"Talking"
"Thoughts"
"Spell"
AlekTas: Dumbledore won't exactly be an enemy as something's Harry wants to do Dumbledore will agree with while others Dumbledore will not be too happy about what's happening, Harry doesn't hate the man but won't stand for being manipulated. As to the story, I will mostly follow cannon on what happens in the books but Harrys actions and the end results will be different.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Harry looked around the large vault that belonged to his family, Goldtooth had taken him down in one of the banks rail carts, something Harry found to be somewhat fun. There was nothing fancy about the vault, a large pile of gold was in the middle of the room with varies jewels in bowls and open trunks around the pile.
"Is everything to your liking Lord Potter-Black?" Goldtooth asked from the doorway, harry nodded absently as he looked around the room.
"Everything seems to be in order." Harry answered. "Can Gringotts supply me with a bag to carry my coins; I seem to be lacking one?" Goldtooth reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag about the size of a baseball.
"This bag will hold as much gold as you will need." The goblin said as he threw the bag to the young lord. "It is charmed to be theft proof."
Harry nodded and walked over to the pile of gold coins, scooping up a very large amount Harry tied up the opening and put it in his pocket. "I believe that will be all for today." The boy said as he walked to the door and followed the goblin back to the cart. "I will be visiting again throughout the month before attending Hogwarts to discuss some issues." Goldtooth nodded as he activated the cart and drove back to the top.
The goblin then led Harry back to the lobby where the two saw Hagrid sitting on a bench reading his paper. Harry noticed the man was looking rather pale. "Arry!" The boy gave a large smile and waved at Hagrid. "Was gettin worried about ya, what took you so long?" The giant man asked as he stood up, using the wall to steady himself as he rose.
"It just took time to figure everything out but I have my money now so we can go get my school supplies." Harry replied. "Are you feeling alright Hagrid?" Harry hoped the man was getting ill and would leave him to his own devices.
"Never liked them carts." The bearded man mumbled. "Don't suppose you'd mind me poppin into the Cauldron for a pint to calm meself while you get ya supplies?" Harry held back his grin and replaced it with a smile as he shook his head.
"Not at all, your health is important." Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the folded letter with supplies on it. "I'm sure I can figure out where to get everything, if not I'll come find you." Hagrid smiled and ruffled Harry's hair, something the boy hated but held back his comments.
"Good lad, I'll take ya to Madam Malkins so you can get ya robes then pop over to the Cauldron." Hagrid informed his charge as he pushed him towards the door. Harry just nodded as he moved towards the doors and then out into the streets of Diagon Alley, the streets had more people on them but were easy enough to navigate. Soon Hagrid brought Harry to a shop with a large window in the front, mannequins stood in the window displaying fashionable robes. "Here we are, just go on in and Madam Malkin will set you right." Hagrid said with a chuckle before turning and heading towards the Leaky Cauldron. "I'll meet ya at the Cauldron when ya done."
Harry did his typical wave and smile until Hagrid left then walked towards the door, only for it to be thrown open unceremoniously by a blonde haired boy about Harry's age. The boy held his head high and pushed right past Harry, bumping the new lord as he did. "Watch where you're going." The blonde said with a sneer as he turned back to the Alley and continued on, Harry narrowed his eyes but ignored the boy knowing if he was indeed Harry's age he would see him at school.
A bell chimed as Harry entered the shop. "Welcome, Hogwarts dear?" Asked a squat witch in a mauve robe as she walked around a table.
"Yes Ma'am." Harry said with a nod. "I will also need a full set of robes for all occasions." The witch let out a chuckle at Harrys joke on her shops name.
"No trouble at all dear." She said as she pulled out her wand and gave it a wave; a tape measure came to life and stated flying around Harry taking his measurements. "So a full set of black for Hogwarts, dress robes for special occasions." Malkin said as she quickly scribbled on a piece of parchment. "Any preference to color?"
"Black is fine." Harry said as he watched the woman work, he was somewhat amazed she could read the tape measure as it quickly flew around. For the next several minutes Harry stood still as she tossed, cut and pinned fabric on him, ignoring the small talk she tried to make with him.
"All done dear." She replied with a pat on his shoulder. " Will you be wearing one out and would you like me to shrink them for you?" Harry nodded and with a wave of her wand the clothes were shrunk down and placed in a bag for Harry to carry out, while he adjusted the one she handed him.
Leaving the tailor Harry made his way about the Alley to all the shops Sarah and Michael had told him about. First he got a trunk, questioning the clerk about security so when he got a five compartment trunk with key, blood and combination locks no one would think it odd he got one. He then bought his cauldron and potion supplies, astronomy equipment before going to Flourish & Blotts to pick up his books, along with several about the Wizarding world the helpful clerk suggested as he asked questions about laws, traditions, pureblood families, etc.
"Arry!" Turning the boy saw Hagrid waving at him from down the street. "They ye are, got all your things?" He asked as he caught up to Harry.
"I got everything but my wand and a pet." Harry said as he held up the bags he was carrying, Hagrid raised an eyebrow at his bags.
"Seems like a lot o books there Harry." Hagrid tapped the bag with his finger.
"Well I don't know anything about the history of the world, its law and such so I bought a bunch of extra books." Harry replied and he attempted to look sheepish, Hagrid chuckled so Harry assumed he succeeded.
"Like I said smart like ya mum, was tryin to think of somethin to get ya for your birthday. I'll get ya a pet, not a toad, toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at - an' I don' like cats, they make me sneeze. I'll get yer an owl; they're dead useful, carry yer mail an' everythin'." Hagrid said as he clapped his hands to at the idea.
Harry was actually surprised by that, while he got gifts from the Jacobs and Charles he had never gotten one from another person. "That's not necessary Hagrid." Harry said but the giant man just waved him off and led him to Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Looking around the shop Harry saw several nice looking owls but was drawn to a snowy owl in the corner of the shop. Walking over their eyes never left each other and Harry had the feeling the owl was studying him, after a few minutes the bird hooted and fluttered down from its perch to Harry. The boy stuck out his arm out for the owl to land on and softly petted it, earning a soft thrill of enjoyment from the owl. "She's a beaut." Harry turned and saw Hagrid standing behind him.
"Yes she is." Harry said, though he wondered how the man knew she was a girl. Shrugging Harry and Hagrid took her to the front and got treats, a perch and cage for the owl before leaving the store and heading up the Alley to their final stop, Ollivander's Wand Shop.
Walking into the building Harry was greeted to the sight of dozens of shelves full of small boxes, which he knew were wands form the memories of Tom. As he looked around Harry suddenly felt a chill, he immediately knew it was his necklace protecting his mind. After getting it Sarah had used Legilimency on him so he could get a feel for the drain to know when people were attempting to read his mind, this person was more powerful then Sarah.
"Good afternoon." Harry spun around to the voice, noticing the chill had left him. Hagrid jumped as well, shaking the floor slightly as he landed. The voice belonged to a man with wide pale eyes that shown dimly, Harry knew the man was Garrick Ollivander, one of the worlds best wand makers. "Rubeus Hagrid! How nice to see you again... Oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy, wasn't it?"
"It was, sir, yes," said Hagrid with a grin.
"Good wand, that one. But I suppose they snapped it in half when you got expelled?" said Mr. Ollivander with a stern voice.
"Er - yes, they did, yes," said Hagrid, shuffling his feet nervously. "I've still got the pieces, though," he added brightly in hopes of cheering the mood.
"But you don't use them of course?" Ollivander asked sharply.
"Oh, no, sir," said Hagrid quickly as Harry noticed him grip his pink umbrella very tightly.
"Hmmm," said Ollivander, giving Hagrid a piercing look. "Well then who might you be?" Ollivander said as he turned back to Harry, the boy noting he seemed extremely curious as he inspected the mystery in front of him.
"The first of many to wonder." Thought Harry as he held out his hand. "Harry Potter sir." Ollivanders eyes brightened and he smiled at the introduction.
"Harry Potter, I've thought I'd be seeing you soon." Ollivander moved closer and inspected Harry more. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work." Harry was surprised by the comment. ""Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it but it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course." Ollivander finished with a chuckle before he narrowed his eyes at Harry's forehead. "And that's where.." The man moved to touch the hidden scar with his hand but flinched back when Harry smacked his hand away.
"I am sorry but I find it quite rude to touch someone without permission." Harry kept his voice calm but was not happy with the man's approach. Hagrid was confused at the situation but Ollivander held up his hands.
"You are correct, I apologize." Ollivander said as he rubbed his wrist. "I just was curious about the scar one of my wands created and lost myself." Harry nodded.
"I except your apology and am sorry if I hurt your wrist, it was just surprising and I reacted." Harry explained, Ollivander nodded again and pulled out a tape measure with silver marks on it.
"May I please see your wand arm?" Harry held out his right arm as Ollivander let go of the tape measure but like at Madam Malkins it began to measure him from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head.
"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand." Ollivander explained as he began to move about the shelves and pull some boxes. "That will do." At his voice the tape measure dropped to the floor. "Try this one Mr. Potter, Beechwood and dragon heartstring, Nine inches. Nice and flexible, just take it and give it a wave."
Harry did as he was asked but nothing happened so Ollivander snatched it from him and handed him another. ""Maple and phoenix feather, Seven inches and quite whippy." Again Harry tried but the wand maker took it back before Harry finished the movement. "No, no. Try this ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy." And so the game of find the wand continued, occasionally Harry would see a reaction. A Spark, things moving in the room but nothing pleased Ollivander, however the wand maker was grinning like a mad man. "Ah I have not had such a tricky customer in a long time, I wonder…yes that might work." Ollivander muttered before he reached for a box and pulled out a wand for Harry. "Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
When Harry took the wand he felt a small heat come from it, nothing uncomfortable more of a pleasing warmth. Giving the wand a wave a small amount of sparks shot out, Hagrid clapped as he saw the sparks but slowed when he saw Ollivander humming in thought.
"How does that feel Mr. Potter?" Ollivander asked curiously as he looked at the wand.
"I feel a pleasing warmth coming from it but." Harry explained as he to examined the wand. "Something feels..off?" He did his best to explain but found it difficult, however Ollivander nodded.
"Oh you are a special customer Mr. Potter, I'm sure you noticed a few of the other wands gave you a reaction but didn't have the feel like this one correct?" Harry nodded to the man. "I believe that is because your magic responded to this core, a phoenix feather, but not to the size and wood."
"What does that mean then?" Harry asked, wondering if he was going to be able to find a wand.
"It means I will have to do something I haven't done in nearly fifty years." Ollivander said with a small amount of joy. "Craft a new wand using that core." The man plucked the wand from Harry and placed it on the counter. "Wait here a moment Mr. Potter." Ollivander didn't wait for a response before he disappeared into the back of the shop.
Harry turned and gave Hagrid a questioning look but the bearded man shrugged as he had no idea what was happening. Soon Ollivander came back, his wand out and several boxes floated behind him, with a wave the boxes dumped their contents on the floor. "Mr. Potter if you would please put all the blocks of wood back in the boxes we can find the one best for you." Ollivander explained, Harry nodded and started picking up the blocks. Tossing the ones he felt nothing or only a little something from until he finally felt the pleasing warmth form one and held it up to Ollivander. "Ah Oak, a powerful medium and said to be the wood of Merlin's wand." Ollivander said with a smile before waving his wand again, the block in Harrys hand twisted into the basic shape of a wand six inches long. "Tell me when it feels right Mr. Potter." Harry nodded and waited as ever few seconds Ollivander transfigured the size of the wood.
"There." Harry said as he felt the warmth again, Hagrid grinned as it seemed Harry would finally get a wand.
"So.." Ollivander said as he took the wooden wand from Harry. "Oak, eight inches with a Phoenix feather core." Harry could hear the excitement in the man's voice. "I will be a few minutes gentlemen, feel free to wait here." And then he was gone again to the back of the shop. Harry moved the wand pile off the chair and took a seat as Hagrid pulled out his paper and began reading.
After a half hour, and a few strange sounds, Ollivander walked back out into the room and held out the new wand. "If you would Mr. Potter." Harry nodded and when he took the wand he felt his whole body tingle with warmth. Giving it a simple wave the wand exploded with golden sparks, Hagrid and Ollivander clapped as Harry inspected his new wand. "Curious, most curious."
"What is?" Harry asked Ollivander as the man looked at the wand again.
"I remember every wand I ever made Mr. Potter, it just so happens that the Phoenix that gave the feather for your wand gave one more." Ollivander explained, his voice getting sad. "It's brother was in the very wand that gave you your scar." Hagrid gasped as he looked at the wand but Harry gave no reaction.
"Well, we are more alike than anyone realizes and he was a powerful wizard." Harry thought before nodding and looking at the wand maker. "How much do I owe you Mr. Ollivander?" The wand maker watched Harry for another minute before smiling.
"It will be fifteen Galleons Mr. Potter." Ollivander responded. "A bit more expensive than usual but I did need to construct a new one."
Harry nodded and pulled out his bag to pay. "Of course sir I understand." Harry handed the money over and then headed for the door.
Garrick Ollivander watched the young boy leave with wonder in his eyes, first he was unable to read his mind to find out who the boy was then he had to construct a whole new wand. Chuckling the wand maker began picking up the wands around the room. "I think I'll go tell Albus personally about his Phoenix's last feather, the look on his face will be worth the trip."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx King's Crossing, September 1st, 1991 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harry whistled to himself as he walked through the hidden passage to Platform 9 ¾ , he looked around and was glad he had come an hour early as it was still slightly crowded. Hedwig, his owl, hooted in her cage as Harry moved to the train. "Would you rather fly to Hogwarts girl?" Harry turned and asked his owl, he had found her to be quite intelligent and treated her more like a friend then an animal. She bobbed her head and Harry flipped open the cage door, she flew onto his shoulder first and gave his ear a small nip, her way of showing affection, before flying off into the sky. Harry chuckled and quickly opened his trunk to put the cage away before loading the trunk onto the train, luckily it was charmed to be only a few pounds no matter how full, and going in to find a compartment. As there were only a few people on the train he found an empty compartment near the middle of the train with ease and plopped himself down, pulling a book out.
He removed his bookmark and chuckled at it, it was an article from the Daily Prophet two weeks ago. He was surprised it took so long for it to be known he was now a lord but he was aware, thanks to the goblins, he was already receiving a lot of mail about it. The article was very straight forward, no positive or negative spin just the fact he was a lord and why it was legal. "Probably because Rita Seeker didn't write it." Harry thought with a chuckle, he had read the woman's work and had figured her out pretty quickly. He had a plan for her if they ever crossed paths so he wasn't worried about negative press just yet. As Harry opened the book he pretended to read and instead thought about the past month.
He had visited Diagon Alley several times over the months, mostly to go over his finances with the goblins, but also to get familiar with the Alley. He had been expecting Dumbledore to appear to talk about him becoming a lord but when the man never showed Harry assumed he was going to confront Harry at Hogwarts, where he had a home field advantage. Of course Harry still played it safe and had no contact with the Jacobs, something he was not happy about but knew if Dumbledore was increasing his watch on him he couldn't risk it.
A knock on the door broke Harry from his thoughts. "Yes?" He asked as the door slide open to reveal a boy his age with dark black hair, brown eyes and a lanky build. Harry noticed the boy wearing fine robes, like his own, and assumed he was a pureblood. "May I help you?"
"Might I share a compartment with you?" The boy asked quietly, not in a timid voice but not strong either. "Most of the ones in the front are full and I'd rather not be stuck in the back."
Harry nodded and gestured to the other side of the compartment. "Feel free." The boy nodded. "Harrison." Harry said as the boy closed the door, he had decided to use a more formal sounding name until he was sorted so no one would bug him with questions.
"Theodore." The boy said with a nod before plopping down into a seat across from Harry and pulling out a book of his own. Harry recognized the cover of the book as The History of Hogwarts before he went back to his own book. As the minutes passed Harry looked out the window as more and more families filtered through the hidden entry way onto to the platform and bid their children goodbye, he wouldn't lie it was somewhat sad he didn't get to experience that with his own parents.
The trains whistle blasted as the clock struck eleven and Harry was jolted slightly as the train began to move, knowing he had a few hours to kill and growing tired of his book Harry closed it and his eyes to try and get some sleep. Of course his idea went out of his mind when the door was thrown open and both he and Theodore looked to see three boys standing in the door way. The first Harry recognized as the blonde boy that bumped into him at Madam Malkins when he first visited the Alley, Harry inspected him better and saw the boy had a slender frame with sleek white-blond hair, cold grey eyes, a pale complexion and rather sharp, pointed features.
The two behind him could only be described as bodyguards and Harry immediately placed them in a category like Charles, though as wizards they probably couldn't fight like the giant man. One was large and very fat, with a thick neck that reminded Harry somewhat of Dudley. He had gorilla-like arms and a flat nose, and wears a pudding bowl-style haircut. While the other was not as fat as the other but had broad shoulders, large feet, small dull eyes, long gorilla arms, and short, bristly hair low on his forehead.
"Nott." The blonde said with a nod to Theodore before turning to Harry. "I'm looking for Harry Potter have you seen him?"
Harry held back his sigh, he knew people would be looking for him, and turned to face the newcomers. He was sure the makeup would keep his scar hidden as Theodore was closer and didn't notice it. "Haven't seen anyone with a lightning bolt scar since I arrived." Harry informed them. "Seeing as I applied the makeup this morning."
"And you are?" The blonde asked with a superior tone, Harry cocked an eyebrow at him though.
"Where I am from one introduces themselves first." Harry said which caused the blonde to sneer at him and clench his fist.
"Draco Malfoy." The superior tone was back in his voice but Harry wondered how he would feel if Draco knew what the young lord did. "Now who are you?"
"Harrison." Harry replied as he held out his hand but Draco just eyed it and turned up his nose.
"To embarrassed to mention your last name hm? Must be some poor half-blood or probably a disgraced Pureblood." Draco said with mirth to his gorillas before turning back to Theodore. "Enjoy sharing a compartment with him Nott, if you feel like sitting with your kind feel free to find me." With that Draco turned and pushed past his bodyguards and walked down the hall, the dual shadows following behind quickly. Harry let out an annoyed sigh and closed the door before sitting back down in his seat and closing his eyes once more.
"Why do you not say your last name?" Harry opened his eyes again and saw Theodore giving him a curious look. "I mean will learn it at the sorting later."
"Everyone has their reasons for doing something." Harry replied with a smirk before he closed his eyes again and leaned back.
Theodore Nott studied the boy before him, when he had originally entered the compartment he was fine with not knowing who the boy was. But after not backing down when he heard Malfoy's name it made him curious, even his own father had warned him to be cautious around the blonde. Studying him harder he tried to find any indication of who he was, a family crest on him somewhere or perhaps initials but found nothing. Going back to his book Theodore tried to get off his the mysterious boy in front of him.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Headmasters Office, Hogwarts xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Albus Dumbledore looked out his window as the sun started to set on the horizon, in another hour the Hogwarts Express would be pulling into Hogsmead and another year would be starting. The aged wizard stroked his long silvery beard and carefully dusted off the edge of his purple robes as he turned back to his office and sat at his desk, which held a single piece of parchment that he had been looking at for the two weeks.
So far everything he had planned about Harry Potter had gone off well, Figg had kept him informed on the boy and always reported he was in good health, something his instruments he had tied to the wards at his home confirmed, and Dumbledore was pleased when he heard the boy had taken an interest in books by working for the library.
When it came time for the letters to be sent he made sure to charm Harrys so the owls would not stay, that way he could send Hagrid to meet him. He also charged Hagrid with getting his package from Gringotts, hoping it would spark curiosity in Harry for later in the year. When Hagrid returned and delivered the package he reported Harry was a wonderful child that reminded the groundskeeper of both his parents, which Dumbledore took as a positive sign.
However things started to turn strange when he received a visit from Garrick Ollivander, as he had given two feathers from his own phoenix Dumbledore had asked to hear the names of the new wand owners. He had a feeling that Harry would be the one to get the other feather, with him and Voldemort being tied together, but was surprised the wand maker had to create a new wand for the boy. "Oak and eight inches." The old wizard thought as he recalled the memory, the meanings not lost on him as he had studied wand lore and arithmacy and knew Harry would be a powerful wizard.
Of course when he received a message from the Ministry about a new Lord, he was alarmed to see it was Harry Potter. Quickly going to the Ministry and Gringotts to check and see if was some kind of mistake but he found that it was not and he didn't understand what had happened. Talking more thoroughly with Hagrid though revealed the boy had gone off in hopes of finding things belonging to his family, Dumbledore guessed Harry somehow found out he could become the head of house as the last remaining Potter through the families account manager. Sighing Dumbledore pulled his half-moon glasses off and cleaned them, he knew there was nothing he could do about it now even with his influence to take away a lordship would result in a large amount of bad press about him. He knew the best he could do is get Harry to agree with letting him, or someone he found appropriate, deal with the families seat in the Wizengamot.
"Perhaps I should contact Remus?" Dumbledore thought out loud before turning to his left at a beautiful bird with feathers colored like fire. "What do you think Fawkes?"
The Phoenix turned to its master and gave a light thrill and Dumbledore nodded as he felt warmth in his body. Nodding he turned and looked at a pendulum sitting on his mantle, another device that would tell him when a certain door on the third floor was opened by anyone. He was playing a dangerous game this year but he had faith in his abilities and there were things he had to confirm so he could plan for the years to come. "It's all for the greater good though." Dumbledore said before getting up from his seat and going to insure the Great Hall was prepared for the student arrival.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hogwarts Express, Hogsmead Platform xxxxxxxxxx
Harry cracked his neck as he exited the train, the trip had been less relaxing then he hoped for. Theodore hadn't asked him anymore questions but every time he started to fall asleep the door was thrown open by someone else. First it was a redheaded boy looking for a place to sit but when Nott introduced himself the redhead ranted about dark families and fled the compartment. Later the door was opened by a bushy haired girl looking for a lost toad, she tried to start a conversation with Theodore when she saw he was reading History of Hogwarts but the boy politely said he wanted to finish she nodded and left them alone. Of course the next person was a slightly chubby boy who was the one who lost the frog in the first place, Harry thought the boy might break into tears when they said they hadn't seen it.
"First Years! First Years over here!" Harry turned and saw Hagrid waving a lantern around as several students headed towards him. "Four to a boat now, come on." Harry blended with the crowd as he headed towards the boats, he didn't trust Hagrid not to see him and blow his cover.
Theodore Nott watched Harrison move carefully through the crowd and did his best to follow the boy. After the confrontation with Ron Weasley, and the revelation his family was considered dark, he thought the boy might have something to say but again he just sat there. He gave no inclination on his views of dark or light and that had peaked Theodore's interest even more than it already was. Following his trail Theodore jumped down into the boat next to the green eyed boy, who gave him a curious look before turning back and looking across the water.
"Hello again." The bushy haired girl said as she and the chubby boy climbed into the boat with them. "Did you enjoy the book? I found it to be quite informative."
"It was an interesting read." Theodore responded without looking at her.
She quickly stuck her hand out. "I forgot to introduce myself last time, Hermione Granger." Theodore nodded and shook her hand. "And this is Neville Longbottom." She informed them as she pointed to the boy.
"Hullo." He said quickly but didn't hold out a hand as he was holding a toad.
"I see you found the toad." Theodore commented with a nod to the pet.
"Yes." Neville replied with a shy smile but didn't look up at them.
Harry watched the boy curiously; he was aware that Neville's family was one of the few Ancient and Noble houses left in Britain and was rather close to his family. He also knew that Neville had lost his parents to Voldemort like he had but in, what harry thought, a worse way. Neville's parents were tortured to the point they fell into coma's, Neville had to live with the fact his parents were both alive and dead at the same time. "I should keep an eye on him; he might make a good allie for later."
"Everyone in?" Hagrid called out as he hopped onto the lead boat. "Alright, Forward!" Swinging his pink umbrella like a saber the boats sailed forward.
"What was your name?" Hermione asked Harry as the boats started to move.
"Harrison." He replied evenly and went back to watching the water, she huffed in annoyance.
"Harrison what? Don't you have a last name?" She asked as she crossed her arms. "It's rather rude to not give your full name you know."
"I am aware of that yes." Harry replied with a smirk, which only made the girl huff more before she looked off into the darkness as well.
"Watch ye heads!" Hagrid called out as they passed under a bridge with ivy hanging off it. Ducking under it Harry looked up and saw it, Hogwarts, the castle lite up like a beacon for them to follow. Even though he had seen it in the memories of Tom it was a sight to behold.
Soon they pulled up to the castle and all unloaded from the boats, following Hagrid up a large set of stairs to a set of massive doors. Hagrid raised his fist and gave three mighty knocks on the. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there, she had a very stern face and Harry's first thought was that this was not someone to cross.
"Here be the first years' Professor McGonagall." Hagrid said to the stern looking witch, who nodded and pushed the door open more.
"Thank you Hagrid, I can handle them from here." She then turned on her heel and headed into the castle, the young students quickly followed after her. Harry looked around the hall as they walked; the lantern light danced along the stone halls and gave the castle a creepy feel.
Soon they came to another set of large doors and Harry could hear multiple voices on the other side and figured these were the doors leading to the Great Hall. McGonagall stopped in front of the doors and turned to all the young witches and wizards. "Welcome to Hogwarts, the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses." The professor explained to them. "The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room." She paused and looked around to be sure everyone was paying attention. "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." She again paused but ignored the few hands for questions. "The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." With that she turned and entered the Great Hall, leaving the students to themselves.
Harry looked down at his outfit and made sure everything was in order while he ideally listened to those around him. He heard the redhead, Ron he reminded himself, saying something about having to wrestle a troll. Rolling his eyes Harry looked around the area before he heard a gasp and spun around.
About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they floated across the room talking to one another and didn't seem to even notice the young students. A few of them seemed to be arguing about something.
"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance .." A ghost that resembled a friar said to another.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?" Asked a ghost wearing ruffled tights asked as he finally noticed the students.
None of the students answered, many to shocked to speak or move.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?" A few people nodded to the ghost. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."
"Move along now," McGonagall called out in a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." The ghosts mumbled to themselves as they flew into the walls. "Now, line up and follow me in."
Harry quickly filled into the line behind a sandy haired boy as they all followed the witch into the Great Hall. Harry immediately looked up when he walked in and saw the charmed ceiling that looked like the night sky it was blocking. The hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. Harry looked down to see a stool placed in the middle of the area with an old looking pointed wizard hat atop it, while everyone else looked confused Harry knew what was about to happen. The hat suddenly shook and what looked like a mouth formed on it.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffis are true And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands ,though I have none
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The hall broke into applause as the hat finished singing it's song, Harry looked up and down the line of first years to see most looking on in confusion. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and unraveled a scroll or parchment. "When I call your name you will sit on the stool and put on the hat to be sorted." She called out and then started down the list alphabetically.
Most students didn't take too long to get sorted, resulting in a cheer from each house as they were sorted into them. Harry was surprised to see Hermione Granger go to Gryffindor, she seemed like a bookworm from there little interactions and he thought she would go to Ravenclaw. "Of course mum was extremely intelligent and she went to Gryffindor as well." Harry thought as another student was sorted. Neville's sorting was also a surprise as the boy seemed too timid to be in Gryffindor, though Malfoy taking two seconds to go to Slytherin wasn't surprising.
"Harry Potter!" McGonagall called out and Harry heard whispers spread out through the hall as his name was called.
"Showtime." He thought as he stepped forward and moved towards the stool. Almost as soon as he moved he felt his necklace heat up, he knew Dumbledore was a master at Legilimency but didn't think he would look so soon. He had a plan for that though, stopping he quickly placed his hand on his head, above his scar, and acted like he was in pain. Quickly the probe stopped and Harry took a quick breath.
"Are you alright Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked as she watched him.
Harry nodded and waved her off. "Yes Professor just a sudden headache, I'm sorry for holding us up." He gave her a smile and moved to the stool, picking up the hat and sitting down. Once it was on his head however his necklace flared to life again and he felt the largest drain ever before darkness took filled his eyes.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Nurse's Office, Hogwarts xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Albus Dumbledore sat in a comfortable chair, watching a sleeping Harry Potter, more confused than he has ever been in his life. When the boy was called out he did a quick scan of his mind just to get a glimpse of his thoughts but was meet with white, no emotion, no protective wall he had ever seen just white. When he saw the boy grab his head where his scar was he immediately stopped and was glad Harry seemed fine though the action brought up questions. Of course when he placed the Sorting hat on his head and passed out after two seconds the teachers reacted quickly. "I don't believe I have ever seen Poppy move that fast before." He thought with a small chuckle.
"How is he Albus?" The aged wizard looked up to see McGonagall and the other heads of house walking into the room.
"Poppy assures me he will be fine, it seems he lost a large amount of Magic from his core." Dumbledore explained, though he had no idea why it had happened and that annoyed him. "Are all your students in there common rooms?" They had finished the sorting despite the fact Harry had been rendered unconscious and after a quick feast had all the students head to their dormitories.
"Yes but we know there will be questions about Mr. Potter so we thought it best to check in before we spoke to them." McGonagall responded, though she was actually just worried about the boy as he was the child of one of her favorite students.
"I still say it was an act to draw more attention to himself." One of the male professors said, the man was thin with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose and yellow, uneven teeth. He was dressed in flowing black robes and had shoulder-length, greasy black hair which framed his face in curtains, curling lips and dark, penetrating eyes that resembled tunnels.
"I highly doubt the lad wanted to land on hard stone Severus." The smallest professor in the room said. He was extremely small, with bushy white hair and wore black robes over a suit.
"Now, now Filius." Dumbledore said with a raised hand. "I'm sure Severus was just joking." The pale professor let out a huff of annoyance.
Suddenly Harry let out a groan and slowly opened his eyes to see a white ceiling. "Where am I?"
"In the Hospital Wing my boy." Harry snapped his head to the side and saw all of the professors looking at him. "You passed out seconds after the hat was placed on your head." Dumbledore explained, he thought about trying to read Harry's mind but remembered the Great Hall and stopped himself.
Harry laid there confused before everything started coming back to him. "Shit the Sorting Hat must use Legilimency to sort us and it was extremely powerful." Harry realized, thinking quickly Harry came up with a plan. "I remember going to the hat, then got a powerful headache but it went away as quickly as it came. Then when I put the hat on it seemed to comeback but in greater force and now I'm here." He explained, hoping Dumbledore would assume it had something to do with his scar.
"Has this ever happened before my boy?" Dumbledore asked, Harry mentally grinning at his plan working.
"No sir, not until today." Harry replied after acting like he gave it some thought.
"What do you think it is Albus?" McGonagall asked the headmaster, Dumbledore had an idea but didn't want to say anything to everyone present.
"I'm not sure but you feel well know Harry?" The boy nodded to the man. "Pomona, would you please fetch Poppy?" The large witch nodded and headed toward the other end of the wing while Dumbledore began to stroke his beard. "Now we need to determine what House you will be in my boy."
"How will we do that sir?" Harry asked with actual curiosity, he wanted to be sure the man didn't manipulate it so he went where Dumbledore wanted him to.
"Perhaps a test?" Filius throughout quickly. "We can create one that would help us determine where he should go." Harry didn't like that idea as it could easily be rigged.
"I think an easy way can be found." Dumbledore said with a light chuckle at the Ravenclaw Head of House. "Do you know about the different houses Harry?" Getting a nod Dumbledore smiled. "Well then where do you think you should go?" The wizard smiled at his plan, he was sure the boy would want to go to the house both his parents were in.
Harry looked at them all for a second making sure it wasn't a trick, thinking this was to easy. "Well sir, after reading about all the houses I think I would be best placed in Ravenclaw." Filius let out a squeak of joy and began to clap at the news, Harry noticed Dumbledore's face flash with shock for a second before he recovered and smiled.
"And why is that my boy?" The headmaster asked, though he was in shock by the answer. He wasn't the only one as McGonagall was hoping to have him in her house.
"Well sir, I've always like books and with not knowing a lot about the Wizarding World would like to study it more." Harry answered with a large smile, while those reasons were slightly true the real reason was because Ravenclaw's had the easiest ability to make allies in all the houses.
"I see." Dumbledore said with a small nod, he did remember Hagrid mentioning Harry seemed smart and he knew the boy worked at the library near his home. "Very well, Filius after Poppy checks him out would you please guide him to the Ravenclaw common room?"
"Of course Albus." The diminutive professor answered with a smile to Harry. "Filius Flitwick Mr. Potter, Charms Professor and your new Head of House." He gave harry a small bow and Harry returned it with a nod.
"Wonderful." Dumbledore said as he got up from his chair, which disappeared with a wave of his wand. "You may all go about your duties then, Severus will you please come by after you talk with your new Slytherins?"
"Of course." Snape said before turning and heading out of the room, his robes billowing behind him.
Dumbledore gave Harry a nod before heading out of the room and towards his office, his mind deep in thought. "Why did he not choose Gryffindor? His mother was as studious and she was in the house." The man thought as he walked. "Actually this might work out better, I might be able to reason with him through logic instead of tricking him. Yes that way I gain more trust." Dumbledore nodded to himself and remembered the saying every cloud has a silver lining.