Mind Over Magic

by DZ2

Harry Potter is coming to Hogwarts, but he's not what people expect: calling himself Harrison, he has become something that seems to only want one thing: knowledge. Grey Harry; Slow burn Harmony

4. You've Got A Friend?

Mind Over Magic

Disclaimer: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Review Answers:

WhiteElfElder: Hmm…sounds like a suitable nightmare/fear for a certain encounter in 3rd year, don't it?

Stacygrrl2002: Kitten, though the description might put a smile on your face if you get the reference;

"If Harrison James Potter ever chooses to walk the same path as Riddle and Gellert, there will not be a power in all magic that can stop him…what I see in him, it is something that has not been seen since my grandfather's time and, if left untrained or honed for ill purposes, it can end the world as we know it. So, for all our sakes, my old friend, keep a very close eye on him…and all who may want to use him for their own ends."

Chapter 4: You've Got A Friend?

At last, after a summer filled with research, reading material and doing what little he could to get a grip on his magic thanks to something called the Trace keeping him from using magic outside Hogwarts – though Filius did say there was usually an exception for Muggle-born houses, which made Harrison curious as to why the same couldn't be said for his home at St Christopher's – Harrison opened his eyes on the morning of September First, the first day of his Hogwarts life looming ahead of him.

After packing his possessions into a multi-compartment suitcase – he could have gone with a trunk, but something about the idea of a suitcase just appealed to the scholarly prodigy in Harrison – and checking on the comfort of his pets – a beautiful female snowy owl he'd named Hedwig and a male black cat he'd named Loki – Harrison made his way downstairs dressed in a chinos and shirt combination, a pair of sneakers covering his feet while he wore a loose, dark-blue denim jacket over the top.

Making his way to Roger's office, where the care worker had agreed to give Harrison a lift to King's Cross to catch the train, Harrison stopped and looked back for only a moment, letting his eyes wander over the décor of St Christopher's.

However, he wasn't feeling nostalgic; far from it, he was looking around because he was content, if not determined, to ensure he did not come back to the orphanage next summer, if ever again. His readings on law and everything he'd be able to do to help his situation had provided beneficial, but there were a few elements he still needed if he was going to be successful.

And, for that, he needed Hogwarts.

So, as Harrison finished looking around the hall, he allowed himself a thin smile.

"And goodbye to all of that…"

Then, turning back to the office, he knocked on the door, earning a response from the other side that told him Roger was waiting for him.

Which was good, in Harrison's opinion, because the sooner he was on his way, the better it would be…

Well, better for him anyway.

MoM

Thanking Roger for his assistance, whilst pretending to assure him he'd get in touch if he needed a return trip, Harrison waited until the man's car was gone before, hefting his case as well as Loki and Hedwig's cages onto a nearby trolley, the young wizard made his way into the station.

As he'd expected, King's Cross was packed with commuters and people going about their businesses.

There were conductors, ticket officers, station security and a whole cavalcade of sounds, smells and sensations that could only be summed up in one word as far as Harrison was concerned.

Life!

Heaving a sigh as he appreciated the way he could vanish into the crowds as he made his way to the right platform, Harrison adjusted his grip on his case before he walked towards Platforms Nine and Ten. Thanks to Professor Flitwick's information, Harrison knew where he needed to go to find the entrance to Platform 9 , but even so, as he walked towards the appropriate spot, Harrison slowed his steps while he also kept an eye and ear out for any indication of others attending Hogwarts.

Because of this decision to scope out the competition, as they say, Harrison's eyes narrowed when a particularly-loud voice suddenly reached his earshot, "It's the same every year, packed with Muggles, of course! Come on, Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters this way!"

Stopping before the entrance to Platform 9 3/4, Harrison turned, his eyes darkening as he saw the owner of the voice was a middle-aged redheaded female leading a gaggle of redheaded males – and one female, which both amused and bemused Harrison – towards where he was waiting.

As soon as he saw the woman leading her troupe, however, Harrison felt his blood run cold as, for reasons he couldn't really understand – but he didn't care because the fact was, he felt them and that was bad enough – this woman reminded him of Mrs Miller.

No…strike that…she reminded him of Mr and Mrs Miller combined!

Something about her screamed the sort of person who'd enjoy using the talents of others to further her cause while she also had this controlling, if not dominating air about her that made her look more like an old Alpha wolf who seriously needed overthrowing by the new young pup in the pack.

Either way, Harrison decided almost-instantly that he didn't like her.

As the redheads reached the spot where he was standing, Harrison tried not to throw up or show anything other than his usual apathy when the woman addressed him, "Oh, hello dear; what's wrong? Don't you know how to get onto the platform?"

"He must be a Muggle-born, Mother," argued one of the redheads, whom seemed to be the eldest and gave off an air of self-made authority that, if things were different, Harrison might have respected it. He might have even been interested to get to know the boy, except for one small thing.

When he looked at Harrison, the proud teenager looked straight down his nose at Harrison before he drew himself up, as though he were trying to imitate a peacock getting ready to strut, as he added, "Have no fear, first-year: I am a school Prefect and I can help you find your way!"

"Prefect?" asked Harrison coolly, clearing his throat for a moment, "So you follow rules, is that right?"

"Yes," replied the Prefect, earning scoffs from a pair of redheads who looked almost-identical, the sight of whom told Harrison they were twins, if not siblings somehow born and raised well enough to be the same height despite being older or younger than the other, so he went back to twins.

Ignoring his curiosity, Harrison returned his attention to the Prefect, "So, you know about the Statute of Secrecy too, right, Prefect?"

"Of course!"

Suddenly, the edge of Harrison's lip twitched before gesturing to the woman, "Then would you remind your Mother of the penalty for breaching the Statute of Secrecy by discussing magical matters in earshot of Muggles! Because I'm sure, if she had been any less subtle with her declaration, all of King's Cross would have heard her…even the Underground!"

Suddenly, the redheaded Prefect and his Mother turned a nasty shade of red.

When he saw the looks, however, Harrison dipped his head in what looked like a courteous gesture as he added, "I mean no disrespect, my lady; I just wish to ensure that the secrets of our world and the safety of all involved stay that way…as they have done for centuries. Now, if you'll excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I don't want to be late for the train."

Then, without another word, Harrison turned and strolled through the barrier between worlds, leaving the redheads surprised, humoured, outraged and more than a little curious about the strange boy who'd made their prefect look like an even bigger idiot than he already was.

In the case of the twins, however, their only thought was a shared one;

'Who was that brilliantly funny guy?'

MoM

"Extraordinary…"

That was the only thing Harrison had to say about the sight of the scarlet steam engine that waited on the tracks of Platform 9 3/4.

He didn't seem too concerned about the crowds or the varying styles and looks of the students; his attention was on the train for all of two minutes before, picking up his possessions, Harrison boarded the Express, finding an empty compartment in a matter of minutes.

While the rest of the world seemed content to run around like headless chickens, doing whatever it was they did on the platform, Harrison opened the carry case and let Loki crawl onto his lap. Hedwig, meanwhile, seemed content to remain in her cage, one wing over her head as she snoozed lightly, leaving her human to enjoy the peace and quiet of his compartment.

As he stroked his feline companion with the same care and respect he'd shown ever since Harrison found Loki in the Magical Menagerie, the young wizard unlocked one of the compartments of his case, which allowed him to retrieve the Encyclopaedia Mystica.

Closing the case, Harrison shifted himself so his back rested next to the window while, curling his knees up, he rested the book on his lap.

As for Loki, he let out a meow of confusion before deciding to lay himself across Harrison's stomach, stretching out as he did so while he mewed again, earning a smile from said boy as he tickled the cat behind his ears, earning a soft, if not soothing, rolling purr from the now-content Loki.

"I spoil you, you know that, don't you, little Trickster?" asked Harrison, earning a soft lick from Loki as the kit lapped at his fingertips.

Once fully relaxed, Harrison let his eyes wander over the pages of his book, reading up on the sort of things he'd been disheartened to discover weren't in the books he'd been assigned for Hogwarts. However, in the Encyclopaedia Mystica, Harrison was able to look up information on almost anything, such as the topic he was reading up on as he sat alone in his compartment.

Occlumency.

Admittedly, Harrison had been looking for information on Mind Magic, but when he'd consulted the Index Charm built into the Mystica, he'd found its pages turning as they usually did once consulted. Seconds later, Harrison found several pages describing arts that shielded one's mind from others and allowed witches or wizards to invade, control, read and even unhinge the minds of others.

Legilimency, it was called, though the topic of Occlumency was the one Harrison was interested in.

After all, his mind had become a Lord's Palace of knowledge and information, so, where magic was concerned, he'd prefer to be able to keep the palace gates shut to anyone but him.

As he read the information in the Mystica, Harrison grunted softly when he felt the train shudder beneath him, accompanied by a whistle that told him he was finally on his way to Hogwarts. Outside, Harrison heard steps and more hushed, excited conversations taking place, but he didn't pay any of them any attention, not when his was more-importantly focused on his book and the treasury of knowledge held within.

The only time Harrison even moved was to turn the page or scratch Loki behind his ears, along his back or even on his tummy, earning a content, if not soothing purring sound from the black cat as he snuggled up with his master.

MoM

For a while, Harrison was content thinking he'd get to enjoy the ride in peace, just reading his book and surrounded by his pets.

However, after nearly twenty minutes, Harrison's eyes looked up from his book when he heard the door to his compartment being pulled open.

To his discomfort, the one responsible for the pull didn't even bother knocking, let alone asking permission to join Harrison in his compartment.

Instead, the source of the disturbance revealed themselves to be a curiously-quiet, timid brunette with one of the wildest-styled heads of brown hair Harrison had ever seen while she had one of their school books under one arm, the other being used to drag a dark-brown trunk in behind her. For a moment, given the girl had a book in her hand that she seemed intent on reading, Harrison decided to ignore her and just return to his studies.

However, after a few seconds, he was a little surprised to hear the girl's voice, "Oh…sorry, I didn't even see you there!"

"And yet you came in through the same door and looked up the entire time," drawled Harrison, though he was surprised by the girl's confession about not noticing him, even with the evidence he'd presented. "But as long as you let me read in peace, I suppose you can stay, Miss?"

"I'm Hermione Granger," answered the girl, earning a curt nod from Harrison before she gasped, "Oh! Is…is that a book of your own from home? I don't recognise it from the list for school."

"What can I say? I got bored reading the same stuff over and over again," drawled Harrison, but when he did so, he was again surprised to hear the girl, Hermione, giggle as though he'd just made a joke.

However, it was her response that really caught him off-guard, "I know what you mean; I must have read our schoolbooks so many times, I swear I've learned them all by heart. And I was able to practice the spells too, but no matter how many times I begged Mum and Dad to take me back to Flourish and Blotts, they just didn't listen."

"Poor you," replied Harrison, though he unwillingly let a sarcastic drawl lace his words before, clearing his throat, he added, "I'm Harrison, by the way. Now, if you'll excuse me, Miss Granger, I'd like to get back to my book."

"Oh, of course, sorry…um…Harrison," said Hermione, settling into her own seat across from Harrison before, to his amusement, she opened the book – a copy of Hogwarts: A History that looked like it had a few dog ears kept for favourite parts of the book – and left him to his reading.

She didn't even seem to notice he hadn't given her his surname.

And yet, even as he returned to the Mystica, Harrison couldn't help but smile as he thought – to himself, of course, since he didn't want to admit it aloud – about something impossible happening if this girl proved as understanding as she was at that moment;

If he wasn't careful, Harrison might have actually found himself a friend.

'Huh,' thought the emerald-eyed scion, letting his hand drift across Loki's tummy, earning another string of content purrs from the kitten.

'So, this is what it feels like, is it? Curiouser and curiouser…'

MoM

With Harrison and Hermione as the only ones occupying their compartment, neither of whom seemed all that eager to disturb or otherwise bother the other with any thoughts or pointless trivia, the journey passed in relative silence.

While the rest of the world rushed past the windows of the train outside, Harrison examined the varying sections of the Mystica with a fine-tooth comb, committing everything he read in the shifting pages to memory while he also kept an eye on other areas that he knew might require further study later – such as a section on false memory magic and mental illusions as a defence.

However, after another forty-five minutes of silent study and what he admitted, to himself, was some rather pleasant company from a fellow scholar, Harrison's attention was taken from his studies once more when the door opened again. This time, however, instead of entering the compartment as brusquely as Hermione had done, the source of the disturbance revealed themselves with a boisterous tone of voice.

"Oi, either of you bookworms seen Harry Potter around here?"

Looking up with disdain, Harrison blinked once before he returned to his book, willingly and blatantly ignoring a boy whom he remembered as the youngest male in the brood of redheads. He looked just as dishevelled as Harrison had seen on the Muggle side of the platform and, to be perfectly honest, as soon as he'd opened his mouth, Harrison lost interest because of the blatant lack of manners or tact, let alone subtlety with his desires.

While Harrison focused on the Mystica, however, he hid a smirk when he heard Hermione ask, "Harry Potter? He's at Hogwarts? Wow, I've read all about him: and you're looking for him, why? Do you want his autograph? Or perhaps you'll learn how he survived that night or…"

"Jeez, a simple no would have done, bushy-haired nightmare," scoffed the redhead, closing the door again before he left.

Once he was gone, however, Harrison visibly smirked when Hermione told him, "Well, I doubt he'll be coming back anytime soon."

"Nicely played," said Harrison, turning a page in the Mystica without looking up, which, to his amusement, described the art of false memories as he'd previously considered researching.

How anyone would need another book with a copy of the Mystica was beyond him.

In the meantime, however, Harrison's smirk faded when Hermione replied, "I figured you wouldn't want to make yourself so publicly-known, Harry!"

Looking to her, Harrison's eyes narrowed, but as they did so, he saw Hermione tap her eyes as she explained, "Like I said, I've read all about you and one of the things I read about is your eyes. Like those of your Mum, who I think has to be the bravest, most-loving Mother and witch ever to do what they say she did."

"I'm sure she'd appreciate the compliment, Miss Granger," argued Harrison before he scoffed as he added, "If she weren't dead!"

While Hermione looked surprised by his remark, Harrison scanned the page of his book while he idly stroked Loki's fur, trying to return to his calm apathy despite the gnawing discomfort he felt in his chest with Hermione's choice of words. "So why didn't you do anything about it back then?"

"Because," replied Hermione, blushing slightly, "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…of being like anyone else I've met."

"Not everybody's a Homo Sapiens, Miss Granger," drawled Harrison, though when Hermione opened her mouth to argue, Harrison smirked as he nodded once, "I would say Neanderthal, but everyone says they had bigger brains than the apes who became people like you and me today, Miss Granger. By the way, can I actually say I like your name? Let me guess…your parents are Shakespeare fans?"

"Dad," answered Hermione, laughing softly, "I asked him why he named me it and, of all the names he could have picked, he said it fit me the best…though I think he also had a bit of a Grecian thing too."

"Derived from Hermes?" asked Harrison, earning a surprised look from Hermione before she nodded while he scoffed, "So which are you? A girl with serious mental acuity or someone who enjoys tricking others and being nothing more than the messenger who winds up shot?"

Hermione blanched when she heard this, but when she did so, she also let out a laugh, "You're really not the boy I read about, are you, Harry?"

"Actually, it's Harrison, not Harry," corrected the young wizard before, for the first time in his life, he smiled with a friendly air, which he directed towards Hermione, "And to answer your question, Hermione Granger, and as much as I find it both funny and a little offensive to say, but, especially here in the Wixen World, you really shouldn't believe everything you read."

Hermione seemed confused by the Wixen remark, though she kept her peace for now.

Meanwhile, looking back to the Mystica, Harrison sighed before he idly turned the page as he finished his statement, "Sometimes, the only way to know the right answer is to see it, find it and then decide for yourself; as a wise man once said: Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."

Perhaps for the first time in her life, Hermione had no idea what she was meant to say in response to that.

Even if she did recognise it as something from Einstein, she was still left speechless as she wondered what, exactly, Harrison was trying to say.

Clearly, he wasn't the boy-saviour, Boy-Who-Lived from her books…

So then, who was he?

MoM

Shortly after midday, Harrison and Hermione found their silence interrupted once more, but this time, the source of the disturbance was a kind lady who offered them a selection of treats from a trolley. While Harrison declined out of nothing more than habit – he wasn't against the idea of sweets, but he'd already decided that he preferred to save his appetite for the Hogwarts feasts, especially if they were as filling as he'd read – he was interested to see Hermione deny the offer just as quickly.

When the lady left them alone, Harrison sniffed once before he asked, "So, I know why I said no, but what's your excuse, Miss Granger? You don't look like the sort of person to have a sugar deficiency or a dislike of the aforementioned treats every now and again…"

"My parents are dentists," replied Hermione, earning a slow nod from Harrison, "So, naturally, I try and avoid having too many treats because they tend to punish me when they notice I've had too much."

"Punish?" asked Harrison, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as, when Hermione said what she did, he couldn't help but think of another family whose punishments had been borderline sadistic, if not criminal in nature.

"How?"

"Usually by limiting my time with books or giving me chores," said Hermione, though when she noticed Harrison's look, the brunette gulped as she asked, "Harrison, are you okay? You look like you want to kill someone."

"Sorry…" replied Harrison, clearing his throat as he decided to lose himself in Loki's comforts, the black cat purring once more as he felt the soft hand of his master stroking his fur delicately.

At the same time, Harrison picked up the Mystica once more before he turned to a page that spoke of a prolific history – more than the one in Hogwarts: A History, which made Harrison wonder if someone had tried to censor said histories – of the Four Founders of Hogwarts.

In particular, he was reading about the histories and lives of two whom Harrison had been interested in most of all: Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, both of whom had founded the Houses Harrison wanted to go to, not that he told anybody that, not even his new friend, Miss Granger.

'Yep,' thought Harrison, hiding a smirk behind the Mystica. 'Still weird.'

As Harrison lost himself in the details, however, Hermione frowned as she asked, "Were you…were you ever punished for being naughty?"

"Of course," scoffed Harrison, his glare hardening in his expression as he tried to stay focused on the words and images on the page in front of him.

Hermione, on the other hand, swallowed hard before she asked, "How…how were you…"

"Can we come to an agreement, Hermione?" asked Harrison suddenly, his cold, steely tone startling Hermione, though not as much as when he emphasised his point by slamming his book shut, which startled Loki in the process.

At the same time, the young wizard glared at Hermione, who nodded in response, "All right, here's my agreement: I'll gladly let you have a look at one or two of my books to give you a little more knowledge at Hogwarts and, in return, you don't ask about my life before Hogwarts, deal?"

Hermione didn't want to admit it, but Harrison's sudden hostility unnerved and frightened her; at the same time, she felt embarrassed because she had let her curiosities get the better of her, even after Harrison had been civil with her and praised her on pretending to be an overexcited little girl when, all the while, she was clearly someone with something between her ears.

He probably hadn't even meant to show an interest in her past, but she'd wrongfully assumed that was an invitation to return the favour.

All she'd had to say was that she didn't want to talk about it and he probably would have let the matter drop.

Blushing with embarrassment, Hermione lowered her eyes, "I…I'd like that, Harrison…but…but I'd also like to apologise for thinking I had to learn your life story. I guess I came to the wrong conclusion when you asked about my parents…so, if you want to let me have help, I accept; thank you."

"Hmm," replied Harrison, looking out of the window for the first time since they'd left King's Cross Station.

As Hermione looked up, a small part of her wondering what he was going to say, her eyes widened when he told her, "Apology accepted…and next time, just say you'd rather not talk about it. After all, 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."

Here, Harrison looked away from the window and to one of his two pets as he continued petting Loki before he smiled thinly.

"Secrets should remain secret until the time is chosen for them to be spoken."

Hermione didn't know what she was meant to say in response to that.

However, before she could come up with a counter-argument, her eyes snapped to the door when a soft, if shaky knocking came from the other side of said door. While Harrison remained where he was sat, Hermione lifted herself out of her seat and opened the door; to her bewilderment, she found herself looking at a round-faced young boy with darkish-blond hair and eyes that were a dull shade of oak-brown, though, at that moment, they were filled with tears of sorrow and guilt.

"S-S-S-Sorry…" stammered the boy, earning a look from Harrison as he glanced towards said boy, though he didn't lift his head or otherwise move from his seat, "Have…have either of you…I mean…you wouldn't happen to have…erm…what I mean is…"

"Stop," said Harrison coolly, earning a shocked look from Hermione as she turned to see him get out of his seat and, walking to the door, he took the boy by the hand, "Sit down, take a few deep breaths and then ask what you've come here to ask."

While the boy was surprised by Harrison's generosity and the calm description of the instructions, Hermione was more surprised at the fact that this self-isolated, smart young man could suddenly be so calm and kind towards someone he'd never met before. At the same time, the boy took a deep breath, then another one and, when he took a third deep, long, drawn-out breath, he stopped crying, but he also appeared to recover from whatever fear, sorrow or even guilt he'd felt as he wiped his eyes and sniffed before nodding at Harrison.

Nodding in response, Harrison pulled himself up again as he asked, "Now, what have you come to ask us?"

"Have either of you seen a toad?" asked the boy, though he was much less tearful and much less-shaky as he looked up at Harrison and Hermione, both of whom shook their heads in response, "I was ordering from the trolley lady and he…he left my compartment before I could stop him."

"He probably went to seek somewhere dark, damp and out of the light," explained Harrison calmly, putting a finger to his lips before, to Hermione's shock, he drew his wand as he asked, "What's his name?"

"Uh…Trevor," replied the boy, before he blushed as he added, "Oh, and mine's Neville…Neville Longbottom."

"I'm Hermione Granger."

"Harrison," replied Harrison coolly, lifting the wand he held before, flicking it once, he added, "Accio Trevor the Toad."

While Hermione was surprised by the spell and the way that Harrison could cast it so calmly and without any emotion or intent in his voice at all, the surprise only grew when a loud croak suddenly filled the compartment as a greenish-coloured lump of slimy flesh flew through the door.

As if that wasn't enough, Harrison also managed to catch the flying toad before it splatted against the window, the wall or any of the kids.

Holding said toad out to Neville, Harrison asked, "This him?"

"Y…yes," replied Neville, a note of shock in his voice as he looked up at Harrison, "But…but that's a fourth-year spell; how did…"

"I read about it," answered Harrison calmly, looking to Hermione as he added, "That's just one of the spells I'll help you learn because you never know when a good summoning will come in handy. As for Trevor, Neville, I suggest getting him a tank or fishbowl and put some water and river plants in it; that should be enough to keep him calm when travelling through daylight."

"I…I will, I'll remember that, thank you, Harrison," replied Neville, nodding several times before he asked, "How…how can I repay you for this?"

"Call it a freebie," said Harrison, earning another stunned look from Neville, "However, if you want to owe me a favour, you can repay it by allowing yourself to become the wizard you clearly are, Neville Longbottom. And that's someone who's not a frightened rabbit; that's a lion with a roar so powerful, the mountains themselves tremble when you speak…even if it takes time for the little cub to earn his mane."

Again, Hermione was speechless, though Neville looked somewhere between surprised and humbled by his words.

As he nodded with a slight blush, the young boy looked up at Harrison with renewed interest as he asked, "I…I don't suppose I could stay here with you guys? An extra set of eyes to watch out for Trevor and…and it'd be nice to have a friend to travel with."

"I'm sure we've got the room," drawled Harrison before, to Hermione's surprise and Neville's relief, he summoned Neville's trunk to their now-shared compartment, setting them next to his before pocketing his wand as he returned to his seat, earning a mew from Loki as he curled up in Harrison's lap once more.

While Hermione was surprised by how calm and cavalier Harrison had been with his acceptance towards Neville's company, said boy was just as curious about Harrison and why he'd even be the way he was around Neville.

However, as had been the case several times before, Harrison seemed to lose interest in any conversations almost-instantly as he chose to spend the remainder of the journey reading from the Mystica.

So, any hopes of getting answers were likewise lost to Hermione and Neville.

At least, for the time being…

MoM

At long last, an announcement was sent along the train asking students to prepare for the arrival at Hogsmeade Station, though when it was advised that they leave all possessions on the train, Neville and Hermione noticed Harrison seemed hesitant to agree.

However, he did change into his Hogwarts robes in silence and made sure Loki was safely stored in his carry case whilst ensuring his suitcase was locked and sealed.

How he'd sealed it or how he was so certain nobody would be able to look in and see what he didn't want them to see, Hermione didn't know and Neville was likewise curious. However, at the same time, the remainder of the journey, including the meeting with Neville, had taught Hermione she didn't know what Harrison was capable of.

As for Neville, he just didn't ask, since he suspected that the coming days, weeks, months, and even years would offer him the chance to earn Harrison's trust so he could get the answers when Harrison was ready to give them.

Once the train slowed to a halt, Harrison seemed to take point as he led the other two off the train, bringing all three of them into contact with the rest of their schoolmates as they disembarked from the Hogwarts Express. Standing in the dark evening atmosphere of their destination, Neville shivered while Hermione closed her robe tighter around her.

As for Harrison, he idly brushed a stray hair away from his eyes while he watched and waited with the others.

Seconds later, a loud, booming voice cut through the darkness, startling Hermione and Neville while Harrison rolled his eyes, "First years; this way please! Come on now, first-years, don't be shy!"

"Sure, don't be shy," drawled Harrison under his breath, keeping his head down as he followed the crowd of first-years over to where a large man seemed to be waiting for them. "It's just a very loud man screaming for you to pay attention to him when you've just stepped off a train with little to no idea what you're doing or where you're going. Clearly subtlety's not his strong suit either, but at least we have a guide."

"You sound annoyed," remarked Hermione, earning a scoff from Harrison as he looked to her.

"Let's just say I hate loud people, as you should remember from our not-so-subtle classmate…and he already had a black mark against his name thanks to the first impression of his family," said Harrison, earning a curious look from Hermione while Neville managed a small smile as he followed his friends – though he was currently unaware of how Harrison saw him as a travelling companion only, for now – along the platform.

As they followed the large man, whom Harrison was loathed and disbelieving to notice didn't even explain anything, such as who he was or what he was doing waiting for them, the first-years were led away from the rest of the school's student populace and along a narrow, muddy track. At one point, Harrison had to scoff again when he heard an oddly-familiar, unimportant drawling voice behind him complain about his new shoes as though it was meant to mean something.

Talk about shallow.

Soon, however, the first-years found themselves led towards the edge of a large and, in Harrison's mind, rather-attractive-looking lake, which he guessed led them to Hogwarts, taking the scenic route while the rest of the school got there first.

Talk about stupid!

"No more than four to a boat!" called the large man, earning a sigh of relief from Harrison as he indicated his two companions.

"Come on, before we have to sit with silly people," remarked the raven-haired youth, leading a relieved Neville and Hermione to one of the boats.

When the trio were sat down, however, Harrison's blood ran colder than cold when the familiar voice from before was revealed in the form of the blond boy –Malfoy, if Harrison remembered rightly – from Madam Malkin's.

When he saw Harrison, Malfoy's eyes hardened before he asked, "So, you actually decided to show up?"

"How's your shoes?" asked Harrison, earning a snigger from Neville while Malfoy bristled as Harrison lifted a finger, "Word of advice: always have a change of footwear or protection charms in place against mud. That being said, I'd think Lucius Malfoy's son would know all about that."

Again, Malfoy's eyes widened with rage before Harrison smirked, "That's right: I know exactly who you are and, between you and me, I don't see much of an accord between us, Draco. I mean, I'm someone with the mental skill to think for himself whereas you clearly believe we're stuck in some Victorian socialist's circle and not a school, so here's another free word of advice: keep your eyes open and your mouth shut!"

Once again, Neville couldn't help but snigger in unspoken agreement while Hermione was speechless, though she was also in awe of Harrison's logic and how he talked about something that she'd also read about and, if anyone asked her, she'd have said it was a really archaic way of looking at the world with Pure-Bloods, Half-Bloods and Muggle-born students and families.

Blood was blood and magic was magic.

From the sounds of it – though it was just a theory on Hermione's part – Harrison had the same mindset…or he just didn't care.

As Malfoy fumed, he looked to Neville as he heard the sniggers before, to Harrison's dislike, he sneered, "Longbottom, how in magic's name does a pathetic little Squib like you get into Hogwarts? Shouldn't you be back at home being smothered by that Grandmother of yours?"

"Shouldn't you be practicing how to kiss You-Know-Who's behind like your Daddy, Malfoy?" sneered Neville, earning a hidden smile from Harrison while Draco's nostrils flared as he heard the insult.

"Just you wait…all of you!" snarled Malfoy, looking away, "Once Harry Potter's my second, we'll make you regret you ever crossed House Malfoy."

"Don't hold your breath," muttered Harrison.

"What?" asked Malfoy, earning a smirk from Harrison as he looked back to Draco.

"I said don't hold your breath, Dragon Boy," whispered Harrison, smirking with a hint of victory, "I have it on the highest authority that Harry Potter wouldn't want anything to do with a shallow, narrow-minded leech like you…but your Father, Lord Malfoy, on the other hand? I can see him taking an interest in an audience with such a proud man and figurehead of wizarding nobility."

Hearing this, Neville blinked in surprise while Harrison coughed as he looked ahead, "Oh look, we're here: come on, you two. Time and tide waits for no man…or woman; apologies, Hermione."

While Neville and Hermione were still speechless at Harrison's cavalier attitude and his air of mocking towards Malfoy's beliefs, the young sorcerer offered a hand to his companions to help them out of the boat.

However, when Malfoy extended his hand, expecting Harrison to help as he'd aided the others, he was outraged to discover Harrison had gone off without even waiting for the blonde to try and make a retort.

Well, just wait until his Father heard about this!

MoM

When Harrison found their introduction to Hogwarts given by none other than McGonagall, he was interested, but soon bored when he heard her recite what had to be a clearly, well-rehearsed welcome speech.

When she talked about their house being like their family, Harrison's interest hit rock bottom.

Soon, he took more of an interest in the ancient architecture of the Entrance Hall, though he was aware of McGonagall leaving for some unknown reason soon after. While everyone else began discussing among themselves, trying to tidy themselves up, Harrison idly toyed with the collar of his robe before, sniffing once, he drew his wand from his robe and began juggling it between his fingers like it was a coin.

He also kept his mind focused on what he wanted, especially since he'd realised by now that, soon, everyone would know who he was with the Sorting Ceremony, so Harrison needed to be in a state of perfect focus.

While he did his best to remain in this state, he also considered the pros and cons of each of the Houses, a part of him still wrestling with a question that had been niggling at his mind ever since Diagon Alley;

'Where do I want to end up? Where can someone like me belong?'

MoM

'First choice: Gryffindor House…not bloody likely.'

Everyone would want him to be a double of his parents or a big hero, which took Gryffindor off the list immediately.

Although he wouldn't have minded being in the House of a renowned Warrior Wizard, and not-so-living legend like Godric Gryffindor, especially if it meant getting a chance to seek his sword, Harrison was turned off the idea by the aforementioned reasons.

Either people would expect him to honour and live up to the reputations of his dead – and not coming back, no matter what anyone might try and do to dangle that carrot in front of him, Harrison kept reminding himself – parents, Lily and James Potter or they'd bend over backwards to try and be a friend and ally to the Boy-Who-Lived.

And if anyone wanted proof of that sort of person, they only had to look at Draco Malfoy.

So, no, Gryffindor was a dead no with regards to where Harrison wanted to go.

MoM

'Ravenclaw? Hmm…possibly…'

To Harrison, the idea of a House that valued knowledge certainly sounded like Harrison's cup of tea, but he had to be sure they deserved his friendship and, right now, a lot of potential in the House of Knowledge had the same downside as the Warrior's House.

People seeing him for being the Boy-Who-Lived.

So Ravenclaw was more or less on an ever-shifting pair of scales…not saying yes, but not saying no either.

Especially since their Head of House had already earned some modicum of his respect and vice-versa…

MoM

'The Neutral House of Hufflepuff?'

Hufflepuff, House of the Loyal, was also a possibility, but Harrison soon turned himself off the idea with one simple truth;

He was only loyal to three people: he, himself and his.

So, as quickly as he'd have liked the idea of Hufflepuff, he said no just as quickly.

MoM

'Last but not least; Slytherin. Home of the Cunning and Individual.'

Yes, it was the home of the Cunning, but also more-recently looked down on for being the Dark House, the proverbial black sheep in the flock.

As Harrison had learned, with a little help from the Mystica, several known Dark Wizards had come from the Serpent's Den, including, but not limited to the man responsible for Harrison being the way he was as an orphan and loner…The Dark Lord Voldemort.

But Harrison wouldn't let that deter him, especially not after reading about the mysteries and the history of Salazar Slytherin himself.

Admittedly, the Muggle-born bias didn't really interest Harrison, even with his bad history with their side, but there was one thing that immediately drew his attention like a fish being instantly hooked by a fat, juicy worm. Salazar Slytherin had, apparently, left a Chamber of Secrets somewhere inside Hogwarts, guarded by a monster whom protected Slytherin's treasures and secrets from the unwanted, the unwelcome and the unworthy.

So yes, Slytherin was also a possibility, if only to find that Chamber and discover the hidden secrets about Salazar Slytherin.

And if that meant Harrison somehow had to prove himself worthy, then so be it.

MoM

"Harrison?"

Shaking his head as he found his train of thought broken by Hermione's voice, Harrison looked up in time to see McGonagall had returned and was now leading the students into the Great Hall for the start of the Sorting Ceremony.

Silently thanking Hermione for the heads-up, Harrison drew himself to his full height and walked into the hall, ignoring the stares and whispers as well as the impressive air of grandeur and awe that filled the hall with its decorations and the wonders of its setup.

Reaching the front of the gathering with his future classmates, Harrison tuned out some uninteresting message from the Headmaster of Hogwarts, who seemed to spend most of his lecture looking at Harrison, which made Harrison feel uncomfortable and annoyed.

He didn't know why he was suddenly the focus of the old man's attention, but he wouldn't give Dumbledore the satisfaction of seeing him crack beneath the stare. At one point, Harrison also felt something cold trickle down the back of his neck, but not before he felt like some weight had been lifted from his shoulders as the man's words ended, followed by the start of the Sorting.

Once again, Harrison tuned out many of the names, only paying attention when it mattered.

For instance, when Hermione was called up, she made her way forwards with a worried look in her eyes, but when she faced Harrison as she sat on the stool, the emerald-eyed scion offered her what could have been described as a friendly, reassuring smile.

Moments later, the Sorting Hat made its choice: "GRYFFINDOR!"

'No,' thought Harrison, trying to keep the apathy on his face even as he saw Hermione make her way to the Gryffindor Table.

If anyone had asked him, he would have sworn blind that he'd have seen her as being more-suited to Ravenclaw with a keen mind and as strong a thirst for knowledge as hers was, but, clearly, magic and the Powers That Be thought differently. Still, for Hermione to have to deal with such an unnecessarily-loud and, from the way they greeted her with handshakes and cheers, personal-space-invading House like that, Harrison couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Or rather, he did until, to his slight amusement and relief, Neville followed Hermione into Gryffindor House and, to Harrison's added relief, the young man also took a seat next to Hermione, as though shielding her or keeping an eye on her for the sake of someone else.

And, weirdly, Harrison got a sneaking suspicion he was that someone else.

When Draco Malfoy was called up, Harrison didn't know whether to laugh or just think Fate was being a sarcastic bitch for sending the boy to one of the two Houses Harrison was considering, meaning Slytherin House. If he had any sort of cunning to him, let alone a talent for being his own man, it was clearly buried very deeply in a place that even the prat didn't know existed.

'Still, who knows? He might still surprise me,' thought Harrison, though he smirked, 'I know, in a few names, I'm going to surprise him and everyone else at the same time.'

Sure enough, a few names after Malfoy, Harrison steeled his features and put on his best expressionless look as he heard McGonagall call out his name, though when she did so, his glare hardened.

"Potter, Harry?"

Ignoring the ire that rose in him, Harrison walked forwards, as calm as you like; when he did so, he heard a few gasps from the crowds, as well as a gasp of pure shock, disbelief and outrage from the Slytherin Table. However, Harrison did his best to ignore the gasps and reactions and, instead, he took a seat on the stool before he closed his eyes as the Sorting Hat was lowered down.

However, as the hat's rim brushed Harrison's fringe, everyone gasped when the old hat made its choice as quickly as it had done for Mr Malfoy;

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Cheers erupted throughout the Great Hall, though as they did so, even Harrison gasped when the hat spoke again;

"NO WAIT…I MEAN…HUFFLEPUFF!"

Cheers died down, whispers rose up and people stared in disbelief and confusion, but the hat didn't seem to be done;

"NO…RAVENCLAW!"

"What on earth is going on?" demanded a sharp male voice from behind Harrison's right-hand side, almost as though he knew what might be about to happen before, sure enough, the hat finished;

"OH MERLIN…MAYBE SLYTHERIN!"

"What's going on here?" asked McGonagall, looking from the hat to Harrison before she looked to Dumbledore as she asked, "What do we do?"

"I…" Dumbledore began, but before he could finish, the Sorting Hat seemed to fill in the blanks as he gave another announcement;

"THIS STUDENT IS NOT TO BE SORTED INTO ANY HOUSE!"

There were no cheers that rose up, no whispers save those that sounded curious, confused and more than just a little suspicious of what was happening and, even as Harrison looked up, seeing the shocked face of McGonagall staring back at him, he could think of only one thing to say;

"Well, this is interesting…what do we do now, ladies and gentlemen?"

Chapter 4 and, in the BIGGEST change with this edited version of my most-popular-slash-controversial story, it looks like the Sorting Hat flat-out refuses to sort Harrison: why?

Also, what will the scholarly student-to-be do with the impossible situation thrust into his hands?

Back to the Muggles?

Or is there something that can be done?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Harry Potter is not to stay in Hogwarts and not be Sorted? Impossible…can anything save Harrison's future? Hmm…maybe a certain teacher and the Boy-Who-Lived's own readings…huh; anyone might think he planned this!

Please Read and Review

AN: Change

So, instead of all houses like the original, I've gone the opposite way and had the hat refuse to sort him;

The explanation in the next chapter might annoy a couple of people and the way I plan on having Harrison and co handle it might also upset some, but, at the end of the day, I rewrote this tale of wonder and edited it accordingly to try and compensate for my faux pas in the first edition.

AN2: Loki

Also, I just had to keep my favourite character from the first draft and, in case anyone's wondering, Loki looks like Salem Saberhagen from the 90s Sabrina the Teenage Witch series;