Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone: Take Two
by MysticSong1978
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot switch and any original characters I may add in as I deem necessary. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling. Should any other literary references be used, they will be so noted at that point.
Dialogue is in double quotes ("") and Thoughts are in single quotes ('').
The troll experience seemed to bring the unlikely foursome closer together. Although Hermione hadn't actually witnessed the events, she had helped them out; they moved to include her.
Albus couldn't have been happier. "Ah! At long last we're developing inter-house relations and we didn't even have to wait for them to grow up!"
"Perhaps, Albus," said Severus in clipped tones, "these four have grown-up. Although I shudder at Lucius's reaction when he learns his son has befriended 'the Boy Who Lived', a Weasley and a 'mudblood'. I daresay he won't be quite so pleased."
Minerva shook her head sadly. Despite her initial reluctance to befriend Harry after the Sorting, she respected his obvious intent to learn before passing judgment on his classmates. In truth, she loved the boy as if he was her own and she still missed his parents quite terribly. "Perhaps we need to keep an eye on them – Mr. Malfoy in particular in as such that he finds himself in need of protection from his Father."
Severus gave her a curt nod and Albus smiled. "I agree, but for now I think we are fine in just gelding the horse."
Severus quirked a brow. "That sounds painful as well as utterly useless, Albus."
Minerva snorted. "Albus, you should be more careful which of those Muggle phrases you use." She turned to Severus. "Some of the things that come out of his mouth would make me swear he's deaf as a post. He meant 'holding the fort'."
Severus smirked. "Ah, yes. That I am a bit more familiar with. Let me talk with Draco first and see what his view on the situation is. I'm not sure how much he communicates with his parents aside to thank them for their weekly basket of treats. I'll advise you if we should take further action. Are we done here?"
Albus smiled, eyes twinkling. "You may go, my boy. Minerva, please stay a moment."
'I'd love to charm that twinkle out of his damnable blue eyes! It always means trouble for me!' reflected Severus.
As if he knew what Severus was thinking, the Headmaster's eyes grew even brighter. Severus huffed and strode out of the office, heading back to the sweet solitude of his dungeons.
Once out of sight of the Headmaster's office, Severus was sure the old coot could see through the door, he eased up, his leg still sore from that monstrosity in the third floor corridor. As he walked across the main hall, he noticed movement in the courtyard. He slipped behind a pillar to watch.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco were huddled together, keeping warm by some blue fire that Hermione had in a jar. 'Clever little chit,' he mused. Harry was flipping through some Quidditch book with Draco and Ron who were pointing various things out to Harry and giving him suggestions. Severus was amused to realize that Ron evidently had given up all worries about befriending a Slytherin and was even up to giving pointers to an opposing team because said player was his friend. He was glad that Draco had found such camaraderie; he hoped it wouldn't jeopardize the boy's safety.
As he watched, the group suddenly drew closer together. The book was slipped behind them into the inner ring of the circle. To the casual observer, they had simply gotten bored and put the book away. Severus had a feeling they were being watched by someone besides himself and one of them had realized it. He thought he saw Harry wince, and he realized who it must be seconds before the man strode towards the foursome.
Quirrell.
"What do w-we h-have here?"
'People who stutter should not attempt to confront others,' Severus thought snidely. He knew better. But Quirrell really rubbed him the wrong way.
The foursome looked at the twitchy professor blandly. "We're just trying to keep warm, sir," said Hermione. "It's such a pretty day out, and we really needed some fresh air, but since the weather is still a bit damp, standing together kept us from being uncomfortable and having to go in early."
Quirrell pondered this. "Yo-you're hi-hiding something. G-give it he-here!"
He reached past Harry who jerked spasmodically for a few seconds before stepping back as far as he could from the professor who had just plucked the book out of Ron's hands.
"What is this?"
"It's a book, sir," said Ron.
"Library books are n-no-not permitted to be ta-taken ou-outs-ide the school! Five points each from your Houses!"
The students gaped at him. Harry rubbed his forehead; Draco glared at their DADA professor as he . . . . limped away. "Harry!" whispered Draco fervently, "He's limping like Professor Snape was, but he looks far worse, don't you think?"
Harry nodded, the pain in his head easing. He started when a cool hand dropped over his shoulder, but relaxed when Draco said, "Professor Snape!"
Harry turned and eyed his professor. "Sir, he's limping like . . ." he didn't know if his professor wanted that shared with everyone else. Severus eyed the students warily. He had a feeling they all knew he was injured.
"The four of you," he said a bit thoughtfully, "come with me. We'll continue this somewhere more private."
The four students looked at each other and then at Severus. "Certainly, sir," said Hermione.
Faces neutral as they followed the Head of Slytherin to the dungeons, they passed a number of students who all gave them compassionate looks as they passed by, the other students sure that the four were on their way to detention.
To their surprise, their professor bypassed his office and led them into his own chambers. "We're guaranteed better privacy in my rooms than in the classroom or even my office," he explained. "The walls have eyes and ears. Sit down, all of you."
Severus sank wearily into his favourite leather chair while he waited for the students to get comfortable. 'I could use a drink,' he mused, 'but best that I wait until I'm alone.'
He faced Draco and Harry. "As you noticed, yes, Quirrell is limping as I am limping, although I believe Quirrell got the worst of it."
"What happened to your leg, sir?" asked Draco.
Severus sighed. He weighed his options, and then carefully pulled one of the legs of his trousers up to show them his leg. It looked a bit mangled, even with the bandage on it, and was bleeding a bit.
Ron frowned. "What did that?"
Severus overlooked Ron's lack of a respectful title when he realized that for perhaps the first time, someone besides a handful of coworkers was genuinely concerned for him. And sometimes he wasn't sure about his coworkers.
"The Headmaster is protecting something for an old friend of his. It is hidden in a well protected chamber in the castle, accessible through the restricted third-floor corridor. I believe Quirrell left the troll into the castle as a diversion so that he could attempt to get into the chamber. I endeavored to stop him. As he was unable to distract the creature that Hagrid put up there to protect the entrance, it bit him."
"It would seem that it attacked you as well, sir," said Hermione.
"Yes, Miss Granger, it did, though not as severely as it did your DADA professor," he said, a brief smile glinting on his lips. It was clear to the students that Professor Snape thought no better of the DADA teacher than they did.
Harry's lips curled in a snarl. "Wish I could hex him for putting you into that position, not to mention what could have happened to the other students!"
Severus gave Harry a brief smile. It made him look younger. "Of course, if you four had obeyed the order to go back to your common room, young Mr. Weasley here wouldn't have been cornered by the troll in the first place. However, since it did happen, and I am again reminded of your heroics, let us say 10 points to each of your houses. I believe that will more than cancel out the Quirrell-effect."
The students grinned at each other.
"However," continued Severus, "If you tell anyone about my sudden interest in House point fairness, I will vehemently deny it and find some reason to take them away."
Draco smirked. "Image, and all that, right Professor?"
"Sir," began Hermione, "Madam Pince never said we couldn't take the book outside, an-"
"And Hermione knows every school rule by heart," interjected Ron.
She frowned at him. "We weren't even off of school property. Do you suppose we can get the book back so we can finish going through it with Harry before the match?"
"Yes, please sir," said Harry, "it's helping me keep my mind off of the first game."
"I thought you were excited, Harry?" mused Severus.
"Well, yes, but I'm nervous too. Everyone says I'm a natural, and I love to fly, but I never did it before I came here and I'm afraid I'll falloffandmakeafoolofmyselfinfrontfothewholeschool!" This last said in such a rush that one word was completely unintelligible from the next.
"Eloquent as ever, I see," smirked Severus.
Harry's cheeks tinged red.
"But I get the gist of what you said, and I am sure you will be fine. Quidditch is one place your father never made a fool of himself."
Harry smiled then frowned in quick succession. "But he made a fool of himself everywhere else, is that what you're saying sir?"
Severus decided he was on thin ice in this topic. He squelched down his feelings for the dead man.
"Harry, your father and I attended Hogwarts at the same time, and some feelings are difficult to move past. I do not, however, feel that this is an appropriate topic for now. I will be . . . willing to discuss it with you at a later time, of my choosing, and most certainly in private, but not at this moment."
"Yes, sir," said Harry quietly.
"Now, I'd like all of you to go back to your common areas, or to the library, or whatnot, as is your choice, but be sure to stay out of Professor Quirrell's way. I will see about getting your book back – check with me after dinner, Harry. Draco, I need you to stay a moment to discuss a private matter."
Draco nodded, "Yes, sir." He turned to his friends. 'I never thought I'd have real friends here, at Hogwarts,' Draco thought to himself, 'Friends who actually stand up with, not just for you because they're bigger than everyone else.' Millicent Bulstrode, an ox of a girl, had gotten that honor, being befriended by Crabbe and Goyle. They had made not-so-innocent attempts to befriend Draco, but he saw them for what they were and had evaded them successfully so far. Luckily for Draco, the lot of them was extraordinarily dull-witted. "Where are you guys going?"
Harry, Hermione and Ron consulted. "We're going to take Harry down to meet Hagrid, Draco," Ron finally announced. "He's been awful keen on meeting him. Join us there when you're done?"
Draco nodded. "See you in a bit, then."
The three left, leaving Draco with Severus.
"Tea?" offered Severus.
Draco nodded, and took a cup from the tea service that had appeared on the table in front of him.
"I commend you on your willingness to put aside old house rivalries and petty pureblood training that allowed the friendship you have with those three to develop, Draco."
Draco's lips twitched into a brief smile.
"It's nice to have real friends, sir," he told his Head of House, reflecting his earlier thoughts out loud.
"I imagine it would be. I do, however, wish to voice a concern that Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore, and I have for you however because of your father's views on the 'Boy-Who-Lived', the Weasley family, and the girl whom he would most likely term a 'mud-blood'."
Draco winced. "I know that my Father would not be pleased in my choice of friends. He wants me to follow in his footsteps as the sole heir to the Malfoy line and all that. I admit I was skeptical at first about Harry and his Gryffindorish behaviour about being non-judgmental . . . but then I started to get to really know Harry, and through him Ron and Hermione, and they're really nice people. The pureblood rules about who is a good person and who isn't, seems to be to pure rubbish, sir."
Severus nodded. "I had come to that conclusion myself many years ago."
Draco looked at him in surprise.
"I knew it!"
Severus, if possible, paled. "You knew what, Draco?"
"I heard about you running into Father with Harry Potter, sir. Something about the way he talked about you . . . He was thrilled of course that you were befriending "The Boy Who Lived" right off in the case that the D-Dark Lord should return, but I had seen the way Harry looked at you in Madam Malkin's – of course I didn't know who he was at that time. I've also seen how you treat Harry here in private, and how you treated two Gryffindors in private. I had always hoped sir, especially since you are my Godfather that my suspicions about you turning from the Dark Lord were correct because it meant I had someone who could help me stay safe if he were to return; especially while I was still a student."
Severus was impressed at the boy's thoughts and pleased that he didn't want to be a carbon copy of his father, no matter how much he might look as if he were.
Draco continued, "I love my Father. Mother too, sir" he told Severus, "I know in my heart they are not good people, but they do love me and have always tried to do what is best for me. I do not want to see them hurt, but if it comes to that, I will not stand with them. I will stand with you, sir, and with my friends." He paused. "I do not think my Father is aware of where I would align myself at this time, and I certainly do not intend to tell him, but Bulstrode, Crabbe and Goyle are getting further irritated with my non-compliance, as they see it, to cozy up to them or to share any weaknesses that Harry might have. I imagine that there is the potential that Bulstrode, even as dumb as she is, might write to my Father out of fake concern for my state of mind and let things slip."
Severus nodded, "And your other age-mates? Blaise, Pansy?"
"I am not certain sir, but I believe that they would stand with me. They have the cunning ways of a Slytherin, but have the common sense and intelligence that the other three are completely empty of. I believe that if we were to gradually include them into our foursome that they would prove trustworthy."
"You should discuss your feelings in a secure place with your friends, Draco. You can use my chambers if you need to; let me know. Be sure you go about things carefully, like a good Slytherin," they shared a smirk, "so as to not rouse further suspicion from anyone, and see if you can steadily introduce Blaise and Pansy into your group. There may be students in other houses that would be wise to befriend as well. The propensity towards evil is not solely a Slytherin trait, Draco; we just have the worst reputation for it because of the Dark Lord."
"Yes, sir. I'll keep you posted," he told his professor.
Severus inclined his head. "That is all; go on and join your friends."
Draco neatly placed his teacup back on the tray and gracefully exited his professor's chambers, leaving Severus staring intently into the fire, contemplating their discussion.
Meanwhile, at Hagrid's Hut:
Ron knocked. From inside they could hear great, yelping barks, followed by a loud, commanding voice, "Down, Fang! No, back! That's a good – down – boy!"
The door suddenly sprang open and Harry found himself facing the large man who had led them across the lake from the Hogwarts Express.
"Ron! Hermione! Who've you brought with yeh?"
"I'm Harry, sir," he said, sticking out his hand, "Harry Potter."
Hagrid's mouth gaped open for a second before he reached out and captured Harry's small frame in a bone-crushing hug.
"'Arry! I haven't seen ye since you wer' jus' a baby! I rescued yeh from yer parent's house." He sniffed loudly. "A nicer pair of folks ye ne'er saw before. Great folks. A great wizard n' witch too." He sniffed again. "I'm sorry I couldn't pick ye up from those awful Muggles, 'Arry, but me thestrals were 'aving problems and I 'ad to take care of 'em. I knew it was folly sending Severus after you. He's a good man, but ye should 'ave been in Gryffindor like ye parents! What must they think of me" Hagrid wailed this last loudly into Harry's ear and sniffed again, his nose red.
Ron and Hermione looked like they were trying to suppress giggles; Harry looked distinctly uncomfortable.
He eased himself out of Hagrid's grasp.
"It's nice to meet you too," he told Hagrid, "but don't you go worrying about my placement in Slytherin. It works just fine for me. The Sorting Hat said though the other Houses had good points that would work well with me, Slytherin would be best. I know it has a dreadful reputation, but there really are some good folks there. You said it yourself, Hagrid, about Professor Snape."
Hagrid blew his nose and dropped heavily into a chair.
"He is a good man, 'Arry, and a good man to call friend, but a dark past, that one 'as. Not me place to go into that, though. I jus' can't believe Lily and James' son is a Slytherin!"
Harry shrugged. "I have vague memories of my parents, Hagrid, but that's all. I was raised by Muggles who couldn't stand to have me around. Professor Snape was the first person to stick up for me to them, so I was bound to like him. He told me a lot of stuff, and how he might have to put up a front if I wasn't sorted into his House but that I could still go talk to him if I needed to. But I decided on my own that I wasn't going to pre-judge anyone from any House; that I'd get to know them for themselves, as people; not as a collective group based on the history of their House," explained Harry.
Ron spoke up. "Hagrid, you remember me telling you how I was appalled that my new friend had been sorted into Slytherin? Well, obviously that was Harry, but Hermione gave me a talking to – and so did Harry. I knew that I had liked Harry – a lot – on the train, and that he really was still the same person, so I gave him a chance, and I'm glad I did. He's right. Some of the Houses have better reputations than others because of the past. But this isn't the past, and things can be changed. Hermione and I may be the first Gryffindors to say so, but Professor Snape is alright. Quirrell, now that's the one you've got to watch out for!"
"Pish posh! That's Professor Quirrell, to you Ron, and there ain't nothing wrong with the man. Sure, he stutters a bit, but ye would too if you'd faced what he had!"
Ron, Harry, and Hermione eyed each other. Hagrid was nice, but he was rather naïve.
Before they could offer up any reason they were suspicious of Quirrell, however, a knock sounded at the door.
Thus started another round of barking from the over-excited boarhound; Harry and Ron struggled to hold him in place while Hagrid checked to see who it was.
He had the door open about half-way, so that he could see his guest and the others could not.
"And what would the likes o' you be doing here?"
"I'm meeting up with my friends." Draco's voice came from around the door.
"Friends, eh?" said Hagrid suspiciously.
"Oh for Heaven's sake!" exclaimed Hermione, exasperatedly, "Hagrid, let Draco in here!"
Hagrid started in surprise. 'The Malfoy prat befriended a Muggle girl?'
He stepped back and Draco popped around the door cheerfully. He grinned at Harry and Ron's attempts to hold onto the big dog and to everyone's surprise (the old Draco did have a tendency to show up every now and then) stuck his hand out to Hagrid.
"Hello, sir, I'm Draco Malfoy."
Hagrid was clearly bamboozled, but he took Draco's hand and shook. "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds 'ere at Hogwarts."
A little while later, Hagrid declared he had things to be doing, and shooed them out the door.
As the foursome headed back towards the castle, Hermione inquired as to what Professor Snape had wanted to discuss, if, of course, Draco felt like sharing.
Draco pondered for a moment. "I can't tell you everything because it could put people at unnecessary risk, and I don't believe that the outdoors is the most private of spots. We should wait and discuss most of this in a secure location such as we did earlier today," he said pointedly.
The others nodded, understanding his meaning. They would wait until they could discuss things in the professor's rooms again.
Draco leaned in towards his friends and whispered, "We do, however, need to be careful around Bulstrode, Crabbe, and Goyle. Their families still lean towards the dark. Hermione, you'd be at the most risk out of all of us if they decided to pull pranks."
"Why me?" asked Hermione.
Draco shifted uncomfortably. "They consider you . . . well, a mudblood," he said quietly, "because you're Muggle-born. They don't think you should be allowed at Hogwarts."
Hermione's lips tightened, sensing the insult even though she didn't know the word. "It's one of the foulest words someone could use against, you, Hermione," said Ron darkly. "It's good that Draco told you though; it wouldn't have occurred to me, and Harry never would have heard it."
Draco looked discomfited. "I would have called you that, Hermione, had I not followed Harry's lead in getting to know people before judging them. It's how I was brought up by my gracious but judgmental parents."
Hermione just nodded.
The boys looked at each other awkwardly. They couldn't tell if she was just mad or upset. They hoped she wouldn't cry.
Finally she let out a long breath and relaxed. "What about the other Slytherins? Especially first years? Aren't there a few other Slytherins that came in with us, Draco?"
He nodded. "Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. I think they're cool. Sev says we should gradually befriend them, but carefully so it doesn't look like a set-up; especially since the other three have been trying to befriend Harry and myself and we've been avoiding them."
"Sev?" questioned Harry, a bit of incredulous laughter in his voice.
Draco blushed very faintly. "I didn't realize I slipped and said that," he said, obviously embarrassed. "Professor Snape is my Godfather."
"Awwww…." was all Hermione could muster.
Draco blushed again, a little more visibly. "Don't say that to him, you'll never live it down. He does not do 'cute'!"
It was nearly time to eat, and they parted ways at the entrance to the Great Hall; Harry and Draco joining their age-mates at the Slytherin table, Hermione and Ron at Gryffindor. From the High Table, three professors smiled fondly at them. Well, one looked more like he was smirking, but the thought was there.
The next morning brought the first Quidditch game of the year. It was chilly, and from the upstairs windows, Hagrid could be seen defrosting the brooms. Harry had received permission to keep his Nimbus 2000 in his trunk instead of in the shed.
Mostly this was because the professors had tried very hard to keep the truth of Harry being chosen as the Slytherin Seeker a secret. The other Quidditch teams had found out, of course, but for the most part, it would be a surprise come game time.
Harry was sitting morosely at the table that morning staring at his breakfast. Draco was trying to convince him to eat something, even if it was just plain toast.
"You'll need your strength, Harry, Quidditch games can go on for hours!"
Marcus leaned around Draco, and smiled, or at least he gave what passed for a Flint smile with those horse teeth and generally surly attitude of his. "Draco's right, Harry, you've gotta eat something or you'll regret it when you're in the air."
"I think the people below me will regret it more if I eat and retch on them," said Harry.
Draco and Marcus looked at each other. "Maybe I can get a nutritional potion out of Professor Snape," suggested Draco.
Marcus nodded. "It will give him what he needs without making him queasy. Probably the best bet right now. Hurry it up though."
Draco nodded, signaled the Professor with sign language his Godfather had taught him as a child, and slipped out the door.
Severus met him in the hall. When Draco explained what he wanted, Severus conjured a slightly thicker looking version of the nutrient potion. "This is my special stock that I usually only give to Madam Pomfrey for people who haven't been able to eat for several days due to unconsciousness or some such quandary. It will give Harry the illusion of being full, and give him the nutrients he needs to be able to play safely. He'll need to eat a regular meal as soon as he can after he plays. Bring him to my rooms afterwards and he can eat something there."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Draco slipped back into the Great Hall. Severus decided he'd eaten enough and went back to his office to mark papers until it got closer to the match.
Updated 27 January 2017
