Silence.
Everywhere.
As much as it was not a shock for everyone that Harry had been sorted in Gryffindor, it was exactly a the reverse of what everyone present in the great hall felt at the moment.
No Weasely had ever been sorted to any other house except for Gryffindor. There could've been exceptions like Percy who seemed a suitable candidate for Ravenclaw but when he was sorted in Gryffindor as well, all doubts were cleared.
But then Ron was sorted in Slytherin. What was happening?
The silence was getting more and more uncomfortable, especially for Ron. He felt as if he was living a bad dream. He hated this house. His entire life, he had grown up hating Slytherin. He despised every single student of that house. And now, he was a part of them?
No.
Dumbledore had promised him that he would be sorted in Gryffindor where Harry was known to be sorted. Dumbledore had promised him! His face twisted and he felt like crying. This was, undoubtedly, the worst day of his life till now because he didn't know how bad it was going to be from here.
"We want a Re-sorting!"
Ron looked up and saw Percy getting up from his seat and shouting loudly.
"We want a re-sorting!"
The twins joined him as well and for the first time, Ron felt his brothers truly cared for him. Especially the twins.
But Harry's attention was on someone else. And so was Hermione's. They were looking towards the staff table, waiting for their betrayer to stand up and a minute later, he did.
The entire hall looked from Ron to the staff table when Albus Dumbledore stood up from his throne like chair.
"I believe there has been some mistake, Sabar?" Dumbledore said.
"Sabar?" Harry asked as he looked at Hermione and Gohan.
"It looks like the hat has a name," Gohan said.
"I am sorry, Dumbledore, but as a creation of Godric Gryffindor apart from being a historical artefact, I can never make mistake. But if you are requesting a re-sort, then I will obviously do it. But remember, it will be a stain on me and on the name of Godric Gryffindor," the hat said.
Dumbledore knew the hat couldn't make mistakes. Or he didn't know the hat at all.
"I apologise for my intrusion, Sabar. It's just that the Weaselys have always been sorted in Gryffindor so when Ronald was sorted in Slytherin, I was a little surprised," Dumbledore said.
"You don't need to be, Albus. You know I sort them by looking at their character first and dear Ronald is a perfect selection for Gryffindor," the hat said.
"Very well. He will be a Slytherin from now on. Mr Weasely, if you will?" Dumbledore said.
Harry and Hermione (and unknown to them, but Gohan, too) could clearly make out that Dumbledore was angry on the hat, or on Ron. But he was definitely angry.
Ron looked like he had been called on a date with Snape as he walked towards the Slytherin table, glancing at his brothers and obviously at Harry and his friends. How could he make friends with two mudbloods?
None of the Slytherins were happy with this new addition in their house but they couldn't do anything. Ron simply walked and sat at the end of the Slytherin table, away from his housemates as they pressed him with their angry gazes.
A few more sorting were done with Blaise Zabini being the last of the first year to be sorted and with that the feast began. Dumbledore told everyone about the Forbidden Forest and about the third floor which was restricted for them all.
"That bastard. Doesn't he know that by telling everyone there is danger on the third floor will only make students more curious?" Gohan murmured.
Hermione and Harry turned and looked at him. Gohan just used slang against Dumbledore!
"Gohan, he's the headmaster. I think you should talk respectfully about him," Hermione said though she hated to say this.
"Respectfully? Don't mind, but I read about his life before coming here. Wanted to know the man who was considered the greatest wizard of his century. And guess what did I found?" Gohan asked.
"What?" Harry asked.
"That he made several mistakes. I don't know but I don't trust him anymore after I read about his life. I don't know about you people, but I think that magical population use a bit less of their common sense. I mean, how could they make him their Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump if he made several mistakes in his life? Several silly and dangerous mistakes?" Gohan said.
Hermione and Harry looked at him with surprised looks. Here they were, thinking that Gohan could be someone who would spy on them but here, he was straightaway talking against him! But then again, it could be a plan of Dumbledore. Ron looked pretty trustworthy, too and he had managed to betray them. Gohan was definitely a far intelligent looking boy, as per what Harry and Hermione thought.
"I don't know about that. But for the third floor, I guess you are right that Dumbledore should've kept it mum," Harry said as he looked at Hermione who just shrugged.
While the feast continued, Gohan amazed everyone by the amount of food he could eat. He could definitely eat more that anyone present here but he definitely had manner unlike Ron.
And he looked rather cute while eating as per what Hermione thought. She was obviously in an eleven year old body of herself but she definitely was eighteen. But what was she thinking? She had to focus on the mission. It could happen again that she might fell for Gohan and then when he would betray them, she would feel broken. She hated how love had exposed a weakness in her. she was never that weak. Maybe it was also Dumbledore and Ron's plan.
[AN HOUR LATER]
Harry, Gohan and Neville made their way towards their dorm, along with Dean and Seamus. Harry was happy that he wouldn't have to share his dorm with Ron, Gohan was happy that Harry and Hermione were now his friends and Neville was happy that he had found friends on his first day to Hogwarts, something that he thought would be impossible.
The train journey had tired them out. They saw as Dean and Seamus took the beds at the end of the dorm, probably because they were the male version of Parvati and Lavender. They talked for late nights as Harry remembered about them. He didn't know what happened to them or the others after he and Hermione came back in the past. That timeline couldn't just vanish out on itself. The battle should've ended, probably in the favour of the dark. And Hermione had told him that Dumbledore was alive.
As he sat on his bed after changing in his hand-me-down pyjamas, he thought about the things that were now in front of him: freeing Sirius and legally announcing that he was innocent was one of the main targets he had chosen for this timeline. If he and Hermione had been given a second chance to improve things, they would not let the good side down. Then there was Pettigrew. Ron would definitely have brought the rat with him. the thing was, it would be difficult for them to get a hold of Pettigrew now because he was now in Slytherin dorms. Harry had managed to get inside the Slytherin common room back in the previous timeline but it was a difficult thing to be completed. He didn't thought he could do it again, even with the help of the polyjuice potion.
Then he glanced at Gohan, who was looking at him. Neville was fast asleep and Dean and Seamus were in their own world, talking to each other.
"You okay, Gohan?" Harry asked.
"Huh? Yeah, I am fine. I was just thinking about something," Gohan asked.
"Oh, alright. I guess it's good night then, for now. I am feeling pretty tired because of the train ride," Harry said.
"Yeah, good night, Harry," Gohan said, looking at the roof.
Harry saw Gohan was in deep thought about something so he thought it would be good not to disturb him so he prepared to sleep.
Gohan was debating whether he should tell Harry and Hermione about his real purpose of being here or not. It was difficult to act around. Telling them the truth would be a better thing to do. Yes, it would be the right thing to do. So, taking in a long breather, he turned towards Harry's bed. He could feel that Harry hadn't slept yet.
"Harry?" Gohan called.
Harry turned towards him. "Yes, Gohan?" he asked.
"I need to tell you and Hermione something. I guess it would be good to disclose my secret to you. Is there some place in or out of the castle where we can talk in private and where we can't be overheard?" Gohan asked.
Harry looked at him in shock. He knew something was up as Gohan being here didn't make much of a sense. And he was ready to disclose his secret with them? Harry could work with that one.
"There's some place I know where we would hardly be noticed. I guess we can talk there. Since tomorrow is a weekend, we won't have any classes and so it won't be a problem. We will go after breakfast. Will that be okay?" Harry asked.
"It will be good. I really need to tell you something. I was told to keep it from you and Hermione as long as necessary but I think being transparent with you both will work out to be much better," Gohan said. "We'll talk tomorrow. Good night, Harry."
And with that, Gohan turned around and went to sleep. Harry kept looking at him for a full ten minutes. Gohan had just mentioned that he had to disclose a secret to him and Hermione. Why them? Did he know they had travelled time?
Harry decided not to give much thought about it. If Gohan knew something he would tell it tomorrow. If he didn't know something, then Harry and Hermione will see to it. They had left their humble nature back home. These betrayers didn't deserve a second chance like him and Hermione.
Dumbledore was pacing to and fro. Sleep was miles away from his eyes. The portraits in his office had seen him pacing and then went to sleep. But Dumbledore was in no peace at the moment. His face was that of a worried one.
How could his plan have failed? He had given clear instructions to Molly Weasely that Harry Potter would be arriving today morning, searching for platform 9¾ and she was to help him. And by doing that, she would also make him and Ron friends which will only deepen with time. Then a trust will be formed between them so deep that Harry would share everything with Ron.
But not only had Molly failed to find Harry, Ron was now sorted in Slytherin. Dumbledore looked at the sorting hat sleeping peacefully in its stand. He had enchanted the hat to sort Ron in Gryffindor, where Harry would, no doubt, be sorted in. But the sorting hat had thrown him in Slytherin, miles away from his targets. The snakes and lions already had bad relations between them which would only hinder any efforts Ron would put in to befriend Harry.
A few minutes after Dumbledore had returned back in his office after the feast, he had floo called Molly and had asked her why did she failed in her task. She had replied that she never saw Harry at King's Cross. Feeling disappointed, Dumbledore then called Ron in his office and had asked him why he didn't sit with Harry.
"I searched for him in the entire train, professor. Twice! But I never saw him," was Ron's reply. Dumbledore used his legillimency on him and found out that he was telling the truth, only because Harry had used a disillusionment charm on himself along with a girl he was sitting with.
But that could not have been possible. Harry couldn't even spell or cast a lumos. That was the very reason why Dumbledore had left him in the muggle world, away from his guardian Sirius Black. He had thought that the abuses would make Harry weak physically and mentally which would make him a perfect target for Dumbledore's manipulations. But that was not something that had happened.
Harry was physically weak. There was no doubt in that. But it seemed as if he knew advanced magic. But how could he? Dumbledore had kept his most trusted spies around Privet Drive and had been informed about Harry's location and condition every second.
Then how could have Harry casted magic and changed his look?
Then there was another problem. Harry had already made friends with tow mudbloods. This could not be accepted. Harry was an important tool in Dumbledore's long plan for the Greater Good. He knew muggles used more common sense than magical people and that was the very reason he himself had lived in a muggle neighbourhood for five to ten years with his parents, brother and sister.
Muggles and Harry was a bad combination.
Then he thought about the trap he had set on the third floor. It was to test Harry's courage so he could be what Dumbledore wanted him to be when the time was right. He then looked at his table where something was kept, wrapped in a gift paper. It was something Harry needed to make Dumbledore's plan work out. There were things that were not going according to his plan but they would. Slowly. Right now, he had a parcel to be delivered.
He clapped his hand once and an elf popped inside his office.
"Master Dumbledore called Timi?" the elf squeaked.
"I did, Timi. I need you to deliver that parcel in dorm number fourteen of the Gryffindor tower," Dumbledore said as he pointed his finger towards the wrapped gift.
Timi nodded and snapped her finger and with that the parcel and she were gone.
Dumbledore sank down in his comfortable chair and started to look at the ongoing things once more as the night fell in deeper.
Gohan woke up first. The sun was still to rise but his sleep had forced him to wake up. He looked around in the room. Everyone was asleep. But he swore he sensed someone's presence a few moments ago.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked around once again when his eyes fell on something kept beside Harry's bed table. It looked like some sort of a present. And it was not there when they had come inside the dorm.
"Harry?" Gohan called him whispering, careful enough not to wake up others.
Harry mumbled a little but didn't move.
"Harry?"
"Mmm," Harry moaned and turned towards his right. He saw Gohan was looking at him. "Gohan? What's the matter?" he asked.
"You have a parcel on your bed table," Gohan said and pointed towards it.
Harry blinked a few times then turned to look where Gohan was pointing. He felt for his glasses and when he wore it, he found a familiar package on his bed table. He smiled. This was the one thing that Dumbledore gave him which he didn't regret now.
He got up and pulled the parcel towards him and opened it. Gohan saw as Harry took out a silvery, glassy cloth piece which was about five metres long.
"Someone send you a blanket?" Gohan asked with confusion. Harry smiled.
"This isn't a blanket, Gohan. It's my family heirloom. This is an invisibility cloak," Harry said.
"Invisibility cloak?" Gohan asked.
"I'll show you," Harry said and got off his bed. He then took the cloak and wore it around him.
Gohan's eyes widened when he saw Harry's entire body except for his head were gone, or rather were invisible.
"Whoa," he said.
"Yes. This can be very useful," Harry said.
"Who sent it?" Gohan asked.
Harry showed him the card, which, like before, didn't contain any name.
"Your father gave this to me before he died. Use it carefully," Gohan read. "But there's no name of the sender," Gohan said. "And you are okay with it?"
"I am, Gohan. Because I know this belonged to my father. I know you are confused but I'll tell you everything once you tell me your side of the story," Harry said.
"My side?" Gohan asked.
"You said you wanted to talk to me and Hermione today? I am referring to that one. I think you are hiding something from us, Gohan. I am saying this because I have a fair experience with spies and betrayers," Harry said in a serious tone.
"I know, that. And I can tell you that I am no spy. Just wait for a couple more hours and I'll tell you and Hermione together. It'll save the effort to tell you both separately," Gohan said.
"Okay," Harry said but he still looked suspiciously at Gohan.
Breakfast was something which Harry thought would never change in Hogwarts. Students were talking, laughing and gossiping all around him but his mind was stuck on one thing: what was is that Gohan wanted to tell him and Hermione?
"Harry? You okay?" Hermione asked.
Harry woke up from his dream world. "I am fine," he said and then looked around.
"Where's Gohan?" Hermione asked.
"He said he needed to speak to us after the breakfast...there he is!" Harry said as Gohan entered the great hall in his casual clothes since it was a weekend. Harry waved at him and Gohan came and sat beside him.
"Good morning, Hermione," he said and smiled.
"Good morning, Gohan. How did you sleep?" she asked.
"It felt a bit weird, you know, sleeping in a different bed," Gohan said in amusement.
"Harry said you wanted to talk to us about something?" Hermione asked seriously.
"Yes. But first, let's have food," Gohan said.
[HALF AN HOUR LATER]
Harry and Hermione were taking Gohan through a series of tunnels that was underground. Maybe they were taking him to some secure place. So he kept following them and meanwhile, he kept tracking for any uninvited kis around.
Ten minutes later and after taking several turns, Gohan found himself in some sort of a cellar.
"What is this place?" Gohan asked.
"You said you needed some place to talk. Well, we are going there," Harry said as he took out his invisibility cloak from his bottomless bag which he had created last night.
Harry, is that?" Hermione asked.
"You guessed right, Hermione," Harry said with a grin.
"But weren't you supposed to get it on Christmas?" she asked.
"Well, it looks like the sender couldn't wait for us to fall in his webs. I found it today morning beside my bed," Harry said, "And we were supposed to find some place to have our talk with Gohan. So I brought t with me."
Then he opened the cloak and wore it around himself, Hermione and Gohan. Since their bodies weren't that of an adult, the three easily fit under the cloak.
Hermione felt Gohan's muscles as she stood between him and Harry and felt something flutter in her stomach. She knew this feeling. She blushed.
Gohan saw as they climbed the stairs and then entered the inside of a candy store.
"This is Honey Dukes. And right now, we are in Hogsmead," Harry said as he, Hermione and Gohan made it out of the shop without attracting attention.
Gohan then saw Harry and Hermione taking him towards a silent path that looked broken and old. No one was there and a minute later, Gohan knew why as he and the two neared an old broken down shack which looked haunted.
"Scared?" Harry asked playfully.
"Nope. Have seen far worse things than ghosts or haunted houses," Gohan said. "I guess we will be going inside?"
"Right you are, Mr Son," Harry said and the three walked in.
The stairs creaked as they walked towards the upper floor because the ground floor was completely in shambles. Since no one was there to see them, Harry had taken away the cloak and had kept it back in his pouch.
They entered the same room where Harry and Hermione met Sirius in their third year back in the other timeline.
"Alright, we are here, Gohan. There's no one here except us to hear you," Harry said.
Let me check once more," Gohan said and focussed on his ki senses.
Harry and Hermione watched as Gohan remained standing there for ten seconds, without saying or moving.
"Alright. We are clear. So, how are you feeling... coming back in time?"
