Chapter 3

A/N: I was asked if I will continue to bounce back and forth. I am only planning on doing this for a few more chapters, this one and the next for sure, possibly the one after that. If you really like the 'past' then I can start doing whole chapters with those.

I also want to apologize for the long wait. I've been taking a summer college course as well as working overtime at work, this has been my escape and all you lovely people have been my motivation.

Also, I'll be putting up a poll awhile for some opinions on who you think should take Hari to the yule ball. Ron is not an option. Cedric Diggory, Fred, Viktor Krum, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan. When I get to the point when I'm writing the ball, the poll will close so please vote.

Things will be getting a bit more complex for Hari as the Triwizard Tournament picks up.

I did get the question of why Hari doesn't use her true name, the reason is that her name is still Haradriel Potter, and the slip that was removed was from was in her own hand from one of her assignments. It will be a little later when Hari officially changes her name over to Haradriel Potter Winchester. John just never saw the need and Hari never questioned it.

November 15, 2005

Dinner in the great hall was anything but quiet. The noise level was at a dull roar as students all over were chatting with one another. It was louder still, since the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students had joined. Hari sat alone at the end of Gryffindor table, despite the number of people around. There was space at her side for two more to join her, and room for two across from her. Hermione had been splitting her time between Hari and Ron, like they had split custody of a child, and that night Hermione was sitting with Ron. Hari was alright with it though, with the article that came out, she just wanted to be left alone. She had been slowly stirring the same bowl of soup for the past five minutes, partially full but partially tired, drowning out all the noise of the people around her. She could hear Malfoy behind her, calling her name, trying to get her attention, goad her.

She had her journal in front of her, just next to her soup, muggle pen in one hand. Her brother had given it to her after their first hunt together, told her that, like dad, she could write chronicles of her experiences, questions and theories, anything regarding the supernatural. Then better yet, if she continued over school with it, she could talk to him about what she was writing and bounce ideas off him. Dean hadn't been much of a writer, but when she saw the worn leather journal their dad had, he knew that she would benefit from such a thing. It wasn't fancy, just plain black leather with three rings to hold the paper, and a long strap of leather to tie it shut. Hari tapped her pen to her chin before putting it to paper

"Natural's ghosts vs non-magical ghosts
There is a clear difference between these types of ghosts, the question is what makes them so different. A ghost should be a ghost. Any spirit staying on this side of the plane has a fate to go 'dark side', to go violent. They can cause destruction to homes, property, they can inflict injury and even death upon a victim. Yet, it seems that this fate only rests with non-magical ghosts. At the school in which I attend for naturals there are numerous ghosts, several are house mascots of sorts, one teaches history, another haunts a girls lavatory, and one we call Peeves, who is a poltergeist. While nearly all the ghosts keep their sanity (what little they seemed to have had before death) Peeves seems to be proof that some do go bad. What is it that causes a spirit to remain tethered to earth? Furthermore, what is it that causes a spirit to lose who they once were. Peeves aside the only difference I can think of is that the ones at school were once natural born wizards or witches. Can the property of a magical core keep a spirit sane whereas a muggle would lose who they once were?" Hari wrote out. She took a sip of her soup, before absently grabbing a roll and biting into it.

Then a new sound entered the great hall. Hari jolted out of her stupor , dropping her pen and scrambled for her pocket as her phone as the sound of an electric guitar playing forced the hall to silence. Hari was equally surprised, as she nearly tripped over the bench, that her phone was actually working in Hogwarts. She flipped her phone open as she rushed towards the door.

"Dean!" she answered, both relieved that he was calling her, and angry that he'd gone missing.

"Hey kiddo," he answered much too lively for Hari's liking.

"Where the HELL were you?" she shouted as she slipped out of the great hall and went to lean against one of the stone walls. "I called you, TWO days ago!"

"I know- I know, sorry. We were following a lead, but it was just a case dad wanted us to do. Wendigo, nasty SOB. Unfortunately, we were out of cell range. We got back in very late last night and just slept." He sighed into the phone.

"Wendigo? Really? Didja torch it?" Hari's interest piqued.

"Course I torched it, lit the sucker up with a flare gun."

"Wicked." there was a moment of silence between the two.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry, I'll start letting you know if I'm planning on going radio silent."

"M'kay" Hari hummed as she toed the ground.

"Now your message sounded like you had something important you wanted to talk to me about, what's up?"

Hari took a deep breath.

"I was just really frustrated." she sighed. It wasn't a lie, it had been a long day and she had wanted her brother to tell her it was going to be alright.

"Okaay… What else?" Dean asked, skeptical as usual.

"And I got into a fight." Hari went bright red, thankful Dean couldn't see her.

"Hari-" Dean sighed, disappointed and exasperated.

"I know- I know I messed up. Didn't use magic though, so I guess that's an improvement."

"Who'd ya punch?"

"I may or may not've broken the peacock's nose."

"Good job!" Dean praised before clearing his throat. "I mean, why'd you do that?"

"He made these badges. 'Support Cedric Diggory the real Hogwarts champion' which turned to 'Potter Stinks'. He tried to give one to 'Mione and called her a mudblood in the process. I don't know what happened, I just got so angry. People have been looking at me sideways ever since my name got pulled, and dad's still MIA. I just. I don't necicarilly regret socking him, that bit felt good but… Anyways after that I got pulled to meet with the other champions for, photos of all things. Some tosser of a reporter snagged me in her claws and dragged me off for an interview before I could even say no. You wouldn't believe the rubbish she wrote. Here I'll quote her, 'Hari Potter, age 12' I mean seriously I'm fourteen, I don't know where her math lead her to 12, I'm not that small"

"Har, you're a twig."

"Shut up. It gets better. 'Suspect entrant in the Triwizard Tournament, tears fill those startling green eyes as our conversation turns to the parents she can hardly remember. 'I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now…. Yes, sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it… I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament, because they're watching over me'" I mean can you believe this trash? I'll have to mail it to you because this is seriously something else. I've been the talk of school for days, people keep expecting me to burst into tears at any moment, not mentioning the fact that I have family, or that I don't even really remember Lily and James."

"Shit, Har, I'm sorry. How long do we have?"

"A week from tuesday."

Dean swore loudly on the other end.

When Hari slipped back into the Hall her face turning pink as most people turned to look at her. The only blessing was that it was no longer silent, though, not as loud as it had been. Hari moved quickly back to her seat, pointedly ignoring the questioning glances of the professors and Hermione. Once seated it was obvious that she was being talked about, once again as others kept glancing, or gesturing towards her as they spoke.

It was only when an a hand snatched her journal from next to her that her attention was refocused. She jumped to her feet and spun. Malfoy stood there, holding her journal away from her, almost as if he were presenting it to the whole school as he flipped to a random page.

"What is this rubbish?" He asked. "'Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica. Ergo, omnis legio diabolica, adiuramus te... cessa decipere humanas creaturas, eisque æternæ perditionìs venenum propinare... Vade, satana, inventor et magister omnis fallaciæ, hostis humanæ salutis'" He stopped suddenly, the room long gone quiet. He looked to her, a smirk appeared on his lips. "Is this what I think it is Potter? Are you a dealing witch? Is that how you got into Hogwarts? How you got your name pulled from the goblet?" Malfoy asked as if it were the biggest conspiracy. Hari rolled her eyes. The only thing more taboo than a muggleborn was a dealing witch, or any other non natural magic users. Though most of their spells were Latin, few could actually understand or speak it.

"That was the beginning of an exorcism you git." Hari almost laughed "'We exorcise you, every impure spirit, every satanic power, every incursion of the infernal adversary, every legion, every congregation and diabolical sect…' Family business, my brother's an idiot when it comes to memorization, one of us had to write it down."

"Family business?" Malfoy's voice cracked ever so slightly as he paled. "Your family's dead Potter."

"Aww, are you scared of hunters Malfoy?" Hari teased as she plucked her journal from Malfoy's hands. "Don't worry you are a natural, I'm sure my big brother won't touch you. That is, unless he has a reason to." Hari gently patted Malfoy's shoulder and walked away with a skip in her step. That ought to give'em something else to talk about.

Colorado, November 15, 2005

They were staying in a rather nice motel, and for once Sam appreciated that. Dean had sent him out on a food run, with a calorie stuffed meal and, of course, pie. Since they had no case, Sam was more than willing to take any distraction possible. However the reason he like their room was only when he got back from the food run, carefully carrying the bags of food and the case of beer, he entered their room unseen by his brother. The room had a kitchenette, that was blocked off from where the beds were. Before Sam even had the chance to let Dean know he was back he heard his brother's voice.

"How long do we have?" his brother's voice cut through the room, sounding more tired than he did after the Wendigo. Setting the food on the table he carefully slipped towards the edge of the wall separating him from his brother. He peeked around the edge so that he was able to see Dean sitting on the bed head in one hand, phone pressed to his ear. Then suddenly Dean swore loudly and stood, pacing next to the bed.

"I- I don't know if I can find dad before then. I don't have any leads, I've left dozens of voicemails myself, all unanswered. Damn it." He sighed. "Is there any other way?" He paused listening. Sam was confused, and worried. Dean wasn't one for keeping secrets, or trying to hide things, his habits were proof of that, yet a phone call was worth the secrecy. Dean pinched the bridge of his nose.

'Is he talking to Dad?' Sam thought, slightly offended that their father would talk to Dean but not him.

"Damn it. Shit. When I see him, I'm going to punch him… Yes I am… well maybe not but I'm thinking about it now."

'Not Dad then' Sam thought with curiosity.

"Do you have any idea?... Damn. Well, be prepared for anything. If you need any of the supplies here, I'll mail them to you."

Dean turned and Sam jumped out of sight. He took a breath before standing and peeking around the corner. Dean was already staring at him his eyes flashing from surprised to tired.

"Yeah, go eat… Take care.. I'll talk to you later… yeah… yeah… I've never thought of that, it's worth looking into… if you can get a volunteer maybe… no don't just surprise them… 'cause that's a stupid ass idea… yeah… okay… bye Har… yeah, you too." Dean flipped the phone shut, slipping it into his pocket.

"Where's my food?" Dean asked, fully avoiding what Sam had just witnessed.

"Table…." Sam trailed off as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Dean who were you talking to?" Sam asked. Dean's steps faltered for a moment as he walked towards Sam and the food.

"It's not important, Sammy."

"It sounded important." Sam argued. Dean didn't even rise to argue, simply moving to the table to take out his burger. "You can't keep keeping thing from me, Dean."

"Well this has nothing to do with you so don't get so worked up. Its personal."

Sioux Falls, May 2004

"Hari, I'd like you to meet John Winchester, your daddy, and your big brother, Dean." Bobby pointed to the angry man and the younger man. Hari gnawed on her bottom lip and glanced up at the two men Bobby was claiming was her family with her bright green eyes. However, she couldn't bring herself to say anything. "John, Dean, this is Haradriel."

The angry man, her father, he looked like he could be an Uncle Vernon, quick temper. Dean, her apparent brother, was just as weary looking at her, sending a look to his father that she easily translated as 'what the f-'. Her father glanced at Dean before turning his eye to her, looking her up and down. The visual inspection made her uncomfortable, and she quickly averted her eyes to look to Bobby.

Though she had just met the man, he seemed honest enough and she trusted him. When they went to a nearby diner for dinner he wouldn't allow her to buy the cheapest thing, and instead ordered her a meal that she would have gotten at Hogwarts. After exploring the house, she realized she gave her one of the better rooms, besides his own. His dog Rumfeld, kept her close company while she explored the salvage yard (junkyard). In Hari's experience animals were always the best judges of character.

"Dean" John finally spoke up. "Why don't you go with Haradriel into the study?" John looked to his son. It had been phrased as a question, though Dean knew it was more of an order. Dean nodded and stepped towards Bobby and Haradriel. Hari was now watching him carefully as he approached.

"Hey there, lets let these old geezers talk to each other." Dean smiled. With a glance at Bobby, who nodded, Hari followed Dean into the other room. John and Bobby moved into the kitchen where they each took a bottle of beer and sat just within eyesight of the youngsters.

"So…" Dean ventured as he sat down on the couch. Rumsfeld who had been sleeping there lifted his head as dean sat, but went right back to sleep. Hari smiled gently at Rumsfeld and sat down on the floor in front of the couch next to Dean. Her back was to him, but he was able to see the side of her face. "Haradriel, that's a really unique name."

Hari gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I guess it is. My friends call me Hari though."

"So you got friends? Back home?"

"Well sort of…" Hari began, picking at her shirt. "I've got some friends at school, Ron and Hermione, but that's it really. We go to boarding school together, and we're all in the same house together." Hari sighed. She had missed Hogwarts when she left but this time, it felt different.

"Is Ron your boyfriend?" Hari jumped spinning to look at Dean, horror etched on her face. .

"EWWW, no, gross." Hari cried out.

"Okay, no boyfriend then?"

"No, boys are gross." Hari pulled a face, oblivious to the smile on Dean's. "Ron's wicked good at chess, though, and he's teaching me to play. 'Mione's really smart, she's like a walking dictionary." Hari told him, still picking at her shirt but was now grinning.

"What's your favorite class at school?" Dean asked. He knew Sam liked all the classes at school, but was especially fond of Math and Social Studies. With Haradriel's round glasses that she kept pushing back up her nose, she had a very studious look about her, one that Dean never really had. Hari settled back down, and Dean watched her bite her lip as she thought.

"Umm…. I like RMC, uh, Royal Marine Cadets, and care of animals." Inwardly Dean sighed, not another nerd for a sibling. Hari turned her head to look at him.

"What about you? What classes do you enjoy?" She asked. Dean chuckled and shook his head.

"I haven't been in school for years now. I wasn't a fan. I did like gym though." Hari nodded thoughtfully.

A crash sounded in the kitchen as John stood suddenly, slamming his hands on the table and knocking his glass over. The following crash was more surprising. All the books on the coffee table has flung themselves across the office unaided. Dean jumped to his feet, looking wide eyed at the terrified girl at his feet. The two older men had also frozen and stared at the child. Hari had fallen back holding herself up by her hands as she stared up terrified at the startled men who glanced between her and the books across the room. Bobby raised his hands, and took a step forward as if trying to calm a startled animal. Hari scrambled back and stumbled to her feet as she scurried up the stairs.

The three men looked between each other before bobby sighed.

"What the hell?"