Gonna Get There Someday
Chapter 2 Going Back
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I sadly own nothing but a couple sticks of wintergreen gum.
A/N Alright here is chapter 2 that I promised you all, sorry for the wait and I hope its to your liking. Thanks again for the reviews all are appreciated. Advice welcome, you can flame if you want but those only get used for making smores so wouldn't bother. Anyhow on with the show!
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Groaning slightly as he sat up, Harry looked to the alarm clock for the time. 4:00am. Getting out of the bed he remember exactly what today was. September 1st. He breathed a heavy sigh at the thought. Realizing that he would not have the whole day as he had during the summer he began by checking on his potions in the lab before heading to the training room.
Thinking back over the previous summer, or years when he thought about it, he wondered what would happen now. Sure he was nearly a master at the art of potions, could transfigure and charm nearly anything in sight, and he had numerous animagus forms… okay… okay… so he had accomplished a lot. Though it was through extremely hard work and no one could say otherwise. It had taken him nearly three months in the time room before he had master his fire transportations, and for the sake of it he took another month to master the art of apparition though it was a while before he could do so soundlessly. He also managed to master transforming into his animagus forms: a shadow panther, a crystal wolf, a dark unicorn, a thestral and finally a large Hungarian horntail dragon. Honestly he'd nearly passed out to find out he'd had more than one much less what the forms were.
However, his hardest lesson was, by far, wandless magic which he was still mastering but could perform most things with. Hell, by the end of his last session he could even wrap his wrap his raw magic around his hands and bend it to his will. He even went as far as to train extensively in martial arts and swords so that should he ever be put in the situation where magic was not accessible he would still be able to protect himself. Not to mention he could now speak most magical and muggle languages fluently, even Latin. However he felt that perhaps his most worthwhile accomplishment was his success in mastering occlumency and legimency. He'd be damned if he let another repeat of last year occur. Besides, with these mastered he could now control his emotions, no one saw what he didn't want them to see.
Blinking Harry snapped back into reality realizing the time he'd wasted while thinking. Stretching a bit he headed out for his daily five mile run. He'd decided that if he wanted to do think correctly he would have to get into physical shape as well. He now stood at a decent height of 5'11" with a six pack and toned muscled body with a deep tan from being outside running in his garden. He'd even had his eyes corrected so he was no longer forced to wear glasses. His favorite change was his hair which he had grown long and pulled back lightly and magically tipped it silver permanently. Thankfully he had also ordered more sets of all of his robes and so he had not had to buy more robes before school started. Taking a look at the time he realized that it was already 10:30. Stepping out of the trunk he collected the few things he had outside of it and put them in the empty compartment before heading downstairs. Paying Tom for the last of his rent and some breakfast he cursed under his breath as he noticed that it was nearly 11:10.
'So much for the train' he thought. Shrinking his trunk and putting it into his pocket he headed to a secluded area before disappearing in flames.
Hogwarts Great Hall- Welcoming Feast
The entire hall was chattering like crazy and happily stuffing their faces while the first years sat on in awe. For Ron and Hermione however, it was a time of panic.
"Where could he be Hermione? What if he knows about us spy-" hissed Ron but he was cut off by Hermione.
"Shh! Ron! Don't say it out loud! Now how could he possibly know? He was probably too depressed about Black and is moping around at the Dursleys again, the prat. You know how selfish he can be Ron. Dumbledore will make him come, you'll see, so no point in worrying."
It was at this moment that Dumbledore stood to give everyone his yearly welcome. However before he could finish and send the students off to bed the room began to shake and the room erupted in screams and cries.
"SILENCE!" It was Dumbledore who had called the hall to quiet down. The entire room had fallen quiet. "Will all students please move to the back of the room! Teachers follow me to the front!"
However, the students were too frightened and stayed put in their seats as the doors began to shudder as something began to bang against it. The teachers moved to the front and readied themselves with their wands expecting an army of some sort or at least something big to enter the hall. The doors slammed open and out of the dark corridor came a lone figure dressed in emerald robes with silver runes along the lining.
"Who are you? What is your purpose here?" It was Snape who had spoken first.
"To learn of course Professor Snape. Do forgive me for my tardiness, I was held back and missed the train I'm afraid." The figure spoke icily before revealing his face. Gasps rang throughout the hall.
"Potter! Should have known… Making a big entrance of course, the famous boy-who-lived wouldn't have it any other way now would he? I'm surprised that big head of yours fit through the door you arrogant child, interrupting the feast you-" He would have continued on had he not been cut off by Harry's icy calm voice.
"Professor, with all due respect, you would do well to mind yourself and to please remember that your job is to ensure the safety and education of the students if this school, not to belittle them, as such I suggest you let go of your petty grudges and open your eyes to see that I am not my father and have not wronged you as of yet. All I ask is that you do not wrong me. Now if you don't mind, I have eaten little today so I shall go join my table and eat if we are finished here." He said all this with no emotion on his face and his voice even without even a trace of anger. Waiting to see if they were going to respond he walked past the teachers when he received none and sat down next to Neville before beginning to fill his plate with food. Slowly but surely the teachers headed back to the head table, Snape with a contemplative look on his face, McGonagall wearing a smirk, and Dumbledore looking considerably worried.
Passing Harry the headmaster paused. "Please see me after the feast Mr. Potter, we have much to discuss it would seem." Without waiting for a reply he too headed to the teachers table to finish the feast.
Turning to Neville he smiled. "Hello Neville. How has your summer been?"
Startled at being spoken to Neville turned towards Harry. "Oh… uh, good thanks. I studied herbology at one of my Gran's friends herb gardens. It was brilliant really. How was yours? Your hair is awesome by the way. As are your earrings." He appeared to be less nervous as he smiled and talked about herbology.
"Sirius was right, Neville is a pretty nice guy." Thought Harry. "Pretty good thanks. Trained up a bit. I didn't want a repeat of last year." He had said the last part quietly but Neville still heard him.
"Harry, I know you've been told it wasn't you fault, and yes I suppose your actions were why he was there, but Bellatrix Lestrange is the only one to blame and if you ever need a friend or just someone o talk to, well I'm here. I know you have Ron and Herm-"
"I don't." His tone was even but you could feel the anger underneath it.
"What?" Neville's face then changed from concerned to confused.
"I don't. They've been reporting my every move to Dumbledore." It felt to good to get it off his chest, a weight he didn't know he'd had. Though he had planned exactly what to say, when to say it, and who to say it to it still felt good to do so.
"They...wait, Dumbledore?"
"He isn't perfect Neville. He may think that some things are for the greater good but he is willing to sacrifice everything, and anyone for it. That includes you and me. I guess I'm hoping I can trust you to still be one of my loyal friends."
"Of course you can Harry. You- you're one of my only friends."
He knew that Neville was being truthful as his legimency was extremely sensitive. "I appreciate that Neville. " He smiled and was about to continue when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around and his smiled dropped as his faced hardened. It was Ron. His voice could have chilled you to the bone it was so cold. "May I help you?"
"Harry mate, why are you over here all alone? Didn't you se us? Well come on then, come sit with my, Ginny, and Hermione." He began to pull Harry away but was sent to the ground by one push from Harry.
"Incase you didn't notice Mr. Weasley, I'm talking to Neville, my friend, I'm not alone. As did I see you thought I wish that I had not, so I suggest that you, your sister, and Ms. Granger turn your traitorous bottoms around like the cowards you are and head back to where you were."
"Harry, what are you talk-"
"Save it, I know all about your little pact with the Headmaster and do not think me an idiot for I am not. Now leave before you learn to regret it." He was pleased to see him rush back to the others and start whispering worriedly with them. He was just about to start to talk to Neville again when once more he was tapped on the shoulder. Annoyed he turned around to see a furious Hermione.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! Who do you think you are? And how dark you! How can you accuse us of betraying your trust like that? You better apologize to Ron and I this instant!" She stood there expecting him to apologize but he simply turned his back to her and faced Neville. "Harry!" Turning around he stared at her coldly. "At least say something!"
"Fine, you want something?" he stood up and towered above her. "How about this. Don't you dare. You dare to lie to me? I know everything you've done. How Dumbledore conned you and Ron into spying on me. I even found out recently that Ginny herself was going to attempt to become my girlfriend to spy on me! Though honestly she isn't my type. As to apologizing, its laughable, as it is you who should be asking for forgiveness, not me. Now please leave Ms. Granger as I am tired of your voice." With a huff she marched herself back to their seats, her face now red with embarrassment. "Sorry about that Neville. I know I may seem mean but-"
"I understand Harry. Um Harry, you uh… I'm sorry but I told a friend of mine that I'd sit with them today in Ravenclaw. I'm sorry, I-I didn't know you were going to sit with me."
"That's fine Neville. I was actually thinking of going over to talk to Luna. If you don't mind that is."
"Oh no! No of course not! Let's head over shall we?"
Heading over to the Ravenclaw table Neville went and sat down near a brunette boy while Harry looked for Luna. Looking over the different auras he spotted Luna's and headed over. He noticed her looking dreamy as thought she did not see him next to her. He smirked and whispered. "Hello Luna, you know, I know you can see me. It's very Ravenclaw of you really. Pretending to everyone that you're unaware of things so that you can keep an eye on everything with no one noticing, and the quibbler, a raven claw to I believe, he set that up for the very same reason. You're a wonderful actress." He smiled lightly and was please to see the dreamy look still on her face as she spoke.
"I'm glad your smarter than you were last year. I was waiting for someone to realize this. I'm impressed Harry. I was starting to worry I was even going to have to tell you about those friends of yours."
"They are not my friends, but yes I have smartened up a bit I suppose. I was just talking to Neville actually. I was wondering Luna, I have to go to the Headmasters office after the feast but tomorrow is a Saturday so…. Would you care to spend the day with me? I would love some company."
She seemed to hesitate slightly but smiled slightly before replying. "Well, since you and Neville seem to be so close I'd be happy to spend the day with the two of you."
Though he was caught off guard he never faltered. "I actually kind of meant me and you…just me and you…"
She smirked, her dreamy face gone for the moment. "I know what you meant Harry." With that she smirked at him before striding out of the hall with Harry watching her the who time smiling lightly as her blond haired swayed as she walked.
A/N Alright here is the chapter I promised, hope you liked it. Sorry it is a bit shorter. I'll try to get another chapter up this week but I'm really busy with school. PLEASE REVIEW! Even if its only criticism please, please review, its what keeps me writing ). Thanks!