Harry Potter was not heading towards the Slytherin Common Room.
He was in the library, which was fairly normal for him, in this timeline. In this continuity.
He'd gotten out another tome (600 pages long), and was walking through the library, absently flipping pages. It was a ruse, mostly. The pictures were fascinating, honestly, but Harry had bigger things on his mind. Namely, finding a certain Ravenclaw.
There. Chang Biyu - her name meant jasper, a pretty, rust-red stone. She was more like a rat, Harry had always thought. For the Chinese admired rats, in a way that Westerners never did. Little small things, that moved quickly, and knew their place.*
Harry approached her table, from the opposite side. Since she was reading, Chang did not notice. Harry Potter coughed lightly.
Chang looked up, her eyes widening slightly in surprise at seeing a Slytherin first year approach.
Harry gave a genteel, formal bow.
Chang raised an eyebrow. "Few Slytherins can muster a proper greeting."
"Few people care to look outside their preconceptions." Harry responded. "How better can I display filial piety than by treating all those I encounter with the respect they deserve?"
Chang smiled a thin smile, "Am I then, an honored elder in your eyes?"
"Of course. Your talent outshines mine, and I wish to learn from you." Harry said concisely.**
"Oh? What manner of skills might I enlighten you with?" Chang's thin lipped smile was tight. As if, like Hermione, she was used to having people ask her for things.
"I would like to purchase some study guides for History of Magic." Harry said, phrasing it precisely and carefully. Chang wouldn't give him anything if she thought he was asking for answers to tests. Which was all that the Ravenclaws kept, as Binns never changed a test since he'd died.
"Oh." Chang said, coldly, "How much are you willing to pay?"
She'd wanted me to be asking about something else. Harry filed that for future consideration. "Can I get a bulk discount? I would like years three through sixth." Harry unabashedly used his big green eyes to look like a little boy (like that was hard) who really needed them.
He had surprise on his side.
Chang smirked, "Not the first year guide?" Her manner had relaxed.
Harry shrugged, "I'll learn it myself, thanks. I, however, don't think I'll have time to learn five years material in one."
Chang said, "Fifty galleons, and keep it to yourself."
Victory. Harry smiled back, "Slytherins like secrets. But a secret is worthless if it's shared."
Chang smiled back. "Give me three days to make copies. Meet me in the third cubby from the History section."
Harry nodded, wrinkling his nose only internally - that cubby was dusty and always made him sneeze. Also, were wizards really that incompetent? Muggles could make a copy in seconds, with the proper equipment...
The library was getting close to closing - it was nearly curfew. Harry looked around, and discovered that the three separate tables of Slytherin students had all left. Probably wanted to make it home with some margin to spare.
What to do... what to do? Harry knew he'd get in trouble if he stayed.
But if he snuck down to the Common room, he might not get in trouble. He could always try to fade into the crowd of returning Slytherins...
Was it worth it, though?
If he got caught going through the castle unsupervised... there might be more than house points on the line.
*History of Magic is already improving Harry's cultural awareness. A 4th year, she's Cho's older sister. Also, JKR, did you have to name your chinese character that stupid of a name?
**This is a far more western philosophy.
[a/n: Suggest away! Also, leave a review.]
