Chapter 23: Days Gone By
Slowly, Harry trudged back toward Gryffindor tower, Hermione keeping a concerned, companionable silence beside him. Harry ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the prophecy in his left hand and the rough parchment of his right.
Before the stairs up to the tower, Hermione grabbed Harry and pulled him into an abandoned room, the same one they used for Harry to read his dad's father.
"How are you?" Hermione gazed at Harry intensely.
"I'm fine," Harry deflected.
"You're not fine," Hermione said. "I'm not fine and none of that conversation was relevant to me personally."
"It's not like I learned anything groundbreaking," Harry said. "I knew Voldemort was after me. But to have my parents killed because of me? That stings, I won't lie. It makes me hate him a little. He wanted to kill a baby and got what he deserved."
Tears fell from his eyes as Hermione wrapped him up in a tight hug.
"What will he do next time?" Harry asked quietly. "Who will he go after next time?"
"Everyone he would go after, you have taken steps to protect. Anyway, it's something to tackle at a later date. It doesn't help to think about it now."
"Then there's this," Harry held his mothers letter. "Dumbledore held on to it. I can't believe it…"
"At least you got it now," Hermione gently took the letter and started to open it. "Imagine if Dumbledore waited a few years…"
Slowly, Harry read the letter from his mother.
My baby boy,
I can't believe I am writing this. Right now you are asleep in your crib and I am writing a letter to you in case I die. It makes me feel ancient but I guess that's what you get when you piss of maniacal overlord. I love you so much my son, my darling baby. You have my eyes (apologies to the girls' hearts you're going to break) and so much of your father…
A while back, Albus Dumbledore came to us and told us there was a prophecy regarding you and Voldemort. I don't know the specifics but I do know that it is something of a you-or-him scenario and I have to tell you: my money's on you. I am working on something that could possibly save your life, at a terrible cost. Hopefully I don't need to use it.
I might be biased but you are destined for great things. Just remember to build a strong group around you. Make it impossible for Voldemort to get to you without going through an entire army.
During school, he was rising to power and I saw it firsthand. Within the school, everyone doubted if their friends were really Death Eaters (what he calls his servants) or not. Doubt was everywhere and you could tell those who were falling. One of my friends, Severus, was very in with that crowd. He never subscribed to their pureblood mania but he was tight with those who were. In school, I think our friendship was the only thing that kept him from crossing over completely.
One day, I helped rescue from him your father and his friends. On that day, he did something inexcusable and I couldn't ignore his shift toward the dark anymore. Our friendship died that day. Then, when your father stopped being an arrogant pillock (he would tell you as much) and I fell in love with him, I felt Severus' bitterness.
Severus was my first friend in the magical world. It made it easier to take my sister's ostracization. He was kind to me, helped me learn to feel the magic within me and helped me brew better Potions.
Last I heard, he had joined up and taken the mark. I hope he regrets it, really I do. He used to be such a sweet boy but I don't know where that boy went. I would like to think he is still in there somewhere.
In your time at Hogwarts, you will make friends and you will make enemies. In my year at Hogwarts I met Alice who would eventually marry Frank Longbottom. Hopefully you are able to get to know her as she is your godmother. I know I'll always miss her laugh as it would brighten the entire castle. On the other end, I had the severe displeasure to meet a woman name Delores Umbridge. Oh how I hated her. Every day she disparaged my blood, my upbringing, everything to try to get to me. Oh how I would love to make that toad croak…
Anyways, when I look back on my time at Hogwarts, I only remember the good times, the best people. Ideally you're in my lap reading this letter and we are laughing but if not, I hope you are being raised well. If not, I am coming back to take chunks out of Sirius' hide. Say hello to Alice for me.
I love you so much, Harry. Be kind, study hard and always remember that we both love you with our entire being.
All my love,
Lily
Harry reached the end, tears falling freely. As nice as it was to read, it still hurt that he would never get to know his mother. All he had was a collection of pictures, this letter and his green eyes.
"Do you think she means Snape?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Severus is a rather unique name," Hermione's brain churned on the possibilities. "Maybe that's why Professor Snape tried to save you last year… and also why he hates you.
"It seems like he was very close with your mum and seeing her fall for his archrival must have been very hard to take," Hermione continued to talk, Harry nodding along.
"Well regardless, we should be careful around him," Harry said. "If he was a Death Eater, there's no guarantee he's reformed. He could just be biding his time. What do you make of this mention of Sirius?"
"No idea. Maybe Professor McGonagall would know," Hermione yawned. "Come on, it's late. We should get to bed."
Slowly they walked up to the portrait of the Fat Lady.
She gave him one last hug before heading toward her dorm.
"Good night, Harry," Hermione said just before she moved out of sight.
"Sleep well, Hermione," Harry said. He went up, found his trunk at the foot of his bed. Opening it, he placed the orb inside before placing the letter with his father's. Everyone was fast asleep by the time he rolled onto his bed. He lay there, staring up at the ceiling, pondering everything he heard tonight.
First the prophecy, then Dumbledore's past and finally his mum's letter. Was Snape really her friend? How did Harry feel about Albus Dumbledore? Did he even stand a chance against Voldemort? He's survived twice because of his mother and a lot of luck. How long would his luck hold out?
He ran his hands over the lightning bolt scar, pondering his life if he didn't have it. Before he realized it, the sun was rising and he hadn't slept a wink.
It's going to be a long day, he told himself as he got ready to start the day. Stepping off the stairs into the common room, a cranky Harry was met with an over-exuberant blonde boy.
"Harry!" The boy ran up. "Can you believe we're in the same house? Oh this is so exciting! I get to learn magic with THE Harry Potter."
"Colin," Harry tried to calm him down but that was like calming down a Golden Retriever with a tennis ball. "How are you this morning?"
Even to himself, Harry noticed his stiff tone of voice.
"Oh I'm wonderful! I can't wait to get started! They say Transfiguration is tough but I can't wait to try. Is it true about Professor Snape? Oh and what about Charms? Do you know…
"Colin!" Harry snapped which made the boy back off, an abashed look on his face. "Sorry, it's been a rough night. Can you slow down for me?"
"No it's okay," the boy hung his head and walked out the portrait hole.
"You're amazing with the younger ones," came Hermione's voice, a small smile on her face. "Another couple encounters like that, they'll make you a prefect for sure."
"I should go apologize," Harry admitted. "I didn't mean to snap at him."
"You look terrible," Hermione looked Harry in the eyes. "Did you sleep well? Or at all?"
"Course I did," Harry replied, avoiding eye contact.
"Don't lie to me, Harry Potter," Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You always deflect when you're upset."
Harry let out a heavy sigh.
"Okay, I didn't sleep," he admitted. "I went up to bed and just couldn't fall asleep. Spent the whole night thinking over everything and before I knew it, the sun was rising. I'll be fine, really. I'm just processing a lot of new information. I feel like the world is different than it was yesterday and it'll never be the same again."
"Change happens whether we want it or not. I am just glad Dumbledore told you now so you have time to deal with it," Hermione said. "Let's head down to breakfast. Some food will do you some good."
Together they stepped through the portrait hole and navigated their way down to the Great Hall, using all the shortcuts they had learned through the previous year.
"Remember a year ago?" Hermione mused aloud. "Trying to find our way down?"
"Sinking into a step and then falling down the stairs?" Harry smiled. "No I can't say I remember that in perfect detail."
Hermione laughed as they stepped through the doorway into the Great Hall. Harry looked up and saw Colin's blonde head sitting halfway down the table. He was eating alone, looking morose.
Without thinking, Harry moved to the space across from him.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" Harry asked. Colin nodded slowly. "Colin, I am sorry for snapping at you. I didn't sleep well last night and I took out my frustration on you."
"That's okay," Colin played it off. "I know I was asking so many stupid questions and I'm sure it annoyed you. It's not the first time, you don't have to apologize."
"Yes I do," Harry stated plainly. "You were excited for your first day and I reacted poorly. I am sorry. Can you forgive me?"
"Yes, Harry," Colin smiled. "You are forgiven."
"And if you have questions," Harry gestured toward Hermione. "You should ask her. This is Hermione Granger: smartest witch of the age, top of the class and my best friend."
"Really?" Colin said. "What's it like being best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived?"
"It's never boring, I can assure you that," Hermione playfully poked Harry with her elbow. "And he doesn't love being called the Boy-Who-Lived, for what it's worth. Just stick with Harry."
Colin nodded and they struck up a quick conversation about Hogwarts and its classes. While Colin talked, Hermione poured Harry a cup of coffee.
"To help you stay awake today," she whispered. Harry gagged at his first sip before adding enough cream and sugar to make the bitter liquid palatable.
"I have one last question, a request actually," Colin asked tentatively. "Would you might taking a photo with me? I am taking a series of photos of the castle to send home and I'd love to have a photo with you in it."
Harry saw the helpful look on the boy's face and relented, nodded his assent.
"On one condition," Harry said. "I'd like you to take a photo of me and my friends as well. Would that be possible?"
Colin nodded and they started to put a real effort into breakfast when a small red head plopped down next to Colin.
"Good morning, Ginny," Harry said.
"Morning," the girl squeaked. Even though she wouldn't speak, she did stare at him in a way that made him uncomfortable. Sensing his discomfort, Hermione ate her breakfast quickly, finishing just as McGonagall dropped off their new schedules.
"Starting with Transfiguration and Charms," Hermione said. "Potions on Friday again. Herbology and Defense the other days. Not bad"
Harry looked across the table at the blonde boy and got an idea.
"Hey Colin? You want to learn a faster way to the common room?"
"Yes!" Colin said. "I was lucky to remember how to get back down. The prefect Alicia was really good about getting us to remember the way but it felt like it took forever."
Together Harry, Hermione and Colin stood, leaving a disappointed Ginny behind them.
"I'll grab my camera and we can take the photos, okay?" Colin said. "Would you mind signing one?"
"Signed photos?" Harry groaned as Draco's voice announced his detestable reference. "You're giving away signed photos?"
"Why, Draco?" Harry shot back. "Are you looking to buy one? Hoping to put one by your bed so you can remember me?"
"No I think he wants a poster that he can pin above his bed," Hermione joined in.
"Well if you want," Colin caught on quickly. "I could get one of him looking at you longingly. It wouldn't be a big deal."
Malfoy scoffed and moved off into the hall.
"Nice one, Colin" Harry laughed. "That was Draco Malfoy. Ignore whatever he says, okay? As for pictures, how about we do it later in the week, when we have more time?"
Shortly before classes were due to start, Harry and Hermione met up with Colin, Luna and another first year, Demelza Robins, whom they showed the way to Charms before heading to McGonagall's classroom.
Classes were much the same as the previous year. Charms was fun, Transfiguration taxing, Herbology messy and Potions annoying. Worst of all was defense, however.
"Welcome to Defense of the Dark Arts," Lockhart smiled from the head of the class. He had a covered cage rattling next to him. "Rather Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am Gilderoy Lockhart, though you obviously know who I am, let's see how well you actually know me."
He passed out a sheet of parchment with 30 questions on it, all pertaining to himself. After 10, Harry gave up and just wrote as many scathing answers as he preferred. He particularly enjoyed Lockharts face when he read his answers, specifically his response to "Where does Gilderoy keep his wand?" to which Harry wrote "his ass."
"Tsk, tsk," Lockhart shook his head. "Many of you forgot my favorite color is lilac. Though congratulations to Miss Granger. You got every question right."
Hermione looked torn between pleased from being complimented and annoyed at the contents of said test.
"Now that you know me," Lockhart smiled again, making Harry want to throw something at him. "It is time for me to get to know you."
With a flourish, he pulled the cover off the cage to reveal small sprite=looking creatures.
"Pixies?" Seamus said. "That's all!?"
"Don't let their looks fool you. Awfully tricky these can be. Let's see what you do with them!"
He opened the cage and let the creatures loose. Chaos reigned in the classroom. 10 pixies descended on Ron, picking him up and hoisting him onto the chandelier.
"Don't worry, I'm on the way," Lockhart rushed forward and flourished his wand.
"Stupefy!" He shouted. Except with his wand flourishes, he had his wand pointed at himself and knocked himself out cold, falling hard on top of his wand.
Harry rolled his eyes and looked to Hermione.
"Guess this is as good a time as any to practice some our new spells," he smiled at her. "Immobulus!"
A few pixies froze in midair.
"Incarcerous," Hermione bound the pixies Harry froze. Sensing a new target, the pixies descended on the two.
"Impedimenta," Harry cast, slowing the group.
"Bombarda!" Neville shouted, pushing the pixies back with a sickening crunch.
"You've been practicing," Harry looked over his shoulder and smiled at the blonde boy.
"Just be glad I'm not using Confrigo," Neville gave Harry a rakish smile as he stepped close to Harry as the three developed quick chemistry and before long, all the pixies had been subdued.
"Idiot," Daphne said, extricating herself from underneath the desk. "Didn't even teach us a spell to take care of them."
She walked up to the trio picking up the pixies.
"Potter," she said, plainly. "You and Granger seemed to know what to do. Would you mind teaching the rest of us? Lockhart might be pretty but it turns out he's just pretty dumb."
"Blimey," Crabbe said. "You two are quite the thing to see in action. I would very much like to learn this."
"We'll talk to Professor McGonagall," Harry said. "Susan Bones and I thought Lockhart might be like this so we are talking about doing something similar as we did with Potions."
"You just love it, don't you Potter?" Draco sneered. "All these extra classes just to make yourself look smart."
"I do like knowing how to defend myself," Harry said plainly. "It's a good skill we all should learn and we won't learn it from him."
Harry pointed to the teacher who was still unconscious.
"Anyone who wants to learn would be welcome. Even you, Draco."
"This is fun and all but can someone get me the fuck down!" Ron shouted from the chandelier.
"Language, Ronald," Hermione said. A simple Wingardium Leviosa later, Hermione smirked at the irony, and Ron was once again on the ground.
Leaving the classroom, Harry headed toward McGonagall's office and soon, the Defense Association was formed with McGonagall herself overseeing the group. She even found an unused room on the third floor that would work for their needs. It was a huge room longer than it was wide with big windows. Thanks to the quick work of Professor Flitwick, he added a few fountains and some benches around the perimeter, to create a soothing place to relax while keeping the middle open for the Defense Association to duel. In short, it provided a gathering place for everyone outside of class, whether to study or just relax with students from other houses.
The only rule to the room was no fighting, wands or otherwise, outside the Defense Association meetings. Hermione was the one to christen the room Geneva after she had shot down Harry's idea of 10 Forward.
"Ugh!" She facepalmed hard at his suggestion. "Leave it my father to corrupt you. Star Wars, Star Trek, Top Gun…. What's next?"
"I like Geneva, personally," Neville said. "It fits what we're going for better."
"Fine…" Harry huffed before everyone else agreed to the name. Between Quidditch, the Defense Association, the Potions Club and their sessions with Flitwick, Harry realized his time was going to become tight and that was before he was awakened on Saturday at dawn by his Quidditch captain..
"Wazzup," Harry said, sleepily.
"Come on," Wood said. "Practice."
Shaking the cobwebs out of his brain, Harry showered before grabbing his Nimbus and pulled out his Quidditch practice robe, languidly moving down the stairs. He made it into the locker room to find the twins leaning on one another, Fred snoring as George kept him from falling over. Katie was staring very intently at the floor while Angelina kept poking Alicia awake.
"Harry!" Oliver was the only one chipper. "Come in! Come in! I was just telling the team I've devised a whole series of new moves! We missed the cup by this much" (he held up his thumb and forefinger) "so that means we have to work twice as hard."
The next half hour, Wood showed them diagram after diagram, each one more boring than the next. Finally, he told them to mount up. Glad to be out of the locker room, Harry stepped out onto the pitch. It rained the previous night and the pitch was a little muddy from the moisture sticking to it.
"Haven't you finished?" Hermione asked from the stands. Sitting next to her was the entire second year plus Luna, Ginny and Colin with his camera.
"Haven't even started," Harry yawned. "Wood's been going over strategy."
Turning away, Harry threw his broom out in front of him, shouting "up!" as he ran toward it. Mounting it on the fly, Harry's senses came to full alert. Feeling the wind whipping through his hair made him feel free. Performing a series of loops and rolls, Harry formed up with the rest of his teammates. He could hear Colin snapping pictures.
"What's with the camera?" Oliver said. "He's not a Slytherin spy, is he?"
"No, he's a Gryffindor," Harry said. "He's taking pictures to send home. Actually we should have him do team photos at some point, now that I think of it."
"And Slytherin doesn't need a spy," George said. "They're over there."
Harry turned to see seven green-clad individuals were strutting onto the field.
"What's this Flint?" Wood demanded as the Gryffindors flew down and dismounted their brooms. "I booked the pitch for this time slot!"
"We've been given special permission from Professor Snape," Flint thrust a small strip of parchment into Wood's chest. "To train our new seeker."
On cue, the team parted to show the blonde locks of Draco Malfoy.
Of course it's Malfoy, Harry thought as he saw the other Gryffindors flocking toward the teams, Hermione in the lead.
"That's not all," Flint sneered in triumph. As one, every Slytherin player turned their brooms. Nimbus 2001, every broom read. "A donation from Malfoy's father."
"Aren't they nice, Potter?" Draco drawled. "Top of the line. Outstrips the previous model in speed and those Cleansweeps? They'll look like butterflies next to these hawks."
"Well at least they didn't have to buy their way onto the team," Hermione shot at Draco. "It's a shame that you can't buy talent."
"Close your mouth when you're talking to me, you filthy little mudblood," Draco shouted.
The Weasleys, Ron included, surged forward only to be held back by the chasers. Draco took the advantage and stepped toward Hermione, not recognizing the latter had her wand drawn. Hermione whispered a tripping jinx, causing Draco to fall face-first onto the pitch. Caked in mud, he advanced on her once again, causing Harry to step in front of her.
"I'll get you for that you filthy mudblood," Draco said, wiping the mud from his face.
"Talk about being filthy, mudface," Hermione spat back.
"Oh Draco, is that how you keep your skin looking so radiant?" Lavender called out. "I haven't tried that; how does the mud work with opening your pores."
At that moment, who should appear but Lockhart.
"What seems to be the issue?" Lockhart examined Draco's face. "Oh taking my skincare suggestions to heart, are we? Though I think you should probably use my special face mask product. The mud here is fine but my product is guaranteed to make your skin ALMOST as good as mine"
The Gryffindors were all doubled over in laughter as Draco and the Slytherins all retreated.
"Hermione…" Fred called out. "You have to tell us your secret. We never had a prank so well executed."
"Well tragedy plus time equals comedy," Hermione said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I honestly didn't plan on the who Lavender-Lockhart angle but I admit it was rather… satisfying."
"Oh lord," Oliver pinched the bridge of his nose. "If this keeps up, Gryffindor won't be safe from anyone.
Without the distraction of the Slytherins, the Gryffindor team held their normal practice and redoubled their efforts after seeing their rivals' brooms. After practice, Harry went up to Fred and George.
"Fred? George?" he got their attention. "How old are your brooms?"
"About as old as the school brooms, I'd say," Fred grimaced. It was an exaggeration but not by much. "Why do you ask?"
"Well…" Harry made sure they were alone. "I was hoping we could go into business or rather… I could fund yours. I've heard some of the things you're working on in the common room?"
"You have?" George asked.
"How?" Fred.
"I learned last year that when you were quiet that you were working and when you were quiet, so was the common room," Harry explained. "With the quiet, I could hear some of what you are working on. It sounds promising.
"After giving Gringotts an idea that made a good bit of money, I thought it would be good to be on the lookout for more opportunities. I assume you're working on a joke shop, right?"
"Remind me not to underestimate you, Harry," George smiled at him. "We think Zonko's is getting too comfortable. They haven't developed anything new a decade and we want to change that. What do you have in mind?"
"I'll contact Gripclaw and have him do an investment fund for you of a couple hundred galleons. In addition, I'll buy a couple of the new Cleansweep brooms for you. They won't be a Nimbus but…"
"Nimbuses are great for Seekers and not bad for Chasers but they're not the best for Beaters," Fred said. "A good Beater broom should be more balanced than speedy."
"Well then, I'll send a letter to Gringotts and get this all set up."
"Thank you, Harry," the twins said simultaneously.
"We wanted to open our own shop but we were trying to figure out a way to build any capital to do it," Fred added.
"Our family is great but…" George started.
"Money is tight, for sure," Fred finished.
"Just remember to work hard cause I'd like to see a return on my investment, okay?" The next thing Harry knew, the twins were speeding off, filled with mischievous glee.
"Why do I fear you just woke a dragon and filled it with glorious purpose?" Hermione asked.
"Probably because I have," Harry smiled. "Don't worry, as an investor, they won't want to do anything to piss me off and pranking you would DEFINITELY piss me off."
Hermione rolled her eyes as they walked toward the Great Hall for the last bit of breakfast.
(A/N: Okay so in subsequent chapters, I am going to have Hogwarts revolt against Lockhart, similar to Umbridge and I was hoping for suggestions for pranks someone might pull on him. I have a few but I'm guessing you all have some excellent ideas.)