REPOST: Sorry guys this is a new update! Last chapter I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and uploaded the unBeta'd verson of this chapter. Also just a heads up, the earlier chapters are going to be geeting beta'd as well. Though I don't know how long that will take.
AN:Sorry for the wait on this chapter, my beta and myself have been busy. I havent done this yet, so I'll do it now. I don not own HP! Also I used McGonagall's speech from HP:PS.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" Hagrid called, waving his lantern to signal where the group of first years should gather. Towering over all of the nervous looking eleven year olds was Hagrid, the light from his lanter making his hairy form look almost sinister. Harry was having a hard time not breaking out in laughter at the sight of all the old faces he knew looking so small and scared next to the half giant.
"What has you sniggering?" Came an emotionless voice from behind him.
Turning, he was greeted by the sight of an obviously cold Daphne Greengrass, bundled up in her school robes. Her normally cream colored skin was now a raw red from a constant wind that added to the chill already in the night air.
"Wow Daphne, maybe you should take that robe off? You look like your burning up," Harry joked. Seeing her eyes narrow a fraction, he guessed that cold weather made the normally emotionless girl cranky. "Okay, no need to glare. How about a warming charm?" He asked her holding up his wand. Not waiting for her answer, he quickly cast the spell on her. He could tell the spell had worked almost immediately.
"Thank you," Daphne said quietly as she lowered her shoulders, no longer trying to block the wind. "I hate the cold."
"So if I ever want to avoid you, I should just go somewhere its cold and crowded?" Harry asked her cheekily.
Daphne response came in the form of a blank stare that clearly said, 'That wasn't funny!' "So are you going to tell me what had you laughing?" She asked, just before Hagrid yelled again for the first years to follow him.
"I just think it's funny how short we all look compared to Hagrid."
"Everyone looks short compared to him." Daphne said as she looked to the crowed and back to Harry. "Though you do seem to be the second tallest in our year."
"I know, and here I was, so looking forward to looking down on all you little first years." Harry told her as he grabbed her by the elbow, saving her from falling down on the slipper path.
"Thank you... again." Daphne said as she blew one of the few hairs that had escaped from her pony tail out of her face. "You would think they would make this path a little safer. Shouldn't be that hard, considering they have this thing called magic."
Harry couldn't help but to agree with her. The path they were on was not only slick, but was on an incline that was narrow and dark even with the aid Hagrid's light. Having been on the same path once before in his "first" first year, he knew that it would be leveling out soon.
"It's alright; I think I can see something up ahead." He told her, hoping to soothe her.
"Here she is," Hagrid called over his massive shoulder, "Hogwarts!"
Just like in his first life time, the narrow path suddenly widened, leading them to the edge of the black lake. Across the water, high on a mountain, was Hogwarts in all its glory.
As all the other first years went 'Oooooh' at the sight at the sight of the giant castle, Harry threw Daphne a glance, only to see her trying to wipe the mud of her shoes. It became very clear to him at that moment that she was not what you would call an 'outdoors type' of girl.
Chuckling, he tapped her on the shoulder to grab her attention. "If you don't want to get your shoes any dirtier, I suggest we hurry and grab one of those boats."
Looking over to the edge of the lake, she saw the long row of tiny boats, bobbing up and down in the water. Nodding her head in agreement, she led him over to the closest boat.
Harry offered Daphne his hand, helping her in to a boat. Hagrid's voice reached them, letting them all know that there should be no more than four people to a boat. They had taken their seats when their boat started rocking, announcing two new arrivals. Looking back Harry saw Stephen Cornfoot and Wayne Hopkins, two boys Harry couldn't remember ever talking to in his past life, had been the ones to join them in their boat. Smiling and nodding to each Harry turned his attention back to the sight of Hogwarts sitting on its mountain with the star filled sky as a back drop. He couldn't deny that it was beautiful, and he wanted to enjoy it while he could.
"Alrigh', you lot ready?" Hagrid called out to the students. Not getting any answers, he nodded his great shaggy head and bellowed, "FORWARD!"
The ride across the lake was as enjoyable for Harry, as it had been the first time he had gone across. As the boats drew near the cliff, Hagrid called for all to lower their heads as they entered the dark tunnel through the curtain of ivy.
Daphne had, along with all the others, lowered her head. When she had looked over to her long haired friend she saw him with his head held high. Noting that nothing had happened to him, coupled with the fact that he was taller than her and more likely to be hit in the head by any low hanging obstacles, she slowly raised her own head.
"Why didn't you lower your head?" Daphne whispered, while trying to keep her voice low. The annoyance she had felt with herself had made its way into her question, as she kept a look out around the dark tunnel in case something did threaten to bash her in the head.
"If a man of Hagrid's size doesn't have to lower his head to keep from getting hit, what are the chances that we will?" Seeing her look over at the future Care of Magical Creatures Professor, he continued. "And I don't mean this in an offensive way, but he could lie down in his boat and he'd still have more of a chance of hitting his head than we would."
Daphne turned to him with a lifted eyebrow. "A bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?" Daphne asked. Her tone had lost the small sliver of annoyance it had held earlier and was back to her normal bored sounding self.
Shrugging his shoulders he replied, "Maybe a bit."
Feeling the boat hit land, Harry jumped out on to the loose rocks and pebbles. Holding out a helping hand for Daphne, he waited to hear the half giant call out about Neville's toad, but was surprised when the next call was for everyone to follow him.
'I shouldn't be too surprised. If what Draco said when we were younger was true about toads being out of fashion, then there is no way the Boy-Who-Lived would have one.' Harry thought. He made his way up the stairs with the other first years to the giant, oak front door. If he had been paying attention to his own thoughts and recalled his earlier discussion with Hermione, then he may have realized the flash of annoyance he would get any time Neville was brought up.
"Allrigh' you lot all you'ens still here? Good!" Raising his huge fist, he pounded on the oak door three times.
As he pulled his large hand back to his side, the door had already started to open, revealing Professor McGonagall in bottle ink green robes and her hair pulled back into a tight bun. Not for the first time Harry wondered if she would have wrinkles if she was to let her hair down.
"Here they are Professor." Presenting her with the first years, Hagrid turned and left without waiting for her to respond. Watching the half giant run off like he had made Harry wonder if his large friend had any new 'pets' that he was wanting to get back to.
"Follow me!" said a stern, though not unkind, Professor Mcgonagall to the gathered students. Following their soon to be Professor, they were lead from the entrance hall to a class room that was empty except for an abandoned teachers desk.
Turning her stern gaze on the group of first years, they all had the impression that she was sizing them up. Some of the more nervous students stood up straighter.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the great hall you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Unlike in Harry's first time being in this room, McGonagall didn't stay around long enough to leer at those she found to be in a messy state of dress. Instead, as soon as she had given her speech she turned and left.
As the door closed behind the Professor, the group of students broke out in conversations that were equal parts excited and nervous.
"- wish I knew how we're sorted!"
"My parents wouldn't tell me."
"As long as I'm not in Hufflepuff-"
Growing bored of listening to the babble around him, Harry made his way over to the unused teacher's desk. He hadn't expected for Daphne to follow him over, but when he hopped up on the desk she was already standing beside him leaning against it.
"Thank you." Daphne said quietly as she ignored all the questioning looks Harry and she was receiving.
"No problem... Now what exactly did I do to deserve your thanks?" Harry asked as he scanned the crowd of students.
"Like I said yesterday, I don't like crowded places." She reminded him. "You coming over here gave me an excuse to get away from all of them."
"Huh, well then, you're welcome," Harry said. "We're friends... Well at least I think we're friends?" Daphne's lips twitched in what Harry was assuming was a smile, as she nodded her head yes that they were indeed friends.
"Then in that case, any time you need an exit from a crowd, tell me and I'll help in any way I can."
"My brother Fred said the sorting hurts a lot." Came a voice that Harry would know anywhere.
Following the voice, Harry got his first look at this worlds Ron Weasley, Zacharias Smith, and Neville Longbottom. Ron looked exactly the same as his counterpart from Harry's world had during their sorting night, dirt on the nose and all. Even though Hermione had talked about him earlier, Harry was still surprised to see Zacharias Smith with him. The average looking blonde boy had his hair cut close to his head, showing ears that seemed just a tad too big for his head. This, coupled with the sneer he was wearing and his brown eyes, gave Harry the impression of a mouse. What had surprised Harry about the boy's presence wasn't that he looked like a mouse, but the fact that he had been in Ginny's year in Harry's original time line. However it wasn't that Ron and Zacharias, two people who hated each other, were together that surprised him most, but the way Neville had changed. His looks hadn't changed one bit, but the way he held himself spoke volumes. On his face was a bored expression, which wouldn't have looked out of place on a Malfoy.
"Really, Weasley?" Zacharias asked, turning his sneer on Ron. "Are you that thick? What do you expect them to do, hold us under the Cruciatus, until they decide where to put us?"
Ron turned a shade of red that Harry had seen many times. However, before he could spit out a retort, he was cut off.
"I know how they sort us!" Neville said, gaining the attention of all those in the room.
Harry noticed that as all of the room turned to him, Neville's chest seemed to swell from the attention his words had gained him. It was just another way this Neville was different from the original.
"Come on Neville, tell us!" Pleaded Zacharias. His sneer had disappeared, almost like magic.
"I would, but when Dumbledore told me how it's done, he asked me not to tell anyone else," said a smug looking Neville.
Harry highly doubted that Dumbledore had told him anything. If he did know about the Sorting Hat, then it was more likely that his parents had caved in and told him. But then again if Neville could change as much as he had, then it was possible that Dumbledore had as well.
"We're going to find out soon anyway, why not go ahead and tell us?" Asked a dark haired boy that Harry thought was named Kevin Entwhistle.
"It's not my fault that no one thought you were important enough to tell." Neville chuckled at the affronted look Kevin gained at his words. "Though it doesn't come as a surprise that I seem to be the only one here who knows how it's done. It's only natural that The-Boy-Who-Lived would know!" As he announced who he was, Neville held his arms wide as if to showcase himself to those in the room.
'Oh god, he's going to be worse than I thought!' Harry sighed in annoyance. 'He's acting like a mini Lockhart! If he starts handing out autographs I swear I'll push him off the Astronomy tower.'
Around the room, there were many different reactions to Neville's introduction. Those who didn't know who he was wore confused looks, while those who knew him and of him had looks ranging from awe to hate and even a few that spoke of indifference.
Before anymore could be said or thought, the ghosts started streaming through the back wall, just as they had the first time Harry had been brought into this room by McGonagall. And just like in Harry's original world, most of the room jumped from the shock of the sudden intrusion by the ghost.
Neville who still had his arms out when the ghost showed up, wacked Zacharias in the back of the head when he jumped. Looking around he was happy to see that no one had seen his embarassment. It wasn't until he heard laughter that he realized that there had in fact been someone who had seen his slip up.
Turning in the direction of the laughter, he was greeted by the sight of a pretty blonde girl that he knew to be named Daphne Greengrass. He had never seen her show even the smallest sign of emotion, but when he saw the corner of her lip turned up, he felt his self flush in embarrassment. This would have been bad enough all on its own, but when he saw a long haired boy outright laughing at him, he felt his embarrassment turn to anger and jealousy. Not only was this boy insulting him, but he was close to Daphne, a girl Neville had tried many times to talk to only to receive a cold shoulder.
"You've had your fun scaring the first years, now move along!" McGonagall said, announcing her return, giving the ghost a disapproving look. "Now if the rest of you will please follow me? I'll lead you to where the sorting will take place."
Turning to leave, McGonagall saw Daphne and Harry off a ways from the rest of the group. "Mr. Potter, I would like to ask you to refrain from using any of the desks you come across as your personal stool." She said using a tone that Harry knew she reserved for people she had a great disliking for. "They are made for the placement of books, parchment, and anything of the like, not for your hind-quarters!"
By the end of McGonagall's telling off, the entire group of first years had turned their attention to Harry. Rubbing the back of his neck he chuckled nervously. "Sorry about that Professor." He slid off the desk, landing beside Daphne. "Won't happen again!"
Pursing her lips and looking as if she wanted to say more, she gave a curt nod before leading the others out of the room.
"I don't think she likes you!" Daphne told him quietly.
Harry sighed as his shoulders slumped. "I'm getting the same feeling," he replied.
They followed the others back out into the entrance hall, past the suits of armor, and to the giant double doors that were the threshold to the Great Hall.
Placing a hand on the heavy looking doors, McGonagall pushed them open with an ease that a woman of her size shouldn't have had. As the doors swung open, the nervous energy coming off of the soon to be sorted first years seem to be almost physical. Even Daphne, a normally stoic girl, could be seen nervously fidgeting. The sight of the Great Hall, filled to the brim with older students focusing solely on them, didn't seem to be helping Harry's fellow year mates get over their nerves.
Having been in this situation before, Harry wasn't worried in the slightest. Walking with a confidence not often seen in an eleven year old, he followed the line to the front of the hall where McGonagall lined them up in front of the staff table, looking out at the sea of students.
Before he turned to face the older students he checked out the staff. All the teachers from his first year where there. Snape, his bored look in place. There was Quirrel, stuttering away to the Potions Master. Flitwick, who if Harry wasn't mistaken looked to be upset about something.
Placing the dirty old rag known as the Sorting Hat on a stool, McGonagall stepped away as the hat started its song. Harry had to fight his urge to laugh, at those who had lined up with him, when they jumped in fright at the now singing hat.
Having heard the hat sing more than a few times in the past, it didn't really interest Harry to hear it again. So, instead, he opted to try and see if any of the faces he knew from his original world were wearing new colors in this one.
Searching the sea of faces, Harry could see a few here and there that had changed houses, but none that he really knew personally. That is until he was gaze landed on the Ravenclaw table, where he saw something that made him dread the thought of being in the house of Knowledge. Sitting with Penelope Clearwater on his right and his left side, left unoccupied all the way down, open for the first years to take their seats, was Percy Weasley, adjusting his prefect badge, which shined as if he had spent his entire summer polishing it, which he most likely had.
Groaning at the thought of having to deal with the uptight boy, Harry joined those around him in clapping for the end of the hats song.
"As I call your name, you will come and place the Sorting Hat on your head, where he will then sort you into your house." McGonagall informed the first years. "Abbott, Hannah!"
Harry paid minimal attention to who went where, only listening to see who was placed differently than last time. The first person to be put into a different house and truly grab Harry's attention was Michal Corner, who instead of being placed in Ravenclaw, was sent to Hufflepuff.
After Michal, those who were called ended up going to the same house as they had last time, resulting in Harry quickly losing interest.
The next person that Harry paid any real attention to was Hermione. Harry watched as his bushy haired friend, or in this time line acquaintance, stepped out of line, walking shakily up to the stool. As she picked up the hat, she glanced back along the line of yet to be sorted students, until she found Harry. Finding who she was looking for, she stared at him, sending him a look that seemed to question whether she should trust his earlier advice.
Not knowing what else to do, Harry sent her a soft smile, before mouthing the words, "Ask the hat!" to her.
Watching him for a second longer, she nodded her head before she proceeded to hop on to the stool, where she placed the hat on her head. By the time the hat had covered her eyes and she had began her conversation with the mind reading hat, most of the hall had followed her line of sight, wondering why the first year had been just standing there instead of hurrying up with the sorting. This meant most of the school now had its focus on Harry.
While he wondered if Hermione would still take his advice after scaring her the way he had on the train, he could hear some of the whispers of those who were looking at him. Knowing Hermione would be awhile, he leaned forward a bit and strained his ears as hard as he could to try and hear what was being said.
"He's so adorable!"
"Such a cutie, I just want to hug him!"
"Oi! Fred... George! Looks like there's a whole mess of red heads this year. How many of them belong to your family?"
The last statement aside, Harry had a sense of dread pass over him. While it was true girls around his age thought he was handsome, he was getting the feeling that the older girls were going to see him as nothing more than something cute and cuddly, which they could hug and squeeze... like a teddy bear.
As his thoughts took this route, he remembered the day in Flourish & Blotts when he had almost gotten Iris and his self kicked out of the book store, but had ended up being hugged by the girl who worked there. Looking around the hall he tried to find her and was surprised when he found her sitting at the Ravenclaw table, staring up at him. Seeing him looking at her she sent him dazzling smile and a small wave. As he waved back, a flash of silver caught his eye, looking down from her face, he saw the Head Girl badge on her chest, which resulted in him remembering the hug she had given him and the way she had pressed his head into said chest.
Thinking of the hug caused him to blush a deep red. Seeing his color change, the Head girl and her two friends sitting on either side of her, broke out in giggles thinking the young boy had blushed as a result of him having a crush on the waving girl. As he watched them laughing, Harry couldn't help, but think that if girls as attractive as those three where the ones hugging him, then he wouldn't be all that upset about being seen as a teddy bear.
"RAVENCLAW!" Roared the Sorting Hat, jerking Harry away from daydreams of being a snuggle buddy for attractive older girls.
He was happy to see that Hermione had been placed in Ravenclaw. It gave him hope that there may still be a chance in the future for a friendship between her and him.
"Greengrass, Daphne!" Called the Deputy Headmistress.
"Good luck," Harry whispered to the stoic girl, who nodded as she made her way to the stool.
She placed the hat on her head, where it remained only for a few seconds before it let out a call of Ravenclaw.
Along with the entire Ravenclaw table, Harry clapped for his friend. As the clapping died down, Harry once again lost interest as Meagan Jones was called forth, and didn't pay attention again until a call of Longbottom Neville, was called.
Harry noticed that unlike when he had been called during his first sorting, the hall wasn't as eager to get a look at the 'new' Boy-Who-Lived. Maybe it was the fact that Harry had grown up away from the magical world, resulting in his Sorting being the first time most had ever laid eyes on him. Neville, on the other hand, had grown up in the spotlight for all to see, making him less of a novelty. Nevertheless, it didn't stop him from swaggering up to the stool. Remembering how long it had taken Neville to be sorted the first time, Harry was anticipating seeing him sweat a bit. However, Harry was shocked when as soon as the hat touched Neville's head, it let out a call of Gryffindor.
"Well that was surprise," Harry said to himself, as Neville made his way over to the clapping group of Gryffindors.
After the clapping had died down for what felt like the hundredth time, McGonagall started calling names again. Macmillan, McDougal, Malfoy (who still looked to be very jumpy), Moon, Nott, Parkinson, two Patil's, and a Perks later and it was Harry's turn.
"Potter, Harry!" McGonagall said, sounding snappy when she called him.
Putting on a charming smile, Harry sauntered up to her and took the offered hat. Giving her a 'Thank you' as he sat down and placed the hat on his head. He was a little disappointed when it still fell over his eyes.
'Well, well, if it isn't little bitty Harry. How are you enjoying your new lease on life?' asked a voice Harry hadn't been expecting to hear again.
'Kar... is that you?' Harry thought.
'The one and only,' Kar said mischievously into Harry's mind.
'How are you in the hat? Did you kill it?' Harry thought, sending a mental groan to the childish god.
'Well, excuse me for missing you! I thought you might like some help from an old friend. But I can see that I was wrong. Good bye!' Karma thought, sounding like a kicked puppy.
'Wait! Kar, I'm sorry, I just didn't expect to hear you is all.' Harry thought in what he hopped was a gentle manner.
'Are you sure? I could leave and let you deal with the fall out on your own!' Kar asked sounding like a child with its ego bruised.
'I'm sure. Now what are you talking about helping me with?' Harry asked.
'What I'm talking about is the Sorting Hat not turning a dimension/time traveler over to old man Bumblebee!' Kar said in a singsong voice, his hurt feeling forgotten.
'Oh shit... I completely forgot about it reading my mind. That would have ended very badly for me... Thanks Kar. You're a life saver!' Harry thought gratefully.
'No problem, I know I'm awesome!' Kar thought, making Harry picture a smug looking Kar in his head.
'I have a question for you about the whole soul thing. Do you think you can answer it for me?'
"This is pathetic!" called out a voice that Harry knew belonged to Neville.
Pulling up the hat, Harry along with everyone else in the hall looked over to the pudgy boy.
"What have the four great families fallen to?" Neville asked shaking his head as he enjoyed his new bit of time in the spotlight. "First the Black family doesn't have an heir because the head of the family can't stop running around with women. Then you have the Bones family, who can't get a single member out of the house of left overs. And now the Potter heir can't even get sorted. Truly you are all pathetic."
Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw Susan lower her head. He thought she was embarrassed by how her family had been disrespected, but when he took a better look he could see her clench her hands in anger. Harry had to admit he knew it would be hard to say something back if you had someone say that about you in front of your future school mates. It was why he cut McGonagall off before she could tell him to be quiet.
"Longbottom," Harry said in a quietly but carrying voice, which drew everyone's attention to him, including the staff. "If you have anything in that thick skull of yours, then it would be wise to shut your mouth. I won't stand by and watch you run down my family or friends. If you think I'll be like all those sheep who kiss your ass because you supposedly killed Voldemort, then you have another thing coming!"
There was complete silence after Harry finished talking, until as one the hall was filled with angry hisses and scared shouts of shock. A look of bewilderment was on the faces of the few who didn't know who Voldemort was.
Harry had to admit, that unlike his past self who had hated it when people were scared of the word, now it seemed funny to him that a supposedly dead man could have this much rule over people. Still, deep down, below his amusement he felt a little sad for them. But more than anything, seeing Neville look like he was going to shit himself was the funniest thing he had seen in a while.
Dumbledore watched as the one he thought to be the chosen one acted as a spoilt child would. 'Is he truly the only hope of saving the world?' Dumbledore thought to his self as he started to stand up and reprimand the boy. That is until the boy with hair the color of blood, who may possibly be the choice to save them all, spoke up. As he listened to the boy's words he couldn't help but to feel he would be a better choice to be their savior. With the power that was rolling off him, a voice that sounded as if it had magic running through each word, and a demeanor that screamed of confidence (without crossing over into the area of being overly so, like Neville had turned out to be). Yes, this boy would be the perfect choice to lead the light in its darkest hour.
It wasn't until the words 'supposedly killed Voldemort' that Dumbledore was shocked out of his musing. As the hall filled with the voices of those around him, including those of his staff, Dumbledore felt another spark of hope that this boy may be the one to save them. The only problem was that Voldemort had 'marked' Neville, not Harry. He would have to think more on this later, for now he had to restore order to his school.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore commanded using a Sonorus, causing all in attendance to quite at once.
"Now Mister Potter, I will ask you not to use such language again." Dumbledore asked kindly, his eye sparkles on full blast.
Chuckling and running a hand through his hair, Harry nodded his head that he wouldn't do it again.
"Thank you. Now that that's out of the way, may I say bravo, it is rare to find anyone outside myself who is brave enough to use that name." Dumbledore told him as the entire hall leaned forward to see what action the Headmaster would take on the first year.
"It's no problem headmaster." Harry replied.
"Now then, would you be so kind as to lower that hat back down so we can continue with the sorting?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir."
"Before we move on," said the Sorting Hat, in its normal voice, though Harry could hear traces of Kar's own mixed in. "I'd like to inform Mister Longbottom of a few things." The hall was once again shocked, this time to hear the Sorting Hat calling someone out.
"You said earlier that Hufflepuff was the house of left over's. I would like to tell you that you couldn't have been more wrong. It is the house of loyalty and hard work, and all of its members should be very proud of themselves for having those be their most outstanding qualities. As to Miss Bones, she could have been in not only Hufflepuff, but Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor as well. As for Mister Potter, he has the cunning and ambition of a Slytherin, the thirst for knowledge of a Ravenclaw, the loyalty and work ethic of a Hufflepuff, and yes he has the courage of a Gryffindor. He is one of the few who has passed through these halls that have the traits of all four houses. And you would do well to remember that." Finished Kar in a stern voice.
"May I ask as to why it is taking so long to pick mister Potter's future house?" McGonagall asked, as she was one of the first to regain her composure.
"Well..." Kar said sounding a bit embarrassed. "Its not often I get to talk to anyone, let alone someone as much fun as mister Potter is, so I'm having a bit of a conversation with him."
"Wha-what?" She stuttered sounding scandalized. "I'm going to have to tell you to move it along."
"And I'm going to have to tell you no." Kar said in a mocking tone that sounded like the hat making fun of her.
Before she could come up with a retort Kar continued, "May I remind you that without me, you cannot sort the rest of this year's students. So be a good girl Minnie, and sit tight." Saying his piece the hat did a sort of wiggle in Harry's hand causing him to let go, dropping the hat back over his eyes.
'Did you really have to piss McGonagall off? She already hates me.' Harry asked, almost whining.
'Me piss someone off? YOU'RE the dumbass who said Voldemort's name when he isn't more than five feet away from you.' Kar shot back.
'Oh... Damn, I have really got to start thinking these things through before I act.' Harry thought, as Kar sent him a mental nod of the head. 'That's what I was trying to ask you before we were interrupted. Why am I acting so violently and why do I feel like stealing everything that I find interesting? I feel like a niffler!'
'Like I told you the last time we met, the soul is where the magic comes from, but it also makes you who you are. You had a small sliver of Voldemort's soul in you for sixteen years. That small sliver was enough for you to pick up his temper and his ability to speak to snakes in that amount of time. Are you following me?" Kar asked, stopping his explanation, so that Harry could process the information.
'...Yeah, I get it.' Harry answered after a moment.
'Now then think of this: your body had the other Harry's soul in it for eleven years. The entire soul resided in this body. Even if it was for a shorter amount of time, there was a far greater amount of soul in it. No matter what you do, you're always going to feel the need to steal things you like, hurt your enemies, and want to claim that sister of yours as your own. Though I do have to admit, the theft of the timetuner was a smart move.'
'Yeah," Harry said absentmindedly. 'You said there was a chance that I was the chosen one for this world and I thought it would come in handy.'
'Very true. I loved watching you run around like some kind of magic ninja. Love and I, both enjoyed the show.'
'So I'm always going to have these urges?'
'Yeah you will, but maybe... It might help if you tried meditating. It could help you gain better control over yourself.' Kar suggested. 'Besides, most advanced magic involves meditating to a point, like becoming an animagus. The first step is to medtiate until you find your inner animal.' Here Kar paused, but to Harry it seemed like he had more to say, so he waited quietly for him to continue. 'And now that I think about it, there's another sign of how much the old Harry's soul affected you.'
Sounding interested Harry replied, 'Do tell!'
'Your animagus form! It's a mix of three things. First is your soul, by its self you would have been some type of avian. While old Harry's would have been one that was a sign of death and destruction. And since you were reborn, you ended up with one that is also a sign of rebirth.'
'My animagus form was some type of lightning phoenix.' Harry said a little sharply. 'Not a sign of destruction.'
'Oh! You know what, you're right. I mean, how would I, an all powerful being, know more than you?' Kar asked sarcastically.
Harry sighed mentally. He really needed to stop insulting Kar. 'Sorry... I just don't like the thought that my animal form means something bad.'
'It's fine.' Kar replied sounding a little hurt pausing a moment before he continued. 'Like I was saying, the lightning phoenix, or as most of those who believe in it call it, 'The Great Bird of Lightning', is known as a bringer of war. And with the things your old self would have done had he lived and mixed with your own past, I'd say your animagus form is spot on.'
Kar knew that being told all this would affect Harry more than it had the first time, the reason being Harry now had firsthand knowledge of how bad his impulses would be. Knowing he had a lot to take in Kar asked, 'Listen kid, I may have been able to buy us a small amount of time, but I can tell you McGonagall won't be any happier having to wait much longer. So if you have any more questions, now's the time ask them!'
'Uh... I don't think I have anything else.' Harry told him uncertainly.
'Don't worry about it. I'll be sure and stop in again sometime... I have to admit that your constant mood swings aside, you're pretty fun to talk to.' Kar said chuckling.
'Thanks Kar, you too!' Harry thought softly.
'Now, are you ready to join the other birds?' Kar questioned cheekily.
'Yeah I'm ready,' Harry told him chuckling, until something Kar had said earlier caught his attention. 'Hey Kar! Wait a minute!'
'Yes?' answered Kar sounding giddy. He knew what Harry was going to ask him.
'You said earlier that you and 'Love' enjoyed watching me. Who's Love?'
'Why the Goddess of Love, of course!' Karma said, surprising Harry. 'I got her into watching you as well, and she's become as addicted to watching you as I am!'
'So the Goddess of Love, enjoys watching my life?' His question earned him a mental nod from the god. 'Is that a good thing or a bad thing?' Harry asked his worry clear in his thoughts.
'We'll just have to wait and see won't we.' Kar said laughing at him.
"RAVENCLAW" The Sorting Hat bellowed, while laughing, scaring most in attendance with its odd behavior.
As he made his way over to his stoic friend, Harry glanced around the room seeing all the looks that were being thrown his way. From blushes on the faces of the younger girls, to outright glares from some of the older boys, Harry hadn't known what to expect after what had happened during his sorting, but now that he saw the reactions he was getting, he wished he had kept his mouth shut. Even his own house seemed to have mixed feelings about him, as what looked to be about a fifth of them weren't clapping for him, while others looked at him as if he was something fascinating and should be studied.
"Smith, Zacharias!" McGonagall called, as she, like most of the school, was throwing glances at the child of two of her favorite students.
He took his place next to Daphne, who had moved over so that there would only be someone across from her, and him on one side leaving the other wide open for others who were sorted into their his other side was Morag McDougal, a cute red headed girl that seemed to be covered in freckles. Seeing that all of his table's attention was on him, he gave them his most charming smile and a quick wave of the hand before turning back to the sorting to see Smith being placed in Gryffindor instead of Hufflepuff like last time.
"Zabini, Blaise" Was called and so far Hermione, Daphne, Michal, Zacharias, and Harry were the only ones to be placed in different houses. As the sorting continued, people had stopped watching Harry, seeing that he wasn't going to make any more of a commotion.
"Ravenclaw" Shouted the now back to normal Sorting Hat. Harry hadn't expected to see Blaise placed in Ravenclaw. The quiet boy had been placed into Slytherin in Harry's original world.
While Blaise made his way over to the now clapping table, McGonagall grabbed the Sorting Hat a little harder than was necessary, and picked up the stool it had been sitting on and made her way into the chamber behind the teachers table.
Rising to his feet, Dumbledore smiled out at the gathered students as he called for their attention. "I'd like to welcome all the old and new faces, to another year at Hogwarts. Before we as they say 'dig in' I'd like to say a few words. And they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank You!"
Dumbledore took his seat to the applause of most of those gathered in the hall.
Harry, who had been laughing at the Headmaster, found his amusement renewed by the looks on the faces of his fellow first years.
"I don't know about any of you, but I can't decide if that man is more brilliant, or mad." Harry said over his own chuckles, earning laughs in return.
While he chose what he wanted to eat, Harry took the time to look over each of his new house mates. Besides Hermione, he really didn't know any of them that well from his past life. Sure he knew a few from the DA, but even those who had attended, only had the relationship of student and teacher.
"Harry," came the monotone voice of Daphne.
"Yeah?" he responded, feeling most of their table's attention on them. Since the sorting had ended people had started watching him again.
"If you don't mind me asking. What did the hat talk to you about?" She asked before taking a bite of her meal.
"About the weather." Harry answered giving her and those who were eavesdropping a smile.
"Seriously?" Blurted a wide eyed Lisa Turnpin, a girl with long light brown hair and eyes that were almost golden.
"No!" Harry said smiling cheekily, causing most of those who were listening to snort or laugh, but there were a few who Harry caught scowling his way. "He just asked me about what I thought of certain things and what I wanted to do once I left Hogwarts."
"Is it normal for the hat to stop the sorting, to talk to people like that?" asked Anthony Goldstein to no one in particular.
His answer came from none other than future Head Boy Percy Weasley. "No its not," Percy said looking disapprovingly at Harry. "It was very rude of it to talk to Professor McGonagall like that, and you," he said pointing his finger at Harry in a way that only Percy could point a finger, "should not have encouraged it, by talking back to it."
If there had been anyone at the table who hadn't been listening to their conversation, that would have changed when they heard Percy telling off the first year who had already made a huge commotion.
"And what exactly was I supposed to do to make it stop talking to me?" Asked an incredulous Harry. "Call it a bad hat, and threaten to wash it if it didn't stop speaking?" As he said it, Harry knew he would always be on Percy's bad side from that day on.
Percy turned red at the nerve of the first year who was giving him cheek. What made matters worse was that most of those who had heard the young boy disrespect him had laughed about it.
"You do know that I am a prefect," he puffed out his chest showing his shiny badge, "and as such, can take points from those who disrespect me?"
Had this been happening to anyone else, Harry would have thought the sight of those around them looking back and forth between them would have been funny, but with Percy running his mouth, Harry couldn't help but to throw a slight his way.
"Just because I don't have any respect for you, doesn't mean I'm disrespecting you... Sir." Harry had said the word 'Sir' as sarcastically as he could.
"W-why I... you... ugh!" Percy said in way of a response. He would have continued, but Penelope placed a calming hand on his.
"Percy, you started in on him! You can't blame him for responding the way he did." Percy was once again about to respond, only for her to squeeze his hand, stopping him before he could start. Looking past Percy she turned her attention to Harry. "I'm sorry if my friend upset you. He gets very upset when the rules aren't followed."
"It's quite alright Miss..."
"Penelope Clearwater."
"Penelope Clearwater, I like that name. It's very pretty... It suits you." Harry said smiling, trying his hardest to not break out in laughter at the shocked looks he was getting. People were surprised to hear a first year hit on a prefect.
"That's very kind of you," she replied, as a small dusting of red made its way to her cheeks.
'This little hooligan is hitting on my Penelope!' Thought an outraged Percy as he glared at Harry. 'I'll strangle him with that damn hair of his!'
Sending the older girl one last smile he turned back to his plate. As everyone saw the show was over they started going back to their own meals.
Making sure no one would hear, Daphne leaned over to him and whispered, "You're really mean, you know that?"
"What did I do?" Harry asked trying and failing to look innocent. He had the distinct feeling that she knew he was messing with Percy.
"Just be careful who you mess with. You don't know how far you can push someone, before they start pushing back." And like that she turned back to her plate.
The rest of the meal passed by quickly for Harry. He spent much of the time getting to know those around him better, while when he knew no one was watching him besides Percy, would send the older boy a cocky smirk. He knew Daphne was right about pushing people too far, but he just couldn't help it. He really enjoyed messing with him.
As the last person finished their dessert, Dumbledore rose to his feet. By the time he was fully standing the tables had became void of any food.
And so began Dumbledore's speech. To anyone who have may been watching him, it would have looked like Harry had been paying rapt attention to the Headmaster, when in fact he was only vaguely listening, and only well enough to hear if there were any major changes to the closing speech. It was a good thing he had done so for one change came that interested him greatly.
"- in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. Also, if you're interested in joining your house's dueling team, then look for the notices, which will be placed in your house common rooms." He informed the students, earning as much excitement from those in the hall as when he had talked about joining the Quidditch teams.
"There are dueling teams?" Asked a pumped Harry to no one general.
Before any of the others could respond, Percy had told him to keep quiet while the Headmaster was talking. So it was an impatient Harry who had to sit through the rest of Dumbledore's speech for a second time and sing the school song for what felt like the millionth time.
When the headmaster had finally released them, Penelope told the Ravenclaw first years to stay seated until the hall had cleared out some. Giving them more time to talk and for Harry to ask questions.
"So did you know there were dueling teams?" Harry asked, turning to Daphne.
Daphne nodded her head yes. "I'm surprised you don't know about them."
"Why?"
"Because in your father's time here, he held his year's duel title four times." Answered Terry Boot, a rather short boy with messy brown hair and eyes, the only thing about him that really stood out was his nose, which was a bit long and turned up at the end. "The only times he lost was in his first year to Professor Snape, and twice to your mother. The two years that she won, were the only years she participated in the duel teams and the end of year tournament."
"How do they set up the duels?" Kevin Ethwhistle asked. He was one of the two who had sat with Harry and Daphne in their boat earlier that evening.
"First, they hold inter-house matches, to see who's going to represent each year for their house," answered Blaise, a dark skinned boy, who Harry remembered quite a few girls falling all over themselves for back before he died. "So that before you face any of the other houses. You have three duelists for each year, giving each house a total of twenty-one duelists."
"From there, your house has one match against each of the other houses, much like in Quidditch. The house with the most points at the end of the year wins. However your team could lose all its matches, and if you still have one of the better records at the end of the year, then you get to enter the end of year tournament for your year range." Blaise told them smirking.
"How do they decide who wins the matches?" Hermione asked. It seemed to Harry that she was trying to avoid eye contact between herself and him. "The team with the most wins, or is there some kind of points system?"
Instead of Blaise answering her, Penelope did. "If your house has the most wins, say in the fourth year matches, then you get four points. If you win in the sixth year matches then you get six points. Do you understand?" She asked kindly.
All of the first years nodded their head yes, even those who had already known about the points system.
"So that means the first year team can only win their house one point?" Anthony Goldstein asked, getting a nod from Penelope. "Man that's weak!" He said, almost pouting, causing everyone to chuckle.
"The hall is almost empty," Percy stated. "We can go ahead and make our way to Ravenclaw tower."
Silently, the group stood up and followed him and Penelope, none of them talking so they could better remember the way to their common room. The two prefects lead them out of the Great Hall, and up to the west wing of the fifth floor. Finding themselves at a staircase, they continued to follow the two older students up the spiraling stairs. They finally came to a stop at a door that instead of having a keyhole or lock, only had a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle.
"Now," said Percy, turning to face the group of first years, who were tightly packed in the stairwell, so they could see what he was trying to show them. "Unlike the other houses that have a set password, we in Ravenclaw have a different way of getting into our common room."
Penelope decried to pick up where he had left off. "To get into the tower, you must use this knocker, which will in turn ask you a riddle that you must answer before you can enter."
Seeing Hermione's hand shoot into the air, Penelope smiled kindly at her before saying, "Let me guess, you either want to know what happens if you can't answer the question, or why the only defense to our house common room is something that almost anyone could answer... Correct?"
Hermione blushed at being so predictable, but nodded her head all the same.
"Don't worry about it sweetie, from what the other prefects told us, we get asked that same question each year." She told her with a giggle. "To answer the first part, is quite simple... You have to wait for someone to get the question right before you can enter."
In response she received wide eyes and looks that spoke of incredulousness.
"Merlin, I really hope the bathrooms aren't this elaborate." Harry said in a voice that sounded completely serious. "When I wake up in the mornings I have a hard time functioning. One wrong guess and my dorm room is going to be flooded."
The group, including Penelope and Hermione, all burst out laughing at his joke, and even earned Harry what he thought might be his third lip twitch from Daphne. The only person, who didn't seem to find it funny, was of course Percy.
"How... Amusing!" Percy sneered, reminding Harry of Lucius Malfoy. "Now then, the answer to the second part of the question is: that Lady Ravenclaw wanted to open her doors to anyone who showed signs of being an intellectual."
"So, who would like to try it out?" Percy asked, before smiling and looking at Harry. "How about you? You always seem to have something to say, why not give it a try?"
His fellow prefect gave him a disapproving look and was about to say something to him, but was beat to the punch by Harry.
"Sure! I'd love to try!" Harry sent Percy a smile he knew the older boy would hate. "After all, the worst thing that could happen would be me getting the wrong answer."
Being careful not to knock someone over, or step on anyone's toes, Harry pushed his way to the plain looking door and knocked.
"No legs have I to dance. No lungs have I to breath. No life have I to live or die. And yet I do all three. What am I?" Said the knocker in a musical voice.
Harry had always had mixed results when it came to riddles and the like. In his first year, there would have been no way that he could have gotten the correct answer to Snape's logic question, if Hermione hadn't been there with him, but then in his fourth year he had been able to solve the sphinx's riddle quite easily, all on his own. However, all this aside, since Harry had entered this body his mind, just like his eye sight had become much sharper than before. He didn't think either had anything to do with the abilities Kar told him he would be receiving. For one, his thoughts and eye sight were both a lot clearer before he had his dream meeting with the childish god. And secondly, Kar had told him he would have to work for his gifts and while he had been pushing himself both physically and mentally, he just hadn't had enough time for any great improvements to happen. In the end Harry chalked up his clearer mind to the fact that the Harry who had been in possession of his body before him was just smarter... and had better eye sight.
"Don't worry if you can't get it right." Percy said sounding smug. "I'll just-."
"No you won't." Harry told him in a light voice, happy his mind was sharper than before, even if it was only to just show Percy up at the moment. "My answer is Fire."
"You are correct. Well done!" The musical voice told him as the door to the common room opened.
"Thanks for believing in me enough, to give me the chance to answer the riddle!" Harry told Percy with a cocky smile, as he stepped through the threshold and into the Ravenclaw tower.
Looking around the room was exactly the same as when he had come here with Luna. High arching windows that gave a beautiful view of the mountains. A carpet that was the same blue as the blue in their house colors. And unlike Gryffindor and Slytherin's common rooms, Ravenclaw's had more furniture that could be used for studying and learning, instead of a place for relaxation and socializing. There were even bookcases all around the circular room.
The only real difference that Harry could see was that where the room had been empty on his last visit, it now held what looked to be the entire house. All of who seem to have looked up at the sound of the entrance being opened.
Ignoring all the quizzical stares he was receiving, Harry looked until he found Cho, who sent him a small wave and cute smile. Harry only had time to send a smile of his own in return before Percy led the others into the room.
"This is our common room," announced Percy. "Here you can rest and relax, but please do try to keep a low voice at all times, as this is a place where most come to study. On the left side of the room you'll see the door way leading up to the girls dorms and to the right the boys. When you go up the stairs enter the room labeled 'First Years'."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask any of the prefects, or-."
"Me." A cheerful voice said from behind Harry, as a pair of arms wrapped around him.
Leaning his head back, Harry looked up into the face of the Head Girl, who he had met once before. It was at this moment that he realized that even after he had told her that lie about wanting to meet her, he still hadn't gotten her name.
"Hello Harry, been keeping out of trouble?" She asked as she smiled prettily down at him.
Blushing from the sudden contact, he gave her a small chuckle. "It depends on what you mean by trouble?"
"You know him?" Percy asked, saying 'him' like it was a profanity.
"Yes we've met before, Percy." She said evenly, before turning to the first years and giving them a kind smile. "Hello, my name is Alice Wynter, and I'm the female seventh year prefect and Head Girl. If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask for help." While saying this she never let go of Harry, not that he was complaining. "Now do any of you have a question before we leave you to your own devices?"
Harry had to hide his smile when Hermione's hand hit the air before Alice had finished her question. Apparently Alice found her behavior funny as well, if the giggle she let out was any indicator.
"Yes, what's your question?"
"Are we allowed to read any of the books in here?" Hermione asked as she kept giving the bookcases a hungry look.
"Yes you can, but you have to sign out any book that you want to take outside of the common room, even if it's only to your dorm room. Also you can only check out one at a time." As she told them this, Harry saw many of his new house mates send the book shelf's longing looks. "Now are there any more questions?" Alice paused here, so that anyone who had a question could go ahead and ask it. Seeing that there wasn't any more, she continued, "You must be in the common room by no later than 8:45. As you get older the time you have to return will get later. As for your curfew in the tower, it is the same for everyone. Eleven o'clock, but I would recommend being in bed well before this time. As for tomorrow morning you will need to be down here at Seven o'clock, for a meeting with the head of our house, Professor Flitwick."
Alice turned her attention to the newly appointed prefects. "Did I miss anything?"
"No." They coursed together.
"Well then, you're all free to go." She chuckled as some of the more eager ones took off for the bookcases right away. Turning her attention to the boy still in her arms, she pulled away from him, but only enough to turn him in place.
Harry very much doubted that the pretty Head Girl would have allowed him to be this close if he looked his age, for at the moment he almost had his head in her chest again.
"I'm surprised you're in Ravenclaw, my little trouble making friend."
"Why's that?" He asked, making sure to keep eye contact and not let his eyes go to eye level.
"Because most good Ravenclaws know to not be loud in book stores." Alice answered him, giving him a mock glare.
"Ravenclaw, or not, I don't think I'll ever be what people call 'quiet'." Harry said cheekily.
"Yes I know! I saw that first hand during the sorting," she told him becoming serious. "Be careful about what you say and who you say it to. Telling off that Longbottom kid is bound to have made you a few enemies, but you made even more, when you said 'that' name."
"No worries, I'll be fine!" He told her reassuringly. "Beside if anyone does try to cause trouble, I'm more than able to take care of myself."
She looked at him like she doubted that he could 'take care of himself', but nodded anyway. "Alright, just remember, if you ever need anything then come to me." Harry gave her a nod of the head. "Good, now go make some friends!" She told him as she ruffled his hair, before leaving grumbling Harry to fuss over his hair.
Having calmed down the mess she had made of his hair, he looked around the room for Daphne. Finding her over by one of the bookcases all alone he decided to go over and talk to her.
"Find anything good to read?" He asked as he reached her.
"Yes," was her simple reply.
Harry thought she was going to clam up on him again, but like always, when he went to say something she beat him to it.
"The effect you have on people is quite funny," Daphne said in her quiet monotone. "They either love, or hate you. I haven't seen a person yet who feels indifferently about you."
Harry sighed. "Yeah... I'm starting to see that to." He paused only long enough for a small smirk to reach his lips. "Does that mean you love me Daphne?" He asked cheekily.
Daphne turned her blank stare on him. "...You're such a dork sometimes." She said without emotion, before turning back to the books.
It was too much for Harry hearing her say this, and he broke out in laughter.
They spent a bit of time looking through the books together, both finding books that they found interesting. An hour after beginning their search, Daphne told him that she was going to her room, so that she could write a letter to her family before going to bed.
As he stood watching her walk up the stairs, he felt that she had the right idea. Catching Cho's eye he waved goodnight to her, before making his way upstairs. He had a lot to put into his letter, and couldn't help but feel that when they received it, he'd be letting them down, just as he had Ivy.
AN: So that was the sorting, what did you think about it? Next chapter Harry will be starting classes. BTW I'd like people to know that yes it did take a while to get here, but I'm not trying to drag this story out. I plain on doing at least six years, maybe seven, and maybe even an after story! This is just how I write, but I do intend to try and speed things up a bit... Hopefully.
Now about last chapter. Some people said Hermione was a bit OOC, I however really dont see that. The reason she was okay with being friends with Ron and Harry after the troll, was because she had been at school for over a month and still had no friends. On top of that Harry and Ron both risked their lives to save her. Theres a big difference between that and having a kid you've just become friends with pull a knife on someone. I also tried writing her without making people hate her, but there were still people who were commenting about how awful she was. It just goes to show that she is the type of character you either love or hate.
Also I didn't plain on putting it in this chapter why Harry went crazy on Draco, but people thought I was making him over react, just so that I could have him flip. Hopefully after hearing what Kar said, people will get why I had him acting that way. Plus I got to bring one of my favorite OC's back... Now that I think about Kar, Ivy, and Iris are all favorites of mine, some of yours too.
Now last chapter I got a review telling me that since I let my fans pick things out through polls that I'm not writing my own story. To say that I was pissed when I heard this would have been an under statement! Later on when I had calmed down some, I made a poll seeing if you all wanted to continue having a choice in this story(to find out if you wanted a say, and yes as a way to be a bit cheeky to that reviewer), but took it down after a day(People were voting to continue making choices). I'm sorry to say that yes one person has made it so that I wont be giving you guys any say in what happens in this story. I might put up a poll every once in a while, but to be honest I doubt it. Also the patronus poll had a landslide winner(there were almost 400 votes and the winner had 170 of them), but since I've been told letting you pick through a poll means I'm not really writing my own story, I'll be making that choice on my own. And if some of you are worried about the polls that were made in the past, dont be. I'm going to leave all of your past picks in the story.
So until next time, peace!