A/N: So yea, here's the second chapter. Um, slight background information at the end, I wanted to try to mold the characters a bit. So there we go.
It had been a week since the first task, and already, Harry was feeling the pressure mounting. Every day, he heard more and more guys asking girls to the ball. Susan and Hannah had been dropping hints to him, but even he wasn't sure if he wanted to get involved in that can of worms. How the hell was he supposed to pick one over the other?
"Harry!" Harry groaned. As much as he loved Susan and Hannah, right now…
"Yeah?"
Hannah plopped down next to him on the bench. He had been trying to enjoy his dinner, but it seems like it was going to be another stressful occasion. "So, have you gotten a date yet for the Ball?"
"No, not yet. I have no idea who I want to ask."
"Well, I don't have a date yet, so-"
"Harry, there you are!"
As much as Harry was getting exasperated with the both of them, Susan's arrival as a godsend, allowing Harry to not have to confront this right now. As Susan sat down, he could almost see the sparks flying between the two best friends.
"Harry and I were talking." Hannah said.
"So why don't you carry on?"
Harry just didn't know what to do anymore. It was frankly starting to get a little out of hand. He decided to try to subtly change the topic from him. "Did you hear that Cedric is going with Cho?" Across the table a bit, he could see Cho cough a little bit on her pumpkin juice.
"How did you hear about that Harry?"
"I may have been the one to give him some certain tidbits. In return, he kept me updated. You girls aren't the only ones who talk about the opposite sex. We just do it, much left often."
Susan leaned in. "How did it happen? A know a lot of people wanted to ask him. He is quite good looking."
Cho just blushed a bit at the last comment. "We had been talking, and I guess now I know why. When the Yule Ball was announced, it just sort of happened. He came up to me with some flowers and asked me."
Hannah and Susan just seemed to kind of melt, but Harry just shrugged. It was at this time that Flitwick came up to him. Harry was saved. Or, was he? He looked like he was trying really hard not to look disappointed, but was failing. He had pursed lips and his gait, small as it was, seemed very rigid.
"Mr. Potter. The Headmaster would like to see you in his office after dinner." Hannah and Susan had started bickering again, but stopped at those words. The articles hadn't stopped, and neither had the speculation. The three of them had been waiting for this for quite a while. They looked worried, but Harry just waved them off.
"I'm finished, professor. Would you mind accompanying me?"
Flitwick seemed to smile a little bit. "Of course, Mr. Potter."
The two of them exited the Great Hall together.
"So, Mr. Potter. Can I assume that the three of you have been expecting this for some time now?"
"Yes, Professor. This confrontation was one of the reason that I had hidden my abilities for so long.
"Indeed, I might have as well. Do you know why he seems so keen as to talk to you?"
"Probably to convince me to help my brother or something."
As they reached the gargoyle that hid the Headmaster's Office, Flitwick spoke out. "Licorice Snaps."
The gargoyle started to slide away, revealing the staircase.
"After you Mr. Potter."
Harry steeled himself. He couldn't be cowed by the Headmaster, or would never get anywhere. At the same time, he couldn't reveal too much. But, he could not reveal so much.
They went up, and after steeping up to the door to the main office, heard a voice call, "Come in, Mr. Potter."
Harry obliged, opening the door. He had to admit, the office was impressive. There were trinkets everywhere. But what really interested him were all the books and the Headmasters' portraits. All of that knowledge. Harry looked back up at the Headmaster, and noted that he seemed surprised at Flitwick's appearance.
'So, a proximity ward, perhaps on the door frame or the tiles to warn him of anyone coming. He was expecting me, but not Flitwick. Anyone else he can probably just infer."
"Filius, thank you for escorting Harry here. That'll be all."
"Actually, Albus, Mr. Potter here asked me to be here for your conversation. As his head of house and because you have yet to tell me the matter of the conversation you would like to have with Mr. Potter, I feel inclined to acquiesce to his request."
Dumbledore seemed slightly incensed at the turn of events, but quickly calmed his features and sat down.
"Very well. Feel free to take a seat, both of you, and a lemon drop if you want."
Harry sat down, but "I'll pass on the lemon drop, Headmaster. Too many sweets isn't good for the body or the mind."
Harry didn't know whether Dumbledore caught his emphasis on the last part, but if he did, he didn't show it. He was being a bit more brazen than normal seeing as he had Flitwick next to him.
"Very well, Harry-"
"I'll stop you there. Headmaster, you may be on a first name basis with the rest of the family, but I would request that you not address me by my given name, as I do not feel we are intimate enough for that kind of behavior."
"And is there anyone with whom you are that intimate with?"
"I believe that is private information, for me and any parties that may be involved."
"Albus, for what reason have you called Mr. Potter here?"
"Ah yes. Well, you see, I was wondering if Mr. Potter could shed any insight on the use of his powers."
"And why would you want to know this? I don't believe I have broken any rules. For what reason other than a major transgression against the rules would I have to talk to the Headmaster?"
"Well, there were some spells that you used a week ago that could be considered dark."
"Yes, used for the defense of countless of heirs or heiresses of Noble, Ancient, or both, Houses. Don't even try that to pull that, or the outcry would ruin you faster than you could blink. Headmaster, stop with the posturing, and just talk to me with what you really want to talk to me about."
"Fine. My boy, I'm essentially looking to recruit you."
Flitwick didn't look happy at the turn of the events that the conversation was taking, but on a hand wave from Harry, didn't speak up. Harry ignored the 'my boy' in favor of the more interesting topic.
"Recruit me? That is…. one of the lower probabilities of what I had expected. I expected a request to transfer my powers to Thomas, something ridiculous like that."
A cough from a Headmaster interrupted him. A very old Headmaster, possibly one of the earliest judging by the state of the portrait, was coughing and giving Dumbledore a pointed look.
"Ah, so that's why it took a week to try to talk to me. You had wanted to do exactly that. All for your Greater Good? And what if I had refused? Would you have forced me?"
Dumbledore at least had the shame to lower his head. He looked unsure about what he would do if the choice were there.
"So, recruiting me? For what? For Thomas? Why?"
"Because of the war."
"The war is over Dumbledore, my brother ended it 13 years ago, along with Voldemort."
Dumbledore seemed like he didn't want to say what he was about to, but had to.
"Voldemort will return."
Harry thought back to another time, a mere memory.
An elemental? It must have been you to defeat my future self, and not your brother. Join me Harry, help me, and we can make them pay. We are the same, you and I. Both ignored, both forced to live in the shadows of others. But together, no one could stop us.
"And why would you want to recruit me? You already have the rest of my family, most importantly, Thomas."
"Ah, yes. While your brother is extraordinarily gifted in other ways-" Harry just scoffed internally at this "-wars are not won by single people. And with your skill set…"
"You mean with my powers. You just want more abilities to counter Voldemort's forces. I have always done well in most practical magic courses, the same of which can't be said for my brother, and yet you only approach me now."
"I see that you are more direct that I expected. Then, yes, because of your powers. You could be the difference, the tipping point in the coming war."
"Then maybe you should tell your loyal followers to not favor their children so much, so as to know if such powers ever manifest for you again. I will promise you that I will never join Voldemort, but I won't fight for you."
"I must insist. This is most important. We ne-"
"You may want me, but you don't need me."
Dumbledore was about to say something else, but Flitwick interjected, "Albus, you have no place asking students, underage students at that, in helping in a war. You have Mr. Potter's promise despite that, so take it."
Dumbledore nodded, appeased, but visibly not as happy as he had wished. "Very well then. You may leave."
As they were leaving the office, Fawkes trilled out. Harry turned to him, stroking him as Fawkes leaned into it. And then he left.
He thanked Flitwick for his presence before heading to the lake. On the way there he saw a solution to a problem.
"Daphne!" She was just on the grass, studying. When he approached, a semblance of a smile actually graced her face.
"Harry." She replied cordially. "What brings you here today?"
"I had the talk with Dumbledore."
"Ah. And?"
"One of the past Headmasters tipped me off that he had been researching how to transfer my powers, but in lieu of that impossibility, tried to recruit me."
Daphne chuckled. "I suppose that didn't go too well, did it?"
"Nope. How are things in Slytherin?"
"Much easier, thanks to you. You hold influence, not just in fear, but in the possibilities in power. So, for the most part, I have control in Slytherin. Malfoy tried to put up a fight with some of the older years, like Flint, but having others like Pucey, thanks for that by the way, helped to neutralize that."
"That's good. Not just because I like you more than Malfoy, but also because this gives me ears."
"Your welcome."
"I believe that's my line, for backing you. But, beside the point, Daphne, will you go to the ball with me?"
Daphne just quirked an eyebrow. "And why not go with Abbot or Bones?"
"You know very well why Daphne, don't play coy with me. This gives me an out, but also gives you an opportunity to solidly show our alliance."
"Is that what this is, now, Harry?"
"We've known each other since we were children, and we both know how far the other wants to go. I feel like an alliance would make sense."
"Then, let's. And fine, I will go to the ball with you."
"Thanks Daphne."
Harry waved her off then headed back to his spot by the lake. There were people watching him now, unfortunately. Ever since the First Task, people had taken to watching him whenever he came here. Sometimes, he tried to ignore them and practice. The change was instant now. Almost before it was a conscious thought, he started channeling. But, today, he just relaxed, casting a warming charm on himself and just laying down in the sun.
When he woke up later, it was to Hannah and Susan. 'Bollocks,' was all Harry thought."We were worried sick, and you're just here, laying down? We knew you went to Dumbledore but instead of filling us in afterwards, you just lie down and take a nap?!"
"Sorry, sorry, it slipped my mind."
Susan looked like she wanted to say something, but she was always the more timid one, so Hannah spoke up.
"Daphne told us you asked her to the ball?"
'Double bollocks.'
"Yea..." he trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"Why didn't you go with one of us?"
"Because, you're my best friends, and I didn't want to have to choose between you two. She's a neutral ground, and someone who people wouldn't be surprised to see me go with."
"I guess that makes sense." Hannah said. Susan just seemed to frown a bit at the answer, but didn't say anything.
"You two still need to find dates then, right?
"Don't worry about us. We both wanted to go with you, and you're out best friend, but you don't have to babysit us. I'm sure Susan and I can find dates by ourselves, after all, we are two lovely ladies."
Susan just blushed a bit at what Hannah was saying, but then spoke up.
"What did Dumbledore want?"
Harry just looked at her while Hannah continued: "Right, that was the original reason for this visit in the first place."
"Can't you take a guess? What have I always been avoiding attention for?"
"He wanted to recruit you," Susan guessed.
"Right in one. Kind of. Some of the past headmasters didn't seem happy with him, and one let out that Dumbledore had been researching a way to get the powers transferred to Thomas."
Susan seemed to get angrier with every second. She may have been quiet, but when her temper flared…
"That manipulating, lying old goat fucker! Who does he think he is?! Harry is ten times the person Thomas is, and yet, he wanted to transfer your powers to your brother?"
Hannah looked a little amused, and tried to calm her friend down.
Harry decided to take a more direct approach, conjuring ice on Susan's head, just at the right temperature that the ice immediately started melting.
Susan yelped at feeling the sudden weight on her head, and then the subsequent cold water trickling down her back. She jumped and glared at Harry.
"Hey, I just thought that you need to cool your head." Harry shrugged. Hannah was on the floor laughing, both at the situation, but also at the terrible joke.
"Very funny Harry. Proud of that one?"
"A little bit. At least now I can openly use my powers like that C'mon, let's just lay down for a bit."
Harry recast the warming charm to make sure it held and to also extend it to the two girls. They cast grateful looks towards him as they lay down.
They just sat there by the lake, enjoying the day. Harry thought back to the first time they lay like this.
*Start Flashback
Harry was laying there relaxing. He was getting tired of all the looks. Most people that had approached him reproached him for not being like his brother, not hanging out with him, blah, blah, blah. He just wanted to be himself, and it seems like even here they would not. But why should he expected any better.
He absentmindedly fingered an ice shard he had made. It wasn't large enough to be easily noticed. Soon, though, he felt and heard footsteps coming towards him. He saw two girls heading towards him. As they got closer, he noticed they were two particular girls.
"Abbot, Bones, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He still remembered the incident on the train.
Hannah looked unsure, strange as from what he had noticed, she was usually the more headstrong of the two. Eventually, it was actually Susan that spoke up.
"We… wanted to apologize."
"For what? Nothing has happened between us recently."
"Yes, that's true. But we wanted to apologize for the time on the train."
Harry could honestly say he was surprised. Daphne and Neville being who they were just always stuck with him, not always as friends, but always for their own reasons. Abbot and Bones, on the other hand, had actually been the first ones to ever truly apologize. Oh sure, others always off handedly said "sorry for bothering you" when looking for his brother. And no one at school had apologized yet, and it had been a month now.
"Oh, and what brought this on?"
"We realized that it was rude to be looking for someone that we didn't even know and to just ask questions without introducing ourselves," Hannah said.
"Plus, it helped that we actually met your brother," Susan said, a little bit of bitterness in her voice.
"Yea, Merlin, he thinks he's Merlin's gift to wizardkind! He's so fucking stuck up, and he doesn't even seem to do that well in class, despite his claims that he is being tutored by the Headmaster!"
"And so you'd rather hang out with me? Why do you even have to hang out with one of us?"
"It's not that we want to hang out with you. But from what we've seen, you're mostly polite to people, and we just wanted to apologize for how we acted, especially since you seem to be more polite."
"And are you not afraid of me? After how I reacted on the train?"
"You only act that way when people ask you about your brother or other topics like that. But besides that, you're one of the nicest kids in our year." Susan said confidently.
"Fine, I'll forgive you. You're the only ones who have ever apologized, so you two have that going for you."
There was an awkward silence after that as the two of them just kept standing there.
"Is there anything else you want?" Harry asked, his eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Well, we've pretty much made our feelings known, and, like Neville are kind of pariahs in our house. So we were wondering if we could hang out with you for a little while, and maybe get to know you?" Susan half said half asked.
Harry studied them for a moment, and not sensing any deception, decided to let them stay.
*end flashback
Harry just lay in the sun, his warming charm keeping him comfortable. As he drifted off to a nap, he wished that everyday could be like this.