Chapter Four - In Deep Water
"What's a Dementor?" Hermione asked, while Neville and Ron paled.
"Gran said there would be Dementors guarding Hogwarts this year," Neville said, teeth beginning to chatter, "but I really hoped we wouldn't have to see them."
The train came to a lumbering, screeching halt.
"I think they're coming aboard," said Ron from the window, voice tight.
"Don't worry," said Harry, sounding unconfident, even to his own ears. "I'm sure they're just here to search for Sirius Black."
"Sirius Black? Isn't he the one who's meant to have killed Peter Pettigrew?" Hermione asked, looking more confused than scared. "And nobody answered my question. What are Dementors? They can't be that bad if they're allowed to come on board."
A sudden dark presence fell over the carriage, and they all fell silent, even Hermione.
A few seconds later, Harry could make out the black, wispy forms streaming past their door. After a moment of nothing, Harry began to believe they had passed them by unchecked.
As if timing it just to dash his small remaining hope, two cloaked figures stopped outside their compartment. Harry held his breath as a gnarled hand swiped at the door with a rasping sound, like a file on wood. The door unlocked with a click.
Harry stood to meet them, his friends behind him in the corners of the carriage. Harry's head pounded from their crushing presence but he raised his wand defiantly as the two Dementors seemed to fight for first entry.
The winner paused as it saw Harry standing there, wand outstretched. It regarded him for what seemed an age and Harry once again hoped that they would just leave. It seemed to sniff the air, and then, with a lurch, made a grab at Harry. He heard screaming.
"Expecto Patronum."
A blinding white light filled the room as Prongs leapt from the end of Harry's wand.
The Dementors screamed at an unearthly pitch. Ron, Neville, and Hermione covered their ears but Harry stood firm. He conducted Prongs forward and drove the Dementors out of their compartment. They swooped through the train, fleeing rapidly. Harry let Prongs prance through the corridor, eliciting a cacophony of harrowing screams as the train was emptied of its unwanted guests.
A few moments later, Harry saw another large Patronus charge down the corridor. This was soon followed by another, some sort of lizard, which leapt through the air outside their window, herding the Dementors away. Harry lowered his wand with a sigh.
When the train was clear, Prongs trotted back to their compartment, fading to nothing with a bow to Harry. The unnatural chill had mostly receded as the Dementors retreated into the distance, soon becoming indistinguishable from the dusky wisps of cloud in the darkening sky. Harry turned back to his friends, stowing his wand back in his pocket. Their faces were painted with fear, and Harry felt a weight settle in his stomach. He felt angry. Why did there have to be Dementors? Why, again, did they feel such an overwhelming need to try and eat his soul, and now who knows what his friends thought—
"Bloody hell, Harry. That was brilliant!" Ron said, giving him an awe filled look. He still looked scared, but it seemed directed towards the still disappearing horde of Dementors.
"I've never seen a Patronus," said Neville, also looking at Harry with wonder. "I've heard my great-Uncle talk about it, but he didn't know anyone apart from Professor Dumbledore who could produce a full one."
"My brother Bill can do it," said Ron, excitedly. "He showed me and Ginny once. Mum was impressed but told him off for misusing powerful magic."
"It certainly seemed like a powerful spell," Hermione said. "How did you learn it when you're only a first year? It's not in any of our assigned textbooks."
Harry was at a loss for words. How did he explain this away? "Uh, I'm Harry Potter?" He shrugged. Neville and Ron nodded as if that made sense.
Hermione struggled with a response, and looked like she wanted to hit him. Harry felt a strange sense of deja vu.
A crimson robed woman appeared in their doorway. "Is everyone okay? I saw the stag Patronus come back to this compartment." She looked at them all, small and clearly first-years. "Where did the caster go?"
Harry could feel the burn of multiple gazes on him. Hermione raised her eyebrow at him. He sighed, "It was me, ma'am."
The woman looked annoyed. "You're clearly a first-year. There's no way you could cast a Patronus."
"He did, Ma'am. We all saw him. He said Expectum Patronus or something and that great stag came out, but it was only because those Dementors tried to attack us." The words tumbled out of Ron's mouth. Harry gave him a look but Ron just gave a sheepish shrug as if to say, what? I was doing you a favour!
The woman didn't seem to take him very seriously, though. "Hah! I very much doubt that. Anyway, why would Dementors disobey orders to attack some children? Show me your wand, child." She said, holding her hand out to Harry in an exaggerated pose.
Harry reluctantly took out his mother's wand and placed the tip in her outstretched hand.
"Priori Incantatem."
"What does that do?" Hermione asked, peeking over.
After a moment nothing happened, and the woman looked a bit smug. "See, absolutely nothi—"
A puff of white smoke billowed out the end of Harry's wand. It quickly transformed into the unmistakable form of a white stag, which charged around the room as if chasing something.
The woman's face was a picture of shock. She looked down at him, perplexed. "Uh, okay then. What's your name?"
"Harry, ma'am."
Hermione gave Harry a look, "He's Harry Potter."
The Auror's eyes snapped to his fringe, which must have been parted because her eyes widened. "Oh. Uh, please come with me, Mr. Potter, if you will." She cleared her throat. "My boss would like to speak with you."
Harry sighed, taking his wand back from the Auror.
He gave a shrug of his shoulders to his friends and followed the Auror out of the compartment and down the corridor of the train. As they went, the Auror gave stern words to any students poking their heads out, many of whom gave Harry odd looks as he trailed after the older blonde woman. Harry dreaded the rumours that would be starting already.
"Shacklebolt, I've found the stag Patronus," Harry's escort shouted as they approached a tall man Harry instantly recognised. Kingsley turned from his conversation with another Auror. He sighed when he saw her. "Thank you, Tonks. Who-" He spotted Harry, who was peeking around Tonk's robes. Harry wasn't sure who was more surprised, Kingsley or himself. There was no way this older blonde woman was Nymphadora Tonks, surely?
"This is Harry Potter," said Tonks, and although Harry couldn't see her face, he could imagine the significant look that she gave alongside the emphasis on his name. "I checked his wand and there are witnesses and everything."
Kingsley regarded him again, seeming to hold back obvious disbelief. "Mr. Potter, was the stag Patronus truly your own?"
Harry nodded, resigned, "Yes, Mr. Shacklebolt."
An eruption of whispers to his left caught his attention. Harry hadn't noticed the open carriage door until that moment. He met the eye of a couple of sixth year Hufflepuffs that he vaguely remembered.
Kingsley shut the door with a flick, "Your wand, if you don't mind, Mr. Potter. It's not that I don't believe you, it's—"
"It's fine, sir." Harry extended his wand.
Once again, the spell revealed a charging stag from the end of Harry's wand. Kingsley handed Harry's wand back in silence.
"Well then, Mr. Potter. It seems we have a great deal to thank you for once again."
Harry nodded again, trying to come across as gracious, but he also knew that if he spoke he would betray his annoyance at the situation.
Kingsley turned to the female Auror. "Tonks, for the last time, no disguising yourself. The reason I recommended you for this call-out was because students know you."
Tonks, scowled. She shook her hair and everything seemed to shift, until the familiar, if slightly more youthful, face was assumed.
"These brats won't listen to anyone that doesn't look like their mother," she grumbled.
A second Auror behind Kingsley, that Harry didn't recognise, walked over to join the conversation. Kingsley stepped to the side to let him closer. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter. A shame that it had to happen under these circumstances." He paused, regarding Harry closer, "I gather from the witnesses that you were also present at the unexpected exposure of the Animagus, Peter Pettigrew."
He didn't wait for Harry to confirm or deny. Kingsley didn't move to say anything either, and Harry wondered who this man was.
"An unfortunate coincidence, I'm sure. A bit of accidental magic from one first year revealing a ten-year secret, and then just an hour later, another first-year performing magic they should not know. Quite the batch of students Hogwarts has this year. I am curious though, Mr. Potter, how did you know how to cast that Patronus?"
Harry had prepared something resembling an answer, though it was flimsy. "I read about the spell in one of my mother's textbooks sir. And a few weeks ago I saw Professor Dumbledore cast the spell, so I knew what it looked like. I'm told it's quite a difficult spell, so I'm quite pleased with myself that I managed it on the first try."
Harry met the man's eye, daring him to contradict. Harry knew it was a stretch, but what alternative was there to believe?
"I see. Well if that's the case we are fortunate you happened to learn of the charm. Quite a prodigious display of magic for one so young. We will certainly be keeping an eye on your development, Mr. Potter. You are the boy-who-lived, after all. It seems we are to expect great things."
Harry thought he'd be dismissed then, but the man seemed to think of something, "Those Dementors behaved in a rather peculiar manner, directly against clear instructions given by the ministry. Dementors rarely disobey, and when they do it is always because they are overcome by desire for intense memories of despair and death. And not since the days of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named have Dementors gone against direct ministry orders for any other reason."
Harry scoffed. That hadn't been his experience. His memories of his parents death, of Cedric, and plenty of other things could all have been the trigger.
"I heard the sound of a scream when the Dementors came in." Harry said. "It was my mother's scream, her scream as Voldemort struck her down in front of me. I could hear him laughing."
Kingsley looked a little ill, and his companion grimaced.
"I imagine that might do it, Mr. Potter," said Kingsley. He looked at the other man, who nodded.
"Thank you for your time. We will be investigating this further, I can assure you."
Harry seriously doubted that.
Harry was dismissed. Tonks informed him that she'd be escorting him to his carriage.
As they made their way back, passing room after room of curious faces, Harry began to dread their arrival at Hogwarts. This was not the start he'd hoped for. His plan had been to stay under the radar and not draw attention to himself for once, doing so would only make dealing with Voldemort more difficult.
At least he'd managed to capture Peter without anyone being suspicious. The Dementors, though; what a massive pain in the arse. Harry could imagine the rumours now, and the headlines.
"Mr Potter." Harry was interrupted by an unexpected voice, and the smell of garlic. He looked up.
"Professor Quirrell, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," said the turban-headed man, voice silky.
Harry's heart began to beat faster. He'd never thought much about Quirrell after accidentally killing him, which was perhaps not a normal response. In hindsight, Harry supposed, he'd always thought of Voldemort instead of the man he'd possessed. But seeing him now, with much more experience, Harry noticed things. Quirrell's voice had been devoid of stutters for that one sentence, and it had revealed the voice that reminded Harry eerily of the young Tom Riddle he had met in the chamber. Quirrell's eyes glinted in something resembling humour, but lacking the warmth.
But all this, which Harry had noticed in the first few beats of his anxious heart, disappeared in an instant as Quirrell withdrew into himself. Harry almost thought he'd imagined it.
"I—I look forward t—to seeing you in my c—c—classroom, Mr P—Potter." Quirrell seemed to diminish, voice thinning and face collapsing into something nearly fearful of the idea of teaching in a classroom. It was masterful.
He offered Harry a hand. Harry was very tempted, but thought Tonks would probably stun him before he could get his hands around Quirrell's neck.
"Nice to meet you, Professor. I am looking forward to your class." Harry said quietly, wringing his hands and looking down at the floor.
Quirrell withdrew the hand. "O—Oh I'm sure y—you will be an e—excellent st—student, Mr. P—Potter. P—P—Perhaps it will be y—you who teaches m—me!"
He regarded Harry through piercing eyes with a parting, sideways look. "A Patronus is exceptionally powerful magic for one so young. Y—You must have great talent. If you ever feel the ch—challenge of my class insufficient, my door is always open to you."
"I will keep that in mind, Professor. Thank you."
"N—Not a problem. Now excuse me, I—I have to t—talk to the driver." He made to pass by and Harry was very careful not to accidentally touch him. He hoped it wasn't too obvious.
"The flipping weirdos they employ here," Tonks muttered.
Harry found that slightly funny, but mostly just depressing.
Tonks left him as he entered his friends' compartment. They were as he'd left them, if slightly subdued.
"Oh Harry, you're back," said Hermione as he opened the door. "I hope you told them everything."
"What did they want?" asked Ron. He and Neville looked up at him and Harry noticed they hadn't played a new hand since he left.
"Oh, nothing. I just told them about the Dementor attack, and they told me they were investigating it."
"...And?"
"And what?"
"Did they give you an order of Merlin or something, or at least some house points?"
Harry laughed, "No, nothing like that. Some Auror did say they'd be watching me, though."
Ron seemed to think that was a good thing. "I heard the Auror programme is really difficult to get into. They only take a few people every year. My brother Charlie almost applied, but his potions grade wasn't good enough in the end."
This started a conversation about grades, which drew Hermione out of a book she'd picked up. Harry thought about his own OWLs, which he'd now never know the results of. He was glad it was a good while before he had to study for those again. He wasn't glad, though, that he'd have to study five years worth of lessons all over again. He was going to die of boredom.
It wasn't all bad, though. He'd enjoyed his fifth year, despite Umbridge, because of how much he learned teaching the DA. Maybe this time around he would be able to read more of the sorts of books he was interested in and learn some more spells. Harry had been having nightmares of the Department of Mysteries these last few weeks, and in each one of them all he could fire was expelliarmus while Bellatrix laughed at him. Maybe it was time he learned something that could wipe the smile of her face the next time they met.
A short while later, Percy stopped by and told them to get into their robes. They were almost at Hogwarts. Harry watched out the windows in anticipation.
The train rounded a bend and the trees began to thin, being replaced by small farms and houses. Hogwarts came into view. It looked as if it was made of sandstone, painted red by the sun that was setting over distant mountains.
"Wow," said Ron.
Neville and Hermione moved up to the window too, their hands pressed against the glass.
"It's beautiful," Hermione said.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it is."
The train came to a stop, steam billowing like breath into the chilly air.
Onboard the train was a maelstrom of movement. Voices and shouts layered over one another in a chaotic harmony. He'd lost his friends as soon as he'd left their compartment and it was impossible to see much from his diminutive vantage point amidst the swirling of so many robes.
"Firs' years over here!" The booming voice of Hagrid reverberated through the station, like a lighthouse in a storm. Harry stepped off the train and pushed his way through the crowds. The first years eventually grouped together in front of Hagrid. Harry recognised Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott next to him.
"Right, now come with me. We're takin' the boats t' Hogwarts across the Black Lake." Hagrid looked down at Harry and smiled. Harry waved.
Hagrid led them out of the station and through the trees. They winded their way down, path lit by a humongous lamp that Hagrid held above his head. They soon arrived at a stony outcropping that acted as a natural pier. Twenty-odd boats were moored neatly and Hagrid directed the students over to them with a wave, "Two or three to a boat. No shovin' now. Don't want to turn up to the feast wet now, do yeh?"
Harry stepped gingerly into a nearby boat. He almost tripped, startled by a squeal behind him. "Hey!" Susan said as Crabbe shouldered her out of the way.
Malfoy stepped into the boat with Harry and sat down. Crabbe joined shortly after. Goyle made to step in but Malfoy hissed at him, "Goyle, you idiot, you'll capsize the boat. Get in the next one." He huffed and turned to Harry, who considered getting out the boat while he still could.
"Draco Malfoy, nice to meet you. Apparently, you're Harry Potter."
As the last student fell into a boat, Hagrid waved a hand and they drew away from the pier. Harry sat down with a sigh.
When Harry failed to respond, or even look at him, Draco tried again, "Is it true you fought off all those Dementors. The upper-years said it was impossible for a first year to do that."
"Not impossible, just lucky." Harry said. "But, I can look after myself."
He hoped that was enough of a hint that he would be left alone, but alas, this was Malfoy.
"I heard someone who was clearly a Weasley brag about being your friend on the way down. It's not your fault of course, you wouldn't know anything about what's proper, but you'll soon learn that people like him are the wrong sort. I can help you with that."
Harry was saved from responding when Seamus, from a nearby boat, snorted. "I can help you with that," he mimicked in a nasally voice.
There wasn't enough light to be sure, but Harry thought Draco was turning red. Right next to a rocky cliff, Draco's voice had echoed across the lake among the largely quiet group of first-years. Now it echoed with laughter, some genuine, and most just nervous. Harry was all for some group-bonding over embarrassing Draco.
As they rounded the corner of the cliff, the reflection of Hogwarts began to appear in the softly lapping water. The group grew silent as it came into full view. It was spectacular, as ever.
"Trevor!" Neville called. Harry turned his head. Neville's toad was perched on the prow of the small boat, just out of Neville's reach.
"Who's Trevor?" Draco muttered to Crabbe, who shrugged, still looking up at Hogwarts.
Neville crouched shakily, causing the boat to wobble.
"Hey cut it out, Neville!" Ron grabbed the side of the boat, looking uncomfortable. "You're going to tip us over!"
Neville shuffled forwards, reaching out both hands. "Got him!" He shouted with a smile. Trevor croaked from between his fingers. As Neville began his slow shuffle back his foot caught the edge of the seat. With a shout, he lurched right over the edge and splashed into the inky waters of the lake.
"Don' worry, don' worry now," Hagrid's voice called from the front. "The squid'll get him."
Neville emerged from the water spluttering and began a slow doggy paddle. Trevor croaked down at him from the boat. As Neville reached the edge of the boat a huge tentacle poked out of the water and wrapped itself around Neville, lifting him up. Harry turned away, smiling. A loud plop drew Harry's attention back. The water rippled where the tentacle, and Neville had been. There was no sign of Neville in the boat.
"Uh, Hagrid…" Ron shouted, looking over the side of the boat. "Where did Nev—"
The water erupted in an explosion of tentacles. Harry's boat was smashed down the middle by a huge limb, sending him flying. The air was knocked from his lungs as he hit something, or someone, and then the shocking cold of the lake enveloped him.
Harry burst to the surface, taking in a huge gulp of air.
He looked around. Harry's was the only boat that had been destroyed, but many of them were capsized. Screams rang out across the lake, yet they were nearly drowned out by the churning sound of the giant tentacles as they snaked through the water. Harry tried to process what had happened. Had the giant squid done that by accident?
The water bulged suddenly, sending a huge wave towards Harry.
As the wave lifted him up Harry saw that the nightmarish head of the giant squid had emerged. Any doubt in Harry's mind that this was accidental died as Hagrid roared, leaping from his boat onto the head of the beast, and smashed his fists down with audible smacks.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as an enormous circular eye locked on to Harry. He froze in shock, a different kind of cold running down his spine. Five tentacles shot out towards him. Harry saw people diving out of the way and he did his best to do the same. He pushed off the side of a boat, propelling himself through the water. He felt something grab his foot and he barely had time to kick off his shoe before it was lurched away. He swam manically towards the cliff, keeping his head low among the churning waters. His foot was grabbed again and Harry felt a sharp pain. This time there was nothing to stop it as he was pulled beneath the waves.
Harry fumbled for his wand as he was pulled sideways through the water. He tried to cough out a diffindo but his mouth just filled with water.
He flicked his wand, pure adrenaline focusing his mind.
A cutting curse left his wand and the grip on his foot retreated. Harry dragged himself to the surface and he gasped for breath, grabbing hold of a nearby overturned boat. As soon as he got his breathing vaguely under control he pulled himself up onto the capsized boat, wobbling on one knee as he got his bearings.
Hagrid still stood atop the giant squid, wrestling down three enormous arms. His voice was booming in contention with the gurgling roars of the giant creature.
A tentacle broke free of Hagrid's grasp and shot towards Harry.
He jumped.
The tentacle smashed through the small boat with ease and Harry felt small shards of wood tear into his waterlogged robes. He landed awkwardly on an adjacent boat with a thud.
Quickly scrambling to his feet, he didn't even look to see if another tentacle was coming.
He jumped again.
The next boat put him within reach of the cliff face, where Harry noticed most of his classmates were gathering. Some had managed to find small ridges to stand on or grab a hold of, while others treaded the water in its shadow.
"Is this some sort of test?" Harry heard one person say.
Harry deliberated. He couldn't stay here and draw attention to them, but he couldn't swim out too far either, it would grab him within seconds without some shelter. That's when he had an idea.
"Swim that way!" Harry shouted as loud as he could over the sounds of Hagrid and the squid. A sea of pale faces turned to him. "Swim that way!" Harry shouted again, gesturing away from the squid, "I'm going to distract it!"
Some of them immediately began to swim away, others clung to their holds on the rock, either refusing, or unable, to move.
Harry took a deep breath and dove in the direction of the squid, keeping the rock face close to his right. He got as close as he dared, still undetected. He pointed his wand up at the cliff face above him and whispered, "Ascendio!"
He rose out of the water, scrambling at the rock face in an imitation of climbing. He ended his spell when he found a small ledge to stand on. He'd climbed about thirty-five feet out of the water and was now looking down at the scene below.
"Oi, Giant Squid!" Harry yelled from atop the rock. When nothing happened he sent a quick diffindo down at the squid. The water frothed as his spell hit it in the eye. The eye turned to face Harry.
He gulped.
Hagrid was finally thrown from the creature, as it lurched fully out of the water, tentacles whipping up towards the rock. Harry saw its huge beaked mouth open as it pulled itself right at him, crushing and crumbling the cliff face in its scramble upwards.
He jumped.
The squid's eye seemed to follow him as he sailed over the top of it, wand outstretched towards the cliff face, name of the blasting curse on his lips.
The cliff erupted.
Harry watched, shocked. He hadn't even cast the spell yet, had he? As he arced towards the water, he stared at the cliff. Was that a monkey?
He never felt the cold of the lake because of a lot of things that happened at once. A colossal winged monkey pulled itself from the cliff face, screaming a challenge to the squid. From its mouth flew a swarm of smaller, flying rock monkeys, one of whom grabbed Harry's foot just as his head was about to hit the water. He watched, upside down, as the remaining smaller monkeys flew over to his classmates. Some of the monkeys dived into the water, emerging with limp or spluttering children clutched in their grasps.
The huge stone monkey slammed down into the water, landing right on top of the giant squid. That's when Harry saw Professor McGonagall, sitting side saddle atop an earthen Abraxan with a grassy mane. She directed the monkeys with her wand, a look of fierce anger on her face.
At first it looked like the monkey was going to pull the squid apart. Its wings beat at the air, sending a misty spray across the waters as it grabbed the squid with it's feet and beat and ripped at it with huge fists. But quite suddenly, two seemingly limp tentacles shot around the monkey and twisted around its wings. The monkey crashed into the water and was quickly overwhelmed by tentacles. Harry looked on with dread as it disappeared beneath the waves.
The water bubbled ominously, and, with a rushing spray, a huge snake with a hundred wings along its back shot out of the water before diving back down and twisting itself around the squid. Harry was in awe, he had never imagined that transfiguration could be this powerful. Just as it seemed like the snake was getting the upper hand, a deafening whistle whipped through the air. Harry looked around for the source but, despite seeing nothing, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
The surface of the water began to jump and sizzle, building in intensity with the sound of the whistling. The noise built in pitch until it went beyond hearing and into an unearthly silence that seemed to suck in all sound. Four huge golden chains exploded out of thin air, immediately wrapping themselves around the giant squid. As the chains touched the beast, its limbs fell limp as if it were a giant puppet whose strings had been cut. Harry didn't see the huge chains make even the smallest disturbance in the water as they writhed around the moaning creature. The chains tightened, then in a burst of magic that Harry could feel, the giant squid was dragged beneath the waves.
Harry looked over at McGonagall, who was still astride her flying creation, but no longer alone. Professor Quirrell floated next to her, robes billowing around him. He flicked his wand and the vibrating of the air and water settled back down.
What on earth was that spell he'd used? Harry had never felt something so powerful. With a second flick, a brilliant white lizard burst from his wand and went speeding over to the castle. Harry felt a headache coming on. Did this monkey really have to hold him upside down?
The monkey in question, which had been hovering still until this point, suddenly began to fly towards Hogwarts. Harry let himself go slack, holding on firmly to his wand.
Harry was soon deposited at the entrance to Hogwarts, where Madam Pomfrey was waiting. Professor Dumbledore appeared in a flash of phoenix fire and immediately began speaking with Professor McGonagall. Harry snapped himself out of the daze he'd been in and began to look for Ron and Hermione. He found Ron, sitting with a blanket around him and Hermione lying on her back, face blue, and chest unmoving.
Harry rushed over, kneeling beside her.
"Out of the way, child." Harry heard behind him. Madam Pomfrey brushed him aside and swished her wand over Hermione, from her chest to her nose. Water shot out of her mouth and Hermione sat up, spluttering. The blue that had coloured her face and hands was now a warm pink. A blanket floated over and draped around her shoulders, instantly drying her soaked hair and robes. Harry felt one land on his own shoulders and was instantly dried, a warmth spreading through his limbs.
He looked around and saw that somehow, everyone seemed to be accounted for. It looked like Crabbe had a broken arm that had been splinted, and Malfoy had a broken leg. Madam Pomfrey was forcing him to drink a potion that looked like a blood-replenisher, but that was the most serious injury. Harry was relieved.
It only took a minute for Madam Pomfrey, McGonagall, and Dumbledore to make sure that everyone was fine.
Harry wondered if they were going to be sent home before they'd even managed to arrive, but apparently, half of the new cohort drowning was merely a small inconvenience, because they were soon led into the warm interior of the castle and waiting to be sorted.
The small antechamber attached to the great hall was abuzz with the chatter of Harry's soon to be classmates. He saw more than a few eyes flicking to him and he really hoped nobody had seen him cast any magic. It was already bad enough that he'd needed to cast a Patronus earlier.
Draco limped over to Harry. Harry had overheard Madam Pomfrey declare him fully healed but Malfoy was never one to give up a good opportunity for the dramatic.
Draco cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable, "Thanks, Potter."
Harry blinked.
Draco's face was pale and he seemed more subdued than Harry had perhaps ever seen him.
"I saw what you did. You didn't have to try and distract it," Draco said. "I could barely move after our boat was smashed, so, uh, thanks."
"Uh, you're welcome," said Harry.
Draco nodded, and Harry nodded back as Draco limped off.
Now that had been a surprise. Harry didn't know how many more of those he could handle in a single day.
Harry looked over as the door to the great hall opened. Hundreds of eager faces peered at them from the house tables, some people at the back even standing on their seats in order to get a look at the group of first-years.
As they shuffled into the hall, someone at the Gryffindor table whooped and started clapping. It seemed to ignite the mood and the hall was soon echoing with applause. Harry could hear individual shouts of:
'Go firsties!'
'Good job lads!'
Clearly one of the Professors had told them all something of what had happened and some of the Gryffindors looked slightly jealous. Even the Slytherins were looking impressed.
Harry heard his name being muttered, people pointed at him and stared. He tried his best to pretend he didn't notice.
The hall eventually settled down.
McGonagall cleared her throat, and the sorting began.
Harry briefly wondered if the strange events of today would lead to people being sorted differently, but, as the hat called out each result, it became clear that nothing had changed. He wondered if that was the same for him. He'd experienced a lot in the last five years, and he didn't know how different he was to the child he'd once been. He was older now, and surely wiser. That had to count for something.
"Harry Potter," called Professor McGonagall.
Harry walked to the stall, feeling slightly sick. He prepared himself for the arguments he'd have to make. He couldn't possibly go to Slytherin.
Each step prompted another anxious thought. A thought that he might have to share a dorm with Draco. Maybe he'd become Snape's best friend, and become a potions master. Maybe, Ron and Hermione would never end up as his friends because he was about to become a Ravenclaw. Maybe—
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat roared. It hadn't even touched Harry's head.
Professor McGonagall seemed to snort. Harry looked up at her, the hat still hovering above his head. He thought he could hear a very distant voice complaining about something.
"Go on then, Potter. I can't say I'm too surprised," she said, ushering him out of his seat.
Harry walked quickly over to the familiar table. He tried not to limp, which was made harder by his having only one shoe. He winced, feeling the wound on his foot flare up now that the adrenaline had worn off. He'd have to get Madam Pomfrey to look at it later. He was feeling a bit grumpy for another reason, too; it was a bit rude that the hat hadn't even bothered talking to him. It was probably fair enough though, this had been one of his more Gryffindorish days.
Ron snaked his way into the space next to Harry just as Blaize Zabini was being sorted.
With the last of the sorting over, Harry had a little time to process what had just happened as the hat began to sing. Harry was still trying to wrap his head around the fact the giant squid had attacked them. More specifically, unless Harry was mistaken, the giant squid had attacked him. Harry's classmates had merely been in the way. Harry suspected that the only reason there weren't more deaths was because the only true target — him — had survived.
Now, Harry was used to being in near-death circumstances, but two attacks by terrifying creatures in one day, his first day no less, was unusual, even for him. What had happened to provoke such an uncharacteristic attack by the normally passive and beloved squid? And why Harry specifically?
Despite the nervous shakes that still jolted through him, Harry was also still in awe at what he'd just witnessed. He couldn't banish the image of McGonagall's giant construction ripping itself from the cliff, and the swarm of flying monkeys pouring from its mouth. Harry felt goosebumps raise on his arms as he remembered the feel of Quirrell's magic. Harry had no idea what sort of spell that had been, but it was terrifying.
Harry looked up to the top table, where Quirrell sat nonchalantly, as if he couldn't, at any second, bring devastating destruction to the castle around him. The man made Harry uncomfortable even without that imagery, and, as the only person present who had made attempts on Harry's life before, he was at the top of Harry's list of suspects for who might have influenced the giant squid to try and murder him.
Harry looked at Dumbledore, who was standing up to speak. Harry had heard, over and over, how Voldemort had feared none but this man. If Quirrell, merely a host of Voldemort's lingering shade, could summon such might, then what was hiding behind the twinkling eye's of the most powerful wizard alive?
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore's voice rang through the hall. "Let me begin with what I'm sure you are all curious about. It is indeed true that, prior to their sorting, our first-year students faced near death at the hands of the giant squid. Thanks to the bravery of our groundskeeper, Hagrid, and the timely intervention of Professor McGonagall and our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Quirinus Quirrell, nobody was hurt."
Excited murmurs filled the hall as students exchanged whispers about the mysterious new teacher who had saved the first years.
"Now," Dumbledore continued. "At Hogwarts, even the extra-curricular can teach us valuable lessons. Today's learning, which the first years have exemplified, is that although you will face many defeats, and many failures," Dumbledore's gaze settled on Harry, "with enough boldness, and ingenuity, even the seemingly impossible can be surmounted."
Harry wasn't surprised at the subtle address he'd received. Dumbledore always seemed to know things he had no right knowing.
With a wave of Dumbledore's hand, the tables groaned with the sudden arrival of food. "And now," he said cheerily, "your reward. Tuck in!"
Harry did indeed tuck in; he was famished.
Harry listened to Seamus regaling the nearby students with his perspective on the giant squid debacle. He almost inhaled his pumpkin juice when Seamus got to the part where Harry jumped over the giant squid.
"Seamus, I did not turn the rock into a giant monkey, that was Professor McGonagall," Harry choked. "I don't even know any spells."
"Could'a sworn that was you, you had your wand pointed at the rock and everythin'," Seamus shrugged.
"You knew the Patronus charm," Ron added.
Harry glared at him. "Not going to come to my defence, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"I didn't see much, I got caught under a boat for a while and then something must have knocked me out because the next thing I can remember is being woken up by the nurse."
Everyone seemed quite impressed.
"Wow, that's epic," said Katie Bell.
Hermione blushed under the strange praise while Seamus continued his story.
Harry ignored the glances that half of the student body seemed to be giving him. It seemed Seamus wasn't the only one who remembered part of what happened. At least nobody seemed to realise he actually had cast magic.
Harry was feeling absolutely exhausted as the feast drew to a close. He'd helped himself to a double portion of treacle tart to try and distract himself from the pounding pain that was growing in his foot.
Professor McGonagall took to the podium and cleared her throat loudly. It took a little while but she found quiet.
"Thank you. Before I ask the prefects to lead you to your dormitories, I have a few quick notices for this year. Mr. Filch has asked me to warn you that all Zonko's products have now been added to the list of banned items, which can be found nailed to his office door." She glanced down at the Gryffindor table with a significant pause.
"The Forbidden Forest, as always, remains forbidden. And finally, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone. Now," she waved her wand, and the table tops emptied, "prefects, a moment of your time please."
Chatter began again as McGonagall stepped down. Harry saw Percy and the other prefects get up and walk over to McGonagall.
"Wonder what the password will be this year," said Fred. "Last year was a let down. Potions ingredients for a whole year."
Harry watched as McGonagall sent the prefects away and began to head over in his direction. He hoped he wasn't in trouble already. Perhaps someone had seen him cast something.
"Mr Potter," she said, reaching him. "Professor Dumbledore would like to speak to you in his office before you go to your common room. Mr Weasley here will escort you there and back."
Harry's head began to hurt. He glanced over at Quirrell, who was staring at him. His foot was pulsing with the beat of his heart and he was beginning to feel a bit sick.
"Okay, Professor, sure."
Suddenly, he coughed. He looked down. Dark red foam covered his hands. He looked up at McGonagall's shocked face, her robes speckled with blood.
His blood.
Harry heard someone scream from across the room, and someone next to him fell to the floor, shaking.
Harry stumbled out of his seat and collapsed on the floor.
Blackness shrouded his vision and he sank into unconsciousness.
