The New Kid
ONE
Ron was still sleeping when Harry woke, so Harry decided to take some alone time to help clear his head. After writing a brief note for, explaining where he'd gone, he got ready for the day, heading downstairs to have a bit of breakfast. He was relieved to find that none of the Weasleys had gotten up yet. Since it was still so early, the Prophet hadn't come out yet, so Harry was able to make his way across the pub and into Diagon Alley without drawing much attention. As he stepped out of the small back courtyard, blinking rapidly when the sun hit his eyes, he saw Hermione.
"Harry?" Hermione asked when she saw him, sounding surprised.
"Hi, Hermione," Harry replied with a small smile for his bushy haired friend.
"Wow, what are you doing here?" she asked as she came over to give him a big hug. "I thought you were at Ron's for the rest of the summer."
Harry sighed, pulling out of the embrace. "Can you get away from your parents for a bit?"
Hermione gave him a puzzled frown but said, "Sure, Harry. Wait here." She went over to where her parents were waiting for her in front of Flourish and Blotts. After a brief discussion, she made her way back to Harry. "I told them you're a friend from school and we're going to spend the day together. They're going to meet me at Flourish and Blotts at five o'clock."
"Okay," Harry agreed, taking her arm lightly and leading her farther into the alley. "I've got a lot to tell you." Harry began explaining about the Dark Mark over the Burrow as the two teens made their way to Gringott's Wizarding Bank. He had to cut off his story while he went to his vault, but he finished telling her while she shopped for her school supplies. Harry was going to wait for the next day and buy his with Ron.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione gasped when he'd finished. "I can't believe this! Are you all right? Is it safe for you to be out here on your own?"
"I've told you," Harry said impatiently. "Dumbledore said I'm safe as long as I stay in Diagon Alley and don't wander out into Muggle London."
Hermione gave him a shrewd look before asking, "Have you memorized any of those counter curses I sent you yet?"
"I promised you I would, didn't I?" Harry snapped.
"Yes," Hermione replied, looking down at her shopping bags. "Sorry. I don't mean to nag."
Harry ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"It's all right, Harry," Hermione said, but she sounded less sad than she had. "I understand you're under a lot of strain."
Harry sighed again. "I'm sorry I'm no fun today. I just… I don't know… I'm just sorry."
"Don't be so ridiculous, Harry," Hermione scolded gently. "After what you've been through, I wouldn't expect you to be cheerful."
Harry just nodded silently, shrugging his shoulders a bit.
"Come on!" Hermione exclaimed, putting on a falsely happy smile. "Let's go to Fortescue's for some ice cream before we meet with my parents!" She grabbed his hand, nearly dragging him over to the ice cream parlor.
"Okay, okay!" Harry exclaimed, laughing slightly. "No need to rip my arm out!" The each got a large cone of mint chocolate ice cream, chatting about little things as they sat at one of the outdoor tables to enjoy their treats. After they were done, Hermione stood to go meet with her parents.
"Erm," she said a little nervously. "Tell Ron I said 'hello'."
Harry had to force his smile away. "I'll make sure to do that," he said seriously. "Bye, Hermione. I'll see you at King's Cross."
"Bye, Harry," Hermione said, giving him another hug before rushing off to Flourish and Blotts.
Harry shook his head slightly as he made his way back to The Leaky Cauldron, where he found Ron sitting at one of the tables, sulking.
"You didn't have to sneak away, you know," Ron muttered before Harry could even say hello. "You could have told me you were meeting Hermione."
Harry frowned, a picture of his barmy Divinations professor popping into his head. "How did you know I was with Hermione?" he asked.
"I went out to look for you and find out what was wrong," Ron mumbled, still not looking up from his apparently fascinating perusal of the tabletop. "I saw you go into Eeylops."
"Oh," Harry said, furrowing his brow slightly. "I didn't go to meet her, I sort of… bumped into her while she was shopping with her parents. She asked me to say 'hello' to you for her."
Ron seemed to brighten a bit at that and looked at Harry. "She did? So, I guess you've already got your supplies, then."
Harry shook his head, sitting across from Ron. "No. I thought I'd wait and do my shopping with you tomorrow."
"Cool," Ron said with a smile. They chatted for a while, brushing off the busybodies who read the Daily Prophet every time someone asked whom Voldemort had killed at Ron's house.
TWO
Harry and Ron spent the next few weeks exploring Diagon Alley, which Harry already knew quite well from his spat there during the summer before third year. By the time September first arrived, Harry was more than ready to return to Hogwarts, wondering what excitement there would be for him this year. Harry was currently standing on the sidewalk with Ron, waiting to depart for Kings Cross Station. "What do you suppose school will be like with Voldemort back in power?" Harry asked conversationally.
"Would please stop saying his name?" Ron hissed through gritted teeth.
Harry shrugged. "No," he replied easily. "I'm not afraid of him, not anymore. Lord Voldemort will never get the better of me."
Ron gave a very put upon sigh. "All right, fine, but could at least whisper it? Just for the sake of my nerves?"
Harry cracked a small smile. "Fine."
"In the car, boys," Mrs. Weasley called. "Time to go." Harry got into the car after Ron, noting Fred, George and Ginny already inside waiting. He leaned against the door, watching London roll by as they made their way to the station. Hermione was waiting for them on Platform 9 ¾, and together, the three friends boarded the train.
"Harry!" Mr. Weasley called from the platform, beckoning Harry to him with one hand.
Harry furrowed his brow, jumping down to find out what Mr. Weasley wanted from him. "What is it, Mr. Weasley?" he asked curiously.
Mr. Weasley seemed strangely nervous. "Just… be careful this year, okay?" After a brief pause he added, "Take care of Ginny for us. Make sure that nothing happens to her."
Harry was surprised, but he tried not to show it. "Sure, Mr. Weasley. She'll be fine, don't worry." He bid a hasty farewell as the warning whistle went off, getting back on board the train and joining Ron and Hermione in their compartment.
"What'd Dad want with you, Harry?" Ron asked as soon as Harry sat down.
Harry nearly panicked, searching his brain for a suitable lie. "Er, he just wanted to wish me luck for the school year." He didn't want his friends to have to worry about Voldemort, so he kept Mr. Weasley's fears to himself.
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be this year," Hermione said, much to Harry's secret relief.
"I hope they bring back Professor Lupin," Ron said hopefully.
"Of course they won't bring him back, Ron," Hermione snarked, not even bothering to look up from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5 that she was reading. "Do you know how much trouble they'd get into with parents if they hired back a werewolf?"
"Regular ray of sunshine this morning, aren't you?" Ron asked sarcastically.
"Just so long as it's not Snape or another disguised Death Eater," Harry put in quickly, hoping to stop the row he felt coming on.
"I don't think it be too bad to have the real Moody as a professor," Hermione commented.
"I don't think I'd be able to trust him," Harry said.
Hermione finally looked up from her book to level an impatient glare at Harry. "You really need to let that go, Harry. Moody's not the one that tried to kill you."
"Yeah, well it still looked like Moody, and that's enough to put me off him for a while," Harry groused back.
"Harry-"
"I think Harry's right," Ron interrupted. "Besides, getting a new teacher every year is sort of like a Hogwarts tradition now, isn't it?"
Just as Hermione opened her mouth to reply, the compartment door slid open. To all of their disgust it was Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle, their three worst enemies at Hogwarts.
"So," Malfoy drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Still here, Weasley? What a disappointment. After reading the Prophet, I was hoping the Dark Lord had finished you off."
Ron started to get up, but Harry beat him to it. He didn't use magic either. He hit Malfoy as hard as he could right in the middle of Malfoy's pointed face. Malfoy flew backwards and hit the glass door shattering it. Crabbe and Goyle started to advance, but just then, Fred and George showed up. Crabbe and Goyle picked Malfoy up off of the ground.
"You'll pay for that, Potter!" Malfoy spat through the blood starting to pour out of his nose. He left swiftly, with Crabbe and Goyle at his heels.
"Honestly!" Hermione snapped, pointing her wand at the broken glass. "Repairo!" The glass flew into one large rectangular piece, fitting itself back into its frame. "You're going to get into trouble and we're not even half way there yet!"
"I'm not putting up with him this year! I'll break his neck before I let him push us around!"
Ron and Hermione were looking at Harry astonished. He started to get uncomfortable and suggested a game of Exploding Snap to break the tension. They played until the train started to slow down.
"Finally," Ron said. "I could eat the whole castle, I'm so hungry."
Harry stifled a snigger and got up to collect his scarf from Hagrid.
Ron and Hermione stared as Harry began wrapping the massive thing around his body.
"What?" he asked them.
"Well," said Hermione trying not to laugh. "Isn't that a bit, erm, big for you Harry?"
Ron had lost all control at this point and had his hands on his knees for support.
"Shut up," Harry replied. "Hagrid gave it to me for my birthday. I just didn't want to hurt his feelings."
"How tall does he think you are?" Ron asked between laughs.
"Oh, let's just go," Harry said trying to keep a straight face.
Harry had a hard time getting off of the train due to the scarf. When he was finally off, he waved at Hagrid. "Hey there, Hagrid!" he called.
"Yeh wore it!" Hagrid said, looking honored. "I didn't think yeh were goin' ter like it."
"Of course I like it," Harry called back.
"See yeh at the feast Harry." Hagrid looked as though he was about to burst from joy.
"Hey Potter!" Malfoy called over. "Did you fall into a flask of pumpkin juice?" Some of the people around him began laughing.
Harry started to advance but Hermione stopped him. "He's just trying to get you expelled, Harry," she said and pushed him into the carriage.
When they were finally seated in the Great Hall, Harry noticed a new person sitting next to Hagrid. She was a young witch with dark hair wearing robes of deepest green.
"Who is that talking to Hagrid?" Hermione asked, voicing Harry's very same thought.
"She must be the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher," Ron replied.
"But she looks too young to be a teacher."
"Well..." Ron began, but at that moment, Professor McGonagall came in with the first years. They all lined up in front of the teachers' table. In front of them was an old, patched, ancient looking hat sitting on a three-legged stool. A tear near the brim opened wide like a mouth and the hat began to sing.
"I may not be pretty,
but judge not what you see!
I'll turn myself inside out
if you find a smarter hat than me!
I see what's inside your head,
your greatest love,
you biggest dread.
So put me on and I will see
where in Hogwarts you should be.
Perhaps in noble Gryffindor,
where only the brave preside,
you will find your soul mates
to be friends forever more!
Or maybe in dear Hufflepuff,
where hard workers make their residence,
you will find a loyal presence.
Or maybe still in Ravenclaw,
where clever students dwell,
you will be able to shed you shell.
Or maybe in crude Slytherin,
who care not their means,
you will find your true home,
and gladly spread your seeds.
So try me on, wizards of all sorts,
for I am the only Sorting Hat
here at Hogwarts!"
The Hall broke out into applause. McGonagall stepped forward with a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will step forward, place the Sorting Hat on your head, sit on the stool and be sorted into your house," she announced.
"Well," Ron continued as if there had been no interruption, "she's sitting at the staff table, isn't she?"
"That is true, Hermione," Harry said as Ackleman, Stephanie 'RAVENCLAW' took her seat.
"Maybe she's an assistant," Hermione said.
"Dumbledore will tell us after the feast," Harry said as Phelps, Ann became a Gryffindor.
"Hiya Harry!" said a small boy sitting on Harry's left.
"Hello, Collin."
"Aren't you excited to be back? I can't wait to go into Hogsmeade!" Collin said sounding out of breath.
Dumbledore arose from his seat; the hall fell silent. "I have just one word, Codswollop. Thank you."
With that, the food magically appeared, signaling the beginning of the start of term feast. The students talked, laughed and gossiped their way through the delicious mounds of food, catching up with their friends. Harry was stuffed and feeling like he could fall asleep right on the table when Dumbledore stood up again and cleared his throat for silence.
"I have a few start of term announcements," he said, beaming around at them all as though he'd never seen a more beautiful sight, even though he did this every year. "First of all, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Star." There was much applause and some cat calling from the boys as the young witch next to Hagrid stood with a small smile and a wave.
"I told you!" Ron whispered to Hermione, who shot him a glare before turning her attention back to Dumbledore.
"First years should note," Dumbledore went on, "that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students. Finally, all visits to the village of Hogsmeade have been canceled-" He was cut off as an enraged outcry came from most of the student body. Raising his voice, he continued. "Have been canceled due to circumstances that are beyond our control. That is all." He sat down as the students, still complaining about their thwarted Hogsmeade visits, rose to go to their dormitories.
"How could he cancel the Hogsmeade visits?" Ron asked angrily.
"I expect its because he doesn't want to risk Voldemort killing any of us," Harry replied. Behind him, Neville Longbottom stumbled and fell over at the name. Harry turned around and helped him up." Sorry Neville."
When everyone finally reached the common room, Harry was too worried to be able to sleep. Instead, he decided to try to take his mind off things by reading his History of Magic book. After a while, Hermione came out of the girl's dormitories and started staring at him.
"What?" Harry said, irritated.
"Why are you reading that Harry?"
"Because I feel like it?"
"Harry, what's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
"That new teacher and I'm wondering why Dumbledore didn't cancel Quidditch too, if it's too dangerous to go into Hogsmeade."
"I thought that would have made you happy, Harry."
"It does. It's just..." he paused for a moment, "I don't know what it is. I guess I'd better get some sleep. Goodnight Hermione."
"Goodnight Harry." She didn't move. She just sat there and watched him climb up the steps to the boys' dormitory.
Harry didn't sleep well at all that night, tossing and turning, unable to clear his mind of the horrible thoughts running through it. He was picturing what would happen should Voldemort decide to attack during a Quidditch game. Try as he might, he couldn't make his imagination shut off the gruesome images the thought evoked. Finally, at five in the morning, Harry gave up on sleep, making his way down to the common room. There was a new notice on the bulletin board so Harry walked over to read it.
Quidditch trials will be held two weeks from today to select a new Gryffindor Keeper and a new Captain. Please sign your name below if you would like to be on the team. Thank you
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry had forgotten that since Wood had graduated they didn't have a Captain or a Keeper on the team. He went down to breakfast without signing the parchment, knowing that he simply didn't have the stamina to be Quidditch captain on top of everything else he was doing.
It was very early, so not many people were in the Great Hall. There were a few Ravenclaws, their heads bent together over some parchment, one Slytherin second year who looked to be sulking, and someone at the Gryffindor table Harry couldn't remember ever having seen before. This person was a boy, Harry put his age at around fifteen, with blonde hair that fell to his shoulders, pale skin and the strangest ears Harry had ever seen, three points around the edges instead of a round lobe that made them look very much like wings.
Harry frowned as he sat down in his usually spot, loading his plate with scrambled eggs and sausage. He kept stealing glances at this new addition throughout the meal, trying to recall if he'd ever seen the boy before, and feeling certain he hadn't. So engrossed was he, that he didn't even notice when McGonagall deposited the timetables in front of him. He'd just finished his food when the odd new addition looked directly at him, blue eyes seeming to pierce Harry's soul, much the way Snape's did. Just then, Ron and Hermione joined him.
"You were up early this morning, Harry," Ron said.
"Are you sure nothing's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry however did not hear their questions. "Who is that at the end of the table?" he asked.
"Transfer student?" Ron suggested. "Who cares? Are you going out for Quidditch Captain Harry?"
"No," Harry said simply. "Here are the timetables. Would you pass them out please? I'm going to the library before class." Ron and Hermione goggled at him, but he didn't notice. He wanted to look in some books and see about the new boy's ears.
Harry went through several books before class started, but none had anything about people with wing shaped ears. He was just getting ready to start on a new book (Magical Creatures Resembling Humans) when Ron showed up.
"Harry!" he cried, "What are you doing? We're going to be late for class!"
Only then did Harry realize how long he'd been in the library. He looked at his timetable and saw that they had Defense Against the Dark Arts first with the Hufflepuffs.
Harry and Ron made their way to the classroom and only just made it in time. They chose a seat next to Hermione, the strange new boy sitting on her other side.
"Harry, where have you been?" Hermione whispered.
"Good morning students," came a voice from a back corner of the room. Harry turned around and saw Professor Star going through a bookcase there.
"As you all remember, I am Professor Star, I will start by taking role." She went through the list and then, "Harry Potter." She looked at Harry for a moment and then continued as if nothing had happened. "I am aware of the subjects that have been covered previously in this class, but I would like to go more in depth with them. All of them," she said, again looking at Harry. "Tell me, Harry Potter, what did you cover last year with, er, 'Professor' Moody?"
Harry, who was caught off guard by the question, took a moment to answer. "Er...the Unforgivable Curses, Ma'am," he said at last.
"It would do you all some good to remember the things you learned from him, and to make sure you do, our first term together will be spent refining your knowledge of the Unforgivable Curses." Her eyes had remained on Harry the whole time, but now she moved them to Neville. "We will not, however, be doing much more with the Cruciatus Curse, so not to worry."
As Professor Star began a rather interesting lecture about the more uncommon uses of the Unforgivables, Harry couldn't help but notice that the new kid hardly took any notes at all. In fact, he didn't even seem to be paying much attention to the lesson.
The rest of the day was most uneventful. As Harry entered the common room after dinner, he found himself face to face with the new kid.
"Hello, Harry Potter," he said, his voice strangely flat as though he'd been programmed.
"Er, hello," Harry replied uncertainly.
The new kid didn't even quirk an eyebrow. "I am Christopher," he said. "I think perhaps it would be safer, especially for you, if you didn't wander the corridors alone."
"What do you care?" Harry shot back, not really sure he liked Christopher very much.
Christopher either didn't hear Harry's rudeness, or chose to ignore it. Either way, his was still emotionless when he said, "Just a friendly piece of advice." He walked away to the dorms without even waiting for a reply. Harry felt there was something extremely odd about this new boy in his year and he was determined to find out just what kind of creature Christopher was.
Harry was up early on purpose the next morning. He rushed through his breakfast so that he'd have plenty of time before his first class to research magical creatures in the library. After a disappointing hour and a half of searching, he went out to the grounds for Care of Magical Creatures. He was distracting by an interesting conversation in an extremely strange language going on in Professor Star's nearly empty classroom.
"Krunta rupella fontilla rontan, Christopher," Professor Star was saying.
Christopher turned his head slightly towards the door then said, "Rorintal frun torla."
Professor Star hesitated then said, "That will be all Christopher, go to class now. I will speak to you later."
Harry ducked away from the door, running as fast as he could toward his class to avoid being seen by Christopher, but the odd boy never showed up. Before class started, Harry told Ron and Hermione what he'd seen and heard.
"So?" Ron asked, looking at Harry oddly. "They must just be from another country, that's all."
"I agree, Harry," Hermione said. "Why are you so caught up on him?" They were both giving him concerned looks, which aggravated him to no end.
"There's something not right about him!" Harry insisted, ignoring the other students still arriving for class. "I don't think that he's-"
Hagrid chose this moment to appear, cutting off Harry's words without realizing it. "Everyone quite down. I've got a treat fer ya today!" He was positively beaming around at them. Harry's heart sank. As much as he loved Hagrid, the half-giant's idea of a treat could turn life threatening in a heartbeat.
"More monsters to kill us with then?" Malfoy drawled behind them. Harry flushed with anger, turning intent on tackling Malfoy to the ground when Ron and Hermione grabbed his robes.
"Harry, what's gotten into you?" Hermione chastised quietly, forcibly turning Harry back around.
Hagrid, who had disappeared around the side of his hut, was now approaching with a winged horse in tow. Many of the girls gasped at the sight of it causing Hagrid to beam proudly. The horse was a beautiful chestnut color and he didn't even ruffle his wings nervously in the presence of the class.
"This here is called an Aethonan," Hagrid announced happily.
"Hagrid, where did you get it?" Lavender Brown asked.
"These winged horses are native to Britain," Hagrid said still smiling. "Everyone can come and pet him if they want. Mind yeh, don't mess his wings or he's liable ter kick yeh"
Harry walked up on the pretence of petting the horse but stopped when he reached Hagrid. He waited for Ron and Hermione to be out of earshot, then, "Hagrid, what do you know about the new teacher, Professor Star?"
"Professor Star?" Hagrid repeated, "Well let me see. She's really very friendly, has a lot of good advice. I don't think she's human though. Very strange ter find a non-human witch. Why do yeh wanna know about her, Harry?"
"Oh, I was just wondering," Harry said quickly, and went to pet the horse with the rest of the class. After class, it was time for double potions, again with the Slytherins.
"At least this year we get all our classes with them over with in one day, instead of stretching it out over the week," Ron said thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Harry said sarcastically, "just what I've always wanted. To spend three hours with Malfoy instead of one."
"Oh come on Harry," Hermione said, "Ron's right, it really is better this way."
"I wonder why Christopher didn't come to class," Harry said, changing the subject.
"Who's Christopher?" Ron asked.
"The new boy in our class," Harry said.
"Oh, come on Harry, you're not still on about him are you?" Ron said sounding amazed.
"I want to know who he is."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked to their potions class and Harry immediately saw that Christopher was already in his seat, which just happened to be right next to where Hermione usually sat. Hermione and Ron sat down, but Harry kept looking at Christopher. Christopher looked up and did not seem the least bit surprised at Harry's staring.
"Sit down, Potter," Snape growled as he swept into the room. "Five points from Gryffindor." When Harry was seated, glaring angrily at his professor, Snape went on. "We'll be making the Impermeable Potion today. Instructions are on the board." He waved his wand and the instructions appeared behind him.
Everyone, except for Christopher, began taking down the instructions and preparing their ingredients. Christopher, who already had his ingredients prepared, silently bent to his work, not glancing up at the board once. Not surprisingly, he finished his potion before everyone else, sitting patiently in his seat to wait for the next part of the lesson.
"Cheating, Mr. Star?" Snape asked, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"I do not understand what you mean," Christopher said.
"How else could you finish so quickly?"
"If you'll excuse me, Professor Snape, the Impermeable Potion is rather simple to brew."
The whole class had fallen silent to watch the exchange.
A pink tinge came into Snape's cheeks. "Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek, Star!" he snapped angrily.
Christopher didn't look as though he cared overmuch. "As you wish it, sir," he said without inflection.
Snape's dark eyes narrowed slightly before he collected Christopher's sample and headed back up to his desk.
At lunch, Harry noticed that Christopher had once again chosen to sit next to Hermione.
"How did you know which potion we'd make today?" Harry asked as he sat down.
"Snape told us, didn't he?" Christopher replied.
Harry frowned at him. "You knew before the class even started."
For the first time, a small smile lifted the corners of Christopher's mouth. "You don't miss anything, do you, Harry Potter? Yes, I knew."
"How?"
Christopher shrugged, ignoring the curious looks he was getting from Ron and Hermione. "I just did," he said.
Harry didn't have much of an appetite, so he said, "I think I'll go down and visit with Hagrid for a bit."
"Hang on," Ron said as Harry stood. "We'll go with you."
"No," Harry said sharply. "I want to go alone." Ron dropped back into his seat looking perplexed as Harry walked away. He didn't miss Christopher's thoughtful expression, but he chose to ignore both boys, hurrying out of the Hall without looking back.
Author's Note: I ask that you please excuse any mistakes that may appear in the story because I have no beta and it rather hurts my wrists to type so much, so on occasion I make little mistakes here and there. Thank you to…
Killer916
Rutu
Ktoddhim: Posting it for you, love, because you asked me to. How do you like the changes?