Chapter 2:

[First classes]

Harry Potter did not hold back his more advanced knowledge. In Flitwick's Charms class he cast the Lumos charm, lighting up his wand on the first try.

Before the first Transfiguration class, Harry and Hermione practiced their match to needle transfigurations. They both completed it perfectly on their first try. Neville couldn't. Harry knew that it was due to having a wand not matched to him.

The night before, Harry, Hermione, and Neville were practicing. Ron came over and said, "Let's play exploding snap." Hermione was about to lecture him, but Harry interrupted and said, "You go do that if you'd like, but I'd prefer to develop my magic."

In McGonagall's class she appeared as a cat. That was in the movie, but not the book. Harry told Hermione, "Look at the shape of her glasses." They were both sitting at the front, and McGonagall could hear them.

Harry continued, "I've been learning the Animagus Reversal Spell, but it would be rude to cast it on someone."

When McGonagall transformed back to herself, she said, "1 point to Gryffindor for good observation skills. Another 2 points for refraining from trying to learn a spell by casting it at someone."

[Meeting with the headmaster]

An owl delivered an invitation for Harry to visit the headmaster.

Harry arrived at Dumbedore's office who twinkled his eyes and said, "How has Hogwarts been, my boy?"

Harry said, "Fine, so far."

Dumbledore said, "I must admit I was surprised you weren't with your relatives. Who have you been living with?"

Harry said, "I am going to deal with you directly, not in a roundabout manner.

I'll outline some aspects of our relationship. First, I have not agreed to be called, my boy. You can say Heir Potter for now, Mr. Potter if you must, but I'll give permission to call me Harry when we've reached that point.

I have been staying with my relatives, just a different one related to my mother than you were aware of. Your blood ward was fairly simple, but its useful parts were transferred, with a mirror of it at Privet Drive so you would be unaware of its move.

You do not own the boy who lived.

I know things. I know the complete prophecy and I will be working to prevent Mr. Riddle's resurrection.

If you overstep in attempting to control me, we will be enemies. For all I know you could then be considered the dark lord in the prophecy. Yes, I am arrogant enough to take on both you and Tom if needed.

If we work together, it will be as allies, not me as a sacrificial puppet. We got rid of that sort of horcrux in my scar with some ancient South American magic. I do not need to be sacrificed to eliminate Mr. Riddle.

And if you think you have figured out the one true meaning of: and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. Well, there are too many surprising ways that could turn out and prophecies usually do that.

My step-parents have been training me, as you should have. You clearly didn't expect me to fight successfully or you would have raised me and trained me to fight. Before you say you wanted me to enjoy my childhood in peace, the Dursleys would have tried to beat the magic out of me. You know what happened to Ariana, and I do not see how you could have let that happen to me. So you have some steps to make up before I'll consider you an ally."

Dumbledore slowly said, "Heir Potter, that is quite a lot you have said. Would you agree to let me verify the truth of it? There are some more alarming hypotheses I could have about the source of your knowledge."

Harry said, "First, you should know that if I do not report in, with evidence of an undisturbed mind, certain actions will be initiated. Second, there is a service provided by Gringotts to ensure true statements. Not the same as veritaserum, since there are no compelled statements, just any statement made will be verified to be true. You should also know that Gringotts has verified that my step-mother shares the blood of my mother. We could visit Gringotts, even tonight if you wish. I have already reserved this service. "

Dumbledore said, "I think that would be a good idea. At the moment you are a mystery, that could indeed be a dangerous mystery."

They went to Gringotts by floo after giving the code that Harry had which referred to the pre-booked meeting service.

A Goblin said, "Drink." He continued, "You can say nothing. You can give a partial truth, but then you will be need to add to that statement that there are material facts missing. At the end of each statement, you will press a button. There will be a flag indicating truth as the speaker knows it or not. Don't try to hide your own memories from yourself. We will detect that and will not think well of anyone doing that."

Dumbledore asked, "Is everything you said in my office true, as far as you know?"

Harry said, "Yes." The truth flag appeared.

"Are you Harry James Potter, born on July 31, 1980?" "Yes."

"Are you under the influence of Tom Riddle in any of his guises including Voldemort?" "No."

"Are your step-parents supporters of Tom Riddle, Voldemort, or Death Eaters?"

"No. However, there is one falsely accused of being a Death Eater that they support, Sirius Black"

"Do they have evidence of this?"

"I plan to gather that evidence soon, at a meal in the Great Hall."

Dumbledore asked, "You ask for an alliance. What do you bring to the table?"

Harry answered, "Several things. I have knowledge that you will not get likely get access to without my intention. I have the public persona of the boy who lived. You believe that only I can defeat Voldemort. I am extremely well trained and getting more so as well as being magically powerful. I have good reason to think that some day I will lead magical Britain and perhaps beyond." After showing the truth flag. "The fact that I believe that means either I am deluded or actually have that potential. I'll not get into that further now."

Harry started asking questions, "Are you aware that Quirell is hosting Voldemort physically under his turban?"

Dumbledore answered, "Not certain, but I suppose I now am. I intended to draw whoever might be possessed by him or was helping his spirit into a trap."

Harry asked, "With the real philosophers stone?

Dumbledore answered, "I won't answer that. Consider that for the trap to work, Voldemort or his helpers would need to believe that to be true."

Harry said, "I don't feel like getting past Fluffy with music, then the plant with fire or light, maybe with Neville's plant skills, then the keys with my flying skill, then the chess game with Ron's chess skills, then the potions with Hermione's logic skills. If the troll is around then maybe levitate its club above its head and drop it. And then finally while Quirrel would appear there demanding the stone while the mirror will give it to me because I don't want it, but Quirrelmort would know that, and I'd have a real fight on my hands.

Can't you just put the unpleasant fellow in stasis? If you kill Quirrel, Riddle's spirit will just go elsewhere and continue possessing until someone finally tries to re-alive him. You know that Quirrel cannot survive, especially since they have killing unicorns and drinking their blood."

Dumbledore answered, "You make everything sound simple. Heir Potter, you will be a worthy ally. Can I please call you Harry?"

Harry said, "Sure, and the occasional my boy might be accepted if I can call you Albus."

Dumbledore said, "Not when there is anyone else present, except maybe your step-parents." He continued, "I didn't think training you to fight would have helped since Voldemort is so advanced. It would take decades as well as being at a similar strength level before being able to stand against him."

Harry answered, "This is why you need me as an ally, not as someone who just does what you say. You're logic is missing pieces. Yes, you are correct about fighting Voldemort at his full strength, but the plan is never to allow that to happen.

However, you forget about all of his supporters who have not been jailed. Some of them might feel a little revenge is in order against me who they consider responsible for what happened that night. I might add it is your description of those events that gives them that impression. You don't think my mother might not have had something to do with it?"

Dumbledore answered, "There are different possibilities as to what happened. I admit I went with the version that would help guide the public the best. Yes, I also acknowledge that my explanation could lead to some wanting revenge against you. I am sorry for not considering that and in not considering that you should know how to fight against their skill level. Seeing your abilities so far, I think you are capable of reaching that level soon."

[The next afternoon]

Dumbledore reflected on his meeting with Harry Potter. He was glad that Harry didn't ask him more about his planned treatment at the Dursleys. The monitoring devices would have made sure that it never would have gotten bad enough to turn Harry into an Obscurial. He had actually hoped that Petunia would treat him well. Petunia had begged to be allowed to attend Hogwarts, and while perhaps jealous of Lily surely wouldn't be of Harry. Or perhaps the fact that Lily died would be an impetus to try to keep Harry out of that world by preventing him from having magic. In any case his original plan was for Harry to emerge naive and thankful for being brought into the wizarding world.

Dumbledore asked Quirrel, "I'd like to get your opinion on Harry Potter, and maybe help me put together some extra lessons for him. Come with me so I can show you some projects I started planning."

When they were in the headmaster's office, Dumbledore sprang a trap on Quirrel and Voldemort, freezing them both, and transfigured them into a marble encased in what looked like glass.

[At the Great Hall]

Dinner started with an announcement that Professor Quirrel had some urgent personal business to attend to and would no longer be teaching."

Fred and George Weasley were passing around coins, "September bets win."

George said, "Nice betting Fred. I had better hopes for the guy. He seemed so inoffensive. I bet for June."

Fred answered, "I was betting on September garlic poisoning or maybe Snape being a vampire and getting revenge on Quirrel."

At dinner, Harry looked at Dumbledore, making sure he got his attention. He loudly told Hermione, "I think I learned the spell, and like McGonagall said, I won't practice on a person." Harry then suddenly aimed his wand at Ron's pet rat Scabbers, who was eating food Ron gave him, and called out the incantation.

The rat turned into Peter Pettigrew. Dumbledore was instantly on the scene, stunning him. More than one person in the hall called out, "That was Peter Pettigrew. He was supposed to have been killed by Sirius Black."

Just before being moved from Askaban for his trial, Q switched Sirius to his cell. Q stayed around, invisible, to protect Sirius from any attempt on his life, and to keep Dementors away.

At the combined trial for Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black, Pettigrew admitted under veritaserum to being the Potter's secret keeper and to killing the muggles that Sirius Black was blamed for.

Sirius was freed and given some galleons in payment for his incarceration without a trial.

Harry Potter pretended to meet Sirius for the first time.

[Potions class]

Snape suddenly asked "Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry answered, "If you also add sloth brain and sopophorius bean's juice, you can get the draught of living death. Some think that the a silver dagger should be use to crush the bean, sir."

Snape was unnerved. His own technique to more efficiently release the juices of the bean was mentioned.

Snape asked "Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?

Potter answered, "Stomach of a goat, sir.

Snape asked, "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Potter answered, "They are the same, sir. And sir, asphodel is a type of lily and has a meaning in Victorian Flower language of my regrets follow you to the grave, and wormwood means absence and also symbolizes bitter sorrow. I appreciate your sentiments."

Snape said, "5 points from Gryffindor for saying too much."

[Gryffindor Common Room]

Unlike in canon, Neville didn't destroy his cauldron. Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Seamus practiced the first potions the night before the class. Ron said, "You guys are mental, studying all the time."

Harry reflected that he prevented the troll and unicorn plot points. Oh, well. The troll fight cannot be guaranteed to be won without losses.

How to get Ron over his attitude? This was one of the plot points he needed to resolve.

Harry answered Ron, "Ron, we don't all have the same background. Some of us have something to prove.

Hermione has to show she is better than purebloods to prove them wrong in saying she'd inevitably have less magical skills.

Neville has been falsely accused of not having magic and needs also to prove himself better.

I acquired the label of the boy who lived, who defeated a dark lord at 15 months. There is a certain expectation for me to live up to.

Another part of being the considered responsible for the disappearance of Voldemort, is a desire for revenge among those of his supporters who are not in Azkaban prison. That means that I should expect attacks at any time. Those who are my friends should also expect to be attacked as a way to get to me.

If you want to be my friend Ron, and I would like that very much, you'll need to learn to defend yourself. There is time for games, but not a lot of it when there are adult wizards who have it in for me."

Ron said, "I'm sorry, I didn't think of it that way. I also have something to prove. My older brothers are each brilliant in their different ways. Annoying yes, but each brilliant.

I can't even be the class clown, since my twin brothers Fred and George do that better than anyone could. In Quidditch I don't think I could ever be as good as Charlie."

Hermione said, "Don't just give up Ron. You'll find your own way to stand out, but it will take some effort."

Neville added, "You can become what you want, but it won't be easy. Some expect me to be just like my father, but I'll find my own way. You can do the same."