Author's Note: And Chapter 5 is here! Enjoy!
Harry turned a page in A Compendium of Common Curses and Their Counter-Actions and sighed. He had not slept at all, true to his own predictions made in the Headmaster's office. All thoughts of sleep had left his mind when he saw Terry Boot in the dorm. His memories flared up and he remembered that Terry Boot's body had only been identified by a potion, much like Muggle DNA testing. Terry had died defending his family.
Harry had changed from school robes to pajamas, so that he could use the excuse of not being able to sleep should someone find him, and grabbed a book to read. He glanced up at the clock and thought it was time to get ready to work out. He closed his book and nearly let out a burst of defensive magic when he noticed that he was surrounded.
By House elves. A dozen pairs of tennis-ball eyes blinked up at him. A few of them were seated next to him, while more were gathered on the back of the sofa, and the rest scattered on the floor at his feet. "Er, can I help you?" He asked the group in general. They all made funny noises Harry recognized as house elf laughter.
"Mr. Harry Potter is so funny!" One elf said. Harry guessed he was the one in charge. "Mr. Harry Potter sir has already helped the elves by returning." He said simply.
"Returning?" Harry wondered if this had anything to do with his secret.
"Harry Potter is older than he appears." The elf said. Well, that answers that question. "Much older than a first year. We know." The house elves all tittered in amusement. It reminded Harry of The Wizard of Oz.
"Oh, well, I'm sure you'll keep my secret." He stood and the elves on the floor jumped to their feet and surrounded him. Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Now I might step on one. "Was there something else you wanted?" Harry asked the one he had spoken to.
"Mr. Harry Potter is so kind to return to save us all again." The head elf said. "So kind to battle the horrible He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." Harry fought the urge to hiss Voldemort at the elves. "My name is Button, Mr. Harry Potter, sir. I am head of the Castle Elves." The elf stood on the arm of the sofa and gave a short and formal bow. Harry inclined his head in return. "Mr. Harry Potter will have many important things to do, yes?"
"Eventually, Button. Please, just call me Harry." Yes, he was twenty years old, but he couldn't see himself as a sir quite yet.
"Of course, Harry, sir!" The elf said brightly. Harry fought the urge to sigh. 'Harry, sir' was better than 'Mr. Harry Potter, sir'. "The Castle Elves, the Kitchen elves, The Laundry elves, and the Library elves all wish to thank you." Button explained. Four elves separated themselves from the group at his feet and bowed.
"Minks, Harry, sir." The first elf said softly. "I'm a Castle elf, sir." Harry noticed that he was not dressed in a tea towel, but in a crisp pillow case.
"It's nice to meet you, Minks." Harry answered with a smile. Large yellow tennis ball eyes blinked at him and started to tear up. The elf thanked him and hid his face in his pillow case.
"I'm Serry, sir." The next elf said in a sunny voice. "I'm a Kitchen elf. I'm sorry, sir, that you did not enjoy my suggestions at dinner." Serry stopped and its (her? The elf reminded Harry of Molly Weasley) ears twitched.
"Oh, that was you with the cake?" Harry asked. There's one mystery solved.
"Yes! You noticed!" Serry jumped in place, obviously happy that Harry had noticed its (her) interference. "Harry sir needs food to become strong. She (there could no other possibility with her scolding tone) said.
"I don't care much for sweets." Harry said with a smile.
"That is easily fixed, Harry sir." She said. "I'll bring you a list, and you can mark off things you don't want to eat." The elf said. "We have needed to customize diets before." House elf dietician. Who knew?
"I'm Pidgy, Harry sir." A slightly excited elf said next. "I work in the laundry." Pidgy gave a short bow and fell silent.
"It is nice to meet you, Pidgy." Harry said. Pidgy turned a darker shade of celery and smiled at Harry as he stepped back.
"Tome, Harry sir." The last house elf said. "I work in the library. I can help with any of your library needs." He too gave a short bow before taking his place in line.
"Thank you, Tome." Harry said. The elves resumed their seats, though Minks was still sobbing into his pillowcase. "Minks, please stop crying. I'm just a normal person." This statement only caused Minks to cry harder.
"Minks is a very young elf, Harry sir." Button said to Harry. "He is just very happy to meet such a great wizard." Button gave Harry a look that was close to begging.
"I understand." Harry said. He knew house elves could be rather difficult creatures in their beliefs. Minks would continue to believe that he was meeting someone of Merlin's status until the elf decided otherwise.
"Minks, Serry, Pidgy, and Tome are all assigned to you while you stay at Hogwarts." Button announced. Harry stared at Button in shock. "Minks will care for your things, Serry will look after your meals and snacks, Pidgy will take care of your clothing and linens, and Tome will assist you in the library." Button looked quite pleased at his little speech and turned to Harry with a smile.
Harry could only stare. This would be akin to walking around with a sign that said I am the Boy-Who-Lived. "That's not necessary, Button." Harry said calmly. He couldn't afford to have house elves dogging his every step. Freedom of movement was essential to all of his plans.
"Oh, but it is!" The little elf shrieked. "The house elves wish to care for Harry Potter, so that he has the free time he needs to do what he must." Button actually looked desperate.
"I can't talk you out of it, can I?" Harry asked. House elves were some of the most stubborn, bull-headed creatures he had ever met! He watched as twelve little heads shook in the negative sign. "Very well." He said in defeat. House elves were delicate – and determined- creatures.
Minks burst into a fresh round of tears, Serry jumped up and down, Pidgy danced in place, and Tome smiled. House elf celebration. "Quiet!" Button said. "Thank you, Harry sir." Button said sincerely. "Good day to you." Button made a quick gesture and all of the house elves disappeared.
That was completely strange. Harry thought as he entered the dorm. He placed his book on his shelf (each Ravenclaw received a small bookshelf and desk as part of their furnishings) and opened his trunk. He pulled out a pair of jogging pants, T-shirt, and trainers. He had forgotten exercise clothes during his trip to London and had purchased some in Surrey. It had been tricky to get those bags into the house. His aunt never did figure out how her water in the kettle boiled so quickly.
He pulled on his second trainer and left the Ravenclaw dorm. He snuck through the halls, grateful that everyone (including Filch, his cat, and the ghosts) were elsewhere. He arrived at the Room of Requirement and paced. He opened the door when it appeared and found an exercise room exactly like his teacher's set up. He sighed in contentment, glad that he was back on familiar ground.
Harry was the first to arrive in the Great Hall that morning. He chose a seat at the Ravenclaw table and pulled out his copy of A History of Magic and started reading.
"Hello again, Harry sir!' Harry jumped a bit at Serry's voice. "I've brought this list, as promised."
Harry gave a quick glance around and saw that the Great Hall was still empty. "Thank you, Serry." Harry accepted the rolls of parchment and opened them. Tiny writing filled the space. "Goodness." Harry pulled out a ball point pen and read through the first scroll. He crossed out "jellybeans" and "sugar quills" before moving onto the next scroll. He crossed off red meat, sausage, bacon, and butter on that list. Almost all of the pudding section joined the meat. He would still accept fruit salad, angel food cake, and yogurt as options. White bread and pasta were crossed off in favor of their whole wheat varieties. "I think that's it for now, Serry." Harry said as he handed the scrolls back to her. "Thank you again."
"My pleasure, Harry sir." Serry clasped the scrolls to her chest and disappeared. Harry returned to his book for almost ten minutes before his breakfast appeared. He found a bowl of porridge, what appeared to be a cheese and broccoli omelet, whole wheat toast, a bowl of fruit and yogurt, a glass of milk, another of orange juice, and a small cup of tea. It was enough for an army. He started with the cereal, found ham in his omelet, the toast perfect, and the fruit tangy and fresh. He polished off his meal and was sipping his tea when he noticed someone staring at him.
"Can I help you?" He asked patiently.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" Terry Boot asked. Harry kept his face blank as he looked at the eager young Ravenclaw in front of him. How did Terry Boot think he was going to die? Did he have any idea that he had died what many called an honorable death as he helped to defend his family?
"Yes." Harry answered. "You are?" He asked. An incredibly brave person willing to give everything for the people he loved. A vague ache settled into the pit of Harry's stomach as Terry reached out a hand.
"Terry Boot. I guess you and I are sharing a dorm room." Terry said with a smile.
"Yes, I saw you this morning when I left." Harry finished his tea and turned his full attention to Terry.
"Wow. You must have woke up really early." Terry said as he sat down across from Harry and started to spoon up some breakfast.
"I've always been an early riser." Harry shrugged and returned his attention to his book as Terry started eating. He jumped again (ignoring the fact that he was far too jumpy…he had just come out of war) when a rather majestic owl swooped down in front of him and stuck out a foot. He eyed the owl and gave a discreet search for anything that could be harmful about the owl or the letter. The owl gave an impatient hoot and raised its foot a little higher. Harry reached out and untied the black ribbon. He offered a stray bit of bacon to the owl and watched as the owl flew away.
"Looks like your family's written to you." Terry said as he spooned more eggs onto his plate.
"My family wouldn't write to me." Harry told Terry shortly as he inspected the address. Mr. Harry Potter, Ravenclaw Table, Hogwarts. He noticed an ornate seal with an "M" in the middle surrounded by heraldic symbols Harry knew he would have to look up later. He broke the seal and pulled out rather thick parchment.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please allow me to congratulate you on making Ravenclaw House at Hogwarts. I am sure that you will be a credit to both Ravenclaw and Hogwarts in the years to come. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should ever need an adult wizard who is not a teacher. I shall be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Lucius Malfoy
Harry stared at the letter in shock. Lucius Malfoy, writing to congratulate him on making a House in Hogwarts. The phrase in loco parentis came back to Harry's mind. Malfoy had muttered that phrase to himself when he had offered to accompany Harry during his shopping trip. In place of the parents? Did Lucius Malfoy actually feel that he had some kind of parental duty towards Harry? That would be bad.
Flitwick came over and handed out their time tables as Harry slid the letter away. Harry glanced at his time table and nearly groaned. Potions was first thing on Monday mornings with the Hufflepuffs. Great. Just fan-bloody-tastic.
"Good morning, Harry." Draco Malfoy said from behind him. Harry turned and nodded to Draco.
"Good morning, Draco." Harry said calmly before he turned back to the table.
"Looks like you got your wish." Draco dropped onto the bench next to him and smirked. "I bet your father is rolling in his grave."
"I like to think that my father would be proud of me, regardless of what House I am in." Harry said calmly. "Besides, I don't really care what he would think. He's dead. I'm not." Harry had put away any emotional feelings about his parents. It was pointless to live up to imagined parental standards. His short time with Sirius had taught him that. His teacher had reinforced it. He was Harry and he could not be anything else.
"Easy, Harry. It was just a joke." Draco said. "Have you written to your relatives yet to tell them the good news?" Draco asked.
"No." Harry said before pouring a glass of water. He found the pumpkin juice just a little too sweet.
"Why not?" Draco asked. Harry could not figure out why Draco was sitting at the table with him.
"Aren't you supposed to be receiving your time table?" Harry asked.
"Professor Snape gave them out first thing this morning in the Common Room." Draco waved his schedule in front of Harry's eyes. "I'm stopping by the Owlery after breakfast. We could go together so you can send your relatives a letter."
"I can't. I don't have my Potions textbook with me. I need to go back to the dorm to get it." Harry stood and shouldered his bag. "Good day, Draco."
Harry ducked out of the Great Hall and started down to the dungeons. He was surprised by how much it hurt to be here. The kids he was seeing now had died in his time. Some of them died by Voldemort's hands, others by Death Eaters. All had died needlessly. Harry took a deep breath and locked the emotions away. He was going into Snape's classroom. He would need his Occlumency at full strength.
He leaned against the wall next to the Potions classroom. He opened Magical Drafts and Potions and started to read the chapter on healing potions again. The door opened five minutes later and Harry walked in to choose a seat in the middle. Professor Snape ignored him. He was busy with some parchment at his desk. Harry returned to his book and tuned out the rest of the world until he felt someone nudge him. He looked up and saw Terry Boot. "Mind if we partner up?" Terry asked.
"Don't mind at all." Harry said as he shut his book. Terry settled next to him and pulled out his book, parchment, quill, and cauldron. Harry followed suit and waited expectantly.
Snape started the class by calling roll. A few students whispered at Harry's name and the glare Snape shot them looked strong enough to cast the Killing Curse. "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses….I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
Harry noticed that the speech was the same, but it sounded different. Maybe because he was older? He was surprised when Snape continued. "Potions can be a highly rewarding subject for those who are patient and are not afraid of a bit of hard work," he gestured towards the Hufflepuff side of the classroom "or for those who enjoy learning." He raised an eyebrow towards the Ravenclaws. "Who can tell me what I would get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry was amazed to see at least four hands shoot up at once. His own followed at a more leisurely pace. "Turpin?"
"Draught of Living Death, professor." Lisa Turpin answered calmly.
"Yes." Snape affirmed. "Where would I find a bezoar?"
Both Harry and Terry's hands went into the air, followed by most of the classroom.
"Potter," Snape pointed to Harry.
"The stomach of a goat, sir." Harry answered.
Snape raised an eyebrow and focused all of his attention on Harry. "Yes. What, Potter, is a bezoar?" Uh-oh. A question just for Harry.
"It's a stone, sir, capable of counteracting most poisons." Harry could never forget the bezoar; it had saved Ron's life, as well as Harry's own.
"Correct." Snape said, returning his attention to the entire class. "What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Most of the class raised their hands. "Abbott."
"They're the same plant, sir." She answered.
"Yes, they are the same plant. Does anyone know another name for it?" Snape asked, looking around. Harry raised his hand, fully expecting others to follow him. He was surprised to find that he was the only one. "Potter?"
"It's also called aconite, sir." Harry said. So much for not drawing attention to yourself.
"Correct." Snape's expression had changed somewhat. Oh, no. Here it comes. "Potter, name a potion that uses hellebore."
"Draught of Peace, sir." Harry answered.
"Yes. What potion changes your appearance for an hour?"
"Polyjuice potion." Harry answered. Oops. That was too advanced for first year. So's the Draught of Peace, moron. Stop answering now!
"Yes. What potion uses dried nettles, snake fangs, and porcupine quills?" Snape asked.
"It would depend on what order the ingredients are added, sir. If porcupine quills are the last ingredient added, then it's a potion to cure boils. If the porcupine quills are fist, then it cures acne." Harry knew he had said a little too much when Terry made a shocked noise next to him as he started scribbling what Harry had said.
"You've been reading a bit ahead, Potter." Snape said. He waved his wand at the board and the day's potion appeared. The boil-cure. "You are, however, correct." He looked around at the class. "Get started." He said shortly as he proceeded to stalk around the classroom.
"How did you know that?" Terry asked as he lit his cauldron. Oh hell. Why couldn't I have just kept my mouth shut?
"I read a lot." There. That seemed like a plausible answer. Now redirect the student's attention so that he will drop the subject. "I'll weigh the nettles if you crush the snake fangs."
"Okay." Terry said. "Later, though, I want your reading list." Terry told Harry in a tone that would not invite argument.
"I'll think about it." Harry responded. He and Terry stopped talking after that and worked on their potion. Harry found the atmosphere in this class, compared to Slytherin and Gryffindor classes, was a bit more relaxed. The students seemed more focused and even Snape was different, less acerbic than Harry remembered. He corrected with the same scathing tone, but it was less harmful…that, or Harry's perspective was a bit skewed. He wasn't sure which.
Harry allowed his mind to wander as he went through the motions of the potion. He could make this one in his sleep, considering he used to whip up batches of Veritaserum and Wolfsbane with Snape just a little over five months ago to his mind. Snape hadn't been nice, but he hadn't been too nasty. He did tell Harry to start using his brains, however few he had. Harry wasn't sure whether those comments were compliments or insults. He had not wanted to ask for clarification.
Harry noticed the mistake Terry was about to make and his hand shot out to stop him. "Take the cauldron off the fire before you add those." Harry told him, eyeing the porcupine quills that Terry was holding. "They don't react well with heat sources around." He added as explanation.
Terry stared at Harry. His eyes shifted up to the board and he said something under his breath that sounded like a swear word. Harry didn't comment. "Thanks, mate. That could have been messy." He said as he removed the cauldron from the flame.
"No problem." Harry knew that he would have been elected to take Terry to the hospital wing. While he did like Madame Pomfrey, he had no desire to see the hospital wing this early in the year. Or at all. Too many memories there, especially of things that happened after Hogwarts had turned into central command and before the castle fell. Too many of Harry's friends died an adult's death in the place they had visited for childhood scrapes and bruises.
He and Terry cleaned up their cauldron an hour later and started to leave. "Potter." Snape said sharply. "Stay behind." Harry closed his eyes and gave a silent sigh.
"I'll see you later, Terry." Harry told him. Terry nodded and left the room.
"Shut the door, Potter." Harry shut the door and turned back to Snape. "Puffer-fish parts." Um, what? Snape raised an eyebrow at Harry. Harry felt his jaw beginning to drop. He's quizzing me! That snarky git is quizzing me on the first day of school! Okay, so it's not my first day, but…
"Swelling solution, sir." Harry answered.
"Yes. Caterpillars and daisy roots." Snape said with a smirk.
I know this. Harry almost smiled. "Shrinking solution." Trust Snape to choose almost exact opposites in purpose. Harry's teacher had done the same thing often enough to try to confuse Harry. He succeeded until Harry had figured it out. Opposites had turned out to be a rather good study aid. Harry could always name the other if he had the one.
"Armadillo bile." Snape said.
Harry couldn't help the disgusted face he made at Snape's latest ingredient. "Ugh." He almost gagged. There were just some things Harry refused out of principle. Bile was one of them. "Wit-Sharpening Potion."
"Lovage?" Snape asked as he started looking through parchment. Harry rolled his eyes and wanted to tell Snape that he could leave if the man had better things to do. He figured that wouldn't go over well.
"Confusing and Befuddlement draughts." Harry answered.
"Elixir of Life?" Snape said as he started writing something on the parchment. Harry tried not to pout at this apparent disinterest. He knew that Snape was aware of everything that was going on, but Harry figured that any eleven year old would feel put out by this and he was just a little annoyed. He could be studying. Or exercising. Or something else interesting.
"The Elixir of Life is made from the Philosopher's Stone. It grants the drinker immortality, but it must be taken regularly for continued life. It can also change things into gold." Harry figured he would get the next question wrong. He had displayed knowledge and a care for the subject. That should be enough to keep Snape off his back for the moment. Harry looked down at his feet for a second and then back up at Snape when the man asked his next question.
"Jabberknoll feathers." Snape had leaned forward and was staring at Harry. Harry felt a brush of Legillmency and fought back a sigh. He reached up a hand and massaged his forehead. He would have to convince both Snape and Dumbledore that his shields were permanent and they wouldn't reach his mind. How to do that was another matter.
"Some kind of serum." Harry said slowly. "I think."
"They are commonly used in truth serums." Snape said calmly. "Now, rat tails and horned toads?"
Oh, for…Why was Snape still quizzing him? "Hair Raising Potion, sir." Harry sighed. There was no way that he would get that one wrong. It was too easy.
Snape looked Harry over before nodding to himself. "I expect the same level of performance you have shown today throughout your time here at Hogwarts, Mr. Potter." Snape said, waving Harry away.
"Yes, sir." Harry said, relieved that Snape was finally dismissing him. He went down the hall and up the stairs to the library. He would do his homework before lunch. There was one good thing about this whole coming back in time thing. He did not get lost his first day at Hogwarts.
Author's Note: Well, that's it for now, gang! Please let me know what you think.