A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you guys are great, and I love the ideas people are throwing out.
Thanks go out again to the guys at DLP – arkeus, LT2000, Shuujaku, Nonjon, World, ip82, Master Slytherin, ChuckDaTruck, Myst, and Vanna – who commented on the rough draft of the chapter. Hope you enjoy.
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Harry left the headmaster's office wondering if it really was a mistake for him to come to Hogwarts after all. With a thought, he turned himself invisible and made his way out onto the grounds to think. As he walked, he found himself enjoying his first real look at the Hogwarts scenery, and as cliché as it sounded, it really was beautiful. Looking out across the lake, he contemplated what he would do next.
He'd humiliated Malfoy and his goons completely, and he hoped that by doing so the stranglehold that Malfoy had on Slytherin house as a whole would be broken. The first thing he needed to do was evaluate what effects the incident had on the people who had seen it, but to do that he would need to actually talk to somebody, and that could be problematic.
He sighed. Even if he'd successfully destroyed Malfoy's reputation, he was going to have to deal with the fallout from his actions, and he would almost certainly have to face off against Malfoy Sr. at some point in the future. He wondered if he'd done the right thing by being so blunt with the headmaster; but then again, he really didn't know how to be anything else. Even if he did get expelled, it would be far from the end of the world.
Shrugging to himself, Harry started back inside and down toward the Slytherin common room, removing the invisibility as he went. It would be time for dinner soon, and Harry planned on using the time to observe what changes, if any, had happened as a result of the incident with Malfoy.
When he reached the door, he gave the password and walked slowly into the common room, sighing to himself as the room suddenly became silent.
Walking slowly, he made his way across the room, noticing as he did so that none of the students would meet his eyes. When he reached the door to the 3rd year dorms, he walked in and flopped down on his bed, exhaling loudly. He was just about to use his messenger to contact Row when the door opened and Blaise Zabini entered.
"Well, Potter," He began carefully. "If your goal was to scare the shit out of everybody in Slytherin house, you did a pretty damn good job. Can I sit down?"
Harry nodded. "I really wasn't trying to scare anybody but Malfoy," he replied honestly. Blaise snorted.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe, I made my point."
"Probably, but Malfoy always has been a little slow, if you take my meaning."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "If he's that stupid, next time I'll really hurt him."
"Really hurt him?" Blaise asked incredulously. "Isn't he poisoned right now?"
"He'll be fine," Harry said dismissively. "Madame Pomfrey has the anti-venom already. They'll all be back within a week, fully healed."
Blaise eyed him approvingly. "How very Slytherin of you, Potter; making everybody think they were dying when you had everything under control the whole time. I'm impressed." Harry just shrugged, and the two sat in silence for a moment.
"Blaise, if there's something you want to know, just ask," Harry said when the silence began to drag on.
Blaise chuckled. "That obvious, am I?" Harry shrugged and he continued. "I'm just wondering if you really belong in Slytherin."
Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, think about it," Blaise began. "I mean, Professor Snape is the only professor that ever helps us, and he hates you. Not only that, but he tries to give you detention and you flat out refuse, apparently with no repercussions. The only way that could have happened is if you went to Dumbledore, and he would never help a Slytherin. There's a reason that Slytherins stick together, Potter; the other houses might fear us as a group, but they hate us individually. A lone Slytherin wouldn't last a week."
Harry was silent for a moment before he answered.
"You remember what I said in the common room?" Blaise nodded slowly. "I meant every word. I'm a Slytherin for a reason, like it or not, but I also meant what I said about bullies, and I could care less what house they're from. Anybody who thinks I'm an easy target because I'm a lone Slytherin will learn the same lesson as Malfoy."
Blaise looked like he was trying very hard not to grin.
"No offense Potter, but there are a couple of Gryffindors that I'm really hoping get on your bad side."
Harry frowned. "You'll forgive me if I hope that doesn't happen." He looked at Blaise thoughtfully. "Ok, I answered your question, so now you can answer one of mine. How much damage did I do to Malfoy's reputation, and how strong is his support now?"
Blaise looked thoughtful for a moment before answering.
"I really shouldn't answer that," he said carefully. "I'll tell you what, you agree to answer the rest of my questions, and I'll tell you what you want to know about Malfoy."
Harry considered the offer.
"How about we take turns?" He countered. "I answer one for you, then you answer one for me." Blaise agreed and the two shook on it before he answered Harry's question.
"Well, Malfoy will always have supporters," he said thoughtfully. "He has too many family allies that go back too far to lose them all. But what you did today took away all the credibility and fear he used with the students from lesser families, and there are a lot of those. Essentially, you've knocked him off his throne, but he's not completely out of the game."
"What about you and Tracey?"
Blaise smirked. "Let's just say I've made my choice on who I'd rather have as an enemy, and it's not you." He replied. "With the demonstration you put on today, you're going to have a lot of people trying to be your friend. At least you will once I deliver my impromptu report." Harry nodded.
"Report?"
"You didn't think I was the only one with questions, did you?"
"Ah, I see," said Harry knowingly. "Since you're the one who talked to me, you'll be the unofficial Harry Potter expert with the rest of the house."
"Something like that," Blaise replied. "Now, where did you get the snakes?"
"I conjured them and then used engorgement charms. Who are Malfoy's permanent allies?"
"I knew you didn't conjure four snakes that size," Blaise muttered before answering. "Everybody who attacked you today, with the exception of Millicent Bulstrode, will stand behind Malfoy no matter what. Greengrass and Nott are definitely more likely to join his side than yours, but they aren't loyal to anything outside their family; same thing with most of the older students. Speaking of which, what about those shields you were using? Even most of the seventh years were saying that they couldn't do them that well."
"I studied a lot of magic before I came here," Harry replied carefully. "Since I've been here, shields have been one of the things I've been focusing on. I'm sure you've noticed that I never spend my free time in the common room?" Blaise nodded. "That's because I study a lot. Ask a Ravenclaw; you can usually find me in the library."
"Fair enough," said Blaise, nodding. "Now for the important stuff." He leaned forward. "There are a lot of us in Slytherin house whose families don't see eye to eye with the headmaster. Frankly, they probably don't see eye to eye with you either, if our earlier conversation is any indication. In any case, a lot of students are worried that you're here as some type of enforcer for Dumbledore, and the fact that you put Malfoy in the hospital wing and didn't get expelled only makes it seem more likely." He considered Harry carefully. "Personally, I think you're hiding something, but I don't know whether it has something to do with Dumbledore or not. What I want to know is whether you can be trusted as a Slytherin."
Harry looked Blaise in the eye, and it was all the other boy could do not to flinch.
"The only people in this castle that I'm concerned with are myself and my sister," he said firmly. "I know Dumbledore has his own agenda, but I could care less what it has to do with me. I follow no one; that includes Dumbledore, Snape, Fudge, and it also includes whoever ends up running the show around here. There is no one in this school that has power over me, and that's the way it will stay. Have I made myself clear?"
Blaise gulped and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, that clears it up."
"Good," Harry replied curtly. "Because if there are people under the delusion that I'm going to fall in line and conform to what they consider proper Slytherin behavior, there's going to be a problem."
Blaise had regained his composure and was now grinning.
"You know what, Potter?" He said. "I don't know whether you being here will end up helping or hurting, but one thing I do know is that whatever happens, it definitely won't be boring." He looked down at his watch. "Bugger, it's already past time for dinner." He got up from his seat and looked at Harry thoughtfully. "Why don't you sit with the rest of us tonight? It'll give you a chance to see for yourself what allies you might have gained."
Harry thought it over for a moment before he nodded and got up to follow Blaise down the stairs. When they entered the common room, Harry paused and prepared himself, just in case someone had waited behind hoping to catch him unawares. However, when he entered the room he found it completely deserted, and was forced to quicken his step to catch up to Blaise as he exited into the hallway. Assuming a position with the boy on his right, Harry made his way to the Great Hall for dinner.
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As Blaise and Harry were making their way to dinner, Severus Snape was busy finishing his third glass of firewhisky.
Seeing Potter's memory in the penseive had brought forth memories he'd tried very hard to forget. Memories of a darker person and a darker time.
In his time as head of Slytherin house, he'd seen more than a few young boys that fashioned themselves as the next Dark Lord; a notion they had all been disabused of by the time they left Hogwarts. Each time it happened, it was all he could do not to grab the snot-nosed brats by the collar and slap some sense into them. He had seen the Dark Lord, had served him in some of the vilest ways imaginable. He had experienced, first hand, the absolute terror that a true Dark Lord inspired in those around him, and the ruthless malice he used to destroy everything in his path.
Pouring himself another glass, he thought about his former master. Any Death Eater could tell you, it wasn't mindless hate that made you fear Lord Voldemort; it was the meticulous way he twisted, tore, and crushed anything that opposed him. The Dark Lord had been a master of magical torture, to be sure, but simple fear of the cruciatus could only go so far. When Lord Voldemort put his mark on you, you were his completely; body, mind, and soul. He was a true master of manipulation, and of all the things that Severus Snape had done in his life, he was most proud of one thing: he had successfully left Lord Voldemort's service. He was the only one ever to do so.
He shivered. It took a lot to scare Severus Snape, but watching Harry Potter methodically destroy Draco Malfoy and his friends with poisonous snakes and parseltongue had brought back a lot of memories that the potions master hoped would stay buried forever. It was more than just the parseltongue, though. It was the way he'd used it and the snakes to inspire fear and gain the upper hand. It was the way he played to the crowd enough to keep them engaged, but not enough to lose control of the situation. It was the way he'd spoken calmly, coldly, and methodically, without even a hint of rage. Above all, it was the way he had absolutely dominated an entire room of older students with minimal effort, and how he left each and every one silently wondering if they were next.
He'd expected many things from 'the golden brat,' as he thought of him, but the ability to apply such brutal force with cold malevolence wasn't one of them. As he took a long drink from the glass, Severus Snape began to wonder for the first time just what in the hell he was going to do about Harry Potter.
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Harry awoke the next morning early, as usual, and was marveling at the fact that he had yet to run into Malfoy in the morning when he remembered that the blond boy and his goons were still in the hospital wing. He took a moment to bask in the peaceful atmosphere before making his way down to breakfast, taking a seat in the typical third year section rather than his usual spot at the end.
The previous night's dinner had been eye-opening, if nothing else. While he had received his share of glares, most notably from Pansy Parkinson, the reception he received had been mostly positive as he found himself answering various questions from many of the older students. There was an overwhelming sense of wariness to those that initiated conversation with him, but once it became apparent that he wasn't going to start talking in parseltongue other students began to join in. When it was over, Harry knew he hadn't exactly made any friends, but at the very least they were no longer enemies. The table slowly began to fill around him, and many of the students gave him a nod or a brief greeting as they took their seat. When the bell rang signaling the end of breakfast, Harry mentally steeled himself for confrontation as he made his way to the dungeons for double potions.
That day, a truly amazing thing happened for Harry: nothing. In potions, he spent the entire class on his guard, both mentally and physically, only to have Snape completely ignore him for the entire period. Harry didn't know whether it was the fact that he was on probation or something else, but whatever it was, he liked it, and could only hope it continued.
As the rest of the day passed, Harry found himself the recipient of even more odd stares and whispers than usual, and could only surmise that the incident with Malfoy had already spread around the castle. As he joined Row and her friends in the library later that evening, his fears were confirmed.
"Busy night?" Row asked with a smirk as Harry took a seat next to her.
"News sure travels fast around here," Harry muttered. "So, I assume that's why everyone has been looking at me like I was about to eat them?"
Row and Sarah giggled, but Padma and Hermione both fidgeted uncomfortably. Sighing, Harry decided it would be best to clear the air, and told them exactly what had happened in the common room with Malfoy.
When he was done, both girls had relaxed, but not completely.
"Well, that's part of what people are saying," Padma said carefully. "But they're also saying that you did it to take Malfoy's place. People are calling you the new Prince of Slytherin."
Harry sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I should have known something like this would happen," he muttered. "Look, he attacked me, and I fought back. I didn't do it so that I could take his place, and I could care less what the rest of the school thinks." He looked at the other girls seriously. "Is this going to be a problem?"
The girls, spurred by Row's warning glare, hastily denied it would be a problem, and the group went back to studying. As Hermione explained a particular charm to Row, Harry sighed to himself, knowing without a doubt that the fallout from the Malfoy incident was only just beginning.
The next day found Harry once more in a double period in the potions dungeons, and once again Snape acted like he simply didn't exist. When the class ended Harry packed up his things and started toward the Defense classroom before he was stopped by Blaise Zabini.
"What happened between you and Professor Snape," he asked curiously as the two resumed walking.
"Nothing really," Harry shrugged. "Maybe Dumbledore told him to leave me alone."
"Maybe," Blaise replied skeptically.
"Going to try out for Quidditch, Potter?" Said Tracey Davis as she came up alongside the two boys.
Harry shook his head.
"I've never played. Never been a broom, actually."
"Really?" Blaise asked incredulously. "That won't do, you should have Madame Hooch get you into one of the first year lessons or something. Who knows, you might like it."
"Maybe," Harry replied, shrugging.
"Why not try it out?" Tracey said diplomatically. "There's nobody using the pitch in the afternoons until Quidditch season. We can go down right after Defense and you can use Blaise's broom while I show you some moves. How about it?"
Harry thought about it for a moment before nodding.
"Ok. After class then." He said as they arrived at their destination.
"Quiet down now," Lupin said, beginning the lecture. "Now, today we've got a very interesting lesson about a dark creature called a boggart. Who can tell me what a boggart does?"
When no hands were raised, he continued.
"Well, a boggart takes the form of whatever it is that we fear the most. For example, for someone that is afraid of spiders, a boggart might become a very large spider. Its form is different depending on the person facing it, and if that person changes places with someone else, the boggart's form will also change. Although it may seem like merely an illusion, let me be clear: when a boggart assumes a new form, it is a real form. The giant spider is a real spider. If your boggart becomes a person, it will not have the actual personality of the real person, but it will have a real person's body. It is also important to note that a boggart can only assume one form, so even if you are more afraid of two spiders than one, only one will appear. Remember, boggarts thrive on your fear. No matter what form your boggart may take, it's only goal is to make you afraid, not to hurt you." He paused for effect before continuing. "Luckily, an easy charm exists to banish a boggart, which I will teach you now."
Lupin spent the next few minutes teaching the class the charm before having students come up one by one and demonstrate it. As Harry's turn approached, he slid carefully to the back of the room and out of line. He wasn't exactly sure what form his boggart would take, but he wasn't going to risk it turning into his uncle and all the questions that scene would cause. Across the room, Parvati Patil frowned in confusion as she watched Harry Potter slide out of the boggart line and slink toward the back of the room. She resolved to talk to Lavender about it later.
Harry made it the rest of the lesson without having to face the boggart, and when no one questioned why he'd stepped out of line he felt satisfied that he hadn't been noticed. Together with Blaise and Tracey, he made his way back to the Slytherin dorms where the other two grabbed their brooms before walking out to the Quidditch pitch.
"Ok, it's real easy," Tracey began, mounting her broom slowly. She explained the basic positioning for broom riding, and Harry copied her on Blaise's broom. She took him through basic hovering and movement before they did some slow turns, all of which Harry managed easily. Tracey took him up a little higher and went a little faster, and still Harry had no trouble keeping up. When they were about thirty feet in the air, Tracey suggested they head back down, but Harry had other ideas.
As he became accustomed to the feeling of flying, Harry began to feel the most incredible sensation he had ever experienced. With every foot he rose in the air, he felt like he was getting closer to something; something he'd been missing his entire life. He could almost feel the magic in the broom as Tracey took him through the exercises faster and faster. He felt like the broom itself was straining for more, and as they slowly increased their speed Harry found it harder and harder to keep from completely letting go. As Tracey began to float toward the ground, Harry unleashed the feeling inside of him and shot into the air with all the speed he could manage. He barely registered Tracey's astonished shout before she was out of earshot and he was soaring through the air.
For a moment, Harry didn't remember where he was. He felt like he was weightless, formless even. He felt like he was everywhere at once, and it took him a moment to realize that he was laughing. Not a small laugh, but a full-body, all-out, joy-filled laugh; the type of laugh that had never before come out of his mouth. As he slowly came back to his senses, he was amazed to realize that for the first time in his life, he felt free.
Free. Completely, 100, no strings attached free. He'd spent his entire life fighting to experience true freedom, and now he had it, and it felt incredible.
He could feel the magic in the broom singing along with him as he looped and rolled through the clouds. He threw himself into a steep dive before pulling out and rocketing straight upwards, unwrapping his feet from under the broom as he did so. Carefully, he braced his right foot on the end of the broom and then let go with his left hand, spreading it out perpendicular from his body as he continued his vertical climb.
As he leveled out, Harry marveled at how truly liberated he felt. Up here he could do anything he wanted, anything at all. With another laugh, he let go of the broom with both his hands and stood up before he leaned back and fell off, free-falling through the clouds.
As he gained speed, Harry flipped over on his back and summoned the broom back to him wandlessly, grabbing it with his right hand before bracing his right foot on the end and pulling up from his death drop. With a grin, he went into another dive and pulled out at about 50 feet before floating gently down to where Blaise and Tracey were waiting.
"What did you think you were doing!" Tracey screeched when he had landed. "We couldn't even see you half the time, you were too high! You could have killed yourself, Potter!" It took Harry a moment to recover from the feeling he'd just experienced, but gradually his face became guarded again and he shrugged at Tracey before looking at a smirking Blaise.
"I guess you like flying after all, eh Potter?" He asked.
"You could say that," Harry replied.
"You scared me to death!" Tracey huffed.
"I'm sorry if I scared you," Harry said earnestly. "I didn't mean to. And I'm glad you helped me out, I really appreciate it."
"Oh, well. You're welcome," said Tracey, blushing slightly.
"So Potter," said Blaise as he stepped in front of Tracey. "Was that really your first time a broom?" Harry nodded. "Well, you might want to get your own then. I'd suggest a Nimbus, if you can afford it."
"Is that the best broom on the market?"
"Actually, that would be the Firebolt, but they're so expensive I don't think anybody actually has one. Shall we head back in?"
"Hang on, let me get my broom," Tracey said.
"Why didn't she just summon it?" Harry asked as they waited for Tracey.
"Anti-summoning ward," Blaise replied succinctly. "A lot of people have them put on their personal brooms, otherwise someone could summon it out from underneath you." He didn't notice Harry's face pale dramatically as he said this.
The two waited for Tracey to return before walking together back into the castle and down toward the dungeons.
"Why don't you play some exploding snap with us, Potter?" Tracey asked as they entered the Slytherin common room.
"Sorry," Harry said, shaking his head. "I'm on my way to the library, but thanks for the offer. And you can call me Harry, you know." He said.
"Next time then, Harry," said Tracey, giving him a small smile. Harry grunted noncommittally and left the two friends, walking up to his room to grab his books before heading to the library.
Malfoy and the other boys that had been bitten returned to class late Friday afternoon, and as expected, spent the majority of their time glaring daggers at Harry. According to Tracey, Draco had been overheard saying that his father was already working on getting Harry expelled, but he had simply shrugged it off and resolved to deal with it when the time came. After all, he seriously doubted that Dumbledore would allow Lucius Malfoy to expel him.
Harry awoke the next morning realizing that the week was finally over and Saturday had arrived, and with it the first of the "detentions" he had agreed to serve, this one with Professor McGonagall. It was agreed that he would spend three hours with her and some select Gryffindors that afternoon, but as he walked toward McGonagall's office he couldn't help feeling suspicious that he was being set up. When he reached the correct door, he knocked and waited for it to open before entering.
"Hello Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall greeted as he entered. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine, Professor McGonagall. Thank you for asking," Harry replied politely.
"Well then," McGonagall said, getting up from her desk. Harry could tell she was slightly wary of him, but was doing her best to hide it. "At the headmaster's suggestion, I've assembled a small group of my students and I thought it would be nice if we could all get to know each other better. If you'll follow me."
Harry nodded and followed McGonagall out of her office and down the hall to an empty classroom that had been fitted with two long couches arranged facing each other with a single chair between them at the far end. Crammed onto one of the couches were three boys, two of which had red hair, while Hermione sat on the other couch. Harry took a seat next to Hermione while McGonagall sat in the head chair.
McGonagall went around the room and introduced everyone, even Ron Weasley and Hermione, who Harry already knew. The other redhead turned out to be Ron's brother Percy, who Harry had heard about since he was head boy. The third boy, who was slightly pudgy and had short, brown hair, was introduced as Neville Longbottom. Harry shook both their hands politely before retaking his seat next to Hermione.
At McGonagall's insistence, they went around the room and said a little bit about themselves. The conversation was a bit forced, but no one wanted to upset McGonagall, so they made do. After about 45 minutes, McGonagall was satisfied that they weren't going to kill each and decided to leave them alone for the remained of the time. As soon as she had left the room, Ron Weasley began casting quick glances at the door, as if he were waiting for something. Frowning, he turned back to the group.
"Hey Potter, is it true that you're a parselmouth?" He asked loudly. Percy and Neville gasped but Hermione just rolled her eyes.
--Of course-- Harry hissed at him. "That means yes," he said in English, rolling his eyes as Neville squeaked and Ron recoiled.
"N-Now see here, Potter," Percy began pompously.
"What?" Harry cut him off. "It's just a language, it can't hurt you."
"That's not what I heard," Ron said accusingly. "I heard you tried to kill Malfoy with it so you could take his place."
"I didn't try to kill anyone," Harry said, slightly annoyed. He knew this was exactly why the headmaster had schedule these meetings, but he didn't have to like it. "Malfoy and his friends attacked me and I fought back. One of the things I used to fight back were snakes, which I commanded in parseltongue. But I didn't try to kill anyone, and I certainly don't want anything of Malfoy's." He finished firmly.
Neville looked like he wanted to ask something, but couldn't manage to get the words out. As he closed his mouth for the third time, the door opened to reveal the Weasley twins followed by three more boys and two girls. Immediately on his guard, Harry stood up smoothly and edged his way next to the head chair.
"I didn't know our time was up already," he said carefully to the new group.
"That would be because it isn't!" Fred said jovially.
"Not even close!" George added.
"But we couldn't let these four have all the fun."
"Not with such a distinguished guest."
"A sad day, Fred."
"Indeed George."
"When we aren't invited to meet the new prince of Slytherin!" They said together.
"You know I really don't like that nickname," Harry said casually, now standing next to the head chair. "It's not accurate at all; just because I took Malfoy down a peg doesn't mean I want to take his spot."
"What's this Fred," George gasped.
"A Slytherin with no ambition?" Fred replied with a mocking incredulous expression.
"That's enough, you two," Hermione broke in. "Harry is here to meet with us like Professor McGonagall asked. He doesn't need you bothering him."
"The know-it-all strikes again," said Lavender sarcastically. "You'd better listen to her, she does know everything, after all." Parvati giggled.
"Whose side are you on, anyway?" Ron asked suspiciously. "This is the second time I've seen you defending him." He jerked his thumb at Harry.
"Maybe she has a crush on him," Parvati said, still giggling.
"Like he'd ever go for a buck toothed train wreck like her," Lavender said, and Parvati's giggle became a full blown laugh. Hermione looked like she wanted to disappear as her eyes filled with tears. She got up to leave but stopped when she felt Harry's hand on her shoulder.
"You think I'd rather have a fat cow like you?" he said coldly. "Or maybe a brain-dead bimbo like your friend?" Harry snorted in disdain.
"Oi! You can't talk to her like that!" Seamus yelled.
"I'll talk to her how I please," Harry snapped, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Nobody insults my friends, so apologize or get out."
Seamus started to respond but stopped when Fred spoke first.
"I believe the Slytherin prince has made his appearance."
"I believe you're right, o brother mine."
"Shall we get on with it then?" Fred asked.
Harry pulled his wand and formulated his attack plan as he edged backwards for some cover.
"Indeed we shall." George answered.
"Alohamora!" They intoned together, pointing their wands at the wardrobe in the back of the room behind and to the left of Harry.
For a moment, Harry was confused. He kept his eyes forward, thinking it was a trick to make him turn around. Then he heard a voice that made his blood freeze.
"You can't kill me, boy..." His uncle's voice hissed. Shocked, Harry whirled around and pointed his wand at the wardrobe, preparing to obliterate it, when his uncle laughed and a body came flying out to land in front of Harry. All thoughts of his uncle or the other people in the room vanished when he saw who it was.
"ROW!" He screamed frantically, falling to his knees beside his badly beaten sister.
Her face was covered in blood from gashes all over her cheeks and forehead, and it looked like her left eye had been punctured. Her clothes were bloody and torn, and it was obvious that she had been severely beaten and whipped, as her flesh hung in bloody strips from her chest and abdomen. There were vicious gashes running down the veins in both of her arms, and her legs were bent and twisted at impossible angles.
"H-Ha-ar-ry," she gasped out. "W-Wh-Why?"
Tears were running down Harry's face unchecked as he held his dying sister.
"HANG ON!" He yelled through his tears, trying frantically to apply the one healing charm that he knew to her numerous wounds. No matter how hard he tried, it just wasn't enough.
"DON'T DIE! DON'T DIE!" He screamed. Desperately, Harry focused all the magic at his disposal, he knew he had a healing power and he would make it work for her. His magic flared and he felt the power flowing around him, but still he couldn't heal his sister's injuries. With a scream of frustration, he pushed harder and harder until he could almost feel Row's wounds.
As Harry started to lose himself in his magic, he was hit with a burst of sudden inspiration. He refocused his healing magic and tried to transfer the wounds to himself rather than heal them. Placing his hands over Row's face, he screamed in agony as his face erupted in hideous gash marks and his left eye was punctured. He was about to lose his hold when he remembered what was at stake, so instead he focused all his will on blocking the pain and healing his newly acquired wounds. It was exhausting, but Harry began to slowly make progress on Row's battered body, transferring the wounds to his own body and then healing them. The rest of the students in the room could only watch, horrified, as vicious gashes, bruises, and stab wounds erupted on Harry's body, sending blood gushing onto the floor. Hermione and George Weasley both tried to approach the two, but were thrown back violently by an unseen force. After almost ten minutes, Harry's clothes were soaked in his own blood and he could tell he was tiring. He had not heard Professor McGonagall enter, but he vaguely registered that she was shouting at him to stop. Of course he wouldn't, not when he was so close and Row was still breathing.
With a final effort, he extended his magic once more and felt something puncture his stomach as his legs snapped several times. He focused his healing energy one last time, but found that he just didn't have the strength to do it. He managed one last look at Row before he collapsed and fell into the warm embrace of darkness.
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When Albus Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts later that same night, he was already in a very bad mood.
He had spent much of his afternoon waiting at the flat Harry Potter shared with Jack Thomas, hoping to hear the older boy's perspective on his adopted brother. He had tried off and on for the better part of three hours, but was unable locate the boy, and therefore moved on to his second stop.
Through various sources, Dumbledore had learned that some time after Petunia Dursley had filed for Harry's emancipation, she had taken her son and moved away from Privet Drive, finally settling in a quiet neighborhood in Hertford. Even more unsettling was the fact that her husband, Vernon, had apparently left her prior to the move, and was now nowhere to be found.
His meeting with Petunia Dursley had been a cornucopia of bad news. After quietly confunding both her and her overweight son, he immediately began to use his legilimency, asking his questions carefully to bring up the desired memories. It was with no small amount of alarm that he had realized that someone had put a mental block on her, and promptly removed it. He was not at all prepared for what it revealed.
As soon as he'd removed the block, Petunia had begun shrieking incoherently to the point that he was forced to sedate her using a very strong calming charm. As he began to view the memories of Harry's ritual destruction of the Dursley family, he felt his blood run cold.
When he had finished watching, he shook his head in disbelief. The similarities between Harry Potter and Tom Riddle that he had hoped to disprove had instead been strengthened tenfold. As he sat with a heavily sedated Petunia Dursley, he decided that he needed to see, in detail, exactly how badly Harry been treated in his childhood. Although he knew what he was about to see would not be pretty, he was still unprepared for what he saw.
Even though Petunia had only partial memories of Vernon Dursley actually beating Harry, Dumbledore was absolutely floored at the sheer number of times it had happened. In fact, it seemed as if the boy had not gone a day in his young life without some sort of physical mistreatment from his relatives, and that was not including the tiny cupboard they locked him in for days at a time. The headmaster had known it was bad, obviously, but this was absolutely inhuman. It was a wonder the boy could function at all! His mind spinning, he withdrew from Petunia Dursley's memories and stunned her before taking a seat.
Not for the first time, Albus Dumbledore cursed the day he had first heard the name Dursley and felt a wave of despair wash over him as a single tear ran unchecked into his beard. He could not allow Harry Potter to follow the same path as Tom Riddle, no matter how brutal he had been treated. Dumbledore knew he had to find some way to bring the boy to the light, or Harry Potter would slip away from him too, and he would not allow that to happen. Albus Dumbledore was many things, but a coward was not one of them. He currently had possibly the most powerful 13 year old wizard in history in his school under his care, and he would see that power used for good if it was the last thing he did. The wandless magic he had witnessed in Petunia's memory was even more advanced than he had imagined, and he could only dream of what the boy was capable of now, after years of practice and study. As he stood and apparated back to Hogsmede, the headmaster walked with a renewed determination to banish the malevolent hatred that threatened to consume Harry Potter, no matter the cost. Having Harry branch out to other houses was already a first step, and Dumbledore was anxious to see the results of the boy's day with Minerva and the Gryffindors.
He was therefore rather dismayed to learn that not only had the meeting not gone well, but Harry Potter was currently a resident of the hospital wing in a magical coma that Madame Promfrey was at a loss to explain.
"Perhaps it would be best to start at the beginning, Minerva," Dumbledore addressed his deputy Headmistress when they were seated in his office.
"Well, as I said, I escorted Mr. Potter to a classroom I had set up for the occasion. I asked Ronald and Percy Weasley as well as Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger to join us, and stayed for an hour before leaving the group by themselves. Now, as I understand it, the third year Defense Against the Dark Arts class recently deal with boggarts. During that class Mr. Potter avoided confronting the creature, and Parvati Patil, a fellow third year, noticed. When it became known that Ronald Weasley was to join the meeting with Harry Potter, he took it upon himself to inform his twin brothers, who decided to use that information to their advantage. The Weasley twins were able to sneak the boggart from the Defense classroom to the room I had prepared for our meeting, and set it up in a wardrobe at the back of the room. Shortly after I left, they entered along with Lee Jordan and the rest of the Gryffindor third year students and managed to set the boggart upon Mr. Potter."
Dumbledore sat up alertly in his seat. This was information he could definitely use if he was to better understand the boy.
"And what was Mr. Potter's boggart?"
McGonagall appeared visibly shaken as she replied.
"It was Miss Thomas," she said slowly. "Or rather, it was a mutilated and dying Miss Thomas. According to Miss Granger, it appeared that she had been tortured mercilessly and was barely hanging on to consciousness."
"Tortured by whom, I wonder," Dumbledore wondered allowed, but almost immediately the answer came to him. "Was there anything else, Minerva? Anything odd?"
"Actually, there was," McGonagall replied. "Miss Granger also mentioned a voice before the body came out of the wardrobe. She said it was a man's voice, but the only word she could make out was 'boy.'"
That was all the confirmation Dumbledore needed. So, Harry Potter's worst fear was that his sister would be subjected to the same torture that he had been. It was the first good news that Dumbledore had gotten all day.
"Please continue."
"Well, after that Mr. Potter was understandably upset, to the point of being hysterical. He started trying to cast healing charms, but they were of course ineffective, and according to Miss Granger he appeared to be getting desperate when he suddenly seized up and started shaking. Shortly after that, the wounds on the boggart began to disappear and the same wounds began to open on Mr. Potter. At this point, Mr. Longbottom had come to me and I entered the room." She paused to compose herself. "I have never seen so much blood, Albus. It was everywhere, and Mr. Potter was clearly killing himself, but refused to let go."
"Did you try to approach him?"
"I did, but he was emitting some sort of ward around himself and the boggart; I couldn't get through."
"I assume that eventually he collapsed from simple exhaustion, then?"
"Precisely," McGonagall nodded. "He has been with Poppy for several hours now but shows no signs of waking."
Dumbledore sighed heavily.
"Then it appears that all we can do is wait."
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It was nearly three whole weeks later on October 1st that Harry finally awoke. It took a moment for him to realize where he was and why he was there, but it all came back to him when his eyes landed on the chair next to his bed where Row sat reading.
"ROW!" He yelled, jumping out of bed and engulfing his sister in a frantic hug. "You're alive? Are you ok?" He said, pulling back to look her over.
"You're awake!" Row exclaimed, and this time it was Harry who was engulfed in a hug. "I was so worried!"
"You were worried?" Harry asked, confused. Wha-"
"Sit down, and I'll explain everything."
For the next few minutes, Harry listed while Row explained about the boggart and how Harry had miraculously healed it at great cost to himself. When she was almost finished, Madame Promfrey came in.
"Well, I see you are finally awake, Mr. Potter," she said crisply.
"How long have I been out?" Harry asked, shaking his head.
"Almost three weeks," the matron replied as she began to run some tests. At Harry's shocked look, she huffed. "You're lucky to have woken up at all. I don't know what you did, but I have never had a patient with such a case of both physical and magical trauma." She finished running her wand around Harry. "How do you feel?"
"I feel fine," Harry said slowly. "Can I leave?"
"Certainly not!" Madame Promfrey exclaimed. "I'll need to make you have healed properly and help you regain your strength." She fixed Harry with a stern glare. "I do not believe that you fully understand what happened to you, Mr. Potter. The boggart form that you attempted to heal was damaged beyond possible repair. In fact, had it been a real person, they would have been dead before you ever saw them. When you were brought here, not only were you in shock from extreme blood loss, but your magic was fundamentally damaged. In fact, for a moment I thought you would end up a squib."
"Is that why it took so long for me to recover?"
"Partially," the matron replied, handing him a potion. "The trauma experienced by your body and your magic was too severe to heal normally, and, simply put, you shut down."
"When can I leave?"
"As soon as I am satisfied that there is no lasting damage, you can go. Not before."
Harry frowned but realized that there really wasn't anything he could do, so he just shrugged and nodded. Madame Promfrey gave him another potion and went back to her office, leaving him alone with Row.
"Three weeks, huh?"
"I've been really worried, Harry," Row said, sniffling. "When Hermione told me what happened, I came straight here, but they wouldn't even let me see you. It took a few days, but finally Dumbledore came and told me that you were in a coma, but that I could visit you whenever I wanted. I've spent all my free time in this chair for the last three weeks." She started crying. "I'm just so glad you're awake!"
"Come here," Harry said, wrapping an arm around her. "I'm glad you were here too, otherwise I might have gone a little crazy trying to find out if you were ok." He paused before continuing quietly. "It looked so real, I thought it was you. I couldn't even think, I just knew I had to heal you before you died." He shuddered.
"How did you do that, anyway," Row said, drying her eyes. "Hermione said that it looked like you were taking the wounds from the boggart and transferring them to yourself."
"I don't know how I did it, really," Harry replied honestly. "I wasn't really thinking about it, I just knew I had to do something, and I had to make it work. I don't even know if I could do it again."
"You'd better not!" Row said seriously. "Dumbledore told me that whatever you did almost destroyed your magic; like you were doing something that shouldn't be done. For God's sake, it left you a coma for three weeks, Harry!"
"It felt like a only few moments to me," Harry answered absently. "Speaking of which, what have I missed around here?"
Row glared at him for changing the subject, but grudgingly filled him in on what he'd missed in the last three weeks, which wasn't much. Thanks to Hermione, the rumors about why he was in a coma had been crushed as soon as they started, since she had insisted on making sure everyone knew the truth. Harry made a mental note to thank her later.
Of course, that also meant that there wasn't a person in the castle who didn't know about the relationship between Row and Harry.
"How's that going?" Harry asked when she told him.
"It's not too bad," Row replied, shrugging. "It's mostly the same questions over and over again; it didn't even make the paper, which I'm sure you're happy about." Suddenly she remembered something and her face fell. "There was something in the paper though, and it's not good. Lucius Malfoy was pressing for your expulsion after the incident with Draco, so the Board of Governors appointed someone to look into what happened, a guy named Amos Diggory, his son goes here actually. Anyway, he basically came in, asked some questions, and said everything was fine. We were all happy, of course, but Lucius Malfoy was furious, and he went to the press. They ran stories for a week about how you're going to be the next Dark Lord since you're violent and can speak parseltongue. Then they started talking about how Dumbledore was senile and putting students in danger, and how Lucius Malfoy was trying to clean the school up, but Dumbledore kept stopping him. It was pretty bad, and they said some really mean things about you, Harry."
"Are people still talking about it?"
"Not really, the articles stopped when they realized you might not wake up, and they couldn't get you to comment," she looked at Harry apologetically. "I gave an interview once, but they twisted everything I said, so I didn't give another one. Once the articles stopped, people stopped talking about it, around here at least. Still, I don't know what it will be like the next time you go to Diagon Alley."
"I guess we'll find out then," Harry said with a sigh. "Anything else?"
"Not really, besides that everything has been pretty normal. Sarah mentioned something strange happening with the older Slytherins, but I haven't noticed anything."
"I'm sure I'll find out soon enough," Harry replied darkly.
"Oh, there is one other thing," Row said suddenly. "Dumbledore comes to see you every few days, and he asked me if I could get in touch with Jack for him."
Harry stiffened.
"What for?"
"I'm not sure, he just said he wanted to talk to him about something. I told him it would best if he waited for you to wake up, and I warned Jack on the messenger."
"Good thinking," Harry complimented. "Whatever he wants, it can't be good."
"My thoughts exactly."
The two sat in silence for a moment before the doors to the hospital wing opened and Albus Dumbledore entered.
"Ah, Mr. Potter," he said, making his way over to Harry's bed. "You gave us quite a scare. I trust you are feeling better?"
"Much better, sir, thank you," Harry replied politely. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the headmaster sounded…different, somehow. More wary and less carefree.
"Good, good," Dumbledore replied as he conjured a chair and took a seat. "You should know that I have spoken with all your teachers, and they have provided me with the work you have missed." He flicked his wand and the table next to the bed was suddenly overflowing with parchment. "You will not be expected to turn the work in immediately, of course."
"Thank you sir," Harry replied, glancing over the pile of papers. "It will give me something to do while I wait for Madame Pomfrey to release me."
"That it will, my boy," said Dumbledore, twinkling slightly. "Now, I must ask if you remember what happened before you were brought here."
"I remember, sir," Harry said carefully. "Row already told me that it was a boggart, but I really thought it was her, and I just kind of went crazy. I don't remember what I did, all I remember is thinking that I had to heal her somehow, and healing charms weren't helping."
Dumbledore nodded sagely. "Yes, Miss Granger informed me that you appeared to be acting on pure instinct, and I can only surmise that you were able to somehow harness a powerful blast of accidental magic and apply it to the boggart." Harry nodded along like this made sense. "The parties involved have been punished for disrupting your meeting, and for a potentially dangerous prank. I know the experience was traumatic for you, Harry, but it was not meant as such. Messrs Fred and George Weasley have a rather colorful reputation for their student pranks, and are both quick to admit that this one got away from them. They have both asked that they be allowed to see you and apologize."
Harry considered that for a moment.
"I'll see them" he replied shortly. "Although I fail to see how exposing someone to their worst fear is funny." He shot a look at Row before looking back at the headmaster. "Now, what is this I hear about you wanting to talk to Jack?"
Dumbledore's gaze flickered to Row for a moment before he answered.
"I would like to speak to Mr. Thomas regarding your living arrangements over the holidays," he replied slowly. "As Mr. Thomas is technically a squib, I thought he might benefit from interacting with other squibs who function in both the muggle and magical worlds. I have also received an invitation from the Weasley family asking if Miss Thomas and her family would care to spend some of their Christmas at the Weasley house. Since he is your guardian, I thought it best to ask Mr. Thomas directly if either of these offers were of interest to him."
Harry was startled by Dumbledore's response, and it took him a moment to realize exactly what had just been proposed.
"The same Weasleys that put me in here?" He asked incredulously. He turned to Row. "Did anyone mention this to you?"
Row frowned. "Ginny said something about it, but I wasn't sure if she was serious or not," she replied.
"It is your decision, of course," Dumbledore broke in smoothly. "I only thought that as your brother, Mr. Thomas might like to know that he has more options than simply living his life as a muggle."
Harry considered Dumbledore's proposal for a moment, looking for any potential dangers. What the headmaster said made sense, but he didn't want to leave Jack alone with him.
"It sounds like a good idea, but Jack might not be comfortable around another wizard by himself," Harry answered carefully. "Row and I will owl him about it, and see if we can work something out. Maybe we could all meet sometime soon?"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment before he smiled.
"Splendid," he said, getting up from his chair and vanishing it. "Well, I don't believe Poppy will need to keep you here for more than a few days, so I will tell your professors to expect you back soon. Good day." He nodded to both Harry and Row before turning and leaving the hospital wing.
"What'd you think?" Row asked when he had gone.
"It makes sense," Harry answered slowly. "But something's not right."
"He seemed sincere to me," Row offered.
"I know he sounded sincere, but," Harry trailed off. "I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid. Either way, we should talk to Jack tonight."
"Ok. I've gotta get to class," she said, giving Harry another hug. "Feel better."
"I will," Harry said as he released her. Row turned and walked out of the hospital wing and Harry turned to the mound of parchment next to him and started to work through it.
Harry spent the next two days working on the homework he'd missed. Row came by again along with Hermione, Padma, and Sarah, all of whom were glad he was awake and wished him a speedy recovery. Professor McGonagall also came by with the Weasley twins, both of whom apologized contritely for letting things get out of hand. Although he was more than a little annoyed that their stunt had landed him in the hospital for for the better part of a month, Harry knew that getting angry wouldn't do any good. Instead, he asked them what he'd ever done to them that they felt the need to attack him, at which point both twins had looked at each other miserably and apologized again, assuring him that they didn't mean it like that and it wouldn't happen again. When they had gone, McGonagall remained behind.
"Mr. Potter, I feel I especially owe you an apology for leaving you in such a situation," Harry started to object but McGonagall stopped him. "You were my responsibility for the afternoon and I allowed you to be put in a situation that could have killed you. I assure you, Mr. Potter, I will not let it happen again." The old woman finished her statement so fiercely that Harry found his respect for her increasing.
"That you Professor, I know you wouldn't have left if you knew what was going to happen," Harry said. "But I accept your apology anyway." McGonagall face softened slightly and she gave him a curt nod as she left.
Harry was finally discharged from the hospital wing two days later, despite the fact that he felt exactly the same as he did when he'd woken up. Since it was Sunday, there were groups of students milling around all over the castle as he walked toward the dungeons, some of whom pointed and whispered as he walked by.
As he was nearing the end of a hallway, he heard laughter coming from an adjacent corridor ahead of him.
"Morsus," he heard a boy's voice intone the stinging hex, followed by a yelp of pain.
"Stop it!" A much younger girl's voice said. "Just leave him alone!"
"Morsus," an older girl snapped. "Don't talk mudblood."
Scowling, Harry drew his wand and quickened his pace around the corner in time to see two Hufflepuff first years cowering against the wall in front of his housemates Thomas Montague, Miles Bletchley, Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, and Millicent Bulstrode. Bulstrode and Bletchley were standing over the smaller children with their wands drawn, laughing cruelly.
Harry snarled and unleashed a concussion hex into the middle of the Slytherin group, simultaneously summoning the two small Hufflepuffs out of the way. The blast sent Bletchley and Bulstrode face first into the wall, which they hit with a sickening crunch before sliding to the floor. Montague, Nott, and Greengrass were thrown away from each other at odd angles, but none were seriously injured.
A quick summoning charm brought Bulstrode and Bletchley's wands to his hand before Harry stuck them both to wall spread eagled. Catching movement from the corner of his eye, Harry turned in time to see Daphne Greengrass put her hand over Montague's, stopping him from drawing his wand. Harry watched them closely as he motioned for the two Hufflepuffs to stand in front of him.
"Are these the only two that attacked you?" He asked quietly, his eyes never leaving his other housemates.
"Y-yes, sir," the girl stammered. "Th-the others j-just stood there."
"And they only hit you with stinging hexes?" The little girl nodded.
"Fuck you Potter," Bulstrode spat. "The mudblood lovers put you in the hospital wing and you defend them? You're pathetic!"
"Morsus," Harry said calmly, sending a stinging hex at Bulstrode's throat. She writhed and let out a choked scream.
"Not very fun, is it," he said coldly. "Morsus," this time it was Bletchley who choked as he was hit in the same spot as Bulstrode.
"You two better get back to your friends," Harry told the two Hufflepuffs, who immediately scampered away. "Now," he said, turning back to the bound students. "I've already said this once, and I'll say it again." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "I. Hate. Bullies." He bit out coldly. "Serpensortia," he flicked his wand and one of his cobras slowly emerged from it.
--Climb up to her face-- He hissed at the snake, who gradually began to worm its way up Millicent Bulstrode's large body.
"I let you off easy last time, Bulstrode," he continued evenly. "It looked like you were just trying to protect your friend instead of being part of the planned attack, so I let you go without being bitten. Was that a mistake?"
"N-No," the large girl stammered, eyes wide with fear. "I-I'm s-sorry."
"I'll bet you are." Harry paused before whipping his wand toward Greengrass and her group. "Try it and you're next, Montague," he barked. Montague, who was in the process of drawing his wand, paled and moved his hand away. Turning back to his captives, Harry flicked his wand and levitated the snake over to Bletchley.
"Engorgio," he said as the snake tripled in size. Bletchley whimpered.
"I don't think you were there, Bletchley, so take this advice," he paused. "Look at me!" He snapped, and Bletchley's eyes snapped open fearfully. "Picking on first years doesn't make you a man. In fact, it makes you pathetic, and even worse, it makes me angry." He hissed something under his breath and Bletchley whimpered again. "If I catch either of you again, I will hurt you."
--Thank you my friend, I believe they are scared enough-- He hissed at the cobra before banishing it. He petrified Bletchley and Bulstrode before removing the binding charm and throwing their wands on top of them.
"For someone who hates bullies, you sure seem to enjoy bullying your housemates," Daphne Greengrass said loudly. "Maybe you just don't like anybody hogging your action?"
"Don't try this shit again," Harry said, ignoring the snide comment. With that, he turned and continued back down the Slytherin common room.
When he arrived, he noticed Blaise and Tracey seated in a corner together and made his way over to them.
"Well, well," Blaise said when he saw him. "Look who decided to wake up."
"Hi Harry," Tracey said shyly. "We're glad you're ok."
"Not everyone is," Harry muttered. "I need to ask you guys something: did anything happen while I was out?"
"Well, you missed Quidditch tryouts," Tracey began.
"No, I mean anything with Malfoy or his friends," Harry interrupted quietly.
"Oh. Well, he got a little more bold once you were gone for a while," Tracey answered. "But nothing big. Why?"
"I just ran into Bletchley, Bulstrode, Greengrass, Nott, and Montague in the hall. They were picking on some Hufflepuff first years and laughing about it."
"That kind of thing happens all the time," Blaise cut in dismissively. "Plus they didn't know you were out of the hospital." He smirked. "I'm guessing that they know now?"
"What did you do?" Tracey asked.
"I told them not to do it again," Harry said vaguely. "It was only Bletchley and Bulstrode anyway, really. Still…" He trailed off.
"You should watch yourself, Potter," Blaise said. "Too many enemies isn't good, even for you, and if you think the other houses are going to thank you for helping them, forget it. Didn't the Gryffindors just put you in the hospital wing?" He snorted and Harry shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
"Why don't you study with us, Harry?" Tracey cut in, shooting Blaise a dirty look. "We can help you get caught up."
"Ok," Harry agreed, and went to get his supplies, completely missing the scowl on Blaise's face.
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Between the work he'd missed, the work newly assigned, and his own independent study, Harry found the rest of October flying by, and before he knew it Halloween was upon him, and with it his first scheduled visit to the village of Hogsmede.
Since his first detention had ended in disaster, it was decided that the rest of his detentions would be served with a teacher present, at least for the first few meetings. He had his second meeting with Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuffs, but was surprised to find that Professor Sprout was barely civil to him, and her students were no better. In fact, the only student that didn't seem to hate him on sight was Cedric Diggory, who had settled for merely eyeing him suspiciously. Although the meeting had been scheduled for three hours, the conversation was so stiff and forced that Professor Sprout dismissed him after only an hour, claiming that the whole thing was "a waste of effort for someone like him." He had been about to ask what she meant when he had been promptly escorted out.
Although he still spent much of his study time in the library with Row and her friends, he had also been spending an increasing amount of time with Tracey and Blaise. This had mostly been at Tracey's insistence, which was how he found himself currently sitting at a small table in the Three Broomsticks with her while they waited for Blaise to arrive.
"I can't believe you only bought a wand holster and some candy," she said to Harry, who shrugged.
"That's all I needed."
"The only purpose of money is to be spent," Tracey said wisely. "What you need is irrelevant."
"I doubt that's a very popular opinion, especially in our house. Most of the old family types seem to think money is only good for saving."
"Yeah, well," Tracey said, fidgeting slightly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not the perfect Slytherin."
Harry had noticed, of course, but figured it wasn't exactly polite to ask why.
"You get by all right," he said diplomatically. "I'm sure most students here fit into more than one house. The hat said I could have gone into Gryffindor, after all. Who knows, in a different world you could have been a Hufflepuff."
Tracey's eyes snapped up to him fearfully and Harry got a short vision of her telling the sorting hat that she refused to be in Hufflepuff.
"A pure-blood in Hufflepuff? You must be joking."
"Actually, I could see that," Harry said slowly. "It's obvious you're very loyal to Blaise."
For some reason, she blushed at that.
"Yeah, well, I've known him pretty much my whole life." She muttered. "Our parents were great friends at school, and our families have always been on good terms. If you'd been best friends with somebody since you were six, you'd be loyal too."
"Would it really be that bad for one of you to end up in Hufflepuff?"
"Worse," she replied seriously. "For a pure-blood, being sorted into Hufflepuff is basically the same as declaring yourself a blood traitor. I know people that have been disowned because of it."
"Sounds stupid to me," Harry said honestly. "Of course, I'm not a pure-blood."
Tracey opened her mouth to respond but stopped when there was a crash from a table behind them. Harry turned to see a group of 3rd and 4th year Gryffindors facing a group of Slytherins over a wrecked table.
"Slimy snakes are probably just too scared," Seamus Finnegan said loudly.
"Scared of wittle old us?" Another boy in Gryffindor robes said mockingly. "Is that why you had the game changed?"
"What are they talking about?" Harry whispered to Tracey.
"The Gryffindor Slytherin Quidditch match was supposed to be this Friday," Tracey replied quietly. "But they changed it to Gryffindor Hufflepuff for some reason. Nobody knows why."
Harry turned back to just in time to see Ron Weasley say something to Draco Malfoy, but he was too far away to hear it clearly.
"It's undignified for us to play such a poor excuse for a team, Weasley," Malfoy said, smirking. The Slytherins laughed as Ron flushed.
"Well at least I don't get beaten up in my own common room!" Ron replied scathingly. "Everybody knows you're a joke now that Potter took your crown!"
Harry, who was watching the two groups warily, was too far away to hear exactly what Ron said, but judging from all the looks that were shot in his direction, he figured it was safe to assume it involved him.
Malfoy cast Harry a quick glance and started to look panicked. It was obvious he couldn't let Ron's comment go, but at the same time he really didn't want to bring Harry into the conversation.
He was saved by Daphne Greengrass, who had been watching the exchange when an idea hit her.
"What would you know about it, Weasley?" She said mockingly. "He and his sister told everyone how you basically ran away crying when you saw him, and had to call your brothers for protection. You're probably scared of him even now." She finished with a smirk.
"That's right," Nott said, catching on. "He said you were too scared to talk when you heard he was a parselmouth. That's not very Gryffindor of you, now is it?" The rest of the Slytherins snickered.
"I'm not scared of any of you slimy bastards!" Ron yelled, glaring at Harry.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about over there," Harry called firmly. "But leave me out of it."
"See?" Malfoy sniggered. "Even Potter knows how worthless Weasleys are."
"You think you're so great, Potter?" Ron yelled. "You're the one who couldn't even handle a boggart! You were crying like a little girl!" He grinned viciously as the Gryffindors laughed.
"I said leave me out of this, Weasley," Harry repeated, his tone cold.
"Did you know that Row Thomas said Weasley was so scared he wet his pants?" Daphne whispered loudly to Nott. "I heard her and Granger talking about it." They both snickered loudly.
"THAT'S A LIE!" Ron yelled, flushing an ugly red. "Potter's the one who's scared, and that Thomas bint wasn't even there!"
That got Harry's attention.
"You'd better be referring to the Thomas behind you," Harry said coldly as he stood up. "Otherwise-"
"What is going on here?" Interrupted a voice from the doorway. Immediately, the two groups separated and waited as Professor McGonagall approached.
"Nothing Professor," Seamus Finnegan said immediately. "We were just leaving." The other Gryffindors nodded in agreement.
McGonagall eyed him suspiciously.
"If that's the case, shouldn't you begin moving, Mr. Finnegan?"
"Uh, right," Seamus said, grabbing Ron's arm. "Come on," he hissed.
Ron threw one more glare at Harry, who looked back through narrowed eyes. As Ron passed by Daphne Greengrass, she whispered to Nott:
"Thomas was right, he's nothing but a coward."
Ron growled, but was pulled out the door before he could respond. Harry sat back down again to wait for Blaise, completely missing the satisfied smile Daphne Greengrass wore as she took her own seat.
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Later that night was the Halloween feast, which was enjoyable except for the heated glares Harry could feel from the Gryffindor table. When the feast was over, Harry walked with the rest of the Slytherins down to the common room and sat down with Blaise and Tracey to study. About twenty minutes later, Professor Snape walked into the room and called a house meeting.
"There has been an incident," Snape began curtly. "It is possible that Sirius Black," he spat the name and shot a look at Harry. "Has found a way inside the castle, and the headmaster has requested that all students spend the night in the great hall. Bring only what you need, and do not get left behind. You have 5 minutes."
When the time was up, Professor Snape led the Slytherins back up to the great hall, which had been laid out with sleeping bags for each house. Harry saw that Row was talking with Hermione and made his way over to them.
"Do either of you know what happened?" He asked quietly.
"Sirius Black attacked the portrait that guards the Gryffindor common room," Hermione answered. "He ripped it up when he couldn't get through."
"They're searching the castle for him now," put in Row. "That's why we're all here."
"The Gryffindor common room?" Harry asked, slightly confused. It was common knowledge that he'd been sorted into Slytherin, so why had Black tried to get into Gryffindor?
Harry thought about this as he said good night to the girls and crawled into his sleeping bag, pretending to fall asleep immediately.
After about an hour of pretending, Harry was beginning to get frustrated. He'd planned on sneaking out once everybody was asleep, but it seemed that the teachers patrolling the area were taking great care to check on him quite often. Even if he managed to sneak out, his empty sleeping bag would be noticed almost immediately. Sighing in disappointment, he settled into his sleeping bag and allowed himself to drift off into a dreamless sleep.
A/N Whew, these chapters just keep getting longer. If this continues I think I'm going to have to start breaking them up.
Anyway, next chapter we get some Christmas drama, Patronus lessons start, and Harry gets to see his first Quidditch match. Thanks for reading!