One's Own Dream
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter Characters, books or anything else related to the Harry Potter universe, J. K. Rowling co does. Anything you do not recognise from the books or Movies is my own however. There are parts of the original book in this story. It is not my own work.
Thanks everyone for your reviews and story/ author alerts. I hope you enjoy the updated version of this chapter. It needed just a few minor changes.
Chapter 4: School, Friends, and Changes, updated version
'Thoughts'
"A curious mind you have. Intelligent, always full of questions. You would fit in well with the Ravenclaws. Plenty of courage, I see, and a nice thirst to prove yourself. And loyal to, almost to a fault. So where to place you?" The sorting hat whispered in his ear.
"Wherever I belong" Harry replied.
"Interesting, not many have no preference at all. Yes you would do well in any house with some effort. But with all those thoughts, there is only one place where you will truly belong."
"RAVENCLAW!" The sorting hat screamed out at last. There was a brief stunned silence before the Ravenclaws started clapping and cheering loudly. Harry quickly removed the hat and joined them, sitting next to one of the Patil girls. When everyone had calmed down a bit, Professor McGonagall continued. Lisa Turpin followed Harry into Ravenclaw, while Dean Thomas and Ron Weasley became Gryffindors. To conclude the ceremony, a boy called Blaise Zabini joined the Slytherins. And they were done. At last. It had certainly taken a while. Albus Dumbledore stood up, and was granted with instant silence.
"Welcome new students and old. Now is not the time for speeches, so eat!" Even as the students clapped and laughed the tables were suddenly filled with more food then Harry had ever seen. Even on holiday. The girl next to him, ('Something Patil, Parvati, Padma? Something like that' ) turned to him and offered the potatoes. Very soon everyone was eating, and the first years had introduced themselves.
There was Padma Patil, who did indeed have a twin who had made it to Gryffindor ("we are NOT identical twins. Even if we do look similar") and Terry Boot, a muggle-born who had wanted to be a doctor ("I suppose I could be a healer, same profession really."). Then there was Lisa Turpin, a halfbood who had two muggle-born parents ("I grew up in both worlds really, I got the best night-time stories as a kid"), Anthony Goldstein ("Don't be surprised if you see me reading about fish more then anything else, I'm a little obsessed" came his confession), and Michael Corner, ("I'm hoping to get my Astronomy Masters). Last to introduce herself was a shy girl named Katren Moon. She was so shy she didn't say anything other than a quick "Katren Moon" before ducking her head and blushing.
All too soon the feast was finished, and the vestiges of dessert had vanished as suddenly as they had come. Professor Dumbledore addressed the school.
"Welcome back to all our old students, and welcome also to our new ones. I must remind you that the Forbidden Forest is actually forbidden, as it's name suggests, that no magic is to be used in the halls or outside of class, and that there is an extensive list of items that are not allowed at Hogwarts, including Fanged Frisbees and all Zonko's Joke Shop products. To see the full list, please see Argus Filch. Quidditch trials will be in second term, and any student above first year who wishes to try out for their house team can see Madam Hooch to do so. Lastly, I must tell you that the third floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death. Please do not go there." A few students laughed, at this, even as others frowned and muttered.
'That'll make everyone curious. It sounds like it normally isn't out of bounds. He should've just made it sound like a reminder that it is. Wonder why it's out of bounds? Perhaps…' Harry's thoughts were cut off by the Headmaster's introduction of the 'school song'. The teacher's all looked pained in Harry's opinion at this announcement. They didn't seem to be hiding their horror very well…
The four founders shared a laugh at the Headmaster's expense. Even if he wasn't aware of it.
"It never fails to amuse me how that little piece of history got lost." Godric laughed.
"I know. They still believe it's the official song, best joke Peeves has ever played, I'll admit it outright" Rowena responded smiling.
"Ahh, she's amused. By Peeves! At last! Perhaps she'll now admit she is always amused by him" the Gryffindor founder teased.
"NEVER! He's a menace to society."
"Sure Ro, we all know it was you who helped him turn the stairs to the lower floor into slides in 1211." Helga giggled.
"Not mention the colour changing chairs in 1508" Salazar added with a smirk.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. Not a clue. Look, a moth." Rowena tried to change the subject. And, unsurprisingly, failed.
"Was that meant to distract us Professor Ravenclaw? I don't know about the others, but I wasn't distracted in the slightest." Salazar smirked again.
"One of the few things she's hopeless at you know, along with Herbology" said Helga, nodding knowledgably as if the two men had only just met Rowena. It was an old game of theirs, and Rowena knew it.
"And flying. You forgot flying." Godric added his own two cents worth.
"What is this, pick on Ro Night?" Rowena asked exasperatedly.
"You missed the memo."
"Helga!"
"Yes Ro?"
"Argh. You three are impossible I say. Impossible. They're leaving."
"The first years! I have to make sure they're ok! What if the prefects lead them to the wrong place? They'll get lost. And tired." The other three let Helga worry. She was like this every year since they had become the castles Wardens, she did have a tendency to worry about the first years a little. Or a lot.
"That happened once Helga. Once! They'll be fine. Just go straight to the common room and see them there." As always, Godric's arguments did no good. They could never convince her to not follow them, giving directions and advice to the students. And as always, they wouldn't hear her.
The next morning Harry was up at dawn, unable to sleep any longer. He had a castle to explore. A library to find. Classes to attend. Homework… 'Wait. I don't have homework yet. But I wonder what sort of homework we'll get. Reports? Essays? Projects? Oooh, it could be an oral presentation. On switching spells. Or the basic laws of Transfiguration. Or the difference between charming colour changes and transfiguring colour changes. Or perhaps on the use of old herbs versus new herbs in healing potions and sleeping droughts. I wonder how many different types of potions there are in the world. Has anyone counted them? Thousands possibly. I wonder if the Dark Ages had an effect on the knowledge of the wizarding world?' Harry's thoughts continued like this, jumping from topic to topic as only his thoughts could as he wondered the halls. 'Hey! That could be the library.'
It certainly looked like it might be the library. The doors were big, solid and wooden. The wood, dark and varnished, was engraved with beautiful patterns, making Harry wonder if they depicted something in particular. But Harry didn't pause over it too long. He would later, when he had explored the treasure-trove behind the doors a little bit. He pushed open the doors. 'I wonder if they are charmed so we can actually open them ourselves. Same as the Great Hall doors. And the Entrance Hall might be. It doesn't say in Hogwarts, a History.' Then he was inside. He was right. It was the library. Or a library at any rate, and in his book, that was all that mattered. He gave a soft gasp. There were row upon row upon row of books. Floor the ceiling, and several stories high. There were also various study areas, for groups, and individuals. It was magnificent in Harry's eyes. 'I could spend a lifetime in here and barely make a dent in the number of books read. Wow. Amazing. But where's the librarian? The students?' Harry had forgotten that breakfast hadn't even started yet. Shrugging his shoulders, he entered further. There was a slight smell, of parchment and ink, so ingrained into the library that it would never go away. He wondered if there were any scrolls, or artefacts in the library given how old it was. Really, the whole castle was an ever changing museum. How exciting!
Harry ran his hand along a table, and the bookshelves as he past, scanning the titles. He discovered that the books were not set out as per the Dewey Decimal System, but in categories, with a separate section for copies of current and recent textbooks and recommended reading and references. He found the history section, and quickly found one that looked interesting that he hadn't already read. Not that it was a very difficult task with the shear number of books available to him now. He settled down in a corner, hidden from easy viewing, starting to read and take notes.
Professor Flitwick was getting worried. He had been the first to enter the Great Hall this morning, and despite the fact that breakfast had just finished, he hadn't seen Harry Potter at all. All the other first years had arrived, and left for their classes. Well, he just had to hope that he caught up with the other first year Ravenclaws.
At lunchtime, Professor Flitwick was very worried. According to Professor McGonagall he hadn't turned up for his second period Transfiguration, and that meant he probably hadn't turned up to History either. A quick check of the register showed he hadn't. All the teachers were asked. Then the Head Boy and Head Girl; even the Prefects were called to an emergency meeting to be asked. No one had seen him. Not Hagrid, nor Madam Pomfrey the school nurse; Argus Filch hadn't seen him, not that he cared, and Madam Pince the librarian said she hadn't seen him enter the library either. And no one entered the library before she did in the morning!
By the time dinner came around, everyone was very worried. Harry's new classmates had noticed the absence, and by now, so had the rest of the school. He was famous, he had been sorted. So why hadn't he been seen. It was a mystery. A worrying mystery.
"You don't think he's gone into the Forrest do you Filius?" asked Charity Burbage the Muggle studies Professor.
"I hope not." Professor Flitwick replied.
Harry looked up from his book. He had just finished it. It was the third book he had read already. Not that he was counting. Harry was a rather quick reader when he wanted to be. Which was, admittedly, most of the time. He frowned. 'Surely breakfast has started by now. It must be almost 7 o'clock. And what was with the books? I don't normally read that fast'. He placed the book back and walked out of the library. He noticed that there were a lot of students about, and shrugged it off as them not having any classes first period. The librarian was in. 'Finally' he thought. 'I would have thought she would come closer to 7am rather than after. So students could do things before class and still eat.' She didn't see him walk out. He didn't notice that the lights were on and that it was dark outside. He was already wrapped up in his thoughts on what he had read. Suddenly a voice called out.
"Harry! Harry Potter. Wait!" He saw an older Ravenclaw student, one of the prefects he saw from the badge, running towards him.
"Where have you been? Everyone's been looking for you. We were worried."
"Worried? Why was everyone worried? I don't understand. I was only gone maybe an hour or two. Breakfast has only just started, hasn't it?"
"Breakfast has only…" The prefect shook her head. "No. Dinner has just finished! You missed the whole first day. Where were you?"
"In the library. Reading. There was this fascinating book. Did you know that the International Confederation of Wizards, otherwise known as the ICW was formed as a direct result of the witch burnings in…" The prefect cut him off.
"Yes I did. But that's not the point. Quick, go to the staffroom. Everyone's been looking for you." Shaking her head again, she ushered the first year in the direction of the staffroom.
"But I haven't finished telling you about the ICW yet. Can I tell you what I learnt? PLEASE?" He pleaded excitedly. The only thing better then a good book or lesson, other then homework of course, was sharing it! Oh how exciting it was, to get to share what one had just learnt! You could have debates, and round robin sharing sessions. And make oral presentations! How wonderful. Harry's mind swirled with the competing thoughts of his new found knowledge and the thought of sharing it. The thoughts tripped over each other, the result being that he was half talking about the ICW and its history, and half exclaiming over how exciting it was to share knowledge with someone.
The Ravenclaw prefect was thoroughly amused.
So were three of the four Founders. Rowena would've been more amused if her friends hadn't been teasing her about it. So much like her Harry was.
"But Ro. He didn't even notice the whole day passing." Helga laughed. "And even though I'm worried about his impeding eating habitats, or lack there of, you have to admit, it is amusing. We've never had a student do that before."
"No we haven't. Sure you didn't tell him to do so Ro?" Ric teased.
"Yes I'm sure, and no, I do not find it amusing" said Rowena, though her friends saw the telltale signs of a smile fighting its way loose. Salazar smirked.
"You, Professor Ravenclaw, are a terrible liar."
Leah White threw open the staffroom door. Not even to bother with knocking.
"Professor Flitwick. He's here! Just found Harry coming out of the library." The staff all turned, and Professor Flitwick gave a sigh of relief.
"Finally. Thankyou Miss White. We've been quite worried about you Mr Potter." Leah left, she'd done her job. As she left Harry looked at his Head of House earnestly.
"I didn't mean to. I thought it had only been a couple of ours. I got up early and explored a bit you see. But I found the library. You should see it. It's huge. Is there another one? How big is it? How many books? How many can we borrow out? For how long? Are there any artefacts? How about scrolls? What's the oldest book in the library? Can we study the books?" He stopped himself there in a remarkable show of restraint, as the teachers would very quickly learn. Said staff looked highly amused.
"So many questions Mr Potter. It's good to see such an inquisitive mind."
"How do you see a mind?" Harry interrupted the Headmaster with wide eyes. 'Cool. I want to be able to see minds'
"Well…" The headmaster's eye's twinkled. "It's called Ligilmency my boy. To read one's mind."
"Oh, I see. Please don't read my mind again. What's its opposite?"
"Headmaster, where getting off topic. Mr Potter. You cannot just skip class like that." Professor McGonagall sounded very stern.
"I didn't Professor. See I was on my way to class when the prefect, Miss White was it, found me and said I'd missed it. I was reading about the ICW, and the history of magical America, and the effects of the various revolutions on the Magical World. It was great. Let me tell you what I learnt. Did you know…?"
"MR POTTER!"
"Yes Professor?"
"Refrain. Please. We are trying to establish what happened today."
"Oh, I thought it was obvious. I got up and went exploring because it was too early for breakfast. I found the library and started reading, and taking notes of course. And everyone panicked because they couldn't find me even though I was only in the library all day and forgot the time. I was learning! What's the big deal? Can I go now? We've established what happened and I need to review. And I'm kind of thirsty to."
"You will need to catch up on the work covered in class and get the homework and notes. And it will not happen again. Am I clear?"
"Yes Professor Flitwick. I'll get the information and notes of my year-mates. Goodbye." Harry left before the teachers could assign him a detention or take points. At least this way he could say he hadn't to his knowledge lost any points yet.
Harry went back to the common room. He found himself swamped with worried people. After telling them what happened, the first years decided that Lisa's notes from the day would be copied out for Harry. They where the most extensive by far. Lisa admitted she was very picky about her notes. Leah White, the prefect who had found Harry copied Lisa's notes for them with a quick spell and Harry started his homework. He'd better make sure he didn't miss class again tomorrow. He didn't think the teachers would quite so understanding next time.
The following day when Harry got up early he made sure to actually get to breakfast and receive his timetable. Then he surprised everyone by joining Neville at the Gryffindor table.
"Hi Nev. Just thought I'd come and see how you were, and if we had any classed together."
"Well, I was supposed to have history with you yesterday. But you never made it passed the library probably."
"How is that I've known you for only two days and you already have me figured out? I forgot the time and spent the whole day there. Now I have to catch up all my classes" Harry pouted. Neville laughed.
"You can study with me if you want to." Then Neville introduced him to the other Gryffindor first years. Dean loved football, Seamus already had a tendency to blow things up, and Lavender and Parvati, Padma's sister both were gossips. Ronald was still annoying and rude, and Hermione was…
"It is very lazy of you to skip class like that. Very inconsiderate of you and now you have to catch up with all the work and homework and if you think you can come over here and beg help from me like that you have another thing coming. You can't be so lazy and arrogant and then expect help! Do it yourself." Harry was perplexed. When had he asked for help? Dean assured him she seemed to always be bossy like that ("arrogant" Parvati muttered) and that even Ron didn't like her. Harry thought her social skills were atrocious and hoped she would get it all out of her system now, and then they could be friends later. Hopefully. Maybe. Study-mates perhaps? 'But only if she gets over this book worship stuff.'
As soon as the two annoying ones had left the four boys that were left started to talk about clubs. Dean was hoping that there would be an Astronomy club. He and his Dad had always gone star-gazing at every opportunity and he hoped to continue. Nev wanted to join the Herbology club, they'd had their first lesson yesterday afternoon and he loved the subject already. Seamus was interested in History, but was reserving thoughts of the subject to see if the class itself, and the teacher, got more interesting. But there was no history club. Perhaps he could join in the Herbology one. Harry wanted to join them all. Nev didn't think he would have time. Maybe there was a book club? They would just have to wait and see. Then Harry found out something horrible from one of the older students. Percy was it? There was no Inter-house common room.
"But where do people from different houses study together for projects? You can't make noise in the library. Not enough for project discussions."
"Well other then the library, here in the Great Hall mainly. Although, sometimes students find an old classroom or go outside. And we don't have projects. Just essays and things."
"What about reports? Oral presentations? Posters? Anything?"
"It depends on the subject. Usually there is reading to be done, and sometimes spell work to be practised. Arithmancy has practise questions, and Ancient Runes often has translations. Also star-charts for Astronomy and the occasional raise the animal project for Care of Magical Creatures. But except for Astronomy they are all third year option classes" Percy told Harry. Harry was horrified.
"No orals. No research projects. Not even for potions or history. But… but… that's …" Harry left, depressed and no longer as enthusiastic about his homework. Did they even do any group work? What about the sharing of knowledge? Working as a team? Bouncing ideas off each other? Co-operation? Research Skills? Time Management?
Harry spent the rest of the week learning his way around the castle, faithfully attending class on time and catching up on his first day's missed classes. But he'd lost his spark. Even the teachers noticed, and they'd never even taught him before. They'd been able to tell that he was the type to ask a million and one questions in class, and go off on tangents in conversations. And he was. Normally. But for Harry essays and reading weren't enough. He did love sitting with his fellow Ravenclaws and having debates and studying. Or with the Gryffindor boys (except Ronald of course). And he would've studied and practised Transfiguration with Hermione to, if she wasn't so bossy. The came his first potions lesson on Friday just after lunch. A double period.