Come What May

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter works belong to J.K. Rowling.

Mildly Inspired by Knowledge is Power by Fetucini

Chapter 06: The Gentle Giant & Day Of The Hallows

"Welcome everyone to the first staff meeting of the year," greeted Albus Dumbledore as the last of the professors to arrive took a seat in the staff room. It was a tradition to meet on the first weekend following the first month of classes.

"Before we continue," said Professor Dumbledore, "Is there anything in particular that should be brought to our attention?"

"Mr. Filch reported a couple of students trying to break into the forbidden corridor…" started Professor McGonagall.

Professor Snape sneered. "Let me guess the Weasleys?"

Professor McGonagall smiled coldly at him. "No. In fact he reported two Slytherin boys. Unfortunately they escaped before he could catch them."

"Then, how would he know they were Slytherins?" shot back Professor Snape.

"Because one of their robes tore apart and peace was stuck to a railing. And Severus it was green…"

Professor Snape lost the sneer on his face after that.

"Severus, can I depend on you to make your house understand the dangers in the corridor?" asked Professor Dumbledore.

Professor Snape nodded curtly with an inward sneer. He would make an example out of whoever tried to enter that corridor. He sincerely hoped it wasn't Draco Malfoy. That boy can be heap of trouble. How he became a Slytherin without even an ounce of cunning…

"I'd like to mention something," stated Professor McGonagall and on getting Dumbledore's nod, she continued. "Gryffindor has a new seeker."

"Who?" asked Professor Snape immediately.

"Neville Longbottom."

Snape sneered. "Ahh! Yes, the boy-who-lived. I didn't know we are in the habit of bending rules, headmaster, by allowing a first year to play Quidditch."

Professor McGonagall scowled. "There are no such rules, Severus. The first years cannot own a broomstick, but there is no where it is said that they can't be part of the Quidditch team."

Professor Flitwick interrupted their argument. "As we are on the topic of Quidditch, I might as well share my news. Ravenclaw also has a new seeker, Harry Potter."

Professor Snape threw up his hands. "Headmaster, how can you allow this? First the boy-who-lived and now Potter?"

Professor Dumbledore raised his hands silencing the impending argument. "What Minerva said is correct, Severus. First years can be part of the Quidditch team. They simply cannot own their own brooms."

"How good is he, Filius?" asked Professor McGonagall leaning forward in interest. She remembered how good James Potter was and if his son was half as good as him, Gryffindor would be hard pressed to win the Quidditch cup in the next seven years.

Professor Flitwick smiled and stroked his tiny beard. "I saw him perform a flawless wronski feint and kick the snitch out from under the hand of another seeker with his leg, while in a fifty foot dive, and do an inverted sloth grip roll before he grabbed the snitch." He paused for effect. "He did that on a school broom, which as it happened was the second time he ever used one."

Every single professor, even Professor Snape, was impressed into silence.

"Merlin." Professor McGonagall summarized their feelings.

Professor Flitwick smiled. "I think we can expect him to play at the professional level very soon."

Professor Dumbledore didn't miss the coincidence of having the two prophecy children playing seekers in opposite teams. He hoped that wouldn't set the trend for the future. He decided to change the topic. "What about the students so far? How do they fair?"

Professor McGonagall started. "There are a handful of students with good potential in Transfiguration this year. Ms. Granger and Mr. Boot readily come to mind. Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom have the potential to be good if they apply themselves more. But… I can say confidently that Harry Potter is the best student I have ever taught. That boy is a genius. You should have seen his transfiguration in the first class. I think in a few years, Albus, he will even rival you."

This surprised Professor Dumbledore. He knew the boy lived with his muggle relatives after his parents were cursed. "What about you Filius?"

"The same Albus. I heartily agree with Minerva. Mr. Potter exceeds even his mother, who at the age of 20 could have gained her charms mastery, in sheer potential. He can already perform fourth year charms."

This intrigued Professor Dumbledore. There was occasionally a student who far outstripped others in a single subject, like James Potter in Transfiguration, Lily Evans Potter in Charms, Severus Snape in Potions… But to have potential in more than one area of wizardry is uncommon. He himself was one such person, who gained mastery in Transfiguration, Potions and later in Alchemy.

He turned to the one professor who he knew would not exaggerate on Mr. Potter's talent. "What do you think of Mr. Potter, Severus?"

Professor Snape, who had been listening to the conversation, was having a very difficult time. When Professor Flitwick mentioned Potter as the new seeker, he immediately thought he would be like his father, lording his status over others. But when Professors McGonagall and Flitwick mentioned Potter's prowess in their subjects, it halted his thoughts. A boy with such talent and with James Potter's attitude would have been much more of a nuisance. And as much as he saw of Potter, that boy kept to himself or spent time with his friend, Boot. He came out of his musings on hearing the headmaster's question.

"Mr. Potter…" here he hesitated as he glanced at the headmaster. That man could see a lie a mile away. "From what I saw of him these past 4 weeks, as much as it pains me to say this… he has the potential and the proper mindset to become a Potions Master if he works hard at it."

This more than anything surprised every person in that room. Everyone knew of the enmity between James Potter and Severus Snape. And for Professor Snape to say what he did…

And soon both professors Sprout and Quirrell agreed that Mr. Potter had similar potential in their subjects. Though Professor Quirrell agreed so that he wouldn't stand out. He didn't really teach the students much for him to know who had potential and who had none.

This intrigued Professor Dumbledore. He expected Neville Longbottom, who against his judgment was provided with a wand and tutoring since he was nine to exceed in the classes. But to find out that a muggle-raised child far outstripped everyone else in every subject was surprising. Not for the first time Professor Dumbledore wondered what it would be like if Harry Potter was the boy-who-lived. He would have dearly liked to see young Neville not exposed to the public at such a young age. But that was not to be. His grandmother didn't allow him to have any influence in that matter and he could see that the boy had become somewhat arrogant. He only hoped that in time, he would grow to be more humble.

As the staff meeting ended, Professor Dumbledore vowed to keep an eye on Harry Potter. If the boy indeed had as much potential as was being heaped on him, he would play an important role in the future.

Harry trudged his way to the common room after an evening of practice. Davis can be a hard taskmaster when it comes to Quidditch. Though Harry was not really complaining. So far the schoolwork provided little excitement to him. He continued on his personal studies, all the time thinking of ways to make a spell better.

Harry glanced at the house… or more of a shack, which was on the edge of the forest. He remembered the first day he went there to meet Hagrid after finding out where he lived from a prefect.

Harry walked up the path to the house and knocked on the door. A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door.

When Harry knocked they heard a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks. Then Hagrid's voice rang out, saying, "Back, Fang —back."

Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open.

"Hang on," he said. "Back, Fang."

He let Harry in, struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound. There was only one room inside. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling; a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

Fang freed himself of Hagrid and bounded straight at Harry and started licking his ears and face. Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked.

Harry laughed and pushed the dog away. "Enough Fang!" The dog let go of him, but stayed close by wagging his tail. Harry wiped the dog slime of his face and looked up at a confused looking half giant. "I am Harry Potter."

Hagrid's face lit up at that. He made it to Harry and gave him a bone-crushing hug. As Harry was turning purple, he finally let go of him. Hagrid wiped the big fat tears of his face. "I thought you looked familiar. Heard you were coming to Hogwarts from Professor McGonagall. Your parents would be mighty pleased."

He pointed to a couch. "Make yerself at home," said Hagrid as he put a kettle on the stove.

After he got his breath back, Harry sat on a couch. "I came to thank you, Hagrid."

Hagrid glanced at him confused. "Me? Thank me for what?"

"I know you visit my parents every Christmas… You are the only visitor they ever had, Hagrid. And I want to thank you for being a good friend to them."

"Never mind that. The least I 'ould do. Your parents were good people, they were. Especially yer Mom… She was the kindest witch." Then he guffawed. "And yer dad, let me tell ya… He was a bag of laughs… I forget how many times I chased him and his friends away from the forest…" Then he realized something. "What do yeh mean, they never 'ad any visitors? Yeh didn't know?"

Harry shook his head and explained what about his blasted relatives.

"The worst kind of muggles they are." Hagrid said as put on some of his rock cakes and passed them to Harry. "How Lily's sister be so different from her, beats me…"

Then, he looked closely at Harry. "You look mighty like him, Harry, yer dad… Though you have Lily's eyes."

"I know," responded Harry with a smile.

After making tea, Hagrid settled himself as Harry described his first couple of weeks at school. Hagrid was initially surprised that Harry was sorted into Ravenclaw, when both his parents were in Gryffindor. He congratulated Harry on being the new seeker.

"Ye know Harry, if ye'd been in Gryffindor, ye would have been friends with Neville."

"Oh, you know him?" asked Harry with a expressionless face.

"Knew him? Of course I knew that tyke. He'd drop by now and then for extra lessons when he was younger didn't he? And he made friends with another Weasley… Those Weasleys… The twins are like yer father, Harry. Always getting into trouble. A couple of pranksters they are."

Harry listened to him while he petted Fang. He heard that about the twins and wondered how they matched up to the Marauders.

Hagrid smiled. "Yeh are mighty good with animals, Harry. Yeh should take the care for magical creatures class in yer third year. I always say, the trick with any animal is to know how to calm it down."

Harry spent a few more minutes with Hagrid and promised to drop by again.

One morning at breakfast Roger Davis approached Harry. "Hey Potter, done with your breakfast? Professor Flitwick wants to see us."

Harry followed Roger to Professor Flitwick's room. "Come in," came the voice from inside when Roger knocked on the door.

"Ahh Mr. Davis and Mr. Potter, come in, come in." Invited Professor Flitwick. As they stepped inside, Professor Flitwick stood up from his table and approached a long package resting in a corner. He took it in his hands and approached the two students.

Harry glanced at the package in excitement. He could clearly see that it was shaped like a broom.

"Now, the staff discussed about this and we decided to find a way around the first year rule of not owning a broom," said Professor Flitwick as he gave the package to Harry, who took it eagerly.

Professor Flitwick chuckled. "Go on, Mr. Potter, I know you are eager to open it."

Harry opened the package to see a brand new Cleansweep 7. "I know this is not the best broom Mr. Potter… But this is what the house could afford at this point. As long as you play seeker, you can hold on to this and if next year you want to buy your own broom, you are more than welcome."

Harry who was still staring at the broom in delight, smiled at the professor. "The broom is fine professor. After all it's the player who's using it that makes the difference."

"Well said, Mr. Potter. I shall expect to see the Quidditch cup in my office for the next few years then, shall I? Merlin knows, it's been sometime since that happened."

Roger and Harry were heading to the common room, while examining the broomstick. "It's a good broom, Potter," said Davis. "Most of the team owns the Cleansweep 6's. I think with this you can get slightly more acceleration."

Harry nodded absently. "When's the next practice?"

On Halloween Harry entered the great hall to find it decorated with floating pumpkins. He spent the rest of the day in less than jovial mood and Terry who was with him all along was confused by the sudden swing in his friend's mood.

"Are you alright Harry? Asked Terry as they got out of their Transfiguration class. Harry scowled at him. "I'm fine Terry and will you stop asking me that?"

Terry put up his hands in surrender. "All right mate, don't get your knickers in a twist. Let's go down to the great hall… Can't wait for the feast to begin. I heard a couple of fifth years raving about the last one they had."

"You go ahead, Terry. I am not hungry."

Terry paused in his step. "You sure mate?"

Harry just started at him until Terry nodded. "Fine. I will get some food then."

Harry nodded absent-mindedly. "I will be in the library."

Harry spent the next hour or so in the library going through an advance charms book Professor Flitwick recommended. He was in no mood to celebrate the day so close to when his parents were cursed to insanity.

As he was making his way back to the common room, he heard running footsteps. He glanced back to see Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley running toward him. He stepped aside from their way and they ran past him without a second glace, turned the corner and disappeared.

Harry shook his head, wondering what the two clowns were up to. That's when, he heard a heart-wrenching scream and it came from around the same corner he saw the two first years disappear. He took off on a run. He rounded the corner when he heard another scream followed by loud smashing sound from the ladies bathroom.

He skidded into the bathroom nearly slipping on the water on the ground. He immediately noticed the stinking smell followed by a 12-foot tall fully-grown mountain troll, brandishing his club at Granger who was huddling inside a bathroom stall. Harry scowled when he saw Weasley throwing some of the broken furnishings at the troll trying to distract it while Longbottom threw the few offensive spells he knew at it, which bounced back on the Troll's thick skin, though they served the purpose of distracting the troll and driving it into a rage. The Troll turned its attention to Weasley and raised its club to crush him.

"Reducto." Shouted Harry sending a pulsing red beam at the club, SHATTERING it into a thousand peaces. The Troll howled in pain, as some of peaces pierced its hide. Harry quickly summoned Weasley and Granger away from the Troll while it was distracted in pain. They were both still in shock. He sent a couple of stinging hexes at them to get their attention. "Get out of here, fools!"

That got their attention and they scrambled out of the bathroom. The Troll by now was looking around for its prey. It turned around to see Harry and Neville still standing there.

"Longbottom," shouted Harry. "Banish the broken sinks at it. Now!"

Neville, who was staring at the Troll in horrified silence, whispered back to Harry. "I… I Don't know how."

Harry gritted his teeth. Stupid, incompetent fool. The Troll bellowed in rage and took a step toward Harry, when he started banishing the sinks at it repeatedly. It served to push back the raging Troll, but wasn't able to bring it down. Harry got an idea and sent a freezing charm at the water lying on the floor converting it into ice. The Troll slipped and fell down shaking the whole room. Harry used that moment to levitate as many sinks as he could and dumped them right on the Troll's head. The Troll twitched and lay silent. Harry waited for a few more seconds in baited breath, but when the Troll didn't move, he gave a sigh of relief.

"Is it dead?" asked Neville in a shaking voice.

Harry glanced at him in disgust. He turned around and stepped out of the stinking bathroom. He leaned against the wall as he saw Weasley and Granger doing the same nearby. He heard racing footsteps and turned around to see Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Quirrell along with Professor Dumbledore walking hurriedly toward them.

Professor McGonagall took one look inside and gasped. "What… What happened here? Mr. Longbottom, explain right now." She asked the only boy who was still in the bathroom.

Professor Dumbledore who took in the devastation, turned to face the boy-who-lived. "Neville? Did you do this?"

Neville dearly wanted to say yes, but he knew that he couldn't possibly get away with it and anyways he didn't want to steal credit from anyone. He was the boy-who-lived.

"We tried to distract it sir, but it didn't work. Every spell I threw at it, simply bounced back."

Snape sneered at him. "Of course they did you stupid boy. What did you expect a simple tickling charm to work on a fully-grown Troll?"

"Severus." Admonished the headmaster quietly. He addressed Longbottom again with his ever-twinkling eyes and grandfatherly voice. "Then, who did this Neville?"

"Potter sir," answered Longbottom. "He blasted its club into smithereens and then banished the broken sinks at it."

Harry, who was listening to the conversation from outside the bathroom, decided it was time leave. But before he could take more than a couple of steps, Professor Dumbledore was at his side. He had the same smile on his face. Harry looked into the headmaster's eyes and he felt a feather light touch in his mind. He quickly cleared his thoughts.

Professor Dumbledore was astonished that an eleven year old has knowledge of Occlumency, but hid it. "Well, Mr. Potter, it seems you have done a great service to your friends."

Harry raised his eyebrows at him. "They are not my friends sir. I simply heard someone scream and came to help."

Professor Snape, who joined the headmaster, asked the next question. "Why are you not in the Ravenclaw common room, Potter?"

Harry looked at him with a questioning look. "It's not past curfew professor and I was on my way there from the library."

Professor Snape narrowed his eyes and Harry again felt a probe, but not as subtle as the Headmasters. Snape scowled as he saw the blasted quill again in the boy's mind. "You were not at the feast?"

Harry shook his head. "I didn't feel like going to a feast today."

The potions professor was about to ask why, before he bit his tongue. Of course… Halloween. How could he ever forget? He dropped his gaze to the floor as his thoughts took him to places he didn't want to go, not when he was not alone.

Dumbledore who seemed to have understood the meaning behind his response, was about to ask a question, when Professor McGonagall charged outside.

"What were you students doing here," she all but shrieked at the three Gryffindors. "What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. Longbottom and Wesley looked at each other.

Harry was enjoying the show if the smile on his face was an indicator. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"

Then, Granger replied in a small voice came out of the shadows.

"Please, Professor McGonagall — they were looking for me."

"Miss Granger!" gasped Professor McGonagall in shock.

Granger stepped in front of Longbottom and Weasley. "I went looking for the troll because I — I thought I could deal with it on my own — you know, because I've read all about them."

Harry was impressed on Granger's bold-faced lie. He doubted it fooled the headmaster or Professor Snape, but Professor McGonagall… maybe.

"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now."

"Well — in that case…" said Professor McGonagall, staring at the three Gryffindors, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"

Granger hung her head. Harry glanced at Longbottom and Weasley to see they had a couple of bewildered expressions on their faces.

"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this," said Professor McGonagall. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses. You can join her as well, Weasley and Longbottom.

The three Gryffindors took off and the remaining professors turned to face the only remaining student, Harry Potter. Clearly everyone was waiting for Professor Flitwick. "Well, Mr. Potter, splendid job on taking down the Troll and very good use of charms. 30 points to Ravenclaw. Now off you go. I am sure your friends will be worried for you."

Harry gave him a quick nod, turned around and walked away. Professor Dumbledore watched as he disappeared around a corner. "I see what you mean, Filius. Quite extraordinary for a first year."

The next few days were full of speculation around the castle. Most of the rumors spreading around had Longbottom single handedly destroying the Troll. Harry didn't do anything to dissuade the rumors. The only person he told the truth to, was Terry and that boy pestered it out of Harry.

He also found Granger, Weasley and Longbottom are quite the friends after the troll incident. He found it quite humorous that Granger dragged Weasley and Longbottom after a Transfiguration class and made them thank him after she did as well. She got it into her mind that Harry needed a friend and tried to talk him into joining her and the other two Gryffindors for what she called study sessions. Harry simply scowled at her as if she was mad and marched off.

As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

November also brought the start of the Quidditch season and the practices grew longer and more demanding. But with the new broom in his hand, Harry was practically unbeatable, as he dodged bludger after bludger and disrupted many chaser plays before he caught the snitch.

Gryffindor played Slytherin in their first match a week before and won it after Longbottom caught the snitch. Harry was less than impressed by it. Though Longbottom had a Nimbus 2000, he hardly put it to good use. The only reason he caught the snitch was because the Slytherin seeker was on a much slower broom.

Harry was also surprised when Longbottom's broom started acting up. It went out of control nearly dumping the boy 50 feet to the ground. Harry recognized it as Jinx and looked around with his binoculars when he spotted two people maintaining unbroken eye contact with Longbottom's broom. Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell.

Harry couldn't be sure who was jinxing the broom and who was trying to counter it (if not for that counter, Longbottom would a puddle of goo by now). But if he had to guess he would pick Professor Snape as the one trying to protect the boy-who-lived, simply because of his history with the school. And he knew that Professor Snape was far more cunning to be jinxing a broom in a Quidditch match.

Professor Quirrell was a recent hire, though he taught muggle studies for a year a couple of years back. And Harry always felt slightly on the edge around that man. He decided to keep an eye on the stuttering professor. It does not do well to not know ones enemies.

And just as he expected either professor to win the battle, Granger appeared out of nowhere and lit Professor Snape's robe on fire. Harry burst into a laugh when Snape toppled over Quirrell in his hurry to put out the fire. It also proved his theory as Longbottom quickly got back on his broom and raced off after the snitch.

It had been a week since that match and today was Ravenclaw's first match against Hufflepuffs. They play Slytherins in March followed by Gryffindor in June right before end of the term.

"Good luck, Harry," said Terry as Harry was leaving the great hall after breakfast. He joined the rest of the Ravenclaw team as they made to the changing rooms.

Soon they heard as hundreds of feet were clambering up the stands. Harry stood behind the chasers. "Nervous, Harry?" asked Roger Davis.

Harry shrugged. "Not really."

Roger nodded. He observed Potter a few times and he could tell that little made him nervous. He turned around to face the team. "Good luck team. Let's show then that Ravens can be more than just intelligent book worms." He paused. "Lets show them!" he shouted and the rest of the team joined in.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the second Quidditch match of the season between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Here comes the Ravenclaw team…"

On that introduction, the Ravenclaw team got on their brooms and raced off. "And what do I see here? It looks like the Ravenclaw team also has a new seeker. Harry Potter, a first year student. But can he measure up to Neville Longbottom, the boy-who-lived and a fellow lion? We must wait and see…"

Soon the match started. Harry cut out the commentary and circled the pitch. He saw that the Ravenclaw chasers were slightly better than Hufflepuff chasers. He saw the badgers forming a hawk head formation and raced toward them to disrupt it. Through the corner of his eye he saw a bludger heading for him. He increased his speed as he dashed toward the opposing team chasers and just as he was about to collide with them, he swerved away and the bludger flew into the Hufflepuff chasers causing them to drop the Quaffle, which was caught cleanly by Roger David, who flew toward the Hufflepuff goal and put it in cleanly.

The play went on with Harry helping out his chasers whenever he could, but all the time keeping an eye on the Hufflepuff Seeker and a lookout for the snitch. He disrupted the Hufflepuff chaser formations more than a few times and by the time he spotted the snitch, Ravenclaw was leading 80 to 10. As soon as Harry saw it, he rocketed towards the Slytherin stands, where the snitch was hovering.

"Harry Potter has seen the snitch!" Jordan screamed into the microphone.

Harry knew it was his the moment he saw it. The other seeker was not near enough to beat him to the snitch even on his faster broom. That's when Harry noticed a bludger, as well as one of Hufflepuff's beaters heading for him.

He wasn't in a position to roll out of the way as the bludger might hit the broom. If he diverted its direction now, he will lose precious momentum and might lose sight of the snitch. So, he held on to the broom with one hand and jumped into the air. The bludger passed safely between him and the broom. The snitch then decided to take a dive.

Harry landed back on his broom while directing it into a dive, did a sloth grip roll to get a better angle at the snitch and caught it cleanly between his fingers. He came out of the dive and raised the fluttering snitch in the air.

The stadium was quite for a moment before it burst into applause. "Harry Potter has caught the snitch with some of the coolest flying seen at Hogwarts. Ravenclaw wins 240 to 10."

The Ravenclaw team congregated around Harry whooping in joy and Harry couldn't help the smile that broke out on his face.

AN: Sorry for the delay guys.