Changing Directions

Chapter 2 – Hogwarts and Hardiness

Sorry about the lateness of this; I've been in the USA so haven't been able to write a whole load – just woken up as well! I'm thinking that I'm going to need someone to beta-read these soon before too long, so if anyone is interested please let me know somehow. This chapter has been MURDER to write as well by the way, so there we go.

Let's get the nasty bits out of the way first – it's slash, so don't read if you have a weak stomach when it comes to such things, and I don't own any of this, Ms Rowling does.

Its PG-13 rating remains for language on the most part, and will do so for a while. You'll be warned in advance when it's about to go up so you can go around little bits if you want!

In this chapter we visit Diagon Alley and Hogwarts, and return to Grimmauld Place with Neville.

Enjoy


The previous day:

Harry, after an hour, ran downstairs with his Floo powder, barged past Ron and Hermione, said "Bye Herm!" and practically threw himself into the fireplace, yelling out "Number 4 Privet Drive" as he did. Soon he was gone in a flurry of flames, and threw himself on the bed. The argument had taken it out of him so he was asleep in an instant, but not before thinking he hadn't had any of Mrs Weasley's food.


Harry was woken the next day, around half-ten in the morning, with a start when his uncle was banging on the door.

"Boy, one of your kind is downstairs. One of the ones from the station. He wants to talk to you" – he was obviously straining to be nice, the threat of a couple months ago from Moody still fresh in his mind.

"Yes, uncle." Pulling himself out of bed and grabbing some clothes and his wand, he made his way down the stairs to the door, and saw Lupin gazing at him with a worried expression. Harry simply smiled sheepishly at him and said "So are we off then? Where first, Diagon Alley or Hogwarts?"

"Well, I, Diagon Alley first I suppose –"Lupin said, but was cut off instantly by an enthusiastic response from Harry.

"That's great! I was wondering about getting some new wizarding robes apart from my school uniform, just so I don't seem out of place. Nothing fancy or anything, but you know something more wizard-like"

Remus wasn't expecting this at all – he was expecting the upset and moody young boy he had heard of from the previous night. "Well, of course you can; listen I know about what happened last night and I –"

"What happened last night happened. I'll deal with it later. Shall we go?" Harry said, practically in one breath, and strode right out of the house. In a daze, Lupin followed on, grabbing a hold of Harry's arm and apparating him quickly to Diagon Alley.

As they arrived, Harry yanked his arm away and glared at the older man "Why couldn't we have gone by the Knight Bus? And couldn't you have warned me, or portkeyed me at least!"

"This way is faster and we don't have much time if you want robes. So Madam Malkins then I presume?" Lupin began to walk away, towards the boutique.

Harry, obviously disgruntled, just grunted and walked with him.

At Madam Malkins he was greeted instantly by the same squat witch in mauve rushing towards him exclaiming "New Hogwarts Robes? Old ones must be getting too big now!", and pushing him into the measuring area of the store.

Harry barely managed to choke out "I'd like some other robes as well!" due to the tape measurer now running wildly around his body. Madam Malkin gave a small squeal of excitement and bustled off mumbling rapidly to herself. The tape measure was still managing to discover parts of Harry he didn't even know were measurable. After about five minutes more the measure fell lifelessly to the ground, and Madam Malkin returned with a rack of various robes and cloaks.

Harry tried each set on in turn (there were three he liked: a dark green robe with a blood-red cloak, a Gryffindor red-and-gold design robe with similar cloak, and a dark-blue robe with a light-blue cloak, each with matching trousers and boots) and bought his favourite at a special price of 55 Galleons per set for "bulk buy". Harry had a feeling the discount was simply because he was the boy-who-lived rather than anything else, but went along with it so as not to hurt the older woman's feelings. These three, plus his school robes came to 200 Galleons and 12 Sickles. Lupin shrank the bags and Harry put them in his pocket, and walked to the Hogwarts Floo connection.

"Now, I've already made you an appointment with Professor McGonagall today, she's expecting you around about now. The floo will take you right to her office so you won't have to go far. And I'm needed to pick someone else up, so I'll leave you here. Are you going to manage now?"

"I can find my own way around a floo connection, thanks anyway though." Harry said with a tone of annoyance.

"Yes, we discovered that yesterday. But that doesn't matter -" Remus was suddenly cut off on that chain of talk with a dark glare from Harry – "enjoy your talk, and I'll see you back at Grimmauld Place! Bye!" With that, he disappeared into the crowd.

Harry grumbled to himself quietly about being treated like a baby, and whooshed himself away to Hogwarts.

Arriving with his usual grace and decorum Harry began straightening his school robes, which he changed into earlier, when he heard a curt "Come in, Mr Potter" issuing from the door in front of him. Harry quickly walked in and waited. "Have a seat Mr Potter. Now, how happy were you with your OWL results this year?"

"Honestly I was surprised"

"Well so was I, Potter, an Outstanding grade in Potions. Assuming you continue with the subject I do believe Professor Snape might just have a seizure. At any rate, are you sticking by your career objective you gave during careers advice last year – an Auror I believe it was?"

"Er, yeah I'd like that, so I wanted to ask about the -"

"Advanced Defence and Magical Warding Course? I thought you would. It is an extension of the DADA NEWT course in that you specifically learn types of defence and duelling skills as well as dealing with dark creatures and the sort. You learn to combat different kinds of magical attack and the art of warding."

"Well that's what I wanted to ask, what exactly is warding?"

"Mr Potter surely this was covered in one of your subjects!" Harry shook his head. "Goodness me... here's an example – Hogwarts is covered with anti-apparation wards, muggle repellents and other protective charms and magics. These are known as wards. A ward is complex magic based around charms, but also mixed with potions and transfiguration sometimes, and it acts as a protection or an almost permanent shield against something. You literally 'ward off' anything you don't want to penetrate."

"And we learn that at NEWT level?"

"You learn some of it. Obviously the subject is so advanced, you can take degree courses in warding at one of the magical universities, and they teach the subject in depth at the Auror academy. With your predisposition for charms and defence work I would highly recommend taking this course.

"Of course, you will have more courses that you need to take. Transfiguration, Charms and Potions would be required as well for your career, and if you wanted you could take a fifth, although the four are easy enough to be getting on with."

Harry crossed his eyes in consternation trying to formulate his next question. "Mr Potter, are you quite alright?"

"What? Oh, yes Professor. I was wondering why I don't have to take a DADA NEWT if I do the Warding NEWT."

"The Magical Warding course also covers Defence. It is such an intensive course that only a small number of people are going to be able to take it. One of your teachers is quite particular about who is taken on this course, and many will have similar ambitions as you. Now, you have been accepted into these four classes already, all I need is your signature here which will place you on the course roll." Harry almost snatched the paper from McGonagall, who looked quite taken aback, and signed. "Well good. I do believe now there is a private floo through that door waiting to take you to London." The look McGonagall gave Harry when she said London immediately said Grimmauld Place to Harry, and with a hurried thank you, he went through and whooshed himself away to Grimmauld.


Neville felt very proud standing in front of Ollivander's with his own wand. Rowan wood with Unicorn Hair, 10 ½ inches. He couldn't help but think that maybe it was the fact he never had a wand of his own that kept him back. Well, apart from the fact he had no self confidence in himself or his magic. So now he was waiting in front of Ollivander's to be picked up by someone he hadn't seen for about 2 and a half years. Neville's Gran had already said goodbye and wandered off in the direction of the Apothecary's. He had had his meeting at Hogwarts already, and was planning on taking an advanced Herbology course along with "Introduction to Healing" in the hopes of working with the medicinal properties of plants.

Neville still wasn't sure what exactly he'd be doing at this place in London with his former teacher and some friends from school. Not that they really were big friends, although after the events of the last term there was some bond forged between him and the Golden Trio as everyone called them. So many times though he wished Harry would notice him and like him. Ginny was constantly on at Neville for following Harry's backside around with his eyes whenever he walks in or out of a room. Which, of course, wasn't true in the least. So Harry might have been gorgeous, good looking, kind, generous, modest, sweet... doesn't mean he was looking.

And even if he was, there's no point in thinking about it because this is Harry Potter – the boy who lived – who wouldn't want a pathetic excuse for a squib-wizard even if he were the last chance to destroy You-Know-Who. So no, Neville never looked at him. No point getting one's hopes up now is there?

Neville was lost in this chain of thought and didn't realise he had company until a strong hand grabbed him from behind. He jumped practically off the ground and whipped around, new wand pointing shakily at the intruder. When he saw who it was, he visibly relaxed and almost doubled over in relief.

"Are you alright Neville?"

"What? Oh, just fine Professor."

"Please, call me Remus here. I'm not your Professor right now am I?"

"Oh, of course not Pro – Remus." Neville looked like he might just faint at being on first name terms with a former teacher, and the werewolf obviously detected his uncomfortable stance and so quickly changed the subject.

"You have had your meeting then with Professor McGonagall I take it?"

"Oh yes, I had it this morning." "And?" "Well, I'll be doing Advanced Herbology and Healing, with Potions and Defence as combined NEWTs."

"Potions... And what does Professor Snape think of this?"

"He doesn't teach the combined subject, I'm not sure who does. I think they're new."

"All things in good time Neville, all things in good time. Now, shall we head off to Grimmauld Place?


Looking around Neville was in awe. The house was so incredibly huge that he had no idea who on earth it could belong to. Didn't Lupin on the way say it was Harry's?! That made no sense. Either way he wanted to be here. He began examining the mantle piece, and looking at the photographs on them. They all seemed to be people that he recognised, and even saw one with his mum and dad in them. Gazing slightly, he didn't even notice when the fire turned green and started glowing intermittendly. Nor did he notice when a raven-haired boy popped through straight into him.


Harry fell out of the grate, and straight into the arms of Neville Longbottom who was standing right in front of the fire, and had been looking at the photos on the mantelpiece.

"Argh! Bloody stupid piece of – ah, Neville. Hi."

"Hi Harry!" Neville breathed, looking quite winded.

"Er... well I'd better go check in. Catch up with you later OK?"

"Right, OK Harry!" With that, Harry almost ran in the other direction, mouthing obscenities at himself and turning into an almost spit image of Vernon in a bad mood – a beetroot. Hermione began to walk into the room and as she went to say "Hello guys!" her arm was grabbed and she was pulled viciously into another room by what she thought oddly resembled a tomato.

"Harry, what on earth has gotten into you?" Hermione asked once they were clear of the drawing room.

"I just fell, face first, into Neville, gasping out profanity and almost knocking him unconscious. I'm embarrassed and I need someone to tell."

"Oh, Harry that is pretty dreadful. You really need to learn how to exit a floo connection. You can't be doing this all your life."

"Well are there any books on the subject? Oh I'm sorry," he said, "I've just had a pretty hectic day. How was your meeting?"

Hermione brightened up and started to ramble "It was absolutely amazing! Professor McGonagall has already said I have real potential, of course only if I put the work in, and I'll be doing Healing, Advanced Defence and Magical Warding, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Arithmancy all at once and I might even need another Time-Turner, of course I'll get an extra day for rest which I didn't actually get, but they're trying to timetable everything so that – "

"Hermione."

"Yes?"

"You're doing it again."

"Am I?" "Yes." "Oh."

"Please don't."

"I won't."

"You said that last time."

"Well stop me next time if I do." "But you just said you won't again!" "Well maybe I can't help – "

"HERMIONE!" a voice shouted from upstairs.

Rushing up the stairs, Harry and Hermione burst open the door to Buckbeak's room, and see Ron trying to feed it without its talons coming anywhere near him. "I think it wants to eat me," Ron said feebly. At this point Neville also burst through, wand at the ready. Instead of cursing anything however, he burst into laughter. Which set off the other two, and all the while Buckbeak continued to take swipes at Ron. "Come on, we can let Remus do it later Ron." Hermione said.

"Well alright, but if he eats Remus because he's hungry, I told you so."

"Yes yes Ron, hurry up now." Both Harry and Neville thought that sometimes Ron and Hermione were more like mother and son than girlfriend and boyfriend. Not that Neville knew, just that he strongly suspected. The two boys shared a look and a smirk, but held it too long and looked away shyly. A voice downstairs came floating up towards them "You two, come on down now. We need help with the food. Oh honestly MUNDUNGUS!"

"FILTHY HALFBREEDS, HOW DARE YOU BESMIRCH – "

"WHEN I SAID I WILL NOT HAVE DODGY CAULDRONS HERE – "

"THE NOBLE NAME OF BLACK; YOU SHALL ALL BE – "

"I DID NOT MEAN THAT YOU CAN BRING IN RIPPED OFF – "

"CUT DOWN AND EXORCISED FROM THIS PLACE, NASTY DISGUSTING – "

"WIZARDING FROM FLADRAGS! DO YOU EVEN CARE IF THEIR BUSINESS – "

"CREATURES OF MUDBLOODS AND MUGGLE LOVERS – "

"GOES UNDER BECAUSE OF YOUR WHEELING AND DEALING – "

"YOU SHALL ALL BE – "

"OH SHUT UP YOU ANNOYING LITTLE – "

"CURSED BY THE TERRIBLE – "

"WATERCOLOUR!"


One hour later, when the house was quieter and more at peace, the four friends and a few other redheads sat down for a very quick dinner.

"I swear to Merlin Harry that they don't feed you at that god-forsaken place. Will you be returning tonight? Oh stay here Harry, at least you'll get a proper breakfast." Mrs Weasley pleaded.

"Yeah go on Harry, it'll be fun!" Ron added with a rather forced enthusiasm in his voice. Harry purposely didn't look at him and stared at his food.

"And we can catch up, like you said. If you want that is..." Neville piped in, very quietly so that only Harry and Hermione actually heard him and took notice. And before Harry could respond, Mrs Weasley's wand suddenly transformed into a giant rubber sheep.

"Noswaith dda Mam. Sut wyt ti heddiw? [1]"

"What the hell are you doing Fred? George?"

"We're experimenting with – "

"A new line of products, known as – "

"Sbwriel Cymraeg!" They both exclaimed.

Mrs Weasley seemed very put out. The four simply tried to hide their growing giggles. "And what, on earth, is that?"

"It means 'Welsh Rubbish.' Basically a whole line of products dedicated to the Welsh, and the taking the mick. We're not leaving the Scots or the English out mind, but this is the first line we've done so far."

"Oh wait til you see what we've done for the French!"

"Out! Bryswch! Dewch Allan [2]! If – you – can't – eat – properly – don't – eat – at – all!" Molly exclaimed, all the while bashing them over the head with the sheep.

"OK, OK, no need to continue going on about it! We get the message. Hwyl Fawr ffrindiau..."

"Those two will be the death of me. So what do you say Harry?"

Harry thought it over for a few seconds. Sure he'd have to put up with Ron, and probably end up having to talk to him at some point. But he'd have to do it anyway, so it might as well be tonight. And Neville at least seemed to take an interest in him staying. So Harry looked up and grinned, saying. "Yeah, Mrs Weasley, I'll stay."

"It's Molly now dear."

"I, er... sorry Molly."


[1] Good morning Mum, how are you today?

[2] Out, Get Out

[3] Good bye, friends

I'm so sorry it took forever! I really do apologise. They will be coming in more and more as I get more time. But this one really was dreadful to write. Next week is the talk between Ron and Harry, and Hermione and Neville spend some girly time together. Well, chat time anyway. Hope you guys liked the little bits of Welsh. Thinking back to Welsh classes gave me a headache, but I found it funny in my own way. So yeah.

WitchofNZ - I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thanks!

princessdaisy - Wow! A review per chap is fine by me. I'm trying to keep characters in character because that's what they're meant to be - while all the Harry/Draco fiction where Draco is really a trodden on kid is lovely, and some of the fics I love, but in this Draco will be his father's son. And Percy Weasley will be a twit. And Snape will also be an evil SoB. I think. Haven't gotten that far yet though. Thanks princess!

All sing "So that's a chapter, and what have I done, another scene over, a new one just begun." Oh god, I need a hobby. Oh wait, I have one! Hehe, see y'all next time.