Harry is sitting in the stands with Ron and Hermione by his side, he actually doesn't want to be in the Great Hall for the reveal of the champions of the Triwizard Tournament, but he doesn't have a choice.
He looks around the room and feels dread settle in his stomach. He just knows that something is going to happen, and he hopes that he will not be in the middle of it. But counting on his shitty Potter luck, it's possible he wishes for too much.
''Who do you think is going to be Hogwarts champion, mate?'' Ron asks from his place next to Harry. Harry shrugs, not really bothered by who is the unlucky bastard that needs to participate.
''I heard Angelina had entered herself.'' He replies while looking at the girl. Who is talking excitedly with Katie Bell. ''I hope she is chosen. A Gryffindor champion would be neat. Everything better than Slytherin.'' Ron exclaims.
''Has someone from Slytherin even entered?'' Hermione asks while skimming through the book she had brought with her. She also didn't want to come but was also forced to join in the Great Hall. According to McGonagall, it was mandatory.
''There is a rumor that Warrington entered his name, you know that big bloke that looks like a sloth,'' Dean Tomas says just behind Harry.
''We can't have a Slytherin champion!'' Ron says in disgust. Harry barely refrains from rolling his eyes. Ron's prejudice against Slytherin is awful. Harry never told him that he almost was a Slytherin. He doesn't think it would survive their friendship, to be completely honest.
"And all the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," said Seamus sounding irritated. "But I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks." He ends with a sneer towards the Hufflepuffs. A couple who had overheard are now glaring at him.
Harry barely contains his blush when he looks at the Hufflepuff side of the room. He never told anyone that he sometimes fancies blokes, and he has to admit, Cedric Diggory is a good-looking one.
''Let's hope it's going to be Angelina then,'' Hermione says off handily.
''Thanks, Hermione!'' Angelina exclaims, clearly having overheard the conversation.
At that moment, Dumbledore stands from his seat, and a hush falls over the Great Hall.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore with the same twinkle in his eyes as always. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" - he indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions."
Then he sweeps out his wand and dims the light in the entire Hall. The blue flames give the Hall an eternal glow, and Harry can't tear his eyes away from the flames.
Then the fire turns red, and a piece of parchment is spitten out. Everybody seems to be holding their breath when Dumbledore reaches out and reads the parchment.
''The Durmstrang champion is... Viktor Krum!'' He declares. The whole rooms claps, and Harry sees Viktor smile while receiving multiple claps on the shoulder before he disappears through the door to the next chamber.
The fire turns red again, and another parchment flies to Dumbledore's hand. ''The champion for Beauxbatons is... Fleur Delacour!''
''It's her, Ron!'' Harry jokes when Ron almost starts to drool while looking at the blonde witch that seems to float towards the other room. ''Oh, look, they are all disappointed,'' Hermione whispers in Harry's ear. Harry looks over to the other Beauxbaton students and chuckles when he sees the envy and even tears from some of them.
There is buzzing in the Great Hall. Harry can almost taste the excitement from the Hogwarts students. The flames turn red again, and Dumbledore reads the parchment with a big smile. ''The Hogwarts champion is... Cedric Diggory!''
The whole room explodes in applause and cheers. Harry hears Ron yell ''No!'' but he thinks he's the only one who heard. Really, Harry couldn't care less who is champion, as long as he doesn't have to-
The flames turn red again.
The dread that was slowly dissipating returns fully now. Harry grasps Hermione's hand, and she holds it steady. As if she can sense the anxiety Harry feels.
Dumbledore reaches out warily and reads the parchment. ''Harry Potter,'' he whispers, and Harry squeezes Hermione's hand so hard that he feels her wince. But at the moment, he doesn't care.
''Harry Potter!'' Dumbledore then screams while zeroing his gaze on Harry. He looks disappointed, something that makes Harry extremely angry. He doesn't deserve a disappointed look! He didn't bloody do anything!
''Harry, you should-'' Hermione whispers in his ear.
''No, I don't want to. I didn't bloody enter Hermione.'' He hisses. He can hear whispering all around him, people accusing him of wanting even more attention. It only fuels Harry's rage, and he suddenly stands. Almost pulling Hermione with him.
He quickly releases her hand before drawing his wand. He is thankful for the books Hermione had given him this summer. She is probably going to hate that he is going to do this, though. Well, nobody ever said that Harry Potter isn't impulsive.
''I, Harry James Potter, swear on my magic that I didn't enter my name into the Goblet of Fire. I have no wish to join this tournament. So mote it be!'' He declares in front of the entire Great Hall. Gasps are heard all around him.
''Lumos!'' He then yells, making his wand flood the Great Hall with light with the power of his spell.
The Hall falls silent, and Harry turns to Dumbledore.
''I don't want to join. I want to be excused from entering. I'm not even of age!'' He shouts. Still raging inside that again, his stupid Potter luck is acting up again.
''My boy, please, there is no other choice. It is a binding contract. Let's talk more about it in the other room.'' Dumbledore pleads, but Harry doesn't want to listen at all.
''What? I didn't bloody enter this blasting Tournament, and now I'm going to be forced?!'' He screams indignantly.
''Harry-''
''What will happen when I refuse?'' Harry asks with a glare.
''You will lose your magic,'' Dumbledore replies with wide eyes. Gasps are again heard through the entire Hall. Whispers are starting up again. Fred and George also stand up.
''He just proved he didn't-''
''Enter himself, you can't make him if he-''
''Doesn't want to!'' They say together. Harry is relieved that at least someone seems just as furious as he feels.
Hermione is pulling on Harry's sleeve, but he doesn't want to look at her right now. He knows that she wants him to go to the other room, even if he doesn't want to.
The wizarding world has brought him nothing but pain the last couple of years, and to be honest, Harry is done. Completely done with everything the wizarding world stands for. Making a hasty decision, he thinks it will be better to live like a Squib than enter the Tournament.
Thunder rumbles above, but Harry ignores it.
''Fine! I will-''
''STOP!'' A strong voice interrupts him, making Harry falter. Harry and the whole Great Hall look around to locate the voice.
Shadows erupt in the middle of the Hall, and multiple cries are heard through the Hall.
A tall man whose eyes are as black as night emerges from the shadows, wearing robes that seem to clutch and shift around him. He glares at Dumbledore, who takes a step back with fear in his eyes. Something Harry never expected to see at all.
''My chosen child will not lose his magic for something as trivial as a Tournament.'' The man spats making Harry gasp. Who the hell is this man? He has never seen him. What does he mean with chosen child?
Harry doesn't know how, but he needs to know, so he opens his mouth. ''W-who are you?''
The black as night eyes turn to him, and the mouth of the man pulls into a smirk. Harry feels relief that the man isn't glaring at him.
The man holds out his hand, and Harry almost moves automatically. Hermione tries to stop him, but Harry shakes her lose, something inside of him calls to this man. Maybe it's completely stupid, but at the moment, he doesn't care. It feels right to be at the man's side.
''Harry-'' The man almost purrs when Harry reaches him. Dumbledore tries to say something but falls silent when Harry takes the man's hand. ''-I am Death. And you, you are my chosen child.''
''What does that mean?'' Harry almost whispers, but in the silence of the Hall, he thinks that everyone still heard him.
''It means that you are no longer alone.''
That simple sentence fills Harry with warmth, sure he has Sirius now, but he almost hasn't talked to the man since he went on the run. This is the first time an adult took an interest in him that seems genuine. It is a little intimidating that it is Death himself, but Harry believes the man.
''You can't take him!'' Dumbledore suddenly exclaims, making Harry frown at the Headmaster, the man looks close to panicking, and Harry can't fantom why.
Death chuckles, and shivers run over Harry's spine. When he glances around the room, he sees multiple people hunched in themselves, clearly intimidated by the strong power that rolls off Death. But still, nobody is looking away but watching closely with wide eyes.
''You can't stop me-'' Death sneers at Dumbledore before turning back to Harry. ''-But it's Harry's choice.''
''Harry, you deserve so much better than what these people want from you, but I leave the choice with you. I can take you away from here-'' Harry inwardly panics, away from his friends? That isn't something he wants. He finally has friends—something he never had in the Muggle world. ''To train, so you can return when you're ready to complete this tournament. Or I will aid you during the tournament.''
Harry doesn't think it sounds fair that Death would help him during the Tournament, it won't be fair to the other champions, but they do have many advantages. Harry is three years younger and doesn't have the entire wizarding schooling they have had.
''If I go with you to train, how can I even compete in the tournament? It would take too long, wouldn't it? But it doesn't sound fair to the other champions if you're helping me.'' Harry reasons, making Death smile at him.
''This is why you are going to be perfect.'' Death almost croons, making Harry blush. ''If you're going with me to train, you will be back in no time. Time travels differently in my realm.''
Harry nods. He suspected something like that. ''Then I will go with you to train. It is only fair. The others are older and have more experience.''
''Harry, no!'' Dumbledore exclaims, but Harry knows it is too late. Death is already grasping his arm, and then everything turns dark around him.
Albus Dumbledore is frozen in shock while watching Death and Harry disappear in the shadows. How could this have happened?! Nobody even had seen Death, well, maybe except the Peverell brothers all those years ago. And now, he has claimed Harry as his chosen child.
Everything Albus worked so bloody hard for down the drain. Harry would be the perfect sheep for slaughter to end Voldemort, and Albus knows this for sure. But he needed to keep Harry meek and under his thumb. With Death... It's going to be a wild card.
The whole Hall explodes in noise now everybody is slowly getting over the shock.
''Where did he go?''
''Bloody hell! Was-was that actual Lord Death?''
''What does this mean?''
''When is Harry coming back?''
''Dumblydore! What iz the meaning of thiz!?'' An angry voice shrieks behind him. Making him flinch. Madame Maxime's expression is thunderous, and Karkaroff is right on her heels. He also sees the champions enter the Great Hall with confused expressions.
''I don't know, Madam, but for now, it's maybe better to go to our respective dorms. It's has been quite a night.'' He tries weakly. Minerva and Severus are now also making their way to him, and he really doesn't want to give excuses at this moment. He is already getting a headache. When will Harry return?
''Hogwarts can't have two champions!'' Karkaroff exclaims, fury in his eyes. Albus despises the man, but he can't do anything about it.
''I know, but the Goblet has chosen, and we don't know what happened with Harry-'' Albus tries to placate the other Headmasters, but at that moment, the doors of the Great Hall open with a loud bang. Making everyone's head swivel to the entrance.
In the middle of the entrance is a young man in blank Hogwarts robes. His hood obscures the man's face. The Hall has been silenced again, and Albus looks warily at the stranger.
''Who are you? And how did you enter the school?'' Severus demands. The young man chuckles before answering.
''My, my, Professor Snape, it's like you don't even recognize me.'' A sarcastic drawl is heard before the man lowers his hood and fixing his green-green emerald eyes on Albus.
Albus gasps. There standing in front for everyone to see is an elder Harry Potter. He has grown and seemed to have filled out in the five minutes he was gone!
How is this possible?!
''What-''
''Death did tell you that time moves differently in his realm,'' Harry replies, sounding utterly bored.
Harry then looks around the room before giving a small smile at his gaping friends.
''Please listen carefully, because I am only going to say this once. And please, Miss Skeeter-'' Harry drawls while glaring at the blonde witch in the green robes. She shrinks a little in herself. ''-use a regular quill for this,'' She immediately listens and scratches away on a piece of parchment.
''Lord Death took me to train so I would be on even ground with the other champions. He could've taken me longer, but I wanted to return for my last year at Hogwarts-'' Harry tells everyone with a shrug. The whole Hall seems to be on the edge of their seats, looking at Harry with wide eyes full of envy, wariness, and some with fear. ''- I'm of age now and ready to enter my seventh year. I am also prepared to enter the Tournament. So can we continue?''
Harry looks around the room with a smirk in place. Albus can't believe his eyes. Harry Potter is now an adult! He can't force him back to the Dursleys any more. He will be able to gain his Lordship and everything. This is a disaster.
''Harry, my boy, could we maybe talk in a more private setting?'' Albus tries in vain when Harry shakes his head.
''No, I rather discuss this out and in the open. So everybody will know the truth.''
Albus swallows heavily. This is not the Harry that would have listened to him blindly. This is an independent young man that won't be manipulated into anything.
All his plans have gone down the drain.
Harry can barely contain his excitement and glee. He looks around the same Hall where he took Death's hand three years ago. It's somewhere weird to see that nobody has changed when he has changed so much.
He lost his glasses, one of the first things that happened after entering Death's realm. Death had healed his eyes with a simple potion, something Harry felt pretty stupid about because no one had told him that his eyesight could be corrected so easily.
Harry also had grown since then, and of course, he was three years older than when he left this Hall. He is leaner and stronger than he has ever been. Training with Death helped his stamina and muscles more than Quidditch could have ever done. His hair is finally tame-able, the sides are short now, and up top, he has tousled it casually. Death was mother henning him just before he left, wanting Harry to make an impression no one would forget easily. He thinks he succeeded. Death will be pleased.
Harry glances towards his old Gryffindor friends and feels a pang of loss shoot through him. He already knows he needs to be re-sorted. And he also knows that there is no way in hell that he will be in Gryffindor again. Not after everything he learned the last couple of years. He only hopes that they will still talk to him.
''So you will enter the Triwizard Tournament?'' McGonagall asks from her place next to Dumbledore.
''Of course, Professor McGonagall, that's why Death took me, after all, so I would be ready and on even foot with the other champions. Even if someone entered my name to probably kill me-'' He replies casually with a smirk when he hears gasps all around him. ''-I'm pretty glad that I'm now prepared for whatever comes. Don't you agree?''
''Certainly, Mister Potter,'' McGonagall says with a small smile that doesn't reach her eyes. That is to be expected, of course. Death is pretty intimidating when he wants. That he is a total softy with Harry is only because Harry is his chosen child.
''How are we even sure that this is Potter?'' Snaps says with a glare aimed at Harry.
''That's a good question, Professor Snape. Let me help you with that.'' Harry replies with a smirk before drawing his wand.
''I, Harry James Potter-Peverell, hereby declare that I am telling the truth of who I am and what has happened to me. So mote it be! Lumos!''
Harry quickly says before anyone can question him. He immediately hears the whispers starting up.
''Peverell? Who the bloody hell is Peverell?''
''He looks rather hot, don't you think?''
''Is it even fair for him to participate when he has been trained by Death himself?''
''The Peverell name has died out. He's lying!''
''Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most unjust." Madame Maxime exclaims.
Harry sighs. This was to be expected.
''You're quite correct in that-'' Harry replies, feeling a little bored. The Hall grows quiet again and is listening intently. ''-I could only be entered as a fourth champion if the Goblet was deceived into thinking there would be a fourth school participating. That's why I'm not in Gryffindor colors. Because according to Hogwarts, I'm not a Hogwarts student anymore.'' He says with a big beaming smile that doesn't reach his eyes. ''I would need a re-sorting, unfortunately. I can participate in the tournament as a school-free student. But I would like to continue my education at Hogwarts, if I may.'' He puts on his best innocent look, and Madame Maxime seems taken aback by that but nods in agreement.
''That vould be fine with me.''
He hears multiple students from Gryffindor exclaim in outrage, and Harry finds Hermione in the middle of it, she looks gobsmacked, but he simply smiles at her. She probably already knows what is coming, at least, Harry had told her of being almost placed in Slytherin when she admitted to almost being placed in Ravenclaw.
The adults dissolve in discussions again, and Harry is pretty done with it all.
''Well, could we then maybe continue with the sorting? Because I rather would like to go to my new dorms soon. It's been a tiring night after all.'' Harry drawls, earning a couple of light laughs from around the Hall.
Before anyone can move, a stool with the sorting hat appears in front of Harry. Harry rolls his eyes at the gasping students around him. Seriously, they are wizards. A little bit of magic shouldn't be as shocking!
McGonagall is the first one to recover from her shock. She strides over to him and lifts the hat while Harry sits down on the stool. Then the hat is lowered on his head, and Harry immediately hears the hat in his head.
''My, my! Mister Potter-Peverell, welcome back! I have never seen anything like this.'' The hat tells him in his head.
''I always had a flair for the dramatics, didn't I?'' Harry can't help but reply sarcastically.
The hat chuckles and continues. ''You sure did. I see you aren't going to ask to be placed in your old house again. Are you finally agreeing with what I told you all those years ago?''
''Yes, just place me in the house where I belong.''
''Fine by me, better be... Slytherin !''
Harry grins but schools his features quickly when he gives the hat back to a stunned McGonagall.
''I'm sorry, I'm leaving the Lion's den, Professor, but I'm going to where I should have been all those years ago.'' He says with a wink, making McGonagall snap out of her shock.
''Don't be cheeky, Mister Potter. But I will miss you on the Quidditch team.''
''I can't play this year with the tournament, and it's going to be my last year here at Hogwarts now I'm of age. So I couldn't have played either way.'' He replies smoothly. Making her smile for real this time.
''Be careful in the snake pit.'' She whispers seriously.
''Good thing I can talk to snakes, don't you think?'' Harry replies with a smirk again, making McGonagall laugh softly.
''You'll fit right in there, my, maybe I need to warn the Slytherins.''
Harry laughs outright at that before turning towards the Great Hall again. A lot of people are looking utterly shocked by the reveal of the boy who lived in Slytherin. He also sees Rita Skeeter writing furiously, and he rolls his eyes at the sight.
''So, can I go to bed now?'' He drawls, making multiple people jump.
As soon as he enters the Slytherin common room with the other Slytherin's silence falls, and Snape swoops in with his dramatic robes. Seriously, have his robes a mind of their own?
Snape glares at Harry, but he only smiles sweetly back, exactly knowing that he is pissing Snape off.
''Potter, a word.'' He demands before storming off, expecting Harry to follow him. Harry sighs dramatically before following his new Head of House.
He enters Snape's private office that is adjunct to the Slytherin common room. It makes him wonder why McGonagall doesn't have one? Harry is pulled from his musings when Snape starts talking.
''Is this some kind of prank, Potter?'' He snarls, and Harry rolls his eyes. Making Snape only glare harder at Harry.
''No, sir,'' Harry replies. ''I have been kicked out of Hogwarts when my name came out of the Goblet of fire because obviously, someone wants me dead. Three guesses who,'' Harry says while making jazz hands at Snape, who only scowls harder.
Snape is silently seething, and Harry thinks he can see a vein throbbing on his forehead.
''What was all that in the Great Hall?!''
''Well, first, I was chosen as a champion,'' Harry starts to sum up while counting on his fingers. ''Second, Death appeared and took me away. Third, he trained me and showed me my true affinity, surprise, it's not the one everyone thinks I have,'' He winks at Snape at that, knowing he is pushing the man even further into a rage, but he doesn't care.
''Fourth, I stayed three years with him. If it was up to him, I would've stayed longer, but alas, I needed to return to continue my last year and the tournament here. And fifth, I appear back at Hogwarts just in time to get sorted into the lovely green house where I should've gone in my first year, but I talked the hat out of it. Pretty Slytherin of me, right?'' Harry says with a waggle of his eyebrows.
Snape sits down heavily, he isn't exactly gaping at Harry, but it's a near thing. ''It's true then?'' He almost whispers while Harry makes himself cozy in the chair opposite of him.
''What exactly, sir? That Lord Death is real? Or the fact that I'm a Slytherin?''
''Don't be smart with me, boy.'' Snape sneers, but it's clear that he is still reeling from the revelations of tonight.
Harry sighs and sits up a little straighter while looking Snape directly into his eyes. ''Yes, Lord Death is real, just like Lady Magic, Lady Fate, and Lord Time. And a lot of others, but I only saw those four while I was staying with Death.''
Snape pales even further, much to Harry's amusement.
''Lord Death trained me the last couple of years. For me at least, three years have passed. He taught me everything I would've learned in the coming years at Hogwarts and a lot more. I now understand why you joined the Dark Lord all those years ago, sir.''
Snape stiffens. ''How did you-''
''There are not a lot of secrets for the Lord of Death, as you probably already knew. He told me quite a lot.''
Snape swallows heavily before regaining his composure. ''Did he also taught you how to be less dreadful at Potions? Or are we going to have a problem? Wait, you can't even enter my Potion's class. You haven't had your OWL's.'' At the last part, Snape almost seems gleeful until Harry casually removes a letter from his inner robes and hands it over.
''I did my OWL's, sir. Lady Magic herself was my tutor for some time and my examiner. I don't think we will have any difficulties, but I should talk with you of course about which courses I'm going to follow this year. Now you're my Head of House-'' Harry says with barely contained glee. ''-I was thinking about Runes, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Alchemy, Magical Theory, and Ancient Studies. If you look at my results, you will see that I can easily be in those classes.'' Harry did his best not to sound smug. Knowing that it wouldn't end well for him if he did.
Snape was looking at his OWL results with a sneer before slamming it down. ''How do I know that these aren't fake, Potter?''
Harry can't help the groan that escapes him. ''Sir, with all due respect, after everything you saw today, you're going to question my grades? Seriously?'' Harry asks sarcastically.
''Don't try me, Potter, you're just like your father-'' Snape starts to sneer.
Harry stands so quickly that the chair he is sitting on falls down.
''I'm quite done with the fact that you keep comparing me to my dead father! I have never known the man. I can't even remember him! The only thing I know about him is that I look like him and that he was a Quidditch player. If those are the only things I remind you of him, I don't quite understand why you hate me so much. Is it because he bullied you? Because I have never bullied anyone in my life! Mostly because I always was the one being bullied! Since I was little, I was being pushed around, abused, and hurt by my own family. My own cousin made sure I hadn't had any friends until I entered Hogwarts. So sir-'' Harry sneers the last part. ''-Please tell me how I am exactly like my dead father? Because the only man I look up to at this moment is Lord Death, who was the first adult to ever take care of me and who I see more as a father than anyone else.''
Snape seems shocked by the outburst from Harry, and Harry waves his hand to righten the stool before promptly sitting down again. When he would've crossed his arms and glared at the man in the past, he now sat like a proper pureblood wizard, even if he is a half-blood. Lady Magic would have his hide if he didn't act appropriately.
Snape is staring in shock at the casual display of wandless magic before schooling his features again.
''Maybe I have underestimated you, Potter, but know this, if you step one toe out of line, I will punish you as you have never seen before, even if you're a Slytherin now.''
''I expect nothing less, but a fair chance—something you have never given me. Maybe you should start.'' Harry replies without blinking.
''Fine. Now. Get out.'' Snape grits out, and Harry quickly exits the room, knowing that if he would push more, Snape would probably hex him.
When he enters the Slytherin common room, the entire Slytherin student population seems to be waiting for him.
Harry inwardly sighs. He really wants to sleep. It has been a pretty exhausting couple of hours.
Draco Malfoy steps forward, and Harry almost snorts in amusement. This is going to be fun.
''Potter-'' The Malfoy heir snarls. Harry only raises his eyebrow in question before Malfoy starts talking again. ''I don't know what you did, but just know this, we don't want you here.''
The smile that takes over Harry's face is one to be truly feared. ''My, Draco, such harsh words for a new Slytherin student. Does your daddy approve?'' Harry hears a couple of gasps and revels in the fury displaying on Draco's face.
''Don't you dare talk about my father-''
''Oh, please, as if I want to talk about your father,'' Harry replies with a snarl. Draco takes a step back, looking shocked he's not used to this Harry. But that is to expected, of course. Harry then turns to the other Slytherins, some are looking at Harry with disgust, but others are looking at him with intrigue.
''Listen up, Slytherins. I'm one of you now, and I heard that that means there will be no in-house fights displayed outside the dorms. Let's keep it that way. It would be utterly shameful if you all couldn't show how Slytherin's truly are just because you all don't like me. This is the house of cunning and ambition, is it not?'' Harry drawls while gazing at all the Slytherins. He catches the gaze of a couple of seventh-years and is curious how they will react to him, especially in the dorms behind closed doors. ''Well, you will see that I'm just that, but only if you want to see it. Now. Can someone please show me my dorm? Because to be honest, I'm knackered.''
The crowd disperses, and a blonde wizard rolls his eyes before walking to Harry.
''It seems like it's up to me. Follow me, Potter.'' Harry doesn't know the name of the wizard but lets it slide for now.
He follows the teen, and they walk upstairs together in silence before entering a dorm with five beds. Harry sees his trunk almost immediately, black as night instead of the Gryffindor colors it had been before.
He almost wants to roll his eyes at that. Death can be so dramatic sometimes.
''This is your dorm. That's your bed. You are sharing the dorm with me, Warrington, Volkov, and Gudgeon.'' The wizard that helped him grunts.
''Thank you, and I don't want to be rude, but to be honest, I don't know your name,'' Harry tells the wizard honestly.
''My name is Norbert Nott. You shared classes with my younger brother.'' He grunts, clearly annoyed with Harry.
''Ah, the silent kid that reads a lot for a Slytherin,'' Harry replies, making Norbert chuckle without meaning to.
''How that boy didn't get into Ravenclaw is beyond me,'' Nott tells him with a shake of his head.
Harry just shrugs and makes his way to his bed. He places his hand against his trunk first to ward it. The trunk glows in response, and Harry feels the wards snap into place then, he does the same to his bed and is satisfied when the wards also snap in place. He then starts to undress while using wandless magic to get his sleepwear without even thinking about it.
Just when he wants to crawl into bed and sleep until he needs to go to the Great Hall for breakfast, he sees that his roommates are staring at him.
''What?'' He asks warily.
''Did-did you just warded your bed and trunk without your wand?'' A dark-skinned wizard asked. Harry thinks that it was Gudgeon.
''Oh, yes, in Death's realm, I was practically forced to use wandless magic. To use my wand now is a little strange but still possible.'' Harry doesn't add that he doesn't have the right wand anymore. Death told him all about the Deathly Hallows, and he can't wait for his own wand to be his again, but wandless/wordless magic comes easily to him now.
''Buggering fuck.'' Volkov whispers, but Harry hears him nonetheless.
''Everybody can do it with the right amount of training. I'm not special.'' Harry drawls while rolling his eyes.
''What? But at Magical theory, they tell us-'' Nott starts with wide eyes.
''Utter bullshite-'' Harry interrupts. ''-But I'm joining that class, I can't wait to tell the teacher that.'' Harry continues with a smirk.
''Potter, I think I'm going to like you,'' Nott says with a chuckle.
''Don't let Malfoy hear it. He might get a heart attack.'' Harry replies, sounding sarcastic.
The others all laugh, even Warrington, who hasn't said anything. Harry turns to him with a calculating look. He remembers that Dean told him that Warrington had put his name in the Goblet.
''Warrington. I'm sorry that you didn't become the champion. You would've been a worthy opponent.'' Harry doesn't even know if that's true, but he doesn't really want to start off on the wrong foot. Even if it's probably already happened because he is Harry bloody Potter.
Warrington waves him off. ''Don't worry. Now you're competing. I don't even want to. You're going to win without a doubt.''
''Is that a compliment?'' Harry says with a hand on his heart and a fake gasp. Making Warrington roll his eyes.
''Just facts, Potter. You're trained by Lord Death and his chosen child. It's clear that no one is going to beat you.'' Warrington grunts before turning his back to Harry. Harry thinks it over and decides Warrington is right.
He is in better shape, learned a lot of different magics, and will do anything to win. Maybe a little ambitious, but alas, ha also wants to have fun. He knows his mission for the coming year, and a little bit of fun is what he deserves.
The next morning he wakes up before everyone else in the dorm and decides that he is going to keep up his workout routine, so he rolls off his bed to start push-ups.
He gets most of his workout done before any of the other teens wake up. When the first one starts to stir, he quickly gathers his bathroom stuff to go shower. His muscles calm down beneath the hot spray, and it reminds him somewhat of his stay in Death's realm. The manor they stayed in was exquisite, and the showers were divine. Nothing less for Lord Death, of course. He can't wait to talk to Death again, but he must wait a couple of days before he can go out and find him.
His Gryffindor side wants to rally and screw the rules, but there is a reason he is a Slytherin now. He needs to play it smart, and mostly, he doesn't want to be put even more in the spotlight right now. And sneaking out and about to go talk to your adoptive father, who is also Lord Death, is probably too much of a spotlight.
He gets out of the shower and dries himself with a wave of his hand. How he could've thought he could live without magic is beyond him. He quickly dresses and looks at the door as it opens just when he is buttoning down his shirt.
''Morning Potter,'' Volkov grumbles, not nearly as awake as Harry is. ''Morning Volkov, and it's Potter-Peverell, but Potter is fine until you are going to call my Harry.''
Volkov snorts. ''Probably never then,'' He grumbles again. Nott then also enters and looks a lot more awake than Volkov. He looks Harry up and down before making his way to the showers with only a quick mumbled 'morning'.
Harry shrugs on his robes and goes back to the dorm. Warrington and Gudgeon are dressing without showering, probably used to night showers. Warrington rumbles a ''Goodmorning Potter,'' and Gudgeon only grunts. It amazes Harry that they are even this polite to be honest.
He opens his trunk to get out a couple of his books, he doesn't know his schedule yet, but with a featherlight charm and expandable charm on his bag, it won't matter. He can bring everything he wants. So he starts loading his books into his bag without a second thought. He doesn't have any lessons until tomorrow, today being Sunday, but he wants to be prepared. Maybe he will go to the library today to read ahead or something.
''Potter, what are you doing?''
Harry looks up to see a scowling Nott standing there. ''Packing my books?''
''That's never going to fit, and otherwise, it would be too heavy. You can never carry that.'' He looks at Harry as if Harry is stupid.
Harry just shrugs before lifting his full bag and throwing it at Nott without a problem. Nott's eyes widen, and he's shielding his body against the bag, but when the bag hits him, he looks at it incredulously, feeling that the bag weighs practically nothing.
''What the buggering hell?'' He exclaims.
Harry rolls his eyes. ''Seriously, it's a simple expandable charm together with a feather-light charm. I really don't understand why it's such a big deal. Can I have my bag back now?''
Nott stares at the bag before staring at Harry and back at the bag again.
''Can you do that for my bag?''
Harry raises his eyebrow in question, and Nott crosses his arms. ''Just do it, Potter. I'll owe you.''
That makes Harry smirk, and he summons Nott's bag before spelling it the same as his own bag.
''Just a little advice, use a summoning charm if you have lost something in there because you will never find it again.''
Then Harry just walks out of the dorm to go to the Great Hall. He gets there when it's still early, and most of the tables are empty. He does see Hermione engrossed in a book, not even noticing him. He quickly scribbles down a note and makes it float to her without anyone noticing. Hermione looks up, but Harry quickly looks away. Not wanting to gain attention from anyone else.
He then makes his way to the Slytherin table and quickly gets something to eat. It doesn't take long before the Hall is getting fuller, and soon his new classmates are entering the Great Hall. It appears that all the Slytherin seventh years had gathered together before going to the Great Hall.
Nott is at the front and doesn't hesitate while making his way to Harry is seated. The others follow him, and Harry holds back a smirk.
''Good morning.'' He says while greeting everyone with a nod.
Nott takes a seat opposite of him, and a blonde girl with bored eyes takes a seat next to him. Volkov takes Harry's left side, and a black-haired girl with a smirk and sparkling blue eyes takes Harry's right side.
The others swan around them, and they begin to eat in silence. Only the girl next to Harry doesn't seem interested in eating. Well, at least not the food.
She is watching Harry intently, and Harry suppresses the want to roll his eyes.
''Can I help you?'' He finally asks when she is still staring at him after five minutes.
''Maybe. Isabella Blackwood, because you were probably too polite to ask for my name after four years at the same school. My friends call me Izzy, and I'm going to be your friend.'' She declares with a wicked sparkle in her eyes.
Harry watches the girl in amusement. ''Are you? And you were three years older than me. I didn't know the names of anyone that wasn't in my house and older than me. I was a bit of an oblivious git. But I have been learning. So Izzy-'' He drawls, making Izzy grin at him. ''-What can I expect being a seventh year in Slytherin?''
''Well, Harry-'' She purrs, making him chuckle. ''-let me introduces you to our seventh-year Slytherins. You already know the names of the boys, but now the girls-'' She points to the blonde next to Nott. ''-That's Gemma Fawley, she is a bit bored because she wasn't made head girl-'' The blonde witch, Gemma, glares at Izzy but she isn't deterred and goes on. ''The witch with the brown curls is Kendra Flint.'' Harry nods his head at the girl who sneers at him. She was probably related to Marcus Flint, who graduated last year.
''And last but not least, no sir, because she is a gem among gems is my lovely girlfriend, Septima Rosier,'' Izzy almost starts clapping but thankfully, her girlfriend stops her.
''You're being embarrassing again, Iz,'' Septima says with a drawl, but Harry can see the fondness in her eyes. She is a fair-haired witch with freckles all over her face and soft green eyes. Harry can see that she is beautiful. Then she fixes her stare on Harry before sneering.
''Do you have a problem with us being together?''
Harry feels the shift around him and feels amused that Slytherins are this protective of each other.
''Would be a bit hypocritical from me of all people.'' He only replies before sipping his tea. The table has fallen silent once more, and Harry revels in the storm that he knows is coming.
''You're gay?!'' Nott whisper shouts, earning a couple of confused glances from others down the table.
''Bisexual actually,'' Harry quips back, still drinking his tea calmly. It's silent again for a moment before Izzy lets out a laugh. ''I knew it, pay up!''
Harry is shocked to see that three people are grumbling and handing Izzy money. He only raises his eyebrow in question, but she waves his question away with a flick of her wrist, and he just shrugs. He doesn't really care.
''You better get me some chocolate with the money you earned on me,'' He snarks, making the seventh years laugh at Izzy's disgruntled face. But soon, she turns her calculating stare at Harry.
''I think we are going to be great friends,'' Izzy says with a wicked smirk. Harry returns the smirk. ''I hope so,''
''Why do I have the feeling that the apocalypse will start any minute?'' Volkov drawls from his place on Harry's other side.
''Probably because it is. Potter in Slytherin can only mean trouble.'' Comes a familiar drawl from behind them. Harry turns around and grins at Malfoy, who is, of course, with Crabbe and Goyle. Parkinson is also standing behind them, tittering away.
Harry plants his elbows on the table while interlacing his hands and planting his chin on his hands. ''Goodmorning Malfoy, did you sleep well?'' Harry asks with a shit-eating smirk. Making Malfoy scowl at him.
''I don't know what you did, Potter-'' Malfoy spat, the joke is on him, Harry didn't do anything, but he just knew that Malfoy was too unsettled with Harry being in Slytherin that he wouldn't be able to sleep. ''-but my father will hear about this!''
''And what is 'this'?'' Harry asks innocently while quoting 'this' with his fingers.
Malfoy just starts to retort when Snape walks up to them with his billowing robes. Seriously, how does he do that? Is it a spell?
''Mister Malfoy, take your seat,'' He tells the Malfoy scion curtly, making Malfoy scowl one more time at Harry before he turns around.
''Potter-Peverell, here is your schedule. Don't be late to any of the classes, and heed my warning from last night.'' Snape grits out before quickly making his way back to the Head table.
Harry just checks out his new schedule, and he hears Izzy whistle in appreciation next to him.
''That's a lot, Harry. I don't want to see you around NEWT time.'' She jokes, but she looks genuinely worried for a moment.
''I will not be taking my NEWTS at Hogwarts. I'm one of the Triwizard champions, remember? I'm excused from tests. I will take my NEWTS in the summer at the Ministry.'' He comments off handly, still looking at his schedule.
Izzy hits him in the arm with a gasp. ''You lucky bastard!''
''Izzy-'' It's pretty funny that he already feels familiar enough with her to use her nickname, ''-The tournament is crazy dangerous. People have died during the tasks.'' He drawls in a bored voice.
Izzy scrunches up her nose before responding. ''Still better than NEWTS.'' She declares as if her word is the law.
Harry glances up just in time to see Hermione exit the Great Hall. She glances at him as well and only nods her head once. He wants to sigh in relief, but he needs to go after her.
''If you say so, Izzy, now if you all excuse me, I have something to do. I will see you later.''
Harry is glad it's Sunday and quickly leaves the Great Hall and goes up to the seventh floor, where he had asked Hermione to wait for him.
When she sees him enter the corridor, she is almost bouncing on her feet, and he smiles fondly at her. He then lets her stand still while he walks three times in front of a blank wall. She is glaring at him because she doesn't understand what is happening, and it's a sight Harry has thoroughly missed.
After the third time, a door appears, and he waves Hermione over, who now is watching with a gaping expression.
As soon as they have entered the room, Hermione pounces and throws her arms around Harry. It's pretty funny that he finally is taller than her. They keep hugging for a couple of moments until Hermione steps back with tears in her eyes.
''What's wrong, Mione?'' Harry asks while brushing his thumb over Hermione's cheek. She sniffles for a moment but rightens herself again, looking every bit the Gryffindor she is. They take a seat at the heart of the room. It looks just like the Gryffindor common room. Harry had asked for that on purpose.
''You're not with me in the same house anymore, not even in the same classes now you're seventeen! And Harry! You're going to be in a dangerous tournament!'' She rushes out with worry and sadness in her eyes.
Harry sighs and puts an arm around her shoulders while pulling her closer. He then lays his head on top of hers. ''It's funny that I can do this now. I was always the short one of the group.'' Harry muses, not really responding to Hermione's rambling.
Hermione scoffs and slaps him half-heartedly on the leg. ''Is Ron upset with me?'' Harry then asks, still ignoring her questions. He is already dreading the answer.
Hermione is silent for a moment before sighing loudly. ''He's being a complete and utter fool. Even if he saw it with his own two eyes, he doesn't want to believe that you were taken by Lord Death. No-wait, that's not even the thing he's most upset about. He was raving the whole night in the common room how he couldn't believe that you were now a slimy snake! I just can't believe him!'' Hermione rants while throwing her hands up in the air.
Harry sighs. He already expected this and was prepared for the fallout with Ron. The last couple of years while being with Death has helped him come to terms with it, thankfully. Ron was his first friend, his best friend, but he was also narrow-minded, and maybe he will grow out of that eventually, but the world is black or white with Ron, while Harry's world is now full of grey's.
It didn't surprise him that he didn't see Ron at the breakfast table, mostly because it was Sunday and he is probably still asleep, and probably because he doesn't want to see Harry.
''I understand-'' When she tries to interrupt him, he quickly holds up his hand to silence her. ''-You have to see Hermione that he has been taught nothing else than that Slytherin's are evil. And be honest, which examples does he have that Slytherin's aren't bad? He has only met Malfoy and his sheep, or Snape. And he has grown up with stories about the Dark Lord. The same Dark Lord who tried to kill his sister when he was twelve. I can't and will not blame him for being like this.'' Harry tells her sternly.
Hermione is silent for a moment. ''That's an awfully grown-up point of view, Harry.''
''Did you miss the announcement? According to Wizarding law, I'm an actual adult now,'' Harry jokes, making Hermione laugh.
But it doesn't take long for her to become silent again.
''I have so many questions.'' She is practically buzzing with them, so Harry gives her the go-ahead.
''Lord Death took you away, correct?'' She asks, and he nods with a smile. ''What happened exactly? I mean, you just disappeared from the middle of the room with Lord Death of all people! And then five minutes later, you come strolling in like a ponce-''
''A ponce? Hermione, you hurt me!'' Harry says in amusement.
''A ponce, Harry Potter! A bloody ponce, it was clear from that moment that you wouldn't be a lion anymore.'' She says haughtily before laughing when Harry pokes her in the side.
He then turns serious. ''Lord Death has chosen me. You could say that I'm his adopted son. At least that's how he sees me. When he took me, we went to his realm, where we lived in a manor. He taught me magic together with Lady Magic herself. I even met Lord Time and Lady Fate. The last two I've only seen for a couple of moments, they were afraid that interacting with me too much would change the fate of the world. But Lady Fate did apologize, for what exactly they didn't tell me, of course.''
''Lady Magic taught you magic?!'' Hermione asks with wide eyes full of awe.
''Yes, she was amazing, crazy strict, mind you, but amazing. She also taught me everything I needed to know about all the proper etiquette and how ignorant the current wizards and witches are right now. She also examined my OWLs. Knowing I needed them to even return to Hogwarts.''
''What classes are you going to take?'' Hermione asked excitedly. Harry looks at her with an amused expression.
''I tell you about living with Lord Death for the last couple of years and being taught by Lady Magic herself, and you focus on which classes I'm going to take?'' He asks, sounding fond but exasperated. Hermione ducks her head with a blush, but Harry reaches out again to pull her close again.
''Never change, Hermione, never change.'' He says with a chuckle before taking out his new schedule and presenting it to her. She devours the pages. ''Alchemy!? Harry, how amazing! I'm jealous, I really wanted to take that elective, but you can only take it in your sixth and seventh year.''
''Almost nobody takes it anymore, mainly because you need an O in potions to even be able to join,'' Harry tells her with a shrug. He already knows the basics of Alchemy, but Death wanted him to take the course either way.
''Oh, I didn't know that. Good to know for when I'm entering the sixth year.'' She tells him firmly.
She gives him back his schedule, and he conjures something to drink, expecting that they will be here for a while.
''Why has your name changed to Potter-Peverell?'' She asks him while taking a sip from her drink.
''Because I'm the only living descendant of Peverell, and the Peverells were closely related to Death, Death found it fitting that I also took that name and the Lordship that comes with the title. It's mostly political and a little emotional from his side.''
Hermione nodded before worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
''Please don't take this the wrong way, but how was it? You know, living with literal Death?'' She is fiddling with the sleeve of her robe, clearly a little anxious for asking this question.
Harry takes a sip from his drink while thinking about how to answer her. ''To be honest, Hermione, it was amazing. I told you about how he sees me as his son, and I've come to see him as my father the last couple of years. He genuinely cared for me. He was patient in his teachings, even when I flew off the rails because I didn't like what he was saying.'' Harry said with a chuckle, thinking back at the first year where there had been more than a couple of incidents.
''I'm glad that you found him then. I know how you hated to go to your muggle relatives. But what do you mean with flying off the rails?'' Hermione asks curiously.
''Well, he explained to me about how everyone has an affinity, something I knew very little about. He then showed me the ritual to see what kind of affinity I had, he already knew which I had, but he still let me do the ritual so I would see for myself. When I found out about my Dark affinity, I lost it. Mostly because I thought he had tricked me, it took me a long while before I could accept it.'' He tells her with a shrug, not feeling calm or aloof at all, but completely tense and afraid of how Hermione will react to this information.
Hermione gasps and puts her hands in front of her mouth while her eyes begin to water. ''Dark affinity? Ha-Harry-''
''Please, Hermione, I will explain because there is so much more.''
She seems reluctant but nods nonetheless.
''I have a Dark affinity indeed, like almost fifty percent of the wizards and witches in the world. Having a Dark affinity doesn't mean you're evil. It means that Dark magic comes easier to you. But since the witch trials and even medieval times, people have become afraid of Dark magic. They were teaching their children that Dark magic was bad and would turn people evil or crazy. The only ones that still told their children that Dark magic wasn't evil were mostly pureblooded witches and wizards. They kept fighting for the Dark 'side' of magic, but with it, they started to hate muggle-born witches and wizards, blaming them for the changes in their world because most of them agreed directly with the 'Light' side. Mostly because that was the biggest side, and they just wanted a place in the wizarding world.''
Hermione was silent for a long time, digesting what he was telling her.
''So you're telling me that most of the Wizarding world is ignorant because they're afraid?''
''That's basically my story indeed, and something Death and Lady Magic has told me and discussed with me at lengths. In the last century, a lot of laws have been accepted, and with it, Dark magic is almost forbidden in Britain. Did you know that Merlin himself was a Dark wizard?'' Harry asks her.
''Seriously? Why haven't I read anything about it? And why did you say 'only in Britain?''' Hermione asked immediately. Harry smirked at her, knowing that she would pick up on that.
''Only in Britain indeed, in the rest of the world, Dark and Light magic are equal. Like speaking Parseltongue isn't all that special in India. But here in the UK, it's immediately seen as Dark. What I'm going to tell you next will probably not come over well, but I would really like it if you would listen to me because I'm not going crazy. But a lot has happened in the last couple of years, or at least, for me.'' He says with a chuckle while Hermione looks at him in confusion.
''When the new laws came into play the last century, this was mostly because of Dumbledore. That's probably not news for you, but it was for me when I learned about it. He is the epitome of a Light wizard, and he's scared of Dark magic. That's probably why Tom Riddle, aka Voldemort, fought so hard against him. He wanted to stop those laws because he was a Dark wizard. Everyone started to feel afraid of Tom because he declared that he was a Dark wizard. And they were mostly taught that Dark magic was evil. It didn't help that the 'savior' of their world agreed that Dark magic was evil.'' Harry explained with a scoff. Hermione's eyes looked aghast, but she kept silent.
''Then the Dark Lord did a couple of pretty stupid things.'' Harry sighs while combing his hand through his hair in agitation.
''He split his soul with extremely Dark magic, but it also split his mind. That's why he started the war. He wasn't thinking clearly anymore. Only wanting Dark magic to win and nothing else, but that's where he was wrong. There needed to be balance, and it bit him in the arse.'' Harry tells her.
Hermione was now gripping Harry's hand tightly. ''Harry, you don't-you don't agree with Vol-Voldemort, do you?'' Hermione asked incredulously.
''I don't agree with his view on muggle-borns or muggles, but he created those ideas after he split his mind and soul. What I do agree with is that Dark magic needs to be in the Wizarding community, just as much as Light magic.'' Harry responded resolutely. Before softening his gaze and looking at Hermione.
''You don't think that I'm evil, right, Mione?''
''Of course not! It's - it's just like I can't help it that I'm muggle-born, you can't help your affinity if I understand you correctly.'' She says with a huff and a small, shy smile.
Harry beams at her and kisses her on the head, flustering her even more.
''We could perform the ritual for you too if you want. You could learn everything I've learned, well, unless you don't have a Dark magic affinity, then some things will be difficult, but I digress.'' Harry said when Hermione started to laugh.
They settled down again, and Harry tells Hermione more about his time with Death.
Hermione wanted to know more about the splitting of Voldemort's soul, but Harry guided them to a safer topic.
''Harry, you said Dark lord, instead of V-Voldemort. You aren't going to follow him, right?'' Hermione asked anxiously.
Harry heaved a heavy sigh. ''I'm not planning on it, but when he returns, he will not be the same. But me following him is not going to happen-'' He says with a scoff. ''-Death chose me because I will be better on the neutral side of the spectrum. I want the wizarding world to be fair. And it doesn't matter that I'm technically a Dark wizard. As you said, that's not something I can do anything about.''
Hermione grabbed his hand again and looked him in the eye. ''I'm not going to ask how you know that he will return-'' She says with narrowed eyes, especially when Harry tries to look away, ''-but, I will stand with you, where ever you go.''
Harry pulls her closer again. ''I know. That's why I wanted to tell you everything. You're like my sister, Mione.''
Hermione let out a delighted laugh. ''I've always wanted a sibling. I'm glad that you're it.'' She says.
They stay in the Room of Requirement for a while longer. Hermione was excited that she now knew where it was, she had read about it in Hogwarts a History, but the location of the room wasn't talked about.
They also talked about being in Slytherin and that Harry was pretty sure he could handle them, even Draco Malfoy, especially now Harry was a couple of years older.
''Do you really think that you can change the view of all those people, Harry?'' She asked just when they were about to leave. Harry looked her straight in the eyes when he tells her; ''I'm almost sure of it, but even if they don't want to listen to me, I'm going to try my best.''