1995
A disgruntled person walked up the path towards Hogwarts, struggling to walk. The body was weak, but the mind was clear, and ecstatic.
It had been years since the last time he was here, walking this path.
The plan worked, the body worked and his mind had control. Now began the second part of the plan.
Making it to the door of the large hut, he struggled for a moment but eventually raised his arm, throwing it against the door to make a thud sound. Stepping back a bit, he waited for an answer.
He could hear pots clanging together as the heavy footsteps neared the door, before opening up to reveal Hagrid, The Keeper of Keys, and Grounds of Hogwarts.
"Well how can I help Mr… Draco?! Mr. Malfoy welcome!" Hagrid bellowed in delight, leaning down and wrapping the boy in his large arms.
Dropping him down again, Hagrid stepped back to look at him.
"Well hell boy, I was worried sick when 'ye didn't show the first night! Where were 'ya?" He asked, stepping to the side to invite Draco in.
"Oh no I'm alright Hagrid, I can't come in. Just some family issues but they are sorted now. Would you mind?" Draco asked, waving a arm towards the large doors guarding Hogwarts.
Hagrid looked at where he pointed and nodded heavily, "Of course Mr. Malfoy, come with and I'll unlock em for 'ye."
"Perfect." Draco drawled, stepping down the steps and following the large man.
"Now, its a bit of a walk, so to pass the time, why don't 'ye tell me about your summer?" Hagrid asked joyfully, looking down at the smaller man.
Draco let out a hot breath.
Same Time
"Come on 'Mione! Just a bit longer! You are doing so well for your first time out!"
A very out of breath Hermione ran forward to where Harry stood, right next to the book bag they had designated as their finish point. She kept her focus on placing her left in front of her right, then vise versa.
'I'm so sick of this shi…'
"YAHH HERMIONE! A BIT MORE!" Harry shouted to his friend, pride radiating out of him.
Running the last few steps, that felt like an eternity, she finally crossed the dreaded bag. Letting out a victory shout, she collapsed onto the ground and gasped for air. Harry walked over and dropped a bottle of water next to her and sat beside her.
"Amazing. Just amazing Hermione. For your first time running, you managed to run the entire lake." Harry said sarcastically, watching Hermione catch her breath.
Hermione, breathing again, begrudgingly sat up and drank some of the offered water. She took a moment to calm her heart down, then turned and pushed Harry over, laying him out on his back.
Harry, feeling the push, immediately grabbed the first thing he could find, Hermione's arms, and pulled her down with him.
Hermione, feeling herself being pulled, yelped as she fell, landing onto Harry's chest. Looking up and into Harry's eyes as he chuckled, she felt her stomach flutter for a brief moment, before she pushed off of him and sat back down again. Taking another swig of water to calm her nerves.
Feeling Hermione laying on him for a split moment, Harry stopped his breathing as he stared into her eyes as she panted. As quickly as the moment came, it vanished as she got off of him and sat down again.
Climbing back up again to a sitting position, Harry took the bottle from her hands and took a drink, much to her annoyance.
"The entire lake? Harry I didn't even get a quarter of the way. You are so annoying." She said, annoyed at her progress.
Harry shook his shoulders, "Hermione really, it doesn't feel like a lot but you did a great job. Most wizards couldn't get half of what you did."
"Most wizards can't be bothered to get up at five in the morning and run, let alone an entire lake." She retorted, as Harry stood and walked around her and grabbed her arms, lifting them above her head and crossing them.
"Help you breathe better." He explained softly, sitting back down.
"Thanks Harry."
"No worries, but seriously, I'm proud." He told her, leaning forward and patting her leg.
"Anyways, I gotta go meet up with Neville before breakfast. Stay here, catch your breath, then I'll meet you in the great hall, yeah?" Harry asked, standing up and retrieving his bag.
Hermione nodded, still panting.
Harry chuckled as he turned and walked away. Walking for a moment, he turned again and called out, "And I'll see you here tomorrow morning, five sharp."
Seeing her dramatically fall backwards, he laughed as he made his way back to the castle.
Walking up the hill, he whistled a tune to himself. One he had heard Sirius sing during their training lessons.
Making it to the large door, he reached for the handle but was stopped by a loud shout.
"'ARRY! WAIT FOR US!"
Recognizing the familiar voice, Harry stopped and turned.
"Malfoy?" He asked, seeing his rival walk up the path with his large friend. His hope that Draco had decided to leave Hogwarts dashed from his mind, now seeing him finally arrive.
"Harry my good lad, look who's finally decided to show up." Hagrid joyfully said, patting Draco on the back, making him take a step forward.
"Hello Malfoy, great to see you. For a moment I thought the school finally had some common sense and kicked you out." Harry goaded.
Draco only stood there, staring deeply into Harry's eyes with a strange smile.
"Now little Draco may have been a bit troubling growing up, but I reckon over the summer he's been made a new man!" Hagrid proclaimed.
As Hagrid was talking, Draco walked jaggedly up towards Harry, not taking his eyes away from his.
Harry, seeing this weird movement, backed away and reached for his wand.
Suddenly, Draco shot forward, grabbing a hold of Harry's right arm. Still staring into his eyes, with his strange smile, Draco began to prod his arm.
"What are doing Malfoy? Get off of me!" Harry said, wrestling his arm away. Breaking away from him, he took a few steps back and raised his wand.
"What's your problem?" Harry asked, a bit frightened.
Draco slowly opened his mouth to speak, breaking his smile. "Potter. Harry Potter."
"Malfoy, what is your deal?" Harry asked again.
"So lovely to see you Harry Potter." Draco said, stepping back and walking towards the door. Opening it, he turned to Hagrid and gave him a nod, then turned to Harry and gave him a smirk, then entered the castle.
Harry, flabbergasted, stared at the open door where Draco just went through.
"What was that?" He asked.
Later
Walking down the halls, Harry was racking his brain at that moment, trying to make any sense to it.
"Guess he's gone mental." He said to himself, turning the corner ahead of the infirmary.
"Who's gone mental?" Neville asked, leaning against the stone wall by the entrance to the infirmary, eating an apple.
"Huh? Oh, only Malfoy." Harry explained, surprised to see him there.
"Malfoy? You saw him? Where?" Neville asked, reaching into his pocket and retrieving another apple, tossing it to Harry.
Swiftly catching the apple, Harry took a bite before explaining what had happened outside.
Entering the infirmary, both boys continued talking as they made way to 'Harry's bed'.
'Neville quick! Grab that wet towel!" Harry whispered as he quickly climbed underneath the covers of the bed. Neville got the towel and tossed it to Harry, who placed it on his forehead and laid back, closing his eyes.
No sooner than he shut them, he heard the door to Madam Pomfrey's open and shut along with two voices.
"Now Albus, take this potion once before sleep, and right after you wake up."
He could hear the Headmaster chuckle and answer back, "Of course, thank you Madam."
He heard the steps fade away then stop.
"Oh dear, it seems you have a patient, and it looks urgent." He heard the headmaster jest.
"Oh golly! You boys! What has happened now?" She fussed as she marched over, leaving a chuckling Dumbledore.
"Madam Pomfrey! It's Harry! I found him in bed this morning and he won't open his eyes! I don't know what to do!" Neville said frantically, eyes wide in worry.
Madam Pomfrey walked over and looked over Harry, who was trying to hide his smile.
"What about water Miss? Ice cold!" Neville suggested, wringing his hands together.
She smirked, before raising her wand and casting the spell.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Harry jumped out of bed and yelled in fright, as his entire body was splashed with freezing water. Landing heavily beside the bed, he scrambled for his wand to cast the warming charm.
Heavy laughter filled the room as Neville and Headmaster Dumbledore laughed. Madam Pomfrey even chuckled a bit before becoming serious. Giving him a stern look, she demanded an explanation.
"Uhm, good morning?" Harry tried greeting. Seeing her not entertain his joke, he glanced over at the bent over Neville, who was still laughing, and realized he was on his own.
Giving her a sorry smile, he stood and cast the charm.
"Hello Madam, I'm sorry, but it was funny." He tried explaining, much to her annoyance.
"What do you want Mr. Potter?" She asked quickly.
"Oh! We'll you see, I was wondering why I was never given a potion to help me grow over the summer?" Harry said, getting straight to it.
Madam Pomfrey nodded at the question, then looked over at Dumbledore, who gave her a slight nod. Looking back towards Harry, she replied, "I wanted to, but due to your treatment at your relatives, we were worried they would either tamper with it, or that the results would be too quick and damage your body permanently."
Harry stood for a moment, confused.
"I don't get the potion, because they've abused me?" He asked silently.
She opened her mouth to reply, but he marched straight past her, past the Headmaster and out the doors. Closing them silently behind him.
Neville, immediately rushed out behind him, trying to catch up.
Madam Pomfrey sighed, sitting down heavily on the bed. Looking at the headboard, which simply said, 'Harry's Bed' on it, she began to cry.
"How much longer Albus? He needs them." She pleaded to the Headmaster.
"As long as it takes." He said with finality in his voice, before turning and leaving the room.
She watched as he left, not understanding. She buried her face in her hands and wondered if what she was doing was truly right.
Later
Hermione waited at the Gryffindor table for Harry to arrive, but breakfast was almost over. After seeing him leave, she had sat there for a few more minutes before making her up. After a shower and a change of clothes, she made her way to the great hall to meet with Harry but he had yet to show.
Although she had finally understood why he ate like a mad man as of late, as she had already had a enormous plate full, and space for more!
Beginning to fill up another plate for herself, she heard the doors open and spun to look, hoping it was Harry.
A disgruntled Ron made his way over, looking half asleep and really irritated. Plopping down in front of Hermione, he shook his bag of his shoulders and began to fill a plate. Half-heartily eating it with one eye shut.
"Ron, have you seen Harry? He said he'd meet us down here but-"
"Yeah I saw him. Bloody prat barged into our dorm and began making a large fuss, saying something about it not being fair and how it was always him. Woke us all up, the prick." Ron interrupted heatedly.
"What? Well what happened?" Hermione asked, worried.
Ron only shook his shoulders and continued eating. Hermione huffed and stood, grabbing her bag and heading straight for the doors. She needed to find him.
After seeing her leave abruptly, Ron continued to eat. Or at least he tried to.
Dropping his fork with a sigh, he quickly stood and grabbed his bag. Running out of the hall to find them.
Racing out the doors and around the corner, he was met with Hermione, who was interrogating a worried Neville.
"Where is he?" She asked, pinning Neville against the wall.
"I told you, I don't know exactly! All he said was he needed to clear his mind!" Neville answered, eyes wide with fear.
"Ugh!" Hermione groaned, pushing off of him and walking away hurriedly.
Ron quickly walked over to Neville and asked if he was alright, before chasing after Hermione.
"Hermione wait!" He shouted after her. She stopped and turned, looking at him annoyed.
"What Ronald?" She asked.
Ron closed the distance between them and stopped, bending down to hold his knees, trying to catch his breath. Hermione, seeing this, rolled her eyes and walked over to him. Grabbing both of his arms and lifting them over his head, crossing them at the top.
"Help you breathe better." She explained to him, as he looked at her questionably.
"I know where he is." Ron said finally, after catching his breath.
"Where?" She asked quickly.
"On his broom, flying somewhere. Anywhere. Whenever it gets to be a bit much for him, he'll fly." Ron answered.
"Come on, no time to waste." Ron said, grabbing her hand and running to the castle entrance.
Same Time
'Foul.' He thought to himself after downing the potion.
Sitting back heavily in his chair, he sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.
"He truly is something else, eh Fawkes?" He asked his familiar. The large red bird nodded it's head at the question.
Dumbledore still felt the repercussions of that boy entering his mind. Something nobody has been able to do in many years. His defenses had pushed him out, but the abrupt entry had given him a massive headache.
"We need to regain our control on him. We are the only ones able to control that power before it becomes too powerful!" He said, slamming his palm onto his desk.
"You know what we must do Albus."
Dumbledore looked to the roof, shutting his eyes and taking another deep breath. Looking back down, his usual kind eyes hardened into stone.
"I will not kill the boy Severus." He warned with finality in his voice.
"He can't be held down, he can't be controlled, he acts out of emotion too often. He is a danger, not only to us, but to the ENTIRE WORLD!" Snape pleaded, getting louder to the end.
Dumbledore only sighed, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes.
"You said it yourself Albus, in only a few short years, he'll be more powerful than both of us. Look at what that kind of power does, Grindelwald, Voldemort, Morgana. Now Potter." Snape said, standing now.
"You may leave now Severus, this is over." Dumbledore said, shooing him out.
Snape nodded and turned to leave. He walked a few paces to the door then stopped.
"Do it Albus, or I will."
With that, he opened the door and left, silently shutting it behind him.
Later
Making his way out of the castle, Harry walked with his broom over his shoulder, intending for the forest. He had a free period after breakfast so he wasn't worried about a punishment.
Making it to the edge of the forest, he dropped the broom and slung his leg over the side, ready to take off. When suddenly, he saw something fly out of the trees. Swooping around silently. It seemed almost like a shadow as it gliding gracefully around the tops of the trees.
Staring at it in amazement, Harry was struck by it's beauty.
"Lovely animals aren't they?" Someone asked from behind him.
Hearing the unannounced voice, Harry turned around quickly in fright at the stranger. Standing directly behind him, not paying him a glance, stood a small girl, slightly younger than him with long dirty-blonde hair.
She wore a Ravenclaw uniform, and had weird earrings. Her eyes were silverly-blue, and seemed to obverse something only she could see. Harry also noticed that she was barefoot.
"Uhm, hello." Harry said cautiously, since he hadn't heard her move or follow him.
The young girl responded while still looking at the flying creature, "Hello Harry Potter."
"Can I…can I help you with something?" He asked, still a bit unnerved.
"Hmm? Oh yes you could, only if you want to of course. Have you noticed my feet?" She asked, raising her uniform up a bit and sticking her right foot out. Harry looked it confused, then nodded.
"Nargles." She said simply.
"Uh…what?"
"Nargles." She repeated.
"I'm sorry I…I don't know what you mean?" Harry asked bewildered.
The strange girl sighed, then walked forward to him. Yet, she wouldn't look at him in the eyes, only around him. Seeing her observe him, Harry began to feel unnerved at the strange attention and made to speak but was cut off.
"They surround you, you know. The nargles. They fly around your head and cloud your mind. Make you act out of character. Most wizards have them, but not the power to be free of them. You do though." She explained, finally looking him dead into the eyes.
"Uhm…"
"I know who you are, but you don't know me, but only because I haven't introduced myself." She stuck her hand out, "Luna Lovegood."
Harry took her hand and shook it, a bit relived that he finally knew her name.
"Hi Luna, I'm Harry." He smiled.
"Obviously."
"Right. Well, you said that I could help, you know, with your shoes. How can I help?" Harry asked his new strange friend.
Luna nodded at that, "Some of the older years have been infested with a heavy case of nargles and are made to steal my shoes whenever possible. It is quite annoying, since they are my only pair."
"Who are they?" Harry asked, ready to go find anyone who would steal something from her.
"You know them, you were even infatuated with one of them last year."
Hearing that, Harry began racking his brain, trying to figure out who he would have known to do this. Settling on one name, Harry found it hard to believe it was this person.
"Cho?" He asked, worried about the answer. Seeing her nod, Harry took a breath.
'Cho? She bullies younger years?' He thought.
Making his mind up, Harry nodded.
"I'll talk to her, and whoever else is doing this. I promise." He told her earnestly.
Hearing him take her side, and offer her help, made her falter a bit. She felt a tear well in her eye and quickly wiped it away. Looking up at him, she only nodded again.
Seeing her tear up, Harry immediately dropped his broom and wrapped his arms around her.
Feeling him hold her, she couldn't contain it and began to cry into his shoulder. Harry held her for as long as she needed, figuring that the small support he gave her was deeply cherished. Feeling her slowly unravel herself from him, Harry took a slow step back, still holding her at arms length. Seeing she was alright, Harry let go.
Luna wiped her eyes again, embarrassed. She took a deep breath and looked up at him, only to be met with an offered hand. Looking at him in surprise, and seeing him nod, Luna took the offered hand.
"Friends?" He asked, shaking her hand.
Luna smiled through her tears and nodded eagerly.
"Well, you wanna fly with me?" He asked, offering up his broom.
Luna looked at the offered broom, and back up at her new friend. Looking him in eyes, she decided to take a chance.
"Okay."