Title: AU: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author: Artemis Luna Diana

E-Mail: artemislunadiana@yahoo.com

Rating: PG-13 (cursing)

Pairing: none

Time: begins the night of James and Lily's deaths and continues through Harry's first year of school

Summary: Harry grows up under the watchful eyes of Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Arabella Figg.  When Harry was still little, he had a nightmare and woke up screaming.  When his guardians arrived in his bedroom, he told them that he would be coming back.  Knowing instinctively who Harry was referring too, the three resolved to train Harry to defend himself before he left for Hogwarts.  They figured that everyone would dismiss Harry's vision as a simple nightmare.  So they kept the whole matter a secret.  Now it's time for Harry's first year of Hogwarts.  He's been trained in secret to be cunning, strong, and quick-thinking.  So where does he end up: Slytherin.

Disclaimer: I own not a thing.  Due to the fact that this story covers one of the years already written, the majority of the events and some of the dialogue comes straight from the book.

Thanks to: snapeysnapesnape, Kes, Dora, Telos, and Shadow for the excellent betas.

Chapter Nine: Beware of the half truth. You may have gotten hold of the wrong half.

Harry, Blaise, and Hermione trooped out to the Groundskeeper's cabin.  They weren't sure how they'd be welcomed by the half-giant.  Sirius and Remus had been very friendly with Hagrid, but Arabella hadn't gotten on with him at all.  Harry figured it was because she was a Slytherin, so he hadn't sought out the half-giant to make friends.

Harry knocked on the door and a few moments later, Hagrid was peering down at them.  "Hello, Hagrid," Harry said politely.  "I'm Harry; this is Blaise and Hermione.  Can we come in?  We wanted to speak with you."

Hagrid looked befuddled, but stepped back and let them in.  Harry spotted the lazy dog lying in front of the fire and said, almost hesitant, "That must be Fang, right?"

"Er, yeah," Hagrid said giving Harry another confused look.

"Sirius and Remus told me all about you two," he said, sitting down.  Blaise and Hermione did the same.  "They said you were good friends of my parents and the Marauders."

"Aye, that I was," Hagrid said, his eyes softening in memory.  "Your Mum and Dad were always dropping by, even after they graduated.  You'd never meet anyone finer than they."

"I know," Harry said softly, a slight smile on his face.

"You're in Slytherin, though, aren't ya?"

"Yes, and proud to be so." Harry gave a soft chuckle.  "Besides, Blaise needed someone who wasn't a Death Eater's child to be friends with," Harry said shooting a smile at his best friend.  "And who knows, if I hadn't been in Slytherin, I might not have become friends with Hermione."  Harry smiled at his other best friend.  "Even if she is a Gryffindork."

Hermione laughed.  "Slimly Slytherin."

Blaise grinned. 

Had Hagrid been paying closer attention to his three guests, he might have realized the act they were putting on.  The ease and comfort they displayed hid the tension they were feeling.  Blaise and Harry were also trying to draw attention away from Hermione, who wasn't comfortable with fooling the naïve half-giant. 

Harry directed the conversation away from the past after awhile and moved onto different types of animals, using his own knowledge of magical creatures to draw the half-giant's thoughts in the direction he wanted.  He discovered, that more than anything, Hagrid wanted a dragon.  His fascination with dangerous creatures had not been exaggerated by Sirius and Remus.  But, more importantly: he had a three-headed dog named Fluffy.

"Where is it?" Harry asked, feigning ignorance.  "Does it live in the Forbidden Forest or something?"

"Nah, Professor Dumbledore's borrowing him.  The Headmaster needed him to guard the–"

"What?" Blaise asked, unable to stop himself.

"That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel! …I shouldn't have told ya that."

***

Harry, Blaise, and Hermione entered the Slytherin common room and collapsed onto one of the couches.  " 'M tired," Blaise said yawning.

"We still have to study," Hermione said, but unable to stop her own mouth from stretching into a yawn.

Upon leaving Hagrid's, they had gone to the secret room they'd dubbed as their own.   They discussed what Hagrid had revealed, racking their brains trying to figure out who Nicolas Flamel was.

"How much time before curfew?" Harry asked.

Hermione glanced at her watch.  "Two more hours."

"This day is never ending," Blaise said.

"I'm kind of surprised there isn't still a party going on," Hermione noted, looking around the nearly empty common room.  "The Gryffindors don't stop till they pass out."

"Some of the older students still have class, and there are more classes tomorrow, plus the team has practice in the morning," Harry replied.

Hermione looked at Harry in surprise.  "I didn't realize there were any classes on the weekends."

"There are classes all the time, Hermione," Blaise mumbled, his eyes closed and his head resting on the arm of the couch.

"It's mostly older students who take advanced courses," Harry explained.

"Advanced?" Hermione asked.

"You're drooling," Blaise said without opening his eyes.

"Shut-up, Blaise. Advanced?"

Harry grinned.  "Yeah, it's like the classes I take with Professor Snape.  Students that the teachers feel understand enough and are responsible enough to take advanced classes on top of their regular classes.  It's worked out between the teacher and the student.  From what Marcus said, Professor Flitwick takes on more students than any of the other teachers.  He usually arranges his students to learn together.  Professor Snape, on the other hand, rarely takes on an advanced student, and when he does, they're always taught one-on-one."

"You'll probably end up as one of Flitwick's advanced students," Blaise murmured.  "You're a natural at charms."

"Thanks, Blaise," Hermione said.

"He'll end up one of Flitwick's students too," Harry added, "if he doesn't slack off."

"Shut-up, Harry."

Hermione giggled, turning around as the door to the common room opened.  Her grin disappeared.

"What's that filthy mudblood doing in here?" Malfoy snarled.

Blaise and Harry exploded from the couch, drawing their wands as they stood.  The area surrounding the group lit up in a blaze of spells and curses.  The other Slytherins in the room gathered round to see who had won.

"Where is Malfoy's hair?" Hermione asked after a moment.

Harry sheathed his wand and smugly said, "Instant Scalping Hex."

"And Goyle…"

"Insect Jinx," Blaise replied as he gleefully watched the boy scuttle across the floor.

"Crabbe?"

"Furnunculus Curse," Harry replied.

Hermione watched as Malfoy rubbed his head in obvious shock and horror and couldn't help but laugh.  The other Slytherins joined in, as did Harry and Blaise.  It would be a very long time before Malfoy would ever live this one down.

"And don't call Hermione names again," Harry scolded, holding in his laughter for a moment,  "Or else you'll get much worse!"

***

Christmas holidays were coming, and at about mid-December, only a day before holidays began, the school woke to find itself blanketed in snow.  It was so cold in the dungeons that little puffs of mist appeared each time someone breathed.  Blaise, Harry, and Hermione retreated to their secret room to study and research, forgoing the Slytherin common room completely.  It was extremely cold, even with warming charms.

"This is ridiculous," Hermione said, slamming Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century closed.  "I know I've heard that name before."

"We've all heard the name before, Hermione," Blaise said dejectedly, closing Notable Magical Names of Our Time with much more respect for the book than Hermione had displayed.  "No one can remember why."

Harry drummed his fingers on a copy of Important Modern Magical Discoveries he had been reading.  "I have this feeling though, that it has something to do with potions or something similar."

"We tried all the recent potions books and the journals," Hermione said.  "You must be remembering something else."

Harry scowled.  "It's driving me crazy.  I know I should know this!" he snapped and stalked from the library.

Blaise gathered up the books they'd been using.  "I know how he feels.  Maybe he can figure it out during the holidays.  There might be something in the Black library."

Hermione took some of the books from Blaise, helping him put them up.

***

The train ride home for the Christmas holidays was cheerful as the three friends agreed to put aside school and research for later.  They were also enjoying the fruits of their parting prank.  The Gryffindors (minus Hermione of course) were only able to speak about how wonderful Salazar Slytherin was, and the charm wasn't going to fade for 24 hours.  So far, none of them had been able to remove it.  Needless to say, the Gryffindors were not roaming around on the train.

"Latine loqui coactus sum,"(1) Harry said after awhile.  He wasn't in the mood to read like Hermione and Blaise were, so he was left staring at the ceiling of the train.

Hermione thought for a moment, then laughed when she translated what he had said.  "Why?"

"Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum viditur,"(2) he replied.

Blaise started laughing and put aside his book.  "Is this a hint for us to entertain you?"

"Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur!"(3) Harry said shocked, smiling when his friends began laughing anew.  "What are you going to do for the holidays?" he asked becoming serious.

"Study of course," Hermione replied.  "I expect that we'll visit my grandparents though, so I'll be at their home for part of the holidays.  Oh, that reminds me, I'm not going to give you two your presents until after the holidays.  My grandparents don't know I'm a witch."

"Okay," Harry said.  "I won't send you your present then.  I'll wait till we come back to school to give it to you."

"Great," Hermione said smiling.

"Me too," Blaise added.  "As for holidays, we'll probably end up at the Malfoy's party."

"I sympathize," Harry said.

"That's no fun," Hermione agreed.

"I won't be able to curse the little heir either.  Mum and Dad don't want to offend the entire Malfoy clan, and cursing Dracey-poo would do just that."

"Besides, you don't want to be expelled do you?" Hermione prompted.

Blaise smiled smugly.

"You don't!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Blaise replied airily.

"You've got an Anti-Detect Charm!"

"I've got one too," Harry smirked.

"That's no fair!" Hermione complained.

"What are you doing for the holidays, Harry?" Blaise asked, ignoring Hermione's pouting.

"I'll be looking up Nicolas Flamel in the library, and working on some potions that Snape said I could try on my own," Harry said gleefully.  He was really looking forward to that.

"Like what?" Blaise asked.

"Like a truth potion.  Not as strong as Veritaserum, though.  Still, it should be fun."

***

"Harry!"

Harry grinned and waved at his family.  He turned to his friends.  "See you after the holidays!" he said and hurried towards his guardians.

"Bye, Harry!"

"Happy holidays!"

"Look at our bouncing bundle of joy!"

"Can it, Sirius."

Laughing, the group made their way to the floo entrances.

***

Harry entertained his family with stories and descriptions of pranks for the next several days.  When Sirius and Arabella were at work, though, Harry could be found in the main library.  He was having little luck in his search, until he recalled that Remus and Arabella had planned to index the library. 

"Remus, have you and Arabella finished the index for the library yet?"

"No, I'm afraid not.  It is only 2/3rds done."

"Is the index usable?"

"Yes.  But like I said, it will only give you the 2/3rds we've cataloged."

"That's fine.  Where is the index?"

"Arabella's workroom."

"Thanks!"

"Harry," Remus sighed as Harry scampered off without hearing his call.  "I wonder what he wants it for…."

***

"Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone!"  Harry laughed gleefully.  "I am The Man!"

"The man of what?" Arabella asked amused.

Harry jumped, slammed the book shut, and whipped around to face his guardian.  "Wha?"

"What are you so excited about?"

"Oh, I was just," thinking quickly, he said, "looking up information on potions and alchemy.  I want my lessons with Professor Snape to go really well."

"I don't think you are in any danger of doing badly, Harry," she said dryly.  "Come on, dinner's ready."

"Alright."

***

"So did you find what you needed in the library, Harry?" Remus asked as they were sitting down.

"Yes, thanks again, Remus."

"So what were you looking for?" Sirius asked curiously.

"I was just doing some more research on potions and alchemy.  My lessons with Professor Snape are going really well, but it never hurts to study more, right?"

"Right, you are," Arabella agreed.

"Snape," Sirius grouched.  "I still don't understand how Dumbledore can let him teach."

"Sirius," Arabella said warningly and then shot a look at Harry.

"What?" Harry asked.  "Why shouldn't he teach?  He's like the greatest Potions Master of the age."

"He should know," Sirius said to Arabella.  "Especially since he's begun taking these lessons with him one-on-one."

"He really is a vampire?!" Harry asked astonished.

"No," Remus replied, fighting off a smile.  "Sirius started that rumor when we were still in school."

"Oh.  Then what is it?"

"Dumbledore vouched for him, Sirius, that's good enough for me," Arabella said, glaring at him.

Remus sighed.  "We might as well tell him, Arabella, considering both of you are talking like he isn't in the room.  Harry will look for the information on his own if you don't."

"Damn right!"

"Watch your mouth!" came from three different directions.

"Sorry."

"Harry," Arabella sighed.  "I don't want this to change your opinion of him.  You've really enjoyed learning from him, and I hope that you will continue to do so."

Harry began to feel a sinking in his gut.  Whatever this was, it was bad.

"Snape's a Death Eater," Sirius said bluntly.

"Was, Sirius.  Was," she shot a hard look at Sirius, before turning back to Harry.  "Dumbledore vouched for him.  I truly believe that he didn't realize what he'd gotten into until it was too late to get out.  Remember, he was just a child then."

Harry was silent.

"Harry?" Remus prodded.

"May I be excused?"

Remus sighed.  "Sure."

Harry quickly got up and left.

Arabella stood as soon as he was gone.  Leaning on the table, she was practically growling as she spoke.  "I told you we shouldn't tell him.  Since he was little, he's looked up to Severus's achievements in the art of potion making.  He's Harry's role-model!"

"Harry should know that his role-model doesn't deserve to be on a pedestal!" Sirius snapped back, also rising.

"Both of you, calm down!  It's over.  The decision has been made for better or for worse.  Arguing about it won't change anything," Remus broke in.  "I'm going to check on Harry."

***

TBC…

A/N:

(1) – I have this compulsion to speak Latin.

(2) – Anything said in Latin sounds profound.

(3) – Oh! Was I speaking Latin again? Silly me. Sometimes it just sort of slips out!

Everyone, I apologize for the long wait.  At first RL was keeping me super busy and I barely had time to breathe much less write, then I finally get some time to write and wham-bam!  Car accident.  I broke both my right arm and leg (I was in the front passenger seat).  I have a rod in my leg until October of 2004, but the cast on my arm is off and I'm doing PT.  The docs say it will never be at full strength, but I have hope.  My right arm is my dominant arm.

Next chapter, will start off with Christmas Day celebrations, and then it will be back to Hogwarts.  Something you might notice is, no Mirror of Erised.  The mirror is something that I haven't decided if Harry will encounter before he goes to save the Stone.  So that's up for grabs.

As always, please feel free to ask me questions.  If you're having trouble understanding something, then please let me know.  Unfortunately, questions are more likely to be answered if you ask them at my group than if you ask me in an e-mail.  I have the very bad habit of forgetting to respond back to e-mails.  If you are one of those people who sent me an e-mail and didn't get a response back, I'm sooooo sorry.  If you did get a response back… you lucky dogs!

My to everyone who has reviewed or sent me an e-mail.  All encouragement is appreciated.

~Artemis Luna Diana~