A/N: Here we go again... the next chap is here! Sorry for the delay, the internet was down here for a little while. I found out a while later what was wrong and fixed it, but then the servers were overloaded for the login page every time I notice on the main page claimed it was in a read-only mode or something). I apologize for the delay.
How We Survive: Chapter 11
"Excuse me if I don't care. So I'm their symbol, their martyr, their bag of broken dreams. Why should I give a damn. Tell the world to go paint their pretty pictures as they please. Do you really believe I was ever anything but a person?"
The entire common had gone silent.
"I'm apologize. Perhaps... ...perhaps you have every right to stir things up a bit, as you see fit."
He nodded.
"Thank you, Professor. I wish you a good evening."
"The same to you, Mr Potter... ...goodnight Harry."
She left. Fred and George wore identical startled looks, obviously shocked to have escaped punishment. Harry left only moments later. He was well ready for a goodnight's sleep- most likely a better one than he had in a long time, and had had enough of the Hogwarts population for one day.
Harry awoke early the next morning, and untangled himself from the pile of blankets in which he'd cocooned himself. It was dark, and a bit chilly. He concentrated for a moment, becoming invisible before stumbling out the secret passage, grabbing one of the scones he'd brought up from the kitchen and the bag of fizzing whizbees on the way.
Deciding it would be best not to get lost right away, he made his way over to Gryffindor tower. Reaching the entrance, he muttered the password to the portrait.
The Gryffindor common room was still empty. Transitioning into 'semi-visibility,' the boy- or, in all appearances ghost- sat down in an armchair by the fire place. He was waiting for the twins. After all, he needed knowledge of the school's secret passage-ways if he was to get around the school without being detected. From what he'd observed so far, it would be suspicious for a 'ghost' to be seen wandering around by normal routes, unless he was talking to a student or another living resident. It would also be useful in terms of exploring invisibly, and avoiding running into people.
Hermione Granger was the first downstairs into the common room, carrying a bag full of school books. She started slightly as she noticed the transparent form already seated, gazing into the flickering firelight.
"Err, hi," she began nervously, "I just thought I'd come down and get some studying done before class-"
"Its fine," he assured her, "how many times have you read them so far?"
"I think I have them pretty much memorized..."
"You have no need to fret, then."
"It's just... since neither of my parents are magical, I knew absolutely nothing about what to expect. I want to be prepared for the first day of classes."
"I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Thanks."
She removed a book from her bag, and for the next half hour, she read diligently. Both of them looked up after that when they heard footsteps on the stair. It was Dean Thomas, followed several minutes later by Neville Longbottom.
Harry wasn't surprised in the least. It is hardly uncommon to wake up early when one is nervous or excited about something, and the first day of classes obviously was a big deal to all three.
"So," Dean began awkwardly after they'd been sitting there for nearly a full minute, "what is- err, was- your life like? I mean..."
"I don't see how it matters, since I'm dead," Harry replied contritely, "it's over, after all. Why don't the lot of you tell about your lives?"
"Alright," Dean agreed.
After another moment of silence, he started to speak.
"I guess I'll go first then... I live in London with my family. I have a load of siblings- step-siblings really- we all get on fairly well. I never knew I was a wizard until I got my letter. My parents were both muggles- at least, I think they are," he frowned slightly, "my dad left, so I don't really know for sure."
"I could help you do some research on that sometime, if you'd like," Hermione offered.
"Thanks, but I'd prefer to get used to the wizarding world a bit first, settle in and all. I'll keep the offer in mind, though."
"I didn't know until I'd gotten my letter either," Hermione began, "both my parents are dentists."
"I live with my Grandmother. I grew up knowing about magic, but- well-my familythought for a while I might be a squib. They were so pleased when I got my Hogwarts letter. That's how I got Trevor."
"Well, at least you have a bit more background to start with," Hermione commented encouragingly.
Some of the older students had begun making their way down the stairs, Fred and George among them.
"G'morning mate!"
"Ws'up Harry!"
"Ready for the prankster's tour?"
"Sure, what took you so long?"
"It's called sleep, mate!"
"Well, come on!"
The twins headed towards the portrait hole, Harry following closely behind. They walked for a distance, before Fred and George pulled him into an empty classroom.
"Right, we decided you can borrow this-"
"It should help you find your way around-"
"And avoid running into people."
They had taken out an old, faded piece of parchment. George tapped it with his wand, muttering:
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
Lines began to appear, spinning out in all directions, twisting and turning here and there in some sort of pattern, which Harry realized moments later was actually a drawing of Hogwarts. Lettering at the top read: 'Messr. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs proudly present the Mauraders' Map.'
"The Mauraders' Map-"
"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs-"
"We owe them so much!"
"We're standing here, see?"
Where they were standing there were three dots on the map, labeled 'Fred Weasley,' 'George Weasley,' and 'Harry Potter.'
"There are seven secret passages."
"This one's behind the Whomping Willow, so that's of no use."
"We think Filch knows about these three-"
"And these three have caved in."
"This one leads to Hogsmeade-"
"The cellar of Honeydukes to be precise."
"Right, that's about it-"
"We're off to breakfast."
"Have fun exploring!"
Harry spent the rest of the morning wandering around the school, trying to get accustomed to finding his way around. With the various sets of armor, moving staircases and other oddities, finding out as much as possible about the school was a necessity. It was a rather interesting, rambling castle, built in a variety of styles from different time periods. No doubt it hadn't been built all at once.
I was early afternoon when he ran into Nick (or 'Nearly Headless Nick, as the twins liked to refer to him).
"The other ghosts have agreed to keep quiet for the time being. The Bloody Baron has even said that he could keep Peeves from causing you problems... but he has requested to speak with you."
"That's reasonable."
"He'll meet you in the Great Hall at the end of dinner. I assume you'll be going into the Slytherin dungeons for your discussion."
Harry nodded his assent.
"Thank you, Nick. Tell him I'll be there."
Traveling down to the Great Hall to meet the Slytherin ghost, Harry found that he was rather pleased wtih this turn of events.
He'd wanted a chance to further connections in Hogwarts, and get to know the other houses, so, if he could get off to a good start with the Bloody Baron, this would most likely work to his advantage.
He entered the hall, floating, invisible, then moved to nick some food from the nearest table. He ate quietly, then moved to where the Bloody Baron was seated at the Slytherin table.
"Good evening, Mr Potter."
"Same to you, Baron. I hope I find you well?"
He hoped dearly that he'd managed to mask his surprise at being addressed while invisilbe. He was floating, so no footsteps sounded in his wake, and the Great Hall was quite lound enough at present that, with all the students in close proximity, it would be impossible to detect his breathing from another's.
The Baron was chuckling darkly.
"I doubt it matters much whether I'm well or not. One day isn't all the different from the next, being dead, it's the world around that changes."
Harry snorted.
"I believe I told some Gryffindor first years something similar when they asked what my life was like."
"How Slytherin of you. Alright then, wait until the students begin to clear the hall," the Baron muttered softly, "then follow me."
A/N: To all my reviewers:
alen- I'm sorry the chapters are rather short. I make sure to get them at least 1,000 words each, usually a bit more, but I unfortunately don't have all the free time in the world. I'll try to start making chapters a bit longer if I can find the time. Sorry about the lack of action last chap (and probably this chap as well...). I expected people to be really annoyed about that, but no one actually seemed mad at me...
C'mon- Unforntunately for Harry, he can't walk through walls or people at the present time, which is one of the reasons he has to be really careful.
Linker27- Yep, she was definately flustered! A bit sympathetic with Harry as well.
lmill123- Some people seem to think Dumbles knows, others think he doesn't... he probably doesn't, but I don't really care. We never knew for sure what was going on in his head in the books, and since this is really from Harry's point of view (though not in first person) I won't be saying one way or another.
bluelion7- He can become invisible, so they wont always see him entering through doorways or walking around by normal routes.
Akalon- I update once a week, consistantly at the moment, so you don't have to worry about waiting too long.
Avemtilla- He can become invisible, so they wont always see him entering through doorways or walking around by normal routes.
Isis's Rose- Nope, people can't walk through him.
Thestrals- I know the levitation is an issue, and I do have plans for that. It should be resolved by next chapter.
dead feather- Some people seem to think Dumbles knows, others think he doesn't... he probably doesn't, but I don't really care. We never knew for sure what was going on in his head in the books, and since this is really from Harry's point of view (though not in first person) I won't be saying one way or another. Sorry about the gramatical errors. It's unbeta-ed, so, yeah...
Also thanks to:
japanese-jew, ManicReversed, azntgr01, jbfritz, koalas kill kangaroos, SeekerTLK, Night-Owl123, Crissy Potter, King Dimension, FroBoy, gaul1, heyster1, FrodoBeutlin, Lady Jillyan Malfoy-Potter, Raskanii, and borne-shadow-childe.