A/N: This is my first fanfiction I ever wrote, as such it can and most likely will contain grammatical errors and the story may feel a bit dry. Keep this in mind when reading.
This story starts at Harry's 4th year (Hogwarts students starts at 14 years), with some differences from Canon. First off all, there are no horcruxes. As such, Harry is not tormented by pain from visions of Voldemort.
Secondly, Hermione and Ron are dead. Hermione was killed by the troll in first year, Ron was killed by the cave-in in the Chamber of Secrets. This left Harry friendless although he has a semi-good relationship with the twins. He is acquainted with Daphne though. He kicked Malfoy in the nuts after Harry saw him harassing Daphne in his 3rd year. Although Daphne is thankful, it did not immediately lead to a friendship. There is more to Daphne's feelings for Harry, though.
Ginny is no longer fangirling over Harry, as she considers him a "failed hero" for letting her brother die. She's not toxic towards him though.
Thirdly, we have a knowledgeable Harry, who starts decently powerful. Good grades (on the higher side) but no straight "O's". There is also no "bashing" of characters. His issues during his 2nd year shaped him to what he is. Although he still broods, he is not the selfless hero most people know him as.
And lastly, I WON'T be a harem story. Harry will and up with Daphne.
Have fun reading.
"Stupid sheep..." Harry muttered, as he sat brooding on his favorite rock next to the Black Lake. For the second time in his Hogwarts years, Harry was ostracized by his peers. First thanks to him being a parselmouth, he was a public enemy of his peers. It took his best (and only) friend Ron dying, before people finally believed he was not the Heir of Slytherin. You would have thought, people learned their lessons. But no, his name came out of the cup, so he must have cheated his way into the tournament. Filthy hypocrites. So many people tried to cheat their way in and it was all good fun. But when he succeeded (this is what they believe at least) now he is suddenly the cheater, and the attention seeker.
Well, he is done with them. Better to be alone without friends, then to be with traitorous folk.
The moment his thoughts turned dark, he felt a presence nearing him.
"Greengrass." he said, without turning his head. He didn´t know Daphne well, but somehow he always knew when she was there.
"Potter." No warmth was present in her voice, yet it was not hostile either. It was her way of speaking and that put most people off. 'Such as shame.' Harry thought, as she had a gently personality and was quite beautiful to behold. She had long blond hair and icy blue eyes. She was not curvy, but had a fragile elegance which Harry found attractive. She also never accused him of being a cheater or being Slytherin's heir.
"How are you doing?" she asked. "Preparing yourself for the tournament?"
"It could be worse, considering." He answered. "The preparations are coming along. According to the book "The Tri-Wizard Tournament, a History" the First Task more often than not resolve getting around a dangerous creature. As such I'm studying most XXXX-rated and XXXXX-rated creatures". He did not tell her that the First Task's creature for this tournament was a dragon, as he did not want to lose one of his few (if not only) people who didn't believe he cheated.
"I see. I do have a book which might help you in the task". She threw a book into his lap. 'Kabbalah – the Path of the Mage' he read, before turning around facing Daphne.
She looked upon him with her cold eyes, yet he noticed her concern for him in them.
"Why do you want to help me? We do not even know each other that well."
"There are several reasons." she said. "But most of all, I do remember you helping me dealing with Malfoy. So read that book, and when you've read the first chapter, come find me. I will help you training for the tournament". Before Harry could respond she turned around and walked away.
When Harry returned to the common room that evening he immediately start reading:
'Kabbalah is a Jewish form of philosophy and form of magic which originated in Ancient Judea, which time period however is unknown. Kabbalah is unique in the the sense that it is both practiced by Muggles and Wizardkind alike, although the meaning of the mystic texts are interpreted differently. According to the Muggle Practitioners, the Creator God emanated the universe into being. This happened in four phases (also called Worlds): Atziluth (Emanation), Briah (Creation), Yetzirah (Formation) and Assiah (Action). The last one is the visible and tangible universe around us. By studying the Kabbalah, according to the Muggles, one can eventually achieve unification with the Creator God.
Wizardkind however discovered something else however. Although there is most likely a Creator God who emanated the universe into being, Kabbalists do not try to become unified with God, Kabbalah (so it's believed) is the way of becoming a God! This is achieved by following the Reverse Path. Any Human who is capable of casting spells through a magic focus has already achieved Assiah. Through "actions" one is able to slightly effect his environment and himself in a magical way. These effects are easily reversed. When the caster can use magic silently and without a wand, one can be considered to have achieved Yetzirah, it is said however that a true Yetzirah caster can cast a personal spell out of his innermost desire. At that moment, one is called a Yetzirah Master. Those masters, however do not share the secrets to the higher stages with the public. Every Yetzirah Master is allowed to have only one student. And he or she will only share those secrets with them.'
Harry closed the book in wonder. Is this how wizards like Dumbledoor and Voldemort are so powerful? It wouldn't surprise him if this was the case. It also made sense that such magic was not widely known, as that would have lead to all sorts of problem.
But why then, did Daphne share this information with him? She couldn't be a Yetzirah Master at such a young age, could she?
