Rose Potter and her family all made their way to Platform 9 ¾ for the beginning of another school year. A sense of excitement emanating from Daisy infecting them all and helping relieve any of the tension that the family felt with being in public. She recalled the day she had boarded the Hogwarts express and the media circus it had been. The masses seemed to somehow think that if they couldn't thank her brother, it was best to thank his family, unconsciously viewing Rose as his successor or something. They had been mobbed and the family was worried that the same might happen today, but luckily it seemed that the Potter hype had finally began to truly die down. Of course, she had noticed that her parents were becoming more and more worried about the state of things in their world at the moment. She could tell that they were scared, scared that war could break out again. But most of all, Rose knew that her parents worried about her and Daisy. Her parents were some of the strongest people she knew, but she also knew that losing another child could easily break anyone. She, as the big sister that she was, had already promised herself that she would watch over Daisy and help her have the best first year she could, and with the thoughts on what the two of them meant to her parents Rose reaffirmed that mission to herself.
The Potters at last made it to where James and Lily would have to leave their children. It was very bitter sweet to return to a house without any of their children. Doubly so for James, knowing that with Lily teaching this year he wouldn't even have her home every night. They had discussed it and now that she wouldn't have a child at home to take care of Lily wanted to work. The position at Hogwarts was open and both Snape and Flitwick were willing to work with her if she wanted to work towards her masteries in either subject. James had felt twinges of jealousy that Lily would still get to see their girls regularly and he wouldn't but didn't hold it against her. Neither felt fully ready to watch Daisy leave for Hogwarts, knowing that both of their girls were getting older and soon enough they'd find themselves in an empty home. Of course, that was part of getting older and no matter how much they may miss the days where their girls were always home with them, had loved princess stories and would giggle over the simplest things, they wouldn't trade it for the world. Because they knew that having a child never grow up was something they wouldn't wish upon their worst enemy. So, it was a misty-eyed Lily who swept up a beaming Daisy while James pulled Rose in close.
"Take care of your sister for us." James whispered into his eldest daughter's ear as they hugged goodbye.
"You know I will, dad." She reassured him.
Pulling back and holding her out in front of him to look her in the eyes, he continued. "Make sure to take care of yourself too. And have some fun! I know you Ravenclaw's all seem to think the library is the most entreating place inside the castle but try to get outside or find some of Hogwarts secrets." He said with a grin to show that he was joking about his jab at her house.
"Yeees, daaad." Rose groaned out in good humor at her father.
All of a sudden, she felt her father's grip on her shoulders tighten a fraction as he looked over her shoulder at something.
"… also, keep an eye on Algol for us, will you?" James now said in a much lower tone, causing here to glance over her shoulder where she saw Sirius and Algol saying, what seemed to be an awkward, goodbye.
This was something else that she had noticed. Her uncle Sirius had taken that boy in and made him his heir. Any time the subject of Algol's past came up though Sirius would change the subject. She had only met the boy twice at dinners but both times left her with an odd sense that something wasn't quite right. She had also overheard her parents discussing the situation and boy on several occasions. They apparently felt that something wasn't quite right as well.
"What should I keep an eye out for dad?" Rose asked, hoping that he may share some of his and her mother's suspicions.
"Honestly, I have no idea, Rosie. We just think there is more to him than meets the eye and your uncle Sirius hasn't been very open about it. We trust your uncle but…" here James trailed off with a grimace rather than finishing the thought of "but we trusted the rat too."
"Ok, though with him being in a different year it may be tough to watch him. Especially because I definitely haven't gotten a Ravenclaw feeling from him either of the times he visited."
Still not looking very happy about his thoughts James slowly agreed "no. He certainly hasn't felt like a Ravenclaw." He said, turning the two of them back to the other two members of their family.
"But Mom will be there this year, right? As a professor she should be able to keep an eye on him better." Rose thought aloud.
"Perhaps, but it'll be your mother's first year and she isn't just teaching her class but also helping Professors Snape and Flitwick with some of their classes if the need arises. So, she may be busy" James said, though secretly just doubted Lily would feel comfortable watching a student like such, even if she was somewhat suspicious.
While James and Rose had been saying their goodbyes Lily was trying to prepare to watch her baby go off on the next step towards becoming the witch she would be and finding the thought difficult to accept, even though she would see her at the sorting ceremony in only a couple hours.
"Oh Daisy, I don't know how we're going to fare without having our little girl home. Your father is going to be missing all of his girls at times now, who knows what trouble he'll get up to!"
Daisy, knowing that her parents had been dreading watching her leave quietly offered "if you and daddy need me, I can stay home. I could always go when Rose is finished so you could have her home?"
Now laughing, Lily just squeezed her daughter a little tighter before releasing her and cupping her face to lift the girl's eyes to hers.
"Oh Daisy, you're too sweet. I'm only joking, me and daddy are nearly as excited as you for everything you'll learn this year" pausing for a moment before continuing with a look of fond exasperation on her face "and I'm sure your father is even more excited for any mischief you'll get up too." Lily said rolling her eyes.
Once she was done giggling at her mother's antics, a more subdued Daisy quietly asked the question that had been bothering her for a while now.
"What if I don't get into Gryffindor?" Daisy hesitantly asked her mother.
Lily was taken aback by the question and didn't know what to say at first.
"Daisy, what makes you think we want you to go to Gryffindor? Rosie is in Ravenclaw and we're very proud of her for it. No matter where you go, we'll be proud!"
"Well, I just thought that you and daddy might want one of us to be like you…" Following this Daisy mumbled something too low for Lily to hear so she leaned so Daisy wouldn't have to raise her voice.
"What was that last bit, Daisy? I didn't quite catch it."
"… and since Harry couldn't be your Gryffindor it had to be one of us." Daisy mumbled, still barely audibly.
Feeling her heart break for so many different reasons Lily pulled Daisy back in tight and said in her ear. "Oh Daisy, me and your father may miss Harry very much, but we never want you to do something just because you think it's what it would've been like with him. You're Daisy Potter, and we love you just the way you are!"
Pulling back again to look at her daughter Lily could see that Daisy looked like a weight had been taken off of her shoulders and it reminded her that even though neither of them had gotten to meet him, her and Rose were quite affected by losing Harry as well.
Continuing, hoping to cheer her daughter up and help lay to rest any lingering worries Daisy may hold on the subject, she conspiratorially whispered "in fact me and your father had a bet on which house you'll end up in. And neither of us picked Gryffindor."
Smiling at the thought of her parents really not being worried about where she went Daisy quickly asked "where do you think I'll go?"
"Hmm I wouldn't want you choosing anything just because me of your father thought it might be." Lily said before thinking for a moment and leaning over to Daisy's trunk and opening it to pull out a piece of parchment and scribbling out something quickly before returning the quill and ink to the trunk and pulling out he wand to tap the now rolled up parchment.
"Here, you can see our guesses after you join your house, whatever it may be. This won't open until then and don't even try to force it, I'll know." She told her daughter who was looking much more cheerful than a moment ago.
They both then heard James ask from next to them "Alright, how's my Daisy doing?" And pulling her into his own hug.
Their goodbye was much shorter as Daisy was now bouncing with excitement to board the train so the parents let them go with a laugh.
"Have a good semester you two! And you had better not forget to write." Lily called out after them and received a wave of acknowledgement.
Turning to her husband Lily then saw on his face as his eyes trailed after their two daughters that he was conflicted.
"What is it?" She asked him as the train whistled its final time and began to chug its' way out of the station.
He thought for a moment before sighing, "probably nothing. Rose and I saw Sirius and Algol down the way. I got that feeling again and could tell that Rose did too. I don't know what it is but something is going on with them."
"Hmm, I know that you're worried James. But while I do feel an odd feeling around Algol, I truly don't think he means us any harm."
"That's just it isn't it? It doesn't feel like he means US any harm, but it does feel like he means it for someone doesn't it?" he asked, trying to put into words his worries.
Lily immediately wanted to chastise her husband for thinking that of a boy before thinking it over for a moment and found she couldn't disagree with him. While she had never felt any malice from Algol, she had certainly felt something. The boy seemed to radiate a sense of quiet power that had a goal and would stop at nothing, and bend for no one, until he accomplished it. The only problem was that they didn't know just what that goal was.
Finally, she replied "well, we still don't know that. And we can't just go accusing someone of I don't even know what. So, I think we have to trust Sirius, maybe see if we can't get him to open up about what's going on a bit more."
"I know, I know. But… Lils, keep an eye on him. I'll work on getting Sirius to open up but you make sure the boy doesn't get up to anything he shouldn't" James warned his wife, hoping she wouldn't be offended by the thought.
Sighing, Lily responded while still looking ahead, "James, I'm not going to spy on a student… but he is Sirius' and I will of course watch out for him."
"You're right. Though Rose is also going to keep an eye on him when she can as well." James informed her.
Not necessarily thrilled with the idea of her daughter spying on another student that just also happened to be the heir of their best friend. So, she let her husband know it.
"James, do not put either of our daughter's up to some sort of espionage act. They have quite enough to do without worrying about something like that!" Lily angrily whispered, not wanting to shout in public, especially with the current subject matter.
Then, as they turned to leave, she added "Plus, he certainly didn't feel like a Ravenclaw so who knows how much time she actually could watch anyways."
She didn't see James' grimace at the fact that everyone seemed to agree the boy was not destined for Ravenclaw and his private thought that everyone also just avoided adding that they suspected the house of Black would be returning to Slytherin this year.
On the train, several sections away from where the boy in question had sat, Rose and Daisy found Rose's friend Luna and joined her in the compartment.
"Luna, how are you!" Rose greeted as she stepped into the doorway.
"Hello, Rose!" then seeing Daisy behind her friend, Luna added "Oh and hello Daisy! It's your first year, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I'm so excited to finally be going!" Daisy exuberantly said while hopping into the seat across from Luna and leaving her sister to deal with stowing both of their trunks.
Rolling her eyes at her sister's antics, Rose spotted the parchment still clutched in Daisy's hand.
"Daise, what is that?" she asked.
"Oh, I thought mum and dad might want me to go into Gryffindor, so that they had one of use be like them. But mummy said that wasn't true and that they actually have a bet where I'll go! She wouldn't tell me what they thought before I'm sorted though." She said with a slight pout, before continuing just as excited as before. "So, she wrote down what they thought and charmed it to open after I'm sorted!" she exclaimed.
Having privately been nearly certain that her sister was destined for Hufflepuff for several years this did not surprise Rose in the slightest.
"Oh, well that's exciting! Where do you think you want to go?" Rose asked.
"Hmm, I don't know. I've heard all about Gryffindor from mum and dad and all about Ravenclaw from you. They both sound nice…" she said trailing off in thought.
Suddenly Luna said with a smile "you know, it is sometimes smartest to do what is best for yourself even if one must be brave to do so. Always be loyal to who you are Daisy."
Rose could only shake her head, smiling, thinking that this is why she loved Luna. The girl just had a way of cutting directly to the core of a matter in such a clear way before muddying matters again herself.
Daisy just looked even more confused.
Draco Malfoy was fuming as he stormed down the hallway towards the compartment, he and several of the other fourth year Slytherins had claimed.
Algol Black. Just who did he think he is? He may have the Black name, but he was just some upstart that had yet to learn his place. Defending Granger of all people! Yes, he would have to write father and mother as soon as possible to find out why he had not been informed of the boy's existence prior to meeting him and just what they were going to do about the Black lordship.
With these thoughts still racing through his mind Draco stormed back into the compartment where Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini sat.
"Well, what has put you in such a state? I thought you just went to torment Granger as always. Don't tell me she was too much for the three of you to handle!" a grinning Blaise asked when he saw the way Draco was scowling and seemed to be pulling his patented 'wait until my father hears' strategy by pulling parchment, quill and ink from his trunk before sitting down.
"No! Granger was hardly the problem" was all Draco said as he began to feverishly write.
Now genuinely curious as to what had the boy so worked up, rather than just wanting to needle him, Blaise prodded for more.
"So, what was it then? Run into someone on the way there? The Weasley twins? Diggory?"
"No. We did not encounter anyone there or back" Draco paused for a moment before continuing "the mudblood was not alone."
At this Blaise's eyebrows shot up. He, personally, felt that most of the Slytherin pureblood dogma was utter rubbish and had nothing actually against the girl. In fact, he likely thought that she would make quite a good companion if it wouldn't nearly be suicide, both socially and physically, for him to be seen with her. He had always wondered why no one in any of the other houses had taken the time to befriend her and just why she was so shunned. So, the fact that someone seemed to be sitting with her on the train and, presumedly, defended her against Draco was certainly a development.
"Who would want to sit with her?" Pansy sneered out, and while not the tone or inflection that Blaise would've used, he found himself as interested in the answer as everyone else.
Again, Draco paused. Blaise could tell that there was certainly more to what was going on than just someone standing up to Malfoy. The way he kept pausing spoke of someone thinking of whether it was better to share something or keep it to themselves. Yet, everything had happened on the train. Everyone was bound to know by the end of dinner anyways so Draco shouldn't have any issue sharing the information with them. Unless… yes, the information somehow effected Draco and not in a good way so he was thinking of hos to put a spin on it and save face. Blaise found himself almost giddy that something of such a level had happened so soon into the year. Malfoy would be off balance for at least a week and a week without the boy's incessant delusions of grandeur and threats of writing his father would be wonderful.
Finally, after nearly a full minute, Draco answered.
"She was sat with… someone who claims to be the Black heir."
At this the compartment fell into silence as they all absorbed what this meant. Until Blaise pressed again for more.
"Can we assume that, due to your more than clear stance on the girl, you are not referring to yourself in some grandiose third person sense?" Blaise asked, barely hiding his glee at this monumental news.
"Of course, I wasn't referring to myself! I wouldn't be caught dead sitting with the mudblood." Draco snapped.
"But, Draco. You said that you were the heir to the house of Black?" Pansy asked, clearly thinking that Malfoy's value as a husband may have dropped significantly.
"As far as anyone knew, that damn blood traitor Sirius Black had no heir and I would inherit the house upon his passing. Father had even begun considering whether it would be better for Sirius to have an accident of sorts when I became of age. This boy claims that Sirius, who is not his father, is his guardian and has made him his heir."
"Do you believe his claim?" Theo spoke up for the first time.
"I… believe that Sirius is so uncouth as to do something like that. That is why I am now writing my parents to find out as much as they can about what is going on and about this 'Algol Black' as possible." Draco said while practically spitting the name.
"That's right, we've glazed over whatever he must've done to anger you so much!" Blaise realized all of a sudden, "sure his existence would upset you but it wouldn't put you into a state like this. So just what did this Algol Black do?"
Theo realized, like Blaise, that Malfoy would soon be losing a great deal of influence if the news was true, leaving a power vacuum in Slytherin house. Which he would be more than happy to fill. Suddenly, he felt incredibly grateful that Draco couldn't go one train ride without trying to torment Granger.
"I sought to give him advice to help this coming year, as he is a transfer student and unaware of just how the castle works" here, Blaise snorted. Knowing full well that any 'advice' was likely thinly veiled, if veiled at all, condensation and threats.
Draco continued after shooting Blaise a look, "I told him that it was best to do as the more powerful say. He then tried to inform me that he was more powerful than I so I should do as he says. Then he told me that Granger was 'wonderful company' and I would be best suited to remember it."
The news just kept coming, Blaise thought. A Black heir, usurping Malfoy's assumed position, standing up to the boy without hesitation and not only defending Granger from him but also seemingly choosing to befriend the school pariah. He would certainly be writing his mother when they arrived at Hogwarts. It wasn't like they had any owls with them to send it now anyways so he didn't know why Draco had felt the need to get started so soon anyways.
"And just what did you do?" Blaise asked, knowing that there was no way that Malfoy would've left it at that.
"Well, he took… exception, with my use of mudblood and decided to attack me like a muggle. At that point I decided my time would be better served finding out more about him before pursuing retribution." Draco finished his tale.
Oh, there was more to it than that, Blaise was sure. But the facts remained the same. Things would be turbulent for the foreseeable future in Slytherin house and, depending on the sorting and actions of this Algol Black, the castle.
Hermione Granger was absolutely stunned. This boy whom she had happened across in her attempt to avoid Malfoy had just… stood up for her? No one stood up for her, except perhaps teachers when they happened to catch the students doing something. Though they had hardly curbed the bullies' behavior. Briefly, her thoughts went back to first year and all that it had been. She had been so excited to find out that she was a witch and to get to attend a school devoted to the art of magic. But then each year she returned home a little more jaded to the magical world.
She still had no clue what made the hat put her into the house of the brave, for she felt anything but, and she didn't know if she could continue putting on a brave face for much longer. The more she thought about it the more she believed that once she obtained her O.W.L.s she would step away from the magical world and return to the muggle one. Sure, she had never really been accepted in the non-magical world but neither had she been looked down upon. She had never had friends while growing up because of her love of studying but when she began attending Hogwarts, she found that it was even worse. There were those like Ron Weasley that saw her as an annoyance and were content with avoiding her, just as her peers when she had attended primary school, but now there were those such as Draco Malfoy that viewed her as almost less than human. Who likely would view her even worse if not for the existence of muggles.
Sure, not everyone at Hogwarts was bad. But still no one ever seemed to view her as anything but 'that know-it-all' or wanted to know her better than that. She had tried so hard her first year to make friends and had no success. Looking back, she could see that she had been somewhat abrasive and understood why some people would avoid her, but then second and third year she had curbed a lot of those behaviors and still no one would give her a chance. She had accepted by the end of last year that she was destined to finish her time at Hogwarts alone and even thought she had made her peace with the thought. But now, this boy shows up and she finds herself wishing for the same things she had her whole childhood. She couldn't believe it, no, she wouldn't believe it. She had thought that the clean slate of Hogwarts instead of her muggle primary school would allow her to form close friendships with others and had only been burned. She wouldn't let herself fall for that again. But that didn't mean that she couldn't be cordial. If he treated her better than others, she had no issue discussing their studies or the school with him, but she wouldn't allow herself to get close. She wouldn't let it hurt when he left.
After making that decision in her mind, Hermione realized that she had been sat there lost in thought for apparently some time as the boy had began reading his book again without her noticing. Then she remembered that he had even asked her something and she had been so stunned that she hadn't even replied!
She cleared her throat and adjusted herself into a more comfortable position on the seat, causing him to look up from his book at her and smile.
"Back with us Miss Granger?" he wryly asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry about my drifting off there but I was rather… surprised. I do appreciate you sending Malfoy away however. Though you probably shouldn't have threatened him." She replied with a hint of chastisement in her voice over the threats.
Closing his book and giving her his full attention again, Harry said "hmm, I think I actually agree with you in principle. I do not think that someone should use threats, especially of violence, to make anyone do anything. However, when looking at it logically, I actually believe that I had to threaten Mr. Malfoy."
"I'm sorry Mr. Black but I fail to see the logic in that at all?" she asked with an arched brow.
"Well, you see. I did in fact listen to his advice. He said that the way of the castle is that the more powerful lead and the less powerful must follow. I gathered from his tone that violence is often the implied repercussion of not adhering to this way. Now I'm not entirely sure what he meant by 'power' as that is an incredibly broad word when used as such; however, I am entirely sure that no matter what accepted interpretation of it he had meant that I am more powerful than he." Here, Harry shrugged, "be it a test of magical power, societal standing, wealth, knowledge or ability I think he would be hard pressed to challenge me. So, logic dictated that if he was telling the truth it fell to me to explain that fact to him. If he wasn't telling the truth and he is in fact just a bully who was trying to force me to submit to accepting his desired reality, as I sincerely hope, then by using his own clearly established set of rules in regard to our interaction he could not seek to get me into any sort of trouble as I would have no reason to know better. Being the bright eyed, bushy tailed, transfer student that I am." He finished in amusement.
"Hmm, I suppose I can follow the logic when put in those terms. However, you still shouldn't threaten people. How are we supposed to expect better of others if we stoop to the level of those below us? Also, I don't believe for a moment that you thought the castle would be run, formally, by any sort of system like he explained. As far as your thought of avoiding punishment by feigning ignorance" she narrowed her eyes as she looked at his now contemplative face, "I do not believe that you could convince anyone that you are simply a 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' student who didn't know better. Especially if your, I'm sorry but somewhat arrogant, claims of extensive knowledge, skill and power prove to hold any amount of merit." A slight smile crossing her face as she finished and tried to picture this boy, who had shown no hesitation in a situation that most their age would balk at and clearly quick enough to verbally spar with her, as an innocent first year looking up at a professor and proclaiming their innocence on account of ignorance.
Unknowingly mirroring Hermione's thoughts, though through memories rather than imagination, Harry softly chuckled at the thought.
"I suppose that is true. My days of playing the wholly uninformed muggle raised who didn't know better have likely passed. But I will have you know that I could once play the part better than most!" he defended, before steering them back towards his original query and trying to get her to open up a bit more. "However, that brings me back to my question from a few minutes ago. I rather gathered that you muggleborn? What do your parents do for a living, if you don't mind me asking."
Slowly Hermione nodded her head before answering. "Yes, I am muggleborn, and proud of it" she let him know "but while I do not mind you asking, I believe that is somewhat personal and think it best we do not share such things with one another."
Harry was taken somewhat aback by this sentiment from Hermione. Of course, he already knew most of the basic facts of her life up until this point, he thought. But why would she want to avoid sharing things like that with someone?
"I respect the right to privacy and can accept that. Do you mind sharing why you think that best though?" he asked.
"I simply think it best if we keep our interactions to a peer level. It is nothing against you and I'm sure you're a wonderful person" Hermione added, not wanting to offend him. Then thinking quick as to a good enough reason that would explain her reasoning she explained "but as you are a transfer student and have a good chance not to be sorted into the same house as me and the likelihood, we share many common interests is rather remote it is entirely likely that we will rarely interact after this train ride. So, it simply would serve no point to get to know one another better than that. However, if you wish to discuss anything about classes, their contents or the castle I would of course be willing to discuss the topic with you."
"… interesting. Is it exceedingly rare for students to have friendships outside of their sorted house?" Harry questioned, clearly seeing that while she had given a reason, she certainly hadn't given her reason.
"Well, no I suppose not. With some caveats students do often form friendships across houses." Was her hesitant reply, seeing that her argument certainly had some weak spots and he had shown one immediately.
"Caveats? Whatever do you mean by that?"
"Well, Gryffindors and Slytherins do not tend to get along at all, so I don't actually believe there are any friendships across those two houses. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw do not have the antagonistic relationship that the Gryffindors and Slytherins do but Ravenclaws are often more individualistic and Hufflepuffs are more group oriented. So, they simply just do not mix for lack of commonalities, though there are some friendships across both. Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs tend to be the most common cross-house friendships as they share a number of traits as Ravenclaw and Slytherin do as well but both value privacy and competition too highly to open themselves to many 'outside' friendships."
"So, while it may not be as common as inter-house friendships they are indeed allowed?"
"That's true"
"As for our possible sharing of common interests, isn't that why people often share conversations about such things. To learn more about the other?" Harry pressed, beginning to believe where Hermione actually stood on the idea.
"I suppose, but I do not think it best to do so after just meeting someone for the first time." Was the weak reasoning that Hermione offered, knowing it sounded even weaker out loud than it did in her head.
Finally understanding blossomed upon Harry. She didn't trust him. It was an odd feeling for him, to see Hermione's face and tell that she may not openly say that she didn't trust him but she certainly didn't. She thought that he would ignore her like so many others once they arrived at Hogwarts. He may have stood up to Malfoy but perhaps his addressing him, even somewhat condescendingly, as cousin made her feel that it is likely that he will adhere to many of the more pureblood tendencies despite his claims of supposedly being muggle-raised.
Deciding not to press her just now, Harry simply said "alright, Miss Granger. I understand prudence and will not expect you to be my friend. However, I hope that you may come to consider me as such."
Hermione was torn by the flat response. It was what she wanted after all, yet it felt wrong. But she knew the pain of rejection too well and would not risk feeling it yet again for the slim chance that things would be different this time from every other time. So, still feeling somewhat unsure but having made her decision, Hermione bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"In that case, would you mind perhaps sharing your observations about the professors for various subjects?" Harry asked, giving her a way out of moving their conversation forward.
"Oh, yes, of course!" and with that Hermione was off. Explaining the castle's staff as well as the heads of houses. Giving warnings of McGonagall's strict but fair attitude opposed to Snape's somewhat biased sense in his classes, though defending him by saying he truly is a master of potions. She rambled on telling Harry everything she could think of that could be helpful while he simply listened while relishing in hearing the voice and rambling, he hadn't heard in more than two years. Longer still since he'd heard it with the lack of weariness and underlying sadness that they all gained as the war had dragged on.
Peter Pettigrew had long ago accepted that he was not a lucky man. His childhood had not been the same as many others, his father had left when he was still young, but old enough to remember. The man had never wanted to be a father and had been distant but his desertion of them had still hurt. After he left, his mother had struggled to make ends meet and while they had never been homeless, they sometimes had only the roof over their heads and little else. Then he had gotten to go to Hogwarts and learn magic, his life was going to finally turn around he had thought. He was sorted into Gryffindor, to his amazement, and had met the boys who would become his friends. But James and Sirius would always share a connection with each other than Peter wouldn't. Remus, with his lycanthropy, was just happy for friends of any kind. This left Peter feeling as the clear number four of the group. James and Sirius were the charismatic best friends, Remus was the smart and creative one, Peter was… just Peter.
Even when they had become animagi to help Remus, Peter's luck would fail him. He had thought that he would finally be able to have something that set him apart from others. That this advanced magic would prove his worth as a wizard. But of course, his form turned out to be a rat. Wormtail. No, he couldn't be something majestic like James or intimidating like Sirius. As they'd prepared to leave Hogwarts, Peter didn't know what he would do. Of course, James and Sirius planned to become aurors, even while James and Lily would get married soon after graduation. Remus with plans to travel and to become a researcher for rare magics. Again, Peter was the odd one out. The few times they would find time to catch up he would have to listen to James and Sirius talk about the war and the auror's struggle with it. Peter had seen what should've been obvious to all of them, they were going to lose the war. So, Peter had decided that he wouldn't die for a losing cause and joined the clearly winning side.
He would have asked his friends to join with him but knew they never would. James and Sirius would fight to their last. Remus and Lily both knew that they'd never be accepted by the Death Eaters. So, it was he alone that joined, quietly. However, it quickly became clear that if you weren't in the Dark Lord's good graces you were little better off than his enemies. Peter, with his limited magical power and lack of notable skills or influence quickly found himself regretting the decision. But then, Voldemort wanted the Potters. Peter became an asset and found his quality of life quickly rise. Yes, he would have to betray his friends, but they were going to die eventually to the Dark Lord, so if they were true friends, they should at least want him to be better off for it. So, when things had fallen so perfectly with Sirius convincing James that using Peter would be a good misdirection as their secret keeper, he had been ecstatic. Giving Voldemort a way through the seemingly unbeatable fidelius charm would forever cement his position in the inner circle.
Or course, Peter had forgotten about his luck, or seeming lack of it. Voldemort went to the Potter's that night to kill Harry, and never came back. Soon, word had spread of both Voldemort and Harry's deaths, seemingly destroying each other. Not only did the Dark Lord fall to a baby, but he had also not even killed James, Lily or Sirius. All of those who knew his level of betrayal. He was soon captured, tried, and then spent years of his life in Azkaban. Then, days ago, Bellatrix had broken him out in order to search out Voldemort. The days alone with the crazy witch were not enjoyable but things were now nearly as bad as when he was in prison.
They had found the Dark Lord, in his incorporeal shape, and were now serving him in order to hopefully finish what he had started. But Peter found himself now acting as a glorified babysitter for a grotesque shriveled homunculus that had a taste for using the cruciatus curse at the slightest things while his 'more loyal' servants had free reign of the nation.
"Wormtail, come here." Peter heard from the sitting room of the manor they were staying in.
Walking into the room, he saw Voldemort's twisted, child-like, form sitting on a plush chair.
"Has there been any news from Barty or Bella of their progress as of yet?" Voldemort demanded.
"No, my Lord. They have not yet sent word. Should I reach out to them for a progress report?" Peter asked hopefully. Thinking that he may get to see somewhere outside the dreary manor, even if it meant interacting with either of the two.
After thinking for a moment, the Dark Lord said "no, they are my most faithful servants; they will not fail me. I expect they have had some unforeseen trouble arise and are dealing with it. Let me know as soon as you receive word."
"Yes, my Lord." Was all Peter said as he exited the room and thought of how he wouldn't have gotten the benefit of the doubt and would've been cursed had he been late with a report. But these two seemed to hold the Dark Lord's favor even while he, Peter, was the one that was keeping him alive and comfortable the past weeks. Just another example of luck deserting him.
He almost couldn't wait for the ritual, even with the price that he would be paying, just to be rid of the child-wraith and the demeaning duties he found taking up most of his days as of late.
Daphne Greengrass sat in her compartment on the Hogwarts express with her best friend, Tracey Davis, and her younger sister who would be starting Hogwarts this year.
"Daph, what house do you think I'll be in? Do you think I'll be in Slytherin like you?" the younger Astoria asked for what seemed to be the millionth time.
"I don't know Tori, but I'm sure that wherever you go you'll like it."
"What about you Tracey? Where do you think I'll go?" Astoria asked again, now shifting her focus to Tracey who could only laugh at the flightiness of the girl.
"I'm not sure either, Tori. But I'll be somewhat surprised if you follow your sister into Slytherin."
"Why's that?"
"Oh, you two may share blood but that doesn't mean that you aren't very different people. You may not believe this, Tori. But most people at the school actually think your sister is a somewhat cold person!" Tracey explained.
Now swinging her focus back to Daphne, Astoria seemed startled. "But why? Daph is one of the nicest people!" she exclaimed, causing Daphne to roll her eyes at Astoria's antics.
"You may know that and I may know that but most of the students don't. Even if more than one boy has hoped to 'warm her up'" Tracey said through a smirk while glancing at Daphne from the corner of her eye.
Not interested to move down that conversation hole at the moment, Daphne spoke up changing the subject.
"Never mind why they think it, Tori. Some people just think what they want to. But we're beginning to near Hogsmeade. We should all change into our robes for the feast."
Still bubbling with excitement for her first year at Hogwarts Astoria quickly grabbed her robes from her trunk and tore out of the compartment for the bathroom to go change.
Glancing at one another, both Daphne and Tracey simultaneously said "Hufflepuff." Agreeing that Astoria and her sunny disposition and bubbly nature were likely to find themselves wearing robes trimmed in yellow by the night's end.
Finally, Neville felt the train pull to a stop in Hogsmeade. It was the beginning of a new school year, his fourth, and he was hoping that it would be better than the last several.
He was sat in his compartment with his Gryffindor roommates Ron Weasley, Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas. He often would find himself a part of this group, yet he still often felt like an outsider. The other three boys weren't even that close that they accidently made him feel as such but rather it was that they were three normal boys and he wasn't.
Neville was the chosen one. Apparently, there had been a prophecy made that foretold of the one who had the power to defeat the Dark Lord. For some reason this prophecy could've only pertained to himself or Harry Potter. But Harry had died when the Dark Lord came for him. Since the headmaster did not believe that you-know-who was truly destroyed it would one day fall to him. The thought terrified Neville.
Over the summer, he had been getting some special trainings from the headmaster. These trainings had made him realize that Dumbledore had to be wrong and you-know-who must be gone. Because while his casting had improved, his situational awareness and battle casting had stayed the same. Namely, barely existent. With these thoughts racing through his head, Neville disembarked the train with the mob of other children and young adults and made for the carriages.
Seeing that his roommates had picked up Terry Boot, Dean's friend, Neville knew that he would need to get a carriage of his own and just prayed that his good fortune of avoiding Malfoy could hold out.
Neville quickly found a carriage that wasn't full and only had a boy of about his age that he didn't recognize and Hermione Granger. Hermione was in his house and was always kind to him even though she was so often alone.
"Hey Hermione, are these seats saved, or would you two mind me joining you guys?" Neville asked, looking between the two occupants.
"Oh, Hi Neville! Sure, come on in. We aren't planning on anyone else joining us." Neville climbed up and sat down while Hermione continued. "Neville, this is Algol Black. He is a transfer student to Hogwarts and will be in our year. Algol, this is Neville Longbottom. He is our year and, in my house, Gryffindor." She introduced the two and they briefly shook hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet you" Neville said, eyeing the strange boy that was joining them. He knew the name Black, any pureblood in Britain was bound to. The incredibly old, rich and influential house of Black had been around as long as anyone could remember. It was also reputed to be a dark house, but with Sirius Black taking over as the head of the house in the last couple years it had seen it moving quickly towards the light.
"Any relation to Sirius Black?" He asked, wondering just where this boy fell as far as the house went.
"Yeah, he is my guardian. My parents died when I was young and just recently Sirius took me in, took over my guardianship and made me his heir." Was Harry's response.
This news was somewhat shocking to Neville who knew that such a large shift in house structure was likely to make waves politically. While Neville did not yet attend Wizengamot sessions he still though he would have heard about this development if it was public. Which meant that his joining Hogwarts was likely going to cause somewhat of an uproar.
"Oh, well I'm glad you'll be joining us this year." Was all he said though.
"Yes, I look forward to getting to learn alongside Britain's best and brightest."
Harry was already tired. It had been a long train ride, the quick but annoying interaction with Malfoy, the carriage ride with Hermione and Neville where he had to continue pretending he didn't know the two or anything about the castle. It all meant that he was now stood at the end of the line in front of the great hall, where he was receiving many strange looks, waiting to be sorted.
Rather than simply put him where he would've gone alphabetically McGonagall told him he was to be the last sorted. He had expected this but also still hoped he would be proven wrong and sorted quickly and allowed to sit with his house.
While the true first years were being sorted Harry took the time to look over the hall that he hadn't seen in years and its occupants. His eye was drawn to his old house table and those he knew would be there. He saw Hermione and he felt his heart ache, she was sat there at the Gryffindor table but was clearly separate from those around her. Farther up the table he saw Ron boisterously yelling up and down the table to his brothers, friends and people Harry couldn't remember. This was just another change between the worlds. Neville was sat close to Ron but Harry got the feeling that he was embarrassed by the red head's behavior and wished he didn't draw so much attention. Shifting his gaze and he saw Rose Potter sitting amongst the Ravenclaws and was surprised to see that she was sat with Luna and chatted with her like old friends. While Hermione's lack of friends hurt to see he did feel better that Luna had someone here and wouldn't need to wait until her fourth year before anyone would reach out to her. Continuing on to the table he knew would hold many faces that he distinctly remembered putting an end to, Harry saw the Slytherins and their stoic attitude towards even those that newly joined their house. The glint of a pale blonde head caught his eye and he saw Malfoy sneering at him, clearly still upset with how their exchange on the train had gone. Sending his best care-free smirk back towards the boy only made Malfoy's scowl deepen. After having his fun needling Malfoy, Harry turned his gaze towards the head table. Of course, there sat Albus Dumbledore, who Harry would have to avoid the eyes of, not wanting to test his occlumency this early. Many of the professors remained the same with the notable addition of Lily Potter as the castle's muggle studies teacher. Sirius had warned him and he had even met the women on several occasions, but seeing her sat there as though it were the most normal thing in the world still shocked him. Finally, Harry turned his attention back to the sorting.
However, the sorting didn't take that long and soon the last first year was sorted. Little had been of note to him, these students were all three years younger than him and he couldn't say he had known their counterparts well in the other world either. But he did notice Daisy Potter being sorted into Hufflepuff and looking down towards Ravenclaw, to where he had seen that Rose was sat, he didn't see any surprise on her face. Looking to Lily showed the same lack of surprise as her eldest daughter as well as a smirk that conveyed a sense of smugness he couldn't explain. Eventually, Dumbledore rose again and quickly got the hall's attention.
"I have an exciting announcement about an addition to this year's sorting!" his voice carried across the hall. "This year, we have a transfer student by the name of Algol Black. He will be starting his fourth year and while he will join his new house shortly, I hope you all make him feel welcome here in the castle that has been your home. With that, Mr. Black would you approach the stool." Dumbledore directed.
Harry walked to the stool and knew that this is where things could go poorly. He had to convince the hat to keep his history to itself and not tell the headmaster. Harry wasn't sure what Albus' reaction to his time or dimension travel would be but doubted it would be helpful, thus he was really hoping the hat would listen to him. With that last thought, the hat slipped down over his head and he shut his eyes to concentrate on it.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? You're a bit older than I usu… make that significantly older than I usually sort." Was the hat's first words and Harry could hear the amusement in its' tone turn to concern when it realized just how much older his mind was actually than the usual first year's.
"Ah, yes. About that, I was hoping that you might keep that piece of knowledge, as well as my past, to yourself?" Harry asked hopefully.
The hat quickly brushed those concerns away, "Yes, yes. All sortings are strictly confidential. I divulge nothing of which I learn when in a student's mind."
"Thank you. It would make what I wish to accomplish much harder, if not impossible, if I had to dodge Dumbledore at the same time."
"And just what is it that you hope to accomplish?" it asked.
"Voldemort's demise, once and for all. And if possible, as many Death Eaters brought to justice as I can." Was Harry's quick and determined reply.
Harry's tone and vehement reply made the hat pause for a moment, "… is that all?"
This question confused Harry somewhat, "would you not say those are worthy goals? As I'm sure you can see they will not be easy. Even if I have some advantages this time around."
"I am not saying that you have not set worthwhile goals or are reaching high enough. I simply wonder if you wish to accomplish anything else here in this world. Perhaps that you didn't get to in your last world?" the hat asked, clearly feeling there was more for Harry to do.
"Uhm, no. The only thing for me to do here that I didn't in my last world is to defeat Voldemort."
"… so, you do not wish to meet your parents? Your family?"
"I do plan to see them. Once Voldemort is defeated and I know this world won't have to go through what mine did I plan to go to them." While finishing he thought of a dream, he had experienced many times, and to this day was one of his favorites.
In his dream, he saw himself standing over Voldemort's broken body and knew. Knew that he had done it, finally defeated the Dark Lord. Looking around and he would see a nameless field he didn't recognize and felt such an overwhelming sense of relief and calm that his legs would feel as if they would give out for a moment. After taking a breath and adapting to the sense of an immense burden being lifted from his shoulders, he would apparate to the Ministry of Magic. The dream continued with him entering through the same entrance he and Mr. Weasley had used all those years ago but the Ministry would seem empty. No one to check his wand, no one to ask him what he was doing or where he was going. He would make his way to the golden elevators and hit the button for level 9 before hearing a voice announce 'The Department of Mysteries'. The dream seemed to speed up now, as though even in his subconscious he couldn't stand waiting, and he would quickly make his way through the halls he and his friends had run during their fifth year. Eventually, he would reach the room with the archway and the sense of time would now slow to a drip and he would watch his dream-self slowly make their way to the dais and climb up in front of the veil. A smile breaks across his dream-self's face and he no longer knows if he's feeling the dream's relief or his own. Then his hazy counterpart would close their eyes and step through. This was the only part of the dream that he didn't like, he never got to follow and see what was on the other side, even for a moment. But he would feel his dream's emotions and they dwarfed the relief they'd felt when standing over Voldemort's body. He knew, that when he finally did defeat Voldemort, he would follow this dream's path and find out what was on the other side of that veil.
Suddenly, he heard a voice break through the dream's scene.
"That… isn't exactly what I meant. I suppose you don't think of the James and Lily Potter of this world as your parents." The hat said, voice full of sorrow.
"No. My parents are dead. I will do everything in my power to protect the Potters of this world as I couldn't in my own. But they don't know me and couldn't love me..." here Harry trailed off before continuing much quieter "after all I've done, I don't even know if my real parents will be able to love me."
"… you have seen much pain and I fear you will see much more. But I ask you to promise me something, Harry."
Suspicious, Harry slowly asked "what?"
"I ask that when the day comes that you see that dream becomes a reality, will you come to me before the Ministry? There are things I cannot share with you this day but must before you go."
"I suppose, if you swear not to do anything to try to hinder my plans." Was Harry's guarded response.
"That… will have to be enough. Thank you." The hat accepted his terms before moving them both back to their purpose, "I suppose we had better get you sorted now though. I can see how your last one went and must say, you are a very different person now."
Agreeing, Harry said "I would imagine so. That being said, I would prefer to just go back to Gryffindor anyway. Thank you."
"Ah, well, I'm afraid it isn't quite that easy, Harry." The hat said in a tone that sounded… guilty?
"What? The last time I asked for Gryffindor and you let me choose."
"Well, yes. But that was likely because you were so close between Gryffindor and Slytherin that your preference was all that set it apart. However, here and now that is no longer true. In fact, Gryffindor would be the last house I would put you in today." Was the explanation.
"Well, I understand the houses are supposed to help someone reach their potential by nurturing that which makes them great, but I would really just rather Gryffindor!"
"I know, and I am sorry. While your bravery is still significant it has long since been surpassed by your loyalty to those who have stood by you. You have brought their influence across worlds through your actions already and those you have yet to take. However, the raw ambition you still hold is what defines your path in seeking to shape the world for those you love. And what you will need to help you succeed here where you failed there is not just bravery, which you have in abundance, but also a sense of cunning that could only mean that while my alternate self may have let you sway them away from their initial decision, I must now stand by it and send you to SLYTHERIN!" the hat booming the last across the hall.
Albus Dumbledore had watched Algol Black from the moment he had entered the hall. This boy could be a possible subject of the prophecy, yet he still had managed to gather little information on the boy and he remained somewhat of a conundrum. When Sirius had called him to ask about enrolling him, he had been hesitant, or rather reluctant, to share much of the boy's past with Albus. This had seemed odd to the warlock but he hadn't pressed, figuring that he could simply go through any of his connections at the Ministry, or the ICW if necessary, to learn more. However, every source of his had not been able to come up with anything of value. There was simply no record of the boy besides the goblin's verification of his becoming Sirius' heir, though even then it was clear that the goblins knew more than they were letting on. Albus was put into a spot he loathed to be; he was without all of the information. When Sirius had said that the boy's birthday was July 25th Albus had at first wondered if he might just be who the prophecy was about but with the mystery surrounding him and Sirius' odd reluctance to share with either the headmaster or his friends the origin of the boy Albus was beginning to worry that it could mean something entirely more sinister. The last of the first years were sorted and Albus' musings were interrupted as he introduced the boy in question before sitting down again to see what house would be gaining the Black heir.
The aged wizard's observations of the boy upon his entrance to the hall did little to quell his worries either. He had seen that Algol Black looked around the hall like many of the other first years, but instead of admiring the intricate ceiling or grand architecture it seemed as though the boy was concentrated on the people. Albus saw him take in each and every house table, his gaze pausing on several students, before turning and examining the head table. When the boy's eyes had passed over Albus himself he saw that Algol had avoided making eye contact, almost as though he knew Albus was an accomplished legilimens and didn't want the warlock to see his thoughts. The students that Algol had paused on as well served to worry Albus, seeming to take an interest in both Neville Longbottom and Rose Potter before turning his attention towards the Slytherin table and smiling at the Malfoy boy. Albus wasn't sure what this could all mean but it was becoming clear that there was much more to the new Black heir than meets the eye, and he would have to get to the bottom of it soon. Too many things had been stirring across the magical world and Albus knew that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort returned. Could Sirius have been captured and put under some sort of compulsion to send this boy to Hogwarts? Could the boy be an agent of the Dark Lord in disguise? He wasn't sure and until he was Algol Black would remain under his watchful eye.
The hall was beginning to murmur and Albus realized why. It had been several minutes at this point that Algol had sat on the stool with the hat on his head. The boy's sorting was quickly approaching record lengths and Albus was again given a piece of the puzzle that he couldn't make fit. His observation of the boy upon the stool showed that he was clearly in deep conversation with the hat for some reason. Eventually, it seemed as though Algol's shoulders slumped a miniscule amount and the hat announced him as the newest member of Slytherin.
So, Algol hadn't wanted to go to Slytherin it seemed. But the hat had decided that it was the only house that would fit. Albus still didn't know whether this information was good or not. Did the boy not want to go to Slytherin because of its' reputation and a desire to not follow a similar path to many of its' members, or because being in another house would be more convenient for some reason? There were just too many unknowns swirling around Hogwarts' newest fourth year and Albus decided then and there that he would be having a conversation with the boy and soon. It wouldn't be odd of the headmaster to want to welcome their newest transfer student and learn more about him, no not at all.
Hermione had watched with increasing interest as Algol's sorting went longer and longer. She could remember the hat's struggle to decide between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw for herself and wondered if it was stuck between two houses again, or possibly even more. Algol had already proven to be a strange boy in the little time she had known him so she thought it possible that he would fit among most houses but a part of her that she didn't want to admit to hoped that he would come to Gryffindor.
She hadn't changed her mind on his offer of friendship and wouldn't allow him to get close to her, but having at least one more person whom would talk civilly with her on occasion in the dormitory would be welcomed. Perhaps they could work together on some of their assignments and even though she refused to become attached she might find a colleague with whom she could talk to rather than relying on professors for any semblance of conversation throughout the year.
But then, with one booming call, the hat had ended any thoughts that she might be able to work with the boy or that he would have anything to do with her. "Slytherin" the hat had yelled and Hermione knew that while Algol might have been civil on the train, he would soon treat her just as the rest of that house did. With distain bordering on hostility. She was glad that she had refused to share anything with him on the train or else she would likely soon find herself having that information used against her which would hurt even worse than the normal insults and taunting she had to endure.
Looking down at her plate she realized that she wasn't all that hungry anymore, and wished they didn't still have the entire feast to go before she could go to bed and let this tumultuous day end.
Had she not looked away so quickly, Hermione might have noticed that Algol had sent her a look of yearning and sorrow. Or that many of the looks Algol was receiving from the Slytherin table indicated that he would likely find himself even more of an outcast in his house than she in hers.
Harry stood and placed the hat on the stool before beginning to make his way towards a table he had never sat at in his previous world. He sent a brief look towards Hermione, knowing that the friendship he had been trying to rekindle would be all the harder because of this new development.
Slytherin. Bloody Slytherin. Of course, the hat wouldn't listen this time and put him in the house of snakes. Now his earlier taunts towards Draco came back and he remembered his boast that 'he and snakes got along' and that they often 'do whatever he tells them.' Yes, that was going to mean that he would find himself soon dealing with Draco yet again. He wasn't quite sure just how he would be received by the house as a whole in his first night. But Harry was sure that by the end of the first week, if not sooner, he would find his dormitory to be increasingly hostile. He wasn't going to stand for bigotry, bullying or threats and knew that Malfoy was only one of many who he would be forced to deal with when they didn't like his stances or methods.
Harry found an empty seat and took it, still lost in thought of just what the repercussions of the hat's decision were likely to mean. He ignored the blonde he had sat across from as well as the brunette next to her, not offering anything in the way of introduction to those around him, and thus completely missed the calculating look they sized him up with before looking at just how his presence was being accepted by the rest of her house.
'Oh well, we'll see just how long it takes my message to sink in for the house of the cunning.' Harry thought, guessing that it would take quite a while.
Harry wasn't worried for his safety, no. A mere student, even a seventh year, posed no notable threat to him. What he was worried about was his ability to go unnoticed and accomplish all that he hoped to in his time within the school. Three of the houses would see a Slytherin and keep a wary eye on him, his own house was sure to, if not already, keep their eye on the new unknown from an influential house and he could almost hear the headmaster's mind churning away with the implications of everything. All this meant that he doubted that a single person in the castle would let his presence go unnoticed if he was seen, and sneaking about the castle had become all but impossible.
As Harry sat there thinking of how much harder his sorting into Slytherin had made his mission, he heard the headmaster rise to begin the feast, knowing that the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament would come at the end Harry began to fill his plate and ignored the glances, stares and mutterings he was getting from either end of his new table.
Daphne Greengrass was intrigued. Algol Black, a fourth-year transfer student who's sorting had taken an inordinately long time, who she had noticed did not seem ecstatic about the hat's decision of where he would go and whom Draco Malfoy couldn't stop sending venomous look towards was sat across from her and Tracey. She didn't know what to make of the boy which in and of itself was odd. Because of this she found herself curiously breaking him out of his, rather deep by the look on his face, thoughts.
"Do you have something against Slytherin house?" She asked him somewhat imperiously while also trying not to let her voice carry to others around them.
"… I beg your pardon?" he asked after swallowing his first several bites of food and realizing she was addressing him.
"Your sorting, it took longer than average. Then, when the hat announced Slytherin it looked like you were disappointed. I am only wondering what you, someone who should have little to no knowledge of the houses, would have against my house?"
"Hmm, well I suppose I should say I have nothing against the house itself. But you are correct that I was hoping to go elsewhere."
"Would that have anything to do with the way Malfoy cannot stop sending you looks as though you are something particularly vile that he wishes to see the end of?"
Glancing up towards Malfoy, Harry caught him again looking down towards where Harry was sat and found that the blonde's description of his face was rather accurate.
Chuckling, Harry explained "Well, before we continue might I ask your name? As you know of course know mine and my last blonde admirer from Slytherin was gracious enough to introduce himself rather boisterously." Harry said while smirking and glancing back up at Malfoy.
Daphne fought a blush from rising on her cheeks from Algol's observation that she hadn't introduced herself as was polite, his comparison of her and Malfoy and his indication that she was an 'admirer' of his.
They both heard a small giggle from next to Daphne and turned to see Tracey trying, and failing, to hide her amusement at Daphne's embarrassment before looking up and joining the conversation she had clearly been listening to.
"I'm sorry, I'm Tracey Davis and this is Daphne Greengrass. We're both fourth years as well." She said in way of introduction.
"A pleasure to meet you both" he said with a tilt of his head, before continuing.
"In answer to your earlier questions, Miss Greengrass. I'm afraid dear Draco's dislike of me happens to be a rather new development due to his feeling that I have stolen something that should have been his and my lack of willingness to bend to his wishes. And no, I had hoped to go elsewhere simply because it would have allowed me a greater degree of disregard from others."
Having successfully fought off her embarrassment, Daphne raised one of her pale eyebrows in question "Oh? Pray tell what have you taken from heir Malfoy that he would feel so strongly about? And for what reason did you wish to avoid notice from others?" Daphne asked.
Deflecting her questions, Harry decided to see if he could find out more about just how Slytherin house operated and what he could expect.
"Well, here I find myself somewhat at a loss. You see, you were correct in that I am not overly familiar with all of the houses of Hogwarts. However, I have gotten the feeling that Slytherin is not a house in which information might be given freely?"
"You… are not incorrect. So, you wish to trade information? You feel as though your answers are worth me bargaining for?" Daphne asked with a slight lilt to the end of her question to show her doubt to that.
"Perhaps. Though the information I want is relatively benign as well so perhaps rather than us just talking about myself and my rather mundane circumstances you could tell me about what to expect from my time in Slytherin house?"
"I suppose. What would you like to know?"
"Well, Malfoy had indicated a sort of hierarchy that the castle's students followed. As I have found this not to be the case from the explanations given to me by the staff, I have met could he have been accurate about his house or was it all simply dribble that he spouted?"
Tracey hesitantly began answering, looking towards Daphne when she had remained quiet in thought. "That isn't really talked about" she said before glancing around and leaning in "Slytherin house is perhaps has more of a structure than the other houses, and diverging from the houses' position has… consequences."
"Consequences?" Harry asked.
"Yes, consequences. And discussing such within earshot of those not within the house or head of the house can have nearly as bad of consequences. Speak no more of the dynamics of how the house works. If you wish to know the format of the dormitories or the history of the house we will gladly answer. Otherwise, assume that it is better kept for behind closed doors." Daphne hissed at Harry and Tracey.
Eyeing her and the reaction that the subject had brought up, Harry decided to relent the subject for now.
"Alright. Well, I suppose I can tell you that Draco's distain for me stems from the fact that he had been next in line to become Lord Black when Sirius Black died. With my arrival that is no longer true." Harry said with a shrug. "As for my reasons to wish to avoid notice, I'm afraid that I'll have to decline to share at this time."
Daphne and Tracey exchanged looks of surprise before looking back at the boy across from them with even more calculating interest. They had both recognized the name Black, but had assumed he came from one of the many off shoots that the family had that branched out into the continent. Neither had guessed that he would be the heir, usurping Malfoy's claim.
"That would certainly do it." Daphne agreed.
"How did he even find out? We hadn't heard of a new heir as of yet and we're sure the news would've travel fast if the Malfoys were to have gotten ahold of it." Tracey wondered aloud.
"Simple, he visited the compartment on the train in which I was sat, presumedly to accost my riding companion, and we traded introductions which he found… unpleasant." Harry explained with a grin.
Clearly not believing that it was as simple as that, Daphne asked "Why do I get the feeling that there is more to the story than just simple unpleasantness?"
"Hmm, I may have told him to leave my riding companion alone and when he continued, he might have found himself having trouble breathing. Could've happened to anyone really."
Both girls were stunned at this, and while Tracey could only look at the boy in shock Daphne eventually demanded "You hexed Malfoy on the train, on your first day?!"
The repercussions for Algol within Slytherin house were sure to come if he had done so and both Tracey and Daphne were worried for the boy after hearing that, until Algol responded with a suspicious amount of shock.
"What?! Good heavens, no! I wouldn't go and hex anyone on my first day. Someone would have to be exceedingly daft to do something like that!" He had to fight a smile through his response.
Tracey breathed out in relief, "Thank goodness, that would've made your life extremely difficult for the next week at least. If not sem-"
Daphne cut her off, seeing the amusement in the boy's eyes and feeling that they were being toyed with. "Wait, Trace. He's not finished." She said, eyeing him with a look that demanded he explain.
Harry let his smile fully break across his face at this, which did little to ease either girl's worries, "no, I swear to Merlin that I did not hex Malfoy or his two goons." Here he held up his left hand and turning it over and back to examine it. "I found that the situation required a more… hands on approach."
With this he let his hand drop to the table again and looked towards the two girls, who had gone quiet again with what he was implying, and let his smile fall.
"He felt the need to bully my riding companion because of her muggle heritage, so I thought that it would be best to use a muggle method to dispel his diatribe."
"Who was the girl you were with?" Daphne asked while closing her eyes, dreading the answer.
"A wonderful girl by the name of Hermione Granger. She was incredibly helpful with any of my questions in regard to the castle or classes and was very understanding of the shock of transferring schools. Perhaps you two know her? She is in Gryffindor I believe." With this, Harry knew that the conversation may be coming to an end. He vaguely remembered Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis from his world. Though he couldn't remember which side they had ended up on in the end. If they subscribed to the blood purity line of thinking though he had just made clear what his stance was and would be.
Daphne didn't necessarily have a problem with Algol's actions, she held not malice for the Granger girl and often actually felt bad for her. But she did think that there would be much more blowback than he expected. Even if he was the heir of an ancient and noble house.
"Y-you defended Granger… From Malfoy… By choking him when he insulted her… on your first day." Tracey stammered out.
"I suppose that is an accurate way of viewing the events." Harry agreed.
"Black, I don't think you realize just what you've done. Malfoy has a great deal of sway in the house, even among the older years. What you did, he very well might have tried to ensure you had an 'accident' from which you wouldn't recover. Just because of the perceived insult. Add to that the fact that if you were out of the way he would be the Black heir again, well, you should watch your back. I don't think we'll be able to help you." With that Daphne turned towards Tracey and they proceeded to have a rushed conversation under their breaths that Harry couldn't hear.
"Daph, what do we do?" Tracey whispered.
"We finish the feast quietly. Answer simple questions but don't engage him in conversation anymore. Then we go back to the dormitory and hope for his sake he is lucky. We can't get pulled into his mess."
"But Daph, they could really kill him!" Tracey exclaimed quietly while shooting a glance at Algol who had his eyes on his plate as he finished the last of his treacle tart.
Daphne sighed, "I know Trace. But us standing with him wouldn't change that. It would likely just mean we would be in as dire of a position. If they ask us what we were talking to him about we tell them we were learning about him and thought he would be an asset as heir Black, but we decided not to continue talking to him once we found out what he had done and why. It won't even really be a lie."
"But, Da-" Tracey began before Daphne cut her off with some heat.
"No, Tracey! I can't get involved. Its' not just me anymore. Tori may have gone to Hufflepuff but that doesn't mean they won't still use her to get to me. I'm sorry, I wish we could help him, I do. He's a Black, they have a reputation for a reason, maybe it won't be as bad as we think." She ended, not sounding like she believed it at all.
Eventually, the headmaster stood and ended the feast. Gave his usual beginning of year reminders and warnings before moving on to say he was 'excited to announce that Hogwarts would host the Triwizard Tournament this year and that Durmstrang and Beauxbatons would be joining them in October and the champions would be drawn on Halloween. He then went over some of the restrictions, rules and hazards of entering before ending the opening night and wishing them all a good night.
With the feast officially over, Daphne and Tracey rose with the rest of their house to make it to their dormitory. Both with a great feeling of dread that there was a very real possibility that breakfast might see one less at their table.