Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
...
Harry sat in Defence class, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table as he paid no attention to the mindless dribble that constituted for words coming out of Professor Quirrell's mouth. While most of the students did their best to decipher whatever language the stuttering Professor was saying as he scribbled away on his chalkboard the importance of something mundane and pointless in the long run. For all Harry knew, Quirrell could have been explaining a new spell he had developed that had the power to make it that if you were hit by an Unforgivable Curse you'd turn into a kitten instead of whatever dastardly deed was attempted but Harry paid it no attention.
"M-Mister P-P-Potter, is there s-some reason as to why you aren't t-t-t-taking notes?" asked the teacher seemingly having noticed that Harry was slacking off in class.
A dozen crude and humiliating retorts scrolled through Harry's mind before he decided to simply play the oh-so-fun card that every student knew like the back of their hand. "I'm just not feeling that well sir," he said opting to clutch at his stomach and feign illness.
"D-D-Dreadful, off t-t-t-to see M-M-Madam P-P-Pomfrey now," declared Professor Quirrell, Harry more than happy to immediately flee from the painful vocal act that the possessed teacher was putting on. Gathering his belongings, Harry quickly made his way out of the classroom, still with one hand on his stomach in order to ensure that his act was believed.
Once he was out of the hallway, Harry arched his back with a satisfying pop whilst stretching his shoulders above his head, wondering how best to abuse the time he had purchased himself. There really wasn't much more he could do for Potter Club this year, having already left everything within the capable hands of Hermione, including the runes which would be used whenever they saw fit. Considering it was the start of March though they didn't have much time before their deadline came screaming up on them. Also knowing Hermione almost better than she did, she would be desperate to get perfect results on all of her exams despite the fact they basically meant nothing in the long run.
Given that train of thought, Harry figured that the first prank would be crafted before the end of the month. If that was indeed the case then he couldn't wait.
It also meant it was creeping closer to his time when he'd have to tackle Voldemort for the second time (at least in this timeline, he'd lost track of the total number). Thankfully this time round he was fairly confident that he'd be able to tackle the challenges by himself and not have to drag Ron and Hermione into harm's way. Only one he would potentially have trouble with would be chasing the key while being attacked but if Quirrell could do it then by all means so could he.
"'Arry me boy, what you doin' out of class?" asked Hagrid, startling the child a quarter his size.
"Oh Hagrid, I didn't see you there," said Harry as he did his best to recover from his inner dilemma.
"That don't answer my question," said Hagrid sternly. "Young boys like yourself should be studying at this time o' year."
"I wasn't feeling too well, so I decided to get some fresh air," said Harry following on from his previous lie.
"Well in that case, why don't you come down to my hut, I've got something interestin' to show ya," said Hagrid with a devilish smile. "Care though cause it's top secret, nobody can know 'bout it."
Harry blinked a handful of times before realizing exactly what Hagrid was referring to. Silently he nodded before Hagrid started down the nearby path leading towards his hut, Harry meanwhile contemplating all the ways in which this was better than the previous time around. Most importantly would be the fact that they wouldn't go parading about the forest in the middle of the night chasing something that was hunting unicorns. Whoever thought that was a smart idea for first years to be punished was an idiot. No student should be up after curfew, no student should step foot into the Forbidden Forest, no student should willingly track down something extremely dangerous, someone really forgot what rules they were trying to uphold. Sure, the last one wasn't a rule per say but considering the amount of crap that went on in the school it should have been.
"Now, yer to tell nobody what you see in 'ere, I'm trustin' you 'Arry," said Hagrid as he grasped the handle leading into his hut. Opening the door, Harry followed the gentle half-giant inside the cozy hut and made himself comfortable.
"So what's the secret?" asked Harry trying to sound as inquizitive as he could.
"This over 'ere," said Hagrid as he walked over to the fireplace where the large brown egg sat in a bowl roasting over an open fire.
"What is it?" asked Harry knowing exactly what it was.
"This my friend, is a dragon egg, I won it from a stranger I met down the pub, seemed awful keen to get rid of it," said Hagrid.
"Could that be because it's illegal to own a dragon without a permit?" offered Harry.
"Illegal?"
"Hagrid, most dragons grow up in colonies and those that are actually in captivity are done so by professional trainers or smugglers, if you're not a professional trainer Hagrid, what does that make you?"
"But I'm no smuggler!"
"And if your hut was to burn down and the Ministry were to inquire what happened only to learn that a baby dragon decided to destroy your house, what's going to happen to you when they discover you don't have a permit nor are you a professional trainer?"
"Well...I...uhh, ya see Dumbledore..."
"Is bound by the same rules that you and I are governed by," reasoned Harry. "If you want my advice on this, let Dumbledore know about what you have and ask whether or not he knows somebody who can keep him."
"You know Harry, that's a mighty fine idea, last thing I need is to get into any sorts a trouble. Dumbledore's a great man, I'm sure he'll know just what to do," beamed Hagrid.
...
"Or it could turn out that Dumbledore owns a permit himself," said Harry in disbelief to nobody in particular as he watched the scene play out in front of him as Dumbledore put all Hagrid's worries at ease. Albus was able to explain to the Half-Giant that he would be able to look after the egg and the hatchling for a little while as he got in contact with somebody who would be able to take proper care of him. He was a man with many contacts after all, many of which would be more than happy to take care of a pubescent dragon.
It wasn't too long into their discussion that the majestic phoenix which resided in Albus' study glided across the room and landed next to the egg, nuzzling against it as if in understanding that the egg required heat more than anything else. Harry couldn't help but notice that the temperature in the room began to swelter, the phoenix determined to ensure that the egg was in a safe environment. "It would seem as if your pet will soon emerge," analyzed Albus.
"I thought it wouldn' be anytime soon," said Hagrid in astonishment.
"A phoenix's flames can create many disturbances in both situations of death, and in this case, life," said Dumbledore. "This instance has likely never been recorded in history nor would anybody believe me were I to explain it in detail without delivering them proof of the event. I however, would like to merely sit back and witness the miracle of birth."
Harry pondered over the question of whether or not hatching technically classified as birth since the mother had already technically given birth when laying her eggs when he heard the clearing of a throat behind him. Looking up on the shelf, Harry could see the Sorting Hat shuffling it's way over the stand where it was perched before falling several feet before being caught by Harry who looked over his shoulder momentarily before placing the animate object on his head.
"I pondered when we'd get a chance to talk once more."
"Well trust me when I say that it isn't that easy getting away."
"I can tell. Though what I am seeing is much more than what I ever could have expected would come to pass. You have...no I should say that you 'will' have a knack for getting into trouble."
"Is this why you wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes, the moment I placed you in Gryffindor I suddenly found myself subjugated to images and memories not of this timeline. Fear not...well I guess I can't technically call you child. Anyways, your secret will be safe with me, the founders ensured that no information that was shared between myself and a student could be used by anybody else, faculty or otherwise."
"That's reassuring."
"Indeed, I however needed to see this for myself, the world in which you have returned from is not one that I particularly enjoy witnessing but I knew that I had to see it. Children training for war was something you did in the past, do you plan on doing this again this time round?"
"I hope to avoid it if at all possible...shouldn't Dumbledore have spotted us by now?"
"Harry, you don't merely think that being a hat is all I am good for now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I am a creation of the founders, as old as Hogwarts itself, give an old man some credit. You've seen your fair share in your lifetime, care to try and figure this one out?"
"...temporal distortion of time and space?"
"That is actually a lot closer to the truth than you might think but nowhere near as complex. The human mind is capable of reaching tremendous speeds when put to good use and you are able to solve complex equations in a matter of seconds as a result, excuse my terrible example. I imagine even yourself though find it impossible for the thoughts that pass through your head can be put down on paper at an identical pace."
"So you're saying that because we are conversing through my mind at a pace much faster than that of the 'real world,' per say, we are actually speaking at a time much swifter than that in where Dumbledore exists."
"Again, overly complicated but the point is there. As we are conversing directly in your mind we are doing so at nearly thrice the speed were we to speak in a way in which we would be overheard."
"So our time is not unlimited then."
"It is not but as the egg just hatched we have ourselves a touch more time on our hands before you must return me to my prior position."
"...you do know I can't reach that high?"
"...we'll get to that later, now I must know how I can be of some assistance in the future you wish to create."
"Your help?"
"I can see the nerves in your heart Harry, despite the bravado you put on with everything, including this amusing club you have fun hosting, you are afraid that something may go wrong. It would be wrong of me to say that there was no chance of such a thing happening. The future however is already changed beyond your comprehension. Look at that dragon being born now. In your previous timeline he wasn't born for another seven weeks! If you break it down you realize that Hagrid had had that egg for such a long time, which also meant that the one he got the egg from was given the information from him seven weeks prior to your understanding. You have a very set plan in play Harry and I will happily play a part in it as I do not wish to see those whose crown's I have rest upon slaughtered by a madman. It is why I request of you, take me away tonight and we shall destroy the Horcrux resting within Hogwarts!"
Harry took the Sorting Hat off his head and looked at the enchanted item in his hands. It had seen the future from his eyes, most likely moments before it had been taken off his head when he had been sorted into Gryffindor it had seen that Harry wasn't the same child whom had refused to be sorted into Slytherin. It had seen a glimpse of it then and now having sat atop his head now it knew all that Harry knew.
That didn't mean that it felt the way Harry felt.
"Next semester," said Harry in as calm a voice as he could muster. "All I want you to do is think up a better song and sort students accordingly. It will matter not; I will tear the house system to the ground."
...
Harry waited patiently amongst the stone pillars illuminated only by the fire that had danced forth magically when he had entered the corridor. For the last week the conversation he had had with the Sorting Hat had weighed heavily on his mind and it was clear that above all else that the founders had put into the sentient object was a desire to protect the children within Hogwarts. Harry had to find some manner of happiness in knowing that the four powerful wizards and witches that had put Hogwarts together had done so for the betterment of the community.
And now he was going to work on destroying part of the core that was fundamental in the competitive nature of the school. He was going to unite all four houses under his banner; Potter Club's banner.
It was why he now waited patiently on the forbidden Third Floor, constantly checking the Map the Marauders had made many decades earlier for any trace of a Professor heading in his general direction. He did have a backup plan if he found himself cornered but last thing he needed was to run into Fluffy right now, as entertaining as that would be.
Harry had spent the past week figuring out who best to recruit knowing full well that the last person he needed to trust was someone whom would be caught in the nest of vipers. Harry wasn't a fool, he had avoided inducting somebody from Slytherin into Potter Club because he couldn't quite remember whose family pledged itself at the end of the day to Lord Shithead.
Malfoy and his cronies were out of the picture as soon as he had started constructing this idea, as well as Theodore Nott. Blaise Zabini was an uncertainty and Harry wasn't quite keen to target somebody older. Hence he had been left with the girls his own age, none of which he had really done much with over the course of his lifetime yet to come.
From what he recalled, Pansy Parkinson was, or at least would be, involved with Draco at some point, hence ruling her out of contention. That left him three options, none of which he had ever truly associated with. So, during an explosion in Potions class which had caused a perfect distraction, he made his decision and had planted the note requesting they come today.
Now he just had to wait and see if they would show.
Thankfully he would only have to be waiting for a short while before he spotted their shadows dancing on the ground and he cast the necessary spells over himself to hide his identity. It was then however he realized that his intended recruit wasn't alone and he suddenly wondered whether or not she could be trustworthy at all.
"You know we shouldn't be here."
"Of course I know that, but I mean it's perfect for a meeting."
"You still haven't told me just who we're meeting yet."
Harry seemed to understand the situation a bit more at that moment and pondered if he could use it to his advantage. Stepping out of the shadows he revealed himself at the end of the hall, an ominous figure standing at the end of their destination.
"She's meeting me."
He watched with amusement as both the first year students froze in place, clearly intimidated by what they saw. It was also amusing as one of them raised up their wands in defence though even with the distance between them he could see her hand shaking. He took deliberate steps forward at an even pace, not enough speed to downright frighten them but at the same time they were intimidated all the same.
"Stop, I'm warning you."
Harry didn't stop.
"I will curse you."
Harry doubted she knew any dangerous curses.
"I swear, I will."
Harry finally came to a stop only a couple of feet from where they were standing, the wand almost touching his chest. "If you were going to curse me you would have done so while you had the advantage of distance."
"Seriously Daphne, who is this guy!"
"There is no need to yell, Tracey Davis."
"You...know who I am? But that doesn't tell me who you are."
"This guy's in Potter Club."
"Are you for real? Is she for real?"
"She is correct...to a degree."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not a simple participate of Potter Club, I am Potter Club."
"You run the...umm...I don't know what to say."
"This is so much better than what I expected."
"Nobody else knows that this event is happening, none of the other members of Potter Club are aware of your existence here today."
"This is so exciting."
"Now however I am tempted to merely walk away, you have threatened every possible chance to get into Potter Club."
"What! Why?"
"I believe the message I left for you clearly stated that you were meant to come 'alone' Daphne, or was my writing undecipherable?"
"Umm...well...the thing you see is...umm..."
"Daphne was scared."
"What, no I wasn't! I mean, I may have been, just a little bit...sorry?"
"The two of you have left me in a bit of a predicament as a result of your actions and I have to take this into careful deliberation. I will inform you now that Potter Club currently contains members of all houses...bar Slytherin. Daphne, you were to be the first Slytherin in Potter Club."
"I can walk away and pretend this never happened, would that be okay?"
"An admirable gesture, but one that will not be needed."
"I'm so sorry I came, Daphne, you could have gotten in Potter Club which would have been like the coolest thing ever and you should've known better than to ask me to come and you should have been brave and tackled this by yourself because..."
"Tracey, breathe!"
"That was...impressive. Do you do that often?"
"Yea, sometimes I just get caught up in the moment...sorry."
"All good, now, back to the topic at hand. There are two choices I can make here and none of what I say leaves this hallway regardless, understand?"
"Yes!"
"Of course, I wouldn't have come otherwise."
"Alright then, these are your instructions, follow them to the letter."
"What is this?"
"Your mission and also your chance of becoming Potter Club members. For having brought someone along, Daphne, the two of you will have to do both this assignment and one more to be classified as members of Potter Club. Failure to comply will result in your final chance being snuffed out forever."
"You don't mean forever forever...right?"
"Forever."
"What if we choose not to? I mean we could just leave now and tell the first Professor we come along that Potter Club tried to recruit us."
"Remember, I am Potter Club, it would not be wise to make me angry."
"Daph, I say we do as he says."
"I'm starting to get that idea, so what's the mission then?"
"Open it."
"Alright then, hmm, you're not a Prefect are you?"
"I think being the leader of Potter Club would contradict with my responsibilites just a touch."
"Then how did you get this password?"
"Trade secret."
"Wait, you want us to get all of them without making it sound suspicious, remember, we are in Slytherin house, it's difficult enough talking to people in our own house let alone someone in Gryffindor per say."
"No mission is a simple one, each of us takes risks, hence why we hide our face, our voice and even as far as our magic. We don't want to be paraded around like some kind of hero, we're doing what we do simply for the fun of doing it and trying not to get caught in the process. Now you two have to figure out how best to go about this. Do you send invites by owl? Do you try and cause a distraction and place the invite without getting caught? Or are you going to do something that takes me by surprise? I will organize everything else but it's up to you to make sure they get there. If I get word that you've been caught...well then, we'll just have to see won't we."
"Okay, well when will our next assignment be?"
"The start of next semester I will contact you by owl on the third day of classes."
"That's oddly specific."
"Provided this goes according to plan. Oh! Before I forget there's one more thing I should mention."
"And that is?"
"Your time limit, this needs to be completed by the end of the weekend."
"The what?"
"You've got 96 hours."
"WHAT!"
...
Decided to post this only two hours from when I grow one year older. Happy birthday to me, I hope this chapter serves as a good present to you. Hope you enjoyed.