Grim Grinning Ghosts Chapter 3 - Flitwick, Longbottom, Malfoy
AN:
Oni: Booyeah! I love summer because EVERYTHING UPDATES!
Harrison: My goodness, you're right! There is an update!
Harold: Yay...
Oni: Anyways, here's the legend so far:
"Normal Talking"
"Harrison and Harold talking inside their shared mindspace"
Writing
Harrison: Now, I'll do the disclaimer! One does not own Harry Potter or the original plot bunny, they go to their respective owners.
Oni: Enjoy the fic!
Minerva McGonagall was very, very tired. Being the Transfiguration Professor, the Deputy Headmistress, and the Griffindore Head of House, Minerva McGonagall felt exhausted. She was currently sorting out the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter replies, reading the letters and giving each teacher a muggleborn or muggle raised half blood to guide the new student into the Wizarding World. As her quill scratched names down, she turned to look at the even larger stack of parchment that was the rest of her duties. Sighing, McGonagall stopped writing and started to plan her overtime hours.
It was during this that she had an idea. Filius had finished his planning for the year's curriculum, he could help her sort all this out! Immediately going to her drawer, she took out some more parchment and penned a message to her coworker.
To Filius,
I was wondering if you could be so kind as to assist me in my duties as Deputy Headmistress, as I still have the school budget to look over and I haven't even started on the new muggleborn students' visitations. Could you be so kind as to go on them in my place? It would relieve me a great deal of my work and I would gratefully appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Minerva
This immediately was flung into the now dark blue flames of the fireplace, and Minerva waited for what she hoped was a positive reply. It was only a minute later when the flames suddenly turned a deep scarlet and a new piece of parchment flew out. With the agile reflexes that only a cat in animagus could have, the haggard Professor snapped up Flitwick's reply with high hopes. Unfolding the origami crane that the man was so fond of making with his notes, she read:
To Minerva,
Of course, of course! I would be more than happy to! You know, that was my job before you came around, so I believe it would be rather fun to do it again! Who knows, I might even be able to pick out one of mine this time, since you always seem to convince them that your House is the best! Send the list over when you are ready!
Take Care,
Filius
To this McGonagall breathed out a sigh of relief. Flicking her wand at the pile of letters, Minerva giddily watched as all that paperwork flew into the blue flames, out of sight and out of mind. However, the Professor didn't realize that Magic put all the names of the student who were raised muggle, including Harry James Potter. So when Flitwick went out to speak with each integrating student, he didn't realize that the Boy Who Lived was going to be one of them.
Harrison really had to give it to the Wizarding World, they were really fast at replies. He and Harold were in their 'living' disguise, and lo and behold, there was a man at the cafe at exactly 1:00, dressed decently in normal, muggle wear. And yet heads still turned as he passed. Why? Because this man was incredibly short, and had a slight spring in his step as he searched for someone in the cafe. Harrison decided to let the man know of his presence. He coughed slightly into his fist, still petting James as he dozed in the undead boy's lap. The man turned around at the noise and stopped the small child sitting in the corner. After taking a few steps closer, the man took in the child's appearance before turning giddy. He all but skipped up to the boy and the child, never forgetting his manners, offered the happy short man a seat.
"Ah, Hello Mr. Potter!" said the man with a smile, and Harrison, being a ghost, could sense close up that he was not entirely...human.
"...Hello." He replied quietly, "Excuse me Sir, but I do not believe we are at a fair stance. You know my name, but I do not believe I know yours." Inwardly, Harold marveled at the way their consciousnesses mixed together, and yet Harrison was still able to speak in his articulate manner, albeit not like his usual speed-of-light way.
At this, the older man startled, realizing his rude mistake, but 'Harry' just smiled and offered his hand over the table.
"My name is Harry, and you are, Sir?"
The strange man cleared his throat, a little embarrassed at forgetting his manners in his excitement at meeting the son of his favorite student.
"Yes hello Mr. Potter, I am Filius Flitwick, the Charms Professor of Hogwarts and the Ravenclaw Head of House. I knew your mother,she was a very bright witch. In fact, one could say she was the brightest witch of her generation!" Flitwick squeaked out, and Harrison remembered his mother talking about her Charms Professor with respect and awe.
Therefore the merging of Harrison and Harold, now to be merely called 'Harry' like had had been all those years before the child's untimely demise, smiled warmly at the Professor. They shook hands and the waitress asked if they wanted anything. Harold immediately replied with treacle tart before Harrison could stop him, and Flitwick chuckled at the child's antics before ordering a simple latte, as he had always adored how the muggles came up with different blends of coffee. When the waitress left with their requests, Harry leaned over to the Professor with a sheepish expression, Harrison inwardly hoping that he was right in his deduction on what the man probably knew about 'Harry Potter'.
"Erm, Professor," Harry said, as Harrison grimaced at such a simple way of speech, "My...uh...relatives didn't tell me anything about Magic or Hogwarts or anything...do you mind explaining it to me?" Flitwick gave the child a pitying expression before sighing with a wry smile.
"I should have known Petunia would have withheld information on your magical heritage, and between you and me, I still disagree with the Headmaster's choice to place you with your relatives. Lily always said they were a nasty bunch of muggles, and even Severus agreed, which is a first..."
"Severus?" Harry asked, though he knew enough about the man.
Severus Snape was his mother's best friend, and she always talked about him, which annoyed his father. Lily had also given the two undead halves a job - find Severus Snape tell him that she forgave him, then to give him her childhood pendant. Harold didn't understand why all that was necessary, but Harrison had a suspicion that it had to do with the way his father spoke rather poorly of Lily' childhood friend.
Though Filius was aware of none of Harry's inner conflicts, and so happily delved in to the rich history of Hogwarts, Magic, and the people that Harry should know over their respective coffee and sweets. By the end of it, Harrison was left slightly irate at the Headmaster for putting him with the Dursleys, and yet somehow he had the nagging feeling that he had heard all this before...he was interrupted out of his thoughts as Flitwick hopped off the chair and brushed himself off.
"Well, we better get going then, we have to finish your shopping at Diagon Alley today!" Filtwick squeaked as he trotted away with Harry at his heels, James kept safely snug inside one of the jacket pockets.
They arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, and Harrison was grateful that he had the foresight to consider the hoodie, to which he pulled up the hood to hide his face, and most importantly, his scar. Because he didn't have to deal with a million people trying to shake his hand, they went through the pub fairly quickly. Harrison did however feel strange pulling sensation when he passed a man in a purple turban, and filed that away in his mind, if he ever saw the man again.
When they passed through the brick wall divider, Harrison and Harold gasped. Nothing their parents explained could have prepared them for the obscure madness and medieval marketplace that was Diagon Alley. Flitwick noted the fact that the face Harry made was the same one Lily had made when she first stepped into her first real introduction into the Wizarding World. They passed most of the shops, however, and the child was led straight to Gringott's. It seemed that Flitwick was related to one of the goblins there, which did not surprise Harrison in the slightest, sensing now that the foreign aura that was with the professor was his goblin heritage. A golden key was shown to a teller and they were led to a mine cart.
Harrison inwardly gulped as Harold looked confused as they boarded the rickety cart with the grinning goblin, Griphook, along with Flitwick. It took all the self control that Harrison had not to start screeching like a banshee as the cart began to move very fast.
In their shared mindspace, Harrison also glared when Harold began to cheer as the cart ride continued, loving the feeling of going fast without having to run. Because while zombies like Harold could run three times as fast as a living human, he preferred to conserve his energy and shamble to his destinations. Unless the destination was his promised living flesh, then he would run as fast as he could.
"Have you no sanity?!" Screeched Harrison, knowing full well the other two occupants in the cart couldn't hear his high pitched screaming.
"We...going fast...this is...fun...!" Was Harold's reply, giving the face palming ghoul a sharp toothed grin.
"Cart rides, honestly! We could all very well be killed if we were not dead already!"
Soon enough they stopped in front of a vault with large bronze doors, Griphook taking the golden key and inserting it in the lock. Then he dragged his claw down the side of the door, and Harry could see the magic that the goblin pushed inside the door. When the doors creaked open, Harry gaped at the sight that beheld them. All those gold, silver, and bronze coins... For them? Even so, this was apparently just the trust vault, and their father had said the Potter Family Vault was much larger. Nevertheless, Harry was still in awe as they gathered the few coins they would need for their school shopping, putting in an extra few gold coins (galleons, Harrison's memory offered) just in case Harold found a trinket that he wanted to keep.
This proved to be a good sense of foresight and the two (three) of them started walking down Diagon Alley, and Harold seemed to be curious about absolutely everything. The apothecary held the glass phials they needed, as well as the scales, while the cauldron shop gave them their pewter cauldrons (But...shiny... / No, Harold! If it's not on the list we shouldn't get the gold or silver ones!). At another store, Harrison bought a pitch black Crow feather quill, falling in love with its morbid symbolism, and a shiny Parrot feather quill for Harold, who loved the multiple colors of green on one single feather.
Speaking of feathers, Flitwick told them that they could go to Eylop's Owl Emporium for a familiar. Knowing that James would most likely be Harold's primary Hogwarts pet, Harrison agreed. As they surveyed the different breeds, one beautiful Snowy Owl picked the lock on its cage and flew to perch on the boy's shoulder. Harrison stared at the owl curiously, taking in its stance. Snowy Owls are supposedly thought of as bad omens, which is why they are usually avoided by most people. The reason for this is because of the superstition that the presence of a Snowy Owl usually meant there was a ghost haunting nearby. Therefore when Harrison walked out with his own personal familiar Hedwig, after the patron saint of orphaned children, Harold wasn't surprised at all.
At the next stop, Harrison was convinced that he had found heaven. If it weren't for an amused Flitwick dragging the boy out of Flourish and Blott's to get to some of the other stores before they all closed, then Harrison may have been inclined to haunt the place for the rest of his existence. Flitwick may have been rather proud and nostalgic when he dragged the upset child out of the store, grinning to himself as he realized that the child had bought some books that were not on the booklist, and was hoping to Merlin that Harry ended up in Ravenclaw.
The next shop proved to be occupied by only two other customers, a sharp looking woman who seemed to have bought out a taxidermy with all her furs and hats, which Harold eyed wearily as he did not like the way the stuffed peacock on her hat was glaring at him, and a shy round looking boy who startled when they walked in. Flitwick seemed to know the older woman, and smiled up at her.
"Ah, well hello there Lady Longbottom! What a wonderful day to meet each other hm?" He then turned to the shy boy, "and this must be Frank and Alice's boy, Neville!"
Lady Longbottom smirked imperiously down at them, and while Harrison took in the sight of such a formidable woman, Harold peered at the nervous child, who politely nodded and said hello.
"Ah, Filius, wonderful to meet you again." She raised an eyebrow at the boy in the green hoodie, "and this is one of your muggleborn charges, I presume?" Harrison could see her eyes disagreeing with their presence.
"Not much muggle born as muggle raised. May I introduce to you two, Harry Potter!"
The woman's eyes widened in shock and Neville's let out a squeak of surprise. This made Filius chuckle a little as Lady Longbottom put on her nicest smile, which was to Harrison, still incredibly forced. Neville was staring at him in awe. Harrison bowed politely to the older woman before Harold took this chance to make a new friend his age that was undoubtedly alive, and offered his hand to the shaking boy, who glanced in shock at the hand and then at 'Harry'.
"Nice to meet you Harry..." Neville said shakily as he grasped Harold's hand.
"Nice... to meet you...Neville... I'm...I'm...Harold..." He all but whispered so that only the boy could hear, smiling his same dopey smile, which Neville slowly returned.
After that, both Harold and Neville went through the Herbology shop, talking animatedly about the different plants and their uses, Neville asking excitedly about muggle plants and Harold expressing his interests in magical plants in turn. Filius smiled at the two, but something about Harry was a little off. The way Harry acted since he got to the shop, and in Gringott's, did not match the excited bookworm and idealist that he had seen for most of the day. Filius shook his head, he had only met the child today, after all, perhaps this is merely how he acted in certain situations.
They bought their school things, both boys leaving with extra supplies than asked, and said their farewells, promising to meet back up on Hogwarts Express, which Neville had dutifully told Harold about. Harrison took this time to rest and watch his corpse counterpart make a friend of his own, and his mouth formed a little frown on his own accord. He wondered if he'll find a friend he could understand...
This silent wish was answered partially when they stepped into a shop called Madame Malkin's to get fitted for the Hogwarts uniform, and already there was a boy with the whitest hair Harrison had ever seen on a living human standing casually as tape measures whirled around his head. Harrison stepped up to the stand next to the boy, and the woman who could only have been Madame Malkin started measuring his body using similar flying tape measures. The boy turned to Harrison, who was now fully possessing the body as Harold went to sleep, having been tuckered out (this was probably the most he had spoken in a long time, poor thing...) and said in a haughty voice.
"Hogwarts too?" Harrison nodded in reply and said in a slightly excited voice.
"Yes, or so I have been told. Are you a first year as well?" The boy smirked and gave a curt nod, and said something about his parents and racing brooms, then asked if Harrison played Quiddich.
"No, I don't think I have ever heard of Quiddich, could you tell me about it?" Harrison replied, tilting his head to the side and barely noticing the pins that pricked the skin, considering that the dead don't even feel pain.
The boy sneered.
"Oh, so are you one of those?" he asked snidely, looking at Harrison's muggle attire with disdain.
"If you are referring to the fact that I am a wizard, then yes I am."
"I mean are your mum and dad a witch and a wizard?"
"They were, yes." The boy seemed to relax a little and the sneering stopped.
"Oh, good. Though you were a muggleborn for a second."
"Nothing wrong with a muggleborn, they are new blood flowing into a dying, inbred society." This is what Harrison had deducted from what his parents had told him, which left his father open mouthed in shock and his mother beaming in pride.
This new blond boy seemed to be copying his father's expression.
"If you say so, by the way, I am Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He said imperiously after a few seconds of silence.
"Harry Potter, but call me Harrison."
Harrison smirked at Draco's gobsmacked expression, and was still smirking as an older version of Draco showed up to take the boy away. Harrison watched from the corner of his eye as Draco whispered something to his father, who seemed to be holding Harrison in a calculating gaze before nodding once to Draco's joy.
After Madame Malkin's was only one more shop. Ollivander's, and as the mixture of Harrison and Harold walked up to the dusty shop, they actually felt their stomach flip in apprehension.
AN:
Oni: Aaaand there we go, another cliffie.
Harrison: You are a cruel mistress, Oni.
Oni: Well, the next chapter should be up faster!
Harold: If you...say...so...
Oni: Which I do! Though reviews are also good motivationalists, so you guys can do that too! But seriously, please review, I love reading them and it reminds me that there is, in fact, a fic that I need to update! But other than that, that's all for this chapter! See you next time, my pretties!