Harry remembered absolutely hating Draco Malfoy when he was 11. All through Hogwarts Harry had considered the rich blond prat an evil, conniving, egotistical bully that tried his best to belittle others and cause chaos.
The truth was, up until their 6th year where he had been an actively branded Death Eater bent upon murdering Dumbledore, Draco hadn't really done… anything. He was a truly terrible bully that relied on Crabbe and Goyle's size and his father's influence to intimidate people. Harry tried to redirect him as much as he could towards himself and away from Ron and Neville - his second and third favourite 'victims' - as after being dragged through the mud by the whole school and the prophet on multiple occasions (as well as being 6 years older and more mature) he was slightly better handled to dealing with Malfoy. But Malfoy's 'bullying' amounted to calling people names and pointing out Harry's parents were dead and Ron's were poor, as if they didn't already know these things.
His lack of reaction seemed to take the wind out of Malfoy, and also emboldened the other Gryffindors. Crabbe and Goyle didn't seem quite as enthusiastic about standing behind him once Harry had pointed out he didn't know when their birthdays were, either. It seemed trivial, but 11-year-olds were 11-year-olds, and birthdays were important.
As such, it didn't dampen his excitement in any way when he saw that Gryffindor and Slytherin would be sharing flying lessons. He hadn't ridden a broom in ages, and the last time he had, the Room of Requirement had been on fire around him, so he was keen to remake some new memories. Not to mention today was how he had earned a place on the quidditch team.
Harry had been extra nice to Neville in the days leading up to their first flying lesson, helping him with homework, sitting with him at meals, playing exploding snap in the common room. It wouldn't stop what was going to happen, but Harry needed to get onto the team, and he didn't know how to do that without the going through the whole rigmarole with the remembrall. As it was, Harry didn't even know if the lesson would play out that way; Malfoy wasn't as belligerent this time around, and Neville was far more confident. It was rather inspiring, the way such small differences in Harry's behaviour had effected the children around him, boosting Neville's self-esteem rather than constantly putting him down, at the same time reducing the tolerance for bullying.
The flying lesson went exactly as Harry remembered, which, to be fair, he didn't remember much. Neville panicked and broke his wrist, Hooch - for some reason - abandoned a group of 11 year olds and escorted him to the hospital wing, Malfoy stole the remembrall and made a scene, Harry finally gave in to his taunting and proved he was a natural on a broom.
He followed Professor McGonagall up to the charms classroom, trying his best to stop a huge grin from spreading over his face and look instead like an upset 11-year-old. He feigned confusion to Wood as they were lead down the corridor, then surprise and amazement to McGonagall, combined with what he thought was just the right amount of bafflement. All in all he was quite proud of his acting.
"Wood, I'll let you get back to Professor Flitwick." McGonagall said. "You can arrange with Mr. Potter a time for training and introducing him to the rest of the team."
"Sure thing professor." Wood nodded. "I'll catch you in the common room Potter."
Harry nodded and the older boy left the room.
"Your father would have been proud of you." Professor McGonagall said sadly.
"I know." Harry replied. It may have been a few weeks ago, but it wasn't every day you willingly walked to your death and summoned the ghosts of your dead loved ones for a chat beforehand.
Professor McGonagall regarded him for a few moments before levelling him with a stern look. "I don't want this position on the team to go to your head, Mr. Potter, or I might reconsider punishing you for that stunt."
"Yes professor."
"Speaking of, we should get back to your class. I'm sure madam Hooch is back now."
Harry followed her down the empty corridor, catching sight of a tapestry of a large desert troll picking its crooked teeth with a tree that he knew lead to a corridor full of unused classrooms.
"Professor, I was wondering if there are any… emergency procedures at Hogwarts." He said cautiously, wondering if he was being too direct.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Well, at my primary school there was a fire alarm, and we used to have to do practices for what we would do in an emergency. Is there anything like that?"
"What kind of emergencies could there possibly be?"
Harry frowned slightly. "Well… a fire for one. The castle is lit by candles and torches, professor."
"Ah, I see." Professor McGonagall gave a small smile. "There are spells and enchantments on the candles, Potter, no need to worry."
"Well, what if the spells failed? Or there was a potions accident. Or something escaped from care of Magical creatures?"
"Well, there are careful safety guidelines that have to be followed in care of magical creatures, to ensure exactly that doesn't happen, and Professor Kettleburn is very good at his job."
"Is that why he's only got one arm?"
Professor McGonagall fixed him with a glare. "And there are protective enchantments throughout the castle to deal with situations such as accidents in the dungeons. Not to mention the ghosts can help students that are in danger, by leading them to safety, or directing others to where they are in the castle, as can the portraits. You don't need to worry."
"So, if a manticore bit off Professor Kettleburn's head and got into the castle, the ghosts would tell us where it was so we could avoid those corridors?" Harry clarified.
"If this hypothetical situation occurred during your free time, I suppose so." Professor McGonagall said. "During lessons, your professors would keep you safe, most likely by telling you to remain in your classroom. And there is no reason that anybody would be in a dangerous situation during the night, is there?" She gave him a pointed look that he chose to ignore.
"What about if it was at lunchtime?"
"We would keep everybody in the great hall so that we know all the students are safe."
"What about the people that hadn't got to lunch yet?" Pressed Harry. Halloween wasn't very far away. "Or the people coming from herbology, or anyone that didn't want lunch, or were working in the library or something?"
"Mr. Potter, are you planning on setting a manticore loose in the castle?" Professor McGonagall asked, exasperated.
"No." Harry said, his cheeks flushing.
"Then do relax. Nothing is going to attack you whilst you are at school."