The Problem with Rebirth
Chapter 5
I thank everyone for the support and reviews! Really made this chapter worth the mental effort! Let us begin!
Arthur blinked as he was greeted to the school by a stoic headmistress. "Welcome to Grindlyhollows. I am Headmistress Laura Krimpt."
The woman was slightly intimidating with her 5'9" height, her dark brown eyes narrowed on him with her blond hair in a tight braid.
He gulped slightly, determined to hide his fear of this woman. She may go for this throat if he showed what he felt. He didn't want to test that theory.
"Here you will continue your muggle education, as well as being taught several wizarding classes. We do not accept failure. Just because we are muggles or squibs, wizards will look down on us. Let us show them just how silly a notion that is."
Arthur looked up to James and Sirius, who were standing a few feet behind him, as if to ask them if they were serious. Both of them gave him the 'I am really sorry!' look.
Traitors!
. . .
James Potter knew all his son knew. He'd been Merlin's father in the first life, although he missed the name Balinor. He had learned a lot about his son after watching over him through the eleven years.
He missed Hunith or as she had been known as Lilly in this life, but she had left him with a duty. Protect Merlin.
It seemed as if he'd get to do just that, until Arthur and Mordred had arrived. His friend Sirius, or Gwaine as he'd been known in their previous lives had simply laughed at the fact that Hunith had placed a spell over them to where the boys would never know just who they were, unless someone had spoken their original names in front of them.
She hadn't wanted their growth stunted by the fact that they may have to relive the horrors, but at least James got to raise his son for once. He wanted at least one life where he AND Hunith were able to raise their son together!
He shook his head as Sirius placed a mug of hot coco on the table in front of him. "You know you shouldn't brood. It isn't becoming of a Potter."
He chuckled. "It's not my fault!" he joked. Sirius rolled his eyes. "Indeed."
Grey eyes met hazel. "What have you been thinking about?"
"Everything." James sighed. Sirius tilted his head. "You really need to stop thinking about everything."
James nodded. He knew that it was time he pulled his head out of the past, and strode firmly into the future… Or he needed something stronger than coco, because he was starting to sound overly poetic.
He shook his head again. "It's time to go to the sorting ceremony." He stretched as he stood up, the cracks and pops loud to his ears.
Sirius nodded. "Remus should already be there."
. . .
Professor McGonagall led them all into the Great Hall. Harry watched the amazed first years ogle the magic that supported the hall. He had seen this same hall for several years now, but watching the awe on their faces made him smile softly. He loved Hogwarts, dearly.
The hat, which sat merrily in the center of the room, had finally split its brim to sing the annual song.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The dramatics of Godric's old hat never failed to amuse him. He smiled as he remembered an excited young Godric opening up birthday presents. His eyes lighting up as he drew the hat out of the box.
He was shaken out of his memories by Samuel's name being called.
"Samuel Mycroft!"
He watched as Sam walked up to the hat with a confidence that he knew the boy didn't feel.
Once Sam put the hat on, almost immediately the hat yelled "SLYTHERIN!"
Harry almost snorted. Sounded about right! He knew that Sam had great ambitions that no one would stop.
He was lost in thought, until his name was called. "Harry Potter!" he looked up to meet three excited faces. His father, Sirius, and Remus were watching him with grins.
Harry had to avoid those grins. He wasn't sure that he would end up in the house they wanted him to. He really didn't want to let them down.
He moved carefully. The last thing he needed was to trip over his own feet. He neared the small stool, and took a seat. The hat was then placed on his head.
'Hullo, young master Merlin. How are you this evening?'
'Fine. Thank you for asking. Although, in this lifetime, I'm known as Harry Potter. I would very much appreciate being addressed as such, if it wouldn't be a bother.'
'Of course, young master Harry. Well. I know where to put you.'
'I accept such a judgment.'
"RAVENCLAW!"
There was excited cheers and polite clapping as he stood, and carefully placed the hat back on the chair. He then proceeded to walk over to the Ravenclaw table.
"Welcome to Ravenclaw Harry!" were the cheers from his new housemates.
"Thank you." Harry whispered quietly. He looked up to the three sets of eyes, only to see his guardians exchanging money! How dare they?!
He was having a hard time not yelling at them from the dinner floor.
Sam was just shaking his head as Sirius shot him a grin, and again exchanged money with Remus and James.
. . .
No… No no nonononononono! What idiot put a stone, which could potentially be deadly to the inept, in a school filled with CHILDREN?!
What imbecile decided it would be a marvelous idea to place a powerful artifact in a school while a madman hunts for it?
Dumbledore… That man was really starting to irritate Harry.
Harry had to shut his eyes and keep them closed as Sam and Draco watched him carefully. They had just found out why they were not allowed on the third floor.
"You have to be kidding me." Harry muttered. Sam turned wide blue eyes, only to meet gold with green specks.
Draco studied his nails, avoiding the look entirely. He would never say he was afraid of that stare, but what smart ass would?
"Close your eyes." Draco hissed out. Harry did so.
"I'm developing a migraine." Harry muttered.
"There's a potion for that." Was Draco's witty comeback.
Those eyes were on Draco, and the blond was trying not to twitch. "It's not my fault that there is a dangerous artifact in a school of children."
"What do we do about it?" Sam's innocent question cut in the middle of the potential argument.
Harry's eyes slid shut once more, but his face smoothed out as well. "We take it. We hide it somewhere no one will find it. Then we contact Mr. Nicolas Flamel and tell him of our grievances."
Sam and Draco were both watching him with dry looks. "You make that sound oh so easy." Draco drawled.
Harry leveled them with a blank stare. "It's easier than it seems. We are in a sentient magical castle."
"It's guarded by tests and traps." Sam pointed out.
"And we are smarter than three average eleven year olds." Harry said, finally putting an end to their doubts.
"When?"
"After Samhain." Harry muttered.
"Why Samhain?"
"Because someone is attempting to grab the stone. You know the supposed guardians will up security while they aren't able to keep a firm eye on it. That will be the best time." Harry explained.
Draco seemed doubtful. "Samhain isn't as powerful as it once was."
Harry frowned. "I am aware that magic is indeed dwindling, but she isn't dead yet. I have plans. They've yet to be set in motion, but I am working on it."
Draco frowned again.
"And you are aware that we have ten minutes to get to class, right?" Sam cut off anything Draco would say.
Both sets of eyes widened, and they scrambled to leave the library.
. . .
After a long day of learning Math and Science, Arthur was tired. It wasn't particularly challenging, but he was the new kid.
A lot of the students had been together for quite a while, and he was now seen as an outsider. It had been difficult to make even a single friend, but somehow he had managed to make a few acquaintances.
Lunch was still a challenge. It was a sunny day that begged for someone to lounge out under the warmth of the sun.
Arthur had a hard time not answering the siren like call. The fact that lunch was held outside today, was even more of a temptation.
Why not break away from the stiff grey walls that held no yield to the sunlight. The windows that stifled the sun's warmth were just as dreary.
He longed to run through the green grass, and wiggle his bare toes through it.
His thoughts turned to Merlin. Is that how he always felt? The need to feel nature against his shell.
It explained the many times where camping trips had made Merlin happy… Maybe they should go on another during the holidays.
He could just imagine those green eyes glaring at him from across the campfire, and had to hold back a laugh, least his classmates thought him crazy.
Green eyes now… That would take some getting used to. He, himself, still had his own blue eyes and sandy blond hair. He still had his facial build and bone structure. So why did Merlin look… So different?
He still had the black hair, even though now it was a wild mess. Instead of blue eyes, he had those vivid green. Still had the same lanky limbs, even if those were only beginning to show. The same plump pale lips…
And Arthur really shouldn't take into account those lips. The quick wit that could slip between them was sharp, and could wound, or make someone laugh. He was sure now, that he was as doomed now as he had been those many years ago.
That… was sort of a comforting thought.