Author's Note: You lucky people! Two updates at the same time! I think this might spoil you...nah! Enjoy all.
Harry turned another page in his Potions book and ran his finger down the page. He was hunting for an ingredient and he couldn't quite remember what soothed cuts and scrapes. Was it moonstone? No. Aha. I knew it. Murtlap essence. Thank you, old Hermione. He wrote down his answer and finished the essay. He had taken to keeping his friends separate by referring to them as "old" and "new". It worked well, considering that he had a bit of difficulty keeping the old Draco separate from the new, annoying, and ever-present-to-drag-Harry-from-the-library Draco. Harry checked the time and swore under his breath, earning a bit of a glare from Madame Pince. The library was deserted today. It was Halloween and every student (even Hermione) had abandoned the library in favor of their dormitories and the Great Hall. Harry, however, had a lesson with Professor Snape.
That was the largest and most disturbing change in this new life. Snape had changed. He did not treat Harry the way he had the first time around. He had mostly ignored Harry, though he did treat Harry the same as the other students in his Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff class. Indifferent. While that would have been fine for Harry before coming back to his eleven year old self, he needed to be close to Snape. Snape was the key to everything that would happen later on. Snape had been deeply involved in everything that Harry had done in the past/future. Now he needed to gain Snape's trust and keep it. Harry had figured out that he could gain Snape's trust through the man's profession. After all, Harry had at least ten years of potions knowledge stuffed into his head, as well as any number of books. Enough to make him appear a bit of a prodigy. It was enough to catch the suspicion and attention of the Potions Master. Harry had approached the man after class one day and asked a few advanced questions. He acted frustrated when Snape had said that Harry was not yet ready to brew such things in class. Harry then asked if it was possible to receive independent instruction. Snape had been intrigued enough to agree to lessons outside the classroom.
Harry could not believe that Halloween was already here. He had spent a lot of time reading books in the library and the Room of Requirement. He still didn't sleep as much as he should. Dreamless Sleep was habit-forming, and Harry knew that his slight liking for the potion and its effects could easily turn into a full-blown addiction if he wasn't careful. You will master your mind and your body. He kept his teacher's mantra close to his thoughts. He would not be ruled by a dependence on any substance not needed for continued life. He was used to running without sleep for a few days at a time. A few hours of sleep a night was more than he was used to. He only hoped Pomfrey didn't find out.
Draco Malfoy had kept his word to his father. He had appeared in the library one Saturday afternoon and dragged Harry to the dungeons. Draco had pushed him along until they came to a rather large classroom he had not seen before. There were various charts and graphs displayed on the wall. He recognized a few of them as family trees. The Slytherin only smirked and said that they were there for etiquette lessons when Harry had threatened to curse him until he received an answer. Draco had pulled him into a seat and Harry noticed that more than just Slytherins had appeared for these lessons. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs appeared as the room started to come alive with excited student voices. Harry had asked about the Gryffindors and Draco said that McGonagall felt that her students were already "knowledgeable" about the proper way of things. Harry had to snort. He vividly recalled McGonagall telling him about the Triwizard champions needing to open the Yule Ball. She had sounded a little surprised that he hadn't already known about it. Professor Snape had entered then and the classes started with proper posture. Harry hadn't slouched since.
The dungeons were deserted as Harry went to the Potions classroom. Snape was already there and setting up some equipment. "Good afternoon, Professor." Harry said as he entered. "The essay you wanted." Harry said as he deposited the roll of parchment on the desk. Snape merely grunted and motioned Harry over to him.
"Do you remember when we talked about potions that are capable of protecting the drinker from the elements, Potter?" Snape asked as Harry removed his heavy outer robes and pulled on a work apron. Harry thought for a few seconds before nodding. "Today we are brewing a potion that will enable the drinker to walk through fire, without harm, for a short time." Snape told him as he motioned to the ingredients already laid out.
Harry studied the ingredients and moved to his satchel to pull out the small composition book he used as a Potions notebook. He moved back to the table and named the ingredients as he wrote them down. Snape nodded at each if Harry was right in his identification.
"Now, knowing the ingredients you have, what will you have to watch for while brewing?" Snape asked slowly as he pulled on his own apron and spelled his hair to stay in place.
Harry turned back to the ingredients and frowned. What would happen if he mixed any of those ingredients in the wrong order? He paused in his thoughts. Why was Snape just brewing this now? Shouldn't the Stone already be protected? "The Stone's not safe." Harry said to himself. Oh well. Snape knows how to protect the Stone. He did it before. Stop thinking about it and answer the question. "The asphodel and fluxweed will react if either is added at a time when the temperature is changing. A fluctuating temperature will create an explosion, since asphodel and fluxweed are both unstable once added to any solution, even a base." Harry answered, glad he had read up on Potions theory yet again. He turned to see Snape staring at him. "Did I say something wrong, sir?" He asked in confusion.
"What did you mean by 'The stone's not safe'?" Snape asked with a hint of anger. Oops. Did I say that aloud? Not good. Think, Potter, think!
"Huh?" Harry said as he stalled for time. Good answer, genius. Let's make him think you're clueless. Harry scrunched his forehead in thought. "I'm not sure I understand you, sir." Harry elaborated. "I only answered the question you asked me." Harry had just had a brilliant idea. He was surprised by it and wondered why he hadn't thought of it before. He could be a 'seer' whenever he slipped up. Few people would mess with a seer and fewer would question it once Harry had established that as a part of his persona.
"Did you, or did you not, say 'the stone's not safe'?" Snape questioned him further.
"I didn't say anything like that." Harry said calmly. "I just answered the question, sir. I did get it right?"
"Yes, that's fine." Snape said. Wow, confuse him and he compliments you. "You honestly do not remember saying something like that?" Snape asked again.
"No, sir." Harry paused. Time to make the man feel a little saner. "Did you hear me say that?" He asked.
"I could have sworn you did, Potter!" Snape snapped. Uh-oh. Snape's a little grumpy.
"You may have." Harry told him. "My aunt tells me that I say odd things all the time that I don't remember. She calls it my "most annoying" trait." Harry said as he made some notes in his notebook.
"You say things you don't remember?" Snape asked.
"I'm just telling you what my aunt told me." Harry answered. "I don't remember things like that." Harry shrugged and returned to his notes. He ignored Snape as he wrote down the instructions the man slid in front of him. Harry went to the cauldron and started the instructions.
"Can I trust you not to blow up the cauldron?" Snape asked sharply.
"For the next six steps or so." Harry told him. "I might need help with the fluxweed." Harry warned his teacher. Fluxweed could be extremely dangerous. He was surprised Snape trusted him with it.
"I will be right back." Snape said as he left the classroom. Harry had a feeling that Snape was calling the Headmaster. He left Snape to it. He had a potion to make.
Snape returned not even two minutes later to observe Harry. Harry added the second ingredient and almost jumped as Snape reached out and wrapped his hand around Harry's on the stir stick. "The instructions say six clockwise stirs. Add two counterclockwise stirs after the six." Snape said as he moved the stirring stick counterclockwise. "Do you know why?" he asked.
Harry narrowed his eyes as he thought. It was an obvious answer. It had to be. Snape wouldn't question him at this level without thinking that Harry knew something about it. "Something to do with surface area?" Harry answered.
"I'm assuming that that is not a question. You are correct." Snape said as he started listing things Harry should notice about this particular potion. Harry took careful notes in between adding ingredients and stirring. Harry bottled a small sample with an intense feeling of satisfaction. He had always wondered about this potion.
"Is the color significant, sir?" He asked.
"Yes. The colors of this potion match the color of flames from which the drinker is protected." Snape told him. "I'm sure you won't want to miss the Halloween Feast, and goodness knows what the Headmaster will say if I miss it." Snape said as he banished the cauldron to the sink. "Ready?" He asked as he hung his apron on its customary hook.
"Yes, sir." Harry said as he mimicked Snape and followed the man out the door. "I only hope the troll doesn't ruin it." Harry said idly.
Snape stopped him and looked at him. "What was that?" He asked.
"I only said 'yes, sir'." Harry told him. "Did I say something again?" Harry asked.
"Yes. Something about a troll." Snape told him.
"A troll? I've read about them. They're supposed to be large and smelly with very few brains. Is that true, sir?" Harry allowed his Ravenclaw chatter to fill the silence on their way to the Great Hall.
"Cease and desist, Mr. Potter." Snape said as the ascended the last staircase. "Go join your friends." Snape said as he swept into the Great Hall. Harry paused outside the door and wondered if Snape knew he didn't have any friends.
Harry did spend time with his old friends, but they were more like acquaintances than friends. He saw Hermione on a regular basis in the library. She had introduced him to several people in the Gryffindor House. Neville Longbottom had stuttered at him. Dean and Seamus had greeted him, asked a few curious questions, and then left Harry to his books. Ron was different. He seemed struck dumb whenever he was around Harry. It reminded Harry of how he had reacted around Hermione before, only this was much worse. The look of adoration Ron had shown disgusted Harry. His stomach churned at the thought of Ron Weasley in Colin Creevy mode and he had to wonder why Ron was not showing more of the Weasley backbone for which the Weasleys were known. He was treating Harry as a famous person and Harry couldn't stand it. He would have to do something about that soon.
Terry Boot made a fine partner in almost all of Harry's classes. He offered information only in small parts and didn't take over any projects. Harry liked this balanced student and often partnered with him as a matter of personal preference over anyone else. Terry was quiet and thoughtful, but could also joke enough to coax a smile out of Harry. The other students in Ravenclaw described Harry Potter as "quiet and studious" when their parents asked in letters. Harry couldn't hope for anything better. His persona was well on its way to being established.
Draco Malfoy was another story. Harry had only two people in the whole of Hogwarts he could count on to treat him normally. Snape and Malfoy. Draco Malfoy was different, so long as he was not around anyone else besides Harry. When they were alone, he was a carefree eleven year old with a penchant for badgering Harry into a game of chess, a quick walk outside, or a few rounds of Exploding Snap. He slipped into "presentation" mode when others were around, but that was few and far between when he found Harry. Draco would drag him from the library for meals or social activities and Harry, much to his chagrin, often enjoyed those social activities, even with the Slytherins. They could, and often did, play dirty, but they gave his mind a challenge he had never had before. Except when he had dealt with Voldemort.
"There you are!" Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy beside him. "Let's go!" Harry fought back the urge to jump (crowds still tortured him) as Draco Malfoy grabbed one arm and dragged him into the Great Hall. Harry was forced to bypass the Ravenclaw table and join Draco at the Slytherin one. He greeted the people he knew and was relieved to see that Serry was on her toes down in the kitchens as a meal appeared before him. The Slytherins accepted this rather odd practice of having a meal delivered on a plate without a murmur. The Ravenclaws had investigated the meaning behind it until Harry told them he was on a special diet for nutritional reasons. That stopped all speculation and left him in peace at mealtimes.
Harry fended off Draco's offers and demands about sweets and enjoyed Serry's cooking. He hadn't known that a rice dish like this was possible. He wondered if she would be willing to part with the recipe. He would love to make this for himself sometime this summer. He was the only student not surprised to hear Quirrell shout "Troll!" as he burst into the Hall. Harry did a quick scan of the Gryffindor table and said something that made Pansy Parkinson gasp. Hermione Granger was missing.
Harry slipped away from the group of Ravenclaws and headed directly for the girls bathroom. He had questioned the Gryffindor girls as to Hermione's disappearance and found out that history had repeated itself. He hated history. He dashed through the halls and hoped that he would get to her and get her out of the bathroom before the troll found them.
He skidded through the door. "Hermione!" Harry shouted. He heard a stifled sob from one of the stalls. "There's a troll on the loose!" He said hurriedly. Hermione poked her head out from one of the stalls and stared at him.
"What?" She demanded as she left her sanctuary.
"There's a troll on the loose. We've got to get back to the dorms." He told her as he grabbed hold of her arm and started to drag her from the bathroom.
"A troll?" She asked as they left the room and went down the hall at a run.
"Yes. They're huge, they're smelly, and they have little brain power." He told her as they rounded the corner.
"Really?" She asked in an odd voice.
"Yes." He said. What was that noise?
"Good. Because there's one standing right there!" She screeched as the troll turned the corner at the other end of the hall. It lumbered down the hallway towards them.
"Run." Harry told her, pushing her back the way they had come. He pulled out his wand and thought of a few different spells he could try. He really wanted to avoid the troll at all costs, but it wouldn't hurt to have something ready. Just in case. A roar sounded behind him and something large and heavy hit the hallway. Stone tumbled from the ceiling around them. Harry continued pushing Hermione towards safety, only to have to snatch her backwards as a large arch fell from the ceiling and crashed onto the floor. Harry swore under his breath and pushed Hermione behind him as he turned to face the troll.
Harry waved his wand and sent an anti-gravity mist towards the troll. That confused the creature long enough to allow Harry to make a few adjustments in his plan. He had a feeling that the teachers were on their way to fight the troll. He needed this to be over quickly. Harry took a deep breath and cast a Blasting Curse at the irritating creature. The troll flew backwards about five feet (a mere step to a troll) and looked quite cross with Harry. Harry hadn't known that trolls could be cross. His next spell was the Confundus charm. The troll blinked his eyes and looked around in a dazed fashion, obviously forgetting that he had been chasing small things down the hallway. Now finish him off. Harry took a firm hold on his wand and pointed it straight at the troll. "Reducto!" He grimaced at the sight. No more troll.
Harry's world suddenly tipped and he dropped to his knees. Okay, so he had used a bit more power than he should have. He cursed his small body yet again (sixth time that week) and fought to retain consciousness. He knew it was a losing battle. "Harry?" Hermione said as she knelt down next to him.
"I'm okay." He told her as he took a deep breath.
"Sure you are." She said sarcastically. "You're only on your knees and you can't see straight. Your breathing sounds a bit labored." She said as she pushed him back to lean against the wall.
"I'm fine." He insisted. He looked up as a shocked noise came from McGonagall. Snape and Quirrell rounded the corner just behind her. Harry clutched his wand and decided that now was not the time to reveal Quirrell. Instead, he looked at Snape for a moment. "The troll found me." He said. McGonagall had bent down to look Harry in the eye. She was obviously telling him off, but he couldn't hear her. In fact, there was a strange ringing in his ears. His vision shifted into a short tunnel before it faded away into nothing and he fell away from the supporting wall.
Author's Note: There you all go. Please let me know what you think.