Harry was strung up by his wrists and Ginny was next to him. He looked around and saw Quirrell inspecting the Mirror of Erised, Voldemort's head sticking out from the back of his.
But wait, didn't this happen, like, two months ago? He was supposed to be at The Burrow, wasn't he? He'd been loving the past few weeks. Was it all a dream?
He looked to his side and saw Ginny struggling to get free. But before he could call her, he heard Quirrell say something.
Quirrell had his wand pointed at the Mirror, and he fired a spell at it. The purple jet of light collided with the Mirror, turning it into dust. Dumbledore's protection had been destroyed.
He saw Quirrell raise his arm and squeeze the stone near Voldemort's mouth, almost like a fruit. Some liquid spilled out of the stone, and Voldemort drank it with the vigor of someone who hadn't drank water in years.
Immediately, Quirrell's body started to change. He became taller, his shoulders turned more defined, and Voldemort's face, which had been taking up the back, was now in the front. Quirrell was gone.
Voldemort turned to him, red eyes boring into his, and suddenly, he was lying on his back, no longer in the room with the Mirror; instead, he was in a crib.
The red eyes were still boring into his, though. And Harry saw a wand pointed at him, a green light forming at the tip of it…
Harry woke up with a gasp, sweating, and panting. Ginny was kneeling beside his bed, a hand on his shoulder. He groaned at the realization of what was happening. "For fuck's sake, that's the fourth time this week!"
It was a Nightmare. He and Ginny had been having them since the end of July. It was were the first week of August now, and they hadn't stopped and showed no intentions of doing so.
It'd started for Ginny first. Harry wasn't able to sleep, so he'd gone downstairs to get some air when he heard a voice mutter, "No, please"
He immediately opened the door to Ginny's room and ignoring everything else, he shook her awake, and she hugged him tightly, babbling incoherently, and crying.
After he'd got her to calm down, she'd admitted to having a nightmare. His own started two nights after.
"I'm not doing any better than you," Ginny said.
"You too?" He asked sadly.
She nodded. "I knew I wasn't going to get any sleep, so I came to check on you"
That was something else they did. Neither of them was comfortable talking to anyone else, so they cast a Muffliato over their rooms. They found that they could listen in to the others' Muffliato if they were holding their respective wand. Harry just assumed it was a Brother Wand thing. Them trying to help their owners.
"Thanks" Harry responded. "What time is it?"
"6:00"
Harry sighed. "Shit. Right, well… I'm gonna get some Potions reading done. You wanna join?"
She nodded. "I'll get my stuff," she said and left.
Mrs. Weasley came to their rooms a few hours later, to find them both passed out. Ginny was lying on her side on the floor, her Charms text in front of her, and Harry was spread out on the bed, lying face down.
Harry and Ginny were both looking drowsy when they came downstairs for Breakfast, and their mood didn't show any signs of improving, even despite the jokes the twins were making. Everyone had noticed that there was something wrong with them over the past week, but no one had commented on it.
Suddenly, an owl tapped at the window. Mrs. Weasley got up and went to receive the envelopes it was carrying. She looked at the envelope as the owl flew off, and said, "These are your book lists from Hogwarts. Ron, your Hogwarts letter is here too"
She distributed them, and Harry saw Ron eagerly tear into the envelope. He smiled at the scene, remembering his own reluctance to trust Dumbledore back then.
Harry shook his head in an effort to clear the memories of that day, memories of the Dursleys, ones he was desperately trying to bury and leave behind
Ginny nudged his foot with hers. He turned to her and saw that her eyebrows were raised in silent question and concern. He shook his head with a small smile, indicating he was fine. Which, he wasn't, but that wasn't the point.
Harry opened his own letter and started reading.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY.
COURSE BOOKS.
All students should have, at least, one copy of the following books
The Standard Book of Spells (Year 2) by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Almost every single one of them was by Gilderoy Lockhart, so Harry assumed he must be quite the Author. They sounded like Defense textbooks, and Harry liked the subject, despite the horrendous teacher they had last year.
"Can I take a look at that?" Fred asked.
"Sure," Harry said and handed him the list.
"Huh," Fred said. "Take a look at this George, they've got Lockhart's books too" Fred handed Harry his letter back after George finished reading it and turned to Percy.
But Percy was staring at something else. He was holding a Silver and Gold badge in the shape of an H. Harry realized it was the Head Boy's badge.
"Oh, congratulations Percy," Molly cried. The rest of the family and Harry added their own congratulations. Not even the Twins teased him for once, knowing how much this meant to him.
"Thanks, guys," he said, and promptly put it onto his robes. He saw Ginny smile fondly at the scene.
"Okay, everyone. We're going to Diagon Alley soon, so finish up your breakfast. I want you all ready to leave by 10" Mrs. Weasley said.
"Do you know who Gilderoy Lockhart is?" Harry asked Ginny a few minutes later when she finished her plate.
"Some wizard mum has a crush on" Ginny replied. Harry gawked at her, but before he could say anything, he heard Mrs. Weasley's annoyed voice.
"I do not, Ginny!" She cried, folding her arms over her chest.
"Of course not, mum" Ginny replied, an innocent tone to her voice. "You only own all of his books and his Witch Weekly's"
"T-That's quite enough, now," Mrs. Weasley said, her face red from embarrassment. "Go up to your room and get ready, we have to leave soon"
"Yes, mum" she replied, with a small smile.
Once they were both far enough away- he'd gone up with her- she burst out laughing. "Did you see Mum's face? It's like she thought that I actually thought that she actually fancied him"
"I dunno, Ginny,'' Harry said. "She just might. I mean, dilated pupils, flushed cheeks, you and I both know what that means"
She nodded slowly, "Explosive Diarrhoea," Ginny said.
"Exac- Wait, what?" He backtracked when he realized what she said. He gaped at her and she stared back at him for three full seconds before snorting and giving in to her giggles
"Your face!" She gasped through her laughter.
"Very funny" he commented dryly.
"I thought so," she giggled. "You know what this means, right?"
Harry sighed, he was hoping to avoid this. They had a pact, whenever one of them got the other like this, they would have to do a dare. "Shit. I was hoping you forgot like last time"
She grinned at him. "Can't get lucky all the time, Potter"
Harry made his way downstairs five minutes later, his trunk and everything else he usually carried, tucked into the pockets of his robe, and his scar hidden by concealer that he'd borrowed from Mrs. Weasley.
Since they were already going into Diagon Alley, he reckoned he could get some shopping done, too. Transfigured clothes could only last for so long, after all.
Ginny came down not long after. "Oh, good," Mrs. Weasley said. "We can leave now," Harry noticed that there was an excited tone to her voice.
"Okay," Ginny whispered to Harry "I know you were joking, but should I be concerned?"
"I don't know, to be honest," Harry responded, lost in his own mind. He was rather nervous about using the Floo for the first time. He didn't want to get lost on his first trip via Floo.
"It'll be ok," Ginny said. "You can't be anywhere near as bad as I am"
"That's a comfort," Harry said, walking forward and taking the Floo Powder. Everyone else except Mrs. Weasley had already left.
He took the powder and stepped into the Fireplace. He took a deep breath, called out "Diagon Alley", focusing on the Public Floos there, and threw the powder down.
Traveling by Floo felt a lot like apparition, except you didn't feel like you were being squeezed through a thin pipe, and there was a warm sensation around him.
He tumbled out of a Fireplace and fell face first on the ground. "Ow," he groaned.
He opened his eyes to find Percy offering him a hand up. He grasped it and got to his feet. "First Floo trips are always rough," Percy said.
"How are you hiding your scar?" Ron asked Harry.
Harry closed his eyes in annoyance, he was hoping to avoid this question. Especially now, because the twins were listening attentively.
"Concealer," He answered warily.
"Concealment Charm?" Percy asked. "That's advanced Magic, it's taught in Sixth Year"
"Not a Concealment Charm," Harry said. "It's concealer"
"Wait," Fred said. "You mean like the ones Mum uses?"
Harry sighed, and ran his fingers through his now long hair. "Yes," He muttered.
The Twins laughed, "Why would you ever put that on you?" George asked him.
"The last time I didn't, I would've gotten mobbed by the press. I had to unknowingly go into Knockturn Alley to avoid them," Harry said.
The Weasleys winced and nodded, probably remembering the incident from last summer.
"It can't be all bad though, can it?" Ron asked tentatively. "All that Money and Fame" he added dreamily.
"Believe me, Ron," Harry said. "It is considerably worse than what you're expecting or imagining it to be. I mean, sure, the money's handy to have, but I only have it because my parents died. If you had a choice between Family and Money, what would you choose?"
"Family," Ron answered slowly, registering what Harry was trying to say.
Harry nodded, but further conversation was cut off by Mrs. Weasley and Ginny calling their names.
"How was your trip?" Ginny asked him a while later in the apothecary. Mrs. Weasley was low on ingredients.
"I fell face first on the ground," he deadpanned.
"Ouch," Ginny said, wincing in sympathy. "I was thrown across the floor, the first time"
"We do make for powerful Warlocks, don't we?" He asked quietly. She laughed as Mrs. Weasley paid the attendant, and led them out of the store.
"Where to now, mother?" Percy asked.
"Now, we get you your robes, go to Gringotts, and then Flourish and Blotts" Mrs. Weasley replied.
That made Harry think about the fact that he practically needed a whole new wardrobe. Boy, this was going to be a long day.
Madam Malkin's was just as Harry remembered it to be. A large open white space, with tons and tons of clothes on shelves and tables, along with a few mannequins wearing some. These mannequins were also enchanted to move in different poses.
He was getting himself measured, again. He would've preferred to be with the Weasleys in the second-hand section, but there were no Slytherin robes there, and he wasn't about to buy any t-shirts here. They weren't exactly the best.
"Potter" He heard Draco Malfoy's voice a few minutes later.
He whirled around, ignoring the attendant's surprised sound.
"May we speak?" Malfoy asked in… was that a polite tone? Despite his surprise, Harry nodded. Especially because it might be a good way to get more information on Dobby's warning. "Privately" Malfoy added.
Draco had continued to be an annoying ponce to them at School. But his demeanor seemed different now. Less brattish. Harry had no doubts that Draco would be an arsehole at Hogwarts but that didn't mean Harry couldn't be civil in public.
Harry followed him to a somewhat deserted corner, before saying, "What do you want to talk about?"
Draco sighed. "Use that spell of yours first"
Harry frowned. "I know dozens of spells, Malfoy. Do you mind specifying your request?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I know you know spells. Boy-Who-Lived and all that tripe. No need to rub it in"
Harry turned and started walking away when he heard Draco call "Wait, Potter"
He stopped, but didn't turn back, he looked over his shoulder "What?"
Draco walked closer to him. "Use the one you use when you and Weaslette are having a private conversation"
Harry turned fully to him now, and raised an eyebrow. "How exactly do you know about this spell?" If he knew, then that meant that others knew, and if others knew, that meant that there could be a counter-charm to it. Something Harry desperately hoped wouldn't come to pass.
Thankfully, his fears were unfounded. "I try to eavesdrop into your conversations. Happy?" Draco said.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Not particularly," he slowly replied.
"Well, too bad," Draco responded. "Because I've got to warn you about something"
Harry sighed, he had a feeling he knew what this was about already, but cast the spell regardless. He had his wand in the holster at all times, though.
"Go on," Harry said to him.
"There's something happening at Hogwarts-" Malfoy said. But before he could say anything else, Harry cut him off.
"Yeah, I know. Something hazardous to Muggleborns" He said. "Your elf told me"
Draco nodded. "Yes, Dobby told me he did. And your accusation. I didn't send Dibby. But he also said that you didn't look like you cared much for the warning.
Harry tilted his head to the side "And since when, exactly, did Draco Malfoy start caring about the Muggleborns"
Draco scoffed "As if. No, I'm only telling you this because you and Weaslette have a… history, shall we say"
"What does that mean?" Harry asked, his face completely blank. Internally, he was worried, he didn't know Malfoy kept an eye on him and Ginny. What else did Malfoy know about them?
"You two break the rules and stop… 'bad things'... from happening" Draco said. "The Troll, Quirrel… ring any bells?"
Of course, it did. "Still. Why tell me?" He asked.
"Because when Father spoke to me, he seemed worried. Father doesn't get worried. I mean, ever. So, knowing your history, I thought you would be the best bet. After Dumbledore, of course" Draco finished.
Harry blinked. "You told Dumbledore?" He asked incredulously. Draco's dislike/hatred of Dumbledore was well known throughout the Dungeons. The words "Muggle loving fool of a Headmaster" had been uttered and heard many times
"I may hate him, but even I know that he cares for the students," Draco replied. "And it's basic self-preservation. Father seemed worried for my safety, so I need to ensure that me and my friends are safe. Despite outward appearances, I actually do care for Crabbe and Goyle"
Harry snorted and Draco cracked a small smile. Then, as though just remembering they were enemies, they scowled at each other.
"I'm not promising anything. But I think I will look into it. Especially because of Devon" he said the last part mostly to himself, but Draco seemed to hear him anyway, if the disgusted expression on his face was anything to go by.
"What are you doing with a Malfoy!?" Ron yelled.
Harry closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. Great, this was exactly what he needed right now, an interruption by Ron Weasley. He was a good guy, but his views were rather… black and white. It was either good or bad, Weasley or Malfoy. There was no gray area for him.
Opening his eyes, he saw Ginny was with Ron, looking confused. Draco looked Ron up and down. "Charming" Draco said, nodded at Ginny, then at Harry and turned to walk away.
Harry grabbed his arm, "If I find out you're lying. And this is just some bogus trap to get us killed…" Harry trailed off, hoping the boy would get the meaning
"How stupid do you think I am, Potter?" Draco asked.
"Do you want an honest answer to that?" Harry shot back.
Draco got out of Harry's grip, glared at him and walked away. Harry stayed where he was, but called out "Draco"
The boy in question turned back to Harry, "What is it, Potter? I'm short on time"
"Thanks for the warning," he said, pushing aside his irritation.
Draco blinked in surprise, but nodded back to him, and left without another word. Ron immediately came face to face with him. "Well? Are you gonna answer my question, or do you wanna chase after your new snake friend?"
Harry laughed. It was the most ridiculous thing he could have done at that moment, but he couldn't help himself. Ron looked about ready to hit him, Ginny still had no idea what was going on. She knew Harry, which was why he suspected she wasn't joining her brother.
"What!? You think this is funny, do you!?" Ron was getting redder and redder, and Harry saw Ginny add her own Muffliato around their area.
"Yes, actually. It's funny how you and Malfoy hate each other, but you're still so similar" Harry said through his chuckles.
"Harry, you're doing that thing again" Ginny said. The 'Thing' was when he would laugh at the most absurd situations without giving anyone around him any semblance of proper context. Ginny got his jokes sometimes, but she was as clueless as the others for the rest of them.
"Right. Well, you know how Malfoy's prejudiced towards Muggleborns, right?" Harry asked Ginny. She nodded. "Well, Ron here has the same prejudice. It's just directed towards the Slytherins"
Ginny's eyebrows raised. "He does have a valid reason for it, though. With the exception of you, Jessica, and Devon, most other Slytherins are total arseholes"
"Sure, but still. You never know where the good ones are" Harry said. Ginny shrugged in agreement. Ron turned to her like she had grown two heads..
"You can't be serious," Ron said.
"Well, not all Slytherins are evil. I mean look at Harry" Ginny said, gesturing to him. Harry adopted the most innocent expression and smile on his face, looking every bit the "Polite young man" Mrs. Weasley frequently called him. Ginny laughed at the sight.
"What did Malfoy want with you?" Ron asked.
"It's none of your concern, Ron," Harry said cautiously. He and Ginny had agreed not to tell anyone else except Dumbledore when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley only told them to keep their heads down. At the same time, he knew how Ron felt about being left out…
"Fine," Ron retorted harshly, and stomped off.
Harry sighed. "I'm sorry-" he started.
"Don't" Ginny said. Harry looked at her, but she was only smiling sadly at him. "You know how he gets. If you want to tell him…"
"No," he said without hesitation. The only one he would tell this was Ginny, if not her then Percy. The Twins weren't serious enough for this, nor did he want to affect their prankster nature in any way. Ron wouldn't be able to handle it. At least, Harry didn't think so.
"Draco gave me the same warning Dobby did," Harry said. Ginny's eyebrows shot up. "Yeah. Said he didn't care for Muggleborns but whatever it is has his father concerned for his safety"
"Really?" Ginny asked.
Harry nodded. That also took out one of their suspects, Lucius himself.
"Well, that changes things"
"Yeah," Harry replied. "But nevermind that now. You go find your mum. I'll get my robes"
She nodded and they both went their separate ways, Harry couldn't help shake off the fear that this was bigger than whatever he was imagining.
Flourish and Blotts had a huge banner of a blonde haired, blue eyed wizard who was smiling a bright smile at the crowd on the street.
And there was a huge crowd of people there. Actually crowd didn't cover it anymore, it was a fucking horde. Witches, Wizards, and children of all heights and sizes, waiting to get a glimpse of Gilderoy Lockhart.
There was a book signing at Flourish and Blotts dubbed 'Hero in the Alley' and it seemed like the entire British Magical World was here to see and get a sign from Lockhart.
And, Harry and Ginny were so over it all.
Especially with how excited the females got every time the queue moved even a little.
"Merlin's soggy testic-" Ginny started heatedly.
"Ginny!" Harry, Fred, George, and Percy cried.
"Do not complete that sentence young lady!" Mrs. Weasley said.
"Sorry" Ginny said, bowing her head. Mrs. Weasley seemed satisfied and turned back. As soon as she did, Ginny looked up at Harry with a smile. He chuckled and shook his head.
"How much longer do you reckon?" Harry asked her.
"I don't know, and I'm pissed. It's so hot out here. And my hair's so long, it just makes it worse" Ginny said.
"Trust me, I know," Harry muttered. His own hair wasn't as long as Ginny's, but it was considerably longer than last year.
"Grim," Ginny whisper-shouted to him. He burst out laughing, remembering the incident, as the rest of the family looked at them.
"Please dare me to do that" Harry said to her. "I beg you"
Ginny chuckled but the line moved again taking them all inside the Magically expanded shop. It all looked the same, except for a large carpeted area where they could see Gilderoy Lockhart signing pictures with what Harry was sure was a solid gold quill.
The line was moving at the same pace as it did outside, but it was nowhere near as hot in here. Lockhart seemed to be having the time of his life, signing books and talking to his fans. Personally, Harry thought that he'd be smiling a lot less if half the things he'd heard about Lockhart from Mrs. Weasley were true.
Lockhart looked around the store, probably to see how many more people were there. He smiled and waved at them before his eyes settled on Harry. He gasped in shock "Harry Potter? No, it can't be!"
Everyone turned to where he was standing, and he sighed "Shit" he muttered, his curse getting lost in the excited chatter.
Someone reached out to grab him and Harry immediately jumped back and pointed his wand right between the man's eyes "Try it" he hissed in a cold voice. He wasn't about to be manhandled like someone's bitch again.
"Now, now. Be careful with him" Lockhart said. "Mr. Potter, along with young Miss Weasley over there, have been through quite an ordeal just recently. It only makes sense that they would be so stressed"
The Prophet had gotten their slimy hands on the Auror reports about the incident with the Philosopher's Stone. Ginny's name had been printed in the news almost as much as his had been. But neither of them had experienced such an encounter, not at The Burrow.
"But never fear my young friends" Lockhart said. "For I have two pieces of very good news to share"
The people were suddenly chattering excitedly, and the cameraman that was trying to grab Harry, pointed the camera at Lockhart and started clicking photos furiously when Harry dropped his hand.
"First off, I would like to give Signed copies of all my works to Mr Potter and Miss Weasley for free, in the hopes that they might learn from it, and that it might help them in the future" Lockhart finished with a smile, and a wave of his wand. A set of books started floating toward their hands. They reluctantly took it, and the crowd went wild
Harry tilted his head to the side. This wasn't a bad offer really, he could see that Ginny was thinking the same thing, but there had to be a catch to it. There always was. Maybe he was trying to boost sales?
"The Second piece of news… is that I have been accepted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts!" Lockhart jovially said.
Harry frowned. He didn't see this ending well. Lockhart might be a Hero, but he didn't look like he could teach well.
"Yes, yes! I know" Lockhart said, quieting the cheers and claps that were thrown his way. "It is a rather exciting new prospect and I look forward to giving the students my best!"
Harry tuned out the rest of his speech, lost deep in thought. If Lockhart was actually good, then he could take care of whatever it was that was going to harm the Muggleborn students at Hogwarts. Harry wouldn't even have to do anything, except just sit back and go through the year.
His thoughts were interrupted when Ginny nudged him with her elbow. "You might want to move" she said, nodding to the side.
"Just put your books in these, dear" Mrs. Weasley said, holding a Flourish and Blotts paper bag. Harry complied and Mrs. Weasley shrunk it down and put it in her pocket.
"I'll get those signed. Do you mind getting the rest of your books alone?" She asked.
Harry didn't really want his books signed, but nodded anyway, and left with Ginny and the others to get the book he needed.
Harry and Ginny found the Standard Book of Spells (Year 2) by Miranda Goshawk fairly quickly. Harry started looking for First-Year books for Ron, but Ginny and Ron just started walking to the counter.
"Hey," he said, catching up to her and stopping her as Ron went to Mrs. Weasley upon seeing him. He was probably still upset. "Aren't we getting books for, Ron?" He whispered.
Ginny shook her head and grimaced. "Can't afford them" she muttered quietly.
Harry blinked. "What do you mean can't afford them? You got your books didn't you?"
Ginny nodded, "That's only becuase I had the foresight to save for it. The Twins and Ron aren't always able to do the puzzles Bill send them either"
"Oh" Harry said uncomfortably. He was about to point out that Ron was great at Chess before remembering that the Curse Puzzles weren't about strategy alone. He'd helped Ginny a few times, not that she needed it, but the times he did, it was his knowledge of Spells that got him through.
"Yeah. Look, don't worry about it. I've kept mine in the best condition I possibly could, you know I have" Ginny said as Harry nodded. She was rather obsessive about the fact actually, but Harry hadn't known that this was the reason behind it.
"I'm just going to give him mine. Hopefully he won't flip about 'having a girl's things', but I'm not expecting much" Ginny muttered.
"I think he can be nice, he's just…" Harry trailed off, not knowing how to explain it kindly.
She apparently, did not have any such restrictions. "Pig-headed? Stubborn? High-tempered?"
"Uh," Harry looked down to the floor and then up at her again "Yes?"
"Relax, Harry" Ginny said. "I'm not going to do anything to you. Let's go pay the bill"
"I can pay for his-" Harry started.
"Don't" Ginny said. "He'll flip out. Trust me on this"
Harry nodded and they quickly paid their respective bills. They found Mrs. Weasley near the exit of the store with the rest of the Weasleys.
"Does anyone want anything else here?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I need new clothes" Harry said. "Muggle ones. I can get them myself, it's no big deal"
"We can come with you…" she trailed off, as she looked at her children. Specifically their robes and the fact that they weren't just an overcoat type robe like the ones Harry wore.
He grimaced, "Yeah" he said.
"Oh, very well" She said with a sigh. "But at the first sight of trouble, pull out your wand. Don't worry about the Statute of Secrecy. You can use Magic in a life-threatening situation"
Harry knew that already, but he nodded anyway. "Of course. I'll see you all at The Burrow" he said with a wave of his hand, and made his way to Gringotts.
A/N: I know, it's an awkward ending. But I couldn't come up with anything else. I'm sorry.
My story officially has 106 followers and 67 favorites. Thank you so much, everyone!! I hope you can all enjoy the upcoming chapters as much as I hope you do.
Unfortunately, I can't really do much in terms of Action. For one, Tommy's still dead. And two, Harry and Ginny are only 11. It won't make sense to have them fighting Death Eaters just yet.
Next chapter will have some action. Not too much, mind. But, a little friendly competition, if you will.
Leave a review if you enjoyed it.
Byee!