A/N – Firstly, thank you to everyone who has reached out following the death of my mother. I appreciate your comments and messages, they truly have helped in what has been a very challenging few weeks. Back to the story, I spent some time reading back what I've done so far, and have realised I need to up the pacing somewhat, so I'm going to try and do that. This chapter has been a struggle, but I have managed to get something down at least. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or read so far. It helps keep me going.
Chapter 8 - You've Got Another Thing Coming
Hermione Granger was not a happy camper. She had been on edge all the way through breakfast since Professor Flitwick had taken her best friend off to meet with the headmaster. That breakfast was almost over and Harry had still not returned, despite her head of house's earlier proclamation that he'd be back soon was not helping.
That Harry was by her side at every meal was a given, to the point that her housemates had instinctively left a space by her side, one normally occupied by Harry. She was broken out of her reverie by a voice.
"Hermione, where's Harry? It's not like him to miss breakfast. I know he never has much, but he's always with you." It was Padma Patil asking the question.. "Is he ok? Has he recovered fully from last week?" Hermione couldn't help but feel irked at the inquisition, but settled down, convincing herself that her yearmate was merely asking after Harry's health, not fishing for gossip information.
"Professor Flitwick took him to meet the headmaster before breakfast. The conversation must have just lasted longer than expected. I guess that Professor Dumbledore wanted to ask him about the troll and make sure that he was ok."
Padma couldn't follow up on her line of questioning as she was interrupted by two newcomers, who had wandered over from the Hufflepuff table. Neville and Susan both looked at Hermione and immediately saw the worry in her eyes.
Susan took the empty space beside her, looking at her friend's face. "Don't worry, I'll give Harry his seat back when he gets here" she stared, cutting across any potential comments about her sitting in 'Harry's' spot. "Where is he anyway?"
Hermione repeated the answer she had given Padma. "How has Harry been?" Neville this time.
"He's been fine, a bit tired still, but that's to be expected."
The trio noticed that people were starting to rise from their tables to head to class. Hermione reluctantly did the same, casting one last look at the head table in the off chance that Professor Flitwick had appeared in the past few minutes. Seeing no sign of him, she gathered her things and headed off to the first class of the day, the hated Divination. As she climbed the tower to the Divination classroom she felt lonely for the first time since she got to Hogwarts. She didn't really know any of the Gryffindors the class was shared with, and became aware that she hadn't spent a lot of time getting to know the other Ravenclaw girls. What's more, she didn't feel bad that she hadn't. She had Harry. She was confident enough to say that she was now friends with Susan Bones too. Despite her being a 'Puff, Hermione felt she had more in common with the sometimes shy, sometimes socially awkward blonde. Neville too, was becoming a friend, someone who was also having to overcome his shyness and awkwardness.
In a moment of clarity, Hermione realised that was the glue which was holding the four together. All four had a streak of shyness running through them, all four could feel awkward sometimes, but together, the four managed to overcome these. That was why she didn't 'click' with the Ravenclaw girls as much. Padma was lovely, she really was, but she was bright and gregarious, adjectives Hermione would never associate with herself and thus she always found herself feeling utterly self-conscious when around what could be considered 'type-A' personalities.
She was snapped out of her musing by the voice of Professor Trelawney. Hermione was normally laser focussed in class, it's what kept her at the top in most of the classes she took. Neville had her beat in Herbology and Harry was showing an instinctive grasp of DADA, not that the teacher there was up to much, Hermione thought, but Harry had spent more time going through the DADA books, soaking up information like, well, like a Hermione. She was even one of the few who was able to maintain concentration during History of Magic. Divination, however, she had already decided, was absolute nonsense, so often found herself drifting off.
"Where is Mr Potter? I see so much darkness ahead for him, I hope that it hasn't already claimed him" the warbling tones of the professor grated on Hermione's last nerve. Before she could offer a reply though, there was a knock on the door followed by a the pensive face of Storm Thorgerson.
"Professor Trelawney, I have a message from Professor Flitwick. I've to accompany Miss Granger, Flit… erm.. Professor Flitwick needs to see her." The prefect handed over the charmed note, as Hermione had seen happen in other classes. Normally, the receiving teacher would cast a spell over the note which would verify it's authenticity. Trelawney just looked at it. Come to think of it, Hermione could never remember seeing her with a wand.
"Well Miss Granger, you better go. I will cast runes to determine the fate of Mr Potter, I fear the worst."
Hermione couldn't get out of the class quickly enough. She looked up at the older wizard with a worried look. "What's happened?"
Storm shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, I have a free period first thing, Flitwick came storming into the common room, as soon as he saw me he sent me off to get you."
"Why didn't he come and get me?"
Storm shrugged again. "Why have a dog and bark yourself, I guess he was busy with something? I know he's going to be waiting for you when we get back to the common room."
It didn't take the two long to get back to Ravenclaw Tower. "Thank you Mr Thorgerson for retrieving Miss Granger so quickly. Miss Granger, I must ask you to come with me." Flitwick looked over at Storm. "And Mr Thorgerson, I will be expecting to see you after dinner this evening, we have 'things' to discuss!"
Storm looked at the professor with a blank expression but indicated his assent.
"Where are we going?" asked Hermione.
"To the infirmary."
Hermione gasped. "Why? Harry? What's happened?"
"We can discuss that when we get there, firstly, I believe that Mr Potter needs your calming influence."
They reached the infirmary where Hermione saw a clearly distressed Harry on one of the beds. Instinct took over and she shot away from the professor to get to her best friend. She didn't notice if there was anyone else in the infirmary with him, to be frank she didn't care. She ran up to the bed and barely slowed down as she wrapped her arms around him.
The effect was almost instant. Harry's clear distress started to lessen as he returned Hermione's desperate hug with one which was just as needy. She let a small stifled sob escape as she held the boy who had come to mean so much to her.
"What happened Harry? You were just meant to be meeting the headmaster, how did you wind up in here?"
Harry pulled back slightly so that he could see her face although neither wanted to let go fully just yet. "I did meet the headmaster, Professor Flitwick was with me. The headmaster looked into my eyes…"
At that he finally looked up and made eye contact with the headmaster. After a second he felt something, a sensation at the front of his mind. As soon as he recognised the sensation he conjured the image of his secure tank in his head. He felt the sensation grow, all the while looking into the headmaster's eyes.
His magic responded.
Harry felt magic course through his mind and body. It felt similar to what happened when he took on the troll but not exactly the same. He could feel his mind's defences react to what they now recognised as in intrusion. Magic met magic. Harry could feel his magic trying to overwhelm the foreign magic it could feel, whilst the intruder seemed to instinctively try to react itself.
Harry's mental shields unleashed a volley of magic, manifested in the shape of the tank canon. The blast hit the foreign magic and blew it out of his mind, but the backlash sent him flying too. He became aware of someone shouting in the room. As the fog cleared in his mind he realised that it was Professor Flitwick. He opened his eyes and saw that the headmaster was slumped over his desk, whilst he himself was on the floor. The professor had also been knocked over by the magical shockwave but had recovered quickly and had his head in the fireplace to floo the infirmary.
After Professor Flitwick had summoned the school healer, he quickly assessed both the headmaster and the young boy. Neither seemed to be grievously injured, but both were showing signs of exhaustion. He turned to the young wizard who was currently trying to pick himself up from the floor.
"Mr Potter, can you tell me what happened?
Harry explained the sensation he had felt in his head and how his magic responded, without going into any details. He somehow realised that it would be best kept to himself.
Flitwick turned to look at the headmaster, who was still sitting at his desk, lifting his head and looking shocked and stunned.
"Would you care to explain, headmaster, why a student has just described what sounds to me like a very illegal legilimency attempt?"
The headmaster shook his head as if to try and clear it. Whatever had happened had shocked him to his core. There is no way a first year, one who hitherto his attendance at Hogwarts had been kept wholly ignorant of the magical world, should have been able to not only block his legilimency but forcibly rebuff him.
"All in good time Professor. How is Mr Potter?"
"He's exhausted, as are you, I've summoned Poppy."
Dumbledore nodded. Normally he would have railed against such a thing but he needed time to gather his thoughts. It didn't hurt that the charms professor was right. Dumbledore hadn't felt his magic react like that in years. Not since…
"Thank you professor" the aged wizard sighed. "It would do us both the power of good to have a check up and possibly avail ourselves of one of Madam Pomfrey's wonderful restoratives."
The healer in question flared into the room through the fireplace, one of the very few in the castle who could floo directly to the headmaster's office, and after having a quick look at the two patients moved to the younger wizard first.
A couple of diagnostic spells told her what she needed to know. "Mr Potter's magical core had only just recovered and now it's been taxed sorely once again! Not only that, I'm worried the lad is experiencing some kind of shock. What in the name of Sebile's wrath happened here?"
Not waiting for an answer, she cast similar diagnostic spells over the headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore, your magic has also taken a battering, although you are nowhere near as exhausted as Mr Potter, I'd like you to come with me to the infirmary for a few more tests. I would like you both to take some confectio alchermes and I will give Mr Potter a mild calming draft." She looked over at the head of Ravenclaw. I am going to floo back to the infirmary with the headmaster, can you accompany Mr Potter?"
Flitwick nodded his assent as the healer helped the aged headmaster out of his chair and into the fireplace. He walked over to Harry and held out a hand. "Are you able to stand Mr Potter?" With a grunt Harry made it to his feet with the help of the small, but very strong half goblin and the two walked into the fireplace. With a clear declaration of location, the flames flared up and the two stepped out of the fire and Harry was pulled into a bed.
As he told his tale to Hermione, her eyes widened. She had of course been reading ahead and had come across references to legilimency and occlumency but was amazed that not only had her best friend recognised that someone was trying to perform legilimency on him, but had been able to react. She knew from the stories Professors Flitwick and McGonagall had told that night that Harry's parents were powerful and talented, it was clear to her that their son had inherited at least some of their abilities.
On the other side of the infirmary, surrounded by a privacy screen, Albus Dumbledore wasn't having as pleasant a conversation. The hugs which Hermione was showering Harry in were very much absent from any of the group surrounding his bed. Flitwick, happy that Harry was being looked after by someone far more attuned to the task than he had joined Minerva McGonagall at the headmaster's side.
The deputy headmistress was not happy. When Minerva was displeased, she made no attempt to hide the fact.
"What on earth were ye playin' at Albus? Performin' legilimancy on the lad? That could see ye in Azkaban!"
"I am still waiting on an answer to the same question, Albus. Given that the student in question is one I am responsible for, I think I deserve an answer."
Dumbledore sighed. "Minerva, firstly let me assure you I would not be at risk of going anywhere. As headmaster, I am charged with the safety of the school. Filius, I trust your question will also be satisfied once I explain." He paused to gather his thoughts.
"As I said, I am responsible for the safety of the school. As you know there is already an investigation into how the troll made its way to the toilets to be able to threaten Miss Granger. The reports from the four students involved were interesting in how the issue was dealt with, along with your comments it was clear that Mr Potter displayed an immense amount of power. The reports suggested that the power used was controlled, not just an outburst of accidental magic, however, I need to be sure. Should Mr Potter truly be as powerful as is suggested, accidental magic which is uncontrolled could be dangerous to him and anyone around him at the time. My simple probe was nothing more than my seeking to satisfy myself that Mr Potter's mind was not in turmoil, and that he does not therefore represent a danger."
"Aye? And how did that turn out for ye?" It was clear that Minerva would take a bit more convincing.
"Given that we are both currently in the infirmary I am surprised you feel that's a question which needs to be answered, Minerva." The normally twinkling blue eyes of the headmaster were, for once, dull.
"So what actually happened?" Flitwick was still pushing for answers. "I felt the magic in the room, the final wave was like nothing I've experienced before."
"Let us just say that Mr Potter has an extraordinarily well protected mind. When I first brushed my mind into his I found nothing. I must confess that my surprise may in part have been the cause. I may have automatically increased the power of my foray. It would appear that Mr Potter's magic sensed this and took steps to protect him. It was almost like his magic was working of its own volition, such was the instinctive nature of Mr Potter's response."
"You are aware that Harry asked me to accompany him because he didn't have a reason to trust you" Flitwick interjected pointedly. "And now you have given him an a specific reason not to trust you, and forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I couldn't argue with him,"
Dumbledore nodded sadly. "I was wrong to seek answers without first speaking to Mr Potter. Hindsight is a wonderful thing."
"I'm more worried about how often you just decide to have a peek inside someone's mind without as much as a by your leave." Dumbledore had rarely heard his deputy so angry, certainly never at him.
"Please believe me Minerva, it is not something I do as a matter of routine. As I have tried to explain, I merely sought to ascertain if Harry was likely to be the cause of concern." He looked pensive. "I am certain that his mind as is well organised as any, it has to be to be capable of instinctive occlumency, whether or not that makes him a cause for concern, I do not yet know."
"You have just said yourself, the boy is in complete control."
"How he is able to do that is the worry. It is unusual. So unusual I cannot put my mind to an analogous situation."
"I blame you, Albus." Minerva's words cut him.
"Me? How, dear lady, do you come to that conclusion?"
"Cause you are the one who left him with those terrible muggles. We have told you Albus what befell the lad when he was there. How do you think he coped? He's obviously had to somehow control his mind to stop himself exploding. For all his faults, James Potter was an exceptional talent, whilst Lily was one of the most brilliant and organised minds I've encountered. Is it any surprise that their lad has innate ability?"
Flitwick put in his knut's worth. "I agree with Minerva. You experienced the outcome of what you helped to create. Maybe now you will see the folly of returning Mr Potter to those beasts."
- OoOoOo -
As the discussion between the three adults continued, and the two first years on the other side of the infirmary had their own discussion, a furtive figure was to be found in a deserted corridor. It looked for all the world like it was talking to itself.
"But I let the troll in master, I did what I was compelled to do"
"It matters not. That bastard Potter interfered once again."
"What would you have me do now, master?"
"We need to find the stone. Unicorn blood can sustain us only for so long."
"You know that Dumbledore will have set traps."
"I am aware of this, and I plan for those traps to be sprung."
"How master?"
"All in good time. Just make sure that the idiot Thorgerson knows where you go when he thinks he is sneaking around after you."
"As you wish, master."
With a furtive look around, the figure disappeared behind a door. The corridor he found himself in was long, with a number of doors on either side. He knew which door he wanted, just as he knew what was behind. Today wasn't the day where the door would be opened, not after the last time. Today was all about making sure he could get here undiscovered, unless of course he wanted someone to see him.
"We are here, master."
"I can feel it. I can sense it. The stone is nearby. Our time will be soon my servant. You will get your reward."
"What is your command now, master?"
"Act normally. Continue to ensure that no suspicion is drawn. Keep an eye on Thorgerson and another on Potter."
"Yes master."
- OoOoO -
Harry knew the approach would come. It had been a few days since his last meeting with the headmaster and when he saw Professor Flitwick stride across the common room his instinct once again kicked in and his shoulders slumped.
"Mr Potter, I assume from your demeanour that you have guessed why I wish to speak to you?"
Harry nodded. "You are correct in guess, the headmaster wishes to conclude his conversation of the other day, to clear up any misunderstandings as I think he put it. I did ask, and he agreed, as well as myself, Miss Granger can accompany you if you wish?"
Harry looked over at the witch in question who simply nodded. "Excellent" beamed the professor, delighted that the bonds of friendship saw Harry with such support. "No time like the present then, hmm?"
Once again, Harry found himself being marched toward the headmaster's office. This time, Flitwick was giving Hermione a running commentary on the sights they passed, she had not been in this part of the castle before and, like the information sponge that she was, found herself soaking up everything.
Before long they were waiting on the gargoyle twisting out of the way. Once it did, they climbed the stairs and with a booming 'Enter' from the other side of the door, walked into the headmaster's vast office.
"Mr Potter, Miss Granger, thank you for coming. I trust this meeting will be a touch less eventful than our last!" Dumbledore thought by addressing the erumpment in the room straight away, things could progress.
"Now, Mr Potter, firstly I wish to start off with an apology. As I have explained to Professor Flitwick, and no doubt he has explained to you, I am responsible for the safety of the castle and all of those in it." Harry nodded. "When your magic reacted to the attack on Miss Granger by the troll, we were all impressed, surprised and if I may be so bold as to say, concerned."
"Why were you worried, professor?" Hermione couldn't help herself. Dumbledore smiled, his observations suggested that she would be the more inquisitive of the two.
"When a student shows such strength of magic at such an early age, there is always a worry about control. Accidental magic can be destructive. My concern was in ensuring that Mr Potter had sufficient control of his mind and his magic as to negate the possibility of such."
"Then why not just ask me?" Harry's newly found instincts were on edge.
"A question I have been asked by more than one person. I should have, and for that I apologise."
"Why did you try to read my mind, headmaster?"
"I have just explained that Mr Potter."
"Forgive me sir, but you truly believe that's the only way to work out if someone is in control of their magic?"
"No it is not the only way, but it is the quickest. Obviously I did not know about your mental abilities. Would you be able to explain how you developed them?"
Harry shrugged. "I just picture something defending my mind." He was already mistrustful of the headmaster and wasn't planning on giving away anything more than he had to.
"That's quite a feat, Mr Potter."
Harry just shrugged again. "It seemed natural to me."
Dumbledore nodded. "Well, I of all people understand how magic can react, after all mine did the same, albeit with the benefit of years of training. I trust you are fully recovered?"
Harry nodded. Dumbledore was getting frustrated at the lack of response, but couldn't say too much with so many people in the room, and certainly would never attempt another legilimency probe.
"Well then, once again, I apologise for my part in these events once again. On a happier note, Yule will be upon us soon, may I ask your plans for the holiday? There will soon be notices going up asking for confirmation of those going home and those staying in the castle."
Harry paused. "I hadn't really thought about it to be honest." Hermione gave Flitwick a knowing look.
"Well, it's not a question which needs to be answered now Mr Potter" he interjected before Dumbledore could say anything. "You can mull it over until the notices go up."
The two children found themselves dismissed, leaving the half-goblin and the headmaster. "Why do you have such an interest in where Harry goes for Yule?"
"Please, Filius, I merely have his best interests at heart. He needs to be protected."
"Protected from what, exactly?"
"You well know that there are still those out there who have allegiance to the dark lord who, despite the many years of passing, have not forgotten his part in the downfall of Voldemort."
"That's centaurshit Albus. There were many people who fought against Voldemort, aurors, order members, why aren't they subject to the same crap that this poor boy is?"
Dumbledore took off his trademark half-moon glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "There is more going on that I can disclose at the moment, but rest assured, Harry remains a key figure in our society. "
"Miss Granger asked me about Harry's home life."
Dumbledore looked up. "And your response?"
"I didn't have one, she was making observations more than asking questions. She knows, Albus. Or at least she suspects, probably more than any of us do. She said she was going to ask her parents if Harry could go home with her."
"I am not sure that would be wise, Filius. Why did you not mention this to me earlier?"
"Why should I? Why is where one boy out of hundreds spends his break so important? If you ask me, it's exactly what Harry needs. The boy has had a time of it, Albus, and most of that falls at your door."
"Well, this is something to discuss, as you so eloquently said, when the notices are published."
The glasses went back on and Dumbledore's face assumed its normal inscrutable look. "Now, I believe we both have things to be getting on with?"
- OoOoOo -
It had been a good day for Storm Thorgerson. Classes were going well for the seventh year, and today was one with some free periods, which just happened to coincide with a rare free period for his girlfriend.
They had spent some time, wrapped up in warm cloaks and smothered in warming charms taking a walk along the edge of the black lake.
"How are your new guys settling in?" he had asked her.
"For the most part, pretty well. Amelia Bones niece is near the top of the year in charms from what I can gather, Longbottom is showing talent as a herbology prodigy, they have struck up a friendship with two of your lot."
"Yeah, I see Hermione studying with Bones when she's not with Potter. You've made quite an impression on her, by the way?"
"Me? How?"
"Well, capturing the heart of a certain quiddich star, curse-breaker, trouble magnet, defence…" Storm's light hearted banter got no further as he found himself being pushed by his laughing girlfriend.
"Shut it you, there's more to me than having the boyfriend with just about the most detentions in Hogwarts history!"
"I know, I was kidding. At the feast back in September, when Penelope pointed you out, she said you were beautiful and commented on your hair. I wholeheartedly agree, for what it's worth, when I also mentioned you were a potions superstar, she got even more interested."
Penny blushed at the praise. "I might just have to kiss you for that!"
"Wait, what. You need a reason now?" This drew more laughter from her.
"Shut up, prat! What about Harry? How's he settling in?"
Storm became serious. "There's something about that kid. I can't put my finger on it. He has this haunted look a lot of the time, it's subtle but if you know how to look, you can see it. Granger sees it even more clearly than I do. They are a good team."
"There have been all sorts of rumours about it. I know the troll thing is true, but the Hogwarts tentacula vine is saying that he was back in the infirmary just afterwards."
Storm nodded. "No one knows exactly what happened, but it's said that Dumbledore was there too. Some of the rumours are wild, saying that they duelled to a draw, that they were doing some kind of dark thing, others more reasonable like it was accidental magic."
"Poor kid, I wonder what his story is."
"Bad home life from what I can see. Makes him wary, I can see that easily enough, kinda reminds me of me in my first year."
"You were a bit wary of everything, but I get it."
They walked in silence for a while before Penny spoke again. "So, are you going to tell me what you have been up to when you have been sneaking out at nights?"
Storm stopped in his tracks. "Weh… who… what? How?"
Penny almost sniggered. "Just because you may have forgotten all the help we got from the portraits during the issue with Bea, I have not. I made friends with a bunch of them, and they keep me up to date with stuff that's going on. It's almost impossible to get from one end of Hogwarts to another without at least one portrait seeing you." Her eyes narrowed. "If you have been sneaking out to meet any other girls…"
He cut her off. "Absolutely not. Penny, by the end of 3rd year I knew that I liked you. By the end of 4th year, I knew I would never want anyone else. I promise you, I will make a wizards oath if I need to, I am not sneaking around to meet other witches. Or wizards for that matter!"
Penny looked relieved. "Ok, I believe you, but you still have explaining to do."
Storm looked around, somewhat needlessly, there was no one else anywhere to be seen. "There's something going on in that forbidden corridor. I know it. I've also seen two professors skulking around in the area."
"Which ones?" Penny couldn't help herself, if there was intrigue afoot, she wanted to know.
"Snape and Quirrell. Never at the same time though."
"What do you think they are up to?"
"I don't know, but I plan to find out. There's something afoot."
"You know when you say that, I can't help but picture you with a big handlebar mustache that you are madly twirling."
"Hey, if it's going to get you excited…"
"Shut it you!" Penny couldn't help but blush at her boyfriend's flirting. "What are you going to do? You are going to go rushing in like some kind of gods damned Gryffindor again aren't you, just like you have in first, second… well, you know, every year!"
"I'm going to find out, but I'm going to be careful. Snape doesn't like me already, he is pretty sure I'm going to ruin his favourite non-Slytherin potions goddess, Quirrell I don't think likes anyone. I don't know what happened to him when he was away for that year, but he's nothing like the man I remember from third year."
They resumed their walk, Storm knew that Penny was still mulling things over so attempted to change the topic. "First quidditch game of the year next week. The one time of the year we are not on the same side!"
Penny huffed. "It was me who got you going with quidditch if you haven't remembered. It's also what made us closer friends in the start!"
"I know, and I have not forgotten, but Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff on Sunday, you'll be shouting against me!"
Penny blushed. "Not necessarily."
Storm waggled an eyebrow at her. "You mean that someone from the house of the loyal will be cheering against their own team?" He said in mock shock.
"Prat. I will, as I always try to, stay as neutral as I can. Well, at least since 4th year. "
Storm stopped again, this time to wrap his girlfriend up in his arms and give her a loving, if chaste, kiss. "Penelope was right. You are far too good for me."
"I'm not going to argue" As this was said with another snigger, Storm didn't mind.
Another kiss followed before the two turned and walked off in another direction, seemingly on auto pilot, making their way toward the quidditch stadium.
As they approached, Penny was the first to see it. Off in the distance, almost camouflaged against the imposing walls of the quidditch stadium, a furtive looking character was apparently doing its best not to be noticed. She motioned to Storm who followed her gaze. "I wonder what that's all about?" he mused as the figure made its way back in the direction of the castle.
- OoOoO -
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, deep in contemplation. Harry Potter was proving to be something of an enigma. Dumbledore had expected the boy to arrive at Hogwarts full of wonder at the wizarding world, to be shy, retiring, to be looking for some guidance and to be a Gryffindor like his parents.
So far, he was at best half right in his assumption. Harry had arrived full of wonder and clearly shy, but striking up an instantly solid friendship on the train was not something he had considered. He had assumed that the young Harry would be shy enough to want to keep himself to himself. Being sorted into Ravenclaw was another shock. Dumbledore knew that both of Harry's parents were undoubtedly intelligent, his mother in particular was one of the best students to pass through Hogwarts doors in the past 50 years, but that the hat would discard generations of Potter Gryffindors stunned him.
Harry was certainly looking for guidance, but was getting it from places that the headmaster wouldn't have considered, assuming as he had that the boy would be in Minerva's house. Albus had deliberately steered Minerva's decision making regarding the Gryffindor prefects for the past three years to ensure that whilst the current crop were all perfectly adequate in the role with regard to rule enforcement and general help, any particular requests for guidance would be directed toward Minerva or himself.
Ravenclaw was a different beast altogether. The current crop of prefects for the Eagles were by far the most capable in the castle. Storm Thorgerson was head boy in all but name. Dumbledore considered the seventh year prefect. He was as brave as a Gryffindor, as loyal as a 'Puff and as his previous six years had shown as cunning and ambitious as any Slytherin. It was no surprise that his sorting had taken an extremely long time, only recently surpassed by the dual sorting of Harry and Hermione.
Miss Granger was proving to be another enigma. More than one of her teachers had commented on her innate ability to pick up their lessons well, her thirst for knowledge and her undoubted loyalty to one Harry Potter.
Contrary to popular belief, Hogwarts, particularly Dumbledore did show an interest in the scholastic efforts of their future muggleborn pupils before they entered the hallowed halls of the castle. Magic was a wondrous thing and could easily be used to help find out how the muggleborn students were progressing in their muggle schools. The results for Harry indicated that whilst he was clearly smart, he was not driven, lacked focus and did what needed to be done to get by, never looking to excel. Somewhere between the end of Primary Seven of his muggle school and the start of year one of Hogwarts this had changed. Dumbledore suspected that Hermione Granger was the driving force behind Harry's own rapid ascent up the academic league table. To be even considered for Ravenclaw Harry had to show intelligence, but the headmaster had no doubt that it was the young witch who was supplying the coat-tails that Harry was hanging on to.
He was drawn out of his musings by a knock at the door. A silent incantation changed one of the lenses of his glasses to a scrying glass, linked to an eye in one of the statues outside his door.
"Come in, Severus" he called out on seeing it was his potions master who was waiting to be let in.
"Headmaster" the sallow black-clad head of Slytherin. "I trust you have recovered from your adventure with our resident attention seeker."
Dumbledore raised an eye at Snape. "Let it go, Severus. I know how much you hated James Potter, but it does you no favours to visit the sins of the father upon his son."
Snape snorted. "Perhaps you have forgotten the indignities I had to suffer, I assure you I have not. Potter is too like his father, to the point of having his insufferable muggleborn shadow. At least his mother had…" he paused to collect his thoughts. "… a certain charm about her."
The headmaster shook his head. "I am aware of your history with both James and Lily, as well as the rest of their band. Tell me, Severus, how much of your animus toward the boy is borne of his father being who he was, or from his mother?" He held his hand up at Snape's look. "I have no wish to open old wounds, but it may be something you wish to contemplate."
"He's nothing like his mother. He has his father written all over him. You can't tell me that James bloody Potter would not be whooping with delight at his brat offspring banishing the troll or wounding you!"
"The troll was something to consider, I will give you that, the incident with me was something unexpected. I did not consider that Mr Potter would be able to recognise that I was attempting legilimancy, never mind be able to react against it. When his magic reacted to protect him, mine did the same. It is a lesson well learned."
"And another story for the famous boy-who-lived to add to his growing list" snarked Snape. "I wonder if he'll get another bloody book out of this."
"Severus, you are as aware as anyone that Mr Potter has nothing to do with the books which feature his name." The twinkle was back in the headmaster's eye. "They are entertaining however, and I understand fairly lucrative."
Snape just snorted and scowled. The headmaster continued. "You know how important Mr Potter is going to be in the years to come. You know my theories regarding Voldemort, you agree with them. It is imperative that you try to overcome your prejudices. Tell me, is Mr Potter disruptive in your class? Is he showing any signs of a lack of ability?"
Snape's scowl deepened. "I was admit that after an embarrassing start for him, he is performing… adequately although how much of that is his own meagre talent and how much of that is the hairy annoyance which seems to be joined to his hip. Certainly he's performing better than the near squib Longbottom or the walking disaster that is Weasley."
"It has been a portentous year already Severus. The first Potter to be sorted in to Ravenclaw, the first Longbottom and Weasley to be sorted into Hufflepuff. I fully expected them all to be in Gryffindor, as I have long said. Miss Granger is where I anticipated her being."
"What does this mean for your plans moving forward?"
"In the short term, not much. The first year was always going to be one of learning for all of us, I see no need to change that." Dumbledore sighed. "I have been considering how these changes from what I anticipated may tie into the prophecy. It will be something I need to continue considering."
- OoOoO -
As the various conversations throughout the castle were continuing, Storm and Penny had found themselves on the track to Hagrid's garden. It was somewhere special to both of them, when they first dated they had spent time on impromptu dates in the garden. Hagrid was well aware of the popularity of his little patch for young lovers to escape to, and provided nothing untoward took place, he didn't mind.
It endeared him to many, as did his genial nature and genuine, if simple, sense of humour. When Penny suggested paying him a visit, Storm happily agreed and they walked up to the oversized hut which served as Hagrid's home.
"Storm! Penny! Good teh see yeh! Been a while!"
"Hey Hagrid, yeah, sorry, NEWT year and all that, it's been hectic."
"It's alrigh' Storm, I know yer busy wi' studying. You too Penny, Fang misses yeh, yeh always seem t'get the right spot when yer scratching 'is ears!"
"How have you been Hagrid? I keep waiting on you coming up to me to help with misplaced doxies, or missing bowtruckles!" Storm said with a laugh.
"Heh, we've had an adventure or two over the years, eh. I'll miss yeh when the two of yeh graduate. That's the way of life though eh. Yeh spend yer seven years here and then yeh move on."
"I think you'll still see us after we graduate Hagrid" piped up Penny. "I'm considering a mastery in potions with an advancement in herbology to support it, I always think the two should be more closely related anyway, so if I'm accepted, I will be back in the castle a couple of times a month to speak to professors Snape and Sprout."
"I allus knew yeh were somethin' special Penny." The half giant was blushing himself at giving the praise. Penny smiled at him.
"I've been keeping an eye on a little friend of yours" said Storm. "Harry Potter."
Hagrid's eyes lit up. "How's 'Arry doing? Yeh know, Dumbledore let me go and give 'im 'is letter. Great man, Dumbledore. First time I'd seen 'Arry since the night I dropped him off at… Eh…. Never mind. I shouldn' 'ave said that."
"Dropped him off where?" Storm was intrigued.
"Never mind abou' that. In the past. How's Arry getting on? I'd 'oped to see 'im down 'ere."
"He's had some adventures of his own, there was a thing with a troll and then something else which caused him a trip to the infirmary, so I guess he's just been really busy with one thing or another. I'll tell him you were asking for him though, maybe I'll bring him down when he's got a half hour."
Hagrid smiled at Storm. "Tha' would be great Storm, thanks!"
Storm looked around the hut. It was quintessentially 'Hagrid'. As he looked around, he spotted a smouldering bundle off in the far corner, away from the window.
"Hagrid" he asked, pointing. "What is that?"