A/N: Nearly forgot the Disclaimer, lol. I don't own Harry Potter. And fair warning, I am taking some artistic liberties with some characters features. And I got a lot of comments already, wow. I know this probably isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it's interesting how people view it. Now, before I get any further, there's obviously Dumbledore bashing, one of the tropes I'm putting in. Another trope is some Weasley-bashing, mainly Molly and Ron, perhaps some Percy, the money grabbing, gold digging, line theft tropes.
One comment I got was about how he went back in time and didn't have memories. Well, he didn't go back in time using a time turner. The gods themselves sent him back, merging him with his eleven year old self and ridding his younger self of the horcrux. But the gods don't do stuff for free, nor would they want to damage the timeline up majorly. So no, aside from the advice, he doesn't have his memories. Well not exactly, it's called Dreams Through Time. The clue is in the title, select memories will appear as nearly prophetic dreams when it comes closer. For example, the troll on Halloween.
Also, guys, the advice he remembered first, 'use your head' is already making huge changes across the board. He went to Gringotts, discovered his heritage in a way, got blocks removed and is being healed over the course of the upcoming chapters. He's also had his eyes healed, correcting his vision and freeing him from glasses.
Likewise, he stayed the entirety of August in the Leaky Cauldron. Met Susan and her Aunt, Neville and his Gran, Hannah and her parents before even boarding the train. While waiting for September First, he realized he had eidetic memory, read his parents first year journals, all of his first year books, books on the government and culture of Wizarding Britain. So, while this Harry is still magically powerful, perhaps more so than he was in the original timeline. He's as smart as he truly is, and has decided to break out of the habit of lowering himself to barely passing.
So, obviously, Harry isn't going to be im Gryffindor nor Slytherin. A few others are going to be swapping Houses from Canon as well, but that's going to be a surprise. Watch out for the thinking Harry Potter!
Chapter 1
Harry awoke a few minutes before his 5:30 Alarm. He sat up and stretched his arms over his head. The alarm quickly went off as Harry stood up, he shut it off just as quick. Finishing his stretches he went through some jumping jacks, sut-ups, push-ups, lunges and other body weight exercises that he remembered from Primary School.
Half an hour later a sweaty Harry grabbed a towel and went into the attached bathroom for a quick shower. He washed and brushed his teeth, dried off and deposited the towel in the hamper before gathering up his dirty clothes and placing them in a laundry bag. He placed it in the third compartment of his family trunk for the time being, not wanting to get his clean clothes smelling sweaty.
Soon Harry was dressed, his family trunk shrunk and in his pocket. His keys hung around his neck and tucked into his shirt. His wands in the proper holsters. He left his room and went downstairs with Hedwig in her cage. He ordered a full English breakfast. Hedwig hooted in a scolding way.
"Thanks Hedwig... nearly forgot," Harry muttered as he quickly downed his daily potion.
Tom brought Harry his food and went upstairs to bring Harry his trunk. After thanking Tom for his help, he saw his best mate Neville and his Gran sit down and ordered breakfast with him.
"Hi Harry," Neville said smiling towards his friend.
"Hey Nev," Harry greeted. "Madam Longbottom."
"No need for formalities Harry, call me Gran, I've told you numerous times that you and Neville are godbrothers after all," she laughed lightly.
"Sorry Gran," Harry said thoughtfully. "Not that I'm complaining, but I thought I wouldn't see you until we got to the station."
"We thought you'd like some company to the station, and someone to see you off," Gran said warmly as they finished their food. "Come along boys, I'm sure you want to find a good spot, as well as greet your friends."
Gran led them to the Floo and explained to Harry how to properly use the Floo Network. Harry nodded and thanked her as he watched Neville disappear in the flames. He knew what to do, from his mum's journals of a Professor McGonagall explaining it to her before her first year though, he wasn't going to complain about some pointers.
After Harry spun around and landed in Platform 9 3/4s, he stumbled out.
"Good job Harry! Most usually fall flat on their face or butt the first time," Neville congratulated as he moved out of the way for Neville's Gran.
"Ah! The Hogwarts Express, I remember my times riding it, along with dropping off Frank, now I'm here dropping off you Neville," Gran spoke wistfully.
"Neville, allow me again to apologize for trying to make you be your father... you are your own person, and I shouldve realized that, now go an excel, and remember no matter your House, I'll be proud," She said with a hug to him followed by one to Harry. "You too Harry, you're as good as my grandson after all."
"Even if we're both Slytherins?" Neville asked quietly, afraid of the answer.
"Even then, just don't be a bully and don't give me a reason to come to Hogwarts for misbehavior," Gran added sternly.
"Yes Gran," both said after sharing looks, taking their trunks and familiars to the train.
Quickly they found Susan and Hannah. All four friends boarded together and searched for a compartment. After heading far towards the back they found their path blocked by a blonde haired boy with two bigger boys who looked as dense as rocks.
"You'll be mine Greengrass! And I'll be passing you around for favors," he gloated.
"Leave me alone," a girl demanded angrily.
"No, you're mine, remember," he taunted with a smirk.
"The lady asked you to leave her alone, plus you're blocking traffic," Harry said getting impatient.
"Oh yeah? I bet you're trying to find Harry Potter, but I'm going to be the one who can claim his friendship first!" The boy declared, causing Harry's friends to cough into their fists, trying to block their laughter.
"Oh, I already met the Boy-Who-Lived, he's at the front of the train currently, talking to a lot of people as he goes, trying to make friends," Harry smirked as the blonde git took his two bookends excitedly towards the front.
"Are you two okay?" Harry asked kindly looking at the two.
"Now we are, thank you," they both said softly together.
"Mind if my friends and I sit with you? If not, we can go, but I would love some more friends," Harry asked with a lopsided smile.
The girls shared a look with small smiles before nodding slightly to each other. "Sure, why not," The raven haired girl said, that's when Harry recognized them.
"Oh, yeah, these are my friends..." Harry went to introduce.
"Hi Susan, Hannah, Neville, this is my friend Tracey," the raven-haired girl introduced her companion, Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Didn't know you guys knew each other. Sorry, my name is Harry, Harry Potter," He introduced himself shaking Tracey's hand gently before kissing the back of it in a formal greeting. "Nice to meet you Tracey..."
"Tracey Davis," she smiled at Harry.
"Daphne Greengrass," the raven-haired girl introduced as Harry repeated the same formal greeting.
"Sorry, but are you really Heir Potter?" she asked formally as Harry answered in the affirmative, lifting his bangs to show the scar.
"Proof enough? Or how about this?" He asked playfully showing his Heir Ring. "Sorry, couldn't resist... didn't know about any of this stuff until my birthday over a month ago, so I've been doing my best to learn the customs and etiquette. But please, call me Harry."
"Then call me Daphne. So, any of you have a House in particular you wish to be sorted in to?" Daphne asked with a small smile gracing her lips. Harry couldn't help but try to figure out who he found cuter, Susan or Daphne.
"I'm not sure myself, perhaps Gryffindor to honor my dad," Neville admitted.
"Hufflepuff," Susan and Hannah stated eagerly.
"Slytherin," Tracey answered with a shrug.
"And you Harry?" Daphne smiled after admitting her toss up between Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
"Well, each House does have great values, but I find the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin to be idiotic at best. Whatever quarrel the founders had should remain between them," Harry said with a slight shrug.
"Plus anyone can be brave and noble, as well as cunning and ambitious. Everyone should want to Work Hard, though Loyalty should be earned. Finally, Knowledge and Wisdom should always be sought," He continued explaining.
"But, I personally don't want to lose a potential friend because of House differences, so I think I'd like to be in Ravenclaw," Harry finally answered the question with a grin.
"Those are good points Harry," Daphne admitted as the carriage door was rudely opened by a red headed boy with a lot of freckles and dirt on the side of his nose.
"Have you lot seen Harry Potter? I'm his best mate, Ronald Weasley and I need to warn him against those slimy evil snakes in Slytherin! Dumbledore's orders," he admitted puffing his chestvout importantly. "We're going to be the heroes of Gryffindor!"
"I heard he was talking to a blonde boy with two gorillia looking boys," Daphne said looking thoughtful.
"Malfoy! I have to save him from being brainwashed!" Ronald said taking off down the train.
"You know, I'm really getting annoyed with how people treat me," Harry muttered as the compartment was once again rudely opened.
"Have any of you seen a kitten? A girl named Lavender has lost one," the bushy haired brunette demanded, before noticing Neville with his wand out, who was going to show off a spell his Great Uncle taught him.
"Oh, are you doing magic? Ok then, let's see it," she commanded.
"How rude, didn't your parents teach you to knock?" Daphne said icily.
"Or to introduce yourself before injecting yourself into another's conversation?" Susan added in annoyance.
The girl just ignored them and continued speaking. "I've only done a few simple ones myself," she drew her wand, "for example, lumos," the tip of her wand lit up.
"Holy Cricket! You're Harry Potter," the girl said catching sight of Harry's scar. "I know all about you of course, you're in rise and fall of the dark arts and a few other books! I'm Hermione Granger," she finally introduced herself.
"Right, Hermione was it?" Harry asked watching the girl nod. "First, you need to remember your manners, also don't assume you 'know all about me' we've only just met after all," Harry sighed rolling his eyes, only to find out she ignored him for the most part as she stood up.
"I expect we'll be arriving soon, best change into your robes. See you in Gryffindor Harry," Hermione called over her shoulder.
"Why does everyone think I'm going intk Gryffindor?" Harry asked exasperatedly.
"Well, besides the fact that the Potters have been almost exclusively Gryffindors, with the odd Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw thrown in, and a rare Slytherin or two," Daphne said looking across to Harry. "You're the Boy-Who-Lived, the Vanquisher-of-You-Know-Who," she added causing Harry to snort.
"Look, I know none of you have asked me about Voldemort," Harry stated causing his friends to either flinch or gasp. "But if I had to guess, either my mum or dad, perhaps both, did something that stopped him from killing me."
His friends looked thoughtful at his words as the conductor announced they were closing in on Hogsmeade Station. They quickly changed, Harry turned his back on everyone as he pulled his shirt over his head as quickly as possible. But he wasn't quick enough as he heard a lot of gasps.
Harry ignored it for now as he finished getting changed. Once done he sighed through his nose as he turned around and sat down. He put his head in his hands and counted to ten. After calming down he looked up ready to explain himself.
"Harry... why do you have all of those scars?" Daphne asked, seething in a rage that had suddenly started to consume her.
"M-my relatives," Harry answered before he cast a quick privacy spell that read in his father's journal. He again explained what he went through with a shrug. By the end, he had two more people who wanted to hex the Dursleys to the Underworld and back.
Harry sagged in relief of talking about it again. Realizing it does get easier with repetition. That's when it came to him, that he'd have gladly suffer through the starvation, the beatings, whippings and abuse all over again if it meant he could be here with friends for the first time in his life.
"We've arrived at Hogsmeade Station! Leave your luggage and pets on board, they'll be brought to the school separately," The conductor announced.
The group of friends rose to get off the train. Harry patted his pocket to make sure his wands were in their holsters as well as to make sure his family trunk, as he thought of it, was still shrunk in his pocket. He smiled around at his group of friends as they slowly made their way off the train. Harry smiled as he heard a familiar voice calling out.
"Firs' Ye'rs! Firs' Ye'rs Ov'r Here!" Hagrid called out. The group of friends made their way over to the giant.
"Hiya Harry," he greeted.
"Hi Hagrid! I'd like you to meet my friends: Neville, Hannah, Tracey, Susan and Daphne," Harry introduced as all the other first years finally made their way over.
"Glad to meetcha lot," Hagrid smiled kindly as he looked over and saw the correct amount of students. "Alrigh' you lot, you'll get yer firs' look at Hogwar's in a moment, so follow me."
Hagrid lead them to a group of rowboats. "No mor' than four to a boat!" Hagrid called as the four girls of their group boarded together. Harry and Neville boarded a boat with a dark skinned boy named Blaise Zabini and another boy by the name of Justin Finch-Fletchley. Harry and Neville quickly started bonding with the other two boys, and managed to build a bridge between the two when Justin admitted to being a muggleborn. Thankfully though, Blaise seemed more open-minded than the likes of Draco Malfoy who could be heard talking about Mudbloods. Harry, already knew what it meant from reading his mum's journal, but Justin ended up fuming when the other two explained it to him.
"Duck!" Hagrid called as he bent over to avoid some low hanging branches. Once they lifted up their heads again they all gasped at the unexpected beauty... the majesty, as it were, of Hogwarts castle. Soon they docked the fleet of boats and clambored out. Hagrid leading them up to the castle before knocking on the door.
"The Firs' Ye'rs Professer McGongall," Hagrid said with a wave over the students.
"Thank you Hagrid," McGongall said before looking at the students, "Follow Me," she instructed.
McGongall lead them to what could only be described as a side room before she turned around to speak to everyone. The sight of one of their teachers preparing to talk shut them all up. Though, unfortunately, it did nothing for the fidgeting.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" McGonagall started. "In a few moments, you will be sorted into one of the four Houses. The Houses ar Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin!" McGonall then paused looking around at some of the students trying to claim which house was better.
"Now, while you are here, your House will be like your family. Any triumphs will earn you House Points, any rule-breaking will lose you House Points. The House with the most points at the end of the year will be awarded the House Cup," the professor ended her mini-speech and went to check on everything.
Roughly about fifteen minutes and a ghost visit later, they were about to witness their first student duel. Draco Malfoy, the self-crowned prince of Slytherin and Ronald Weasley, the self-crowned hero of Gryffindor.
"Harry Potter won't hang around you pathetic Gryffindor riff-raff," Draco smirked.
"Harry Potter would never join you slimy pathetic snakes! He's gonna be my best mate, saving the day from your bad plots!" Ronald yelled in a very simpleton way.
Thankfully they were saved from the further stupidity of the two prats. Professor McGongall returned announcing that the rest of the school was ready for the first years. They were lead into what Harry knew was the Great Hall from the way it was described in his parents journals.
"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read it in Hogwarts, A History," Hermione Granger said to an annoyed looking girl. Harry could only shake his head a bit, knowing that Granger was gonna have trouble making friends.
Everyone's attention turned to a frayed hat on a stool that McGongall just sat down in front of the Head Table. To all the first years surprise, well save for Harry having read his parents journals, both detailing the Sorting, a rip near the brim of the hat opened and it proceeded to sing.
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
(A/N: Lyrics are from the Sorcerer's Stone)
The entire Hall burst into applause as the first years gaped at it. After about five minutes many sighed in relief of how they're going to be sorted. Professor McGonagall stepped up next to it with a long scroll.
'I wonder how often it comes up with a new song or does it just recycle a set of songs,' Harry thought as McGongall began to speak.
"Now, when I call your names, you'll come up here to be sorted," the professor announced.
"Abbott, Hannah!"
Harry watched as one of his new friends walked up to the stool nervously. Hannah sat down facing the students as McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat called after a few minutes. The table under yellow banners with a black badger clapped as Hannah made her way to sit down.
"Bones, Susan!"
Harry paid attention to one of the two girls that made him feel something deep inside whenever they even graze each other's touch. He had no idea what that meant at all.
'Ah, not a bad mind at all, loyal to a fault though,' the hat said in Susan's head.
'Please, let me be with Hannah at least, so I can have a friend with me! And maybe send Harry and Neville our way!' Susan practically pleaded to the hat.
'Such a true friend, but I have to put them in the best places for them,' the hat answered as kindly as it could. 'But your loyalty is winning out here, along with your hard work ethic so the place for you is...'
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat called again as Susan rushed over to sit with her best friend.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat called within moments, causing the table under the blue banner with a bronze eagle on it to clap. Harry noted that the two tables to get new students were the two center ones.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Brown, Lavender!"
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat called, the table on the far side from them, under the scarlet banners with a gold lion launced into an uproarious applause.
'Seriously? My ancestor's House is regulated mainly to dolts who have no self-control or something?' Harry questioned mentally as he stared wide-eyed at them.
"Bulstrode, Millicent!"
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called, this time the table closest to the first years, under the emerald banner with a silver snake clapped politely for it's new student.
"Corner, Michael!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"This feels like its taking forever," Tracey whined causing Daphne to sigh in annoyance at her friend. Daphne even brought her hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose, accidentally brushing Harry's hand, sending a familiar jolt coursing through them both.
"Crabbe, Vincent!" "SLYTHERIN!" "Davis, Tracey!"
"There you go Trace," Daphne said pushing her friend up to the front. "Does she always whine?" Harry asked out of the corner of his mouth. "Only when she's impatient," Daphne snorted, "which is all the time."
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called out.
"No surprise there, Tracey isn't obsessed with learning, but she's very ambitious," Daphne said with a smile.
"Dunbar, Fay!" "GRYFFINDOR!" "Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"Hey, that's one of the guys I met on the boat ride... he seemed pretty cool," Harry told Daphne as Neville was seemingly in a daze trying to calm himself.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Well, he's apparently loyal and hard working, may make a good friend," Daphne replied.
"Finnigan, Seamus!" "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Goldstein, Anthony!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Goyle, Gregory!" "SLYTHERIN!"
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione was a hat stall after a few quick ones. While no one could hear what the girl was saying, it was clear from her angry sounding muttering that she was arguing with the hat. The hat actually went slightly limp as it sagged in exasperation before calling out: "GRYFFINDOR!" To which the girl got up happily and skipped to the Gryffindor table.
"That was interesting," Harry whispered to Daphne as the table of lions clapped loudly.
"I bet the hat never had anyone argue with it like that," Daphne giggled quietly in response.
"Greengrass, Daphne!"
"Good luck, Daph," Harry whispered as he watched an icy mask of indifference, the one he saw her wear in Diagon the few times he saw her there while staying in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry watched as Daphne strode up to the hat with purpose and sit down, her eyes quickly finding his, looking for reassurance, or so it seemed. But the hat quickly slipped over her eyes.
'Ah... interesting,' the hat said in Daphne's mind.
'What's interesting?' she asked back.
'Just how much of an impact a certain Mr. Potter has on a couple of witches, yourself included,' the hat chuckled in her head. 'I see plenty of cunning and ambition in here, along with a dash of wrecklessness and a drive for hard work, if it meant saving someone close to you.'
'Please, don't mention my sister right now,' Daphne asked as she felt her eyes water.
'I'm sorry dear child, but you've found your solice in diving into books and learning, and you also recognize that maybe you should hide your cunning as well, but two Houses fit you. One, you'd be mostly alone in, the other will allow your friendships to blossom as long as you give it the chance,' the hat told Daphne who actually thought for a moment.
'I'd like to try and have friends... after all, if Harry can find support in friends, I can,' she smiled softly at her thought out reply.
'Good, better be...' "RAVENCLAW!" The hat called out after an even longer stall than Granger's. Daphne once again found Harry's eyes as she beamed at him before making her way to the Ravenclaw table. Harry noticed something this time, as Daphne walked more elgantly than the rest thus far, he saw her robes get a blue trim and the Hogwarts Crest turn into the Ravenclaw Crest.
'I love magic,' Harry thought to himself as he watched Daphne sit down. McGonagall cleared her throat and continued the Sorting.
"Hopkins, Wayne!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Jones, Megan!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Li, Sue!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Longbottom, Neville!"
"Go get them Nev!" Harry encouraged his best friend. Neville had a ghost of a smile as he nodded his thanks nervously.
'Mr. Longbottom, very knowledgeable about Herbology and willing to learn more about it. Loyal to your friends, not much ambition other than to prove yourself worthy of your family. Though, I can see the bravery in your heart... are you willing to let me help you finish breaking out of your shell?' the hat asked Neville.
'Yes... I want to make mum and dad proud... and to do that I need to break out of my past and embrace the future,' Neville replied nervously.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat called, Neville managed to get the hat off his head before running to the Gryffindor table and sit down. Harry shot him some thumbs up which did a lot to calm his friend down
"MacDougal, Isobel!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Macmillan, Ernest!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Dang, those went by fast," Harry muttered to himself. The last two went by barely lasted a minute and a half apiece.
"Malfoy, Draco!"
Malfoy swaggered up to the hat and sat on the stool. He looked very smug as the hat was placed on his head.
'Come on hat, tell everyone I'm a Slytherin, just like my father,' Draco demanded of the hat.
'You sure have loyalty boy, nothing else really,' the hat told him, Draco burst with pride.
'Of course I'm loyal!'
'That's all you are boy, better be...' "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Wait! What?!" Malfoy shouted as the Hufflepuff table lightly clapped, the Slytherins and even the Ravenclaws looked stunned. The Gryffindors, however, were laughing hysterically. Or rather the red headed ones, speaking of red-heads, Ronald Weasley was laughing his head off in the remaining group of un-sorted first years.
"You've been sorted, Mr. Malfoy, into Hufflepuff, now go sit down with your House," McGonagall said with a short glare.
"Wait till my father hears about this!" Draco shouted as he stomped his foot before stomping his way to the Hufflepuff table.
"Nott, Theodore!" McGonagall called as if Malfoy wasn't throwing a temper tantrum.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called almost instantly before the Sorting got back into the swing of things.
"Parkinson, Pansy!" "SLYTHERIN!"
"Patil, Padma!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Patil, Parvati!" "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry listened as McGonagall entered into the 'P' surnames, anxiously awaiting his. He subtly squeezed his Invisibile Heir Ring, hoping, wishing she'll call out his real name, not just the nickname.
"Potter, Hadrian!" McGonagall called out, causing almost everyone to gasp and look towards the group of first year yet to be sorted.
"Hadrian? Well, Harry does make a good nickname, not much of a first name, Hadrian sounds much more powerful," were some of the mutterings Harry overheard as he approached the stool. He caught the Headmaster glaring at McGongall out of the corner of his eye. Apparently Dumbledore didn't want his given name known for some reason.
'Ah! The illustrious Mr. Potter!' the hat said in his head. 'You've made an impact on a few witches as well as your 'best mate,' you have the aura of a leader.'
'A leader? Me? I'm sure you're mistaken,' Harry said nervously to the hat.
'You seem to thirst for knowledge, as well to prove yourself, and you're very brave and chivalrous. Your loyalty, however, is hard earned and easily lost, so Hufflepuff is definitely out, no matter how hard working you are.'
'Please let me be with Daphne then! I don't want to have to deal with that stupid Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry!' Harry pleaded with the hat, which he felt smirk.
'Good, I know exactly where to put you then...' "RAVENCLAW!"
The Hall was stunned into silence. Harry felt Dumbledore's murderous rage from behind him and disappointment from McGonagall beside him. He slowly stood as a blue light outlined his robes, leaving behind the blue trim on his robes. Harry knew that the Hogwarts Crest was now the Ravenclaw Crest. His new House burst into an uproar applause to rival the Gryffindors.
"Smith, Zacharias!" "HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Thomas, Dean!" "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Turpin, Lisa!" "RAVENCLAW!"
"Weasley, Ronald!" McGonagall called out. Harry watched the red-head boy from the train march grumpily to the hat and sat on the stool.
'Ah! Another Weasley! But one who's literally only out for himself,' the hat said in surprise, sensing Ron's ambition to be the best of his siblings, noting him not to really be hard working or driven by intelligence. This Weasley also wasn't very brave.
'Just place me with my family, so I can plot a way to get Potter's money for my mum and me,' he mentally growled at the hat. The hat decided he had enough of this and made its decision.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called, again to stunned silence. Everyone knew the Weasleys were staunch Slytherin hating Gryffindors! Now, their youngest son was a slimy snake.
"No! This can't be! I'm supposed to be one of the Gryffindor Heroes! Not an Evil Slytherin!" he screamed.
"Mr. Weasley! Go sit at your table... NOW!" McGonagall seethed, already fed up with Malfoy's outburst.
"Finally... Zabini, Blaise!" She called out after a few moments to collect herself. Blaise walked up easily and sat on the stool.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called shortly thereafter. McGonagall gathered the Sorting Hat and stool as the Headmaster stood up, finally having collected himself enough to bring back his kind grandfather mask.
"To our new students, Welcome! And to our old students, Welcome Back!" Dumbledore started. "I have a few start of term notices before we tuck in to our most delicious feast. First, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has a list of banned items on his office door. The Forbidden Forest is, of course, Forbidden and a few of our older students should already be aware of that fact. Finally, the third floor corridor, on the left hand side, is banned to students unless you wish to experience a most gruesome death," He finished with some strange words as the food magically appeared in front of them.
"I hope he was kidding about the death part," Harry said from his position next to Daphne.
"I hope so too, though perhaps I should write dad and see what he thinks," she answered as she allowed her right hand to hover over each tray of food before adding it to her plate. Harry knew exactly what she was doing, and guessed she had a hidden Heir Ring and was using it to detect for poisons and potions. He quickly emulated her, causing Daphne to send a shy smile to him. Harry looked across and saw Susan and even Neville quickly doing the same.
"Welcome to Ravenclaw, my name is Helena Ravenclaw, daughter of Rowena, though most call me the Grey Lady," one of the four ghosts that appeared just then in the Hall introduced herself. Harry quickly noted that she was the sole girl ghost as well.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Helena, my name is Hadrian Potter, but please call me Harry," he introduced himself.
"And I'm Daphne Greengrass," Daphne introduced herself as well, "though you may call me Daph if you'd like," she added taking Harry's lead of trying to be friendly.
"Nice to meet you lot, I'm Padma Patil," the Indian girl who Harry watched be sorted away from her twin sister said from his other side. Harry mentally chastised himself for his lack of situational awareness.
"Though, if I may be considered a friend and call you by your nicknames, please call me Pad," Padma continued further.
"Nice to meet you Pad, and I'd be glad to have a friend... I never had friends before I found out about magic, but now I'm gathering them like crazy," Harry smiled happily before his face soured slightly. "Well, I just don't want you to be my friend because of the Boy-Who-Lived rubbish... I got that enough in Diagon and even walking down the train of people pointing and staring at my scar," he muttered in disappointment.
His words caused a good fraction of the Ravenclaw table, and even some of the nearby Slytherins and Hufflepuffs, to look away. Their faces burning in embarrassment, when the Gryffindors got wind of what Harry just said they looked at him gobsmacked as Perfect Prefect Percy Weasley started admonishing his Housemates.
Percy Weasley's voice carried loudly through the Hall. Harry exchanged looks with his new friends, Daph and Pad on his either side, Blaze and Tracy at the behind him, Sue, Hannah and Justin at the table in front of him as well as Nev practically across the Hall from him. Each and everyone of them held a matching, subtly sly smirk as they listened. They knew this Weasley would be the perfect patsy for them to get out of trouble for the foreseeable future... plus what better way for the new Slytherin Weasley to be kept on a leash. And all they'd need to do is act like impressed children looking at an idol or something.
After a solid ten minutes of what could only be described as a filibuster meets lecture, McGonagall brought it to a screeching halt. The Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House simply walked up behind her wayward Prefect and cleared her throat rather loudly. The rapid discoloration followed by a just as rapid reddening of Percy's face was priceless. After another five minute show of the stern, but fair, Professor McGonagall scolding her Prefect everything returned to a sense of normality.
"So..." Harry dragged out a bit as he looked around searching for a topic before his eyes landed on the staff table again. "Lady Helena, forgive me for asking, but I only know the names of three professors, McGonagall, Dumbledore and Quirrell," he started to explain. "But I only know Professor Quirrell's subject, Defense Against the Dark Arts and..." He continued before being interrupted with a knowing smile.
"No need to apologize for asking me questions Harry, and no need to be formal, you may call me Helena," the ghost of Ravenclaw interrupted kindly.
"And yes, I know all the Professors and their subjects, and you're correct about Professor Quirrell teaching Defense, Professor McGonagall teaches Transfiguration while also taking on the duties of Head of House for Gryffindor and the Deputy Head for the school," she smiled looking at all of the other, now listening, Ravenclaw firsties.
"That sounds like an awful lot of responsibilities for one teacher, and seeing as the Deputy Head is supposed to be impartial to all Houses... doesn't that create a conflict of interest?" Daph asked quizzically.
"It does, but alas McGonagall and Dumbledore won't listen to what I have to say, after all I'm just the ghost of Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter," she snorted before shaking her head.
"Allow me to point out the rest of the staff before discussing our illustrious Headmaster," Helena said spitting out illustrious with an emphasis that made it sound like the thought was amusing.
"Let's see, Hagrid is the Groundskeeper, not a teacher. Madam Hooch teaches the first year flying class and is the referee for all the Quidditch matches. Madam Pomfrey is the school Healer. Madam Pince, school librarian. Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin, Potions teacher. Professor Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff, Herbology teacher. Professor Sinistra, Astronomy teacher. Professor Kettleburn teaches Care of Magical Creatures, a third year elective. Professor Babbling, Ancient Runes teacher, another third year class. Professor Vector, Arithmancy teacher, again third year only. Professor Trelawney, teacher of Divination, third year class. Professor Burbage teaches the last third year elective class still offered at Hogwarts, Muggle Studies. Professor Binns, History of Magic teacher and the only ghost on staff. Oh, there's Mr. Filch, Caretaker, also only Squib on staff so don't let him catch you breaking the no magic in the corridors rule," Helena said quickly listing off most of the staff as she pointed each one out.
"And the short fellow?" one of Harry's new Housemates,Terry he believed, asked gesturing towards the rather short man in question.
"Be careful young man, and do show the proper respect, he is your new Head of House after all," Helena glared at the boy in question through narrowed eyes.
"That is Professor Flitwick, Charms teacher, Head of Ravenclaw, Duelmaster with numerous championship to his name," she said ever so slowly, making sure everyone before speaking softly so only the first year eagles could hear her. "Starting the third weekend of term, Professor Flitwick hosts an unofficial Dueling Class for each year, strictly Ravenclaw, in the guise of tutoring... so it is ill-advised to earn weekend detentions as he'll use you as his own personal dueling dummy the next weekend you're in," she advised quietly as the wide-eyed Claws looked around at each other. "That isn't to say he won't or doesn't teacher the other Houses, but they must first ask him, unless he can see a future duelmaster amongst them... That being said, all the Heads of House offer lessons like that, though Professor Snape's are strictly Slytherin, but if you would like to learn some more advanced Transfiguration, show the initiative and ask as I know McGonagall doesn't do it unless she's asked by a decent handful of students," the ghost smirked as she watched her words take impact.
"We have to do this Harry," Daph whispered, "you too Pad... with all of our group... I believe we can get Blaise to teach us whatever Professor Snape will cover as well."
"I'm with you Daph... Dueling sounds like a fun way to practice and get some exercise as well," Harry whispered back.
"Maybe we could all get together and exchange some information as well... nothing from our families of course, but I imagine we all might read different books and the like," Pad offered to the conversation as the other two nodded before Helena cleared her throat softly.
"Finally, there's Professor Dumbledore, current Headmaster, former Deputy Head, former Head of Gryffindor and former Transfiguration teacher," she looked between all the Ravens conspiratorially. "Professor Dumbledore is like anybody else, he has his good and bad points... so don't worship the ground he walks on or take his words for gospel. But, if you can convince a good number of your fellow yearmates in the other Houses to write in Alchemy 101 at the end of next year, he has been known to do that on the weekends when there's enough interest as well as continue into regular Alchemy for NEWT students if there's still enough interest, again on the weekend," she smirked as the Claws whispered amongst themselves.
"Just food for thought," she added quietly before waving bye and gliding up the table.
"That all sounds great... but what did she mean by NEWT students?" Harry asked confused as Daph bit back a sigh.
'It isn't Harry's fault he doesn't know,' Daph scolded herself as she took a deep breath to answer him. "There's two levels of study at Hogwarts, we're currently OWL students, we remain at that level until we take our OWLs at the end of fifth year. NEWTs are taken at the end of seventh year, so the final two years we'll be NEWT students," she explained and Harry just raised his brows.
"Oh... sorry," she blushed lightly, "I didn't explain the acronyms, did I?" she asked as Harry shook his head. "OWLs: Ordinary Wizarding Levels and NEWTs are Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests." "Ah!"
Their attention was taken from that particular conversation by the meal disappearing followed by dessert appearing. Harry looked even more lost at the dessert selections as he only had experience with some cakes and ice cream that he either saw the Dursleys have or that he was given over his month of freedom with Nev and his Gran.
"Just try a bit of everything Hadrian," a Ravenclaw Prefect sitting across from him said. "Just make sure to portion it properly... you can't be any worse than the Slytherin Weasley," she added with a hint of disgust. Daph, Pad and Harry turned to look at the Slytherin Table behind them as one. What they saw nearly made them lose their supper. Ronald Weasley's front was practically covered in food, even more than Crabbe and Goyle combined. Not only that, he still had a bunch of food on his face and even in his hair.
"Well... does anyone got something to settle my stomach?" Harry asked in disgust as the Prefect chuckled and handed them each a cracker that the three quickly ate before grabbing some dessert. Harry discovered that he rather enjoyed the Treacle Tart himself.
"Now that we're all fed and watered, how about we sing the school song!" Dumbledore said standing up with a huge smile. This caused practically all the upper years to groan as one as Dumbledore waved his wand like a conductor as the words spread across thin air.
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
As one, the Claws and Puffs all groaned as the red-headed Weasley Twins again chose a slow funeral march as their tune. The Slytherins were glaring at the Gryffindor twins. Finally the song was done and Dumbledore had the Prefects lead the first years towards the dorms. Harry made a mental note of the Slytherins going towards the dungeons with the Hufflepuffs following close behind them, but not quite the dungeons. He also noticed that the Gryffindors went to an opposing tower, he assumed.
Soon enough the first year Claws were at the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower. Looking at a door with an Eagle Knocker. They looked at the two Prefects with them questioningly when the knocker spoke.
"Which god fuses with others in their pantheon?" the knocker asked quizzically.
"Unlike Gryffindor and Slytherin, who I know uses Passwords... there was a scandal last year where the two kept stealing the passwords to break into the other House to steal or prank," the boy Prefect defended as the girl picked up.
"Yes, well anyway, to get into our Dormitory, the knocker asks a question or riddle, if you fail to answer it correctly you have to wait for someone to answer it correctly so you can learn," she instructed before waving towards the door, "would anyone like to try and answer.
Harry thought for a moment before he had a guess. One of the nest things about the Dursleys leaving him often with Mrs. Figg, she let him watch the Tele, generally something educational like history. That and she liked to talk and compare about the various religions.
"Ra," Harry said over the mutterings of the other students.
"Correct," the knocker acknowledged as it swung open to allow everyone entrance. The first year Ravenclaws filed in really quickly.
"Hello my new first years! I am your Head of House, as well as your Charms teacher, Professor Flitwick," the short professor greeted enthusiastically.
"Are you really a former Dueling Champion?!" one of the new first years, Terry, Harry believed was his name called out.
The diminutive professor just chuckled merrily before answering, "Yes, I am, multiple time league champion in fact. But that was years and years ago, now I'm hoping to find and coach the next dueling Champions." Flitwick added a cheeky wink as he looked around at the entire group.
"Now, normally I'd give you all your class schedules right now, but for some reason the Headmaster has decided to review all of the timetables one last time tonight," Flitwick sighed in slight annoyance.
"But I do have a map of the castle which I have charmed to show you the quickest direction to a class when you say the class name," he smirked as he handed them out. "Be sure to use it, at least until you know the layout of the castle better... tardiness is a pet peeve of mine."
"Yes Professor," the new Claws cawed out.
"Now, off to bed with the lot of you, lots to learn tomorrow," Flitwick said before bading them all a good night.
The prefects took charge once more. They told the new students that the girls Dormitories were upstairs to the left while the boys were on the right. Harry and Daphne were both pleased to find that beyond the door that was labeled 'First Year' in their respective dorms led to a corridor with more doors that held the name of a single student per door. Ravenclaws get their own rooms!
Little did Harry and Daphne know that Hufflepuffs bunked 2 or 3 to a room, or the fact that only Slytherins and Gryffindors all share a single room. That was for them to find out later. But the the entire group of friends fell easily to sleep, save for our Boy-Who-Lived, who was tossing and turning in unease. Sleep would find him after an hour or so.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I've been very busy with work and now the holidays. Before anyone says anything about Harry trusting quickly with his abuse. He initially bonds with Neville over what they deemed as shared experiences. Susan and Hannah over hear and tell the adults. Neville's Gran ends up feeling ashamed of how she's made Neville feel and changes for the better. Now, this chapter is just a lengthy set up to show different changes to the time-line as well as the building of friendships. The next chapter I plan on going over the first days of classes as well as getting towards the first major Dream that'll plague Harry.