Chapter 2

Same but not the same

Harry walked of the wagon, as he saw Hagrid take first years by boat. As the get to the carriages, harry looks at the thestrals opening their wings and in exaltation and closing them again. As he reaches one of the carriages, this thestral turns his head and looks directly at him with those shallow bonny sockets. It felt like it was trying to acknowledge his presence and knew that Harry could see them.

"Harry, come on," Ron nudge him as he climbed into the carriage.

Trevor almost jumped of the carriage and Neville lent to a side to grab him. He stumbles to the floor and Harry gave him a hand up. Soon they started moving, swaying in the bumpy road toward the castle. Ron and Hermione kept giving him weird looks, probably worried about the after effects of the dementors, while he was actually trying to remember how he was supposed to act at thirteen.

As they reached the gates, two hooded dementors flew at each side, patrolling the grounds. Everyone shivered as they pass through, but Harry felt no different. Quite opposite to how he used to react to dementors. Once down he heard a delighted high pitched voice in his ear.

"You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?"

Amazing how he saw things in a different perspective now. Draco's taunting seemed quite childish and easily to ignore. He wasn´t mark yet, he hadn´t let Death Eaters into the ground nor had Dumbledore trap into a corner. He was just a boy repeating his father´s words with no truly conviction of them.

"Shove off, Malfoy," said Ron with a clenched jaw.

"Did you fainted as well, Weasley?" said Malfoy loudly. "Did the scary old Dement-"

"Grow up, Draco," Harry sighted with a roll of his eyes.

Malfoy had a shock expression on his face at been called by his forename.

"Is there any problem?" Lupin appeared at their back. Crabbe and Goyle gave a startle jump backwards while Malfoy compose himself back to his usual aristocrat look. He looked down upon Lupin's robes and stated "We were just leaving, professor."

They turned around and left. Hermione lead them up the steps and reached the open doors of the Great Hall. Suddenly, McGonagall came from their back.

"Potter! Granger! I want to see you both in my office. Follow me," McGonagall call them.

Hermione turned around surprised, worried frown on her face.

"There is no need to look so worry, Miss Granger. I simply want a word with you."

Harry looked at McGonagall, she looked the same than always, stern eyes, small wrinkles on her face, square glasses on her nose that remained as a feature in her animagus form. She led the way to her office, leaving Ron behind. She immediately lit the fire and pointed to two chairs in front of her. As they took a seat, she started saying,

"Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potter."

As Harry expected, there was a knock on the door and Madame Pomfrey bust in ready to take care of the ill.

"I am feeling much better now, thanks to Professor Lupin. I seem to have a bad reaction to dementors, but the professor sent them away quite immediately and gave us chocolate." He knew it was better and full and honest answer or they would keep bothering him about it.

Madam Pomfrey still looked unsure, but said "Well, at least with have one competent Defense teacher this year."

"You can run diagnosis spell over me if you like. But I feel fine enough to attend the feast, and I am sure a night rest I will only do me good."

"Fine"

Madam Pomfrey waved her wand in familiar manners all over his body, as different lights and symbols come out in the air. It made no sense to the rest in the room, but Madam look at them with satisfaction at the results.

"He does not seem to have anything wrong. He may go to the feast"

"Thank you, Poppy. Mr. Popper do kindly wait outside for a few minutes as I arrange some schedule issues with Miss Granger here. Then we can go back to the feast."

Harry hide a smirk as he left the office. Hermione would be getting her time-turner. All ministry time-turners had been destroyed in his fifth year. Maybe it would come in handy to have one at their disposal. But he wasn't suppose to know and Hermione would never agree to go against the rules. Maybe he could convince her by pointing certain positive aspects of using it fo their own benefit.

She was about to have a heavy work-load this year. If only he could talk to her without reveling he knew her secret, he would tell her that it would be useful to use the time turner to get a few hours of sleep. Last time, she even skip a class at the end of the year for falling asleep. Maybe he could give a few hints here and there, letting her reach that idea herself. But he still didn't know how to keep the time-turner after the end of the year.

Just then, his thoughts were interrupted as Hermione emerged from the office, followed by Professor McGonagall.

"Got everything settled?" he asked.

"Oh yes, Professor McGonagall was just giving me a few tips to attend all my classes."

The Great Hall was full of chatting students. The first years were already sorted into their houses. Ron was in the middle of Gryffindor table, waving at them with free spots next to him. Others where looking at him and whispering to each other. No doubt the rumors about his fainting had already spread.

"Whut did McGong'h wunte'?" asked Ron with his mouth full of pumpking tart.

"Manners, Ronald! And it is Professor McGonagall!" Hermione to at napking and throw it to Ron face, as she served herself some food. Ron gulped but ignored her and got another full spoon of pie into his mouth.

"And if you may know, Madam Pomfrey was having some health checks over Harry while I was organizing my schedule," she added. "I have decided to take all the electives, which gives me a total of 12 subjects this year."

"You are crazy, how can you take all of them. There isn't even enough time for all those classes."

"As I was explaining, I have organize everything so that I can attend all classes. Nothing you should worry about." And dismissed Ron with a waive of her hand. Ron would have continue questioning her if not because he found some sweets he liked and immediately served them in his plate and kept eating. Harry will usually ignore their bickering, but used this opportunity to implant a thought.

"He is not wrong, Hermione. It is a lot of work load, and you need time not only to attend classes, but also study and do all the homework."

"I can do it!" She answered offended of being categorize as not good enough to accomplish something.

"I am not sating you can't. But be sure to organize yourself with enough time for homework and other activities. If not, you would need to loose sleeping hours to achieve everything. And at the end, that would only harm your performance."

"Hmm. May be you are right. I'll take it into consideration. Thank you, Harry."

Well, that's one thing taken care of. No he needed to speak with Remus, he would be able to get a trial for Sirius. He looked down at Ron's pocket jacket were Scabbers was sleeping. Then he look up to the Teachers Table and saw Remus already on his seat, next to Snape. He could see the hate in Snape eyes at having one of the Marauders back at school. At the other side of the table was Hagrid, eating with no decorum and using the tablecloth as a napkin.

"Have the DADA teacher been introduce already?" He asked, hopefully to get more info that would prevent him from having to play ignorant.

"Oh no, we missed the speech!" An scandalize Hermione said.

"Oh blimey! Forgot to tell you. Guess who is the new Care of Magical Creatures' professor? It's Hagrid!"

"Oh, wow, that's great. He deserved that position."

"Yeah, the man is enchanted by terrible beasts. Who else would have assigned a book that could eat us? He probably thought it was cute." Ron did not looked amused at the thought.

"But he has knowledge on every creature out there," Harry tried defending him, "That must count as something."

"Maybe he knows about those dementors around the school. I thought they always stayed at Azkaban. I have barely read about, didn't know what they looked like and didn't recognize them until the professor named them. And all I got was that they guard the prison and are something you don't ever want to meet."

"After today experience, I agree. I never want to be around one of them ever again." There seemed to have a lost look on Ron's face. Noting like he experienced in other occasions, but quite disconcerting in someone so young.

"What was Dumbledore thinking? How can he let them roam around the castle full of children!"

"It's not Dumbledore, the ministry sent them. Remember what my dad said about Dumbledore not being happy with them here," he explained.

The rest of dinner went uneventful and son Harry was unpacking his things at his bed. The sneakoscope kept turning around, probably because of the rat. He took his invisible cape under his pillow and looked for the map. After a few minutes of looking, he remembered that the twins still had it. Hopefully, he will have it back in his hands soon. It will be essential for discovering Pettigrew and getting around the castle. With so much in mind, his eyes started closing off and he went to bed. Let the dilemmas be solved another day.

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As they made their way up to the North Tower, drim came over Harry for thinking of Trelawney. It would be another year of having his death predicted. At least now he knew the Grimm was Sirius, and there was no danger for him. Well, that's another right prediction from Trelawney. Maybe he shouldn't dismiss her so much.

Climbing the ladder, Harry stared at the dim lighted room surrounded by puffs. Lavender and Parvati were all ready sit in place, eagerly to start.

"Welcome, my children. It is nice to finally see your faces in real life," a pair of eyes came out behind a pair of magnifying glasses covering her face. She was surrounded by a variety of trinkets around her neck, which rattle with her movements as she kept addressing them with a misty voice.

"You are here today to learn the art of Divination. A feat which cannot be accomplish without the gift of Sight." At this, Hermione frowned to the teacher. "It is however my duty, to teach to interpret the most common signs, and perhaps you'll have a slim view of the future.

"Many great wizards have tried to unveil the secrets of time, and yet it has remained a mystery to all. Just the Chosen Ones are granted with such gift."

Harry perked up at her words. Maybe it was just coincidence by calling chosen ones, but when was anything not immediately related to him?

"You boy, is your Grandma well?" She asked suddenly turning to Neville.

"I think so," the boy answered tangling his fingers in nervousness.

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, dear," Professor Trelawney commented.

Soon they were paired up reading each others leaves. He looked at Ron's, it looked like two sicks pointing at different sides.

"I think yours is s cross? That means trials and suffering. It suggest you not to do the things you are considering. But it could also be a swore, because one side is longer than the other, and kind of pointy. This symbol remains you to be loyal to your friends as they may need help."

"You know I am loyal, mate. No problem with that test. Let me see yours."

Harry didn't say anything but just thought of all the times Ron had left him for jealousy or other reasons. He wondered if this pointed to anything he would be needed his help, and whether he'll have it of been abandon again.

"Well. Yours looks like some kind of face, with ears on top. I think is a cat. Cats represent independence and suggest you need to be independent too. Well, I wouldn't suggest you to be like a cat, if it means like that orange menace."

"Ron!" Hermione complained in a low tone behind him.

"But id you turned, the ears look more like wings. I could say it is a bird, let me look it up.

"Here it is, if you find and owl in your cup expect to gain knowledge or to receive a letter. Well that ain't much. Any letter at any moment could count for that. And down there, I though it was a branch tree but now it looks like a brook. Hey! Maybe you'll get the Quidditch cup this year. It is a symbol of a new home or a change for the better. Well, that's good."

New knowledge? What could it be? He had already lived this life and new many things he otherwise wouldn't have known sooner. Maybe it could be knew information on the remaining Horcruxes. I guess this time fate didn't need to warn him about Sirius.

"The forest my girl!" Trelawney had Hermione's cup in her hands. "This is a dire alarm to look for guidance. You could end up in the wrong path, my girl. And with that narrow minded and closed mind like yours I don't doubt terrible decisions will follow you. Yes I can see it now. The rat, someone you know can't be trusted. Be sure who decide to get your advice from, don't listen to the wrong person."

Hermione wasn't happy with professor Trelawney, but had a look in her eyes ready to prove herself.

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Transfiguration was uneventful, and soon they were in Care of Magical Creatures. Harry had calmed his book with a few strokes, but left the belt around it and pretended to struggle holding it down. As the first time, no one volunteer to get close to the hippogriffs, so he went forward.

Buckbeak was standing tall and magnificent. His feathers were shiny, sign of good care in the open. Up in Grimmauld Place he had been stock in a small room with no sunlight. He seemed happy out here, free and with company. Harry kneeled in font of him, with confidence and reassurance. Buckbeak immediately bow back and came close to Harry nuzzling him with its beak.

"Do you remember me, Buckbeak? Do you know where I come from?" he asked. Buckbeak made a trill sound of happiness and led his head under Harry's arm. As he was petting him, Hagrid congratulate him and everyone 'ow' as they get into groups to approach the other hippogriffs.

"I won't let you get condemn this time. Better get and eye on Draco," he promised.

Ron was petting a dark grey hippogriff, while Hermione was in the middle of her bow to a reddish one. Malfoy and his gooneys were looking disgusted at having to bow down to a creature.

"What a disgraceful act it is. Expected from a servant to teach us to bow others," Crabbe and Goyle laughed at his back. "He is in no way competent to be a teacher. Wait my father hears about this." Draco started whining at the other side.

"Not even worth it, for a creature such…"

"Hey Draco!" Harry interrupted before he could insult them.

"Are you worried your robes get messed up if you go on your knees? Wouldn't be looking so grateful, eh?" he taunted.

"Watch your mouth Potter!" he spitted.

"You are so against those who bow, then your own father goes serving another man. What does that say about him?"

"Harry!" Hermione quietly reprimand him while pulling from his sleeves.

"Don't about mu father like that. He'll heard ab-"

"Your Father will heard about this. I know. Can't you fight your own battles? The Heir of Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy, can't even take actions on his own."

Malfoy looked at him with fury but speechless. He turned around grab his back, and pushed Crabbe and Goyle back to the castle. Harry smirked, he was beside himself. It was time Draco started thinking for himself, maybe that way he wouldn't follow his father's footsteps.

"Harry, are you out of your mind! What do you think you were doing , getting Malfoy all riled up like that?"

"Sorry, I guess I wasn't thinking," he answered dismissively.

"Men. When do you ever think things through."

"That was awesome, Harry! You shoved it on his face," Ron came smiling ear to ear.

Hermione smack him on the head and started reprimand him as well, but Ron was too excited to listen.

"But what's with you calling him Draco?" Ron ask with a disgust of saying his name.

"Oh," Harry said honestly surprised. He didn't even realized he had doing that lately. Creating an excuse on the spot, he said "That's because I knew it will annoy him more."

"Genius. Honestly Genius"

The day remain with Hermione complain how wrong that was and Ron replaying out loud the moment and laughing at remembering Malfoy's face. Must of the same repeated the next few days.

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Finally Thursday arrive, the day he had been waiting for. Today they finally had DADA. He've been wanting to talk to Remus. If everything went as original, Remus wouldn't allowed him to confront the Boggart, and he'll had an excuse to stay after class to talk to him.

As they entered the class, everyone was chatting excitedly about what they heard from Professor Lupin. Higher year students had said the class had been super entreating. Hermione was repeating Percy's comments on the program. The Slytherins took a sit in the left, while the Gryffindors took the right. Seamus and Dean sat with Neville on the third row behind Parvati and Lavender leaving the front seat row for Harry and Ron.

The lights in the classroom were dim, which highlighted the lit wand at the end of the classroom as Professor Lupin approached.

"Good Afternoon. I am Professor Remus Lupin. As you can realize, we have terrible light for reading, so you can put your books away. We would not be needing them for today, as it will be a hand on action class." Remus explained as wrote his name on the board.

Harry looked confuse. He hadn't taken his book, as he knew they'll had practical classes. But it didn't look like they would be moving to the teacher's room in search for the boggart.

"Today we are studying a creature. This creature prefers to live in darkness, so I've adjusted the room to be more to their environment. This way we can see how they usually behave outside in nature.

"Does anyone know what a Red Cap is?" Remus asked. Immediately Hermione's hand was up in the air with a textbook answer on her mouth. Harry could only stare at the board from the unexpectedness.

AN: Hope you enjoy this chapter. As promise it was larger than the first. I am happy to have 10 follows in a simple weekend. As you can see, time has already started to change. Much of chapter 1 and half of chapter 2 I try to remain as similar as canon. Harry try not to change things much, be it simply can't be the same. He is 17 and has live through a war, while the rest of his classmates are innocent 13 years old. Things with Draco will be different. As you may have notice, I use both Draco and Malfoy in the text. For now, in third person perspective, it will be Malfoy. But when I am explaining an immediate though of Harry, it is Draco in his mind as well as when he speaks. Hope you are enjoying the story.

Please Read and Review.

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