He Has Risen Above

Chapter 7

"So," said Dumbledore smiling gently. "That's the second years done," he said at the staff meeting all 4 head of houses, which was designed to discuss the students' progress.

"Let's move onto the first years now," said Filius Flitwick, head of Ravenclaw.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore nodding his head. "Pomona, why don't you start?" Dumbledore asked the Hufflepuff head of house.

"I shall," said Pomona smiling. "All of my first years are bright and attentative, with the expception of a couple. Even then, they have potential. Most of them may not have appreciation for the subject just yet, although I'm sure they'll soon gain it when we move onto the more dangerous plants," she replied.

"Are there any particular students that have stood out?" asked Dumbledore, concealing his impatience. He'd kept his cool for the past 2 hours- he could keep it for a bit longer.

"Oh yes," said Pomona. "From my own house, both Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott are delightful girls, always taking an interest in the subject. Ernie Macmillian certianly had potential, but I'm afriad he doesn't get along well with others. Same with Zacharias Smith," she said. "In your house Filius, Lisa Turpin and Michael Corner are ahead, having shown great interest in the subject although the rest of their classmates aren't far behind.

I'd say Mr Potter and Miss Davis are the furthest ahead in your house, Severus, but Mr Malfoy and Miss Greengrass could definitely catch up with a little bit or practice," she said pausing to think a little. "Mr Longbottom has a surprisingly vast knowledge of plants Minerva, and Miss Granger always gets the questions right. Unfortunately, she is too eager and rarely looks past the coursework we've set. The other Mr Potter is doing well, although he get's distracted far too easily," she concluded.

"What about you, Filius?" asked Dumbledore, eager to know how both the Potter twins were doing.

"Well," began Filius, "From my own house, all of them are doing very well due to them practising a lot. Miss Li and Miss Turpin are ahead of their peers, though Mr Boot can catch up if he put in a bit more effort. All the Hufflepuffs are evenly matched, probably from practising together. A couple are slightly ahead though only by a slim margin. Mr Potter, again, and Miss Greengrass are best from the Slytherins whilst Mr Zabini does show an aptitude for the subject. I must say, Mr Potter is ahead of where his mother was in charms at her age, and he can most definitely overtake her in the future," he said leading to some raised eyebrows.

"Does he now?" asked Snape slowly having not spoken throughout the whole meeting so far. It was well known that Lily Potter was a charms prodigy, and for her son to be on track to excel her was quite shocking.

"He most definitely has the talent. In fact, he always performs the spell first and has moved on to the more advanced stuff already," nodded Flitwick smiling. "Moving on, I'd say Hermione Granger for the Gryffindors, though Seamus Finnigan could catch up with sufficient practice. Unfortunately, the other Mr Potter and Mr Weasley have a talent of messing about in class, and Miss Granger rubs people the wrong way."

"Interesting," said Dumbledore slowly, the cogs in his brain turning. "What about you Severus?" he finally asked.

"Just another bunch of dunderheads," snarled Snape, ignoring the eyerolls from the others. "Of course, my Slytherins are perfect as always," he added condescendingly.

"Really?" asked Minerva. "Even Hadrian? We all know your bitter spat with James, Severus," she said.

Snape opened his mouth but did not answer for a few seconds. "I must admit," he said slowly, hoping no one had a recording charm activated, "that the elder Potter twin has talent," he said to the surprise of everyone there. "He is disillusioned with his father, and unlike his twin he isn't an arrogant twat," he added quickly. "Of course, I will deny this if anyone here mentions it to someone else."

"Hphhh," sighed Filius. "Are you sure that everyone is a dunderhead, Severus? Surely there must be some people who have shown talent?" he asked, immediately regretting it as soon as he realised he was goign to have to listen to a rant by his colleague.

"The Hufflepuffs are spineless cowards," began Snape, "who get startled by the slightest loud noise. They look at me like I'm a vampire or something about to eat them and are more focused on trying to stay on my good side than do the actual work. A couple aren't, like the Bones girl and Abbott, but the rest are insufferable.

Your students are too immersed in a book to be concentrating properly, and don't know how to actually make the potions. They insist on following the instructions to the letter, and even have the audacity to tell me I'm being harsh. Some do get on with the work like the Corner boy and Miss Turpin, and their potion turns out fine but the rest insist on giving me headaches.

And finally you're precious lions, Minerva, are the worst. They have no respect for the subject, and are concerned with playing pranks in my class than actually focusing. Their wor is horrendous, and their potions would make a dementor run away in terror. Potter and Weasley have begun talking back to me, and Granger is insufferable. WIll she ever understand to not be an annoying twat and stop attempting to answer every single question I ask, whether it's rhetorical or not? She can make the potions well enough, although I doubt her nature to irritate the heck out of everyone nearby will help her in life," he concluded. Everyone around him wast staring with an open mouth and wide eyes.

"I've just admitted they aren't all dunderheads, haven't I?" asked Snape and Pomona meekly nodded. He stood up and stormed out of the room, his cloak swishing behind him.

"Now, Minerva what about you?" asked Dumbledore after a few moments of awkward silence.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, the 4 heads of houses having departed from his office. Everything was going to plan, apart from a couple of hiccups here and there but they were easily fixable. Daniel Potter had become friends with Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger and he was on his way just like Dumbledore wanted him to. He was doing well enough in his subjects, but not too well as he couldn't have the BWL getting too powerful. Power corrupts people, and Dumbledore knew that better than most people.

Miss Granger was doing excellently as, but he wasn't worried about her gaining too much power. After all, she was a muggleborn and muggleborns couldn't do too much in their world. She was a vital part of his plan, and she would keep Daniel on the straight and narrow.

However, one problem was Hadrian Potter. The boy was too smart already, and he could be a threat to Dumbledore if that continued. Although, he thought, it didn't really matter since he would die regardless. Yes, yes, everything would be fine.

"Hey Hadrian," said Draco slowly to his best friend as both of them relaxed on a sofa in the Slytherin Common Room.

"Yeah Draco," said Harry tiredly. "What d'ya want?" he asked him.

"You know the corridor on the 3rd floor?" he asked slowly.

"Yeah," said Harry sitting up straighter.

"I know what's inside," said Draco quickly.

"Cool," Harry said though there was no enthusiasm. "I do too Draco. You aren't the first one to go near the 3-headed-dog inside," he replied smugly.

"Ah, but I know more," said Draco even more smugly.

"Oh yeah?" asked Harry. "What's that?"

"I know the dog's name," said Draco as if he held all the power in the world.

"Shit," said Harry conceding defeat. "SO, what's the name?"

"Fluffy."

Harry looked at Draco for a whole second before he began laughing. "Oh," he said between laughter. "You've got to be kidding me! No way that giant furball's name is Fluffy. If it was up to me, I'd have called him Deathbringer, or Soulsucker. Ya know, something cool? Maybe even José," he said.

"That is actually the name," said Draco laughing as well. "Though in all honesty, I know what's actually in the room," he said seriously looking Harry in the eye.

"There's something else in there?" asked Harry. "How did you find that out?" he asked Draco.

"I overheard your brother, Weaselbee and Granger talking about it. Apparently, they went there accidentally and saw a trapdoor under the dog."

"Oh yeah," said Harry concentrating hard. "There was a weird wooden flap when I went in, though I suppose I didn't notice at the time since my main concern was getting out alive," said Harry.

"Anyway, they asked Hagrid about it and they somehow weaseled some information out of him. There's a precious stone under the trapdoor, and guess what it is?"

"An infinity stone?" asked Harry.

"Wh-what is that?" asked Draco his voice faltering.

"Don't worry- I've seen Avengers too many times. So, go on," Harry said prompting Draco to continue on with the story.

"It's the Philosopher's Stone!" said Draco excitedly.

"No way!" said Harry. "It can make you immortal, and it can make anything turn to gold!"

"How do you know so much about it?" asked Draco.

"The Potter Library has quite a few books published by Nicholas Flamel, the owner of the stone. However, why's the stone in Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, I have no idea," conceded Draco.

"Put on your detective hat Draco," said Harry dramatically. "We're going to find out."

"Er, Harry?" asked Draco bringing his friend back to the present. "I don't have a detective hat."

"Oh yeah, I don't either. We'll have to do it without them."

"Do you girls wanna do some detective work?" asked Harry as he and Draco walked over to Daphne and Tracey who were playing chess.

"Yep!" said Daphne instantly getting up from the armchair. "I've been getting so bored," she said grumpily.

"Only becuase you've lost 8 games in a row," said Tracey cheekily. Daphne responded by sticking her tongue out but didn't comment. "So, who wants to go up against me? Draco?" asked Tracey smiling like a predator who's just closed in on her prey.

"Nope," said Draco. "I'd beat you too easily, and I wouldn't want you to feel bad."

"Reallly Drake-Drake," said Tracey making him blush. "If that's the case then I challenge you!"

"Challenge accepted," said Draco instantly sitting down to show her who was better at chess.

"Draco?" said Harry shaking his friend. "You're meant to come with me."

"You go with Daphne," said Draco already setting up the board. "She challenged me! I had to accept!" he protested when Harry began glaring at him.

"Fine," said Harry eventually. "Let's go Daph, and Tracey make sure you beat him badly," said Harry before he walked off with Daphne.

"Harry?" asked Daphne confusedly. "Where are we going?"

"The library," said Harry matter-of-factly.

"Ok, then why are we going the wrong way?"

"Are you sure you heard Draco right?" asked Daphne tiredly. "He could have been talking about Flannel, not Flamel," she whined both of them having been in the library for quite a while now.

"Yes Daph I'm sure," said Harry exasperatedly as he flicked absent-mindedly through the pages of the book he was pouring over. "Do you know any other famous wizards who have a magic stone?"

Daphne was about to answer when a large book was plonked in front of her with a very loud THUD! It was Hermione Granger, who had just plopped a book in front of them two rather rudely. "Oh," she said when she spotted them. "What are you two doing here?" asked rudely, her nose turned up.

"Planning world domination," deadpanned Daphne, before turning to Harry. "Do you think it's better to invade Australia first, or France?"

"Definitely France," said Harry going along with the joke. "Australia has kangaroos, and trust me you don't want to be fighting them."

"Hello!?" said Hermione waving her hand in front of them. "I'm talking to you," she said.

"Really?" asked Harry sarcastically. "We hadn't noticed."

"What are you two actually doing here?" asked Hermione having already grown tired of them two.

"A little something called research Gringer," said Harry. "You might want to try it sometime."

"My name is Granger," screeched Hermione as she glared at the two for simply existing. "Now, you did not answer me properly last time I asked you, but how are you doing all the spells before me? I have been studying non stop, yet you manage to do them before me. You're clearly cheating, and if you don't tell me how and don't stop them I will tell Professor McGonaga-" She was cut off by Daphne.

"Listen Granger," said Daphne not wanting to get a headache. "Harry has not been cheating, and get that through your thick skull. He is just better than you, and you need to learn to accept it," deadpanned Daphne, not noticing Harry blush slightly.

"You are lying," said Hermione not wanting to accept the truth. "I have done every spell perfectly, and I study way more than you. I've been studying since I got my Hogwarts letter."

"And I congratulate you on that, but Granger remember that some of us have actual lives," said Harry dryly. "You know, where we talk with friends instead of being insufferable bookworms. It's not my fault that you haven't experienced that, but please do remember that we have and we enjoy it."

Hermione reddened in anger choosing not to respond before ploughing on with her earlier statement. "So," she said again. "How are you somehow ahead of me?"

"Natural talent," said Harry as he flicked the page of the book he was pouring through.

"There has to be more than that. You're cheating. You have to be!"

"I am getting a headache Granger, and if you don't-" Harry was suddenly interrupted by Professor Snape who had walked over to find out what the 3 of them were arguing about.

"I hope there's not any problems here," said Snape slowly, his eyes glaring at the 3 of them, specifically Hermione.

"No sir," said Hermione meekly.

"Good," said Snape slowly. "I wouldn't want to have to take away any more points from you Miss Granger, would I?"

"No sir," said Hermione before his hurried away, forgetting the book she had placed down in the process.

"I tend not to interfere in my students' problems," said Snape slowly. "But considering your recent win against Gryffindor, I made an exception just this once."

"Thank you Professor," said Harry and Daphne at the same time, glad that he'd got them out of dealing with Granger.

"Do try to not make a habit of it," said Snape tiredly before he stalked away, probably to shout at some innocent 1st year Hufflepuff.

Harry and Daphne both got up, tired from all the searching they'd been doing. As they did so, a word on the opened book Hermione had left behind caught Daphne's eye. "Harry, wait," she said beckoning him closer to the book. "Look what it says there," she said pointing at the line.

Harry squinted his eyes, trying to read the ridiculously small text. "Nicholas Flamel," he said slowly, his face lighting up. "That's it Daph! That's the book we've been looking for! You're brilliant," he said causing Daphne to go red. Luckily for her, he didn't notice and sat down quickly.

"...the stone could be in Hogwarts for its own protection," said Daphne as she and Harry walked in on the Slytherin common room.

"Yeah, but the Flamel's have an estate the size of a country. What better protection could there..." The question died on Harry's lips as he saw what was going on in the common room.

"I GIVE UP!" shouted Draco as he stormed away, oblivious to the fact that Harry and Daphne had walked in.

"Tracey?" asked Harry walking over to her and her stack of galleons that hadn't been there the last time they saw Tracey.

"Yes Harry?" she asked mid-laugh.

"How badly did you beat him?"

"7-0," said Tracey. "He just lost 20 galleons," she said standing up and packing her chess set.

"Remind me never to play chess against you," said Harry.

"Spolisport," said Tracey sticking her tongue.

AN/ Yes, I know it's been a month and I'm sorry. The chapter just takes a bit of time to write, and I have my other stories and school work. So, I have a question for you guys. Should I keep bashing James, Lily and Daniel or should I give them a redemption arc? If I give one of them a redemption arc, I will give it to all 3 of them so do remember that as I'm not just gonna make Lily good.

Some people reviewed about the Quidditch scene, and I don't think I've explained that yet. It will be explained why Daniel was attacked not Harry in a later chapter, so hold onto that.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed and please leave a review.

Review Responses:

marvynthephoenix: Yes Aries is Siri/Marlene adorable child

Guest: I'm going along with the thing that once you gift the cloak to someone, you can't take it back unless they allow you to or are dead.

supersandman86: Why Lily and James abandoned Harry will be explained in the future, though there have been some hints in previous chapters. It also depends on whether or not I will bash them. Idk whether I'll give Harry another pet, since he has Hedwig. And you cna see hints of stuff between Harry and Daph in this chapter.

Ayush Jana: What do you mean by that? Is that a compliment? I have read JustBored21's fics, but I am not copying them if that is what you're trying to imply. I take inspiration from other writers, and I try to improve my writing style that way.