Harry Potter: Otherworld
Suspicions are Raised
***No own no sue. ***
*Twitter for updates, Angelslayer135
I will keep a running list of male to female names as characters are introduced at the end of each chapter.
***HP:O ***
Classes had continued through the week as they had begun, normal, aka dull, for Harry. That is save for Defense. It was in this class he not only excelled but was often pushed into the spotlight.
All courtesy of the professor.
"Mr. Potter, if you would kindly demonstrate the spell from last time." The boy, naturally, flushed a bit as all eyes turned towards him. Still, he did as he was told, although with far less strength in the incantation than before. "Very good, twenty points to Slytherin. As you can see, class, a spell can be fine-tuned with more or less Magic as mister Potter demonstrated. Less power can turn a normally lethal spell into one only causing harm, more power can increase damage to devastating proportions."
Even his adjustments warranted attention it seemed. The only upside was that he wasn't receiving as many glares as he initially thought would be the case. And although there were certainly some looks of anger it was still better than some of the situations he had dealt with before.
While the rest of the students began their normal studies after his demonstration, Riddle opted to present a small notebook to the boy when he returned to his desk. "You will be doing a different assignment, Mr. Potter. Start by attempting the spells listed in the first chapter and we will go over them this weekend."
To say he was wary about taking a notebook from someone with the last name 'Riddle' was an understatement, and when it became obvious, he wasn't going to so much as touch the offered object the older woman set it down on the table in front of him before walking off to begin her assistance for the remaining students.
Harry stared at the object, dreading what it might be or contain. Was it the same cursed object that Ginny had been given? Or was it something even worse?
Regardless, he continued staring at the object for another few minutes before going to his textbook instead. He had already drawn enough attention to himself for one week.
***HP:O ***
"Mr. Potter, stay behind for a moment."
It sounded different from when McGonagall had requested it, less warmth, and more formality. Add into the fact that it was a sociopath ordering him around and Harry was more than a little tense to be in the same room, especially alone, with Riddle.
But it would probably be more suspicious if he bolted, or drew his Wand on her, and so he stayed put, waiting as she walked over and sat next to him. The tension in his body was obvious, and he could tell she noticed, watching him as she always seemed to be doing.
"I would like to know why my best student seems to hate me."
That was not what he had expected her to say. Not only did he not consider himself 'her best student', because it felt like he was cheating since he knew everything already, he also assumed she wouldn't know exactly how he felt about her.
Still, if he denied it, she probably wouldn't believe him. Obviously, he couldn't tell her the complete truth either, so he went with something in the middle. "You remind me of someone."
The professor frowned a bit, "I take it you were not a fan of that person."
"They tried to kill me, so no."
For a split second he saw it, that oh so familiar anger in her eyes. It was gone a moment later, but the image would remain in his mind, proof that she was the same person as from his world, at least deep down. "Who?"
"What?"
Her voice was nearly a growl, "Who tried to kill you?"
What was he supposed to say, 'The male you'? "It doesn't matter, they're gone."
"It does matter." Riddle snapped.
"No, it bloody doesn't, and it's none of your business anyway!" With that he stood, pushed his chair rough enough that it fell over instead of going under the desk, and stormed out of the room.
Grace watched him go, letting out a sigh of resignation as she did. It did not escape her attention that he had left the notebook she had given to him earlier behind on his desk, still untouched.
***HP:O ***
Envy, annoyance, maybe a tad bit of pride filled Harry Potter as he sat in the stands, watching girls on brooms zip around at incredible speeds high above the Quidditch pitch. He longed to feel the wind in his face, through his hair, to have that thrill of adrenaline mixed with freedom. When he had first taken to the skies the thing that attracted him to the sport most was how opposite it was to his own life.
Freedom opposed to confinement, excitement opposed to boredom, sunshine as opposed to the dark of a cupboard.
Dread crept along his skin, darkening his mind and he had to force himself, as always, to find happiness and ward it off. There was no reason to dread the summer in this world, no Dursleys, no cupboard.
After another handful of deep breaths of the cool, crisp air he returned his gaze to the players and frowned a bit. Both seekers were decent, not great but good enough. He had already spotted the Snitch though while they were still desperately searching for it.
Gryffindor against Slytherin, a match that would have stirred up the fire within his chest before now barely held his attention. What did he care if one House beat the other? He wasn't a Gryffindor and felt completely alone in Slytherin.
"Oh come on that was an easy save!" Another, oh so familiar, voice yelled from nearby. Harry turned and spotted the red hair of his former friend making his way up to one of the benches nearby. Noticing that the area was already occupied, and by a student of the opposing House, Ron flushed a bit in surprise and embarrassment, "Uh, sorry…"
Huh, apparently Ron wasn't quite as anti-Slytherin in this world. At least that was a nice change.
Harry quickly shook his head, "Nah, it's fine. My sisters are in Gryffindor, wouldn't feel right rooting against their house completely." This earned a grin from the Weasley, who took a seat next to Harry on the otherwise empty bench.
"Supporting family is important" the redhead immediately praised, "I've got a bunch of sisters myself."
A bunch? Did that mean it wasn't just Ginny as the sole daughter? Another idea slammed into his brain, one that froze the blood in his veins.
Ginny had been the first girl, likely because Molly had wanted a daughter. What if she didn't exist? Clearing his throat, and hoping to keep and cracks or despair out of his tone, the boy-who-lived inquired as subtly as he could, "How many sisters do you have?"
The sigh of exaggeration still made Harry smile, despite how much he was dreading the answer, "Five older, including a pair of twins, and one younger."
One younger, that meant Ginny was here and his heart wept a bit in relief. "Must be nice, having so many siblings you can count on." His statement earned a moment of frowned confusion from Ron, who nodded slowly a moment later.
"Yeah, yeah I guess it is. What about you mate?"
Knowing he was at least on the path to becoming friends with the Weasley raised Harry's spirits, "It's… weird. I didn't know I had any until late summer."
"Oh, yeah sorry." There was embarrassment written all over the other boy's face, and the Potter was quick to wave the apology off.
"Don't worry about it, just glad I have them now." And he was, it had taken all this time but after finally saying it out loud he was glad to have them, even if he felt like an outsider, he knew deep down that they were on his side.
He had a family, the one thing he had always hoped for, and it brought tears to his eyes.
***HP:O ***
Amaryllis, just call me Amy, Potter wasn't happy. Sure, she was enjoying school, enjoying all the new faces, most of the classes, and making friends, but she was still unhappy. Everything should have been good, great even. Harriet was fitting in well, her own grades were decent, they were decent friends with the Gryffindors of their year, and her love of Quidditch was already earning her a bit of attention not just from McGonagall but the Gryffindor team itself.
Yes, everything appeared to be wonderful. The problems, instead, came about because of the newest member of their family.
It wasn't that Amy was upset by his arrival, the complete opposite really. Harry felt like he had always been there, should have always been there. He fit so well into her and Harriet's corner of the world, like a missing puzzle piece.
The problem that was causing her poor attitude was that Harry wasn't with them. He wasn't a Gryffindor, didn't have every class with them. They didn't see him first thing in the morning when they entered the common room, didn't stay up late whispering in a cozy corner with him, weren't the envy of the rest of their year at how close the three of them obviously were.
Instead, Harry seemed… sad. Adding Hermione into his, and by extension their own, lives had certainly helped. The way he lit up around her put a smile on her own face a bit of pep into her sister's step. But when he didn't know she was watching, when she would catch a glimpse of him coming out of another classroom or in the mornings before they met for breakfast, it was during these times that he looked unhappy.
Amy had always been rather sensitive to the moods of others and seeing him unhappy made her unhappy.
But perhaps worst of all was his discomfort around two of their professors. Riddle was obvious, and likely because she was his Head of House and had taken such a forceful approach in dragging him before the rest of their class. Snape though… Snape was an entirely different type of problem.
It wasn't that she targeted Harry, far from it she was almost kind towards him. But it was the way she looked at him when he was busy, the way she would occasionally stare at him. If it had just been her attitude towards her then fine, whatever the redhead could deal with the arsehole.
But the moment the 'professor' turned her attention onto her siblings, that was when a line had been crossed. Harriet wouldn't retaliate, at least not for herself, and Harry seemed almost ignorant of his own situation.
Idea after idea had crossed into her mind as ways of encouraging the woman to piss off, but each one had been interrupted by a voice in her head sounding suspiciously like her parents. That was fine. If she wasn't supposed to get revenge, then she would write her parents and ask them. Maybe it would even get them to do something about it.
***HP:O ***
"Look who it is, the talented reject himself." Harry looked up from his book to where a handful of Slytherin girls stood across from him at the table, eyeing him with annoyance and no small amount of dismissal. "Trying to impress the professors hm? Don't bother, everyone knows you are just faking it."
He blinked, the blinked again in confusion, "Faking what?"
The lead girl, who, despite her personality and the sneer on her face, was rather pretty with black and silvery hair, leaned forward before gesturing towards his work area. "This, pretending to be talented, acting as if you can even understand half of what you are reading. It's pathetic."
Harry frowned but managed to reign in his temper before telling the girl where to shove her opinion. Another chimed in immediately after, "Maybe he's trying to get attention from Professor Riddle. She seems interested in him for some reason."
"Maybe she thinks he is cute and would make a good pet." A third joked, earning laughter from the group and a few others nearby who had been eavesdropping.
Biting his tongue, the boy fought the urge to hex the lot of them until another voice rang out from nearby, one that made him twitch a bit. "Didn't think of you as the type to harass younger Slytherins Delphini."
The group of witches turned, and spotted the elder Malfoy idly strolling towards them, clearly unamused at the situation.
"What do you care Pandora?"
The blonde raised her hand, idly inspecting her fingernails, "Just making sure you don't lose us House Points with unbecoming behavior. Whatever would your mother say if she found out you required backup to bully a first year?"
A sneer formed on the other's face as she marched forward, Harry's body tensed in preparation for a conflict. It wasn't as if needed the other witch's help. He had fought trained adults for goodness' sake, none of them were even the slightest threat to him.
But he didn't want to see someone get hurt for sticking up for him, even if it was a Malfoy.
"You better watch yourself Pandora unless you need reminded of who the star duelist is." The two stared each other down for another moment, before Delphini turned and left with her followers. The blonde gave one more glance over to the boy before departing as well.
His mood ruined, Harry packed up his things and prepared to leave, only to be stopped by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Harry, you should stay clear of her."
"It isn't like I was trying to have her insult me. Who does she think she is anyway?"
The, usually silent, boy shuffled his feet, "That's Delphini Black, heir to the Black family. They are… really important."
Black the name rang in his mind as it conjured images of his Godfather from another time. But he already knew better, he had met Marie.
"Any chance you know the name of her parents?"
Vincent nodded, before glancing around and lowering his voice. "Her mother is the Bellatrix Black, no official father but some people think it might have been her cousin, Sirius Rosier."
Well that certainly complicated the world even further.
***HP:O ***
"Okay, but what about this question?"
Harry smiled as he watched both Hermione and Harriet give mock sighs of frustration, before going on and explaining why his other sister had been wrong, for at least the third time. It was nice, not only having someone else who could alleviate the burden of helping them pass their classes from Hermione but also having additional voices and personalities. Looking back, he certainly didn't regret having Hermione and Ron as friends, but he did regret having only them as friends. Which was why he had eagerly accepted when the bookworm suggested a study session with his two siblings.
He even invited Ron, but the boy had declined, rather politely to his surprise, saying he didn't do 'study sessions' very well and found the library too boring to be of use.
With the three witches going over their assignments, Harry had taken to studying up on Potions. It wasn't as if he liked the class, although it was far more tolerable than it had been in his own world, he just felt the need to understand what he was doing in it. Wizard Snape had made it borderline impossible for him to learn anything of use and now that his other classes were a breeze, he felt it only appropriate to develop a few brewing skills as well.
"Really Harry, Potions? I think that's one class you don't need to study for."
He looked up, and noticed the frown of disapproval on Hermione's face, the eye roll his female counterpart was halfway through, and the smugness on the redhead's. It felt right, like he was meant to be in this place, with them.
"Just because Professor Snape is easier on him than Flitwick or McGonagall doesn't mean he shouldn't study Amy."
Giving an exaggerated sigh, the girl leaned back in her seat, head dropping off the back along with her hair, "She just keeps taking off points for no reason."
"Actually," Hermione chimed in, albeit a bit softly, "you did mishandle the ingredients last class."
This earned another over-the-top groan, which gave the bushy-haired witch a worried look until Harry shook his head and winked at her, a clue that it was just an act. "Do you want some advice from my world?"
Amaryllis immediately sat back up, eyes gleaming with intrigue, "Definitely."
"Try not doing anything to upset Professor Snape, like showing up late, or early. Definitely don't do anything even slightly wrong or look like you are about to, and whatever you do don't make eye contact, or avoid eye contact."
This earned a moment of stunned silence, before the girl snickered and burst into laughter, earning giggles from his other sister and even a more controlled laugh from Hermione. Harry, in the meantime, merely grinned.
***HP:O ***
"Hi, uhm... Mr. Potter?" It was a soft voice, one full of self-doubt much like his own world but perhaps even worse than he remembered. The bespectacled boy looked up from his studies to see Neville Longbottom standing nearby. At the attention the other boy seemed to shrink down even further, as if frightened.
"Well, you can call me Harry, but yeah that's me. You're Neville Longbottom, right?"
He received a slight nod in answer, as the other shifted about in his place, uncertainty obvious on his features. "Ron Weasley, he uhm, he mentioned you and say you were really nice..."
That was an odd conversation starter, but Harry was certainly not going to waste an opportunity to befriend the Gryffindor. "That's very nice of Ron. Do you want to sit down?" His question earned hesitant, but happy, movement as the boy did as offered and sat down in an empty chair.
"Ron said you really like Quidditch."
Harry smiled, "It's fun, the act of flying is, well looks, very freeing. Like you can go anywhere, do anything you want, just... be free."
"I'm terrified of heights, flying just sounds awful."
The raven-haired boy laughed, causing the other to relax a bit in his seat. "I can understand that. So, what do you like doing Neville? What class is your favorite?"
He shrunk down a bit, "I don't know, I'm not really good at anything, not like you are. I saw you in defense, you're amazing."
"That is what worries me." Neville blinked in confusion, earning a slight smile from Harry. "I'm worried that people will either like me because of that or hate me because of it. There are already some older students who are mad because I'm doing well, and I don't want anyone being upset because I'm doing good at something."
It was something that he had been thinking about, and fearing, a lot lately. Ron Weasley from his world did have a bit of a chip on his shoulder from all the older brothers. He remembered how bad fourth year went with the other boy and how lonely he had been because of it.
What if that started early?
"W-well I can tell you Ron and I aren't." The stammered response drew a curious look from the Potter male, causing the other to explain. "We sort of talked about it, sorry, and he looked relieved it wasn't him. He said the idea of having more homework and stuff on the weekend sounded awful."
Harry stared back for a few moments, before bursting into laughter. That sounded like the Ron Weasely he knew. A few moments later Neville joined in, although in an easier manner. After a while they settled and the boy-who-lived was reminded of his own Neville's problems during his first few years. "You don't have any classes you enjoy? I know Ron seems to like Flying."
"I mean... I like Herbology, I'm just not great at it."
"Do you want to know a secret Neville? Most people aren't great when they first try something. It takes dedication and work to become great. I think the trick is to find something you enjoy, that you want to put the effort into."
***HP:O ***
"Potter, we need to talk."
He stopped, looking back to where two of his fellow Slytherins stood. Daphne Greengrass and her friend, Tracey Davis. The boy could only vaguely recall them from his time but knew from the few interactions in this new one that they were at least decent people. "What about?"
The heiress answered, "Where did you learn to be so good at defense?" It was a bit forceful, demanding even, and any good-willed curiosity he had quickly evaporated. Apparently, those in his own class were just big of prats as older Slytherins.
Big surprise there.
"I learned it in class." Not a lie, he didn't say when after all.
Still, the Pureblood didn't seem happy with the answer, and was clearly about to make a comment about it when her friend interrupted. "It was really impressive, that's why we were wondering, weren't we Daphne."
It was about as subtle as a Gryffindor crashing through a window on a broom, but still served the get the point across. Said girl merely huffed before crossing her arms and nodding, although clearly unhappy about it.
"Actually, we were hoping that maybe, you could give us a few points."
Greengrass scoffed, earning another glare from her friend, while Harry remained silent. It was oddly reminiscent of his fifth year, Dumbledore's army had been fun, even if it was for a terrible necessity. Suddenly, memories flashed before his eyes. He had led them into a trap, they had been fighting for their lives, not just Sirius but Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Luna, and Neville.
What if they had been hurt? What if they had been depending on him and then he had failed? What if...
"Harry?"
Tracey's, far softer and with a hint of concern, tone ripped him from being lost in his own head. "Uh, I mean I guess but it is mostly just what the professor said in class. Focusing on your Magic, shaping it, then pushing it through your wand like water through a pipe."
That, apparently, was not what Riddle had said based on the confused expressions on their faces.
"I uhm... need to go." The male Potter fled before they could say anything further.
***HP:O ***
Harry had begun, perhaps for the first time in his life, dreading the upcoming weekend and his first 'assignment' with his Head of House. Part of him considered just hiding somewhere for the two days. He had no classes and little homework so it wouldn't be impossible and add onto that the skills he had picked up by avoiding students during some of his more turbulent years at Hogwarts and he had faith that such activity would not be impossible.
It would mean a rather boring weekend though, something he assumed might be happening a lot in the years to come. He needed something else to do, something to focus on that wasn't Quidditch or saving the world. At that moment another, slightly twisted, idea came to mind. There was no Hagrid, which meant the Stone's protections would be different. What would be the first 'trial' be to defend the stone?
He shouldn't check, and he knew this. It was none of his business and if anything, he really should stay as far away from that corridor as possible for the rest of the school year. Let someone else deal with the life-or-death situations for once, let someone else clean up after the adults.
'Like your sisters?'
That single argument froze the blood in his veins. The first time they had been lucky, more than lucky really, that someone hadn't been hurt or worse. What if Amy and Harriet weren't? What if Hermione joined them and was hurt? What if whoever was after it went after them? There was no Dark Lord, that meant no blood protections or weaknesses like in his world.
Without further delay he headed in the direction he was initially avoiding. He would be damned if he sat by and did nothing while those he cared about were harmed.
***HP:O ***
"Harry, what are you doing here?"
He spun, anger already twisting onto his face. She had no right to use his first name, to pretend as if they were friends. "I'd ask you the same thing, professor."
But Riddle did not fall into his trap, "This corridor is off limits to students."
Harry looked back and forth with a bit of exaggeration. "I don't see any signs though and I haven't heard the Headmistress say anything. Maybe you shouldn't be here either."
Grace's hand snapped forward, grabbing his forearm, and started to pull him away from the forbidden area. "It is dangerous, and you are not permitted to…"
"Is there a problem here?"
The Defense professor, still dragging Harry towards the opposing end of the corridor, turned to face the newcomer.
Serena Snape
"I am escorting Harry from the restricted area." Riddle answered, a slight bite in her tone which had the Potion's mistress raising an eyebrow.
Suddenly, Snape had her Wand in her hand, "You will do so without gripping his arm."
Riddle blinked in confusion, before glancing down at where her own fingers squeezed tightly around the boy, the one with pain flickering across his face. She loosened immediately, and Harry immediately pulled himself free.
"Mr. Potter, are you…"
Serena's question was never finished, and Harry snapped out a retaliatory "I'm fine." Before storming off, anger, pain, and embarrassment in his posture.
Grace looked ready to move after him, but the other woman stopped her once more, "And what were you doing here Riddle?"
Her eyes lingered on shadows retreating down the hall before composure returned to her. "I was checking the security."
"Were you?" There was accusation in Snape's question, one that Riddle did not care for in the least. Regardless, it was not the other teacher's place to question or make accusations and thus the Head of Slytherin departed in the same direction that the boy had fled, though at a distinctly slower pace.
***HP:O ***
In another time, in another place Harry might have acted differently, might have taken on the burden himself and tried to fix the problem as he always had. Not this time though, he was tired of solving all the problems himself, tired of cleaning up every mess that the so-called adults left behind for someone else to deal with.
Most of all he was tired of being ignored and having to deal with professors trying to harm or kill him. His own fifth year flash in his mind as he hastened through the halls, gritting his teeth as irritation built.
He would damn well make Dumbledore listen, even if he had to scream it in her bloody face. Eventually, the boy found her. She was making her way down towards the Great Hall, likely for a meal. "Headmistress" He called out, picking up his pace even as she turned to face him.
"Ah Harry, how have your classes been?"
Ignoring the question, he pressed on with his original concerns, "I need to speak with you, ma'am, it's important."
The woman nodded, but it didn't seem confirming or denying, merely acknowledging, "I'm just about to go to lunch, we can speak after."
"It's very important," he tried again, putting more stress in his voice as he neared. He had forgotten how difficult it could be to move quickly when he was eleven, and undersized.
"I'm sure it is Harry, and I will be happy to talk with you about it later, but I always found that a full stomach helps put things into perspective." She wasn't listening and he couldn't help but remember all the times this had happened before. Being ignored by Dumbledore and so many other adults, being brushed off, being told not to make a scene.
His fourth year.
Kill the spare
"It's about the third-floor corridor, ma'am, on the right side, involving a certain red stone." This single statement froze the woman, and she turned back towards him, eyes widening in shock. "Do I have your attention now?"
***HP:O ***
Previous Name**************New Name
Tom Riddle*****************Grace Riddle
Albus Dumbledore***********Augustina Dumbledore
Draco Malfoy***************Cleopatra (Cleo) Malfoy
-*************************Harriet Potter
-*************************Amaryllis (Amy) Potter
-*************************Pandora Malfoy
Blaise Zabini****************Bliss Zabini
Theodore Nott**************Theresa Nott
Severus Snape**************Serena Snape
-*************************Marie Rosier