faded into the distance, and all that was left was endless greenery. The sky was a bright blue, with the occasional cloud blocking the blue from dominating the sky.
Harry stared out the window, before turning his attention back to the book he was reading. It was the Standard Book of Spells(Grade 2) which was more advanced than the ones that the first years were supposed to read, but Harry wanted to look ahead a bit. He was not completely finished with the Grade 1 book, but he had become bored with the theory and had wanted to perhaps look further into the advanced curriculum.
Harry had made one more trip back to Diagon Alley, several days after McGonagall had taken him there. He was interested by what he had read in his school books, particularly focusing on charms, as well as potions. He wanted to learn more about how charms could be used for purposes not widely thought off. Harry was interested in charms because it most closely resembled his favorite subject that he took in muggle school, science. He wanted to learn more about how potions created new substances with existing ingredients.
Harry was awake for hours after his first tour of Diagon Alley, wondering if perhaps alchemy was a field in the wizarding world. The idea that the philosopher stone was a reality ignited a burning desire in Harry's heart. After he had returned to Diagon Alley, he purchased a beginners guide to potions, along with his school required potions text. He was interested in seeing if his teacher would be an expert in the art of potions, or if he would be a incapable instructor. Harry had several of those in elementary school. Luckily, it only helped Harry to become more self sufficient, and look for the answers elsewhere when the authority was incapable of giving them.
Harry shook himself from his reflection. He wanted to practice a simple charm before he got the Hogwarts, to make sure that he was competent. He lifted his wand, cleared his throat and prepared to say the words
but was interrupted from his pondering by a knock on his compartment door. It opened revealing a girl with bushy hair and wide eyes, who then proceeded to block the door.
"Have you seen a toad?" She spoke. "Neville, the boy-who-lived has lost his."
"Sorry." Harry spoke. "I haven't seen any toads."
The girl looked ready to leave, until she saw the wand in Harry's hand and resumed her fixed position.
"Are you doing magic?" She started. "Go on then, lets see."
She sounded confident, but Harry thought he saw a hint of apprehension in her eyes.
"Alright then." Harry stated, before pronouncing "Wingardium Leviosa!"
One of the snacks that Harry had bought at King's Cross slowly lifted into the air, resulting in a smile on Harry's face, with the girl's eyes growing slightly wider.
"Nice spell" She said, with a smile that looked a little bit more real. "I haven't tried too many myself, was that spell in our school book?"
"Ya, it's one of the first things we get taught" Harry answered. "I just wanted to get a bit of an edge, you know?"
"Yes" She said. "I do."
She turned to leave but before going, the girl turned back to face Harry.
"I'm Hermione Granger." She said.
"Harry Potter." He said, watching as Hermione turned her away and left the compartment, presumably going to search for Neville's toad.
"The boy-who-lived." He whispered to himself. He had of course read about the heroic vanquisher of the dark lord, and found it a bit odd that such a worshipped hero would have a toad as a pet.
'maybe toads are a common pet in the wizarding world' Harry thought, a bit bemused by such an odd occurrence.
Harry spent the next hour quickly rereading the Standard Book of Spells(Grade 1), but was interrupted when a chubby boy barged into the compartment and quickly pulled the shades. He dove under one of the seats just in time, as the door burst open and four students dressed in Hogwarts robes came in and looked around.
"Are you looking for someone?" Harry asked, raising and eyebrow. "Nobody has been in here for an hour, other than me of course."
They looked confused for a moment, probably wondering where the chubby kid had disappeared to. They looked at each other before one of them let of a mumbled "Sorry" and closed the door, proceeding further down the train.
After a minute had passed, the chubby kid crawled out from under the seat and stood up.
"Thanks for the save" He said quietly. "They have been following me for the last half hour, it's getting tiring and kind of scary."
Harry held in the laugh that almost escaped him, restraining himself upon seeing the true terror on the boy's face.
"I should introduce myself" Harry said. "My name is Harry Potter, may I ask who you are?"
"I am Neville Longbottom." He said quietly.
"...…" Harry stared.
"Not what you were expecting, was I?" Neville said. Harry was forced to reevaluate what he had believed in the wizarding world. The boy who sat in front of him was no Hero, or legendary vanquisher of dark lords. He was no champion of rights, fighting for the rights of the oppressed. He was just a boy, who had a chubby face, sweaty palms, and a toad for a pet.
"...I'm sorry.." Harry said, coming to the realization that he must not be the only one to have such expectations for Neville the boy-who-lived. Everyone must believe he was a hero, for vanquishing the dark lord. Hell, how did anyone know that Neville was the one who defeated the dark lord, was there anyone else who was there that night that could testify for what happened?
"Don't apologize." Neville said, sniffling. "Everyone expects me to be a great hero before even meeting me. I don't even know what happened that night. All I know is that the dark lord died and that my parents were killed too. He looked down, with a tear filling the corner of his eye. Harry felt bad for the kid, knowing the he had been death a bad hand in life, just like Harry had.
"My parents died too, that night." Harry spoke quietly, after a lengthy pause to give Neville time to recompose himself.
"They died fighting for what they believed in" Harry continued. "And that, is the best thing anyone can do."
Neville was quiet for some time, before looking up at Harry. His face was better now, less sad and more ready for school.
"Thanks Harry" He spoke quietly. "I promised Hermione I would get back to her compartment, thanks for the help hiding from those kids."
Neville stood up preparing to leave the compartment, but before he want Harry had one more thing to tell him.
"Neville." Harry spoke, continuing when he had Neville's attention. "You don't have to be what people want you to be, being yourself is the best thing you can do. Being yourself is not just the best thing for you, but the best thing for everyone else too.
Neville stared for a moment, not really understanding what Harry was trying to tell him, but left with a murmured "Thank you." before heading towards the front of the train.
Harry looked to the spot where Neville once occupied , busy thinking about what he had learned.
'Certainly not what I was expecting' He thought. 'But maybe he will find his own way to shine.'
Harry spent the rest of the trip undisturbed.
After changing into his school attire when the train was approaching the station, Harry made his way outside with the rest of the first years. He followed the flow of students to a man who was colossal in size.
'Is he human?' Harry thought, recalling how many of his books mentioned or referenced other magical creatures.
'Goblins run the banks, why can't giants work at the school, if he even is a giant' Harry thought, bemused as he followed the large man with the rest of the students. After trekking for several minutes he arrived at a lake, and upon glancing up was momentarily left breathless by the sight of the majestic castle that stood upon a stall hill. After regaining his composure, Harry noticed a number of boats strewn alongside the edge of the water.
"No more than 4 to a boat" the giant man yelled.
"Harry quickly moved towards a boat, being the first to enter it, and was somewhat surprised to see Neville and Hermione join his him in the boat. Another girl, who politely introduced herself as Susan Bones joined as well.
"Everyone in?" The giant man yelled. "Forward"
All the boats began to glide across the water at a sedate pace, and the children were given plenty of time to marvel at the majestic structure of the castle as they slowly approached. Finally, arriving under a rock opening(which the large man had to duck under), The students got off the boats, and were directed up a staircase.
Once everyone reached the top of the staircase, Harry recognized professor McGonagall standing as imposing as when he had last seen her. Her eyes darted towards him for the briefest of moments, before her eyes shifted to Neville, and finally resting on who Harry recognized as Draco Malfoy before looking at the students in general.
"Welcome to Hogwarts" She began, with a serious expression present on her face. "Now in a few moments you will move through these doors, and join the rest of your classmates. But before you can join you peers you must be sorted into one of the houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw,... and Slytherin."
All of the students were captivated by what McGonagall was saying, with not a peep emanating from any of the students.
"Now while you are here, you house is life you family." She continued. "Any achievements and you will gain your house points, and rule breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the house cup."
She looked at the assembled students for a moment.
"The sorting ceremony will begin in a few moments" McGonagall said before turning and walking back into the hall.
"So" Drawled someone who Harry recognized as Draco Malfoy. "Neville Longbottom has come to Hogwarts."
"Yes" Neville spoke. " and who are you?"
"Draco Malfoy" He spoke confidently, as if the world was his for the taking. "I can show you the proper way through Hogwarts"
Draco held out his hand to Neville, and everyone watched as Neville stared at the hand with a hint of sweat trailing down his neck.
He raised his hand, prepared to shake the hand out of nervousness, but halted upon seeing Harry ever so slightly shake his head.
"I think I can show myself the proper way." Neville said, retracting his hand and turning away from Draco.
Draco did not look happy about his rejection, and Harry wondered if he would see a wizard fight for the first time. But before any insults could be thrown or wands drawn, McGonagall returned.
"We're ready for you." She stated. "Please follow me."
The students followed McGonagall through the large doorway and entered a great hall. The first thing that Harry noticed upon entering was that there was a sky visible on the ceiling, and that just below the sky there were floating candles illuminating the whole room with a vibrant, welcome atmosphere.
passing by stables filled with students of many ages they finally arrived near the end of the hall, where there was a head table seated by older individuals who Harry assumed were the teachers. In the center sat a old man with a long white beard wearing vibrant robes that made his eyes hurt.
"Now before we begin" McGonagall started. "Headmaster Dumbledore has a few announcements to make."
The old man, who harry assumed was the headmaster stood up. The action was so tedious that Harry could feel the headmaster's bones crack.
"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce" He begun. "All first years please note that the forbidden, remains forest is strictly forbidden."
'That's helpful' Snarked Harry in his head.
"Also Mr. Filch, our caretaker would like me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds for any who do not wish to die a most painful death."
'What the hell is this!' Harry internally screamed. 'This is a school and you are telling me that if I go to a part of the school then I will die?! What king of place is this!'
Oblivious to the internal ramblings of one first year student, headmaster Dumbledore sat down and the sorting commenced.
"Now, when I call your name you will come up here, I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your house." McGonagall said. "SUSAN BONES."
The girl who had ridden the boat with Harry walked up to the hat, and after several seconds of deliberation the hat shouted out "Hufflepuff". One of the four tables in the hall stood up clapping for the girl, who took off the hat and rushed to join her house. Several students were then called alphabetically. Hermione and Neville were sorted into Gryffindor, While Draco went to Slytherin.
Harry took note of the fact that the cheering was extra hard from Gryffindor when Neville was selected.
"HARRY POTTER" McGonagall finally called.
Harry walked up to the stool and sat down, feeling the hat being placed on his head before the hall became obscured.
'So Mr. Potter, shall we take a look?' A voice questioned Harry.
'Are you the sorting hat then?' Harry thought out, doing his best to hide his surprise on hearing a voice inside his head.
'Yes Mr. Potter, lets take a look here.' the hat mused. 'Plenty of yearning for knowledge, not much in the way of trust...'
'Hey!' Thought Harry a bit annoyed by the hat's bluntness.
'Take no offense Mr. Potter' The hat responded. 'It is a simply observation on your past actions and behavior. Now, while you are no coward you are certainly not overflowing with courage. Also, while I did not see an abundance of good moral you are far from apathetic. That just leaves two choices then, which one would you pick? Knowledge or power?'
Harry sat there for a couple of seconds contemplating which choice would be better for him.
'Is there any chance I could pick both?' Harry half heartedly questioned.
'A witty response Mr. Potter, better be' "RAVENCLAW" The hat yelled out, almost toppling Harry from the stool. One of the tables rose clapping, and Harry hastily made his way over to the front of the table, and watched the rest of the students get sorted.
Once everyone was sorted and sitting at their house table, the headmaster rose from his spot from the head table and clapped his hands.
"Let the feast, begin!" He spoke loudly, as piles upon piles of food appeared in the hall, to the happiness of the older students and the bewilderment of the first years. Harry had never seen such a display of food before. He began recalling how despite always eating enough to never be malnourished, his orphanage did not have the healthiest or tastiest food. He reached for a mouth watering chicken leg and spent several moments looking it over to find any imperfection. There was none.
As Harry swallowed a bite he noticed one of the students sorted into Gryffindor, who he recalled was at the King's Cross with the happy family and oversized clothes. He was stuffing his face full of chicken legs while hastily downing a glass of water every couple of bites, only for the cup to fill up moments later. His voracious appetite overcompensated for his terrible manners, with food and spittle flying everyone clearly visible from Harry's position on the other side of the hall.
Harry suddenly decided to eat much less after seeing this, and only had bits out of the mound that surrounded him. Nearing the end of the feast the food suddenly disappeared from the tables and headmaster Dumbledore rose from his position, pronouncing "Good night."
Once he finished speaking, students began to leave the great hall. Two students from Ravenclaw, motioned all of the first years over. They introduced themselves as Robert Hilliard and Penelope Clearwater. They lead us out of the hall, and herded the first year Ravenclaw students up a series of moving staircases(Awesome!). They moved everyone in front of a portrait of a bird, who turned it's head and looked at the students.
"To enter the Ravenclaw common room you need to answer a riddle." Penelope Clearwater said. "They get more difficult the higher year you are, so start practicing."
"What if we can't think of the answer?" A nervous boy asked. "What then?"
"Wait for someone who can answer it, or find a prefect." Stated Robert Hilliard.
The bird, what appeared to be some sort of eagle rasped out a riddle.
What goes up, but never comes down? It spoke.
All the students thought for a moment. Harry had is own reservations about the answer. He believed that there were several answers that could constitute as the answer for the riddle. Taking a blind guess, Harry answered.
"Age." He spoke quietly
"Correct answer" The eagle rasped as the portrait turned on it's side and the students walked in.
They were led into the common room, already filled with older students reading who knows what and already making study guides and review sheets.
Before they went to their dormitories, a short man with wrinkly skin and large glasses arrived behind the first years, and proceeded to introduce himself.
"Hello." He began. "I am professor Flitwick, your head of house and the charms teacher at Hogwarts." Harry felt a shiver of excitement go up his spine, upon hearing that his house's leader was the teacher of one of his most anticipated subjects.
"Ravenclaws value wit and knowledge more than the other houses." Flitwick began. "We have maintained the image of producing some of the best and brightest witches and wizards, and it now falls upon you all to continue that trend."
He stared at the first years for a moment, before continuing.
"Now, if you have any trouble, please pay a visit to my office in the evening and we will work to fix the issue." He finished.
"Now off to bed! We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." He walked out of the common room, the portrait swinging shut behind him.
The first years silently made their way to their assigned dorm, where they proceeded to unpack. They all spent several minutes reviewing the content they would learn the following day, with Harry wondering how he would stack up compared to the other firs years of the school.
He went to bed, anxious to get on with the first real day of learning.
Harry awoke as the first rays of light penetrated the dorm, looking around he saw the rest of his year mates sleeping soundly. He got up, and proceeded to move down to the common room, where he was met by Penelope Clearwater who appeared to be studying for her classes already.
"Hello." She said, looking at him a bit amused.(Most first years slept in quite later.)
"If you want you can head down to the Great Hall, or wait for the other first years if you'd prefer." She continued, appearing to think something over in her head before asking.
"Do you remember the way to the great hall? I have prefect duty but I could ask an older student to escort you down." She finished, looking at him questioningly.
"I think I can find my way." Harry replied, recalling the route he took to get the their common room the night before. " But thanks for the offer."
Clearwater nodded in acknowledgment, before moving back to her table and resuming her review.
Harry exited through the eagle portrait, before making his way down the moving staircases to where he recalled the great hall was.
As he entered, he noticed that the hall was sparsely filled, with the occasional older student quietly eating or chatting with a housemate. Harry sat down at his table, and noticed that he appeared to be the only first year student who had arrived.
As he sat down and began to fill up his plate with some eggs and fruits, he heard someone approach. He glanced to his left, and saw professor Flitwick heading towards him.
"Good morning Mr. Potter." He started. "Here is your timetable for the year. I hope you preform well in your classes."
Harry took the timetable and thanks Flitwick, and started to look it over as he slowly ate his food.
After reading the entire timetable, Harry put it down and pondered the classes that he had today. Firstly, he had potions with Professor Snape. Harry did not recall anyone named Snape, but he recalled that there were many teachers at the head table the previous night and concluded that Snape was probably one of them.
"Excuse me." Said Harry, turning to what he guessed was a second year further down the table. "Do you know who professor Snape is?"
"he is the one with all back robes and a nasty demeanor." He replied, turning to face Harry. "He doesn't like anyone except his Slytherins. He is neutral with us Ravenclaws, but is downright nasty with the Hufflepuff's and Gryffindor's."
"Thanks." Harry stated, already thinking about what he was told. Was Snape bigoted? Was Harry going to have to deal with a prejudiced teacher for one of his favorite subjects? He felt some of his excitement drop upon realizing that potions may not be as enjoyable as he hoped.
Harry looked over the rest of his timetable, and noticed that continuing through the day he had charms with his head of house, and the transfiguration with McGonagall. He knew that McGonagall was a no nonsense individual, and would probably be a strict and competent teacher. He didn't know much about Flitwick, but considering the emphasis he put on studying and hard work he probably was at least decent.
Oblivious to the slowly growing number of students arriving in the hall for breakfast, Harry continued pondering his day until it was time to leave for his first class...
Harry walked deeper into the castle, where there were no windows and the atmosphere was chilly and cold. He arrived in front of a closed door where he was instructed to go for potions, and vaguely registered that along with his fellow Ravenclaws there were also the Hufflepuff first years as well. Harry was a bit lightened by this knowledge that he would not be sharing this class with the Slytherins(Draco Malfoy), and consequently might have some peace the work in.
Suddenly the door flew open and a cold draft hit the students.
"Come in." A deep voice stated from within the room. The students slowly filtered into the room, Harry being one of the first to enter. He chose a spot near the right side of the classroom, picking the table neither the farthest back nor the one up front. He did this because Harry had always preferred staying out of the spotlight whih many of the front seated students were exposed to. He also did not want to sit the farthest back because many students who sat in the rear of the classroom struggled much more than those seated closer to the instructor.
A boy Harry recalled being Terry Boot sat next to him at his table, and the two watched as the rest of the students filtered in and sat down. Once all of the students were seated, the professor started to take roll call. Once he got to Harry's name Snape stared at him for a moment, before continuing down the list.
"Throughout this class I can teach you to bottle fame." He started. "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind, ensnare it's senses. At least, for those with a certain..."
And here he paused for a moment, eyes darting to Harry for a brief moment.
"...…Predisposition" He finished, turning his eyes back to the class.
"Therefore." He continued. "I feel it is necessary to ask a few, preliminary questions to ensure that the students here are at least...mediocre in capabilities" He concluded.
"Mr. Potter" Snape begun. "Perhaps you could enlighten the class as to what happens when you combine asphodel and wormwood?"
Harry stared at him for a moment, a bit surprised at being singled out by the teacher before trying to remember if he had heard anything about those two ingredients. He finally remembered that he read about wormwood being a necessary ingredient in a sleeping potion known as Draught of Living Death. He did not know what asphodel was, but maybe it was another necessary ingredient?
"They create a sleeping potion know as Draught of Living Death." Harry answered, internally nervous that he was wrong.
Snape stared at him for a moment, before slightly jerking his head up and asking other students difficult questions. Most answered incorrectly, but Terry was correct in answering the location and purpose of a Bezoar. Snape then had the class copy down basic safety notes, and assigned a essay at least 2 feet long on proper conduct. At the end of the class, when Snape told everyone to leave, he glanced at Harry.
"Potter, stay behind" He ordered, as the rest of the kids hustled out.
Harry cleaned up his spot and packed up his equipment, and sat down in his chair.
"That answer was in the second year textbook." Snape began, once all the students were gone. "How did you know?"
"...I was really interested in potions, it's one of the courses I was most interested in." Harry stated. "I decided to get two extra textbooks at Flourish and Blotts near the end of the summer to read a bit ahead."
Snape stared at Harry for a moment, almost as if reevaluating him based on what he was told.
"Then I will hold to you higher standards. "He started after a lengthy silence. "If you have read more than the rest of your peers."
"Yes sir." Harry answered. They were silent for a moment, before Snape jerked his head to the door and Harry got up and left.
"He's not what I expected." Snape muttered, looking at where Harry has sat only moments before. "Maybe he has more of her in him than I thought."
Harry was late to charms. After walking into class after Flitwick had already begun speaking, Harry was suddenly the center of attention for the class.
"Mr. Potter." Flitwick began. "May I ask why you are late for my class?"
"Sorry professor." Harry started. "Professor Snape held for back for a few minutes, it won't happen again."
"If it does happen again, I will take points." Flitwick responded, before turning his attention back to the class as Harry moved next to Terry.
They spent the rest of class with Flitwick going over the basic fundamental of charms, before stating that they would begin practicing a basic charm next class. As the students filtered out of the classroom, Harry stayed behind for a moment to talk with his head of head.
"Sorry about my tardiness professor." Harry said. "Professor Snape wanted to talk to me about how I knew the advanced answers he asked me. It took a couple of minutes which made me mate."
"Next time make sure to get a pass then." Flitwick answered, before asking "Why was he asking you advanced questions?"
"I don't know" Harry replied. "He said it was mentioned in the second year textbook, and I think he expected me to fail."
Flitwick stared at him for a moment, and Harry started to grow nervous.
"Do you mean to tell me that you are reading the second year course textbooks Mr. Potter?" Flitwick asked.
"Ya, I read the first year books before the school year started, and decided to get a head start on next year's material." He responded,
Flitwick sat silent for a moment.
"have you read ahead in all of your courses? or just potions?" He questioned.
"I have gotten about halfway through my second year charms book." Harry started. "And I finished all the other first year textbooks, but I mostly focused on potions and charms."
Flitwick started at him for a moment, before letting out what sounded like a half chuckle.
"Good for you, Mr. Potter" He chuckled. "Keep working hard."
"Professor?" Harry started. "is there anyway I could learn more advanced material? What we are learning is somewhat easy for me."
Flitwick stood silently for a moment, before slowly beginning to speak.
"While I encourage all academic progression." He replied. "I don't have the time to teach extra material, and I know many of the other teachers would have the same dilemma."
Harry stood there for a moment, slightly upset that he could not receive any instructor help with some of the more advanced magic he was learning.
"Thank you professor." He stated, not quite able to hide is sadness. "I'll be going now."
Flitwick watched as Harry got up and walked out of the room, shook his head and got ready for his next class.
Harry's next class, transfiguration was slightly less interesting than charms and potions. Harry just couldn't muster the same enthusiasm with transfiguration. McGonagall(True to expectations), was a strict and unyielding teacher. She made it quite clear what would happen to any troublemakers, and not a sound escaped any of the students as she lectured on the importance of following instructions and not messing around.
After a lengthy lecture in the fundamental principles of transfiguration, which lasted well over an hour McGonagall assigned the first textbook homework. It was an introductory chapter, elevating safety as the utmost importance.
As the rest of the students got up and began departing from the room, Harry went up to McGonagall with a question in mind.
"Excuse me, Professor?" He started. "I was wondering if you could perhaps give me more advanced assignments. I have already read the assigned section, before the start of term."
McGonagall looked at him for a moment, before sighing and rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"One of those students." She muttered so softly that Harry almost didn't hear, before looking back at him.
"I am sorry, Mr. Potter." She replied. "But I cannot show favorites to any particular student." McGonagall finished.
"Ok, then" Harry answered, after letting what said sink in. "Goodbye professor."
Harry walked out of the class, oblivious to McGonagall's softening eyes as she reflected on how much he looked like his parents.
Harry settled into a rhythm, as the days melted into weeks, and finally almost two months had passed. Harry continued to preform well in is classes, despite his opinion that the course material was below his level. He found defense against the dark arts to be a joke class, with more time spent being told how to run away than how to actually fight dark magic. The teacher, a stuttering man named Quirrell was always jumping at shadows and glancing at the door every so often.
Herbology was a unique class, but nothing more. While Harry found the magical plants they studied to be unique and sometimes amusing, he did not envision himself to be a magical gardener. He put effort in the class, but he was not losing sleep over Herbology.
Eventually the night of the Halloween Feast approached with many students becoming excited over the event. Harry was not one of those students, recalling his conversation with Flitwick over his absence from the celebration.
"Excuse me professor" Harry asked, having knocked on the door of his head of house's office. "I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment."
"Mr. Potter of course, come in." He replied, circling the big A on the essay he was grading. "How may I help you today?"
Harry sat down in the chair opposite of Flitwick, before taking a deep breath.
"I was wondering If I could abstain from going to the Halloween Feast." He asked.
Flitwick was silent for a moment, before looking at Harry with an expression that might have been regret.
"Is it about your parents?" He asked. "Tonight is the night they passed away, isn't it."
Harry stared down at his lap, not bothering to answer the question.
"If you don't go to the feast then I must ask that you stay in the common room." Flitwick continued after a moment's pause. "Don't do anything that could get you or anyone else in trouble."
Harry nodded his head in thanks, before getting up to leave the room.
"Mr. Potter" Flitwick called as Harry reached for the door. "You aren't the only one who lost family that day."
And with that, Flitwick resumed grading as Harry left.
Nighttime arrived quickly, with the rest of Harry's classmates having already left for the feast. Harry contented himself near the fire, finishing up his second year transfiguration textbook. Finished the last paragraph of the best, Harry stood up cracking his bones. He would never admit it, but he was utterly bored. The majority of what they were learning in class was theory, with the few practical pieces of magic they were learning being either useless or easy. The rest of Harry's classmates did not share his opinion that the work was easy, with many cramming in homework and studying at the last moment.
Pushing thoughts of lazy peers out of his head, Harry paced around the common room remembering that Flitwick had told him not to leave.
'He won't notice if I take a little stroll.' Harry thought as he walked to the eagle portrait, moving past once it swung open.
Harry walked around the moving staircase, aimlessly wandering through the corridors until he got tired and sat down on a bench to catch his breath. As he sat there, he became aware of something other than his breathing or the sound of the pipes in the wall. It was a thumping sound, coming every few seconds. The thumping got louder, and Harry began to distinguish two distinct thumps coming in intervals every few seconds.
'Those are footsteps.' Harry concluded. 'But what creature could have such a massive body?'
Never one to let curiosity get the better of him, Harry decided to hide in a narrow doorway leading to an empty classroom with only his eyes visible around the corner. The lumbering footsteps became louder, until a large shadow filled up one end of the corridor. Harry watched shocked, as a massive creature walked past him, into what Harry vaguely recognized as the girls bathroom. The creature either had to be a giant or a troll based on what Harry knew.
Harry debated whether he should stay hidden or make a break for it.
'How fast can a troll run?!' Harry thought.
His thoughts were interrupted by a scream originating from the girls bathroom, followed by what sounded like something heavy hitting a wall.
Harry turned to flee, glancing back in the direction that the troll had moved but halted in his steps. He glanced down the hall, and the back to the girls bathroom. Steadying himself Harry made his choice, he into the girls bathroom and saw the giant trying to hit a girl. Harry recognized her as Hermione, but could not look for long as the troll turned it's attention towards Harry.
'It's a lot bigger up close.' Harry thought, dodging just in time to avoid the massive club that was sent his way. Diving under the troll's feet, Harry looked quickly took out his wand and aimed as the troll turned to face him.
"AVIS" He shouted at the top of his lungs, watching as a flock of birds emerged and began to hassle the troll who began to swing it's club wildly around itself. Harry prepared another spell, trying to think of the correct one.
"Bombarda Maximina!" He hollered, watching as a ball of light emerged from his wand, and quickly sht towards the troll. Harry had no time to celebrate his success, as the spell made contact with the troll.
The air was dusty. That was the first thing Harry noticed. The second was that he was alive, and his chest hurt like hell. He felt someone pulling him, and as he was dragged Harry saw the body of the troll. It was lying on the ground, and there was a massive crater in it's side where Harry's spell made contact.
Harry's vision swam, and he fell into a half conscious state, he thought he saw several robed figures rush over to him. He thought that he heard crying in the distance, but that was all he heard when his vision faded to black and he was pulled under.
Harry awoke in the hospital, the light from the sun signifying that it was morning. Harry glanced about, and noticed that he wasn't alone in the hospital wing. Headmaster Dumbledore stood a distance off and upon noticing Harry was awake, made his way over.
"Harry, my boy." He started. "It is good to see you in better health. Madam Pomfrey spent many hours last night repairing the damage done to you." He paused.
"It was a close thing you know." He stated gravely. "A piece of on the ground impaled your chest, you had lost a lot of blood by the time we got to you."
Harry lifted the sheets, and saw his waist covered by several bandages.
"It was all healed, of course." Dumbledore continued. "And now that all is well, I would like to say thank you." He stopped for a moment and looked down on harry through his sparkling glasses.
"Without you, Ms. Granger could have suffered a terrible fate." He smiled. "True hero's are not always the stuff of legend. Sometime they are the ones that risk their lives for another."
Harry looked down at his lap, his face reddening with embarrassment.
"Don't look so meek." Dumbledore spoke again. "You saved your classmate, and for that I believe that you earned 50 points for Ravenclaw. Although I must say I believed your actions would have been better suited for a Gryffindor." He finished, smiling at Harry with pride in his twinkling eyes.
"Thank you sir." Harry spoke quietly.
"If you need anything Harry, please come and ask." Dumbledore replied, turning to leave.
Harry put his head back down on the pillow and smiled at the sound of the birds chirping, sun shining, and wind blowing. He wondered if anything could ruin this moment.
"HARRY!" Hermione's voice screamed. 'Of bloody course'
Time passed and word spread. Many whispered about how a troll had gotten into the school, with rumors spreading after someone saw Harry potter in the infirmary right after the troll was killed. They said that he got smashed by it's club, and that he had accidentally magic which killed the beast.
Out of the few that knew, none were willing to come forward with the true set of events, and gradually the rumors died down with people finding other news to gossip about.
Hermione had thanked him profoundly for saving her life, although Harry brushed it off as unnecessary. He questioned why she was there in the first place, and was told how Hermione was crying after being insulted by Ron Weasley. Apparently he had called her a know-it-all bookwork with no friends, after which Hermione ran crying to the bathroom. Something that Harry found interesting was that Apparently Neville tried to stand up for Hermione, but was overwhelmed by Ron's overbearing attitude.
Harry continued to advance faster than the curriculum could handle, and by the time Christmas rolled around he had finished all of his second year material. He was beginning to delve deeper into some of his third year charms and potions material, but still had time to go before he finished them.
Harry stood in the middle of an abandoned classroom, aiming at a desk in the center of the room. He pointed his wand at the and muttered a spell.
"Avifors." Harry muttered, watching as the desk transformed into a bird. his happiness at his success evaporated when he heard weak clapping behind him. He turned quickly, finding professor Quirrell standing their slowly clapping his hands.
"W-Well donne, MMr. Potter-r." Quirrell stuttered. "I Bbelieve t-that is a tthird yearr spell?" He asked.
"Yes sir." Harry responded, curious and somewhat anxious about what Quirrell would do. He watched as Quirrel flicked his wand, and the bird turned back into a desk.
"Y-you are q-quite far a-ahead, I-if I m-may say so m-myself." He continued. "D-did one o-of the older s-students teach y-you? O-or one of t-the teachers?"
Harry stared at Quirrell, wondering where this line of questioning was heading.
"No sir, I taught myself that spell." He answered.
Quirrell smiled, showing rows of yellow teeth.
"not many students have the motivation to look so far ahead" Quirrell spoke. "Not at Hogwarts anyway."
"I just wish that I could get some private tutoring or instructions on some of the more advanced magic. But none of the teachers say they have any available time."
Quirrell was silent for a moment, before looking at Harry with a neutral expression.
"Not at Hogwarts." Quirrell said quietly.
Harry's head snapped up to look Quirrell in the eyes.
"Where else could I go?" He asked Quirrell. "Everyone says that Hogwarts is the best school."
"And from a certain perspective it is." Quirrell grinned. "What is the point of a school Mr. Potter?"
"To teach." Harry replied, a bit confused by the random question.
"Exactly." Quirrell continued. "It is meant distribute knowledge and skills to a certain number of students. Now let me ask you, is the better school the one that teaches the most advanced subjects? Or the one that teaches the highest number of students?" He finished.
Harry mulled over the two points, think about the pros and cons of each. On one hand, the school to supplies the best education would have the most developed students on an individual level. However they would also end up with a lower number of spots for potential students, as the extra quality of their teaching would train time and resources. On the other hand, a school that taught a large number of students would succeed in delivering an education to a large group of individuals, however the trade off is that the quality of the education would be slightly reduced.
Making up his mind on which would be the better school, Harry looked at Quirrell.
"The school with more students." He answered, at which Quirrell nodded.
"Yes." He started. "Hogwarts is undeniable the best school, however it may not be the best place for you." Quirrell looked at Harry again, as if making a final decision.
"If you want to receive the best education you can." He spoke. "Then I would suggest transferring to Durmstrang Institue."
Harry was confused, he had never heard of such a place before. He thought for a moment before returning his attention back to Quirrell.
"How do I get in?" He asked Quirrell with a determined expression.
"The best thing you could do is preform well in all of your classes." Quirrell answered. "Also recommendations from several of your professors would go a long way in ensuring your placement at Durmstrang."
Harry stared at Quirrell for several moments, before asking another question.
"What is the curriculum like there?" He wondered.
"The curriculum, some might call brutal." Quirrell admitted. "Some drop out. Some get injured. But many of the best and brightest wizards are nurtured there by the tough work."
Quirrell paused for a moment, looking away before looking back at Harry.
"They also promote the use of the dark arts." Quirrell finally finished, falling silent and observing Harry.
Harry stood conflicted, knowing that he needed more information before he could make a final decision.
"Thank you Professor." He started. "I will certainly take your advice into consideration." He paused. "until later then, professor." He concluded, walking past Quirrell out the door.
He never noticed Quirrell smiling at his retreating back, and also never realized that Quirrell had stopped stuttering.
Harry spent the next several nights browsing the library for any information he could find on Durmstrang Institute. He found out several interesting details about Durmstrang from his readings. Firstly it was a school that promoted the use of the dark arts, and did not permit the entrance of muggleborns. He also discovered that the dark wizard Grindlewald had used the school as one of his fortresses. Harry also learned that the school did not usually accept international students from as far a Britain, which worried him.
Harry walked to professor Quirrell's office before the evening feast one day, and braced himself before knocking on the door.
"C-come in." He heard Quirrell say. Turning the knob, Harry entered the office and sat down across from Quirrell.
"Professor, I was wondering how I would get in to Durmstrang? As I heard they do not usually take students from so far away." Harry questioned.
"N-normally they so not, b-but I k-know someone t-there who c-could get y-you in." Quirrell stated.
"Really, you would do that?" Harry questioned dubiously, a bit surprised that Quirrell would go out of his way for him.
"I-I see a b-bit of m-me in you Mr. Potter." Quirrell Replied. "I w-wish I c-could have g-gone to Durmstrang if I had the c-choice."
"Is there anything else I need to do?" Harry questioned further.
"T-there will l-likely be an e-entrance t-test." Quirrell stuttered. "I-I can m-make you a l-list of spells t-that might b-be on it." He finished.
"Thank you Professor." Harry finished, getting up to leave.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Quirrell murmured as Harry left his office.
Harry walked up to the headmaster's office late one Friday evening nearing the end of march, looking at the gargoyle in front of the door questioningly. As if in response, the gargoyle jumped aside and Harry hesitantly made his way inside the office. He noticed Dumbledore sitting behind a large desk, and next to him perched a large red bird. It took Harry a moment to realize that it was a phoenix and he almost lost his composure upon seeing a legendary creature just sitting there. Prying his attention away from the majestic bird Harry looked at the Headmaster.
"What brings you to my office, Mr. Potter?" He asked curiously.
"Headmaster." Harry began tentatively. "I don't know the proper way to say this, but I want to transfer."
Dumbledore stared at him, the candy that he was eating lay forgotten on the table.
"What." Dumbledore replied, a bit shocked. "Why would you want to transfer from Hogwarts?"
"...…. I don't believe it is the best place for me." Harry responded. "I believe I could learn better somewhere else."
"Where?" Spoke Dumbledore after a lengthy pause.
"Durmstrang institute." Harry replied, a bit nervous on what the headmaster would say. "I believe that Durmstrang could allow me the reach my potential the best."
Dumbledore started at him for a moment, as if weighing something in his head.
"Harry...…..You know that Durmstrang is a dark arts school, right?" He asked. "They are very exclusive of their members."
"I have preformed exceptionally well this year, and I have already started looking ahead for what may be required of me for my entrance exam." Harry finished.
"Do you believe that Hogwarts is a bad school?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, it is just not the right school or me." replied Harry, thinking about his discussion with Quirrell many months ago.
"What do you need from me." Dumbledore spoke after a lengthy silence. "Why did you come to me?"
"I was wondering, if I finish the rest of the year with the same performance as I have managed so far." Harry started. "If you could write your approval for my transfer.."
Dumbledore gazed sadly at Harry, looking more tired than he had just moments ago.
"Is this what you truly want?" He spoke tiredly.
"...Yes." Harry answered.
"very well, I will write the letter. If you truly plan to go through with this, then I would recommend getting several of your other teachers to write letters as well."
"I already have sir." Harry responded, recalling the reactions his teachers had.
Flitwick had fallen out his chair in shock. It would have been amusing if not for the seriousness of the conversation. He had proceeded to start rapid firing questions about why Harry wanted to transfer.
Harry simply responded with "It's what I want."
Snape had stared at him for a moment, and the jerkily nodded his head. Harry was surprised that after his first confrontation that Snape had simply reverted to the occasional tough question and harsh grading methods. In other words, just the kind of teacher Harry wanted.
McGonagall had the most over the top and amusing reaction. Her eyes got wide, her mouth fell open, and she stared at him for several moments. It took Harry the better part of half an hour to convince her that this was the best choice for him. IN the end she was still unconvinced but agreed to write her letter when she noticed his resolve.
Dumbledore stared at Harry for several moments.
"Very well, then." He said. "I will write the form for your transfer, and send it to Durmstrang."
"Thank you sir." Harry said quietly, moving to leave.
As Harry left he felt eyes on the back of his lead, accompanied by a weird feeling in his head. The feeling soon abated, leaving Harry with a confused feeling as he left the headmaster's office.
Watching Harry depart, Dumbledore felt conflicted about what he agreed to do, before realizing something crucial.
'Quirrell.' He thought.