Many thanks to everyone who has reviewed! You guys are great! Amazing how a little feedback can change the coming chapters (and some stuff in the previous ones).
Just to clarify; all the teachers know that Harrison is Harry Potter. Except Hagrid for some reason.
THREE: THE FIRST DAY
Hermione was waiting nervously in the Gryffindor common room at six forty-five, tapping her foot impatiently. It wasn't that she didn't trust Harrison to show up, it was that she'd never had anyone her own age be truthful to her before. Her peers at previous schools had made a mockery of her, using her to get ahead in assignments, pretending to be her friend, only to promptly ignore her after they'd got what they'd needed. She didn't think Harrison was like that, but, there was every possibility that he would let her down.
Thundering footsteps came racing down the staircase, and Harrison jumped the last three steps to land with knees bent. Hermione noticed that true to his word, he was wearing a red bandana.
"Morning Hermione," he greeted enthusiastically. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than the night before last, but not as well as I usually do. I was too excited to sleep," Hermione replied. "You?"
"Same! I just can't believe we're about to go to class to learn freakin' magic! What do you think we'll learn first?" he asked as they headed out of the back of the portrait that swung open like a door.
"Well, Transfiguration is first thing this morning, and if Professor McGonagall teaches from the first chapter, then it'll be learning the laws of Transfiguration, and then we start learning very basic spells. Turning matches into needles and spoons into forks and the like. Next year we'll start turning beetles into buttons," Hermione explained.
"That seems really...cruel, almost," Harrison said. "I don't know if I like the idea of turning a living creature into a button."
"It does seem rather unnecessary. Although according to the laws of Transfiguration, if you turn a living creature into an inanimate object, it will eventually retake its former shape. So, the spell does wear off."
"Then why bother?" Harrison asked. "Why not turn a rock into a button if you need one so badly? And if you really needed a button, then go and buy one."
Hermione laughed lightly as they made their way down the stairs that lead directly into the Great Hall. They made their way in through the double doors and took a seat at the Gryffindor table. The hall was practically deserted, with only four other students seated at the other house tables.
"I take it most witches and wizards aren't morning people, then?" Harrison asked. The table was set buffet style, with plates of toast, bowls of cereal, porridge, eggs and bacon as well as an assortment of jams and spreads. Harrison immediately grabbed several slices of toast and slathered them in butter. He added a few rashers of bacon, smothered the concoction in tomato sauce and took a massive bite.
Hermione shook her head in consternation. She'd never eaten breakfast with a boy her own age, and she had to admit, she didn't know how she'd get through the morning if she had to watch Harrison eat. She tried her best to ignore him, and spread strawberry jam across a slice of toast, and daintily biting off the corner.
"First day of class after nearly two months of break, people are bound to be slow to rise this morning," Hermione explained. "Plus a lot of wizarding kids are home-schooled, so getting used to structured classes is something of a shock."
Harrison swallowed hastily before asking "how on earth do you know that?"
"I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," Hermione replied, relieved that at least Harrison hadn't spoken with his mouth full. "It's in the chapter on education prior to Hogwarts classes. There's no formal school for witches and wizards until we're eleven. On the upside, I've had a year to read through all the texts. Hopefully that might give me a better understanding on some of the theory behind the spells."
"Wicked! You'll help me if I'm completely bollocks, won't you?"
"Of course I will. You won't be though. It's in your blood."
Harrison screwed up his nose. "I don't believe in all that blood stuff. You're going to be an amazing witch, and you said there's no one with magic in your family. It's a load of tripe."
"Maybe. In any case, I have to make sure you do well in classes, don't I? I don't want to watch you give your wand to Malfoy."
Harrison snickered. "You won't. I'll win, and then frame his wand and hang it above my bed."
Hermione shook her head in despair. "Honestly Harrison, it was a really stupid bet."
"I know. He just rubs me the wrong way, you know? I knew a kid back home who was exactly the same, and the only way to get him to shut up was to make sure he knew you weren't afraid of him. Or his father, who was the mayor," Harrison explained. "Malfoy just screams 'privileged snob' from his shiny, shiny hair to his shiny, shiny shoes."
"He does seem rather stuck up," Hermione conceded. "Anyway, I suppose there's not much to be done about it now. You made the bet; we'll just have to make sure that you win it."
Harrison smiled gratefully. "Thanks Hermione."
"You're welcome," she replied. She noticed that Harrison had slowed down in his eating and was sitting back in his seat in a manner that reminded her of her father after Christmas dinner. She was surprised that Harry hadn't had to unbutton his trousers to make room for more.
"Finished?" she asked.
Harrison looked longingly at the stack of bacon in the middle of the table. It wasn't usually breakfast fare at home, except on extremely special occasions, and he would always gorge himself on the delightfully greasy meat whenever he had the chance. Deciding that he couldn't eat another bite without potentially exploding, he nodded and pushed himself away from the table.
"Where to then?" he asked.
"Well, I'd really love to see the library," Hermione said. "If it's anything like Hogwarts: A History says it is, it should be one of the biggest libraries in the world."
Harrison nodded compliantly. "Alright then, milday, lead on."
Hermione tried to hold in the giggle at his playfulness, but barely kept it to a quiet chuckle. She led them away from the Great Hall and up two levels, before traversing a corridor and heading up another flight of stairs.
"Did you memorise a map?" Harrison asked.
Hermione nodded, slightly sheepish. "I didn't want to get lost. And I couldn't sleep last night, so I figured that at least I'd know my way around today if nothing else."
"Good plan. I ended up reading my potions textbook. Put me right to sleep," he said.
"Potions looks really interesting though," Hermione said. "A little like chemistry."
"Uh, we never really got to do chemistry at my old school. I thought it looked a bit like a cooking class. You know, add this, stir that, wait ten minutes, bring to the boil. Looks pretty straight forward, really."
"I doubt it will be as easy as it seems," Hermione said. "I think learning about the ingredients will be the hardest part."
"But there's a lot of crossover with Herbology isn't there?" he asked.
"A lot of the plants can be used for potions, so that will be useful," Hermione replied. She pointed to a large door with the word 'Library' inscribed above the door. "I think Herbology is probably going to be-"
She stopped mid-sentence, staring in wide-eyed wonder at the library as they entered. Her jaw dropped at the sheer volume of books that lined the aisles. She had a feeling that she would be spending a lot of time in the archives over the coming years.
"I don't think seven years will be enough time in here," she whispered reverently.
Harrison couldn't help but laugh. "You know, you will have to leave to go to class sometimes."
"Still...imagine how much knowledge is in here. How many witches and wizards have passed on their magic through the ages. You can almost feel it in the air."
Harrison couldn't feel it, but he wasn't about to do anything to put a damper on Hermione's excitement. He'd never seen anyone get so worked up over books. The only reaction he could compare it to was when Dudley had been presented with a birthday cake made solely for him. His eyes had been bigger than his stomach.
"Harrison, I think I've died and gone to heaven."
They wandered down the first of the aisles, browsing books on alchemy, astrology, anthropomorphics and animagus'. Hermione trailed her fingers across the spines of the books, lovingly caressing each title as she moved further down the line in botany, bestiaries and biographies.
"Look at this one, Harrison," Hermione exclaimed, pulling out the heavy tome. She flipped the book to read the blurb on the back cover. "The Life and Times of Albus Dumbledore. Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling."
Harrison snorted with laughter. "I can't imagine old Dumbledore bowling, can you?"
"Not in the least. Daddy owns a pair of bowling shoes, and they are hideous. And the shirts are even worse."
"I wonder what team Dumbledore plays for," Harrison said. "Slythin's Strikers."
"Gryffindor's Gutters," Hermione suggested. "Or Ravenclaw's Rollers."
Hermione replaced the book and they continued wandering the aisle.
"I wonder how many books we're allowed to borrow at a time," Hermione pondered.
"Well, if all else fails, you borrow to the limit, and then I'll just put the rest under my name," Harrison said.
"You'd do that?"
"Of course! I'll barely be able to finish reading one while you finish six or seven."
"I just love reading. If I could read all day I absolutely would."
"Well...so long as you don't just stay in the library all day. There's still a lot of this castle left to explore, and I don't want to get lost. I need you to keep me on track."
Hermione pulled her attention away from the latest book and focused on Harrison. "I wouldn't spend all day in here."
"Yes you would. Just don't forget about me, huh?"
"I couldn't," she replied sincerely. "Not a chance."
Harrison glanced down at his watch and tapped it to get Hermione's attention.
"Transfiguration starts in ten minutes. We need to get going."
Hermione reluctantly replaced her book and followed Harrison out of the stacks and towards the door.
"We'll come back after classes, how's that?" Harrison suggested.
"I was hoping you'd say that," Hermione replied. "I promise that I won't spend all night in there."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't let you forget about dinner."
Hermione steered them down the hall and down one flight of stairs. Three corridors later, she pointed to a classroom that was already half full of Gryffindors and Slytherins. Hermione lead them to a table in the front row and they put their bags over the backs of the chairs.
"Morning guys," Harrison greeted Dean and Seamus, who were seated behind them.
"Morning Harry, Hermione," Seamus said.
"Hiya," Dean added.
"Uh...I hate to be picky, but, please...I really don't like being called Harry," Harrison said. "You can call me Harris if you really want, but please not Harry."
"Yeah, of course. Sorry, Harris," Seamus said. "I don't blame you, not after hearing about Harry Potter and all. The last thing you'd need would be a reminder of him."
"So, where're Ron and Neville?" Hermione asked, swiftly changing what could become an uncomfortable topic.
"Ron was eating enough food to feed an army last I saw him, and Neville forgot his Transfiguration text, so he ran back up to the dorm to get it," Dean said. "What about the other girls?"
Hermione shrugged. "They were still asleep when I left this morning, but that was at twenty to seven, so...I'm not sure. You didn't see them at breakfast?"
"We went and had breakfast early so we could explore a little," Seamus said.
"So did we," Harrison replied. "We found the library, and it is massive. Where did you guys get to?"
"We went down to the Quidditch Pitch outside, and went by the Greenhouses after that. This place is amazing," Dean enthused.
"Quidditch?" Harrison queried.
"It's a wizarding sport," Dean replied. "Looks right complicated. Like basketball and soccer played on broomsticks with four different balls that do different things."
Harrison pondered the explanation for a moment, trying to visualise what Dean meant. "Weird. Probably easier to visualise if I saw a game."
"Games won't start until after October," Seamus said. "Gives the houses time to hold tryouts and to practice. It's a pity first years aren't allowed to have brooms. I'd love to tryout for Quidditch."
Harrison leaned in to whisper in Hermione's ear. "I think I missed the part about flying broomsticks during Wizarding 101. Freakin' magic!"
Hermione giggled happily at her friend, but stopped a Professor McGonagall entered the room. A quick glance at the empty seats told her that Ron and Malfoy were the only ones missing. Her dorm mates had taken seats in the back, and Neville was sitting by himself at the table to Hermione's left.
"Alright everyone, take your seats, please. Now, I'm sure all of you have read the introductions to your textbooks and have given yourselves an idea of what Transfigurations is all about," McGonagall started.
Hermione was nodding in agreement, but from the corner of her eye, she could see a few people shaking their heads. She nearly gasped in shock at the idea of turning up for class with no idea of what was to be taught. Unbelievable.
"For those of you who are unprepared, let me strongly suggest that you read ahead in future. Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."
The warning served to make the entire class sit up at full attention. That attention was broken at the sound of the doors opening and two obnoxiously loud first years entering the classroom.
"When my father hears about this-" Malfoy's voice was booming as he walked into the room, yelling at a red-faced Ron Weasley, who looked angry enough to start a fist fight.
"Your father will be heartily disappointed that his only son could not even make it to his first lesson on time, Mr Malfoy," McGonagall finished for him. "Now, you and Mr Weasley will have the pleasure of joining me this evening in detention. Until such time, you will take your seats, and keep your mouths shut."
Ron managed to turn an even brighter shade of red, and took the empty seat beside Neville. Malfoy unhappily sat beside a female Slytherin who Hermione thought was named Pansy Parkinson.
"As I was saying, Transfiguration is extremely complex. It is not just the ability to transform one object into another, though that is its core role in our world. Transfiguration is a vast and wondrous topic that will be studied for the next seven years, and you will do well to pay attention, Mister Goyle."
The students all turned around to stare at the Slytherin student Gregory Goyle who blinked his eyes open after trying to take a nap.
Harrison was mightily impressed with the Deputy Headmistress. At his old school there hadn't been too many teachers who would have cared if anyone was taking a nap. He could see that McGonagall would be a strict teacher, but he hoped that she would be a fair one as well.
The lesson continued for the next hour, with the students taking a copious amount of notes as Professor McGonagall lectured them on how Transfiguration worked, and how to effectively transfigure one item into another. At the end of the first period, McGonagall allowed them a five minute break to stretch their legs and talk amongst themselves.
The second half of the lesson was more practical, with the students attempting to turn match sticks into needles. McGonagall wandered the room giving advice to student, and praising efforts as some matchsticks turned silver, or acquired a pointy tip. An hour and a quarter into the second half of the lesson, Hermione had managed to perform her transfiguration flawlessly, and was attempting to help Harrison perfect his own technique.
"Loosen your hold on your wand," she whispered softly. "You don't need to have a death grip on it."
Harrison forced his hand to unclench.
"Now, take a deep breath, and relax. You can do this, Harrison. You're freakin' magic, remember?"
Harrison grinned.
"So, try again, but this time, keep your eyes closed. Focus on the reality of a needle; picture its size, its shape, the tip of its point, the eye of the needle. Now, lower your wand clockwise above it, and remember to breathe."
He did as instructed, and then opened his eyes. There on his desk was the needle that Hermione had told him to visualise. He gave a wordless cry of triumph and hugged Hermione enthusiastically. McGonagall walked over to their desk, summoned by Harrison's excitement.
"Well done, both of you," she praised. "Five points each to Gryffindor."
Harrison held out his hand for a high five, and Hermione looked at him quizzically.
"Come on, high five," he explained.
Hermione hesitated, but eventually slapped her palm weakly against his. He groaned and shook his head.
"A little enthusiasm, please," he begged. He held up his hand again, and Hermione hit it harder, drawing a few stares at the sound of the single clap in the room. Her cheeks flushed at the attention, but McGonagall's voice brought everyone back to focus as she gave out the homework assignment for the evening.
A collective groan rose up from the first years at the thought of homework on the first day of school. Hermione was quietly excited, she hadn't been expecting any work, but she was looking forward to getting right into it.
Professor McGonagall quickly dismissed them as the class came to an end, and the excited first years made their way to lunch in the Great Hall.
"That was such a great lesson," Hermione commented as they made their way down a set of moving stairs. "I think I'm going to like Professor McGonagall."
"She does seem like a good teacher," Harrison agreed. "And you got house points already."
"We got house points."
"Because you taught me to transfigure the match," Harrison argued. "So really, you got house points."
"Agree to disagree?" she asked.
"Done," Harrison replied.
They entered the Great Hall and made their way to the end of the Gryffindor table, selecting seats and grabbing plates and bowls from the centre of the table.
The food was every bit as tasty as it had been the previous evening, and Harrison found that he was famished. Even after eating a full breakfast, he was hungrier than usual. Hermione, too, found that she wanted more food than was normal for her.
"I wonder if it's the magic," Hermione theorised, ladling some soup into a bowl, and grabbing a bread roll from the basket in the middle of the table. "Maybe it's doing something to our metabolism."
"I'm going to be huge if I keep eating like this though," Harrison complained. "Mum would kill me if she saw me stuffing myself at home."
"Well, maybe the trick will be smaller portions more often," Hermione said. "We should take some fruit to snack on between lessons."
Harrison liked the suggestion and grabbed an apple and an orange, slipping them into his satchel. Hermione picked a banana and two mandarins for herself.
After lunch, the first year Gryffindors made their way to out of the castle and across the grounds to the greenhouses for Herbology with Professor Sprout.
Harrison spotted the large goal posts on the other side of the lawns. "Hey, that must be the Quidditch pitch the boys were on about this morning. It looks interesting."
Hermione looked up at the goal posts, stunned at how high they were. "When they said it was played on broomsticks, I imagined it was a lot lower. That can't be safe."
"Flying on broomsticks can't be safe either, but we have our first lesson next week."
Hermione paled significantly. "Harrison, I don't like heights at all. Mum and dad tried getting me to the top of Victoria Tower when I was younger, but I panicked before we even got into the elevator."
Harrison scratched the back of his neck thoughtfully. "Well, it can't be that dangerous if they're going to let a bunch of eleven year olds learn to fly. I can't see them letting us do something that could kill us."
Hermione wasn't convinced by that argument, but tried to put it from her mind by turning her back on the Quidditch pitch. They followed the rest of the Gryffindors up to the greenhouse, where they were met with the first year Hufflepuffs. The two groups cautiously exchanged greetings, names and handshakes, before settling at the workbenches, mostly still within their house groups.
Each table was equipped for four students, and Harrison and Hermione were joined by Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley.
Hermione couldn't help but scold Ron for the incident earlier in the morning. "How could you possibly have been late for the very first lesson on the very first day," Hermione reprimanded him.
Ron's ears turned a bright shade of red and he narrowed his eyes into a glare.
"I got lost," he defended himself.
"With Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"Not with Malfoy," Ron yelped. "I was trying to find the classroom, and then Malfoy showed up, and then he started in on my family. So, I shoved him away, and then he went on about how his father was best mates with the Minister of Magic, and how his father could get my father fired from his job. I told him to stuff it, and then...well, you heard the rest."
Harrison found himself to be quiet sympathetic to Ron's plight, though he agreed that the redhead could have made more of an effort to be on time. Arguing with Malfoy, however, he could perfectly understand.
"He's a creepy git," Ron muttered.
"Agreed," Harrison said
"He may well be, but that doesn't make it alright to be late. Next time, you should just ignore him, and get yourself to class," Hermione said.
Ron rolled his eyes, but before he could prepare an angry retort, Professor Sprout waddled into the greenhouse and came to stand in front of the class.
"Welcome to Herbology first years. I am Professor Sprout, and I will be teaching you all for at least the next three years. Now, Herbology is not only a practical class, wherein we well be taking care of the various plants that we will learn about, but also a highly theoretical class, where we will learn about the various uses for the various leaves, vines, flowers and stems of both magical and mundane botany. You will find that a good foundation in Herbology will serve you well in Potions, where there is less of a focus on what the properties of various ingredients are. That is what Herbology is for. So, for all you budding Potion Masters, be sure to pay strict attention."
Hermione's attention couldn't have been torn away from the Professor, even if someone had set off an explosion behind her.
Herbology would probably be one of the most important subjects that they would have, and seeing as how it appeared on their timetable three times a week, Hermione could see it being one of the lessons that would need constant attention.
Professor Sprout began with the basics of Herbology, lecturing the students on the importance of first identifying a plant before handling it, as each plant would react differently, and could be quite dangerous or poisonous if handled incorrectly. For homework, they were assigned a six inch essay on the appropriate care and handling of three different types of fungi.
The first day of classes came to an end, and Harrison and Hermione found themselves detouring around the lawns as they slowly made their way back up to the castle.
"Herbology seems fascinating," Hermione commented.
"I don't know if it's interesting enough to have three times a week though," Harrison complained.
Hermione laughed softly. "They're the shortest lessons we have though. No doubles for Herbology. And we don't have it again until Wednesday morning."
"I'm looking forward to Defence Against the Dark Arts," Harrison said. "I was looking over the text book and it seems really exciting. DADA, Charms and Transfigurations have the most wand work of all the classes."
"Well, magic isn't all about wands," Hermione reminded him. "But, I have to admit, I'm looking forward to wand work as well."
"It's weird that we need wands," Harrison commented. "I mean, you summoned a book when you were four years old, and I-"
Hermione looked at him eagerly. "You never did say what your first 'magical mishap' was. Tell me?"
Harrison rolled his eyes. "I made my first grade teachers wig disappear."
Hermione tried to stifle her giggles, but it was impossible to keep them contained. "Harrison, that's awful!"
"But funny, you have to admit. And it was an accident. I didn't mean to do it. She was having a go at Dudley for not having done his homework, but he'd been in hospital, and she wouldn't listen when I tried to tell her. Dud was really embarrassed, so...I remember thinking that I wish I could embarrass her, and...well, poof! Her wig was gone, and she had about as much hair as I do. It took me ages to work out that it'd been me who made it happen."
That set Hermione off once more into a fit of giggles that she tried to control.
"What else?" she asked.
"Mum's ex-husband's sister once gave me this hideous jumper for Christmas," Harrison began. He watched as Hermione tried following the train of people until she worked out who he meant. "It was awful, it had lace on it and everything. Anyway, there was no bloody way I was wearing it, so I just stared at it and stared at it, and then it started shrinking. Marge, Vernon's sister, she tried pulling it over my head, but it wouldn't fit. Eventually she decided that I must have a huge head, and that it was my own fault for being so chubby."
Hermione gasped in disbelief. Firstly that anyone could think Harrison was chubby when he was entirely skin and bones, and secondly that anyone could be so cruel as to say that to a child.
"I should also mention that Marge is about as big as a house, so her calling anyone chubby is the pot calling the kettle black."
"That's horrible."
"No, horrible is that Dud still has to see her, because he's her nephy-poo, as she calls him. He...well, I wouldn't use the word hate, but it would come pretty close. Dud and his dad barely see each other as it is, so having to deal with Marge on every other visit just makes things worse. I'm not blood related to them, thank god, so I get to stay home."
"Are Dudley and his dad close?"
Harrison shook his head. "Not even a little. Mum won't tell me exactly what happened, but I know that he had a fit about something or other after Dudley was diagnosed. Vernon didn't want to try some sort of experimental treatment, but mum was all for it. Mum insisted, said that she wouldn't risk Dudley's life just because Vernon was too stupid to try something different. Whatever it was worked, but Vernon never forgave mum for giving the go ahead to the doctor's. They just fell apart after that."
Hermione sighed softly, her eyes soft and compassionate. "I can't believe he wouldn't even try something different. I know some of the experimental treatments can seem frightening, especially when they're still in their initial stages, but to deny it out of hand, especially when Dudley's life was at risk just seems...stupid."
"It was stupid," Harrison said. "Anyway, Dudley got a lot better after that, but things at home got worse. Mum and Vernon were fighting constantly, and he wanted me gone because they were already having trouble financially. Having me was a 'useless burden they'd never asked for'."
Harrison was startled when Hermione burst into tears and hugged him fiercely. She clung to him, shaking violently, and Harrison could only stare into her overwhelmingly bushy hair in bewilderment. He rubbed her back softly until she'd calmed enough to let go of him.
"You're not useless," she whispered emphatically, wiping tears from her cheeks. "Or a burden."
Harrison felt tears in his own eyes. He was surprised by how good it felt to hear his friend say that. He'd often blamed himself for his mum's divorce, though she'd told him plenty of times that she and Vernon had been heading that way for a while, and that it'd been nothing to do with Harrison himself.
"D'you know that the reason I hate being called Harry is because that's what Vernon calls me," Harrison confessed softly. "He turned it into such an insult. Mum had my name legally changed, and she said that she chose 'Harrison' because it has 'son' in it, and that's what I was to her. So, hearing Vernon call me just 'Harry' was like he was denying what mum was to me."
Hermione wiped away more tears at the explanation, and vowed to never slip and call him 'Harry'. She couldn't believe how cruel Harrison's uncle had been to him. She could only be grateful that his mum had eliminated the problem by divorcing Vernon and keeping Harrison as part of the family.
"I'd do anything for mum and Dud," Harrison continued quietly. "Absolutely anything. And if I can heal him, then that's what I'm going to do. Even if it takes me seven years to learn whatever spells I have to learn."
Hermione was impressed by his determination. "Whatever it takes Harrison, I'll be with you. I'll do whatever I can to help."
Harrison slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. There was nothing he could possibly say to express the gratitude he felt for her right then. He just knew that he would never let anyone or anything hurt her as long as he was around to stop it.
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A/N: Thanks again for your reviews!