Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter of its characters
AN: Ok, I'm going to try and limit the Ron bashing in this chapter, specifically when he realizes Harry is the seeker for Gryffindor. Like many "speedsters" in the various media out there, when Harry taps into his enhanced speed, everything else around him appears to move slower, he hasn't really tested this yet though. The only time he's used it so far, is running around the school when no one is around, or to get away from his favourite male Weasley. Anyway hope you enjoy the new chapter.
AN2: Last edited Nov 2012
November finally arrived and with it came the cold weather. It didn't really bother Harry, but it did give him a few ideas to keep warm during the time of the year. The last minute training sessions from Wood, were slightly over the top, leading up to their first game against Slytherin. Even though the team had melded perfectly, learning all of the eccentric captain's insane game plans. The over enthusiastic captain still had the team going through each of them on a daily basis. It probably didn't help matters, that he know knew that the other team will all have decent brooms as well, thus making the match that much more difficult. To his teammates, Oliver Wood seemed to be treating the match like it was a rated official league Quidditch match.
Not only that but he insisted on talking for at least 30 minutes before each session, telling everyone the same things, exactly what he wanted them to do. While Harry didn't mind it for the first 10 times, it quickly became an agonizing experience. Fortunately he had found a form of entertainment through Katie Bell. Simply put, Katie had become Harry's personal heater during these long winded sessions, much to the girl's apparent outward annoyance, but his fellow teammate's amusement. Harry would march over to her wherever she stood or sat during Oliver's rants, wouldn't even bother to say anything. To the repetitive shock of his teammates, he would pick her up, ignoring her demands to put her down and walk back to his seat, placing her on his lap for the rest of the briefing.
The first time this had happened, the twins and Wood were looking at him in awe at the bold move. The other two chasers had the opposite reaction, simply giggling and seemingly teasing Katie relentlessly. When Katie realized the first time he did it, that it wasn't some joke and he wasn't actually going to let her go, she had quietly hissed "What are you doing Potter?" Since her fellow female fliers were clearly getting to her.
Harry was prepared for such a statement however, with his best innocent expression on his face he stated out loud "It's cold out, you're hot, this was the quickest solution" Saying it out loud couldn't prevent the massive grin appearing on his face. The second year brunette merely huffed and turned her head back to Oliver, making no attempt to get off Harry. At the same time, Harry noticed the twins got those identical grins they get every time they had a crazy idea. As soon as they turned to Angelina and Alicia, he couldn't help laugh at the hopeful look in each of their eyes. The girls merely glared at the two with equal looks promising pain if they even tried it on them.
As to classes during this stressful time, both Professors McGonagall and Flitwick had offered him personal lessons. For them, it quickly became obvious Harry was very skilled, seeing his success in every spell they taught him, they each felt they should try teaching him some higher tier spells, not on their planned lesson scheme. Despite it being what many students would love to have, he declined. For one, he didn't want it to be seen as unfair or favouritism by the other students. Secondly he wanted to learn things on his own, he felt like he achieved more that way, at least more than seeing the teachers do the spell beforehand like they did in classes. Achieving the spells on his own, as he had been, simply made him feel like he was achieving his skills himself. Rather than having the skills handed to him on a silver platter, that and Merlin did hound him about learning skills on his own, Harry felt he should take the hint literally.
Even Potions was going alright thankfully, Harry even planned to go to Diagon Alley during the break to get a potion set for his trunk. That way he could practice some potions anytime during his own free time, as they were steadily getting harder and Snape made it a mission to find anything wrong with his potions. He never had too much trouble with them, he even slightly altered what he added on occasion to get a better result on some potions, having memorised some of the higher level ingredients in great detail from library books. But he had an eerie feeling that Snape would assign a higher level potion just to watch him fail at least once, and Harry wanted to be prepared for that.
Professor Snape had also finally given up on removing him from the Slytherin duo's side, as he sat there every class. Daphne and Tracey even started going to the Gryffindor side to sit next to him instead a few times to get the point across. Seeing as how they would just end up following Harry to his bench, Snape accepted that Daphne and Tracey actually wanted to be in the company of the Potter brat, allowing it to happen with great reluctance. Harry was always one of the first finished with his potion, despite the fact he continued to work alone. The fact it was almost always perfect, if not close gave Snape no reason to penalize him. That didn't stop him from watching Harry like a hawk during classes though, with narrowed eyes begging for some sort of mistake.
Finally it was the day for the Gryffindor and Slytherin match and Harry was excited. Wood had given him his team Jersey the day before, so when he woke up at his usual time, he mentally began going over all the plays once more. Even though he knew them all off by heart, he still took up quite a bit of time. No one knew that the team had Nimbus 2000s and not Cleansweep Sevens like the Slytherin team, since Harry kept them in his second trunk. Before and after each practice, the team carried around their old brooms, confusing the other students, who knew they also received the same packages as the other teams.
Harry was getting almost giddy thinking about the reactions of everyone, not only for seeing him as seeker, but the looks on the Slytherin team seeing they all had Nimbus 2000s. He quickly went and had a shower, throwing on his Quidditch robes and leaving the dorm with his trunk around his neck, he had taken a habit to taking the shrinking trunk with him everywhere, storing his secure trunk in the dorm. When first year ended, he had every intention of finding a better storage method, but for now it worked well.
The team minus the twins were already in the common room as he walked down, as well as a few other Gryffindors. When they saw Harry in his Quidditch robes, gasps and cheers were resounded throughout the room. Giving a quick pose and a wink towards a group of girls in the corner, the reaction was immediate. Many of them immediately took off, out the portrait hole to spread the word, or heading up to the dorms to notify their lazier friends. Oliver had started to chuckle evilly while eyeing his old broom, the team all looked at him like he lost it as he was gazing at the fire at the time.
Worried that Oliver might be thinking of burning his broom in his delirious state, Harry took it from him and threw it across the room. Ignoring the betrayed look he got from his captain, Harry made his way to Katie "So where are the twins at?" He asked, pulling Katie to his lap as he sat down, ignoring her protests and slightly red cheeks. One of these days she'll learn not to protest, Harry was sure she did it just to make it seem like she didn't secretly want it each morning.
Although the youngest seeker was confused as to why, for the first time, Katie actually looked embarrassed by the action, gazing around the room quickly, he noticed all the wide eyes of those still in the common room. With a groan he saw another group take off out the portrait hole, while another lot went to the dorms. When he saw the twins come down for a moment, then take off back upstairs with identical grins, he looked at Angelina with a panicked look, Angelina laughed at what he just did and saw "I think they are giving Lee ideas on what to say during the game"
Alicia then whispered loudly "I don't think that it is cold in here Harry, it's actually kind of hot"
Harry looked at her and blinked in confusion, he doubted the twins would do anything to harsh, shifted himself and Katie slightly "Yeah she is" Earning a snort from Katie and laughter from the rest of the team. Harry, enlarged the trunk, and began pulling out their brooms just as the twins walked back in, eerily large smiles on their faces.
The smiles if possible, widened when they saw Katie's current position close up. Harry got a matching grin knowing they told Lee something involving Katie from the reaction alone. Once they all had their brooms Harry looked at the trunk, he stuck his hand in it for a moment. He pulled out the permanent enlarged bag the shop owner had given him when he bought the brooms, before he looked at them all "Any of you want this? Might be useful for something"
Fred nodded before he raced with it too his dorm, Harry was slightly curious as to what the pranksters would need the bag for, but put it to the back of his mind for the moment. He tossed all their old brooms in the trunk, than took it to his dorm. He didn't want to risk damaging the trunk during the game after all. Plus, the team had decided and all agreed to donate their old brooms to the school, as some of them were really old and dodgy.
Once he came back down a minute later, the team began to walk out of the common room, followed by a cheering group of followers through the halls, their Nimbus 2000s proudly clasped in their hands, leaning on their shoulders. Whisperings came from everyone they passed once they saw the brooms, or Harry on the team. The team had purposefully decided to come down to breakfast early, just to make the Slytherin team nervous, strutting around with the Nimbus 2000s in tow.
Katie leant over and whispered "Looks like you're going to be the talk for the next month Harry"
Laughing loudly, he put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, noticing the glare she sent him after, gave him a wide grin "Me? I think it'll be you Katie, look at all the fangirls glaring, they know they got no chance with someone as beautiful as you around me now" Causing her to roll her eyes and get a small smirk but not respond to him causing him to pout for a few moments. He decided to keep his arm around her, much to their teammates amusement, well except Wood, he looked to be on cloud nine and ignored the usual banter of his youngest charges.
The team walked into the hall and talk seemed to cease for a few moments, eyes all over observed them. Then it was like a dam broke as an older female Hufflepuff student spotted Harry, squealing loudly before racing out of the room. Suddenly excited murmuring broke out and a few more students left to obviously wake up their friends. Either those that left the common room were too slow, or the general populace didn't believe them.
After 20minutes students began to roll in large groups, all shooting the Gryffindor team surprised, jealous or outright angry looks in the case of other teams players and the hardcore fans. Harry suddenly got a sixth sense, feeling that someone wanted his death at that exact moment, he looked around suspiciously before his eyes met his Potions Professor. The man was staring at Harry with a livid look of pure hatred on his face, standing in front of the staff entrance to the hall, seemingly trying to bore a hole through his head.
Harry noticed Professor McGonagall saying something to him from behind, but the man didn't even seem to register her presence, let alone move out of her way. Receiving no response from her colleague, she followed his eyes and saw her team with Nimbus 2000s. Her eyes too widened in surprise a moment. Then suddenly she started giggling and clapping her hands in an almost excited manner, her eyes gaining an odd twinkle. She got a sly smile when her eyes met his, knowing he was the one behind her teams brooms, as well as the rest of the school. She said something again to Snape which caused him to turn his glare to her instead, finally entering the hall fully and taking his seat at the table.
Harry was confused however when that odd feeling didn't leave him. Looking around again his eyes met a whole lot of pissed off Slytherins that had just arrived, led by Marcus Flint, the captain of their Quidditch team. "Well guess they didn't plan for this then" Harry stated cheerfully, turning his attention to the assortment of food in front of him.
His fellow first years came in a short time later, they were all demanding to know when it happened, his joining the team that is, Ron was the most vocal about it "When McGonagall took me after flying lessons, she convinced Wood here to put me on the team" He replied calmly and all of their eyes bugged out. Said Captain once more began to laugh loudly at seamlessly nothing, muttering random things occasionally.
Hermione was the first to point out his cover story of course. "But I thought you were arguing with Dumbledore about sweets"
Harry looked at her in shock, mainly for the fact that she of all people, didn't see that being a likely scenario "I made something up on the spot, we were really discussing getting me a broom since I'm a first year and it is technically not allowed. You all didn't really believe that did you?"
He asked to the first years as a whole. Seamus chuckled "Me Mam says he always had an obsession with sweets, it didn't seem so farfetched to me" The other half-bloods and purebloods nodded and Harry burst out into laughter. He honestly didn't think that story would stick.
Ron then chose that moment to speak up "Why didn't you tell me though Harry and why do you all have those?" He pointed to the brooms in a tone that spoke of how jealous he was.
With a sigh Harry stated "Because I wanted to keep this as low key as possible or the Slytherins would have found out. As for the brooms, well I guess someone didn't want to get their favourite chaser a broom without getting brooms for the rest of the school's players?" He finished smiling brightly at Katie who rolled her eyes once more.
"So you don't know who bought them! Who was it? I thought it might of been that prick Malfoy, but he wouldn't get us better brooms then his own team. Argh why did you all get them anyway? It's so unfair, must have cost a fortune" Ron blurted out loudly, Harry couldn't believe Ron didn't pick up that he had bought them, he had basically stated that he did. Merlin, from the looks of disbelief around him, it was easy to tell that most had figured out that he had bought all of the mysterious brooms.
Taking a deep breath he replied "Well I think it's brilliant, they stand no chance against us now" Cheers erupted from the Gryffindor table as they started stomping their feet and banging their goblets, shouting out his name repeatedly.
Ron opened and closed his mouth a few times, seeming to be having an internal battle with himself. He seemed to have the urge to cheer along with everyone else, or shout out because of his jealousy of so many people getting new, fancy brooms. The jealousy won the internal debate as he turned bright red "Why do they get a new broom and I don't, I'm your friend, I should have got one too" He pointed to his twin brothers who by now had narrowed their eyes at their brother. And it would appear Ron wasn't as simple minded as Harry actually thought.
Harry took a look at them to see if they were going to respond when he saw they weren't he responded "They are both on the Quidditch team Ron, just like every other Quidditch team here got new brooms. You might be a friend Ron but you are only one friend-"
"What I'm your best friend" Ron stated
Harry paused and looked at him incredulously, as did everyone else within earshot of the conversation. Harry let out a long slow sigh and shook his head "I have many friends at Hogwarts Ron, you are only one of them. Why should you deserve a broom any more than any one of these guys? Or my friends in the other houses? Besides, like I said, only those on a Quidditch team got a broom, end of story"
He could technically buy one for everyone, but Ron or anyone else didn't need to know that. Many might not have gotten the hint that he bought all the brooms for the other teams anyway. Ron's whole posture showed how angry he was, he began stabbing his food roughly and began mumbling under his breath. Harry knew he could have listened to what the redhead was saying, but he was pretty pissed off at Ron at the moment, hearing what he was saying would likely make him more so.
The team left at 10 do some warm up exercises before the game. At 10.30 Harry looked out to the stands to see it filling up quickly, his anticipation was rising by the second. Oliver was about to give another pep talk when twins launched themselves at him. After a frantic struggle, they managed to tie and gag him. The twins then sat on his disabled form and let out long, dramatic sighs, much to the teams amusement.
After 20 minutes of the team minus Oliver talking excitedly, the twins decided to untie their captain, who clearly didn't look pleased at all. He stood up glaring at them all in turn, for not trying to untie him earlier, but his anger faded instantly when he heard the crowd outside getting excited.
Wood opened his mouth to give a motivational speech but Harry quickly interjected "Yes we know already. We are awesome. We are the best team Gryffindor house has ever seen and we are going to win. Now let's go out there and humiliate them."
The team cheered as they began marching out onto the field, immediately seeing the Slytherin team there already glaring daggers at them all. They headed towards the green clad team with matching glares as Lee Jordon's voice came into focus "And here comes the Gryffindor team led by Captain and Keeper Oliver Wood. Beaters Fred and George Weasley, not sure which one is which from here. Chasers Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and their newest chaser, Katie Potter" The crowd roared, much louder than anything so far. The team only barely heard McGonagall's warning shout of "JORDAN" "I mean Bell, honest mistake Professor, really, their newest chaser, Katie-"
Harry burst out into laughter while a red faced Katie suddenly charged at the twins and kicked them both in the shins. They both started hopping on one leg each, laughing manically. "-and the one we've all been wondering about for some time, the member who got the seeker position for the Gryffindor team, is the one, the only, HARRY POTTER"
The crowd erupted into roars and cheers much louder than before at the announcement of his name. As the team approached Madam Hooch in the middle of the field she called out her warning "Now I want a nice fair game between all of you" Harry noticed the entire Slytherin team were eyeing him with sinister smirks. Harry tilted his head at them all, than he gave his own sinister smile back at them, a few of them suddenly looked nervous.
Flint and Wood shook hands or tried to break the other's hands in Harry's opinion. "Okay mount your brooms" Hooch commanded and they all got on their respective brooms before she blew her whistle and threw the Quaffle into the air.
"And the Quaffle is away, it is immediately taken by Katie Bell, she's obviously had plenty of practice riding the broom that ironically appeared after Harry Potter joined her –"
"JORDAN" Katie and the other 2 chasers were thankfully able to ignore the commentary, being used to Harry and the twins constant flirting and insinuations. Although Katie did have a slight red tinge to her cheeks as she focussed on the game.
"Sorry Professor, it was an innocent observation I swear. Anyway folks, she passes to Angelina Johnson who narrowly misses a bludger to the head. She sends a pass to-" Harry saw what was about to happen and left his spot near the Slytherin seeker and took off towards the chasers, Higgs followed his path, but looked on confused by where Harry was headed, when he still couldn't spot the snitch, he stopped to watch what his fellow seeker was up to.
"-oh no it's been intercepted by Slytherin captain Marcus flint. He takes off tow-" Flint was too busy sneering victoriously at Angelina to notice Harry come zooming in and punch the Quaffle out of his hold, shocking the burly teen captain and sending the Quaffle where it was meant to go, Alicia.
"=Do my eyes deceive me? Harry Potter has left his search for the snitch and knocked the Quaffle out of Flint's grasp, straight to his beautiful teammate Alicia who heads to the goals, she throws...and SCORES, 10 points to Gryffindor"
It seemed like the whole crowd erupted into cheers but Harry also picked up on some boos from the Slytherins. "Bleatchy takes the Quaffle and passes it to Pucey who tears through the crowd that tried to block him. He passes to his captain, back to Pucey, ooo such a shame. A near miss there folks, pucey just dodged a Bludger sent by...uh, well, a Weasley. Pucey makes it to the goals, he throws and oh tough luck Pucey, blocked by Wood-"
The game continued with Katie scoring twice, Angelina three times and Alicia once more. The score now sat at 70-10, Slytherin only scoring when Wood was trying to send a signal to the twins.
"-Bell has the Quaffle, the Slytherin chasers can't keep up, she is tearing down the field heading for the goals. Ooh nearly gets hit by a passing bludger, she passes to Alicia-" Flint having had enough, flew to Lucian Bole took his beaters bat and slammed a bludger straight at Katie hitting her square in the back.
"-OW that had to have hurt, surely it's a foul. Yes it is, since Flint hit the bludger after she lost possession of the quaffle, penalty to Gryffindor. Is Katie alright, she looks to be in pain but she takes the shot herself. She shoots...and SCORES 80-10 to Gryffindor"
Harry flew over after the penalty shot "Alright Katie?" She nodded and winced, he saw the tears in the corners of her eyes. Snarling, his eyes darted to Flint darkly before shooting off towards his goals, they would try to score soon enough. Taking note that the Slytherin chasers were flying around 10ft from the ground, he let loose a smirk as that was perfect to get some payback.
"=Pucey in possession of the Quaffle, he passes to Flint-" Harry was royally pissed off after seeing Katie with tears threatening to fall. Katie was the type that wouldn't show weakness so easily. She reminded him of himself when he was younger trying his hardest to contain the pain and tears. For someone to do that in a game like this made his blood boil. When they were close enough to his goal side, he took off, charging straight at Flint who held the Quaffle. Said Captain just smirked at the boy coming at him. He didn't seem worried and headed straight towards Harry, thinking the boy who lived was signing his own death warrant. He intentionally positioned himself so they would collide.
"What's this, it would appear that Potter is once more going for some real action. He is heading straight towards Slytherin captain Marcus Flint. Neither are showing any sign of pulling away, what is Potter thinking right –"
Flint's eyes widened as they were within 10Ft of each other and he saw Harry had a dark look in his eyes, he could have sworn they were actually glowing as well, making that sinister smile on his face much more impressive. It was too late to change course now however, everyone watching winced as one as Lee exclaimed "MERLIN'S BALLS" McGonagall didn't even reprimand him as she was thinking along similar lines.
"Harry Potter has just done the unbelievable, he has somehow knocked the Quaffle right out of Flint's hands during that high speed collision, straight towards his teammate Angelina Johnson. Amazing, incredible, clearly the skills of Harry Potter aren't just rumors, you've seen it right here folks. All while colliding with the burly sixth year, who appeared to have every intention to collide with our newest player... you would think the young seeker would be knocked off his broom from the collision but no. Harry Potter has somehow kept himself on his broom, not only that, but he seems to have knocked the captain of Slytherin off HIS broom. I repeat, this first year flier has knocked Marcus Flint off his broom. From the looks of it he's not going to be getting up again anytime soon. Payback's a bitch huh Flint"
Time out was called and the two teams descended. Harry was inwardly quite pleased with himself. Not completely sure why, but it almost seemed like Flint moved slightly slower as they were close to colliding, he was so focused carefully on dodging whatever Flint was going to do during the collision. Harry had hit the Quaffle out before quickly bringing his arm back and slamming his elbow into Flint's forehead. Than taking a strong hold on his broom in case the recoil from his slam knocked him off too. The fact it all happened within a few moments, hopefully meant to all witnesses, that it looked like they just slammed into each other with no control.
The Professors came down as well as Madam Pomfrey to check on Flint's status. "What the hell were you thinking Mr Potter, do you know how dangerous that was?" Professor McGonagall reprimanded him.
Harry inwardly smirked and put on an innocent look on his face "I was just going for the Quaffle Professor. I didn't think he would intentionally lean into me like that, it's his own fault"
They heard Flint groan over to the side and shakily get to his feet "Arrgh what happened?"
Snape, appearing dramatically as always, walked to his team's captain and stated "You collided with Potter and were knocked off your broom, do you remember what happened?" While looking into his eyes, Snape's saw the memory of Harry coming at him looking furious with some sort of odd glow emitting from his eyes, then hitting the Quaffle out. That was it, it ended with nothing to indicate there had been foul play.
"I just remember about to collide with him sir, losing the Quaffle, then nothing" The Slytherin captain stated sourly, he looked over at Harry and sized him up with his eyes. With a growl he nodded his head in his direction, an indication he didn't blame him for what just occurred.
Snape nodded as well for show before asking "Is he able to continue playing?"
The question was directed towards the school nurse who was waving her wand over the boy already, she quickly nodded "He was lucky he was so close to the ground, the Quidditch gear took a lot of the damage, had he been any higher..." The woman shook her head as she left her statement hanging "He has a few fractures but no broken bones or internal injuries. He will need to get those checked after the game but this should help him for now" Madam Pomfrey explained while handing Flint a pain relief potion.
She then looked over Harry "And now for you Mr Potter"
Harry eyes widened and threw his hands up "I'm fine, Ma'am, just a bruise honest. Check Katie if you're that eager to help someone, she got hurt by that bludger" Really he didn't know just how skilled the woman was, the last thing he needed was her to suddenly discover he had the ability to heal quickly.
The Matron eyed him dangerously "You just collided with a boy twice your size Mr Potter, I highly doubt you got out unscathed" When she saw Katie wince and glare at Harry holding her ribs, she clucked her tongue when she did a diagnostic charm "Such a brutal sport. Why they still have it in this day and age I will never understand, here dear, this is light and easily fixed, but I can't fix it until after the match, so here" She made the girl down a pain potion as well, Harry smiled when he saw Katie let out a breath of relief.
Madam Pomfrey then turned back to the famous wizard, eyeing him intently, trying to find any source of discomfort, Harry sighed before he began to stretch and hop on his feet lightly. Just for show he even got down and did a few push ups, then he took it a step further and walked on his hands for a few moments. The healer snorted but didn't push the issue further, the crowd was already getting annoyed at the interruption. The game resumed shortly after.
"Well it seems Flint is fine after all, what a shame-" "JORDAN" "What I mean is the payback that Harry got for that cheap shot against his girlfr-" "LEE JORDAN"
Harry broom suddenly began to vibrate oddly and then started to try and buck him off. He knew from all the books he had read that brooms never acted like this, even if they are ancient and this broom was brand new. Realizing someone was cursing it he started to look around trying to work out who it might be.
The twins flew over "What's wrong with your broom Harry?" They began circling him as the bucking got much worse, just in case he was flung off.
Harry kept gazing around the stands, but shouted out to his friends "Someone's cursing it. I have no control" With a sudden idea, he looked out to the staff area of the stands and sure enough he noticed Quirrel was staring at him muttering to himself.
Harry was not in a good mood at that moment, first Ron is an ass in the morning. Flint attacks Katie, he might have just revealed one of his abilities if anyone took the time to look carefully and now Quirrel was messing with his broom. He felt a burning rage trying to let loose, flashbacks of his youth with the Dursleys flickered past him and his rage grew greater then he'd ever felt before. Glaring at Quirrel as his broom continued to buck his eyes began to glow brightly. Everything seemed to vanish from his vision but Quirrel, the man's form frozen, his mouth open like he had just hit the pause button on a remote control. Darkness surrounded everything around the man. He could have sworn he could hear whispers in the background, dark mutters, growls, ignoring them in his anger, he felt an instinctual urge to channel all the rage and anger at the man. He didn't know what would happen, so he focussed on that stupid Turban on the man's head, the turban that caused his scar to burn each time he looked upon it.
Suddenly Quirrel's turban burst into flame and the broom finally stopped bucking, Quirrel was frantically trying to douse the fire without actually removing it. The others nearby him were trying to pull it off but he wasn't letting them anywhere near it.
Harry meanwhile blinked, everything going back to normal speed, did he just do that to Quirrel? Shrugging he called out to the twins "The brooms fine now, you can go back to the game guys"
A few minutes later Harry saw the snitch and went into a dive after it, Higgs right behind him but he couldn't keep up with the Nimbus so had no chance to close the gap. Harry's hand closed around the snitch and he held up his arm. Hooch's whistle blew in acknowledgement and the crowd burst into cheers.
"Harry Potter has caught the snitch, Gryffindor win the match 230-10, a complete humiliation to those slimy, cheating-" "JORDAN" "-what it's true Professor"
Harry landed and the team all came down soon after, instinct once more kicking in, he spun around and saw Wood running his way with tears in his eyes, panicking Harry looked around for a quick escape knowing he was about to get a bone crushing hug.
Wood was closing in and his fear began to grow. He couldn't see any escape routes nearby having completely forgotten he had a broom in his hand. Harry was saved by the chasers who ran up hugging and kissing him or so he thought. Katie had a broad grin on her face when she suddenly let him go at the same time as the other two girls. He had lowered his guard allowing Wood to move in and crush him shouting praises as loud as he could.
Fred and George dismissed themselves and ran up to the castle to do something though Harry wasn't completely sure what it was. Harry stuck around as the healer fixed Katie up quickly, after eyeing him again she went to fix up Flint. Katie pulled him aside and looked at him seriously "Did you go after Flint for the Quaffle or to hurt him for hurting me?"
Harry gave her a massive grin "To hurt him, can't let these Quidditch players think they can attack my favourite chaser and get away unscathed now can I?"
Katie smiled before she pecked him on the cheek "Well thanks Harry"
Then she glared and smacked him on the back of the head "Don't do it again, you really could have died from that little manoeuvre"
Harry rubbed the spot she hit and pouted "I knew what I was doing." She didn't respond just ran off to catch up with her fellow chasers.
Harry did the same, last thing he wanted was to stick around to answer any questions, he saw Snape and Dumbledore heading in the direction of Flint. He quickly caught up to the girls "Hey Katie, want me to keep your broom in my trunk?" Looking at him oddly she responded "Why?"
He got a massive grin "Well I can't get into your dorm but this will give you the excuse to go into mine"
She snorted and gave him a slight grin "In your dreams Harry"
Harry's suddenly turned serious "How'd you know? You've been in them since I joined the team" He really tried to keep his face straight, but from the look she had he burst into laughter, the other two chasers joining in.
As they neared the entrance hall he noticed Hermione and Ron heading to Hagrid's hut arguing. He couldn't work out how in Merlin's name the two of them ended up hanging out, his curiosity got the better of him. Giving Katie a hug from behind lifting her from the ground ignoring her protests, he said goodbye to the three chasers and took off for the hut.
"Hey guys what you doing?" They looked startled at seeing Harry there and Hermione looked nervous about something. Getting a sly grin he said "You two on a date or something?"
They both turned beet red and Harry burst out laughing. Hermione got her breathing under control since it was getting rapid, she scowled at the seeker "No we were going to find out why Snape was trying to kill you in that game"
Harry actually looked surprised. How the hell did she possibly come to that conclusion? He saw Quirrel muttering unblinkingly while staring at him. "Oh what makes you say that Hermione?"
Ron threw his hands up in the air for dramatic effect "What do you mean Harry? The man's the head of Slytherin, the most evil of them all. I still don't understand why you bother with any of them mate" Harry ignored Ron while he kept looking at Hermione seriously.
She looked like she just got caught cheating on a test from the way she was wringing her hands, while looking around nervously. Harry kept eyeing her seriously, she took a deep breath and turned back to him "We saw him during the game when you lost control of your broom, muttering constantly and not blinking while staring at you. That's signs of a powerful curse Harry, I've read all about them"
Harry thought about it, the broom was bucking but didn't seem to be actively trying to throw him to his death. That clearly meant one was cursing and the other was counter cursing the broom. The question was which one was helping him and which one wasn't. The fact he had just knocked his team's captain off his broom must have angered Snape and he did have some sort of hatred for him. But Quirrel, his instincts were telling him there was something wrong with him, especially after the Halloween incident being so suspicious. Harry decided he wouldn't tell anyone until he figured it out.
Hermione continued with her explanation "I was about to go over and set his robes on fire when Quirrel's turban did. It was really weird?" Harry was mentally congratulating himself when he heard that.
Shrugging he shook off those thoughts before he turned back to the duo "Well thanks for the concern but I'm not that worried about it" Hermione wides widened comically before he ran off waving a hand behind him he shouted out "Sorry I interrupted your date"
Arriving at Gryffindor tower Harry walked in to see everyone start cheering when they saw him, many holding bottles of something called butterbeer. He sheepishly ran his hand through his messy black hair, stating he was going to go get changed out of his Quidditch uniform.
When he came back down he was tossed a butterbeer by Fred and when he tasted it his eyes widened at how good it was "Nice isn't it Harry, we snuck out to get a few crates"
Harry quirked an eyebrow but didn't question where they got them, he vowed to buy some in bulk for the summer with the Dursleys. He would also have to see if the Headmaster will let him leave the castle to go shopping when the other students leave Hogwarts for the Christmas break.
One month later
December had arrived and many of the students were getting excited about going home to see their families. Harry naturally was not one of these people, but he made sure to have a smile on his face whenever his housemates or other first years spoke of what they would be doing over the Christmas break.
He had indeed talked to the Headmaster but he wasn't allowed to leave the grounds without an escort. That killed his ideas about going into Knockturn alley to get that second wand. However it would allow him to top up on his Galleons, as well as buy the presents for his friends.
When McGonagall had come to him, asking if he would be staying for the holidays, he noticed that the Weasleys and Susan would be staying as well. With a smile knowing he had the twins and Susan as company he had happily signed his name on the list.
The last class on the last day before the students would catch the train home was Potions. During the class Daphne had been shooting Harry nervous glances, it actually baffled him as the girl hardly ever showed that much emotion, Tracey meanwhile kept looking between them, giggling each time she did so, a few times Daphne had to nudge her to quiet down.
During the lesson while they were resting their potions for 30 minutes, Draco had walked over "Hey Harry, father asked me to give you this" Harry took the envelope and opened it up reading:
To Mr Harry James Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you are hereby invited to the annual Ministry Christmas ball, beginning at 6pm Saturday the 25th December. The event shall take place at Blackcourts Ballroom. Formal dress is required and wands must be handed in to security at arrival as a precaution. Food and refreshments will be provided. You are entitled to invite one other to join you on the night. No notice is needed if you wish to attend, you merely need to arrive on the night, your name is on the list.
Yours faithfully,
Helene Bulstrode
Public Affairs Office, Ministry of Magic
Harry blinked in surprise, honestly not expecting anything like this "Your father set this up Draco?"
The young scion shook his head "He did ask for it yes, but apparently there have been multiple families including the Minister himself requesting your presence. Father didn't believe that you had received any of the invites over the last week for some reason, they were sent by owl and he believes were intercepted, so he sent one to me to give to you personally"
Nodding his head in understanding he thanked Draco before turning to the girls. One glance at Daphne who now had a panicked look on her face he had to ask "You alright Daphne?" She looked at him with wide eyes and Tracey began cackling in an evil like manner. Harry tilted his head in questioning, girls were strange sometimes.
Thankfully Tracey took pity on her best friend as she explained "Daphne's just realized that you're going to be there" She indicated the letter "Millicent said her mother mentioned sending you an invite a few days ago, Daphne here has been this nervous since"
Harry raised an eyebrow "Why would that worry her though?" He asked it while looking at Daphne who was currently poking her best friend in the side to keep her quiet.
Tracey began cackling madly while fending off her attacks "Because her parents are going to be there and see how you interact with her. It's going to be hilarious"
Harry got a cheeky grin and Daphne stated worriedly "You won't do anything like you normally do will you Harry?"
Fighting down his grin he stated seriously "Of course not Daphne, I wouldn't do that to you" The girl let out a breath of relief, Harry winked at Tracey and showed her that his fingers were crossed, that had the girl trying extremely hard to keep from giggling.
Daphne went back to her normal expressionless self after that, while Harry was busy plotting a way to humiliate her in such a way she would never expect at the ball. Harry was also curious if Susan would be attending the ball, her Aunt is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry so it would be likely. But then why was she staying at Hogwarts during the break?
If that was the case then none of the professors would technically be able to prevent Susan and him from leaving the castle because of her Aunt. Thinking of what Draco said earlier, it suddenly occurred to Harry that he never receives any mail. Even though he's the boy who lived, recently returned to the magical world, he hasn't received one single letter from anyone yet. Who was blocking them all from reaching him?
He pondered this as he walked after class with Tracey and Daphne, the latter who visibly looked much more relaxed, to the hall. "What's eating you Harry?" Tracey asked seeing the look of concentration on the normally playful boy.
Harry was busy considering who it could be, worst case scenario Voldemort or his followers. Possible scenario, some sort of fangirl surveillance system. Likely scenario, the Headmaster, since he said he was his magical guardian "Hmm oh just wondering why I never receive any mail. I'm the boy who lived who's returned to the wizarding world. You'd think I'd be getting mail daily don't you?"
Both girls stopped to look at him "Wait you mean that you have never received mail from our world?" Daphne asked incredulously. Harry nodded and they both looked at each other seriously "Sounds to me that you've either or a charm on you preventing mail from reaching you or someone is having it redirected and only sending you what they want you to have"
Harry nodded "The only one that makes sense is my magical guardian. The question is why he's still doing it now I'm back in the wizarding world. I might go ask him now actually. I'll see you guys later"
Before he kissed each on a cheek and ran off in the direction of the Headmaster's office. Leaving them confused as to who the magical guardian could be. Once he got there he tried the password he used the month before but the statue didn't move. Thinking about it for a moment he tried another tactic, looking around to make sure he was alone and focussing on his senses.
Satisfied he stated "As the Heir to a founder of this school, I command you to step aside" Nothing happened for a moment, then suddenly there was a surge of energy from the statue, passing through him, the statues eyes glowed, then it slid to the side allowing him entry. He blinked surprised that it actually worked, as he walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.
There was a startled noise on the other side before a "Come in" Harry stepped inside and the Headmaster's eyebrows shot up "Harry my boy, how did you get in here?"
Tilting his head to the side he smiled inwardly before stating "I asked the statue to move and it did. I assume you commanded it to move after sensing me of something" Enhancing his senses when he saw the Headmaster muttering he heard "-be Gryffindor's heir, ironic considering Tom is Slytherin's"
Dumbledore clapped his hands together before stating "Now my boy what can I do for you today?"
Fawkes flew over and sat on Harry's shoulder before he responded "I was wondering why my mail is still being redirected now I'm at Hogwarts sir. I fully understand when I was with my relatives it was necessary to a certain extent. Just the sheer number of mail I must get because of who I am but surely there is a screening process to get rid of the junk, but what about the mail I would be interested in?"
Dumbledore's eyes began twinkling once more "Ahh I understand perfectly my boy. However I have yet to receive anything of importance besides Gringotts statements, that as you know I monitor until you take your position as Head of House, after you Graduate from Hogwarts of course"
Harry kept his face neutral but inwardly he was shocked, Dumbledore was trying to lead him into thinking he couldn't take his titles until he finished Hogwarts and not when he turned 14. Calming his emotions and letting none of them show on his face, he stated "I have no problem with the Gringott's statements sir, I was wondering if you explain why this was blocked though?"
Handing over the letter Dumbledore opened it curiously before his eyebrows rose in shock for a moment "I see. Who gave you this Harry?"
Harry shrugged as if he had no idea "It was passed to me during class today. They wanted to insure that I got it apparently. I'm going with Susan as my date. I assume we will be able to leave from here on the night sir?"
Dumbledore was inwardly getting worried. Many at the Ministry were corrupt individuals that he didn't want Harry interacting with. He may be intelligent but he had no idea of political repercussions that could occur, with a simple slip of the tongue at such an event. However if he denied the boy that, would also mean denying Miss Bones as well, then he would have Amelia on his case before the end of the night.
With a deep sigh he said "I apologize Harry, I didn't believe you understood and were properly prepared to deal with the political side of attending such an event. So I felt it prudent to keep such knowledge from you, after all, you could be taken advantage of."
Harry actually raised an eyebrow at the honest answer. That actually made sense, if he wasn't given knowledge of such political manoeuvres that Merlin gave him, he would indeed be in trouble if he attended the ball. Looking at the headmaster he responded "Thank you for the concern Headmaster but I assure you I have in depth knowledge of such subjects. I've been studying it in great detail since I heard I will one day need to take my place as Head of House Potter. I see this event as an opportunity to test the waters so to speak, meet the people I will be dealing with one day"
Dumbledore let out a sad sigh the twinkle in his eyes gone, inwardly he was slightly panicked as well. Harry had been looking into pureblood politics. What if he discovered he could take his head of house position at the age of 14? "Harry, I just wanted you to have a normal childhood unlike many Pureblood children do, they are raised to take over the family from a young age and never really have a chance to enjoy their youth"
Harry decided Dumbledore needed a wakeup call in regards to him so he asked "Sir do you have something that can show memories or project them?" Harry had read all about a pensive, surely a wizard as old and powerful as Dumbledore would have one handy. Sighing inwardly as the old man nodded curiously, Harry prepared himself menatally "Can you allow me to show you a few memories? I think you'll be enlightened"
Curiosity getting the better of the aged wizard, he nodded before standing and collecting his pensive and placing it on the desk between the both of them. "To extract a memory Harry focus on one with as much detail as you can. The more you can remember the clearer the memory will be. Place your wand at your temple and pull the memory out. Now make sure you make a copy of them within your mind if you do not wish to lose them permanently. Since you have impressive Occlumency shields I assume you know how to do this?"
Harry nodded before closing his eyes and copying the memories he wished to show. Opening them again he lifted his wand to his temple and removed them one by one. They looked like a long pale blue stringy like substance "Okay now deposit it into the bowl" When he did Dumbledore tapped the side of the bowl and a memory projected itself above.
Memory
A loud bang jerked a tiny boy awake. He looked around in panic "Boy, up now. Today you'll start earning your keep around here" The boy pulled on a string and a bulb lit up, the boy couldn't have been more than 5 and he was inside of a cupboard. He wore what could only be called rags. Stepping out of the cupboard he had a shirt that went down to his feet. Glasses that were cracked and stained shorts that looked like they had been soiled in.
He walked into the kitchen area that was sparkly clean and a well dressed horse necked lady stood and sneered down at the boy. "Alright boy from now on you will be cooking breakfast for us every morning. You better watch carefully and learn it for I'm only going to show it once. If you so much as burn anything you'll be in your room for a day with no food, understand." At the boy's meek nod she sneered, getting to work showing him with the first few slices. She then handed him the utensils and put a chair in front of the stove so he could reach
An extremely obese father and son then ran into the room "Morning Petunia dear. What's the freak doing outside the cupboard?" The boy trembled in fear as the large man glared at him hatefully.
She sneered once more "Earning his keep, I won't have him living here doing nothing Vernon. He will cook breakfast and do chores from now on" The fat man nodded in approval. After another glare at the boy cooking at the stove, he sat down at the table.
The fat boy then went up to the boy at the stove and punched him hard in the leg making him scream out in pain. The fat father chuckled and ruffled the son's head affectionately "Good boy Dudley, you will be as big and strong as your father when you're older"
The memory blurred and a new one took its place. The boy looked slightly older but wearing the same rags of clothing, this time he was in a classroom. "Harry Potter" The teacher called, no one put up there hand "HARRY POTTER" Again no one answered but the teacher was looking at that same timid boy "Think you're funny lad, not responding to your name"
The now named Harry looked up in shock "What? Is my name Harry?"
The teacher looked at him in concern now, seeing the genuine shock in the small child's eyes "Well what did you think your name was?"
The boy scrunched up his face in thought "Well I've always been called boy or freak so I thought that was my name" The whole class burst into laughter and Harry looked down at his lap while the teacher looked shocked and appalled.
The memory shifted and they were back in the house where the fat man was red in the face glaring down a now identified, frightened Harry Potter. "You little freak, the school just called asking us questions all about our treatment of you. Who do you think you are you little freak, we could have gotten into trouble all because of you"
The man then backhanded the boy and he fell to the floor in tears and his lip was bleeding "Don't you stain the floor with your freakish blood. You don't get the right to cry, that's only for normal, upstanding citizens, not little freaks like your kind. Just for that you're going to your cupboard with no food for the next day" Before he grabbed the boy by the arm and threw him into the cupboard hard. There was a sickening crunch of a bone snapping and a scream of pain "SHUT UP FREAK" before the man slammed the door shut and locked it.
The memory shifted and the boy looked older again, around 7 years old. He was again in front of the red faced obese man "You think you can score better then my boy on a test do you freak. I won't have it, do you hear me. No freak is smarter than my boy" He roared as he hit the boy twice hard, and put him in the cupboard again.
The memory shifted once more and the boy was now around 9 years old "Aunt Petunia what happened to my parents?"
The horse faced woman gasped at the question and she snarled angrily at him "Why would I tell you about that whore of a sister and that drunken jobless father. You really want to know boy, they were killed in a car crash from drinking too much, a pathetic end to pathetic people, never ask that again boy"
The pensive went blank and an ashen faced headmaster sat looking at the bowl horrified by what he had just witnessed "As you can see sir, I never had a childhood, let alone a normal one. I don't know whose idea it was to put me with those evil people, but they didn't give me a childhood in any sense of the word. They took it away, so the politicians don't have anything to take away. Those were merely memories that stood out but they were by no means the only times such things happened"
The headmaster had tears coming down his eyes and he gasped out "Oh Merlin, Harry I'm sorry"
Harry kept a neutral look on his face "I don't want pity headmaster and I don't need it. I have turned my life around, now that I'm in the wizarding world I've actually found a form of happiness. My relatives now leave me alone, I leave them alone so it works out fine. But I do not wish to be treated like some helpless child, because I am not and refuse to be that child in those memories ever again"
Dumbledore then looked up and into the boy's eyes "How, how did you turn out like you are now?"
Harry smiled, it was a fair question and the answer was just as simple "Simple, I refused to become anything like my relatives. If I became bitter, cruel and sadistic, it would just be like admitting I gave up and became like them. I refuse to let that happen, I will be the opposite to them in every way I can."
"I will give anyone the chance at friendship if they show they deserve it. I will show people the kindness and love that I've never received. By doing that it's like I've beaten them. I stopped them from shaping my fate, I'll make my own. I like to think that it's the way my parents would have wanted me to turn out. I expect you to send through any important mail in the future Headmaster"
The old wizard gazed at the boy sadly at the question. He couldn't help but think how much he had failed the boy. If he had personally checked up on the boy once in a while, he might have been able to prevent all that from happening. How could he face James and Lily in the afterlife after making such a complete and utter failure of a decision in regards to their only son? At that moment he felt his full age weighing down on him "Of course my boy, shall we head down to the feast? It looks like it's started already" Harry nodded and they walked out of the office.
AN: Last edited Nov 2012. If you notice anything that I've messed up during editing, whether it be typos or leaving something in the story that I had accidently removed, let me know in a pm or review.