Harry sat on the far left edge of the Ravenclaw table with Fleur on his right they had been in the great hall for ten minutes now and Harry had to admit he was still staring in wonder. Everything felt like a dream to him and he would be lying if he said he didn't expect to wake up soon and be back in his cupboard. But it seemed that he wasn't dreaming and even if he was he'd prefer not to wake up just yet.

While Harry was quite impressed with the castle, Fleur didn't seem to enjoy it nearly as much as he did as she looked around pointing out how Hogwarts was different from Beauxbatons. Her biggest complaint was that there was practically no French food to be seen anywhere on the ridiculously long table. Harry had to suppress a laugh at Fleur's demeanor at the current situation she was in, normally she would be standoffish speaking to Harry quietly and trying not to break her air of refined dignity but now she was sulking very noisily to Harry's right.

I suppose she's just comfortable enough around me to act this way. Harry thought to himself.

"Hello, I'm Lisa Turpin," a girl said from the other side of the table at Harry.

"Oh, hello I'm Harry Potter," he responded politely and a little surprised that someone would talk to him. Normally people avoided him.

Wait I'm not in my normal school anymore. Harry realized.

looking at the girl, Lisa Turpin as she had greeted herself, Harry saw that she wasn't particularly very odd like he expected witches and wizards to be. She had shoulder length brown hair, dark brown eyes, a somewhat slender face with a petite nose and rosy cheeks. She seemed nice enough so maybe Harry could make another friend before the day was over. He didn't like to admit it but he hesitated for just a second in continuing the conversation as he often did, after all why make acquaintances when they could potentially abandon him later or worse betray him.

Stamping down on those thoughts Harry forced a smile at the girl having no idea how to start a conversation now that he thought about it," how, uh. How's your day going?"

Harry could see out of the corner of his eye Fleur stifling a laugh next to him at his terrible attempt to speak with someone. On the other hand Lisa had either not noticed Harry's awkwardness or hadn't minded when she answered," It's been wonderful I haven't seen anything like Hogwarts before even just the Great Hall is amazing with its enchanted ceiling. I already can't wait to see what our classes will be like."

Harry's smile wasn't as forced now that they had something to really talk about," I've been wondering about the classes as well I'm really looking forward to Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions. I find them pretty fascinating but I've also learned a little about Arithmancy from Septima and it seems interesting too but I won't be able to take it until third year so I guess I'll have to either wait or study it on my own."

"I've been wanting to study Transfiguration myself the ability to turn things into other things sounds very amazing to me," Lisa said smiling at Harry.

Harry began to say something else but before he could Cobalt jumped from Harry's shoulder and walked his way up to the front table. Harry followed the kittens path before he realized what the little demon was doing and it promptly jumped onto the table and sat on a mans lap. Harry panicking slightly got up from his spot on the table and made his way over to the man. When he got closer he noticed the man was thin, with sallow skin, a hooked nose, and dark black hair that framed his face.

"I'm so sorry sir I don't know what Cobalt is doing," Harry said to the thin bewildered man.

When the man looked up from the cat at Harry his face turned to shock when their eyes met but the expression changed swiftly and he picked up Cobalt by the scruff of his neck," Potter take your rude familiar and return to your seat."

"Y-yes sir, I'm so sorry," Harry said taking Cobalt back he noticed absentmindedly the intense glare that the cat was sending at the pale trembling man in a purple turban that had previously been talking to the man Cobalt had sat on.

As Harry passed the middle of the table the old man looked to him," Ah, Harry. I do believe you have a very sharp companion there," he said gazing at Cobalt.

"Thank you sir, but he gets me in plenty of trouble that I quite honestly wouldn't have found otherwise."

"There is often much danger which we believe we could have avoided but in reality could have never been avoided, only delayed," the old man smiled at Harry his eyes twinkling.

Harry had to stop and think about what he had said before he nodded slowly. The old man had a very roundabout way of thinking and the way he talked made it seem like he thought that just because you avoid danger in one instance it could just find you again later on. Harry made his way back to the table to speak with Fleur before the feast started to settle down and the old man that Harry just now realized must be the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore stood up and began to speak again.

"Just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. All first years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes shifted in the direction of the Gryffindor table and then back to address the large majority of the students again

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Harry paled at that last statement Dumbledore had made before he looked over to Fleur," he wasn't serious right?"

Fleur smiled nervously at Harry before shrugging," I do not know but if 'e is as honest as Madame Maxime, the 'eadmistress of Beauxbatons, then 'e is most likely being serious."

Harry didn't even want to imagine what could warrant such a serious warning and how it could possibly be a good idea to keep something that could be that dangerous in a school full of children, and if they were anything like Harry they were just as curious. Wanting to distract himself from a tempting mystery Harry focused on the other question he had.

"Who's that mean looking teacher that Cobalt sat on," Harry asked no one in particular hoping that either Fleur or Lisa knew.

"Oh, him? He's professor Severus Snape the Potions Master and head of Slytherin," a slightly sad and echoey voice said from Harrys left.

Harry turned to thank the person that had answered him but froze when he saw that it was a pale black haired woman with grey lifeless eyes," a-are you a ghost?"

The woman smiled sadly and nodded," yes, I am the Grey Lady. That is what the Ravenclaws call me anyway, and who might you be young man."

Without thinking Harry extended his hand smiling as nicely as he could," I'm Harry Potter it's nice to meet you."

The ghost looked at his hand oddly for a moment and passed her hand through his causing a bone chilling sensation to go up his spine. Not wanting to seem rude he suppressed a shiver and let his hand fall to his side," sorry, force of habit."

"You're an odd boy. You speak to me as if you were speaking to another living person."

"Well just because your, and pardon my wording, dead doesn't mean you should be treated any differently," Harry frowned not understanding why anyone should be treated differently even if they were a ghost.

The Grey Lady stared at Harry curiously then let a small smile settle on her face," it is refreshing to meet such a nice young man, not many like speaking to ghosts they find us quite... depressing."

"Oh, that's fine most people find me depressing anyway so I'm not to particular on who my friends are as long as they're nice and trustworthy," Harry said smiling genuinely at the melancholic ghost.

Harry didn't notice the pensive look that Fleur sent his way at his statement or the subsequent looks she sent him as the feast ended and the Ravenclaw prefect took their house to the Ravenclaw common room to turn in for the night.


September 2, 1991

1:00 p.m.

The next day Harry had Charms as his second class with the Gryffindors and the head of Ravenclaw Filius Flitwick a very short man who other Ravenclaws had said was part Goblin. He seemed very nice and apparently despite his size was a very accomplished duelist so Harry had hoped he may be able to ask him for pointers since Harry himself enjoyed dueling even though he had very little practical experience with it.

Harry took his seat next to the same red headed boy that he had seen in the train station surrounded by his family. He was quite a bit taller than Harry but it was difficult to tell properly while they were sitting, his red hair was unruly although not as bad as Harry's, and he had a spattering of freckles on his face. Harry had decided against approaching the boy at the train station because of how full of energy they seemed but it didn't seem to large a task to speak to him while it was just the two of them.

"Hello, I'm Harry Potter."

"Blimey! Are you really," the boy said very dumbfounded at Harry's casual introduction and trying not to stare to much at his forehead," sorry you just really threw me off there mate. I'm Ron Weasley."

The boy seemed nice enough if not a little energetic but Harry chalked that up to his own supposed fame taking him by surprise. He wouldn't hold it against the boy as long as he didn't always act like this. He noticed a rat poke its head from Ron's cloak and look up at him before squeaking in fright and retreating back into the folds of Ron's robes.

Before either of them could converse further professor Flitwick spoke up to get the classes attention," Welcome, welcome to your first Charms class. The art of Charms can be seen as quite blunt to sum but if done right you can perform some rather spectacular feats. Today however, we will be practicing a rather simple yet useful spell to levitate objects, the incantation is Wingardium Leviosa and the wand movement is a quick swish and flick at the object which for today will be a simple feather that has been placed in front of each of you."

Professor Flitwick demonstrated the given wand movement and phrase then the feather in front of him miraculously floated above his head into the air and moved in whatever direction he pointe his wand causing it to hover above all their heads before he gently lowered it back to his desk.

"And now that I have given an example of how the charm should be applied I encourage you all to give it your best effort," the small teacher said jovially.

Harry didn't have much experience with such gentle magic so he was a little nervous at how he would be able to perform it. Ron on the other hand smiled over at Harry," don't worry mate, we can handle this."

"Thanks I've done a few spells but none this subtle," Harry said with a slightly wavering smile.

Ron smiled back at him and then looked at his own feather and cleared his throat exaggeratedly before waving his wand very dramatically at the feather while saying," Wingardium Leviosa."

Harry hadn't known what would happen with the very over performed movements but apparently if you mispronounce the words and didn't make the exact wand motion nothing happens. Well nothing other than Ron looking disappointed at the feather and poking it sheepishly with the tip of his wand.

"I think the problem was with your pronunciation and the over exaggerated wand movement you made. It's Levi-Oh-saw not Levio-Saw, its a little confusing but we're still learning let me give it a try," Harry explained gently to Ron hoping not to offend him with the scrutinization of his execution.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry then performed a small yet prominent swish and flick motion at the feather causing it to gently rise from the table and hover over his and Ron's heads.

Ron grinned at Harry with an appreciative gaze," thanks mate, let me give it a try."

Harry lowered the feather and looked at Ron with an encouraging look on his face. Ron once again cleared his throat and pointed his wand at the feather," Wingardium Leviosa," he then gave a slightly more exact swish and flick to the feather and to Ron's astonishment the feather lifted for him as well.

"You're a right good teacher you know that Harry," he said as he let the feather come back down.

Professor Flitwick called from the front of the room at the pair of them," a quite excellent demonstration from Mr. Potter, twenty points to Ravenclaw and ten to Gryffindor for Mr. Weasley's exceptional ability to take constructive criticism and apply it immediately."

Harry and Ron smiled at one another amicably before turning in time to see a rather bright flash of light off to their left and see a feather burst into flames in front of a bewildered Gryffindor boy who was now covered in soot," how does that even happen," Ron asked Harry who just shook his head having no idea.

While they had the time to talk having completed their first lesson in Charms just after the class had basically just started the two boys got to know one another," I'm the second youngest kid in my family my sister Ginny is the youngest. I have five older brothers so I have a lot to live up to even though they've all basically done everything that my parents could ever be proud of."

Harry hadn't known Ron long but he could see that he clearly had an inferiority complex due to how many older siblings he had," hey look on the bright side when you do find something to be better at than them your younger sister will have to live up to you as well. I don't really have any siblings other than my cousin Dudley but I don't think he would care wether or not I do something better than him."

"You already seem pretty competent compared to the other first years Harry. Speaking of which do you live with magical relatives cause it seems like you've had experience with some of this stuff mate?"

"Oh, no my relatives are all muggles I've only really used magic in the past few months, but when you aren't handed everything like my cousin is you learn to teach yourself stuff pretty quick," Harry explained to Ron who had looked pretty surprised at having heard how inexperienced with magic Harry was.

"Blimey mate you've only had a month of practice and you're already this good? That's a little scary," Ron said sending him a lopsided grin," that and you've got that beautiful friend in your house."

"Beautiful friend?"

"Oh don't play dumb, Fleur Delacour she's gorgeous and you were talking to her at the feast like it was nothing," Ron said with a far off look as if he was staring at something captivating.

"She's a Veela so that's no surprise," a girl to Harry's right said that he hadn't noticed before.

Turning Harry looked at her and recognized her bushy brown hair," oh, Hermione hello. What do you mean, what's a Veela?"

Smiling brightly at Harry seeing that he remembered her she answered his question," I haven't read to much about them but Veela are magical beings similar to humans, but they have strong affinities to fire magic and they have the ability to attract the attention of men it's called their allure. A few books I read talked about their ability to shape shift into a different form but the book didn't explain what it looked like, it also mentioned that some have the ability to sense other peoples emotions."

"So wait if they have that allure thing why don't I feel it when I'm near Fleur I've noticed other people stare at her and her mom but I thought it was just cause they were pretty,"Harry asked perplexed.

"There could be a number of reasons, some people use occlumency to shield their minds, it wouldn't work on people that aren't attracted to women, and some people aren't affected by it If they have strong enough emotional barriers for whatever reason."

"You're bloody smart aren't you," Ron gawped at the booshy haired girl making her blush.

"I just like to read about the magical world a lot it's all quite interesting."

"I like to read about magic too but you seem to have a broader knowledge than me," Harry said just as awed at the girls knowledge as Ron, he remembered that she had been the one to tell someone about the enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall. He also made a mental note to ask Fleur why she hadn't mentioned she was a Veela before.

Ron not wanting to be one up piped in," well if you want to know anything about quidditch just come to me and I can fill you in, I love the sport."

Just like he always seemed to do at the oddest times Cobalt picked this exact moment to jump from Harry's school robes hood and sat on Hermione's feather not allowing her to practice the levitating charm any further while staring at her with a bored expression on his face.

"Your cats kind of a jerk isn't he," Ron said.

"Yeah, and I'd keep your rat in your cloak because Cobalt isn't to nice to them," Harry said noticing Cobalts large ears perk up at the word rat.

"Thanks for the warning mate Scabbers is a useless little git but he's been in my family for years. Mom would be cross with me if she learned he went and got himself eaten," Ron said narrowing his eyes at Harry's kitten and slightly clutching where Harry supposed the rat was.

Hermione didn't seem to notice the exchange while she slightly squealed looking at the kitten picking him up and petting him," he's adorable! I didn't get a good look at him on the train but he's so cute," she said rubbing her cheek on the cats head much to Cobalts chagrin. The cat then placed his paw on the girls cheek and pushed himself out of her grip and scrambled to get back to Harry's hood for safety glaring at the boy as if it was his fault.

"What? You're the one who jumped out of my hood and stood in front of her," Harry said with distaste at the kitten who huffed and disappeared in his hood to nap yet again.

"He's an irritable little sod ain't he," Ron joked.

"You have no idea, I don't know if you noticed during the feast but he walked right up to the head table and sat on professor Snape's lap like it was the most obvious thing in the world to do," Harry said now remembering that he would have to go to Potions class with the same professor on Thursday it gave him a while to prepare but he would no doubt still be nervous.

Ron paled at the information and gave Harry a sympathetic look," that's ruff I heard from my brother Percy that he's the nastiest teacher there is at Hogwarts and he's even less pleasant than he could be because he's wanted the position of professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts. He doesn't get along with any of the teachers that take the position either but I bet you noticed how terribly Professor Quirrell was taking his bad temper."

Harry assumed that the trembling turban wearing man he had seen at the table was professor Quirrell as he had been the one Snape was talking to before Cobalt and Harry had interrupted them.

"All right children," professor Flitwick called from his perch atop multiple books so that he could see over his desk," we are now coming to the end of your first Charms class. I hope you have gained a small grasp on how to direct your intent and magic on casting spells. We will be covering more theoretical spell theory for the next few weeks so be prepared to have a less hands on approach to Charms for a little while."

This caused a majority of the first years to groan in protest at the thought of having to write about magic and not perform it themselves. Harry just looked over to Ron and Hermione smiling," what classes did you guys have today?"

"We had Transfiguration with Hufflepuff in the morning," Hermione said.

"I had Transfiguration a few hours ago with Slytherin before this too. They weren't as pleasant as Gryffindor though, especially Malfoy," Harry said scrunching up his face in distaste.

"I don't blame you he's a right git that Malfoy. I think a large majority of Dark Wizards were in Slytherin he-who-must-not-be-named included, most of the other houses don't find Slytherin to be pleasant anyway though," Ron assured Harry.

"You mean Voldemort was in Slytherin," Harry said not remembering people were afraid to say his name out loud, which caused Ron to pale," sorry I forgot."

"You're bloody crazy Harry, make sure people don't hear you say his name out loud especially the Slytherins they'd probably hex you faster than you could say Quidditch," Ron warned in a shaky voice.

"Harry's dyer forgetfulness aside we should really be leaving most of the class has already left for diner in the Great Hall already," Hermione told the two while she picked up her supplies and in a comical fashion Ron's color returned to his face and he perked up at the mention of food.

"You two go on ahead I wanted to ask professor Flitwick something," Harry shooed the two Gryffindors away so that he could ask the professor about dueling.

Hermione and Ron nodded at him as they walked out of the class and Harry made his way up to Flitwick's desk," Ah, hello Mr. Potter did you have a question about the levitation charm?"

"Not exactly professor," Harry shook his head," I actually wanted to learn about dueling, some of the other Ravenclaws mentioned you were a talented duelist and I wanted to know if I could learn some things from you because I enjoy it."

"Oh my," the short man exclaimed gazing with a happy expression at Harry," it has been entirely to long since a student has asked me about the noble art of dueling. I would love to instruct you on the proper etiquette and forms of it, of course you may need to learn a few dueling spells before you properly delve into the subject."

"I've already learned a few spells myself sir, I know Expelliarmus, Chorus Flamma, Stupefy, and Locomotor Mortis," Harry listed off with his fingers.

"Really? Most of those spells are third and up year spells you must have a proclivity towards offensive spells, of course dueling is far more than offense I will teach you the shield charm Protego tomorrow in the morning since you only have History of Magic as the class for that day. When you progress far enough along in these lesson I will teach you how to deflect most spells using the tip of your wand it's a slightly advanced technique but if you had the proficiency to learn those other spells I'm sure you can pick it up fairly quick."

"Thank you sir, I'll be heading to lunch now I'll see you tomorrow," Harry smiled not having expected to be accepted so fast to be taught how to duel.

Harry made his way to diner so that he could speak with Fleur again for the first time in what seemed like forever today. They hadn't been able to talk for long in the common room once they woke up since the fourth years had classes much earlier than the first years did. He certainly had a few things to ask the witch including her apparent heritage that she hadn't informed him about for some reason, and Harry had a growing dread in his stomach that Fleur might have been able to feel his emotions like Hermione had mentioned some Veela could, he remembered the way she had acted with him after he had woken up on the train from his nightmare and it wasn't weird for someone to console a frightened friend but she seemed like she had been able to feel how Harry felt when he had woken up. And now that he thought of it Fleur and her mother had given each other a knowing look about something having to do with him in Diagon Alley when he had first met them.

Oh yes, Harry had a few questions he wanted to ask Fleur.