Harry walked into the library, but Harry wasn't looking for a book. He was looking for a person.
Yesterday Daphne told him that his occlumency barriers could withstand a substantial attack. When she asked him how he progressed so quickly, he told her that he worked on it for an hour, before going to sleep (Harry believed his defensive nature also helped him progress). He would have a bit more time to improve before they were put to the real test.
Harry had a book on rare magics as he scanned the tables for who he was looking for.
He found her at a table near the back, next to the restricted section. She seemed completely emersed in her book. "Hey Hermione." Harry greeted, but got no response in return. "Hermione." He called again. And again, no response. Harry began to frown. He leaned over and snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Hey!"
Hermione yelped as she jumped back. "Don't do that!" She scowled.
"Well you didn't respond the first time I called you. Or second time." Harry shot back.
Hermione looked slightly embarrassed at Harry's response. "Sorry, I tend to ignore the rest of the world when I'm reading."
"I noticed." Harry responded with a grin so she knew he was teasing her.
Hermione is gave a brief smile, before scowling. "If you think I'm going to do your homework, you can forget it."
"Despite what my beloved head of house says, I'm no idiot Hermione." Harry snarled .
Hermione shrank under Harry's gaze. As a Gryffindor and a muggleborn, she had been warned to avoid Slytherins, now she found herself aggravating one that blocked her only means of escape. Harry was slightly taller than Hermione and carried himself with aura that was not to be trifled with. "S-sorry Harry, I'm just used to people trying to force me into doing their work for them."
Harry took a deep breath and allowed all the tension to escape him. "Let's start over. Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." Hermione smiled.
"Thanks." Harry sat opposite her and began to read the book he picked out. He had turned to the page on natural legilimency.
"You, can't possibly think that will ever be useful." Hermione spoke in a condescending tone after reading the books title.
Harry looked up with a frown "Okay; One, do you mean to sound like such a bitch? Two, you never know. Three, how do you know I'm not reading it out of curiosity? And four, just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they're wrong."
Hermione became flustered and tears began to well up in Hermione's eyes. "Your worse than Malfoy." She croaked.
"Flattery will get you no where. And neither will denial." Harry shot back. "Want to sit next to each other in potions?"
"Why? So you can insult me more?"
"No, so we help each other, but also because it'll drive Snape and every other idiot in my house up the wall." Harry answered.
"I wouldn't work with you, if you were the last student in the school!" With that Hermione stormed off.
"Shit." Harry hissed as leaned back in his seat, before leaning forward into his hands. "That's not how that was supposed to go. Now I feel like an ass."
"What did you do?"
Harry looked up and saw Su, with a book on healthy living. "I called her out for being so stuck up."
Su shrugged. "Someone had to do it."
"I could of handled it better. I just wanted to sit with her in potions and DADA."
"Why? You trying to start a civil war?"
"Something like that, yeah." Harry shrugged.
"They'll come after you." Su's concern was evident.
"I know some basic marital arts and I've got some knives. Once I take down the big one and threaten the rest, they'll back off."
"We should spar some time."
"Sounds good, but not today. Today is our lazy day." Harry responded with a cheeky grin. Su scowled at him, but it slowly turned into a smile.
"Want to sit next to each other in charms?" Su asked.
"Sure."
Meanwhile with Dumbledore.
It was time for the weekly teachers meeting. A time when Dumbledore could get a update on the clay and brushes. "How are the first years settling in?"
"Miss Granger shows a lot of promise, much like Lilly. But I am concerned about her lack of social skills." Minerva responds. "And the latest Weasley seems to lack any flare that his brothers poses."
"All the new ravens seem to have settled in nicely." Filius answers proudly.
"Thing are all good on my end although I am concerned about Mr Smith." Pomona confessed.
"Potter continues to be a disturbance in Slytherin and needs to be removed." Severus growled.
"From what I have seen Mr Potter seems quite happy to mind his own business." Minerva shot back. "And have not given in a single report to say otherwise."
"He dose not belong in Slytherin."
"I beg to differ." Filius responded. "He has proven himself to be very driven individual, and seems to always have a purpose for each action. I speculate he might even be able to mitigate the pureblood dogma that has taken over Slytherin."
"Yes. A problem that YOU should be handling Severus, but you seem t do nothing but encourage it." Minerva glared at her co-worker.
"He is no demon Severus. I saw him return Mr Longbottom's property after his accident, and it would not surprise me if he is responsible for Miss Bones and Miss Abbot coming to see him as well." Poppy mentions.
"I will be more than happy to take over head of house duties from you Severus." Septima announced.
This was perfect! He didn't even need to give them a nudge!
The next day with Harry.
Harry met Su at the entrance of the castle for their morning jog. "Morning Su, how are feeling?" He greeted with a smile.
"I hate to admit it, but you were right. I needed a break." Su answered before muttering something bitterly.
"Is everything okay Su?" Harry asked concerned.
Su shook her head. "It's nothing."
"Okay, just know I'll help if I can." Su gave him a small smile, knowing Su wasn't much of a talker, he left it at that and they began their jog.
Later.
Charms had just finished. Harry and Su received multiple looks from both houses when they sat together, but neither cared. Professor Flitwick smiled at them when he noticed. Both Harry and Su waited until the rest of the students filtered out before approaching the teacher. "Miss Li, Mr Potter, is there something I can do for you?" He asked.
Su swallowed and stepped forward. "Yes there is Professor. I-" Su lost her nerve. Harry gently placed his hand on her shoulder. When she looked back at him, he gave her a encouraging smile. Su un-clenched her fists, took a deep breath and started again. "I was wondering if you could take me on as a duelling apprentice?"
"Ah, I used to running a duelling club before I took up the duties of Head of House. But I am afraid I no longer have time to properly teach someone." Professor Flitwick answered regretfully.
Su's was immediately disheartened by the new, but Harry wasn't ready to give up. "Is there anything you can to help her Professor?"
"There is." Flitwick answered and Su perked right back up. With a flick of his wrist, a book flew from the one of the shelves and into his hand. "This book is filled duelling tips from my time in the circuit." He announced before offering it to Su. "I would recommend making your own Miss Li." Su accept the book in awe, while Harry smiled at her reaction. "I still occasionally use the old duelling room to help keep my skills sharp. Meet me here Saturday after lunch and I will key you in, so you use it at any time."
Both of us, Professor?" Harry questioned.
"Both of you." Flitwick repeated. "While training dummies are all we and good. It helps to face a thinking opponent every now and again."
Su looked to Harry with hope glistening in her eyes. Harry just smiled and nodded. Su squealed as she jumped into Harry's arms. Harry only just managed to catch her and steady himself.
Flitwick chuckled at the surprised expression on Harry's face. "Come along you two. It would not do for you to miss lunch." With that said, he lead the pair into The Great Hall, where they sat together at the Ravenclaw table without even thinking about it.
Upon noticing this, Snape began to get out of his chair. "They aren't doing anything wrong Severus. Leave them be." Filius mentioned without looked up from his meal.
"The entire house is going to come down on that boy." Snape growled.
"And what dose that say about you?" Minerva questioned.
Snape gave no response.
Su and Harry had a quick lunch, before huddling together to read Flitwick's book. Most of the Ravenclaws watched with curiosity rather than animosity, but didn't interrupt the pair.
When it was time to head to lessons Daphne caught up to Harry and grabbed his arm. "What are you doing? Malfoy and some of the older Slytherins look ready to rip you apart!" She whispered harshly.
"Don't worry Daph, I know what I'm doing. You should stay with the girls until this blows over." He whispered back, before walking over to Susan and Hannah.
For the entire week Harry sat next to none Slytherins. When they were with Ravenclaw, he sat with Su. With Hufflepuff, he sat next to either Susan or Hannah. But it got really interesting when they were with Gryffindor.
"Mr Potter." Snape called.
"Yes Professor?" Harry responded calmly.
"Why are you sat next to Mr Longbottom?" Snape questioned with a sneer.
"To help him Professor." Harry answered. Harry found the tension in the room to be ridicules. Dean, Ron, Seamus, Draco, Vincent, Gregory, Theodore, Pansy and Millicent were all glaring at them. Hermione was glaring as well, but that was aimed solely at Harry. Fay, Parvarti, Blase, Tracy and Lilly looked on in curiosity. Lavender was biting her bottom lip. Daphne was wearing her newly dubbed Ice-queen mask, as she always did in public.
Neville began to buckle under all the eyes watching them, until he saw how Harry was looking Snape straight in the eye, without a ounce of fear. He took a deep breath and put on a brave face.
"Ten points to Slytherin, for helping a fellow student." Snape announced before continuing with the lesson.
During the brewing section, Harry noticed that Neville was to busy glancing at everyone rather than his potion, especially Snape. "Neville, focus on your potion." Harry ordered.
"But-"
"But nothing. Focus!" Harry hissed. It took Neville a moment, but he nodded and tried to focus. Harry glanced at Neville in between steps. He was breathing deeply, but focused on nothing that wasn't on the table, or on the board. Until Snape loomed over them. "Neville stop!" Harry grasped Neville's wrist and yanked his fist full of herbs away from his cauldron. Some of the others were watching them again, but Harry paid them no attention. "Your hand is shaking." Neville looked to his hand and noticed Harry was right. "The potion's not that time sensitive. Take a breather and then get back to it when your ready." Neville gave Harry a nod and Harry released his arm.
BOOM!
Seamus' potion exploded and Snape went over to berate him.
"Some Gryffindor you are Longbottom, you're afraid to make a potion." Malfoy taunted.
"Some Slytherin you are Malfoy, you can'y keep your mouth shut." Harry retorted.
Draco was momentarily stunned, before recovering. "What do you know Potter?"
"More than I'll ever say." Harry responded before ginning. "Just like any true Slytherin."
"You not a true Slytherin! You just tricked the hat!" Draco cried.
"That sounds like a cunning thing to do." Harry commented. Still grinning.
Malfoy went to draw his wand. "Enough!" Snape called out. "Potter, stop aggravating other students! Mr Malfoy, stay behind after class."
When the lesson ended, both Harry and Neville handed in successfully brewed potions. "Acceptable." Was Snape's response upon inspecting them.
Once they were out the door Neville sighed and slumped. "What's up Nev?"
"He said they were acceptable." Neville answered.
"That means they're good enough to use. That's good for a first attempt." Harry responded. "You're looking to much into what he did say, and not enough into what he didn't."
"Yeah. Yeah you're right. Thanks Harry." Neville smiled.
"Any time Nev."
"Neville mate, what you doing hanging around a snake!?" Ron called.
Neville's expression darkened. "Oh now I'm your friend!?"
"Huh?" Ron Responded.
"You've not spoken to me once, but as soon as I'm seen hanging out with a Slytherin, we're suddenly friends? Harry's my god-brother and we've been friends since we went to get our supplies for Hogwarts! None of you came to visit me in hospital, but Harry did! So yeah, I'm friends with a Slytherin! Get over it!" With his rant over, Neville turned back to Harry. "See you at dinner?"
"Yeah you will, but I'll be at the Ravenclaw table again." Harry answered.
Meanwhile in Snape's classroom.
"Why did you hold me back!?" Malfoy questioned.
"Because Potter was manipulating you." Snape answered.
"What?"
"Think! What would of happened if you drew your wand on him in front of another teacher? Potter is trying to rile other Slytherins up with his little stunts. Let someone else fall into his trap."
Soon at the library.
"Have you got a moment?" Harry called.
Hermione looked up and glared. "Why? So can insult me again?" She bitterly remarked.
Harry could see the tear glistening in her eyes. It was only then Harry realised how badly he hurt her. Harry sighed before softly shaking his head. "No I didn't come her to insult you Hermione. I came to apologise." He made his tone as genital as possible. Hermione's jaw dropped, so Harry continued. "I shouldn't have said what I did. While I wasn't exactly wrong, I could have been more polite about it than I was. And for that, I'm sorry."
"Thank you Harry." Hermione responded, unable to keep the surprise out of her tone. "No one has ever apologised to me before. Well they did, but they never truly meant it." Harry gave a brief smile. "I wish what you said wasn't true Harry. The more I thought about it, the more I realised I'm not acting any different then those who bullied me."
"Those around use leave an imprint on us. The only people around you were teachers and bullies, am I right?" Hermione nodded. "Which also explains your bias to teachers."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"You defend Snape." Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Harry cut her off. "He's a arsehole, who allows other arseholes to run the house. Do you know what his first speech to us consisted of? A threat. He basically threatened us not to speak out against other Slytherin's when they spout that blood purity crap!" The frown on Harry's face didn't recede as he began mutter. "I swear if I have to tear the entire house down and rebuild it brick by brick, I will do it. Even if I have to come back as Head of House."
Hermione made a small note to NOT ever get in Harry's way, before changing the topic to a more pleasant topic. Homework! Well maybe not that pleasant.
Saturday Morning.
Harry was sat in the Slytherin common room reading the book on rare magics he found in the library. He was reading the section on Metamorphmagus'. He found it really interesting, but didn't want to badger Tonks with all his questions.
He didn't typically stay in the common room, but he needed to give the idiot Slytherins a shot at him. After their morning jog, Harry and Su had a brief sparing session in preparation. Now it's just a question of who's taken the bait.
"You've got a lot of nerve Potter!" A voice spat at him.
Harry looked up to see who it was. "He'll do." "And why would that be, Flint?"
"You disgrace Slytherin by sitting with those from lesser houses." Flint growled at Harry.
"Well this might surprise you, but you can judge someone on something other than their house and their heritage." Harry responded sarcastically.
Flint fumed went to punch Harry. Harry doges the punch and jabs Flint in the nose. While Flint is dazed, Harry hit him in the nose again. A audience gathered and watched as a bloodied Marcus Flint pulled his wand on Harry, but Harry grabs his wrist before the wand was pointed at him and presses the blade of a knife to Flints neck.
"Listen to me you dumb fuck!" Harry doesn't shout, opting for tone that is more like a cold fire. Freezing the target in place, while they are consumed by his burning rage. "I'll talk to whoever I want, whenever I want. And if you, or anyone else tries to get in my way... They'll regret it." With that he leaves a small cut on Flint's neck and leaves the common room.
Soon.
As what had become tradition, Harry was sat next to Su at the Ravenclaw table, reading through Flitwick's duelling notes as they eat. They had done this for the entire week, so hardly any one paid them any attention anymore.
"You will be coming with me to the headmaster's office immediately, Potter." Snape typical sneer was replaced by a rage educed growl. It caused some Ravenclaws (especially the younger years) to shiver.
"I'll catch up to you and Professor Flitwick later." He told Su, who nodded in response. During the walk Harry reinforced his mental defences as mush as he could without standing still. He had tried baiting Snape to try and peer into his mind to no avail. Maybe Dumbledore would slip up.
Upon reaching a stone gargoyle, Snape speaks. "Cadbury."
Harry's eyebrows raise as the gargoyle steps aside. "I wasn't expecting that."
Upon entering the office, Dumbledore greets him as if he was his grandfather. "Ah, Harry my boy. Come and take a seat." Harry dose so without saying a word. "Lemon drop?" He offers, but Harry just shakes his head. "Do you know why you are here Harry?"
"Because I made a example of Flint." Harry answered coldly.
"And what example is that Harry? You are to be feared? Hmm?" Dumbledore questioned him with a piercing gaze.
"Yes. Those who cross me should be afraid."
"That is not a good way to live Harry." This time Dumbledore sounded saddened.
"Neither is trying to force your beliefs on another."
"Don't you think there were other ways to handle the situation?" Dumbledore continued to try and use exaggerated expressions to try and pry some emotion out of Harry, but he remained cold and unfeeling.
"If Snape didn't put idiots like flint in charge and didn't threaten us on our first day here not to call one another out, I doubt I'd ave been confronted about associating with other houses at all."
"Why you little.." Snape began, but stopped when Dumbledore raised his hand.
"Do you not feel you can trust us Harry?" Once again Dumbledore opted to act saddened.
"No."
"How about your friends? We've all seen how close you are to Miss Li."
Despite Harry's best attempts to keep his expression neutral, a frown showed itself and rage burned in his eyes. "Don't you dare mess with her head!" Harry mentally screams. "She asked me to be her duelling partner. I thought it would be a good idea to learn myself." Harry tone was very defensive.
"Ah good, he has the compassion that Tom lacked. But when it is time, he will have to learn to sacrifice his own." Dumbledore fixed him another piercing gaze.
Harry looked directly into Dumbledore's eyes. Waiting for the mind probe.
Dumbledore eventually sighed. "While I will not punish you for defending yourself, I must ask that you hand over the weapon." With a out stretched hand.
Harry was tempted to point out that wands were far more dangerous than knives, but instead he just silently takes the knife he used out of his pocket and placed it into his hand. "You may go Harry." With a nod Harry leaves the office. "Severus. Do you know who could have taught Harry occlumency?"
"I suspect Miss Greengrass is responsible." Severus answered.
"And what has been done to reprimand Mr Flint?"
"I have warned him that if he decides to repeat his performance, he will lose his prefect status and I will make another the captain of the quidditch team."
Dumbledore looked at the knife in his hand and thought over what he knew about Harry. Harry was clearly a smart, defensive young man. He was smart and would be learning spells at a faster pace than most. Especially when it came to defensive magic. He would not be as malleable as Dumbledore had hoped, but he was definitely the right balance that Dumbledore needed him to be.
Soon with Harry.
After Harry was dismissed from Dumbledore's office, he used one of the shortcuts that Remus had written to him about and managed to arrive at the charms classroom just as Su did. Su. He needed to warn her about Dumbledore, but how could he make her believe him? He'd have to talk to the others about this. It might be a good idea to tell Hannah as well. He notes to talk to the others about it later.
"How did it go?" Su asks him once close enough to hear her.
Harry shrugged. "Lost my knife, but nothing major." Su nodded and then knocked on the door.
The door opened and Flitwick emerged. "Ah good, wasn't quite sure that you would both make it. Follow me." With that, he walked past the two students past a few doors, before stopping at one. "Please place a hand on the door." Both Harry and Su comply. Flitwick puts his hand on the handle. With a quick chant the door glows blue, and he opens it. Inside there is a duelling circle, two different types of training dummies, a corner covered in floor mats and chest full of protective gear. After Flitwick showed them how to use the medical dummies and the training dummies, he gave them 3 spells to learn; the stunning hex (Stupefy), the shield charm (Protego) and the petrifying curse(Petrificus Totalus). Flitwick also advised them not to use the stunning hex and petrifying curse on one another until they can cast the counters. With that he left them to practise, while he went back to marking homework.
When they went to dinner that night, both were magically exhausted. Thank Merlin for shortcuts!
"What happened to you two?" Anthony Goldstein asked as they dropped into their seats.
"Duelling practice." Harry answered. By now word had gotten out of what Harry had done to Flint, so he received some wary glances, but not many because Flint is a ass.
After finishing his meal, he whispered the following into Neville's, Susan's and Daphne's ear. "I want to tell Su what we know about Dumbledore. Might be a good idea to tell Hannah as well. What do you think?" Each if them nodded in agreement and organised to get together after breakfast tomorrow. Now all he had to do was persuade Su to join them. So Harry sat right back down next to her. "Hey Su, are you free tomorrow after breakfast?"
Su shrugged. "Sure. Your the only person who talks to me anyway."
Harry's jaw dropped. "What? How? You're awesome!"
Su smiled and blushed faintly at Harry's response. "Thanks Harry. To answer your question, there's a few reasons; the first is I'm friends with a Slytherin, another is I threatened a upper year for insulting you, Ravenclaws aren't exactly social and lastly I don't like small talk."
"Thanks for sticking up for me." Harry smiled.
"Any time."
The next morning.
After breakfast Harry, Su, Hannah, Susan, Daphne and Neville all filled into a empty classroom. Daphne cast a silencing charm on the door.
Harry sighed. "Right, what I'm about to say will sound crazy, but I promise you it's true. Now where to begin..." Harry began with the forging of his parents will, moving on to his misplacement, then the Sirius Black cover up.
"Who would do such a thing!?" Hannah asked in horror.
"Albus Dumbledore." Harry answered coldly.
"What!? No! I don't believe you!" Hannah denied.
"I do." Su answered. Stunning everyone. "What? I've got more reason to trust Harry then I do Dumbledore. Besides, it'll explain why he wants to see me this afternoon."
"Shit!" Harry hissed. "Dumbledore can peer into peoples minds without even making eye contact."
"I know some basic Occlumency, but I could do with some practice."
Hannah looked to best friend. "Is this all really true!"
Susan nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so."
"What do we do?" Su questioned with a fire in her brown eyes.
"At the moment, where gather evidence. Once we have enough, well bring it down on his head." Harry answered with growl.
It really annoys me how when some people do a manipulative Dumbledore, that he just leaves proof lying around. Especially with the goblins. He has no need to raid the Potter vaults! He's rich how it is!