AN: 1. English isn't my mother tongue, so please expect some mistakes.

2. This is my first story ever, so please leave comments. I appreciate fair comments.

3. I don't own Harry Potter or anything in the Wizarding World. I merely play in its sandpit.

Chapter IV

It was quite some time later, when Harry looked up from his book. The train had been moving for an hour or so and it seemed, as if his locking charm had successfully prevented anyone from disturbing him. After a noisy period around 11am, the corridor outside his compartment was rather empty. There, naturally, wasn't much traffic, simply because he sat in the last compartment of the last wagon. It was nice and quiet.

Until he heard fast approaching footsteps, that is.

Trying, to enter his compartment were two girls similar to his age. The first one was very pretty: a brunette with shoulder long hair. The second girl was the single most beautiful girl, he'd ever seen. Not that he'd seen many girls, but still.

When Harry had composed himself, he noticed the rather distressed looks on the girls faces. They seemed desperate, like they were trying to escape some kind of monster. He'd notice later that term, just how right he was.

Not able, to understand the hushed conversation, the Potter Heir decided, to give it a shot. Maybe he could make some friends.

After cancelling the charms, he earlier had cast, Harry stood and opened the door.

"Hello, Ladies. Do you wish, to come in?", he began with an amused smile.

"Merlin be thanked.", the brunette exclaimed. "Please. We need to hide."

"That was my assumption, exactly", he told them, while ushering them inside.

He pointed his ebony wand at the door, redoing the charms, after he'd flicked it into his hand. Finishing he slid it back into the holster and turned around, to where the girls were standing.

[++++++++++]

While Daphne raised an eyebrow, Tracey's mouth fell open, eyes wide.

"Did you…", Tracey swallowed. "Did you just…?"

"Lock the door and charmed it, to be see through from this side?", the boy interrupted her, shrugging. "Yes.", he concluded, not waiting for an answer.

"Silently…", she mumbled. "We won´t learn that until sixth year."

Before, anybody could say something else, they heard more footsteps. Three boys were standing in front of the door, trying to open it, much like she and Tracey had only a minute earlier. Outside of the compartment stood Draco Malfoy and his two lackeys Crabbe and Goyle. One of the two, Daphne could never tell, who was who, had found them and went straight to Draco. The Malfoy Heir wanted to approach her, she assumed, clearly thinking she was already his.

Tracey had took her hand and pulled her through the train, trying, to find a spot to hide. Fortunately, this guy had let them in. Hopefully he wasn't the same kind of moron.

While Daphne mused, the boy had, once again, charmed the door. Making it easier, to eavesdrop, what the three boys were saying.

"I saw them leaving in this direction, I swear.", one of them said.

"Well somewhere, they have to be. This compartment has already been locked at half past ten, when I arrived.", Draco replied through his gritted teeth.

When the other two answered, by dumbly scratching their heads, Draco shoved them back in the direction they came from. "You two morons overlooked them, while checking the compartments.", they heard Draco snarl, before they were out of reach.

After a moment of silence, their saviour spoke up. " Well, that was rather interesting. Friends of yours?"

"Not exactly.", Daphne replied with narrowed eyes.

Only now, she had the muse, to take in the boy's appearance. He, too, was a first year, even though he was taller than most of their year mates. His raven hair was tied back in a man bun. It rather looked handsome, Daphne thought. Wearing a black muggle suit, he must come from a wealthy family. Especially, when concerning the quality of his clothes. The fact, that he wore a muggle suit and that she didn't recognise him, had to mean, that he wasn't a pureblood.

The most dashing thing about his appearance, were his eyes. The emerald orbs, she thought, she could get lost in, without a doubt, were currently twinkling in amusement. For a few moments green met blue, as Daphne and the boy locked eyes. She felt, like his emeralds could look straight into he soul.

What Daphne didn't know, was that he had the exact same thoughts about her.

Tracey cleared her throat and they, quickly looked away.

"So.", he began. "Would you two tell me your names? I think, with my heroic rescue, I earned the right, to know", the boy shot a lopsided grin.

"Well.", Tracey said. "That you have. My name is Tracey and this ambassador of happiness,", she pointed at her. "is Daphne." The Greengrass Heiress couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes.

The boy bowed slightly. "Not, by chance, Heiress Greengrass and Heiress Davis?" That caused Daphne, to, again, raise an eyebrow.

"Why, yes.", Daphne replied, before Tracey could. "I didn´t expect, you to recognise us by our first names, as I didn´t take you for a pureblood."

"Not, that we´d believe in the stupid blood-purity things.", Tracey added under her breath and he smiled.

"That´s because I am no pureblood.", he stated. "But I've been raised as the heir of a Ancient and Noble Family. My name is Hadrian Potter. You can call me Harry, though." Now, not only Tracey's mouth fell open.

Said girl was the first of them, to recover. "But…but, you haven´t been seen publicly for ten years. You haven´t got the scar, as it´s said, you'd have."

Potter chuckled, waving his hand over his face. "But I have the scar, it's concealed. See?" He waved his hand again and the scar, that was there for a few moments, faded. "I didn't want to attract too much attention."

"Well, Potter.", Daphne started, after recovering from the revelation and the fact, that he could do wandless magic, too. "I think, your quiet life is about to end."

He sighed. "Please call me Harry. And I think, you're right." Under his breath, Potter added: "I don't see Dumbledore leaving me alone."

"What was that with Dumbledore?", she asked.

"Nothing much.", came his quick reply. "So what's your problem with this ponce and his two gorillas?", Potter. No, Harry asked. It wouldn't be bad, to be on his good side, Daphne mused.

"He has taken a, rather unhealthy interest in Daphne here."

"Tracey!", Daphne yelled. Turning to Harry, she lied: "It's no big deal. Nothing I can't handle."

He raised his eyebrow, but remained silent.

The three of them spent the rest of the trip either reading or with small talk. Harry had offered them some books, as they´d left their luggage in another compartment. Only one more time had somebody trying to enter, as the newest Weasley in Hogwarts seemed, to look for someone. When the train reached Hogsmeade, Tracey and Daphne thanked Harry and left to throw on their robes.

They, together with all the other first year students, were summoned by a huge man. Must be a half-giant or something, Daphne thought. When she and Tracey sat in one of the many boats, for them to cross the lake on, she gasped.

Draco had spotted them and was on his way, to claim the last spot on their boat as he suddenly tripped, fell and landed flat on his face. All the students around burst into laughter. All, except Harry, who only smirked, as she shot him a questioning look.

As the red faced Malfoy Heir currently was busy, screaming at the people around him, a bushy-haired girl took the spot on their boat.

"Hi, my name is Hermione Granger, who are you? I'm so excited, that I read Hogwarts: A History three times. I want to become a Gryffindor, just like Albus Dumbledore." She began to ramble and Daphne and Tracey, simultaneously rolled their eyes.

[++++++++++]

Albus Dumbledore was excited. Today was the day, he'd been awaiting for such a long time. He would start gaining the trust of young Harry. Bit by bit, Albus would show him, that Voldemort in fact was not dead but a threat nonetheless. That his new Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor was possessed by Tom, only help his cause.

A couple of galleons a month were enough, to make sure, that the youngest Weasley-offspring would befriend Harry and could help him on the Stone's tracks. Ron already had approached him on the train, Albus had told him so. Later, their friendship should be helpful, too, as he still needed legal access, to the Potter's possessions.

Harry would want to find out, about what was hidden in the third floor and would begin, to suspect, that someone would try to steal the Sorcerer's Stone. Albus would have to make sure, that Harry didn't receive any help from the staff of course, so that he'd have to act himself. That wasn't a problem, as Minerva and the rest of the professors always would do, what he said was best.

After realizing, that Tom was alive, Harry would come to him for guidance and Albus, easily, could regain Harry's and, in extend, the Potters' trust, to fulfil his goals.

Another source, for gaining control over Harry was Severus Snape. Albus knew, that the man had loathed James Potter and would do the same to Harry. He'd start harassing the Potter Heir beginning with his first Potions class and after Harry'd complain about the Potions Professor, Albus would mildly punish Severus, what would gain more of Harry's trust.

Yes life was good for the Headmaster. If only he knew.

[++++++++++]

Harry followed Minerva into the Hogwarts great hall. Currently, he was well hidden in the middle of a crowd of first year students, which were far to astounded of their surroundings, to notice his identity. But Daphne had been right: as soon, as Minerva would read out his name, he'd have to deal with all the stupid attention. Harry sighted.

While he heard a annoying girl with brown, bushy hair tell all the others about the floating candles and the charmed ceiling of the hall, they reached their destination and stood in front of the head table.

Albus Dumbledore was looking at him, that was easy, to see. So Harry did his best, to remain inconspicuous for as long, as he could.

What followed, was a rather boring song of the Sorting Hat and Minerva calling out name after name. He only payed attention a few times. So he noticed Tracey and Daphne both being sorted into Slytherin. He hoped, they had no issues, being friend with someone from another house, as he had no intention, to become a Slytherin.

The annoying girl had been sorted shortly before Daphne and became a Gryffindor. He rolled his eyes at that. The Longottom Heir, too, became a Gryffindor. Harry had to speak with the chubby boy soon, as their parents were friends. He, also, would make a good ally in the schools hierarchy.

The blonde sod, Harry found out, was the Malfoy Heir, too was sorted into Slytherin. His cunning remained to be seen, though.

Finally, Minerva called him. "Potter, Hadrian."

Reluctantly, not wanting, to feel everyone's gaze upon him, he moved forward, to sit on the wooden stool. Minerva then placed the hat on his head.

"Ah!", the hat exclaimed. "A Potter, I always liked you mischievous lot." Harry snorted at that.

"Well, young man, I can feel traits of all our founder's liking in you. Cunning as Salazar and Smart, as Rowena. Loyal as Helga, too.'', the hat grimaced slightly, before continuing. ''Concerning only your loved ones, though. Even Godric would welcome you into his House, as your courage is outstanding, when needed."

After a pause, the old hat continued. "For your thoughts, concerning my newest artistic masterpiece, I am very tempted, to sort you into Slytherin. But your plans are different, I understand?"

"Yes.", Harry thought to the hat, for the first time. "Am I right, that nobody can get out of you, what you learn of me?"

"You are right, young man. Not even the Headmaster.", came the reply.

"Well, you, too, are right.", Harry began. "As tempted, as I am, to join the snakes, if only, to fuck up Dumbledore, I need Minerva's protection and influence. The best place for that is the lions' den."

The hat chuckled. "Ah, it has been far to long, since someone was confident enough, to play Dumledore's game. I wish you fortune, Hadrian Potter." With that being said, it boomed: "GRYFFINDOR!"

As he stood and slightly turned, he could see the Headmaster's smirk. Harry already started, to love playing the old fool.

[++++++++++]

Later that night, Harry was lying in his bed in the boy's first year dorm, he started, to plan his search for his family's heirlooms.

FLASHBACK:

In the weeks after his and his grandmother's trip to Godric's Hollow, Harry would read the newfound journals.

First he read about an invisibility cloak, his father had. After asking Charlus, he knew, it had been a special cloak, owned by the Potters for many centuries. Charlus had suspected, that the cloak had been destroyed during Voldemort's attack and had therefor never brought it up.

The second heirloom was called the Maurauder's Map. His father, Sirius and their friends had created it during their time at Hogwarts. It apparently showed everybody's position in the castle in real time. As he read that, he could recall Sirius mentioning a map for a few times in his stories. Padfoot then told him, the rat had lost it in their sixth year to the caretaker.

It wasn't until two days before his departure to Hogwarts, that Harry read, that the cloak wasn´t lost. His father had loaned it to Dumbledore and they'd never gotten it back.

FLASHBACK END

To find the cloak would be easy. Only accessing it, would be difficult. It was for sure in Dumbledor's office.

The map was another story. He'd have, to start his search in Filch's office. Harry had thought about asking Minerva for help, but didn't believe she'd appreciate, if he had such a thing.

After a few more minutes of pondering, he drifted off to sleep.

[++++++++++]

The next day at breakfast, Harry was approached by his Head of House.

"Ah, yes.", Minerva began. "Here is your timetable, Mr. Potter. If you have any questions, feel free to stay behind after our Transfiguration lesson later." With that, she left. Harry knew, she implied, that they'd talk about his independent studying then.

Humming, he resumed his breakfast at the end of the Gryffindor table. He was trying, to stay out of the spotlight, as much, as he could. Not that it worked overly good, but a boy could dream.

Looking down the table, he spotted Neville Longbottom and reminded himself, to soon approach the shy boy.

[++++++++++]

An hour later, Harry reached Snape's Potions classroom. He read all, what his mother had to say about the Potions Master and wasn't impressed. Snape's hatred for his father, he could understand, concerning their rather tense relationship during school, but fancying himself his mother's friend and then calling her mudblood and harassing her, was unforgivable. For Harry, it was a very rare and special thing, to call somebody a friend. He couldn't imagine betraying that trust.

While he mused, he saw Daphne and Tracey approaching. Closely followed by Malfoy and his goons. This time, the girls were saved from Malfoy's advances, as he spotted Harry, who inwardly sighed.

"So, you are Harry Potter", the Malfoy Heir began. "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. You surely know that already."

"Yes, I know that.", Harry began calmly. "But you, clearly don't know me. My name is Hadrian Potter. Harry is for people, I like." Malfoy's face flushed in anger and Harry smirked. Tracey had to stifle a laugh.

They were spared a reply, as Snape rounded the corner. "Potter, you can make friends with Mr. Malfoy later. Now go inside. All of you." With a wave of his wand, the door to his classroom flew open.

What followed, was a round of OWL-level questions, Snape asked Harry, to embarrass him. To the Potions Master's displeasure, he could answer them correctly. Harry' embarrassment began later, though, as they started brewing and Snape didn't once leave the Potter Heir's personal space. Due to the distraction, his potion didn't turn out very good.

As the class was over, Harry left for Transfiguration and reached the classroom first. With the door already open, he entered, to find a cat sitting on the teacher's desk. He quickly recognized Minerva, not only due to her spectacle-markings but due to her smell, too. Grinning, Harry sat in the front row.

A few minutes later, the first other students entered the room. Again, the Gryffindors were paired with the Slytherins. When Daphne and Tracey entered, the later pulled the former to the table next to Harry's.

"Potions could quickly get your favourite subject, don't you think?", Daphne smirked.

"Not everybody has brewing in his genes, like the Greengrasses.", Harry replied, amused. "But you're right. I never liked it. The theory is one thing, but I've always been absolute crap at the actual brewing. It didn't help, though, that Snape' breath tickled the hair on my neck"

Any dialogue in the room died instantly, as a shouting Ron Weasley entered. Behind him strode Draco Malfoy.

"Shut the fuck up, Malfoy!", Weasley shouted. "I told you, not to insult Hermione!"

"What? Only because I called you blood traitor and her mudblood, that doesn't mean, it's an insult.", Malfoy shrugged, smirking. "I was merely stating the truth."

Then, Weasley spotted Harry. "Harry, mate. Help me here. Your mother was a muggleborn, too."

"Yes.", Harry replied calmly. "She was, but that doesn't mean, I have to involve myself in a stupid, meaningless fight between you two. There are better ways, to stop the prejudices against muggleborns." Giving Malfoy a thoughtful look, he continued: "And I think, Professor McGonagall is more, than capable, to make sure, Malfoy learns, not to insult other people."

Frowning, Weasley replied: "Yeah, but she isn't here, is she?"

Now, Harry grinned widely. "Oh, I think, you'll notice any moment, that she is."

With that, the cat jumped from the desk and turned into Minerva in mid air. As it was rather surprising and clearly dramatical, most of the room gasped.

"Show-off.", Harry mumbled under his breath. Minerva was the only one, to hear it, due to her improved hearing. Harry realized that too late and grimaced, as she shot him a raised eyebrow. Luckily, she said nothing, as she turned to Malfoy and Weasley. Both had become very pale.

"Mr. Malfoy.", she began, her lips a very thin line. "I think, you'll find that Mr. Potter here is quite right. That will be ten points from Slytherin and two day's of detention with Mr. Filch. I think, we have quite a few trophies, won by muggleborns, which could use some polishing." Weasley laughed at that, so Minerva turned to him. "As noble, as it is, to defend fellow students, Mr. Weasley, it doesn't mean, you have to pick up fights. I will take five points from Gryffindor."

As she made her way, to her desk, she saw Harry and added: "Oh and five points to Gryffindor, for recognizing a very advanced branch of Transfiguration. Care to explain, what I did earlier?"

Harry smiled and nodded. "You are an animagus. Animagi are witches or wizards with the ability, to turn into their inner animal. It is similar, to self-transfiguration but not the same, as for example, you don't need a wand or even a spell, to transform. Not every magical person has an inner animal, therefor, animagi are very rare. Too, after you found your inner animal, it takes even the most advanced witches and wizards years, to achive. You are one of under fifty animagi, currently registered at the Ministry, I believe" With an innocent smile, he added:." And because, it's law, to be registered, there surely are not more of them."

Minerva, clearly not surprised, nodded at his explanation. "Take another five points for an excellent explanation of very advanced material, Mr. Potter."

As she wrote down the transfiguration-formula on the board, Tracey leaned over to Harry and asked: "How do you know that stuff?"

He shrugged and whispered back: "My Dad was an animagus and I read much."

Later, they should transfigure matchsticks into needles. Harry was bored, as he was years ahead in his studies. At Minerva's encouraging nod, he, silently and all at one time, turned a few matchsticks into needles. She couldn't appear, to favour him.

Daphne struggled, though, but he didn't want to offer help in class. She wouldn't take it well, he suspected.

As Minerva ended their first class, he turned to the blond girl next to him. "You know, I could use some pointers in brewing and would be honoured, to have your help.", he quietly began, smiling. "I could repay the favour with Transfiguration, if you want."

After scowling, she gave him a small smile. "I'd like that, but where do we go? We hardly can brew in an unused classroom."

"I'll think of something and let you know.", Harry said quickly, as Minerva was waiting, to discuss his self studying.

With a nod, Daphne and Tracey left.