Author's Note: Right so this is the second of the two Chapters I managed this month. Frankly I have no idea what I'll manage for next month. As I said last chapter my creative energies have been inexplicably diverted by a strange fixation on Star Wars. As before I am looking for Betas who know or enjoy Star Wars, and as before I ask you all to pray to the god's of creativity that I'm guided back in a timely fashion to the path of Potter. Now then I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope to hear from you all soon.
Chapter 16: Welcome to Hogwarts!
Harry stood on the platform at Hogsmeade, shifting slightly from foot to foot to keep them from stiffening up. Initially he'd spent his time helping the younger students get their belongings safely off the train. But then he'd had to spend a good fifteen minutes just watching for trouble, people picking fights or wandering where they shouldn't. That had been fairly boring, he was pretty sure he'd spent the majority of that time staring at the unfriendly looking skies overhead. If he recalled correctly it had been like this the last time around too. Dreary and foreboding.
His attention shifted once more down to earth as Grubblyplank called a group of lollygagging first years to come with her to the boats. Hermione herded the wayward youths over to the professor before wandering back in his direction.
It seemed being a prefect agreed with Hermione. Not that he'd really expected any different considering how she'd taken to it last time. She stood a little taller, and spoke a little more boldly, not that she'd ever really been lacking in that regard. Hermione always had been one to speak her mind. He found himself cursing Hogwarts robes, prefect or otherwise. He'd grown to appreciate her feminine form well enough over the last month, something he'd never really payed attention to the last time through. Hogwarts robes were not terribly flattering on anyone, which might have been the point he noted to himself ruefully. Still, she looked comfortable and confident in hers. At least usually, however as she now approached him now, she looked concerned.
"Hey Harry, did you notice, Hagrid's not here?" She asked worriedly.
He nodded readily. "Yeah, that was Grubblyplank wasn't it? Never took a course with her so I can't say for certain."
She nodded agreement, "Oh yes, that was her. You don't think he's been sacked do you? Or maybe he's been hurt and can't attend to his duties?"
Harry shook his head firmly, "I don't imagine so, Hagrid's tough and I can't imagine Dumbledore allowing him to be sacked. Not if he's keeping Trelawney and Binns around." She didn't seem terribly comforted so he continued adding a little from past experience. "Besides, the way I reckon it. If he's not here, there's only one other place he could be."
"Where?" She asked eyes flicking to him as they paced along the platform herding the last students ahead of them.
"Courting the Giants favour for Dumbledore."
She blinked, then a small grin split her lips as relief flowed through her. "Oh, that makes sense…But aren't Giants dangerous? I hope he's careful." She fussed.
Harry nodded, thinking of Grawp's mammoth size, and he'd been a runt. "Of course they can be, hard not to when they're that big right? But way I hear it from a couple of chats I had with Hagrid, they mostly prefer to keep to themselves until riled. Spend most of their time in concealed valleys and stuff tending their herds." he remembered vaguely. "But if it helps, I'll bet Beaubatons is short a Head Mistress right now too. Madam Maxime will watch his back."
A dark chuckle sounded behind them. "You know Harry, one of these days your gonna have to tell me how you go about knowin' so many things you shouldn't." Tonks declared sidling up to them when they turned.
Harry knew why she was interested. Strictly speaking it was an Order secret. In retrospect the mystery of Hagrid's absence had an obvious answer to him. But at the time it had flummoxed and worried him just as it did Hermione. He shrugged offhanded. "It's not that large a stretch of the imagination. The only person who could get Hagrid to abandon his post here would be Dumbledore, and he'd only do that if it was important. Also it's kind of obvious when you consider Hagrid isn't exactly secret agent material, what kind of job could he possibly be better suited towards than anyone else?"
"You make it sound so easy, but nobody else has figured it out." Tonks noted dryly.
"Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good." Harry returned enigmatically, shrugging.
"Come on you two, lets get you to a carriage before we get left behind." She said shaking her head at his uncooperative and utterly unenlightening answer. The carriages as even sat waiting at the end of the path way from the station. They also had their usual steeds hooked in front of them and Harry was struck by the fact that this was the first year he'd ever seen them. It would look odd for those in the know for him not to react to their presence given his recent experiences. So he played along, just in case. "Uh—Any one else see the creepy horse things?" He asked, pretending disquiet.
Hermione as predicted looked at him like he was crazy. "What creepy horse things?" He could imagine her wondering if this was it, and he'd finally gone off the deep end.
"The ones pulling the carriages." He explained carefully.
Hermione opened her mouth, no doubt to protest there were no horses when a dreamy voice interrupted from beside them. "They're called Thestrals." Luna explained happily, walking up beside the first of the pair pulling the carriage and patting it gently on the nose.
Hermione was looking more and more alarmed. "Just what are Thestrals supposed to be?" She asked clearly wondering if this was the return of Loony Lovegood.
"People used to say they were omens of death." Tonks noted helpfully.
Luna shot the Auror a reproachful look. "It's not true though, the truth is that the only people who can see them are those who have seen death."
Harry pretended dawning comprehension. "And I saw Cedric die last year in the graveyard." He noted.
Luna was nodding, but Harry still heard Tonks muttering about a pile of dead thugs in an alley maybe having something to do with it too, and he flushed guiltily. Luna merely looked sympathetic. "Yes, and I am sorry you had to face that Harry,"
Hermione was clearly fighting the obvious follow up question but Luna took mercy on her. "It was my mother, a brilliant witch, but she liked to experiment making new spells." She noted sadly. Hermione looked stricken but couldn't help but look to Tonks next.
Tonks shrugged. "I'm an Auror remember, first body I saw was when a perp fell trying to climb a building down Diagon."
Hermione then noticed Kara was idly petting one of the creatures, even if she herself could not see them. Kara just gave her a rueful look. "Don't ask."
Harry could easily guess a number of reasons why Kara might be able to see the beasts.
"Excuse me! Please hold the carriage!" Called a familiar voice behind them, and a trio trotted up to them.
Daphne was herding a harassed looking Astoria Greengrass, and her friend Tracy up to them. "Hello Lord Potter, do you mind if we ride with you?" She asked slowing to a more stately glide.
Harry counted up the people around him and nodded. They had just enough seats for everyone. "Sure there's eight seats so we have just enough space for everyone." He agreed and stepped up beside the open door offering his hand.
First Daphne, then Astoria, then Tracey were all helped up into the Carriage, then he offered his hand to Hermione, Luna, Kara and Tonks. The latter two being somewhat more rebellious made a point of making faces at him as they nevertheless accepted his hand to get up into the carriage.
He was the last aboard of course and took the seat beside the door. Daphne nodded to him appraisingly. "That was quite gentlemanly of you Lord Potter, the judge from Slytherin gives you a ten." She said quirking a slight smile at him.
He chuckled at the small joke "You can just call me Harry you three, I'm the last of my house after all, there aren't any other Potters to get upset by a lack of decorum."
Daphne nodded, "Then you may call me Daphne."
Astoria was next giving a short but friendly nod. "Astoria or Stori."
Tracey grinned broadly and stuck out her hand offering a hand shake. "You can call me Tracy, or Trace, Davis or like everybody else "Hey you there with the brown hair." She said smiling impishly.
"Hello, Hey you there with the brown hair. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said smiling as he shook her hand. She laughed brightly at his willingness to get in on the joke.
Following his lead, Hermione appeared to be willing to try some small talk too. "So what do you think will be new this year?"
"Well we'll have a new DADA professor just like every other year, and we have Grubblyplank for Care. Otherwise, who knows? After last year I wouldn't be surprised if Dumbledore had built thunder dome out back and is gonna toss us all in there tomorrow. Maybe he'll come sort out the survivors around christmas?" He suggested, she couldn't help but grin at the movie reference.
The other's in the carriage with the exception of Kara looked totally lost. Daphne struck out for more certain ground. "Do you know anything about this new DADA teacher? The Pureblood gossip circuit hasn't turned up anything about them. Which is saying something." She noted sardonically.
Harry shook his head, but Tonks nodded. "Only a little, know it's a he, and that Dumbledore approached him a couple weeks ago with an offer. He's also apparently fairly young."
Kara was optimistic, "He didn't ask us to pick up any reading material, perhaps that means he'll be more hands on?"
Tracy looked doubtful. "Heck the last one was hands on, he liked to imperio us and make us jump on the desk. I just about broke my knees doing that."
Harry snorted. "Who knows, now that we have that experience under our belts maybe we can skip that portion of the course work."
Luna spoke up. "A crazy man who was gibbering about a space llama told the Quibbler the new teacher is a Master Vampire."
The Slytherins, not having heard this tale before looked perplexed and more than a little worried. Daphne was the most tactful of them so she handled the response to that. "Really? How odd. I do not believe I have heard of a space llama…"
Harry could tell she was wondering who the wide eyed blond in the corner was. "Daphne, this is Luna Lovegood from Ravenclaw. You already know Hermione, and thats Kara." he waved to Tonks. "And the woman in pink and leathers is (Thou Shalt Not Speak My Name) Tonks." He said officiously.
Tonks sent him a death glare. "Thanks for that Harry," She said promising retribution. "My first name is Nymphadora, but don't say it where I can hear you, or I'll hex your bits off." She said sternly.
Daphne smirked slightly. "Charmed I'm sure."
Luna was staring about happily at the party around her, she was quite pleased to be involved in a group of this size. This almost never happened in her experience. "Has anyone else noticed that Harry is surrounded by female friends?" She asked out of the blue, turning wide and innocent eyes to Harry. "Are you creating a harem Harry?"
As was to be expected following such a bizarre non sequitur, silence thudded down like a body from the sky, inside the gently swaying carriage.
Harry considered that question for a moment before shaking his head slowly. "Uh…No?" He ventured uncertainly.
It could have been his imagination but Luna looked a touch disappointed at that. "Oh. well should you change your mind, let me know so I can sign up." She said happily.
Amidst the maelstrom of confusion that little conversation had created Harry had only one thought. Note to self: invite Neville to join the group.
—-
They passed up the entry hall into the castle proper, to find the great hall looked as it always did. Four tables arrayed below an illusionary sky which mirrored the one outside. The air between them and it filled with floating candles. Not for the first time Harry couldn't help but wonder how they weren't constantly being rained with flaming hot molten candle wax.
The staff table was a little emptier than usual, not only because Hagrid wasn't sitting at it. Grubblyplank was guiding the kids across the lake, and Mcgonagall had gone to meet them at the staircase. However the DADA teachers seat was also vacant, but Harry spotted a young man who stood obscured in the shadows off to the side. Harry could hardly see him.
"I don't see the DADA teacher do you?" Hermione asked absently looking over the table.
"Right side in the shadows." Harry told her as he stepped over the bench and sat.
"Oh, good eye Harry, I knew there was a reason you became a seeker." Hermione said pleased. "He's a bit odd isn't he standing there in the shadows like that?" She noted raking her hands through her hair idly.
"More odd than the impostor or any of the ones before him?" Harry teased, aiming a poke at her ribs, which she avoided adroitly.
"I suppose not." Hermione chuckled. Looking around for a minute, she took in the furtive glances which were pointed their way, and the heads pushed together as people gossiped, she gave Harry an apologetic look. "Uh, it doesn't bother you all the stares and gossiping?" She asked a little surprised Harry wasn't already fuming, especially seeing as Seamus appeared to be displeased at seeing him arrive.
Harry just shrugged. "Earlier this summer everyone was calling me a murderer and a liar. I figure after that "Oooh, he's the one who got Fudge sacked," is nothing to get uptight about."
She smiled. "I'm glad you're taking it so well. You've matured."
Harry couldn't help but snort a little in amusement, mostly at the thought of how disgustingly he'd behaved last time through. He was more than a little ashamed of how he'd behaved, especially towards his friends.
The doors opened again, and the first years stumbled in following Professor McGonagall. Harry nodded to her as she passed, and she nodded back. He was able to smile at the firsties this time around without scaring any of them, so that was a win. Harry waited through the same long, and bizarre speech the hat gave last time, and waited through the sorting of the firsties, cheering along with everyone else when someone made it into Gryffindor.
And sat up and listened when Dumbledore took his stand. "To our newcomers, welcome. And to our old hands, welcome back, there is a time for speeches, but this is not it. Tuck in."
Harry Happily dug in after he shovelled the food Hermione always prepared for herself onto her plate. "I guess I'm predictable?" She asked sheepishly.
"Not really," Harry comforted her easily. "I just know you too well." He joked, smiling.
Once the feast was finished, Dumbledore stood again. His speech was virtually identical to the one he'd made last time. Except for the part where he introduced the DADA teacher. "And a very fond welcome to Professor James Miller, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Where is he?" He asked, clearly slightly vexed until McGonagall tugged his sleeve, and pointed to the man who'd stepped out of the shadows to the side of the table. Harry guessed he wasn't terribly hungry.
"Ah, there he is, tell me would you like to say a couple words?" Dumbledore asked politely.
The young man nodded shortly and strode up to the table before turning to speak to the students. "Ah, Good afternoon," He said in an accent Harry did not automatically recognize. "And as the Headmaster has said, welcome to Hogwarts. My name is James Miller, you may refer to me as Professor or James while in my class. I just wanted to let you all know I look forward to teaching you all, and look forward to what you all may teach me in return. Enjoy the rest of your evening." He said in a nice staid, and evenly measured voice, pleasant but not artificially so.
"Well that was encouraging I guess, he seemed nice, and wasn't drinking from a hip flask or anything…" Hermione said in a quiet aside to Harry.
"Yeah, let's hope that's an indicator of how he'll handle his teaching." Harry agreed, as Hermione turned to speak with Neville about something.
"Next I'd like to introduce two new faces you might see during your time here, First is Dudley Dursley, he will be assisting Argus Filch and Professor Grubblyplank in their duties around the school." Dumbledore said and Harry spotted his slightly less rotund than usual cousin standing worriedly next to Argus at the doors into the hall. He waved weakly at everyone who turned to look at him, his eyes darting to Harry's briefly before darting away. He was wearing a newer version of Argus' long coat.
"In addition" started Dumbledore "We have a transfer student from America, Miss Kara Smith, from the Newark New Jersey Independent Coven. I hope you will all treat her with kindness and respect, and that you will all acquit yourselves well." Dumbledore severely, "Now with that aside I have another important announcement. This year we will have Aurors patrolling the school. We ask that you try not to interfere with their duties and allow them to get on with their important work." The rest of the speeches passed without incident. No long and ridiculous diatribe by Umbridge this time of course. Ending with "May I call Auror Tonks and Kara Smith to the head table please, we have matters to discuss."
Harry followed Hermione's lead when she got up, and helped her rally the first years. "Alright you lot pay attention please." He hollered, and the kids gathered round.
Thanks Harry," She said smiling. "Alright then I am Hermione Granger, and I am one of the fifth year prefects, I'll be helping you figure everything out seeing as this is your first time." She said to the nervous looking first years. She turned to Harry to allow him to introduce himself.
He grinned a bit stepping forward. "And I'm Harry Potter, I'll be here mostly to back her up, but you should worry more about listening to her, she's scarier than I am when provoked." He joked earning a few smiles, even a small one from Hermione. "But in all seriousness, feel free to come to me or Hermione for help if you're being bullied, if you're lost, or even if you need a bit of tutoring. Although Hermione will be better at that last one than I will. She regularly gets the best marks of anyone in the school." He said grinning, "She's the brains in this relationship,"
He ignored her pleased but embarrassed blush, with difficulty. "Well, why don't you follow me and we'll show you to the dormitories. While what Harry says is true…"She started as they took off, "…In a sense, He is in fact very gifted in Defence Against the Dark Arts, in fact he'll be tutoring me too, and will be a great source of advice in several others." She shot back smiling at him. "Now, things to remember. The stairs like to change where they go around here so pay attention…" Harry listened happily while Hermione gave the first years their speech as she led them to the tower. Somehow this teacher-like, vaguely maternal side of her was seriously attractive for him, he'd forgotten about it somehow and felt it a gift to be blessed with seeing it again. Though this realization gave him brief pause. He jogged to catch up, he'd think on it a bit later.
"Now the password this term to get through the portrait hole into Gryffindor tower is "Horatio at the Bridge," Hermione said, reminding them carefully. "Now go ahead, and find the first year dorms, men are on the right, women are on the left." She said happily, and watched them race away. "That went rather well I think." She noted brightly.
"Yeah, I know it's a bit overdone to say things like this, but I can't believe we were ever that small." He noted wryly.
She nodded agreement, but then jerked her head at something over his shoulder. He turned around just in time to see Kara and Tonks jog up.
"You know, I don't think I'll ever get used to talking with paintings. It just doesn't happen out their in the muggle world." Kara noted with a sigh as they entered the common room together. "At least this one doesn't scream invectives at me like the one at Grimmauld."
"We're bunking up in the guest rooms with you lot…well now, so this is the Gryffindor common room is it? Cozier than I was expecting, the Hufflepuff one is a bit different." Tonks noted looking about in interest.
"You want to see our new home?" Harry asked gesturing to the stairs. "Just make sure you take the left hand one, the right hand won't react to your gender, but you know guys." He said. "Tongues will wag if you regularly take the right hand."
Tonks just grinned. "What if I like tongues wagging?" Harry barked a laugh, knowing she was just kidding.
They proceeded to the towers top floor, a split level medium common chamber with eight smaller rooms off of it. Six prefect bedrooms, and two guest rooms.
They each hurried off to check their own rooms out first of course, though Harry's was somewhat larger than the others and probably the only one filled with House Elves. Four of them to be exact. Sorting through a small mountain of parcels and letters, all of them wearing uniforms. A pair Harry recognized as Tinker and Dobby hurried over snapping briefly to attention then relaxing. "Harry, you're here!" Tinker said happily. "We've got your mail, Professor Mcgonagall saw to it that it was released to us, and we've got our new uniforms too." She said striking a pose.
The uniforms weren't bad, Harry decided, a little unexpected, but not bad. They were made up of a simple pair of dungaree-like cargo pants. With a white shirt, either a white T-Shirt or a long sleeve and actual shoes, something he'd never seen on elves before.
"Harry Potter sir? Would sir like to meet the others?" Dobby suggested.
"Yes, you should meet the others." Tinker agreed nodding. She hurried over to one of the others a female from the looks of it who she tapped on the shoulder. The elf turned and blinked surprise at having failed to notice visitors. Tinker turned back to him. "Harry, this is Tot, she doesn't speak anymore, I don't know why…" She said seriously.
"Um nice to meet you Tot," Harry said smiling slightly at her. Tot blinked, smiled slightly and bobbed her head in greeting.
"And this is Tiger," Tinker said pointing to the next elf who turned round long enough for Harry to see a bowie knife strapped to his thigh and green and brown paint on his face before turning back to his pile.
"Nice to meet you Harry," He barked shortly, as he picked up a box and peered at it suspiciously.
"Uh, nice to meet you too Tiger." Harry said. "Is something wrong with that package?" He asked hesitantly.
The elf shrugged. "Not sure, probably not, but you never know right? Could have anything in it, I'd have to do a little E.O.D work on it to be sure…" He said squinting at the thing. "But it doesn't have any curses on it, or potions in it. So unless they used a muggle bomb you're safe." He said handing it over.
Harry examined it cautiously. He opened it to see a hand made letter with finger painted creatures, and children frolicking on it. He barked a laugh when he opened the card and read the message. "For Hary Poterr, the hero, From Dafney? Grengrass. I'm! Four!" It was hard to believe the girl he'd met earlier that day had ever been young enough to finger paint. "Tinker, do you have a tack I could use?" He asked. He heard a double crack, and Tinker was holding one up to him. "That was fast…And how did you apparate in Hogwarts?" He asked surprised.
"Elves go where they want. Most Wizarding magics doesn't stop us. Also this is home so the elf barriers don't stop us either." She said shrugging. He nodded then tacked up the post card on the largest clear wall. He was going to keep things sent from anyone he knew, as well as anything that caught his eye.
"We've filtered out all the naughty stuff in the fan mail. Some of it was really creepy." Tinker said apologetically. "We could bring the less creepy stuff if you want…"
"Whoa, that's a lot of letters," Said Kara's voice, from the door, the elves all gave a start then relaxed upon recognizing her. An angel appearing in the doorway was likely to surprise anyone.
"Yeah, and it's just the first batch." Harry noted dryly. "Daphne sent me one when she was four." He said pointing.
"Ha! You've gotta tease her a little about that." Kara said smiling.
"Wow, Harry this rooms like a palace." Hermione noted padding into the room.
"Lord's quarters apparently." Harry nodded in agreement.
"They always say that being connected has it's benefits." Tonks noted following on her heels. "A tad less secure though with the extra windows, do you mind if I ward them?" She asked business like. Harry gestured to go ahead.
"So what do you lot do now, it's not like you have homework yet?" Kara noted.
"Well at this point Ron would usually challenge me to chess or ask to hold the firebolt, and then we'd sit here watching his pieces smash mine for an hour, while Hermione got a head start on her readings." Harry explained. "Thankfully we can skip the chess part this time round."
"Harry should probably get some more reading done on Ancient Runes. He's a year behind after all." Hermione noted thoughtfully.
Harry sighed. "Yeah, unless I want to be stuck asking stupid questions all class I guess I'll have to won't I. You'll help me out?" He asked imploringly, frankly more interested in her company than in Ancient Runes.
She nodded. "Of course! Tell me what did you think of the Elder Futhark Chart I prepared for you, it's…" And she was off. Some things never change.
—-
Harry's night in his new private dorm was not as relaxing as he'd hoped, not because of dreams of Voldemort doing crazy and/or evil things, but because as certain brunette kept showing up in them and embracing him… He kept waking up his heart pounding excitedly and his face warm and bearing an inexplicable smile. Good for his mood, not good for getting a restful nights sleep. Especially when it left him lying there contemplating his new attraction to his best friend. It had never been that way between them in his past life, the closest had been a fleeting moment, him and her dancing to try and take their minds off things after Ron abandoned them in the forests of Dean. For the barest moment while they danced, he could have sworn their was something there, but then she had looked away forlornly, and it was gone. It was different this time around, he was more certain that there was a certain something, a spark for lack of a better word. And his attraction to her physical self was certainly not brotherly or platonic.
This time he found himself hungrily waiting for her to smile, or working hard to make her laugh. He loved the light of intelligence in her eyes, and he had to admit he enjoyed watching her in general. He enjoyed the curve of her hips, and yes he couldn't help but notice her backside or the swell of her chest. But he liked her slender shoulders and slim neck too. He found himself wondering just what it would feel like to hold her hips in his hands, or how soft her lips were.
So no, Harry did not sleep well that first night back to Hogwarts, as he came to the startling realization that he might in fact be at least a little infatuated with his best friend. He was not completely ignorant to such things, his feelings for Ginny may have been artificial in nature but were real enough to allow him to understand what it was he was feeling. However it didn't help him to know what to do about it or even if he should do anything about it. Last time Harry had basically just grabbed Ginny and kissed her, and the problem had been solved. This time… Well even if he decided that it was indeed the right thing to do, Hermione might not respond as favourably to that tact as Ginny had.
This all left him with one thought as he lay there in bed. Why did things always have to be so complicated?
The next morning Harry caught up with said brunette, Hermione, as she had a chat with the twins about skiving snackboxes. "Look, you two can't just put up notice asking for test subjects in the common room." She said sounding weary.
"Say's who?" Fred asked petulantly.
"Say's me, and Harry." She said spotting him as he walked up. The twins to turned to look at him.
"Hey don't look at me" He chided them. "She scares the bejeebers out of me, and if you were as smart as you think you are, she'd scare them out of you too. You're on your own with that one." He said laughing. He remembered the problem from last time though. "But the reason your blood pasties or whatever you were telling me about last night won't stop bleeding is because you forgot the fixative." He threw in for good measure.
"Thanks mate," George said smiling, then turned back to Fred and Hermione "You watch Hermione, you'll be wanting them too before long. O.W.L year is hell" Hermione scoffed at that and they bickered back and forth a bit. Unfortunately for Harry he kinda zoned out for a minute. "We seriously debated whether we were going to bother coming back for our seventh year." Said George Brightly "But now that we've got our funding from Harry here, all we need is market research." He said proudly. Harry had cottoned on a little too late this time and didn't get the chance to cut them off. Hermione gave them a funny look and then turned a stern look on Harry.
"Harry care to explain?" She demanded as the twins suddenly hit eject and fled for higher ground, snack boxes held high overhead as they bolted for their dorm.
"Hell," Harry sighed shaking his head. "This is what I get for not paying attention to where the conversations going."
"Harry," she said her foot starting to tap, and Harry remembered with little amusement how he'd seen her mother do the same thing. "Explain. Now." She said her faces stony and implacable. No mercy anywhere in sight.
He gave her a chagrined look and gave in, simply desiring to move on rather than draw things out. "I may have given them the winnings I earned last year okay? You know to start their joke shop?" He said.
Her brow creased, and then smoothed as she figured it out "Your Tri-Wizard earnings?" She asked surprised.
"Yeah those." He agreed.
"Why?" She asked, her foot stopping abruptly.
"Two reasons really, first because I figure. "Oh crap, the Dark Lord's back, were going to war" I figured were all gonna need somebody to keep us laughing." He looked up into her eyes hanging his head a little. He hated disappointing her, even if it was only a little, perhaps it was lingering guilt over how he had treated her last time round? "And second, getting the winnings from the Tri-Wizard felt like accepting blood money. Oh, I knew I wasn't the one who killed Cedric. But It was my plan we take the cup together. And therefore I'm partially responsible for his death." He explained willing her to understand.
She stood stock still for a moment her eyes searching his face. Then she sprung forward and hugged him tight. A hand on the back of his head holding it to her shoulder. "I'm sorry Harry, I know Cedric wouldn't have blamed you, but…I know you feel it. I think your idea of trying to fund something happy and good is a worthwhile one." She backed off a bit and smiled. "Those twins are gonna drive us crazy though aren't they?" She laughed and Harry felt a world better.
"Yeah probably, but we'll have fun chasing them down, I think Filch actually enjoys it a little." He pointed out. "And now he's got back up…" He pointed out.
She grimaced a bit. "Yeah, I still don't know what Dumbledore is thinking. Agh, something else, lets talk about something else or I'll get mad again." He just chuckled in response, sometimes being friends with someone meant getting mad on their behalf.
—
Harry and the others all made their way down to breakfast together. "What's our first class?" Harry asked piling his plate with food as Hermione looked over the schedules.
"That would be Ancient Runes, for once they have it first thing in the morning while we're still fresh." She noted sounding pleased. "Then it's potions followed up by lunch, then it's double defence."
"Busy day, does that mean some of the others are gonna be a bit lighter?" He asked.
She nodded. "Wednesday is practically empty except for Care. Do you know if you get to test out of any of these courses?" She asked.
Harry shook his head, and was about to respond when a throat was cleared behind him. " , I actually wished to speak with you on just such a subject. Would you perhaps be available this evening after Defence against the Dark Arts?" Mcgonagall asked sternly as ever as she passed on her way to the staff table.
"Yes Professor I should be," he agreed, she nodded in satisfaction and wandered off again. Harry smiled thinly to Hermione, as the sky overhead began to darken with owls, and one very out of place raven.
Hedwig stopped only briefly stealing a sausage while Harry collected the letters she had been carrying. One was bearing the now familiar crest of Gringotts. He tore it open first. The meeting with the master builders and shipwrights would be tomorrow, as would be his meeting with the Dark Artifacts specialist, the meeting with Ragnok would be the day after. He was pleased with the scheduling too, it should work out so that none of his duties or classes were disrupted either. His other letters were of all things fan mail, he guessed that the block on his letters had been rescinded after all. One was from a little girl who was just learning to write and her mother thought it would be nice for her to send him a letter of encouragement. The other was a marriage proposal which Harry promptly torched drawing confused looks from those around him. He hurried out after finishing his dinner, hoping to avoid uncomfortable questions.
—-
Bathseda Babbling the professor of Ancient Runes at Hogwarts, was currently in contention for the position of youngest instructor currently employed by the school, at least in Harry's mind. She looked to be of at most twenty five or twenty six. A bookish but not unattractive woman who preferred to keep to herself and mind her endless piles of books. He could not recall having ever heard her actually speak.
He and Hermione found seats near the front of the class and sat down, Harry took the time to organize his books in front of him and get some parchment out to write on. He was doing this as the professor in question breezed in from her office.
"Good morning class, and welcome to fifth year ancient runes." She deposited a pile of books on her desk and looked up to the class scanning to catalogue the faces. Her eyes lit on Harry and she smiled wryly. "I see we have someone new, but I'm sure you're all familiar already so I won't ask for introductions" She noted chuckling, this got a responding murmur of appreciation from the class.
"As Lord Potter has probably been reading up on the subject but possibly lacks some of the details, would anyone be willing to give him a couple points to remember when thinking of ancient runes?" She requested. Hermione almost clocked him raising her hand. Babbling nodded to her.
"Ancient Runes and the study thereof are a means of imbuing or perhaps enchanting an object with magical properties. This is done by channeling magical energy into scripts, particularly that of Elder Futhark, which holds and conveys magical intents most clearly." She recited dutifully. Babbling nodded agreement then pointed to someone behind him, Harry turned to see Daphne leaning back casually in her chair.
"Runes have to be inscribed in a certain way however. Simply writing them on a page may allow you to, with effort, create a magical rune, but the resulting enchantment will be weaker. The most effective method is to permanently and indelibly mark a material with the runes. Carving is generally the most common, however embroidery is used effectively in textiles. The best known method we have been taught about so far is to carve the symbols into silver which holds the magic better than most metals yet is more durable than most stone." Daphne interjected.
Babbling nodded and murmured a five point addition to both Gryffindor and Slytherin. "I'll add a couple points myself so we can keep moving quickly. "A caveat to the point Hermione made. She mentioned that Elder Futhark is the most efficient and cohesive language for rune crafting. The addition I'd stick onto the end of that statement is this. It is the best script known to humans. Elves? Goblins? Dwarves? They all have their own runic scripts which they horde jealously. They are all at least as effective as Elder Futhark, though in depth study of them is difficult as the methods used to make them is currently unknown to the greater wizarding world." She explained, and the class made notes. "My addition to Daphne's point then shall we? Carving runes in silver is indeed the most effective method of crafting I have instructed those here in thus far, but there are other methods that can be used to enhance effects." She explained.
"Magnetic inks, or metallic mixtures introduced into paints, which are then run into a rune mark, can enhance it's effect but other materials can work just as well or better. For example the materials used as wand foci ground up and introduced to a paste can also be used this way. Tell me Lord Potter, can you guess a few of the more potent substances you can use to help enchant an object are?" She asked turning her eyes on him.
Harry dutifully considered that and came up with a couple ideas right away. "dragon's blood? pheonix feathers, unicorn hair?" he paused considering as she nodded agreement. "I wouldn't suggest it, but what about human blood?" He asked speculatively.
She nodded sharply, "Indeed. Blood magic as it is called, is deeply frowned upon and with good reason. Human blood, or indeed the blood of any sentient magical creature carries with it great power. Human is surprisingly, despite the relative minority of magical individuals in our species, the most magically potent, however it is also the most unstable. The blood reflects the nature of humanity, and we are a chaotic race. What works beautifully one time, the next will unleash obscene and terrible magics not intended by the enchanter the next if a small misstep is made." She observed, a caution in her voice. She paused when she noted Harry's look of intense concentration. "Had another thought?"
Harry nodded hesitantly, "Yes Professor, I presume it's not just blood but any bodily substance which could theoretically be used considering what we know, but I was wondering, and I'm most certainly not advocating anyone ever taking this path either, as I can imagine the terrible things needed to be done to achieve it…" he trailed off uncertainly. She considered him sombrely for a moment then waved a permissive hand. "If blood is powerful, I can assume that at some point someone had tried to imbue objects with power from a soul."
Babbling was far from a histrionic but she did flinch at the thought of it. But she recovered admirably. "Ah, yes and I can guess what might have led you to wonder about that. You are correct, there are studies which deal with the nature of souls and the possibility of drawing strength from them. Thankfully, for my own peace of mind, I know absolutely nothing about them, and would not teach them even if I did. However you're line of questioning was solid, and intriguing enough in it's own right. Five points to Gryffindor." She noted approvingly. "Now then to get back on course for today. This year we'll be covering inscribing runes with magical mixtures and then forging them more permanently into the materials in question. Today we're going to do a practice rune, a single use shield charm inscribed into a sandstone tablet. So please, grab your carving instruments and we'll begin."
Harry rolled out his tool kit onto the desk. A small roll of leather fill with chisels and picks of various sizes, the set had cost a mint, not that he was strapped for funds. Also among his supplies were a hammer and mallet as well as a small stack of small sandstone tablets.
Professor Babbling waited until everyone was apparently waiting expectantly before giving further instruction. "Now I wan't you all to carve Eihwaz and Algiz, in vertical alignment with Eihwaz in prominence."
The next few minutes passed easily enough. Harry looked up the symbols in question, all the while listening to Babbling and Hermione giving pointers of precision carving. Once he and the rest were finished the professor stepped to the head of the class again. "Good, now here are some test batches of focusing agents I had made up. Paint them as precisely as you can into the marks. Coat the surface fully but don't fill it, a thin layer if you will. This is not a case of "If a little is good, a lot is better". She admonished.
Harry and Hermione spent the next few minutes carefully painting the small carved grooves of the Runes with a thick blue paint. Babbling strode by once to examine his work before giving him an encouraging smile and bob of the head before moving on. "Good, now that that is complete, please pull out your wands, tap it once, briefly on the rune stone and incant as follows. "Counos" She instructed. "If it works you should get a glow in the agent for a brief time before it settles."
To no great surprise Hermione got a perfect result on her first try. Harry himself was pleased when he got a lesser but still solid response on his first effort as well. Babbling awarded him five points for an excellent first attempt at Rune crafting.
From there it was merely an issue of testing the shields effectiveness, professor babbling it appeared, believed in properly motivating her students as she had them stand in front of her, the rune clutched in both hands before them before firing a stinging hex at the tablet. If it worked a shield would absorb the stinging hex, if not the hex would smash through the small stone tablet and hit the student giving them a jolt. Only one rune failed during that demonstration and to Harry and Hermione's general relief it was neither of theirs.
Babbling had them all repeat the process four times, first carving then painting and incanting the rune, Harry's efforts improved rapidly with the tutelage he was receiving from both the professor and Hermione. In the end she was able to let the class off with a single chapter of readings. Though to Harry's great interest she assigned Hermione an additional interesting work to read as well. Apparently she was full aware of Hermione's tendencies and was interested in spurring her to greater heights. It was perhaps the first time in a long while that Harry had been truly impressed with a Hogwarts teacher. As they packed however Babbling asked Harry to wait for a minute before leaving.
She leaned on the edge of her desk as he approached cautiously, favouring him with a small smile at his wary expression. "Not bad at all Mr. Potter, an excellent start. I was interested to ask however, why are you interested in Ancient Runes?"
Harry considered that, he wanted to give a good answer of course, but he'd hardly fully thought it out to put into words before. "Well…being able to imbue an object with a more permanent effect is useful right? Something worth learning, if only to save myself some trouble down the road. But I'm mostly interested in Warding."
She arched a quizzical brow at him before nodding understanding. "And am I correct in my understanding that you have no prior education in this subject?" She asked curiosity tinging her voice.
He nodded ready agreement. "No, I mean yes professor, you are correct, this is the first time I've ever actually carved anything. Did plenty of reading this summer though."
She smiled good humoured comprehension at that, no doubt knowing who it was that spurred him to do so. "I apologize if I came across as skeptical, you see you are reasonably talented it seems, and it is not unknown, particularly in my field that the Potter Family was very gifted in the fields of defensive magic, particularly that of wards. I once got to visit a Potter house once to study its wards, they were the best wards I've ever seen bar none." She mused fondly.
"I wasn't aware Professor," He admitted. "I don't know a whole lot about my family to be honest."
She grimaced slightly. "I suppose that is understandable considering, It may interest you to know this then. Runes was the only course in which James Potter was able to out do Lily Evans from the get go. And while he went in to become an Auror, his mother and father made a good living off of enchanting." She noted this captured his attention successfully. "You're mother went in to become a researcher as I understand it, freelance, did all kinds of work for many industries. If you are truly interest in wards, I can teach you some yes, but I'd recommend you start looking into your old family magics. They far surpass anything Hogwarts offers on the subject."
"Thank you Professor, I will. Nobody had told me that about my family before." He replied.
She grimaced again momentarily, before her expression cleared, "Excellent work today , now you'd best hurry along to potions, I know perfectly well how Snape can be given occasion. Here's a slip informing him I needed to discuss matters with you just in case however." She handed him a conjured slip of parchment. "Good day Mr. Potter, Merlin knows you haven't had a lot of them this summer."
—
Snape was perhaps unsurprisingly early to class for the first time Harry could remember. "Ah, Mr. Potter, you are late, five points from Gryffindor," He drawled easily turning away from the board. Naturally given the circumstances Harry felt a small spike of irritation, he quashed it violently and smiled ruefully.
"I apologize professor, I was asked to stay behind by Professor Babbling." He explained stepping forward.
Snape quirked a skeptical eyebrow at him. "Undoubtedly to chastise you on your substandard work habits I'm sure."
Harry just shrugged indifferently. "Something like that sir." He extended the small slip of parchment to the professor.
Snape snatched up the parchment "What is this?"
"A slip from Professor Babbling explaining my absence," Harry replied neutrally and stood waiting for the verdict.
Snape made a show of reading the parchment carefully before nodding sharply in understanding. "Very well Potter, you may take your seat, try not to blow up any cauldrons today would you?" He whirled, his cloak billowing impressively. "Today we shall be creating the…"
Potions passed pretty much as it always did from there, Harry managed to avoid any further deductions and get his potion in for marking. Malfoy for once wasn't lurking preparing to sabotage his work or sneer insults at him, instead opting for relative isolation in the corner.
As Harry handed in the last vial of potion he turned to Hermione, "If you'll wait a moment Hermione, I'll walk with you to lunch." He requested, she bobbed her head before moving to wait outside the door. Harry turned back to the professor and waited for the rest of the class to vacate the room. "Professor Snape, may I have a moment of your time?"
Snape was idly marking down which students had managed to turn in a viable potion and only glanced at him briefly. "Make it fast Potter, I have no time to waste on frivolities"
Harry just nodded shortly. "Understood Professor, I just wished to give you something, I came across this while cleaning out some of the belongings in one of my families properties. I believe you might appreciate it." He placed the wrapped package he'd been carrying since that day in downtown London.
Snape gave the package a dubious look. "I do not accept bribes , If you wish to pass my class you shall have to work just like everyone else."
Harry didn't bat a lash. "It's just a peace offering Professor, nothing more." He nodded deferentially. "Have a good day Professor"
He turned and wandered casually from the classroom and true to her word Hermione was waiting outside the classroom doors. Apparently Kara had decided to stay and wait as well. "So did Snape give you a hard time?" Kara asked dryly.
Harry just shrugged. "No more so than usual."
"That's the second class you've needed to speak with the professors after class, what did they want?" Hermione asked, merely curious, as they began to make their way towards the great hall.
"Professor Babbling informed me my family has traditionally specialized in the field of Rune crafting and suggested I look into finding the family records when I get a chance." He explained. "As for Snape, I found something belonging to my Mother that I think he will appreciate that's all." They wandered for a time before a thought occurred to Harry, "We have some time after lunch before Double Defence right?" Hermione nodded agreement. "I think there's something I should show you for potions, but we'll worry about that in a bit, am I the only one who's starving?"
Author's Note: Welp, that's all I've got for this month. I hope you enjoyed. Perhaps forward me ideas and such in the hopes of fuelling creativity? Otherwise, rate review, comment, etc. I seriously appreciate your input.