AN: This is literally my first fanfiction. Don't expect high quality content because I certainly don't. In the future I will probably read this and think it is a piece of garbage. But right now, I am proud of it. Therefore, advice is not only allowed but encouraged. I shall also warn you, I am going to change most canon events, so don't expect the timeline to be precise.
On a happier note, please join the Haphne server! Link: discord dot gg/pKSdvJQvhU
We do several weekly activities such as a discussion club, Care of Magical Creatures lessons and our own movie/anime club!
31st of October 1993, Slytherin common room
"Come on, everybody. We must go to the Great Hall now. We shall sleep in there."
"Why are we doing that Flint? What happened?" a sixth-year student asked.
"It is suspected that Sirius Black has entered the castle. We shall stay all together until it is deemed safe again. Pick just whatever you deem indispensable and leave for the Hall. Our head of house and Professor Sinistra will escort you on the way there."
Dozens of students started moving after that, a few of them gathering something to keep themselves warm. Meanwhile, they were all whispering to their friends, commenting on the events that had just happened in the castle.
"Where are you going with that, Greengrass?"
"What do you mean, Malfoy? It is a scarf; I am wearing it because I don't want to catch a cold!"
Several students turned their heads around, trying to listen in to their conversation.
"I know what that is. What I want to know is why is it red and gold? Are you cavorting with the Gryffindors? You are a disappointment to Slytherin house!"
"Last time I checked, it wasn't against the rules to do that. And disappointment, me? I haven't lost fifty points for being a moron Malfoy!" Plenty of snorts and chuckles could be heard across the room.
But this time, Daphne did not have enough time to retort, because Harper overtook her.
"And maybe you should reconsider your statement about socialising Malfoy. Due to your actions the past few years, you have done nothing but gain enemies outside this house. A Slytherin depends on his reputation to succeed!"
Another student took advantage of this chance, and decided to make her point:
"After the last war, this house's reputation was that of a bunch of murderers! We have been trying to improve that for the last decade… And just as our name started to gain prestige again, you threw it to the mud once again! I can't even sit with my brother in Ravenclaw without being glared at!"
Several murmurs of agreement could be heard across the common room. Just because you had been sorted into Slytherin, it didn't mean you couldn't have siblings or friends sorted somewhere else. Now it was Daphne again who spoke:
"I would be careful if I were you, Malfoy. Your dad's name won't save you from everything, and it will not take you everywhere. You have tried to alienate our house from the rest of the school, but you have only managed to isolate yourself."
With that, Daphne left the common room. There were several glares directed at Malfoy, and none of them assured a bright future to the boy.
A few minutes later…
All of the students were in sleeping bags in the Great Hall. According to Dumbledore's speech, Sirius Black had attempted to enter Gryffindor tower, only to be stopped by the Fat Lady. Black had not reacted well to her rejection and proceeded to rip the portrait. The Fat Lady was later found on the fifth floor.
The whole castle was currently in lockdown, and the teachers were scouting all around to try and find the elusive murderer. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, no one found out where he had gone. This had come to a surprise for Harry. No one in the castle (apart from the Fat Lady) had seen him? He was a criminal without money, he couldn't have an invisibility cloak, right? Maybe someone else knew something? Dobby had told him there were elves working at the castle, so maybe one of them saw him?
The following morning, a new announcement was made in the Great Hall. Lockdown was be over, and life could continue as usual. Regarding the Fat Lady, her portrait had been severely damaged, and therefore needed reparation. She would be temporarily replaced by Sir Cadogan that afternoon. The twins snickered at this statement, but Harry didn't know why.
1st of November 1993, corridor outside the library
Harry was leaving the library right now. He had just finished his Potions' essay about the correct security protocols towards explosive ingredients, and Hermione was still muttering about 'getting everything done before dinner'. Something that was impossible, considering that dinner at the Great Hall was about to finish.
So, Harry was left to his own thoughts. Most importantly, he still wanted to know if someone had seen Sirius Black. Someone apart from the portraits, of course. And since no adult seemed disposed to declare, he decided to ask one of his friends:
"DOBBY!"
CRACK!
"The great Master Harry Potter Sir has called Dobby!"
Harry sighed. He needed Dobby to call him something else… If only to avoid embarrassment. He had Dobby working on the kitchens to keep him close, and he thought it was good for the elf to have work as well.
"Yeah, I need your help. There are rumours about Sirius Black being in the castle yesterday… Did you or any other elves see anything suspicious?"
"No Sir. The only different thing was a doggy walking around the greenhouses Sir."
"A dog? What kind is it?"
"Dobby is not knowing Sir. It is a big black doggy, but it is very skinny also. Dobby is be thinking he is a stray…"
Could it be the same dog he found at Privet Drive? And if it was, how had it followed him here? Maybe there were magical dogs? Too many questions without an answer. And he did not have the energy to deal with them at the moment…
"Dobby, I know it is too late, but can I have something to eat? I am quite hungry right now."
"Oh yes! Dobby is bringing the Great Master to the kitchens, so the Great Master is never hungry again!"
And with that, Harry was showed his way to the kitchens, and the way to tickle the pear.
Harry had one of the best meals in his life. But the most important thing about that expedition is what came after he left the kitchens. Harry heard some steps coming around the corner, so he quickly hid under his invisibility cloak. To his relief, it was only the twins looking at a piece of parchment…
"You can show yourself, Harrykins!" One of them said.
"Don't worry, we are not going to hand you over to Filch." The other said.
Since he had been already caught, Harry decided to reveal himself. It is not as if the twins weren't breaking rules either.
"How did you find me guys? I thought I had been sneaky enough!"
"It was very simple Harrykins! It is due to this…" Fred said, pointing at the parchment.
"This is the key to our success! And you are a lucky one, Harrykins… We have decided to pick you as our successor!" George added.
"What do you mean? It is only an ordinary piece of parchment, right?" Harry couldn't understand it.
A few minutes later, he understood. Whoever the Marauders may have been, they were geniuses. To make a whole map of the school, as well as being able to point the location of every individual… That was outstanding.
Along with the cloak, this would make him undetectable inside the castle! There was no way Black would be able to catch him if he could see him entering the castle from his room!
So, with this new possession, Harry decided to go to sleep, feeling way more confident that he felt the day before.
A few minutes later…
Harry was about to enter the common room. It was at this point that he remembered that Sir Cadogan had just been placed here today:
"Good evening, young Sir! Is there anything Sir Cadogan can do for you?"
Harry was surprised by his manners (far more polite than the Fat Lady) and replied:
"Yes, Sir Cadogan. I need to enter the Gryffindor common room."
"Hmmm. I am not supposed to let students enter after curfew… But your eyes remember me of someone…"
Harry was jubilant. A portrait knew his mother. Or was it another ancestor? Maybe he knew something?
"And who was that someone Sir?"
"It is someone I haven't seen in centuries. I am speaking about Tim the Enchanter!"
An explosion was heard .
"Wait what? But what does that mean for me?" He didn't know who that Tim was, and he doubted that Binns would mention him at History unless he killed a goblin…
"Yes, that is correct. He was one of the most prestigious wizards of his age. So, I am going to use the same method he used during my quest with Arthur, the King of the Britons. You shall answer three questions, and if you answer them correctly, I shall let you pass, and tell you about the passwords for tomorrow. If not, you shall be sent on your way until the end of curfew."
"Okay. Bring them on!" Harry said with more confidence that he felt.
"First question: What is your name?"
"Harry James Potter!"
"What is your quest?"
"My quest is to get a good night's sleep without hearing Ron's snoring!"
"Good answer. And finally, what is your favourite colour?"
Harry thought about green, but said colour suddenly changed to familiar blue eyes…
"The answer is blue."
"Correct! Have a good night, Mister Potter!"
Harry entered the common room speechless. Both due to the conversation with Sir Cadogan and his new favourite colour. Because he did not fancy her, right?
6th of November 1993
Harry was going down to the Quidditch pitch. To be honest, Harry didn't think they should be playing today. It was raining cats and dogs outside, and Harry doubted you could see further than five feet in front of you.
But that was a thing that the captains had to agree on, and he didn't see Wood folding anytime soon… The spectators hadn't reached the stadium yet, so they could still save themselves from the rain…
So it was with very dire prospects that Harry reached the changing rooms. Before he was able to enter, the rest of his Quidditch team was coming out.
"You can't be serious Oliver! There is no way we are playing today! I don't care if it is Slytherin or the Holyhead Harpies we are supposed to play against, this is not happening!" Angelina proclaimed.
"Yeah, there is no way we can protect you from the bludgers if we cannot see them!" The twins added.
"Oliver, if they can't see the bludgers, how I am supposed to see the snitch? With the constant lightnings around, I will not be able to see a shiny dot!" Harry was beginning to get desperate, they couldn't play under this weather, right?
"If Harry can't get the snitch, we could lose quite badly… And you wouldn't want to lose against Slytherin, right?" Katie asked.
"NO! NEVER! All right then, we are cancelling. But we still need to get Flint to agree, remember?" Oliver said.
So, with that statement from Oliver, they all went to the pitch, hoping that the Slytherins would see reason.
"Flint, I need to ask something from you."
"Nice to see you, Wood. Specially considering I need something from you as well."
"We need to cancel the game!" Both said.
Their eyes turned to saucers, and Hooch could be seen pinching herself too. After all, they had never agreed on anything before.
"Well, considering that both captains agree to cancel the game, it will be played at a later date, as soon as the weather allows it. Have a good morning, and make sure not to catch a cold!"
And with this farewell from Hooch, they all went back the way they came.
On his way back to the castle, Harry was intercepted by someone:
"What did you have to do to convince Wood?" Daphne asked.
"I basically told him that I wouldn't catch the snitch, what did you guys do to convince Flint?" He countered.
"The beaters suggested to throw the bludgers at him instead of throwing them at your team. He is not so stupid to refuse that." She snickered.
But before they could continue their conversation, they were interrupted:
"Woof, woof!" There was a black dog waggling his tail at Harry.
"Hey, boy! What are you doing here under the rain? You are too skinny as well, come inside and we will give you something to eat!"
Daphne looked at him with a bewildered expression, and it took her a while to ask:
"Where did you get him? I thought you only had Hedwig. Plus, you know dogs aren't allowed here, don't you?" She said, quirking an eyebrow at him.
"It is not my dog, relax. He is just a stray I fed once this summer. I am surprised he managed to find me, that's all." Harry said, while petting the dog behind his ears.
"Hmmm. He must be a very smart dog, to chase you all the way here…"
"Yeah, that is true. And this dog will be getting some meat from the kitchens, won't you?"
Said dog started bouncing in happiness around them, and then he jumped on Harry, licking his face.
"The kitchens? I didn't know they were open to students?" Daphne asked again, glaring at him.
Harry moved the dog away from him, and answered:
"They are only open to the ones who find it! Come with me if you don't believe it!"
Daphne huffed, but she still followed them. Eventually they made it to the kitchens, where Dobby received them:
"Good mornings, Great Master Harry Potter Sir!" Daphne's snort could be heard behind Harry.
"What is you be wanting to eat Sir?" The elf asked happily.
"I don't feel particularly hungry right now, Dobby. Do you think there is some chicken left for the dog? I think we should take care of him, so if you could keep him fed it would be a good favour."
"Of course, Sir! Dobby will take care of Master's doggy!" And looking at Daphne, Dobby asked:
"Is Harry Potter's Missus wanting something?"
"Oi! I am NOT his Missus!" Noticing her tone, she asked: "Do you have any ice-cream by the way?"
"Dobby is sorry Miss! We is not having ice-cream on winter months! Is there anything else Dobby can do for yous?"
"No, thanks Dobby. I will have to get it somewhere else…"
Meanwhile Harry was wondering why she wanted ice-cream that much. It was pouring outside! That girl must be insane!
"Come on, Harry! Or everyone will start wondering if the Slytherins have kidnapped you or something." And with that call from Daphne, Harry left the kitchens and made his way to Gryffindor tower.
13th of November 1993, Quidditch pitch
The Slytherin-Gryffindor match was taking place at this very moment. Gryffindor was currently winning 100-60, but the snitch was nowhere in sight. It seemed as if everything was going down to whoever could catch it first.
The weather had been significantly better than last week, and the seekers could actually try and find the snitch today. Which is why it was very surprising when the fog started coming in. Looking at Dumbledore, Harry realised he was as disturbed as the rest of them.
Just as he looked back at the match, he saw Daphne making her move, with a golden dot flying in front of her. 'Just in time!'
Harry quickly flew towards them, and they started rising dangerously. This snitch didn't want to get caught that easily, it seemed.
As they rose, a mysterious fog appeared in the pitch. Both seekers continued in their pursuit of the snitch, but they also noticed the air becoming colder and colder. It was at this point, that a voice startled Harry:
"Did you see that shadow?" Daphne asked, no longer looking for the snitch.
"You saw it as well? I thought I was imagining it…" Harry replied.
"I don't like this, at all. I am not feeling well…"
Harry was about to tell her that he wasn't feeling good either, when he felt it. That feeling of dread. As if he couldn't feel happy anymore.
"We need to get out of here NOW!"
The snitch completely forgotten, both of them flew as fast as possible, with Harry falling behind due to the Nimbus 2001's greater top speed. Which proved to be an almost lethal experience, as soon enough, Harry lost consciousness again.
14th of November 1993, Hospital Wing
Harry was finally awake. He felt completely exhausted, as if Buckbeak had used him as his personal doormat. Looking around, he realised he wasn't the only one there:
"Glad to see you are finally awake, Harry."
"How much time have I spent here, Remus?" Harry was happy to see his favourite teacher, since he had no chance to speak with him outside classes since the full moon.
"It is five in the afternoon, and you arrived here yesterday morning… So a day and a few hours, I would say. Your friends and the Quidditch team were quite concerned for your health, especially Miss Greengrass…"
"Astoria was here?" Harry replied. "I did not even know she had come to the match… What happened though?"
"Astoria? Oh no. I was speaking about her sister Daphne. Soon after that fog appeared, people started seeing dementors everywhere. Soon enough, Daphne almost crashed into the ground, and asked if you had arrived there. Since no one had seen you at the time, Dumbledore started preparing in case of an accident… Thank Merlin for that!"
"So, the dementors attacked me again! Weren't they supposed to be only after Black? They did not kiss anyone did they?"
"Fortunately for us Harry, no one else was hurt. Well except…"
"Except for whom, Remus?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.
"You fell to the ground without your Nimbus Harry. The broom crashed into the Whomping Willow, and honouring its name…"
The man then proceeded to show the rests of the Nimbus to Harry. The boy was torn between the relief of no one being hurt, and the loss of one of his most valued possessions. Harry only had one important question left to answer.
"And the match?" Harry asked with fear.
"It is a tie in the end, Harry." Lupin said. "Gryffindor was winning at the time, but you were out of the game and there was an evacuation of the stadium going on at the time, so no one focused on the snitch… Wood and Flint agreed on something for the second time ever. They believe this match is cursed and have decided that a tie at 150 points is the fairest thing for both."
Then Remus stood up, and began to leave, not before saying:
"I am very sorry about your broom Harry. I will leave you to Poppy's care, who will no doubt provide you with plenty of potions of totally enjoyable taste. Make sure to rest well."
And with that, Harry was once again alone with his thoughts.
18th of December 1993, Hogsmeade
Harry was entering the Three Broomsticks on his own. Ron and Hermione were still at Scrivenshaft's, getting some extra parchment. Since Harry already had everything he needed, he was left the task to get a table at the pub.
After a little wait, Harry was able to get a table for him and his friends. Just as he ordered three butterbeers, he was joined by someone:
"Nice to see you here Harry!" Daphne said, startling him.
"Nice to see you as well, Daphne!"
Daphne was wearing a white fur coat today. It was quite cold outside today, showed by her pink cheeks. Said think was also correct for Harry, but maybe for another reason. Daphne looked good.
"Soooo…" Harry tried to start conversation. "What are you doing here?"
"Hoping to get a butterbeer." She answered bluntly.
"Reeaaaaally? I could have NEVER seen that one coming… What are you really doing?"
"I am waiting for Tracey and Pansy. They were taking too long looking at the kitties at the pet shop. They are cute, sure, but there are more things to do in here!"
After that statement from her, her butterbeer finally arrived. They continued their conversation for a while, until their respective groups of friends entered the pub. Daphne took it as her signal to leave, and went to sit at an empty table at the other side of the pub.
Harry may have felt a little sad about that…
A few minutes before that…
"Psst. Pansy!"
"What do you want Tracey?" The girl replied.
"Do you think the plan worked?" She asked, a hopeful glint on her eyes.
"What do you mean exactly? That they will be alone, or that IT will happen today?"
"Both, maybe?" Tracey tried.
"The first one is likely, and the second not that much. Daphne is still blind, and from what I've been told, Harry can be quite oblivious as well…"
"Guess we will have to wait a bit more then… By the way, how do you know that about Harry?"
"It is not that difficult to see, really. Plus, I have an informant in Gryffindor. And before you ask it, I am not telling you who it is."
25th of December 1993, Gryffindor common room
Harry had just woken up to the sound of Ron unwrapping presents. 'He even forgot about waking me up!' Harry grubled.
Gathering all of his presents together, Harry realised there was an even bigger amount of them this year. There were the ones from Ron and Hermione, Astoria and Daphne, the usual package of rock cakes from Hagrid…
Mrs. Weasley had been especially nice this year. Apart from her usual Weasley jumper, she had also made him a chocolate loaf cake, with some chocolate cookies as well. There was a note attached to it to explain:
'To make you feel better after dealing with those disgusting creatures
Have a nice Christmas
Arthur and Molly Weasley'
But there were two others in there. Opening the first, Harry realised it was a present from Remus. '101 spells to incapacitate your opponent' was looking like an interesting lecture, something that could improve his spell variety during a duel. Plus, there were a few pranking spells that would make Fred and George jealous…
And then there was the big one, a large rectangular package with a very familiar shape.
'That can only be a broom!' Looking around, Harry realised Ron staring at it too, and he seemed to be thinking the same. Ron urged him to open it, and Harry was too happy to oblige:
"It is a Firebolt Harry! You have the fastest broom in the world now!"
"Yeah! Nothing can stop me from catching the snitch now!" Harry exclaimed.
"But who sent it? You didn't buy it for yourself, did you?"
"No, I did not. And now that you mention it, there is no note or anything in here…"
"Maybe it is Dumbledore again, like with your father's cloak?" Ron tried.
"Maybe. But if he had the money, wouldn't he buy good brooms for the school first?"
That debate ended with a draw. None of them knew anything about who had the Firebolt delivered to Harry. Just as they were about to change the topic, Hermione joined in:
"What if it was Sirius Black? Maybe he sent it to kill you in a Quidditch accident?!"
"Come on, Hermione. How could he get the money to pay for it? He is the most wanted criminal in the country right now! Even the muggles are searching for him!" Ron replied.
"Yeah, but Harry was almost killed by a broom two years ago! Who is to say that he came up with a similar plan to his old master? Criminals think alike Ronald! I believe you should send it to the teachers Harry."
"The teachers? Why them?"
"To have it checked for any misfunctions, or curses! Make sure not to touch it and bring it to McGonagall's office!"
"Woah, woah woah Hermione! Are you suggesting that Harry brings that to the professors, just so they dissection it in their office?" Ron intervened.
Both of them continued rambling until Harry grew tired of it:
"ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP NOW!"
They were both so surprised by Harry's outburst that they were rendered speechless.
"Hermione is right, since literally anyone could have sent it. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Lucius Malfoy's attempt at vengeance for me freeing Dobby last year. But Ron is also right. The professor's may be competent at what they do, but I doubt they ever worked with brooms before."
Harry cleared his throat, which had the unintended consequence of interrupting Hermione, who seemed ready to say something again.
"In the end, I am not going to touch it. It will be the employees of the Firebolt company who will. No one can know better than them, right?"