Mind Over Magic
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"I told you before, Professor, I only care for me, myself and I, not for the demands of anyone else, least of all Gringotts' desire to know everything about every client that comes through their doors. So, whatever they want, you can tell them I decline their correspondence and will continue to do so until they learn the same lesson everyone should."
"And what lesson is that, Mr Potter?" asked Filius, earning a final scoff from Harrison as he looked to said teacher before he answered him;
"This is my life…and I will live it by my choices!"
Chapter 8: You Are Not Alone! Stop Trying To Be!
Suffice to say, when the majority of goblins of Gringotts heard loud, raucous outbursts of laughter coming from the Director's office, and managed to identify it as being real, genuine laughter that would have made the blood of much braver men and creatures turn cold with dread and fear, the first thing they thought was that their leader had finally lost his marbles.
However, when one of their ranks, the same goblin who'd serviced the financial needs of the Future Lord Potter to be precise – a shrewd, war-born spirit of finance and ferocity named Morloc – was asked to report to the Director's chambers, the reason for the laughter was revealed, along with a surprise from Director Ragnok.
MoM
Apparently, he'd been informed of the air of respect Future Lord Potter held towards Morloc even when he'd turned down the aid of the goblins in favour of choosing his own path. Word of the boy's dragon-burnished-iron-forged will and isolated spirit had spread through Gringotts like wildfire until Ragnok, as well as Barchoke – the overseer to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter – had come up with a way to see just how far the young lord's will took him.
The test involved sending a decree from Ragnok himself and then awaiting word from Future Lord Potter about what he wanted to do.
However, when Morloc asked his chief what was so funny about the fact that, apparently, Mr Potter had not responded – but, instead, according to a letter of formal apology from Barchoke's half-brother, Filius Flitwick, which included no small number of prayers that there would be no vengeful moves made on Gringotts' part, he'd torn up said summons – especially given the lack of respect towards the Director, it was Ragnok's answer that filled in the blank.
MoM
"The decree was blank!"
A gasp of surprise escaped from Morloc's mouth while Barchoke sniggered at the shrewd, matter-of-fact manner with which Ragnok dropped the bombshell, as the humans would say, while he also shared his colleague's curiosity at his chief's words.
Curiosity that Ragnok seemed willing to sate for his Overseer and the young teller who'd first witnessed the diamond-hard gobstones on the cheeky little lord-to-be who was the topic of their meeting and conversations.
"I wanted to see what the humorously-stubborn, but strong-willed Future Lord Potter would do if he were to be given the chance to encounter me personally, as so many wizards before him believe they immediately earn the right because of one greedy little reason or another. And I am proud to admit that his decision to apparently neglect said invitation has not disappointed me. Rather, I am proud by his decision and even more-amused by the way our brother wishes to keep the peace between our nation and the young lord-to-be."
"What…what do you mean, sir?" asked Morloc, earning a stern, but still mildly-amused look from his leader as he answered him.
"Let me make it clear, Brother: I do not wish any form of ill will against Future Lord Potter from any goblin brother in this bank," explained Ragnok, looking now to Barchoke, "In fact, from now on, we shall simply await the day when he comes to us of his own free will. On that day, the horns of war and destiny shall ring true and, if this letter from Filius is true, they shall ring in the favour of Master Harrison Potter."
"But Director," Morloc argued, still confused by the key point, "Why does such a thought and expectations of time amuse you?"
"Because," replied Ragnok, still chuckling with mirth at the thought he made vocal as he answered his subordinate, "When that day comes, it shall also be the first day of a time where we goblins will have found the first spirit worthy of our trust and potential allegiance since Godric himself!"
And, given the fact the goblins had vowed to never interfere with the affairs of Man after the goblin wars and the way they'd become little more than bank tellers and resources for wizard-kind, the fact that one boy of eleven years of age could earn such respect from the Director himself was funny.
Namely because of how Morloc and his brethren dared anyone to cross swords with the young lord; if and when any Man was stupid enough to try, they'd find themselves in for one hell of a fight.
It was no secret goblins loved having a fight on their hands, so choosing to stand on a side of a respectful, but enigmatic spirit was a good move, financially-speaking. But it was also a good move because, just like the goblins themselves, Harrison Potter would become someone with a real warrior's spirit.
The only question Morloc had to ask himself was when would Future Lord Potter willingly choose to take hold of that opportunity and become the great spirit Director Ragnok clearly believed he was worthy of becoming?
Now, it was a matter of waiting.
Fortunately, if there was one thing goblins did well, it was wait for things to happen.
But that didn't mean they didn't wait with salivating tongues and eager expressions burned into their hearts…
MoM
By the time September ended and October started to come around, bringing with it the expectations for Halloween and many in-house plans for Yule, it was pretty clear to almost-everyone in Hogwarts that Harrison Potter had become a lone warrior against the rest of the world.
In lessons, for reasons nobody else seemed to understand, he only worked with others when it was expected of him.
When it wasn't, he stayed solely focused on the tasks at hand, both earning and losing points when he was usually one of the first to complete the tasks in question. In the feasts, Harrison seemed to prefer to keep his own company and hardly engaged with anyone, choosing instead to have his nose buried in a book or just blanking everyone and everything out.
To many of the Gryffindors, including the usually-tactless Ronald Weasley, this was a bit of a surprise since it looked like a rift had formed between the three friends who'd spent most of their first week together.
To the students in the other three Houses, however, this was a mystery, a surprise and, in the case of one particular House, it was an opportunity to get a bit of an inside-story on Harrison Potter by seeing if he was really just one big bookworm or if he was a real wizard who, apparently, belonged in their House as the Sorting Hat had claimed.
Unfortunately for them, the one who decided to test Harrison was also one who didn't realise just who and what force he was dealing with.
But it was safe to say he was about to find out…
MoM
The challenge came to Harrison after the Gryffindors had their first Flying lesson with the Slytherins.
In that lesson, Harrison had been one of a few who'd watched with his usual apathetic stare as Neville's broom decided to come alive of its own accord and send him on a breakneck ride through the skies before leaving the boy in a crumpled, but thankfully still-alive heap at the base of one of the walls of the school.
Afterwards, once Madam Hooch was stern about them staying where they belonged unless they wanted trouble, the Slytherins had started laughing at Neville's misfortune, which resulted in Harrison stating, rather bluntly, that the only funny thing was that it was a Gryffindor student who'd received a jinxed broom while, suspiciously, the Slytherins seemed to stay firmly on the ground and had brooms that obeyed them first-time.
The insinuation was clear and yet Harrison made it sound like he was commenting on nothing more than the weather.
In retaliation, Draco Malfoy challenged Harrison directly, calling him out for a wizard's duel as though it was meant to mean something.
At the time of the challenge, Harrison had been all for turning it down, since he didn't have anything to prove to anyone with such a juvenile act.
Not only that, he didn't even know why Malfoy was being so stupid as to make such a firm challenge because he, Harrison, continued to prove he was anything but a Slytherin supporter, let alone a toady of Malfoy's.
However, his thoughts were dashed when Ronald Weasley decided to claim he was Harrison's second, not that the Potter heir needed someone so tactless to be his second for anything, but still, the move meant the challenge had been made official. And yet, while Ronald saw fit to answer the challenge, Harrison stayed exactly where he was usually found outside of lessons.
Alone in his dormitory, calmly reading up on the rules and histories of wizard's duels.
It hadn't been until the evening meal before he'd realised Malfoy was trying to set him up to take a fall, but Harrison wasn't stupid.
Alone, maybe, but not stupid, especially since Malfoy also challenged Harrison and his second to a match at midnight.
Well, Harrison vowed he would have the last laugh.
As he proved the following morning at breakfast…
MoM
Suffice to say, as soon as Harrison walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, horror was the only way he could have described the look on Draco Malfoy's face as he saw the Apprentice of Hogwarts walk in, looking as bold as brass and with the same air of confidence he always showed.
At the same time, Harrison's eyes narrowed suspiciously when he noticed Hermione seemed to be more than a little sluggish this morning while, as his eyes trailed over towards the House Point counters, his ever-deductive mind noted how Gryffindor had lost one hundred points overnight.
Ignoring the ire that rose in him, since he was partially-responsible for a lot of the points that used to sit in the Gryffindor hourglass, Harrison drew himself to his full height before, to the astonishment of the Gryffindors, he walked to the Slytherin Table.
All the while, Harrison could feel the eyes of the Slytherin Head of House and his Master – who'd also opted to leave his protégé to his studies, as though he thought Harrison had enough on his plate for the time being…or he was trying to teach him something Harrison missed – following him as he walked to the Slytherin Table, breaking his tradition of staying with the Gryffindors for the first time all term.
As Apprentice, Harrison had the right to sit on any of the House Tables, even though he was representing Gryffindor with points and other things, but this was definitely a twist in the tale, or so people thought as they saw him reach the feeding place of the snake pit where Harrison cleared his throat as he addressed the one he'd come to see.
"So, Heir Malfoy, is there something you wish to say to me?"
Almost-immediately, a hush settled over the Great Hall, most-notably on the Slytherin Table as those who knew of the old ways recognised the way Harrison was using formality to address a clear and present disagreement with another old family. However, unfortunately for Harrison, the heir he was addressing was anything but proud, let alone aware of what was going on as he sneered in his usual self-deluded arrogant manner.
"I bet you were surprised to find yourself alone in the Trophy Room last night at midnight, Potter; oh dear, I can't help but notice Gryffindor's lost some points. Somebody must have tipped the Squib off."
"Well then," said Harrison, the edge of his lips twitching in amusement as he wondered whether or not the so-called snake knew what cunning was, much less a poker face – and if he did, he had to have the worst poker face in the history of poker faces, not that Harrison said it aloud.
Instead, he kept up his stoic demeanour as he asked, "I suppose this means you admit you had no intention of turning up for a challenge of honour, magic and in the name of settling terms between the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter and the Noble House of Malfoy?"
Suffice to say, Harrison's sharp deliverance and his choice of words earned more than a fair few alarmed, if not disbelieving looks from many of the more-neutral members of Slytherin, including another blonde – albeit a female – who looked like she was going to be sick.
At the same time, thanks to the silence that filled the Great Hall, everyone else heard Harrison's declaration as clear as a bell.
This also meant Professor Flitwick could also be heard responding to the statement made by Harrison, "Mr Malfoy, is what Mr Potter says true?"
"Of course it's not!" snapped Snape, earning a roll of the eyes from Harrison as he silently wondered whether Mr Potter-Hater-Number-One-With-A-Bullet was responsible for the tip-off, being an apparent member of staff in this madhouse.
MoM
At the same time, Harrison made a mental note to speak to Filius about his new Potions Professor, since he was yet to return to Potions since the disgusting display of so-called professionalism and challenge made by the so-called neutral teacher.
Instead, he – sometimes alone and, at other times, with Neville and Hermione, albeit at a distance – would spend those sessions studying in the Library under the watchful eye of Madam Pince, who'd actually come to respect Harrison for his scholarly ambitions and didn't even question him if and when he brought in materials that his two distant Housemates guessed had come from the Chamber of Pride.
Still, Harrison knew he needed Potions.
He just wished he knew why it was taking so long to find an acceptable replacement.
After all, even a squished slug infected with gangrenous, heavily-contagious parasites would be a much better teacher than the snivelling wretch who claimed he was there to teach.
MoM
Heh…
For some reason, the idea of him snivelling made Harrison's lip twitch, even as he listened to the man try and defend his own protégé, namely by firing blanks in Harrison's direction, "Potter's just wasting everyone's time fuelling his own ego: in fact, I think this disruption deserves…"
"Before you finish whatever well-rehearsed performance you have come up with, know that this is none of your business, Severus Snape!" finished Harrison, his voice laced with a much harsher note than anyone expected to hear from him as he kept his eyes on Draco. "Unlike your piss-poor excuse for professionalism, this is personal, familial business between House Potter and House Malfoy: however, if you require further verbatim of Heir Malfoy's challenge, we can always ask my fellow honorary House Members, Ronald Weasley or perhaps Miss Hermione Granger, since they seem to be somewhat distracted this morning. Or perhaps Mr Filch will vouch for last night's suddenly-urgent need for one hundred points to be deducted from Gryffindor House?"
"Or perhaps, for a more-neutral claim that he'll listen to, you can let me vouch for your claim, Heir Potter," insisted a tall, weedy-looking first-year named Theodore Theo Nott if Harrison's memory served him correctly, rising from his seat, much to Draco's alarm, as he faced Professors Flitwick and Snape before he continued filling in the blanks for the sake of everyone listening in.
"Yesterday, for no reason other than to stroke his ego after Heir Potter made a remark about the state of the school brooms, Heir Malfoy issued a challenge to be contested between him and Heir Potter, including him declaring it to be a wizard's duel by naming seconds for the combatants in question: specifically, Ronald Weasley for Heir Potter and Vincent Crabbe for Heir Malfoy. The latter also named a time and place when Weasley decided to stick his wand in and make said challenge official, without asking Heir Potter for clarification or Heir Potter agreeing to the term of him being a second, I don't hesitate to add."
"I'm not an idiot, Mr Nott…or rather, Heir Nott," drawled Harrison, dipping his head courteously in Theo's direction, earning a similar gesture from the Slytherin as Harrison explained, "Neither was I the instigator nor acceptor; in fact, had my second not bothered to do anything last night, much less get involved in yet another vainglorious attempt to earn my…companionship…"
MoM
Neville and Hermione shared knowing looks, both knowing how badly – read, desperately – Ronald Weasley craved the friendship of Harry Potter, not that Harrison bothered to give him so much as a second of his time – nor did he bother acknowledging the git as a friend, hence his hesitation and changing of the word.
MoM
Harrison, meanwhile, was going on, "As I was saying, had Scion Weasley the Sixth not done anything and kept his freckled features out of affairs that were nothing to do with him, I would not need to be here at the Slytherin Table now…but he did, so I am and now, apologies, Heir Nott, you may continue."
Theo, as surprised as everyone else was by Harrison's delivery, quickly cleared his throat as he continued, "As I was saying, Weasley was the one who made the challenge official by declaring himself Heir Potter's second. Malfoy then set the time and place: the Trophy Room at midnight, which, thanks to my insomnia, I can say with absolute certainty was a challenge that went unanswered by Heir Malfoy, who didn't even leave his dormitory, much less the Common Room. However, as Heir Potter says, judging by the evidence seen in the decline of rubies in the Gryffindor hourglass, we can all agree Weasley turned up…and probably Granger too."
"But not him!" insisted Ron, pointing an accusing finger at Harrison, who nodded once in Nott's direction, as the redhead asked, "Where the bloody hell were you, Harry? We nearly got caught by Filch and then we…we…"
"We were caught outside the third-floor corridor after trying to escape Mr Filch and Mrs Norris," explained Hermione, earning a sigh from Harrison while he nodded slowly, the final piece of the puzzle now falling into place.
If anything could be a reason for such a high amount of points being deducted, it was that.
"However," continued Nott, looking now to a red-faced Draco, "You were not there, Malfoy and don't bother trying to claim you got past me. I was up in the Common Room until 2am before I finally managed to get to sleep and, if you want an alibi for my claim, you can ask the Bloody Baron, since we were talking most of the night about my insomnia and the Baron was benevolent enough to offer advice on a potion that might help."
As the first-year Slytherin finished his description of events, whispers and questions followed Nott's declaration.
At the same time, Harrison took a breath, as though preparing to say something more on the matter.
However, once again, Snape got there first as he snapped, "Enough: Mr Nott, it sickens me any of my snakes would betray one of their own…"
"I'm sorry, Snape, but is that one of their own or is that Lord Lucius Malfoy's son?" asked Harrison, again sounding colder than he'd likely intended as he glared daggers at Snape, giving new meaning to the phrase if looks could kill, "Either way, you have no voice here, so-called Professor: according to the Ancient Rights of Combat, if a wizard's duel is made official by the use of seconds, both parties must attend and either come to terms to settle their dispute or perform said duel to a yield or, if necessary, deathly conclusion. Although I admit I was not in attendance, my second, who, as Heir Nott claimed, was not as official as he deluded himself into thinking he was because we were bosom buddies was, which still made me a magically-recognised and legally-entered combatant by the same rules of contest."
"Shut up, Potter!" snapped Malfoy, as though he knew where this was going.
However, Harrison actually smiled, a real, genuine smile that made everyone else shiver when they noticed how shark-like it was before the young boy shook his head.
"No, Malfoy: you made your bed. Now you will lie in it…and maybe next time, you will remember: DRACO Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus!"
"Never tickle a sleeping dragon," muttered Neville.
"Harry, think about what you're going to do," advised Dumbledore, apparently choosing this moment to get involved before things got out of hand.
However, Harrison ignored him again as he faced Professor Flitwick, who was half-curious, half-concerned as to what his apprentice would have in mind for this breach in duelling etiquette.
He soon got his answer.
"Master Filius Flitwick, as a renowned Duelling Champion, I assume you are familiar with the Rite of Victory by default, are you not, sir?"
"I am."
"And…" asked Harrison, glaring at a white-faced Malfoy while his smile grew more-predatory and scary to behold as he asked his Head of House, "Can you tell us, sir: what is the penalty for failing to attend a duel made an official contest between two heirs of magical bloodlines like mine and Heir Malfoy's, whose Mother, if my research is correct, is also a daughter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black?"
"I said enough!" roared Snape, but Harrison still didn't listen.
Neither, it seemed, did Filius, "By the ancient laws of combat, the defeated becomes a vassal and, if necessary, bound in servitude to the victor. This would mean, in this situation, by reneging on his own issued challenge, Heir Malfoy has forfeited his family's freedom to you, Heir Potter."
Gasps filled the Great Hall as the truth hit home.
At the same time, Malfoy seemed to shrink in his seat while those whom were either allies or close friends of Lucius Malfoy's glared at Draco as though they couldn't believe he could do something so stupid that even Lucius' influences in the Ministry couldn't get him out of this.
"And," asked Harrison, folding his arms while he delivered what he knew to be the killing blow to the blond's arrogance, as well as the biased prat who was apparently lucky enough to be called a teacher of students as he went on. "Tell me, Professor: can anyone, be they apparent proxy, parent or guardian,overrule this penalty as dictated by Mother Magic and the Ancient Laws of Conquest?"
"No," said Filius, looking from Harrison to Severus, "No-one: by declaring an official wizard's duel between you and him, Heir Malfoy invoked the magically-binding honour of his family, without the counsel of his Family Head, Lord Lucius Malfoy, I might add. As such, the magic now holds itself indebted to you, Heir Potter. Right now, the fate and futures of the Malfoys…all Malfoy Household members…are in your hands."
The Great Hall was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Even Dumbledore seemed beaten by the facts and truths given by Filius while Snape was turning every shade of red and white possible.
As for Harrison, he took a single breath before, in a soft voice that was still heard by every other member of the school population, he said, "I said it before and I'll say it again, you silly, spoilt, petulant little boy…"
The smugness was present for all to hear, but Harrison continued regardless, "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus…aka never tickle a sleeping dragon, Heir Malfoy…you'll only get burned."
Here, he turned away from the Slytherin Table before he walked over to the Gryffindors.
As he did so, however, Harrison hid a smirk when he heard Professor Flitwick ask, "What are you going to do, Heir Potter?"
"What any real wizard would do, Master; the honourable thing," said Harrison, looking to Draco before he drove the point home as he'd planned to since reading up on his lore when, according to Draco's dim-witted plan, he should have been getting caught by Filch.
"By the Ancient Rights of Combat, I, Harrison James Potter, proclaim before all witnesses present that I will nullify the debt owed to my family if one Draco Alexander Malfoy, Heir of the Noble House of Malfoy, will meet me, as was previously agreed by way of proxy on the field of battle. Our bout shall also be held one month from now, on Samhain, which will give Heir Malfoy the opportunity to ensure that Lord Malfoy, Father of his Blood and Lord of his House, will be present to witness this for himself…while I, as an orphaned Heir, shall represent only myself: what say you, Heir Malfoy?"
What could Draco say that wouldn't result in things being made worse for him, even moreso because he knew his Father would hear about the mistake he'd made and the terms set by Harrison Potter?
Short answer…
Nothing.
Nothing except what he did say as he met those apathetic green eyes before he answered the smug and victoriously-minded wizard.
"I accept."
MoM
When Harrison returned to his dormitory following his challenge towards Malfoy, he was a little surprised to find Neville and Hermione waiting for him, the latter leaning against one of the chairs in the Common Room of the Chamber of Pride while Neville was sat down in said chair, staring longingly into the fireplace as though he was trying to avoid meeting Harrison's gaze.
As the entrance to the Chamber of Pride closed behind him, Harrison looked to Neville and Hermione before, sighing softly, he walked past the brunette, but not before he drawled out a single remark that made Hermione's eyes widen when she heard it.
"I forgive you."
"Excuse me?" asked Hermione, watching as Harrison made his way to the study, but when she questioned him, he stopped dead in his tracks and sighed as he turned to face her.
"Well, Miss Granger, since you asked: let me remind you that you were the one to forego our unofficial brother-slash-sisterhood out of some melodramatic desire to teach me a lesson I never wanted to learn, but after the better part of a month, you still didn't get the result you hoped for. Now, after making a tactless, reckless and all-round foolish mistake in aiding that unimportant little gnat, Ronald Bilius Weasley, by fuelling the fires of an obvious long-standing, sorry excuse for a House Rivalry between his family and the Malfoys, here you are wanting to try and mend the broken bridges between us."
Then, while Hermione stared in abject disbelief, Harrison shrugged as he asked, "Why else would you walk into my dormitory as though you own the place, Miss Granger? Because, if it's for any other reason, what I should actually say is thank you, because you'll only succeed in giving me a reason to change my password, which is a shame as I've rather-enjoyed the reminder of the old fable."
"Harrison," Neville piped up, looking up while he cleared his throat, "While I won't defend what me and Hermione did, we're not here to try and make up for what we did. We're here because of what you just did in front of the entire school."
"What do you mean, Neville? All I did was give a way out to someone who didn't deserve it, because, unlike him, I am a man of honour…well, a young man of honour, anyway," drawled Harrison, looking to Neville, "I don't need anyone telling me that I did anything otherwise, because while Mr Weasley and Miss Granger were running around the school after-hours like headless chickens, some of us were using our brains to find a way to deal with the obvious trap set by the arrogant little Daddy's Boy who was foolishly-named after one of the great beasts of magic!"
While Hermione and Neville looked shocked and even incredulous at how cold Harrison still sounded, even after they'd given him his space so he could cool off and maybe let them back in, Harrison sniffed once as he looked to Hermione.
"That reminds me, what were you doing interfering in an affair you had no need to be involved with?"
"I was trying to help my friend!" exclaimed Hermione, earning a scoff from Harrison.
"There's that word again…"
"Because we are friends, Harrison!" snapped Hermione suddenly, but all that succeeded in doing was earning another scoff from Harrison while she shook her head, "Merlin's beard, what's with you, Harrison James Potter? Ever since I first met you, you've shown you have more twists and turns than the Spaghetti Junction with your emotions. You were willing to let us in and then, because I made one mistake, which I admit I made; because of that, you shut us out again. Then you went off on one saying you knew I was trying to get you to open up and admit your feelings, but when you said it, you didn't even care you were saying it."
Harrison's emotions didn't even flicker, though Hermione's voice grew softer as she insisted, "Even when I…when Professor Flitwick and Neville told you we see you as a friend, even if you don't, you pushed us further away. And now, you're doing it again when, logically, the best thing you can do is surround yourself with allies because, from what I've heard, Malfoy's not going to take your challenge lying down. And Lucius Malfoy will be there too, and…from what Neville's told me about him, he's as fierce as he is cunning."
"Shame he never passed those traits to his son," remarked Harrison, looking up from his musings, "But if you're offering to help me prepare for my challenge, Miss Granger, I'd welcome it, but before I do, let me ask you something."
"What?" asked Hermione.
"You say you see me as a…a friend," said Harrison, his voice edged by a note of hurt and disdain for the very mention of the word, though he didn't let it disrupt his concentration, or his cold, formal, stern demeanour as he continued, "But in the past month, you've openly-stated I should have died ten years ago when Voldemort killed my parents…"
"Told you that was the last straw," whispered Neville, while Harrison kept going on.
"…and, on more than one occasion, today included, you've tried to stick your nose in where you don't belong and, even when I drop a subtle, but open hint about my past, you still chose to belittle me. In the process, as much as you say I pushed you away, you tried to do the same with a pretty clever attempt to manipulate my emotions and then, when I told you I wouldn't fall for it, you tried even harder to coerce me into letting you in rather than doing what I can only assume a real…one of those…would do, which is let me have my secrets and understand when I'd rather not talk and not be as openly-pathetic as everyone seems to love thinking I am just because they read my name in a book and word-of-mouth that's more like hearsay discussed in a pathetic tabloid newspaper."
Here, Harrison clenched his fists so tightly that Hermione and Neville saw them trembling as he turned away from their gaze before he went on in a soft, hissing tone of voice.
"Nobody knows me, but does that mean they all have the right to try and be the first to do it? What do they expect will happen? A jackpot awarded to them? A holiday in Majorca? Maybe even a hallowed entry into the Guinness Book of Records: the first one to crack the impossible code."
As he said the last part, Harrison stiffened before he turned to Hermione once again, "I told you, Hermione…I tried being a normal kid and all I got was hurt; I also told you I took on mind games and attempts to tug on my heartstrings like one's playing a violin and yet, despite all that happened afterwards, I'm still standing. So, tell me something, Hermione Granger…"
Before Hermione could ask what he wanted her to say, Harrison walked towards her, standing so close that she could see the fire in his green eyes as he asked, "For all your smarts, which I've always admired, even though this is the first time I admit it; for all you know and all the observations you make, did it never occur to you that these pains have made me so closed off and, dare I say, sociopathic to the point of inhumanly-mature? Or were you just trying to enjoy being such an insufferable know-it-all who needs to know everyone else's business…"
The sound of Hermione's hand striking Harrison's cheek not only cut off his tirade, but it was so sudden and sharp that the sound was more like a gunshot in the silence of the Common Room. While Neville looked on in disbelief and surprise, Hermione watched as Harrison's eyes widened before he looked to her, his expression not only disbelief, but also pain and what looked like fear, if not anxiety, as he looked at her.
As for Hermione, she seemed as stone-faced as he was, though her voice betrayed that image.
"Do…do you honestly think, for one second, Harrison James Potter, you're the only one who was hurt, belittled and went through pain because you chose to believe you were smarter than everyone else around you? Do you think you're the only one who believed he didn't want friends, although a time would come where he needs them because, if nothing else, they keep him grounded and make sure he has someone watching his back?"
As Harrison stared, his fingers reached up and touched the slowly-forming bruise on his cheek while Hermione swallowed hard as she looked deep into his emerald-green eyes. "I…I'm sorry I hit you, but…but it was the only thing I could think of doing that would get you to listen to someone other than your own ego for once. You're right, before I say anything else, I'll admit this: you're right; I was hoping to find out more about you, but not so I could claim to know more about you than you. I wanted to find out more because, when I first met you, I saw who you were and I was surprised."
Here, she gulped before she looked to Neville, "Harrison and I first met Weasley before we met you, Neville, and when we did, I used my own cunning to hide my true self behind a mask. One that worked because it got rid of him, but it also gave me a chance to see what Harrison would do and he…you didn't disappoint me."
She indicated Harrison as she said the last part, but the emerald-eyed scion said nothing while Hermione went on, "And when you found out I knew who you were, I told you…and I'm quoting directly here: you're the first person I've met who accepts my studious nature without being cruel about it. And, although I was curious about the book in your hands, you chose to let me stick around and study instead of being like anyone else I've met. So, tell me, Harrison, shouldn't that have been a clue that you're not alone in having suffered for being clever and more-studious than anyone else?"
"I…" Harrison began, but before he could finish, he was cut off when Hermione put her hand over his mouth.
"No, you don't get to talk," said Hermione, shaking her head while she pushed her hand so she was smothering Harrison's lips. "I thought I could wait before needing to resort to saying this, but since you're being worse than ever, I can't wait, not anymore, so let me say it and then you can speak. And I swear, if you try and contradict me again, Harrison, I will smack you stupid and I won't care how you feel about being touched!"
Harrison's eyes widened as he heard how serious Hermione was about this.
MoM
He'd never really thought about it before, but she was a little scary.
Brilliant – there was no doubt about that – but scary!
MoM
As Hermione slowly lowered her hand from Harrison's mouth, she cleared her throat as she went on, "You then quoted Einstein when you told me what the best way was for me to try and figure out, for myself, who you were. But it was before then I realised you weren't the Boy-Who-Lived, but I didn't know who you were. All I had was a name…and the possibility of friendship, even if it was only me thinking it; not once did I try and convince you to think the same of me…that's just not who I am."
Turning away from Harrison, who still stood and watched with silent awe and disbelief, as well as a now-visible red mark on his left cheek where Hermione had struck him, Hermione moved to one of the spare chairs by the fireplace before she perched herself on the arm of the chair as she went on, "Then, when we were talking about punishments, you showed the cold side of you that we've seen lately, but that was a mistake on my part, one I've never tried to repeat since then; you just thought I did. What was it you said?"
"We're travelling companions, but that doesn't make us friends, let alone on a level of trust where such personal things are freely given," replied Harrison, his voice edged by the same dazed feeling he had thanks to Hermione's surprising move, "Secrets should remain secret until the time is chosen for them to be spoken."
"And that time wasn't when I wanted, but you," said Hermione, now indicating the Chamber of Pride around them, "Then, after your unique Sorting, you let us come here because you saw something in Neville and I, and I still don't know what it is about Neville that makes you able to be so open with him…open and friendly too, but I…I don't care anymore. Because, when you were working with him, even when I was here too, you…you were…you were normal."
"You know, I hate to admit it, but she's got a point," remarked Neville, earning a scoff from Harrison as he looked to the boy, "Why do you act so different with me, Harrison? Heck, you even came to visit me after the Flying disaster; all right, you didn't say anything. You just looked me over and gave a curt nod, but why did you do that, especially if we're not friends?"
"That's a story for another time," said Harrison, looking now to Hermione, "So what are you trying to say, Granger? Do you want me to say that I do sympathise with your past? That you're right and I'm wrong? Do you want me to beg forgiveness for my slight against you, even though you clearly recall how you felt when you pushed me too far once before?"
"I just want my friend back," said Hermione honestly, shaking her head when Harrison scoffed again. "I said my friend, Harrison; even if he doesn't see me as it, I…I do, okay? I want to be able to help him because I want to help, for no other reason except that. I want to feel like I belong again because, ever since we parted ways, aside from Neville, everyone else has made me feel like I did in the Muggle world: like an outcast. But do you know what I want most of all, Harrison?"
Harrison shook his head, earning a sigh from Hermione, "I want to be happy knowing that you have whatever you want, even if I don't understand it; before that Potions lesson, we were happy…at least, Neville and I were, while you seemed content; relaxed, even. But then, for reasons you don't have to explain, even if we heard what you and Professor Flitwick said. I want our little gang…our fam…the Golden Trio back together, studying and being able to trust us to help each other."
"The Golden Trio," scoffed Harrison, earning a clearing of the throat from Neville, as though reminding him to keep the peace, even as Hermione continued her tirade.
"I mean, you haven't offered a remedial lesson to us to help with Defence or anything; and I know that's my fault, okay? I get that and, yes, I admit it: I did try and make you be more open with us, but I shouldn't have done that. I have no right to do that, Harrison, no-one does. And I'm sorry about the misunderstanding about touching you, which I guess I've made worse hitting you, but…please…just please let us help you!"
"I can't," argued Harrison, his voice low and edged by a cold air of pain as he turned away from Hermione as he made his way to the door.
"Why not?" chorused Neville and Hermione, though the latter looked up at her friend as she asked, "Why can't you let us help you?"
"Because…" said Harrison, clenching his fists tightly once more before he gasped through clenched teeth.
"I don't know how to let you help…"
"How about we start with your challenge to Malfoy?" asked Neville suddenly, swallowing down his worries with regards to what Harrison meant with those softly-delivered, emotionally-fuelled words.
"You need someone to help prepare you for anything while, at the same time, if you are willing to let us, we can watch your back. Hermione says she wants the Trio back? Let's bring them back; a sword and shield protecting the main man in the Trio; and I don't need your smarts or Hermione's to know that main man is you, Harrison."
"Hear, hear," said Hermione, clenching her hands into fists while she told Harrison, "And…and I promise: I'll even swear a witch's oath, Harrison; I…I promise I won't ask you about anything, even if you accidentally let it out. Just please, let us help you figure out how we can help you…and then we can deal with whatever comes next as…as a team…"
"As a family," whispered Harrison, though when he said it, Hermione's blood ran cold when she saw something she never expected to see him do.
A single, semi-transparent tear suddenly rolled down Harrison's cheek, its shimmering form shining in the light of the Chamber.
As Hermione saw it, she gulped very hard, so hard in fact, it seemed to stick in her chest, "If you're willing to let us be…then yes; after all, you're a student with the means of getting to know all four Houses, so, sooner or later, as McGonagall said, that's going to make for one big family."
Silence followed her words before, as the other two watched, Harrison looked to Hermione.
"I…I guess I could use a sparring partner and…and someone to…to suggest some spells that might help."
As Hermione smiled, Harrison's lip twitched before he added, "And I guess we could use the Mystica for some added help too, so I guess it's about time I fulfil my promise from the train and let you look at it, right…Hermione?"
"Only if you want to," said Hermione, but rather than respond, Harrison walked into the study, leaving the two Gryffindors alone in the Common Room of the Chamber of Pride.
Once he was sure Harrison wouldn't hear him, Neville looked to Hermione before he asked, "What just happened?"
"I think we just helped Harrison open his eyes to the truth," said Hermione, earning a curious look from Neville before the brunette waved it off as she told him, "I don't know why he is…the way he is or what happened before us, Neville, but right now, we have to be exactly what you said."
Here, she indicated a stunned, but curious-looking Neville, "You must be his sword: he trusts you and is able to be more…more-normal around you, so you have to be the sword. You have to do what you can to help rid him of his enemies and his own weaknesses…and I must be his shield."
"So, what? Your job is to protect him?" asked Neville curiously, earning a shrug from Hermione as she looked back to him.
"Only if he's willing to raise his hand and use me to do so, because, if he doesn't, and if he can't be helped against the evils out there, it might just destroy him…in ways none of us can begin to predict."
Chapter 8 and…woof! Someone stop the rollercoaster; I want to get off…but are we heading for the sharp, scream-your-lungs-out drop or is the ride coming to an end, for none moreso than our wounded animal of an anti-hero?
Also, what will happen when Harrison Potter, vanquisher of Voldemort, gets a close encounter with the Second-in-Command of the guy's elite forces? Fireworks? Blood? Or just whispers and words?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Harrison receives a mysterious summons, which leads to a tense encounter between the wounded and he-who-is-responsible-for-the-wounds; also, Filius wants answers on the elephant in the room and Harrison has a question of his own…
Please Read and Review
PORTRAYALS:
Ragnok – voice: Clancy Brown
Morloc – voice: John Noble
Barchoke – voice: Mark Gatiss
Theo Nott – Dylan O'Brien