Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 1

The Hogwarts Letter

The click of the mail slot and flop of letters on the doormat could be heard all the way to the kitchen.

Get the mail, Dudley. Uncle Vernon a large (fat) man with no neck and a lot of mustache said to his son Dudley, who was also large, very fat, and had very little neck at all, that couldn't be seen under his many chins.

Make Harry Get it. Dudley replied to his father from where he was seated eating his food.

Get the mail, Harry.

Make Dudley get it. Harry replied back sarcastically knowing she would end up getting it.

Poke her with your Smelting stick, Dudley.

Harry dodged the Smelting stick due to her very small and very malnourished frame barely keeping her round (and very broken at the bridge held up by a lot of scotch tape) glasses from coming off her head. She went into the hall where the cupboard under the stairs which she lived in was on her left. She had a brief moment of barricading herself in there if only remembering that it wouldn't work. The lock was on the outside anyways and she had no way of holding it shut on her end. The front door at the end of the hall had three things laying on the doormat. A postcard from Uncle Veron's sister, Aunt Marge (Which she was forced to apply aunt to her), what looked like a bill, and a... A letter for Harry.

No one, ever, in her whole life, had written to her. Who would? She had no friends and was abused by her relative, her cousin's friends had almost raped her as she was a developing ten year old girl. She shuddered at the memory still fresh in her mind as it had happened at the end of the school year. She had no other relatives, that she knew of anyways. She didn't belong to the library, so she'd never even got rude notes asking for books back. Yet here it was, a letter addressed so plainly there could be no mistake:

Ms. H. Potter

The cupboard under the Stairs

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

The envelope was think and heavy, made of a yellowish parchment, and the address was written in emerald-green ink. There was no stamp.

Turning the envelope over, her hands trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake surrounding a large letter H.

Hurry up, girl! Shouted Uncle Vernon from the kitchen, What are you doing, checking for letter bombs? She could hear him chuckling at his own joke.

In a split-second decision Harry stuffed the letter in-between her training bra before snatching up the postcard and bill. She handed Uncle Vernon the bill and the postcard, sat down and kept her head down.

Marge's ill, He informed Aunt Petunia a skinny woman (though not unhealthily like her niece) with more than the average amount of neck that helped in her spying on the neighbors after he had ripped open the bill and snorted in disgust, Ate a funny whelk...

What's a whelk? Dudley interrupted wondering the same thing Harry was.

Don't interrupt sweetums. Aunt Petunia scolded sweetly making the scolding ineffective, Whelks are carnivorous sea snails, its seafood, like crab and lobster.

Oh. Dudley said before losing interest.

Harry only glanced up to see if they were going to talk about any plans for the day. All she could catch was that they were going to go to London to get Dudley's school things later this week.

In the quiet of the night, locked in her cupboard, Holly pulled out the slightly wrinkled letter. She broke the seal and slid out the first item within the envelope.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry couldn't believe what she had just read. She was accepted to a school of magic? The very first thing she thought was that this was a prank done by the Dursleys. Only with one problem, they didn't approve of magic. They weren't this imaginative let alone Dudley who would prank her. And none of the house printers could print emerald-green ink let alone use what she now realized was yellowish parchment paper. The more she thought about it the more it made sense. Except the expect your owl bit. They expected her to own an owl? She couldn't believe the assumptions these witches and wizards had placed on her.

But magic would explain everything, the time her hair grew back after an absolutely terrible haircut by her Aunt Petunia which only happened after she had her hair at her normal length from a hairdresser visit. The time an ugly sweater shrank too small to fit a human being as it was being pulled over her head. That time when she jumped over the rubbish bins behind the school kitchens and ended up on the roof to escape Dudley's Gang. That time when Dudley's Gang (Minus Dudley himself) had attempted to rape her because they were hormonal teenagers thinking she wouldn't be able to defend herself from their curiosity, only for the sound of a teacher's footsteps to scare them away yet no-one showed up. And most recently the boa constrictor she had talked to before being elbowed by her cousin, the glass had vanished and the snake had said Brazil I come, thanks. as it left the reptile house at the zoo on Dudley's birthday.

But it also explained other things. The neglect, the abuse, the fear she'd get crazy ideas. She was a freak of nature and was expected to be a part of a world that expected her to know about it. She wasn't normal. Her relatives were right.

Pain unlike anything she had ever felt erupted through her entire body far worse than her menstrual cycles that had recently started

Harry was confused and had to bite her tongue to not scream and wake the Dursleys who'd discover the letter and know she knew. She had to figure out why this was happening to her. Was it her magic? Her tiny little cupboard room shock as she looked around scared. Was she in pain because she thought herself a freak for having magic? Harry felt like she was going to be ripped apart by it.

She decided that it was her magic, her rejection of it was causing her pain, causing her to either die or become something so terrible she wouldn't exist anymore.

I'm not a freak! Having magic is a good thing! I'm normal. I'm a witch. I'm okay. It's okay. I accept my magic. I accept it.

The pain subsided. Harry knew very little about physical and less about phycological abuse, but she knew enough to know that she had suffered more than she ever should have. And it had caused her magic to backlash the moment she rejected it. She had to be careful or it could happen again.

Harry didn't know yet, but she had the briefest moment of transforming into an obscurial. She had managed to heal herself and return to being a witch, but just barely. But she knew these next few days were going to be the most trying.

She looked back into the envelope and found a second letter

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)

by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic

by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory

by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration

by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions

by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection

by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

Where was she going to find any of this! London maybe but would they know she got her letter without a response? How was she going to pay for any of this let alone tuition? Harry had a lot of problems with this new revelation. The truth about herself was looking less and less hopeful. She'd just have to hope someone would come looking for her. Someone would come to find out why she hadn't responded. And discover how terrible a life she had lived before she finally learned the truth. She hadn't noticed that she didn't need her glasses anymore.

The following day started out much the same. Except Harry (who no longer needed her glasses and wasn't wearing them) didn't bother commenting that Dudley should get the mail. Another letter. This time she didn't bother keeping it she knew what was in it. She had kept the first letter hidden away under some of her things. What happened next when Uncle Vernon got to it was terrifying.

P-P-Petunia! Uncle Vernon gasped from reading the first line of the first of the two letters in the envelope. Dudley who had never heard his father sound like this looked up from his untouched food for the first time. Harry bolting out of the room before her uncle's hand snatched the back of her oversized (formerly Dudley's) shirt collar. He handed Aunt Petunia the letter.

She hadn't even finished the first the first line, read Hogwarts and started making a choking noise after clutching her throat.

Vernon! Oh my goodness, Vernon!

Neither Vernon nor Petunia acknowledged Dudley or Harry remaining in the room. Vernon had even let go of Harry. Dudley wasn't used to being ignored. He gave his father a sharp tap on the head with his Smelting stick.

I want to read that letter. He said loudly.

Why? it's just a prank from... You didn't make that up. That's my letter! Harry said making a believable lie that she had had no idea the letter was hers.

Get out, both of you.Uncle Vernon croaked, stuffing the letter back inside its envelope.

Harry bolted from the kitchen only to stand in the hall waiting for Dudley to knock her over, so she'd end up listen at the crack between the door and the floor.

OUT! Roared her Uncle before tossing Dudley by the scruff of his neck into the hall. Like Harry expected, Dudley knocked her to the ground to listen at the keyhole, leaving her the crack between the door and floor.

Vernon, Aunt Petunia was saying in a quivering voice, look at the address, how could they possibly know where she sleeps? You don't think they're watching the house?

Watching? Spying, might be following us. Muttered Uncle Vernon wildly.

But what should we do, Vernon? Should we write back? Tell them we don't want a...

Harry could see that Uncle Vernon was pacing up and down the kitchen.

No. He interrupted what Harry knew was going to be a witch. He continued, No, we'll ignore it. If they don't get an answer... Yes that's the best... We won't do anything...

But...

I'm not having one in the house, Petunia! Didn't we swear when we took her in we'd stamp out that dangerous nonsense?

That evening when he got back from work, Uncle Vernon did something he'd never done before; he visited Harry in her cupboard.

Where's my letter? Harry inquired the moment Uncle Vernon had squeezed through the door, Who's writing to me?

No one. It was addressed to you by mistake. Uncle Vernon said shortly, I have burned it.

It was not a mistake. Harry said feeling that some rebelliousness was necessary for this obvious important change in her life, It had my cupboard on it.

SILENCE! Yelled Uncle Vernon, and a couple of spiders fell from the ceiling (Harry had long since gotten over her fear of spiders having to live with them for so long in the cupboard). He took a few deep breaths and then forced his face into a smile, which looked quite painful (probably because he was smiling at her), er, yes, Harry, about this cupboard. Your aunt and I have been thinking... You're really getting a bit big for it... (Harry knew she wasn't big enough yet, but a new better place to sleep wouldn't be given up for the cupboard) We think it might be nice if you moved into Dudley's second bedroom.

Harry nodded remaining silent to not aggravate her uncle any further. Which seem to be a conflicting set of feelings for her uncle who probably expected her to ask a question.

Take this stuff upstairs, now. Uncle Vernon snapped.

It only took her a single trip to move everything she owned (including the concealed original Hogwarts letter) up into Dudley's second bedroom. The Dursley's house had four bedrooms: one for Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, one for visitors (usually Aunt Marge), one where Dudley slept, and one where Dudley kept all the toys and things that wouldn't fit into his first bedroom. She sat down on the bed before moving to find a location to hide her letter. She found a loose floorboard in the room and after a quick inspection, she figured out how to remove it and placed the letting in the hole where the floorboard had been before replacing it. She made sure it looked like nothing was done to the floor before sitting back down on the bed.

Nearly everything in the room was broken. The month-old video camera was lying on the top of a small, working tank Dudley had once driven over the next door neighbor's dog; in the corner was Dudley's first-ever television set, which he'd put his foot through when his favorite program had been canceled; there was a large birdcage, which had once held a parrot that Dudley had swapped at school for a real air rifle, which was up on a shelf with the end all bent because Dudley (being very fat and heavy) had sat on it. Other shelves were full of books. They were the only things in the room that looked as though they'd never been touched.

From downstairs the sound of Dudley bawling at his mother (who had just returned from the store), I don't want her in there... I need that room... make her get out...

Apparently, his bawling fell on deaf ears as Aunt Petunia knocked on the door that was now what was apparently her first ever room (she thought she'd have to leave to finally get a first ever room).

Yes? Harry inquired as to why her Aunt (who's footsteps she recognized at the ones that had to her door).

Aunt Petunia opened the door holding bags full of clothes. Girl's clothes. Harry now realized that she had gone shopping at a clothes store. A very cheap one by the look of the clothes but still. She wouldn't have to wear Dudley's very large and baggy hand-me-down boy clothes anymore.

These are for you to wear. Aunt Petunia said pulling out the clothes from the bag. There were dresses that weren't flattering, but compared to what she currently had, they were a major improvement. Some girls' shirts and jeans, leggings, skirts, blouses, and jumpers along with the dresses as well as a couple of nightgowns. There were also some more knickers and training bras, including small a-cup bras. Harry felt very embarrassed by all this.

Strip. Now. Aunt Petunia said. Harry obeyed realizing she was finally being shown how to properly wear clothes. Aunt Petunia instructed her on how to properly put on the clothes which was tiring as she knew how to put on some of them. She was also informed on how to properly utilize the lavatory while wearing certain items of clothing. Harry ended up in one of the two nightgowns and was informed about possible shrinking on certain clothing items she now had, and she was expected to keep them clean herself. After that she left her. The Dursleys never believed she had been the victim of attempted rape and had hated every second of standing there in her knickers and training bra being shown the difference between her new clothing. Harry went to sleep that night feeling like she had been a displace piece. But she felt happy that she finally had a room all to herself.

Harry walked down the stairs only to find Uncle Vernon who had apparently slept the night away in a sleeping bag, clearly making sure Harry didn't try to get the very letters he was tearing up into pieces before her eyes. Despite obviously not doing what he had been making sure to prevent her from doing, she was shouted at for an hour before being told to make him a cup of tea. Harry remained silent all day as Uncle Vernon didn't go to work that day. After getting his cup of tea he took a piece of fruit cake and nailed up the mail slot.

See. He said through a mouthful of nails in his teeth, If they can't deliver them, they'll just give up.

I'm not sure that'll work, Vernon.

Oh, these people's minds work in strange ways, Petunia, they're not like you and me. Uncle Vernon said knocking in a nail with the piece of fruit cake.

On Friday, no less than twelve letters arrived for Harry. As they couldn't go through the mail slot they had been pushed under the door, slotted through the sides and a few even forced through the small window in the downstairs bathroom.

Harry had begun to barricade herself in her room to deal with the continuing to reappear pain from her magic. The more these people tried the more she was accidentally rejecting her magic resulting in her spending anywhere from fifteen to an hour just trying to reaccept her magic and be both content and happy having it.

Uncle Vernon stayed at home again. After burning all the letters (which he was now happy were scaring his niece from them), he got out a hammer and nails and boarded up the crask around the front and back doors so no one could go out. He hummed Tiptoe Through the Tulips as he worked, and jumped at small noises.

On Saturday, things began to get out of hand. Twenty-four letters to Harry found their way into the house, rolled up and hidden inside each of the two dozen eggs that their very confused milkman had handed Aunt Petunia through the living room window.

While Uncle Vernon made furious telephone calls to the post office and the dairy trying to find someone to complain to, Aunt Petunia shredded the letters in her food processor.

Who on earth wants to talk to you this badly? Dudley asked after Harry's hour and a half long session of getting her magic to stop hurting her. Harry was surprised at how amazed Dudley was at this amount of desperation while Harry was so terrified of the damage the people sending these letters were doing to her. She could barely keep herself stable and feared that the next incident would be when she couldn't return back.

On Sunday morning, Uncle Vernon sat down at the breakfast table looking tired and rather ill, but happy.

No post on Sundays. He reminded them cheerfully as he spread marmalade on his newspapers, No damn letters today...

Something came whizzing down the kitchen chimney as he spoke which Harry briefly caught sight of being a letter before she bolted for her room just as thirty or forty letters came pelting out of the fireplace like bullets.

Harry was in great pain as she tried desperately to reaccept her magic which was furiously trying to tear her apart when she heard her uncle shouting, That does it! I want you all back here in five minutes ready to leave. We're going away. Just pack some clothes. No arguments!

Harry felt as though they were still going to end up with letters no matter where they go. But she forced her magic back into calm before pulling herself together. This was her chance of getting away from it all. If her uncle was taking them away, whoever was sending this would give up on just sending letters. This positive thought helped her cease to be an obscurial within those five minutes as she kept on muttering to herself I accept my magic. I'm not a Freak. I am okay. before mentally going through these as she dragged her small packed up set of clothes while Dudley had stalled them for ten minutes for trying to pack his television, VCR, and computer in his sports bag which earned him a hit on the head.

Harry had nearly reverted back into a permanently lost to obscurial the moment she saw Uncle Vernon with half his mustache missing looking like a mad man. She was put in the back seat with Dudley sniffling while she held her knees to her chest going through her mantra trying to heal herself again. She just needed to ride this out, then she's be free.

They drove and drove. Even Aunt Petunia didn't dare ask where they were going. Every now and then Uncle Vernon would take a sharp turn and drive in the opposite direction for a while. Shake 'em off... Shake 'em off. He would mutter whenever he did this which Harry knew as pointless. They knew where she slept, they wouldn't be shaken off by such insignificant attempts of running.

They didn't stop to eat or drink all day. By nightfall Dudley was howling. He'd never had such a bad day in his life. He was hungry, he'd missed five television programs he'd wanted to see, and he'd never gone so long without blowing up an alien on his computer. Harry had it worse reverting back and forth from Witch to Obscurial and so often and she was scared not of what would happen if her magic was harming others instead of her, but of what would happen when the Dursleys found she knew and had a Hogwarts Letter already (stuffed in her bra).

Uncle Vernon stopped at last outside a gloomy-looking hotel on the outskirts of a big city. Dudley and Harry shared a room with twin beds and damp, musty sheets (Harry couldn't understand why she had to stay with her cousin who was a boy, but Dudley had been more polite since the letters). Dudley snored but Harry stayed awake, sitting on the windowsill, staring down at the lights of passing cars and wondering...

They ate stale cornflakes and cold tinned tomatoes on toast for breakfast the next day. They had just finished when the owner of the hotel came over to their table.

Scuse me, but is one of you Ms. H. Potter? Only I got about an 'undred of these at the front desk.

She held up the letter so they could read the green ink address:

Ms. H. Potter

Room 17

Railview Hotel

Cokeworth

Harry shrank in her seat as Uncle Vernon stood up quickly, I'll take them He followed her from the dining room.

Wouldn't it be better just to go home, dear? Aunt Petunia suggested timidly, hours later, but Uncle Vernon didn't seem to hear her. Exactly what he was looking for, none of them knew. He drove them into the middle of a forest, got out looked around, shook his head, got back in the car, and off they went again. The same thing happened in the middle of a plowed field, halfway across a suspension bridge, and at the top of a multilevel parking garage.

Daddy's gone mad, hasn't he? Dudley asked Aunt Petunia dully late that afternoon. Uncle Vernon had parked at the coast, locked them all inside the car, and disappeared.

It started to rain. Great drops beat on the roof of the car. Dudley Sniveled.

It's Monday. He told his mother, The Great Humberto's on tonight. I want to stay somewhere with a television.

Monday. This reminded Harry of something. If it was Monday (and you could usually count on Dudley to know the days of the week, because of television) then tomorrow, Tuesday, was Harry's eleventh birthday and the last day she could reply to the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter. Of course, her birthdays were never exactly fun, last year, The Dursleys had given her a coat hanger and a pair of Uncle Vernon's old socks. Still, you weren't eleven every day.

Uncle Vernon was back and he was smiling. He was also carrying a long thin package and didn't answer Aunt Petunia when she asked what he'd bought.

Found the perfect place! He said jovially, Come on! Everyone out!

It was very cold outside the car. Uncle Vernon was pointing at what looked like a large rock way out at sea. Perched on top of the rock was the most miserable little shack you could imagine. One thing was certain, there was no television in there.

Storm forecast for tonight! Said Uncle Vernon gleefully, clapping his hands together, And this gentleman's kindly agreed to lend us his boat!

A toothless old man came ambling up to them, pointing, with a rather wicked grin, at an old rowboat bobbing in the iron-gray water below them.

I've already got us some rations. Uncle Vernon said, So, all aboard!

It was freezing in the boat. Icy sea spray and rain crept down their necks and chilly wind whipped their faces. After what seemed like hours they reached the rock, where Uncle Vernon slipping and sliding led the way to the broken-down house.

The inside was horrible; it smelled strongly of seaweed, the wind whistled through the gaps in the wooden walls, and the fireplace was damp and empty. There were only two rooms.

Uncle Vernon's rations turned out to be a bag of crisps each and four bananas. He tried to start a fire but the empty crisp bags just smoked and shriveled up.

Could do with some of those letters now eh? He said cheerfully. Harry who found herself surprisingly dryer than the rest (probably due to her magic) concealed her check of the letter concealed in her bra which was surprisingly completely dry.

Harry noted that her uncle was in a very good mood. Obviously he thought nobody stood a chance of reaching them here in a storm to deliver mail. Harry privately agreed, though the thought didn't cheer her up at all

As night fell, the promised storm blew up and around them. Spray from the high waves splattered the walls of the hut and a fierce wind rattled the filthy windows. Aunt Petunia found a few moldy blankets in the second room and made up a bed for Dudley on the motheaten sofa. She and Uncle Vernon went off to the lumpy bed next door, and Harry was left to find the softest bit of floor she could and curl up under the thinnest, most ragged blanket.

The storm raged more and more ferociously as the night went on. Harry couldn't sleep. She shivered and turned over, trying to get comfortable, her stomach rumbling with hunger. Dudley's snores were drowned by the low rolls of thunder that started near midnight. The lighted dial of Dudley's watch which was dangling over the edge of the sofa on his fat wrist, told Harry shed be eleven in ten minutes' time. She lay and watched her birthday tick nearer, wondering if the Dursleys would remember at all.

Five minutes to go. Harry heard something creak outside. She hoped the roof wasn't going to fall in, although she might be warmer if it did. Four minutes to go. Maybe the house in Privet Drive would be so full of letters when they got back that she'd be able to steal away some money to run away and find this magical world she had learned about last Tuesday.

Three minutes to go. Was that the sea slapping hard on the rock like that? And (two minutes to go) what was that funny crunching noise? Was the rock crumbling into the sea?

One minute to go and she'd be eleven. Thirty seconds... Twenty... Ten... nine, maybe she'd wake Dudley up, just to annoy him, three... two... one...

Boom.

The whole shack shivered and Harry sat bolt upright staring at the door. Someone outside, knocking to come in.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 2

Finally, an Explanation

BOOM!

They knocked again. Dudley jerked awake.

Where's the cannon? He said stupidly.

There was a crash behind them, and Uncle Vernon came skidding into the room. He was holding a rifle in his hands, now they knew what had been in the long, thing package he had brought with them.

Who's there? He shouted threateningly betrayed by the terrified tone in his voice making it come out as a whimper.

There was a pause. Then...

SMASH!

The door was hit with such force that it swung clean off its hinges and with a deafening crash landed flat on the floor.

A giant of a man was standing in the doorway. His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but you could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.

The giant squeezed his way into the hut, stooping so that his head just brushed the ceiling. He bent down, picked up the door, and fitted it easily back into its frame. The noise of the storm outside dropped a little. He turned to look at them all.

Couldn't make us cup o' tea, couldn't yeh? It's not been an easy journey...

He strode over to the sofa where Dudley sat frozen with fear.

Budge up, yeh great lump. Said the stranger.

Dudley squeaked and ran to hide behind his mother, who was crouching terrified, behind Uncle Vernon.

An' here's Harriet! Said the giant.

Harry looked into the fierce, wild, shadowy face and saw that the beetle eyes were crinkled in a smile.

Las' time I saw you, you was only a baby. Said the gaunt, Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh've got yer mum's eyes.

Uncle Vernon made a funny rasping noise.

I demand that you leave at once, sir! He said, You are breaking and entering!

Ah, shut up, Dursley, yeh great prune. Said the giant; he reached over the back of the sofa, jerked the gun out of Uncle Vernon's hands, bent it into a knot, and threw it into a corner of the room.

Uncle Vernon made another funny noise, like a mouse being trodden on.

Anyways, Harry. Said the giant, turning his back on the Dursleys, A very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here, I mighta sat on it at some point, but it'll taste all right.

From an inside pocket of his black moleskin overcoat, he pulled a slightly squashed box. Harry opened it with trembling fingers. Inside was a large, sticky chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Harry written on it in green icing. Only Happy was misspelled with two Es instead of one Y.

Harry looked up at the giant. She had never gotten a birthday cake before let alone a real present. Unable to get the words right she was going to say thank you but instead said Who are you?

The giant chuckled.

True, I haven't introduced meself. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.

He held out an enormous hand the size of rubbish bin lids (the outdoor ones not the indoor ones) and shook Harry's whole arm.

What about that tea then, eh? He said, rubbing his hands together, I'd not say no ter sommat stronger if yeh've got it, mind.

His eyes fell on the empty grate with the shriveled chip bags in it and he snorted. He bent down over the fireplace; they couldn't see what he was doing but when he drew back a second later, there was a roaring fire there. It filled the whole damp hut with flickering light and Harry felt the warm wash over her as though she'd sunk into a hot bath.

The giant sat back down on the sofa, which sagged under his wright, and began taking all sorts of things out of the pockets of his coat: a copper kettle, a squashy package of sausages, a poker, a teapot, several chipped mugs, and a bottle of some amber liquid that he took a swig from before starting to make tea. Soon the hut was full of the sound and smell of sizzling sausage. Nobody said a thing while the giant was working, but as he slid the first fat juicy, slightly burnt sausages from the poker, Dudley fidgeted a little.

Uncle Vernon said sharply, Don't touch anything he gives you, Dudley.

The giant chuckled darkly.

Yer great puddin' of a son don' need fattenin' anymore, Dursley, don' worry.

He passes the sausages to Harry, who despite being so hunger she could have eaten all of them, placed them next to her cake. She couldn't take her eyes off the giant. Finally as nobody seemed about to explain anything which was what she wanted, she said, I'm sorry, but I still don't know who you are.

The giant took a gulp of tea and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Call me Hagrid. He said, Everyone does. An' like I told yeh, I'm keeper of Keys at Hogwarts, yeh'll know all about Hogwarts o'course.

Harry looked offended before putting on an expression she had never worn before, but Hagrid seemed to recognize immediately as one Harry's mother had for her father when they were both students at Hogwarts, the expression of Harry's father having done something to upset and earn her scorn. Harry said, No.

Hagrid looked shocked. So, did the Dursleys they had never seen Harry put on such an expression let alone any real fight.

Harry realizing, she had acted out of turn quickly said, Sorry.

Sorry? Barked Hagrid turning to stare at the Dursleys, who shrank back into the shadows, It's them as should be sorry! I knew yeh weren't gettin' yer letters but I never thought yeh wouldn't even know abou' Hogwarts, fer cryin' out loud! Did yeh never wonder where yer parents learned it all?

All what? Asked Harry, she was about to continue but Hagrid seemed to be losing his temper with each admittance of her ignorance.

ALL WHAT? Hagrid thundered, Now wait jus' one second!

He had leapt to his feet. In his anger he seemed to fill the whole hut. The Dursleys were cowering against the wall. Dudley looked to also be just as confused as he was scared.

Do you mean ter tell me. He growled at the Dursleys, That this girl, this girl! Knows nothin' abou', about ANYTHING?

Harry thought this was going a bit far. She had been to school, after all, and her marks weren't bad (though she did have to fail on purpose to avoid outshining Dudley meaning she had to purposely select the worst answers, despite knowing the best ones).

I know some things. She said. But she left it at that.

But Hagrid didn't catch on, resulting in the Dursleys also missing it, About our world, I mean. Your world. My world. Yer parents' world.

Okay.

Apparently, that was the wrong choice of words. Hagrid looked as if he was about to explode.

DURSLEY! He boomed.

Uncle Vernon, who had gone very pale, whispered something that sounded like Mimblewible. Hagrid stared wildly at Harry.

But yeh must know about yer mum and dad. He said, I mean, they're famous. You're famous.
That was news to Harry who only knew about the car crash giving her, her lightning bolt scar. Harry shocked by this couldn't believe it. That and she didn't like the idea of being famous.

No, I'm not. I better not be famous. Harry said.

Yeh don' know.. yeh don' know... Hagrid ran his fingers through his hair. Fixing Harry with a bewildered stare, Yeh don' know what yeh are?

Uncle Vernon suddenly found his voice but was too late.

Yeah, I'm a witch. Harry stated flatly.

HOW THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU FIGURE IT OUT! Uncle Vernon roared.

The first letter came Tuesday. Harry smirked. Uncle Vernon looked ready to beat her to an inch of life left within her.

You got a letter? Hagrid inquired. He had been pulling out a familiar yellow envelope while Vernon suddenly remembering he wasn't the biggest strongest man in the hut, backed down again.

Not another letter. Harry said looking faint.

Hagrid pulled it out. In emerald-green ink it was addressed to Ms. H. Potter, The Floor, Hut-on-the-Rock, The Sea.

Harry pulled out her slightly crumpled letter from her bra. Hagrid saw the address and looked murderous at The Cupboard Under the Stairs.

Ya' kept her in a cupboard! Hagrid thundered before turning toward Harry, And you having a letter this whole time. Why didn't you respond? Could have saved us all the trouble.

Harry lifted her letter out of the envelope and read, We await your owl by no later than July 31. How was I supposed to respond when no normal person, HAS AN OWL WHO DELIVERS LETTERS!

Right, yeah, that'a do it. Hagrid said feeling abashed. He had just learned this famous witch had no knowledge about his world and was told off for why they had received no response to her acceptance letter. He was about to exclaim something and pull out an owl at remembering to inform the Headmaster and Deputy-Headmistress that Harry had her letter when Harry and Uncle Vernon spoke up.

She's not going! Uncle Vernon exclaimed.

I'm not going. Harry said crossing her arms. That threw Hagrid and the Dursleys off so far, they all stared at her like she had gone mad.

Wha' ya' mean yer not going? Hagrid inquired after recovering while Uncle Vernon was cheering like he had just won a major business deal.

I'd like to know why I had to stay with them. Harry said pointing to her relatives, And, to top it all off, when I first read this, she held up her letter, I thought it was a prank. When I realized it wasn't, I believed they were right, causing my own magic to become the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life. And those extra letters didn't bloody help!

Never in his lifetime had Rubeus Hagrid even lost his temper before like this. The Dursleys (specifically Vernon and Petunia) were rejoicing that Harry Potter wasn't becoming a witch like Lily had. But once Hagrid had rounded on them, Dudley once again hid behind his mother, Petunia hid behind Vernon who was shielding his family as best he could from whatever spell Hagrid to bring down on them. Hagrid was so furious that he hadn't even thought of pulling out his pink umbrella and instead moved so suddenly that no one saw it happen.

WHACK!

Vernon was on the floor clutching his now broken nose which was bleed. Petunia was down next to him. And Dudley had gone to a corner.

YOU TREATED HER SO BLOODLY BADLY THAT THE MOMENT SHE LEARNS THE TRUTH SHE TURNS INTO AN OBSCURIAL! Hagrid roared at the top of his lungs. He was breathing hard. If Hagrid who was above all things a gentle soul who was as harmless as he was friendly hadn't used his full strength, Vernon's whole face would have been broken instead of just his nose.

Hagrid still breathing hard regain most control of himself before her turned towards the fire, pulled out some green powder, and threw it into the flame.

Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, we've got a situation. Hagrid said into the suddenly green fire.

The green fire died down. Suddenly it leapt up again this time a man with a silvery beard purple robes and twinkling eyes behind half-moon spectacles emerged from the fire. Just as suddenly the fire died down again and leapt up again for a woman with a pointed hat, emerald-green robes, and the sternest expression on her face came out of the fire. There stood in the hut were the Headmaster and Deputy-Headmistress of Hogwarts.

Hagrid. Professor Dumbledore said, Exactly what kind of situation... He stopped the moment he saw how angry Hagrid was and Vernon Dursley on the floor with a broken nose. He quickly pulled out his wanted, waved it, and suddenly Vernon's nose was fixed as though it hadn't been broken in the first place and all the blood vanished away.

What exactly happened here? Professor McGonagall asked turning to Harry of all people.

Harry looked as lost by all this as the Dursleys looked terrified of two fully grown Witch and Wizard just appearing out of the fireplace like they had just walked through the front door.

I just said when I got my letter, my magic, um, hurt me, then Hagrid became furious enough to break Uncle Vernon's nose, he yelled that they treated me so badly that I turned into an, um, obscu... whatever it was. But I'm fine now, well maybe, fine. It doesn't hurt but please be careful with what you say. Harry explained.

Professor McGonagall turned her stern expression onto Professor Dumbledore, I told you, Albus! I told you they weren't good for her!

Wait. Are you saying all of this is his fault? Harry inquired. At McGonagall's nod she went off, You! Your the one who decided I have to live with them! She pointed to her relatives, That I'd have to grow up starving, abused, I was almost raped by his bloody friends!

I think this explanation would be best discussed in more comfortable circumstances. Professor Dumbledore said.

Harry not wanting to wait suddenly found herself between Professor McGonagall (who seemed to be keeping her from Dumbledore and the Dursleys) and Hagrid as they all (The Dursleys reluctantly, and everyone not a witch or wizard pointed out some things with assurances that it'll be taken care of) were suddenly feeling like being squeezed through keyhole and found themselves in the living room of Number 4 Privet Drive.

It was still night outside but that didn't stop Aunt Petunia looking through the living room curtains as though checking for eavesdropping neighbors. Instead, she found her husband's car in the driveway. Harry who had prepared herself for seeing a mountain of letters found that not a single one from Sunday was even there anymore. Uncle Vernon (relieved his car was in the driveway) was staring at Professor Dumbledore while shielding his wife. Dudley was halfway to the kitchen to sneak some food but had frozen when Professor McGonagall disappeared suddenly when she turned on her heels. Five minutes later she returned with a man in black robes. He had the greasiest black hair Harry had ever seen, a hooked nose, and black eyes that when they landed on Harry turned his expression into one of pure loathing. Harry noted that those black colored eyes seemed to look everywhere but her own eyes. Judging from Hagrid's comment that she looked like her dad except for her eyes which were her mum's, Harry did her own putting pieces together.

Aunt Petunia shrieked so loudly; Harry was sure it had woken the neighbors.

The Greasy haired man turned to look at the source of the shriek.

It is as displeasing for me to see you as well, Petunia...

One look at Petunia's face told Vernon and Harry everything they needed to know. She grew up with this man around her life, and most likely Harry's mother's life as well.

Apologies, this is Professor Severus Snape, The Potions Master of Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall introduced the greasy haired man, I figured it would be important for him to be here for the explanation.

After everyone (excluding the Dursleys) sat down. The explanation began. From Halloween Night revealing the truth behind the death of James and Lily Potter and Harry ended up with the Dursleys, to the after effect of that discission. Harry did have to emphasize that her cousin had nothing to do with the attempted rape upon her before the school year ended. Despite this, none of the Professors were pleased by this information at all. What truly shocked Harry and the Dursleys was the explanation of her temporary obscurial transformation and what that meant, as well as what an obscurus was. It was compared to a nuclear warhead so the muggles (and Harry) could understand how bad it was.

So, why couldn't I stay with my unknown until now, Godfather? Harry inquired. That had been a whole mess.

Because he's in Azkaban. Professor McGonagall the only person Harry would even listen to said.

That was after I was taken away to be dumped here. Harry said dismissively waving her hand.

Like I said, was on orders. Hagrid said. He had already explained that bit.

And he betrayed your parents to Voldemort. Professor Dumbledore added. Harry glared at him not liking the man at all for deciding she was better off with her muggle relatives who almost got her turned into an obscurus.

Okay, I'm going to need to full story. Harry said now interested.

I don't think you should be informed about that whole story. Professor McGonagall stated. A raised eyebrow from a cross armed Harry however told her she'd find out one way or another. Professor McGonagall sighed, Alright, fine. But it isn't tale for one so young. While it is true that Sirius Black is your godfather, he also betrayed your parents. Harry once again raised her eyebrow, Sold them out to You Know... She sighs, Voldemort. I don't quite know the full story myself. When he went after your parents, they did the fidelius charm. They made him the secret keeper.

Why did they make him the secret keeper? Harry inquired, And what does that mean exactly?

The fidelius charm would keep anything affected by it a secret from all but those affected and the secret keeper. The secret keeper was the only one who could divulge that very secret. Voldemort could of looked into the living room window of your home in Godric's Hollow and never knew your family was there. But Sirius Black who was the secret keeper betrayed your family to him. However, it was his murder of twelve people with a single curse after being cornered by Peter Pettigrew. Bravest thing he ever did. Was a coward hiding behind you father and Black at school. And all they found of him was a finger.

Wait, wait, wait. Back up. Harry interrupted the story, Bravest thing he ever did? And you still haven't explained why my parents would of trusted my godfather as secret keeper, let alone why he's, my godfather.

Yes. Well, at school your father and he were ringleaders of their little gang that Peter was a part of along with Remus Lupin. Professor McGonagall explained, Biggest pranksters Hogwarts has ever seen.

Don' know, The Weasley Twins could give 'em a run for their galleons. Hagrid interrupted.

Yes, thank you for that reminder. Professor McGonagall said. Harry was wondering who the Weasley Twins were when Professor McGonagall continued, James and Sirius were as close a brothers. Couldn't see one without the other. No wonder James Potter wanted him as your godfather. We never...

Okay, things aren't adding up here. Harry interrupted, You are saying that Sirius Black who was like a brother to my father, betrayed them when you also said that Peter Pettigrew was a coward at school. I don't know how good you are a putting thing together, but all of this doesn't line up correctly.

What ya mean? Hagrid inquired, If I hadn't...

Yes, I know but what if he wasn't the secret keeper. Harry theorized. Everyone (Excluding the Dursleys) snapped their heads up. Hagrid was going to make a remark but Dumbledore held up his hand. Harry continued, What if he got smart and made Peter the real secret keeper. Peter who you confirmed was a coward may of sold my parents out to save his own life only for me to become the 'girl who lived' thus resulting in Sirius Black going after him.

But there were witnesses. Lot's o' people confirmed it was Black. Pettigrew said so himself. Hagrid stated.

It only takes a few quick words to frame an innocent man when everyone already believes him to be guilty by lack of information. Didn't he get a trial before being thrown into prison? Harry countered.

Hagrid opened his mouth before realizing Black didn't.

Professor Dumbledore looked as though he believed Harry's theory. Professor McGonagall looked to be contemplating it deeply.

The matter will be investigated, thoroughly, Miss Potter. Professor Dumbledore said, And I'm afraid Professor McGonagall is right. I should never of had you stay with the Dursleys in the first place.

Pack your things up. We'll be taking you to the Leaky Cauldron in London. It's a pub with rooms, you'll be staying the night. Hagrid and myself will accompany you for your school shopping. Professor McGonagall said, After that you'll have to stay at Saint Mungo's until term begins. We'll figure out where you'll stay by the time the school year ends. Will that satisfy you enough to attend Hogwarts?

That was going to be my condition. Harry said nodding, Yes, I'll go to Hogwarts, so long as I don't have to come back here ever again.

Harry was back down with her things from what had temporarily been her room to find not either of the Professors or Hagrid, but Dudley Dursley at the bottom of the step. Dudley didn't look hostile in anyway, but worried.

Well, you've got your room back. Harry said to her cousin who looked down at the ground, At least I'm no longer going to be a waste of space.

Harry looked down never. She had never liked being called a 'waste of space' by her uncle. But over time the pain faded despite never going away all together.

I don't think you're a waste of space. Dudley said kindly to Harry. Harry was taken aback for the first time she had been complimented by her cousin. To both of their surprise, Harry suddenly hugged Dudley.

Ready to go, Harry? Hagrid inquired from the door.

Harry broke away from her cousin, I can't leave you here to suffer from them. Dudley looked bewildered.

Harry took her things and left Number 4 Privet Drive for the last time. She looked up at the Professors, Is there some way we could make things better for Dudley?

The question surprised McGonagall but Dumbledore smiled at her. Professor Snape had already left.

I believe the muggles have something. The right people will be informed. Professor Dumbledore said.

Harry taking Professor McGonagall's hand and Hagrid laid his on Professor Dumbledore's shoulder. The four of them disappeared.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 3

Vault 713

Harry awoke not wanting to actually wake up. She rolled over keeping her eyes shut wanting to fall back asleep. The loud sound of a train going by which shook the building she was in, prevented her from going back to sleep.

Harry groaned as she rolled back over, pillow around her head. Of course, by this point she was fully awake. Turning to look out of the window she tried to recall what had happened last night.

She could remember disappearing from Privet Drive and arriving inside a pub that was almost completely vacant. Everything became a blur after that. She hardly remembered even getting into the bed and had a vague remembrance of being carried in her exhausted state. She had been full of adrenaline after Hagrid had broken down the shack door and had been up longer than she should have been with all the explaining.

It was then that she realized she wasn't alone in the room. There on a chair was Hagrid sound asleep. Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore nowhere to be seen.

The door opened and there was in her emerald, green cloak, Professor McGonagall.

Good, you're awake, Miss Potter. McGonagall said, Same can't be said for our groundskeeper. There was a swift kick to the shins that was about as forceful as a sharp prodding from one's finger.

Hagrid practically jumped out of the chair, I'm up, I'm up.

Harry who was climbing out of bed looked around the room. There wasn't anything else besides a drawer and a mirror. Not much privacy, not that she had really gotten any with... It took her a moment to truly grasp that she was free of her relatives for the first time in her life. Harry collapsed onto the ground and started crying.

Miss Potter are you alright? Professor McGonagall asked as she knelt down next to the weeping girl. Hagrid looked lost.

I-I-I'm free... Was all Harry was able to let out between her sobs. Tears of joy flowing she cried until they ran dry.

A few hours later, after letting Harry cry her tears of joy at realizing she was finally free of a very, very terrible home and would no longer suffer from then on (little does she know, things were going to get worse), the three of them went down to the main part of the pub. Unlike last night the pub was busy, however Harry didn't see the 'famous place' as it wasn't that busy. Tom the landlord, was busy with customers. The man barely got a moment to take their order.

Unfortunately, this led to the reveal of Harriet Potter to the rest of the patrons in the tavern. There was dead silence throughout it all. A woman in the corner who had been smoking a pipe, kept at it despite the pipe going out.

The next moment there was a great scraping of chairs and, Harry found herself shaking hands with everyone in the Leaky Cauldron.

Doris Crockford, Ms. Potter, can't believe I'm meeting you at last. Said the witch who had been smoking the pipe.

So proud, Ms. Potter, I'm just so proud. Said a wizard staring in awe.

Delighted, Ms. Potter, just can't tell you, Diggle's the name, Dedalus Diggle. Diggle said. Professor McGonagall was about to say to Harry that this man had conjured shooting stars the night of the 1st of November when Diggle's top hat fell off in his excitement.

Harry who wasn't really enjoying this, suddenly had a flash of memory come to the forefront. She remembered a tiny man in a violet top hat bowing to her. She and her aunt were in a store at the time and she was furious, asking her if she knew him and had rushed them out of the store without buying anything.

I've seen you before, Mr. Diggle, you bowed to me once in a shop. Harry said recognizing him from her memory.

She remembers! Cried Diggle, looking around at everyone who were in just as much shocked admiration with him as they were with her, Did you hear that? She remembers me!

Everyone who had had their fill of shaking hands with her, swarmed around Diggle for details from this event. Doris Crockford kept coming back for more.

Finally, the three of them got to an unoccupied table, despite the majority being unoccupied just to shake Harry's hand, the three of them didn't take anyone's already claimed seats. They sat in view of everyone at a round table that could seat four even with Hagrid. The fourth chair was taken by a pale man. He was wearing purple robes and a purple turban, he looked to be very nervous with an eye twitching.

Professor Quirrell! Hagrid said, Harry, Professor Quirrell will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts.

P-P-Potter, stammered Professor Quirrell, grasping Harry's hand, c-can't t-tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you.

Will you be joining us for breakfast, Quirinus? Professor McGonagall inquired.

Professor Quirrell looked up at the deputy-headmistress, O-o-of course.

A witch came buy with food for them all. From the stew of the day to roasted meats. Hagrid being a large man, had some of everything. Professor McGonagall and Harry had the stew. Professor Quirrell had something Harry couldn't place a name for. Harry had to be kept from making herself sick by eating too fast, due to her malnourishment.

What do you teach, Professor Quirrell? Harry asked genuinely curious.

D-Defense Against the D-D-Dark Arts. Muttered Professor Quirrell as though he'd rather not think about it, N-Not that you n-need it, eh, P-P-Potter?

It was obviously a joke, but Harry couldn't help but comment, Considering the fact that I've known nothing about all of this for the past ten years, I'll definitely need it more than anyone would.

They all sat in awkward silence together until the door to the Leaky Cauldron burst open. A man in tattered, robes, or as Harry noticed, a frayed suit. He had scars across his face and a slight wild expression. His gaze roamed over everyone present until his eyes landed on her.

The man approached them slowly.

Professor Quirrell got up and said, You'll be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose? I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires, m-myself. He then left the three of them just as the man in the frayed suit reached their table.

Remus! Professor McGonagall said seeing the man, Harry, this is Remus Lupin, an old friend of your father, mother, and Sirius. I must say, Remus, it is surprising to see you here.

Professor McGonagall, Hagrid. Remus Lupin greeted the two as he sat down where Professor Quirrell had been sitting, Been nearly over ten years since I last saw you, Harry. You look...

Terrible, malnourished, abused, like I should never have been sent to live with my aunt and uncle? Harry interrupted.

Remus looked lost at that. Admittedly, she looked all of these, but he wasn't going to say that out loud, I was going to say, you look a lot like James, save that you have Lily's eyes.

But I do look like my comments? Harry inquired from him, sounding unashamed of the truth of them.

Remus sighed bowing his head, Yes, you do. His head comes back up, Is it true? You believe, Sirius Black is innocent?

Harry rolled her eyes, And if he is indeed innocent? She countered.

Remus was about to respond before his mind processed what he had just heard. He was taken aback for a moment.

So, you do believe he is? Remus said amazed, We all thought you would have been the last person to believe this. He gestured to everyone around them as though they were the whole of the wizarding world.

So, everyone in the wizarding world just assumed this about me? Harry said annoyance very evident in her voice, A word of advice, don't assume anything about me.

Remus laughed. She reminded him so much of James, oddly a little more of Lily, and somewhat of Sirius all in one small, malnourished package, Do you mind if I join you on your shopping trip? He asked the group.

Hagrid didn't mind at all. Professor McGonagall thought it would be good for Harry to get to know a friend of her parents. Harry just wanted more answers to the new questions she was now given.

Leaving the pub and into Diagon Alley the only place in London to get all her school supplies involved getting out into the back alley behind the pub and tapping a certain brick three up and five across from the rubbish bins at the brick wall, three times. The small hole opened into an archway which receded after they all passed through it.

Diagon Alley itself was both impressive and unimpressive at the same time. Impressive in that all of it could be hidden away from the non-magical community. Unimpressive in that it was all, old fashioned. Harry noticed that the magical community seemed to thrive off of medieval like architecture and ascetic. Some of these things she could probably live with but not all of it. Not that she was really paying much attention to everything Hagrid was pointing out.

Shouldn't you be finding this all very interesting and well, invigorating? Remus inquired noting how disinterested Harry was with everything around her.

Harry looked at Remus who had gotten Professor McGonagall's and Hagrid's attentions, Would, if everything wasn't clearly outdated. Besides, whole magical world has been alienated by my life before all of this.

How exactly did that happen? Professor McGonagall inquired. It didn't seem reasonable for the girl who lived to be suddenly have the whole wizarding world alienated to her in just a day.

As though she had read her thoughts, Harry responded, By leaving me with the... Mum's non-magical side of the family. Assuming I already knew about magic and the whole world kept secret from the actual world. Becoming an obscurial, even if it was temporary. Finally the thing that truly cemented everything being alienated for me. Being the girl who lived.

Remus and McGonagall nodded at that while Hagrid looked shocked. Harry then added, On top of my godfather being imprisoned when there is a high chance of him being an innocent man. If he had raised me, then I would be very different.

Both Remus and McGonagall suddenly (and against their very better judgement) wished that had in fact happened.

Completely missing the tour of Diagon Alley by her disinterest. Harry and surrogate guardians (save Hagrid, but only because he agreed with Dumbledore too much), found themselves in front of Gringotts Bank.

Gringotts, no safer place in our world fer anything yeh want to keep safe, 'cept perhaps Hogwarts. Hagrid stated.

Why's that? Harry inquired.

Oh, Sirius would go on about Goblins if he heard you ask that. Remus chuckled to himself.

Never mess with Goblins, Harry. Hagrid stated.

The snowy white building towered over all the rest. At the bronze door stood.

Yeah, that's a goblin. Hagrid said leaning down to Harry to whisper.

They walked quietly past the goblin who was about a head shorter than Harry (who was already short enough) and went through the bronze doors as the goblin bowed them in.

A second set of doors, silver this time had words engraved upon them.

Enter, stranger, but take head

Of what awaits the sin of greed.

For those who take, but do not earn.

Must pay most in their turn.

So, if you seek beneath out floors.

A treasure that was never yours.

Thief, you have been warned beware.

Of finding more than treasure there.

Like I said, yeh'd be mad to try an' rob it. Hagrid said.

Harry's head rounded on him, You didn't say that.

Hagrid was muttering to himself that he did. They were bowed by two more goblins into a marble hall. About a hundred goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were too many doors to count leading off the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these.

The four of them made for the counter.

Good morning, we've come to take some money out of Miss Harriet Potter's safe. Professor McGonagall said to a free goblin.

You have her key, ma'am? Inquired the goblin.

Hagrid began to rummage around his moleskin coat emptying his pockets. He muttered, Got it here somewhere. before he finally found it along with a letter.

Got it. Hagrid said holding up the key and letter, An' I've also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore. He handed both the key and letter to the goblin, It's about the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen.

Professor McGonagall tried and failed to keep Harry from hearing that. Harry merely raised an eyebrow. Remus looked bewildered and decided not to investigate, hoping in vain that Harry wouldn't like her father and mother before her. To his credit, Harry considered it not her problem and not worth the effort and time to even ask questions about it.

The goblin looked over the key and read the letter, Very well, everything seems to be in order. I will have someone take you down to both vaults, Griphook!

Griphook was yet another goblin, and from his nametag, managed the Potter vault 687, noting that they would be passing Vault 711 which was the Black Vault according to Remus Lupin (having seen it once on passing with Sirius Black), the vault was unused since his imprisonment.

Once Hagrid had crammed everything he had pulled out (not limited to but including, dog biscuits) they all followed Griphook to a Gringotts cart. This prompted Hagrid to mention how they made him sick, and a request to go slowly.

One speed only. Said Griphook with a cruel smile. They all got in.

If Harry could compare the carts to anything it was muggle rollercoasters, if their operators were also riding along with you and it was less safe and all underground with less support on the tracks. Despite all of this, Harry enjoyed it. She of course hadn't ridden a rollercoaster before and took this time to enjoy the experience.

Until they went right under a waterfall resulting in her getting all wet.

What was that? Harry called out wanting to continue.

The Thief's Downfall. It washes away all enchantment, all magical concealment, including forcing a metamorphmagus or animagus back into their true form. It's a security measure. One is always active for the higher security vaults but the whole track can be covered in it. It is also moved daily. Griphook explained interrupting Harry's complaint.

Noted. Harry said with the tone of someone heading the warning.

They stopped before Vault 713. Hagrid got out first needing a breather and looking green. Remus followed almost immediately after him looking just as green. Professor McGonagall looked fine. Harry wore a smile. Vault 713 had no keyhole.

Stand back. Griphook said importantly. He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers and it simply melted away, If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there.

How often do you check to see if anyone's inside? Harry inquired.

About once every ten years. Said Griphook with a rather nasty smile.

Something extremely valuable had to be inside the vault. But all Harry got a single glance at was a rather grubby little package wrapped up in brown parchment under a spotlight that came from nothing. Hagrid stepped in, picked up the package. The spotlight went out. He exited turning to them. Professor McGonagall held out her hand, knowing Hagrid all too well. Hagrid relented with a single look at her face and handed it over.

I'll make sure Professor Dumbledor gets it, personally. Professor McGonagall said, You are rather loose lipped even more so when tipsy, increasing the more drunk you get. Better safe than sorry.

Yer right, Professor, was just pleased that I was trusted with something like this. Hagrid said a little humbly.

Oh, like Albus, I'd trust you with my life. Secrets however are not your strong suit. Besides I doubt you even know what's in the package, only the owner. And that remains a secret. Bad enough we have to do this with Miss Potter right behind us. Now let's get back in the cart so we can finish up here and get her school supplies. Professor McGonagall said.

They all clambered back in before taking off for Vault 687. When Griphook used the key to open the Potter Vault a lot of green smoke came billowing out. As it cleared, Harry gasped. Inside were mounds of gold coins. Columns of silver coins, Heaps of little bronze coins.

Right, the gold ones are called Galleons, silver are Sickles, and bronze are Knuts. 29 Knuts to a Sickle and 17 Sickles to a Galleon. You got that? Professor McGonagall explained to Harry in her teacher's voice.

Harry was muttering the mounts to herself and managed to math out 493 Knuts to a Galleon before nodding her head. She'd have to write that down at some point of have someone explain it again.

Remus being better at math than Hagrid, helped Harry pile some into a bag. He had insisted on a few more due to her current living problem. He also mentioned that if she was careful the vault would still be full by the time, she was an old witch. She was surprised she could just live off of all of that.

That should be more than enough fer a couple o' terms, we'll keep the rest safe for yeh" (Harry pointed out that the Gringotts goblins would) Hagrid said beaming at her (until she pointed out who was protecting her gold).

Thank you, Griphook. Harry said bowing to him which caught him by surprise, I was wondering if there was a special sort of greeting you had, or the rest of all goblins had.

Griphook smiled at her, Wizards have made up their own, while we acknowledge the attempt at being respectful, we are fully aware none of you are. Perhaps you are an exception to that. Our greeting reflects our finest work, Goblin Silver. It is 'May your work outshine the stars and time improve its perfection.' Miss Potter use that to any goblin and you will find yourself treated as an equal among us. Also, goblins view of ownership is different, the rightful owner is the maker not the purchaser. Otherwise, we'd all get upset about Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts not ending up back in goblin hands. Better for us to manage the currency than the actually greedy political officals.

Remus, Minerva, and Hagrid were dumbfounded. One wild cart ride later, they were all outside of Gringotts bank. Harry smirking like a mad woman from the House of Black.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 4

Day at Diagon Alley

If you end up in Slytherin, I'm pretty sure, Sirius will breakout of Azkaban just to scold you, getting just as much as he gives in return. Remus stated before nearly puking. He and Hagrid still looked green with Remus being greener than the tall man.

Yeh wouldn't mind if the two of us slipped off fer a couple of pick-me-ups in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringotts carts. Hagrid inquired before Harry could about ending up in Slytherin.

You may, but you better be back after you feel better. Professor McGonagall said. With that Hagrid led Remus to the Leaky Cauldron.

What's Slytherin and why would I end up in it? Harry asked the professor.

Professor McGonagall rounded on Harry in surprise at the question, "Goodness me, we must stop forgetting how little you know. Slytherin is a House at Hogwarts. The Houses are named after the family names of the four founders of Hogwarts. In fact, they hold the very same ideals the founders originally did. We'd better go to Flourish and Blotts first. I believe they have Hogwarts a History you'll learn more from that book than from listening to me.

Harry's first impression was that the store was similar looking to a Library (or a school library as she never got to go to one before). There were books on selves lining almost every wall of the store. Then hallways made out of nothing but selves. There was a spot for book signing/meet the author but that looked to be easily cramped. There weren't too many people in the bookstore and most looked to be Hogwarts students shopping for their schoolbooks. Almost none of these students stood out to Harry save only a bushy haired girl with what looked like normal muggle parents and a family of fiery red heads missing their father. Harry overheard from both connecting the bushy haired girl as a know-it-all bookworm, who was probably in need of a friend and that the red heads' father was working for the Ministry. Aside from all of that Harry didn't really pay attention to anyone else. She got her books including Hogwarts: A History and another book that caught her attention. Quidditch Through the Ages.

Harry learned from Hogwarts: A History about the four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Harry thought she'd Slytherin fit her despite what Remus said.

With her books, Harry and Professor McGonagall met up with Remus and Hagrid (both looking much better now) before heading off to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. They all went in, well Remus and Harry went in. Hagrid and Professor McGonagall went off to get something.

Hogwarts dear? Asked a squat smiling witch dressed in all mauve who could only be Madam Malkin, when Harry started to speak, Madam Malkin said Got the lot here, another young man is being fitted up just now in fact.

In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him, slipped a long robe over her head, and began to pin it to the right length.

Hello. Said the boy, Hogwarts too?

Yes. Answered Harry trying not to jump let alone fidget at being so close to a boy let along being addressed by one and failing to speak normally. She definitely came off as timid.

My father's next door buying my books and Mother's up the street looking at wands. Said the boy not noticing Harry's timid tone let along her failure to keep her discomfort nonvisible, Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't having their own. I think I'll bully Father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow.

Harry was strongly reminded of Dudley, only without the fat. Obviously, this boy was suffering from bad parenting but from what she knew of the wizarding world, everyone from wizarding families were like this though the "better" ones were more tame.

Have you got your own broom? Asked the boy.

No. Answered Harry.

Play Quidditch at all?

Not yet.

I do, Continued the boy, Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my House, and I must say, I agree. Know what House you'll be in yet?

Slytherin. Harry answered sounding certain. Remus spluttered and coughed at that sounding like he heard something terribly surprising.

The boy's eyes went wide as he looked at her, Really? Well, no one really knows until they get there do they, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been, imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?

Harry suddenly feeling much better smiled, True, though I wouldn't fit there. You're more likely to be sorted into a house you either value more of represent the valued qualities of the most. So, we'd be in Slytherin.

The boy smiled at that. It wasn't a bad sight, but it didn't like quite natural. Harry blamed the one thing she could. Politics.

I say, look at that man! Said the boy suddenly, nodding toward the front window. Hagrid was standing there, grinning at Harry and pointing at two large ice creams to show he couldn't come in. Professor McGonagall was holding two more which explained why she couldn't come in.

Oh, they are Hagrid and Professor McGonagall. Harry said, pleased to know she had some info to share with the boy, They work at Hogwarts.

Oh, I've heard of him. He's sort of a servant, isn't he? The boy said.

Harry who didn't like that comment decided to correct him, I think you're getting employee and servant mixed up, and yes there is a difference.

How? Inquired the boy.

Well, his job which is being the gamekeeper, is to overlook the land surrounding Hogwarts, The Caretaker would be more akin to servant, save he's also an employee. Besides, neither are at your beck and call Since they answer only to the rest of the staff, primarily the Headmaster and the Deputy-Headmistress who's standing right next to him. Harry said smugly. The boy actually recoiled at that last bit.

So, you know him? The boy inquired.

Only just met him last night. Harry answered honestly.

Yes, exactly. I heard he's a sort of savage, lives in a hut on the school grounds and every now and then he gets drunk, tries to do magic, and ends up setting fire to his bed. The boy said trying to sound informative.

Harry gave him a warning smile, I think he's brilliant. But I will admit he's a little too fond of Dumbledore to my liking. At least Professor McGonagall decided the Headmaster's fully lost it after... Never mind.

Do you? Said the boy, with a slight sneer. In fact, Harry noted he always seemed to wear a sneer no matter what, Why is he with you? Are they both with you? Where are your parents?

They're dead. Voldemort killed them. Harry answered. Madam Malkin and the second witch jumped nearly stabbing the two with their pins. Harry didn't want to go further with the matter.

Oh, sorry. Said the boy, not sounding sorry at all. Harry didn't mind this. She's both feeling alienated of him and enjoying him at the same time. Unable to decide which, she decided to let him have a chance. The boy continued, But they were our kind , weren't they?

They were a witch and wizarding in that's what you mean... Oh, my father was, my mother was muggle-born. By that point they were kicked out of the sacred 28 already. Harry answered (Professor McGonagall thankfully explained that while they were out at Flourish and Blotts.)

Ah, so, you're a half-blood. At least your proper. Some half-bloods are as bad as the other sort. I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? They're just not the same, they've never been brough up to know our ways. Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get the letter, imagine. I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families. What's your surname, anyway?

But before Harry could answer, Madam Malkin said, That's you done my dear.

Harry feeling ready to shatter this boys perception got off the stool turned on her heel and said, Actually, I didn't hear about Hogwarts or any of this until I got my letter, I grew up with terrible muggle relatives who ruined my life over a secret they kept from me until I got my first letter. Got pelted with more when I didn't respond. And my name is Harriet Lilian Potter what's your name? Also you sound like my muggle cousin, which is not a compliment.

The boy's mouth dropped not only at accusing the girl who lived of not being worthy of attending Hogwarts but she basically threw everything back at him proving herself to already be a Slytherin. Being compared to a muggle at least in the way he spoke to her (he would have to figure out how he sounded like her muggle cousin) was in fact insulting. He sneered and smiled at her, Draco Malfoy.

Before she could respond, Remus led her out.

Harry was rather quiet while she ate her first ice cream (chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts). Hagrid, Remus, and Professor McGonagall were too busy to notice her silence. But after some time, Hagrid did notice.

What's up? He asked Harry.

Hm, oh, nothing really. Harry answered. She had pulled out Quidditch Through the Ages and was holding it at her side. She wasn't going to risk eating it with her ice cream which wasn't bad for her first experience.

She was talking with the Malfoy kid. Lucius' son. Remus answered, Somehow, she's still in on board with being sorted into Slytherin after that.

And why shouldn't she? Professor McGonagall inquired.

Well, he was sort of alienating himself. Besides he's a good example of what kind of house mates she'd be getting. Remus replied.

Despite that, he was somewhat fun to listen to. Harry spoke up, Besides, was fun to ruin his perceptions.

The slight chuckle to herself reminded all three of them of Sirius after a minor prank.

They bought the rest of Harry's school supplies without incident. They got her pewter cauldron (despite being tempted by the solid gold cauldron earning a remark of it being specified pewter in her list, and a few remarks about spending from both Remus and Minerva), but they did get a nice set of scales for weighing potion ingredients and a collapsible brass telescope. Then they visited the Apothecary, which was fascinating enough to make up for its horrible smell, a mixture of bad eggs and rotted cabbages. Barrels of slimy stuff stood on the floor; jars of herbs, dried roots, and bright powders lined the walls; bundles of feathers, strings of fangs, and snarled claws hung from the ceiling (Remus looked a little put off by the last couple of items). While Hagrid and Professor McGonagall asked the man behind the counter for a supply of some basic potion ingredients for Harry, Harry herself examined silver unicorn horns at twenty-one Galleons each and minuscule, glittery-black beetle eyes (five Knut a scoop).

Outside the Apothecary, Hagrid checked Harry's list again.

Just yer wand left, oh yeah, an' I still haven't got yeh a birthday present. Hagrid said.

Harry felt herself go red. Even more red when Remus added, I ought to get you one as well.

You don't have to...

I know I don't have to. Both Hagrid and Remus said together. Hagrid continued, tell yeh what, I'll get yer animal. Not a toad, toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at, an' I don' like cats they make me sneeze. Ah, er' not offence, Professor.

Professor McGonagall merely shrugged, You never got such a reaction around me when I'm in my animagus form.

Right, I er' never noticed. Hagrid admitted before turning back to Harry, I'll get yer an owl. All the kids want owls, they're dead useful, carry yer mail an' everythin'.

And I'll get you some photos of your parents from some old friends. Remus said. That brought some tears to Harry's eyes.

Twenty minutes later, they left Eeylops Owl Emporium, which have been dark and full of rustling and flickering, jewel bright eyes. Harry now carried a large cage that held a beautiful snowy owl, fast asleep with her head under her wing. She couldn't stop stammering her thanks, sounding just like Professor Quirrell.

Don' mention it. Hagrid said gruffly, Don' expect you've had a lotta presents from them Dursleys.

None, actually. Harry clarified darkening the mood.

Well, that's going to change from now on. Remus said trying to lighten the mood.

Harry gave a weak smile, If you say so. she said in a disbelieving tone.

Well, chin up. You've only got Ollivanders left now, only place fer wands, Ollivanders, and yeh gotta have the best wand. Hagrid said jovially.

A magic wand... This was what Harry was really looking forward to. With one she'd be able to not only do magic, but also rely on no-one else once she'd finish those seven years in a school run by the man who ruined her life. After that she'd be able to disappear once more and leave this whole world behind her. Though she may keep in contact with a few people whom she'd be able to truly call her friends if she makes any, besides Remus whom she took a liking to.

The Last shop was narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Maker of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.

A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as they stepped inside. It was a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair that Hagrid sat on to wait. Harry felt strangely as though she had entered a very strict library; she swallowed a lot of new questions that had just occurred to her and looked instead at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling. For some reason, the back of her neck prickled. The very dust and silence in here seemed to tingle with some secret magic.

Good afternoon. Said a soft voice.

Harry jumped. Hagrid must have jumped, too, because there was a loud crunching noise and he got up quickly off the spindly chair.

An old man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.

Hello. Harry said awkwardly and timidly.

Ah yes. Said the man,Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter. It wasn't a question, You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work.

Mr. Ollivander moved closer to Harry. Harry wished he would blink. Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy.

Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say you father favored it, it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course.

Witch. Harry said under her breath.

Mr. Ollivander had unfortunately for Harry's attempt at being unheard, come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose. Harry could see herself reflected in those misty eyes...

Yes, witch. Mr. Ollivander said respectfully before returning to his usual soft tone, And that's where...

Mr. Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harry's forehead with a long, white finger. Harry immediately jumped back clapping a hand over her hair brushing it over her forehead to conceal the scar. She had that she never liked.

Mr. Ollivander, I'm afraid, Miss Potter has suffered a great deal and it would be very prudent to respect her personal space. Her previous caretakers weren't nice, and she's only recently returned to the wizarding world, but she has been informed.

Mr. Ollivander was nodded before speaking softly, I apologize for my rudeness. I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it. Thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands... Well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do...

He shook his head and then, to Harry's relief, spotted Hagrid and Remus Lupin.

Rubeus! Rubeus Hagrid! How nice to see you again... Oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy, wasn't it?

It was, sir, yes. Said Hagrid.

Good wand, that one. But I suppose they snapped it in half when you got expelled? Said Mr. Ollivander, suddenly sternly.

Er, yes, they did, yes. Said Hagrid, shuffling his feet, I've still got the pieces, though. He added brightly.

But you don't use them? Said Mr. Ollivander sharply.

Oh, no, sir. Said Hagrid quickly. Harry noticed he gripped his pink umbrella very tightly as he spoke. She immediately connected the dots.

Mr. Ollivander hmmmed, giving Hagrid a piercing look, Well, now, Miss Potter. Let me see. He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket, Which is your wand arm?

Er, well, I'm right-handed. Answered Harry.

Hold out your arm. That's it. He measured Harry from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to head. As he measured, he said, Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Miss Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as o two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand.

Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure, which was measuring between her nostrils, was doing this on its own. Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes.

That will do. He said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor, Right then, Miss Potter. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave.

Harry took the wand and (feeling foolish) waved it around a but, but Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of her hand almost at once.

Maple and phoneix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Try...

Harry tried, but she had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was snatched back by Mr. Ollivander.

No, no, here ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy. Go on, go on, try it out.

Harry tried. And tried. She had no idea what Mr. Ollivander was waiting for. The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and higher on the spindly chair, but the more wands Mr. Ollivander pulled from the shelves, the happier he seemed to become. Harry however didn't seem to become happier at all.

Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere, I wonder, now, yes, why not, unusual combination, holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple.

Harry took the wand. She felt a sudden warmth in her fingers. She raised the wand above her head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light onto the walls. Hagrid and Remus whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh very good. Well, well, well... How curious... How very curious...

He put Harry's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper still muttering, Curious... Curious...

Harry not liking the probable reason why he was still muttering that, inquired, Sorry, but what's curious?

Mr. Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare.

I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather. Just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when her brother, why her brother gave you that scar.

Harry swallowed. She moved even further back glaring at the wand in its box and wrapping.

I can assure you, that fact won't be harmful to you in anyway. Mr. Ollivander said.

I don't want anything to do with the whole "Girl who lived" thing. Harry said sternly.

Then don't mention this fact. Only Professor Dumbledore knows about it besides perhaps He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself. As it is Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes who gave those two feathers. And do not accuse a phoenix unjustly if ever. Every phoenix chooses to be a companion of a witch or wizard. Once that witch or wizard is dead, the phoenix is wild once more and leaves with a single mournful song. Until then, they are more loyal than any other pet in the wizarding world. But never assume they are themselves pets. Mr. Ollivander explained.

Harry didn't like that either but she relented on the wand choosing her. She also filed that fact about phoenixes away for if she ever met one (or Fawkes).

So, my wand is the sister of the wand that gave me this? Harry inquired. Briefly pointing to her mostly concealed behind hair scar.

Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember... I think we must expect great things from you, Miss Potter... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things, terrible, yes, but great.

Harry shivered. She wasn't sure she liked Mr. Ollivander at all. She paid seven gold Galleons for her wand, and Mr. Ollivander bowed them from his shop.

The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Harry, Hagrid, Professor McGonagall and Remus made their way back down Diagon Alley, back through the wall, back through the Leaky Cauldron, now empty. At this point Remus left them. He did however decide to confide to Harry that he was a werewolf which was why he hadn't tried to raise her himself. Harry decided not to hold it against him. She also reassured him in not believing he was a monster despite what Remus had said. Remus felt grateful that like her father before her, Harry didn't judge someone with his condition just because of it. Harry didn't speak at all as they walked down the road; she didn't even notice how much people were gawking at them on the Underground, laden as they were with all their funny-shaped packages, with the snowy owl asleep in its cage on Harry's lap. Up another escalator, out into Paddington station; Harry only realized where they were when Hagrid tapped her on the shoulder.

Got time fer a bite to eat before you leave for Saint Mungo's? He ask. McGonagall nodded.

He bought Harry a hamburger and himself while Professor McGonagall got her own and they sat down on plastic seats to eat them. Harry kept looking around. Everything looked so strange, somehow.

You alright, Harry? Yer very quiet. Said Hagrid.

Harry wasn't sure she could explain. She'd just had the best birthday of her life, and yet, the worst at the same time, she chewed her hamburger, trying to find words.

Everyone thinks I'm special. She said at last, All those people in the Leaky Cauldron, Professor Quirrell, Mr. Ollivander... But I don't know anything about magic at all. How can they expect great things? I'm famous and I can't even remember what I'm famous for. I don't know what happened when Voldemort, Sorry, I mean the night my parents died, and above all, I don't want to be the girl who lived. I really wish people would forget about that.

Hagrid (after he and McGonagall jumped at Harry saying the name) leaned across the table. Behind the wild beard and eyebrows, he wore a very kind smile.

Don' you worry, Harry. You'll learn fast enough. Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts, you'll be just fine. Just be yerself. I know it's hard. Yeh've been singled out, an' that's always hard. But yeh'll have a great time at Hogwarts. I did. Still do, 'smatter of fact.

Hagrid was about to leave them when he stopped. He reached into his pockets and pulled out an envelope.

Yer ticket fer Hogwarts. He said, First o' September. King's Cross. It's all on yer ticket.

He then left them. While Harry was walking away with Professor McGonagall she turned back to wave at Hagrid. But he was already gone by the time she turned around.

Professor McGonagall led Harry to an old-fashioned brick department store called Purge and Dowse Ltd. The place had a shabby, miserable air; the windows display consisted of a few chipped dummies with their wigs askew, standing at random and modelling fashions at least six years out of date. Large signs on all the dusty doors read CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT.

Professor McGonagall approached an ugly female mannequin and said, Miss Potter is here for her treatment until September first.

She pulled Harry through the glass and entered the reception area of a traditional hospital.

Welcome. Miss Potter, we have you on the fourth floor while we ensure there is no lasting damage from your temporary transition into Obscurial. Don't worry about your things. We'll keep them secure out of the way.

A mediwitch (who introduced herself as Andromeda Tonks) led them up to the fourth floor which was long term treatment. Harry wondered how long was long term and upon entering found a chubby boy with what looked like his grandmother who had a stuffed bird in her hat standing before a gaunt man and woman who didn't look like they were responsive. The gaunt woman gave the boy a wrapper. Harry guessed that those were the boy's parents. She shuddered wondering what could have happened to them.

Come on Neville. It's time to leave. You really should throw those away. Said the grandmother. Harry saw approvingly that the boy, Neville, didn't. It looked to be the only interaction he would receive from his parents. Harry didn't care what house she and he ended up in. He was worth becoming friends with.

We've got you right here. You'll be fine. It's only a few months but your situation is concerning enough for this floor. You aren't barred from questions. Feel free to ask. Just don't disturb anyone else, you don't know how they'll react. And from what we've heard, you wouldn't like that. The mediwitch explained.

Harry was given privacy as she got up and sat down on the bed. At least it wasn't Number 4 Privet Drive.

Sirius Black sat in his cell as away from the door as possible. The sound of footsteps do not stir him. The dementors (though not as effective due to Padfoot) drain positive emotions and drive one mad in Azkaban Prison. However, the sight of the gnarled face of Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moodey does little to peek his interest.

Cousin. Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy both say at the same time appearing in Moody's place as he turns away. The sight of three patrons illuminating the hall draws Sirius to the barred door.

You're not real. Sirius spits more at Narcissa then Andromeda.

Oh, some news from your old friend Remus doesn't interest you? Andromeda says diplomatically.

Oh, it would, if you were real. But you aren't. This is just the madness from being drained of all happiness, hope, positivity. Sirius stated retreating from the door.

We know you're the least affected by these things. Moody growled as a Dementor drew too near a patronus due to the sense of free food. It flew back away.

Oh, ruin the fun why don't you. Sirius growled softer than his previous growls towards them. Obviously, he had been enjoying making them think he believed them to be figments of an insane mind.

So, you are unaffected by them. Moody growled back.

Never said that. Sirius snipped.

Can we let the matter of Sirius remaining suspiciously sane be for another time all together please? Andromeda said, We came here because of something interesting. Firstly, Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid informed Saint Mungo's of a new patient coming in. Said patient believes your innocent...

And you thought this was grounds to bother me? The man from a well-respected pureblood family that you just threw into Azkaban without trail? Sirius stated.

No, well the grounds she believed you innocent of were enough for an inquiry. It's who the patient is. Your goddaughter Harriet Lilian Potter who is no longer living with her muggle relatives due to reasons that unfortunately placed her in Saint Mungo's fortunately she's still a witch but we've had a scare of temporary Obscurial transition. Andromeda explained.

Sirius suddenly rushed the barred door to his cell. His head was between the bars. The expression upon his face was barely familiar to Andromeda and Narcissa. Sirius looked ready to kill, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO MY GODDAUGHTER?!

Even Moody jumped at that. Whatever reaction from him they expected it wasn't a combination of violence and concern that he had just shouted out. They were expecting some swearing but not concern for his goddaughter as they all only recently learned that he was possibly innocent. Moody who knew better how to judge a person's character when they are highly emotional and exposed, immediately knew Sirius Black held no ill-will towards Harriet Potter.

If I ever see those pathetic excuse of muggle relatives of poor Lily, I swear I will... Sirius ranted madly as though he had just gotten free of his mother's highly dangerous parenting.

You'll what? Moody inquired.

Their own son had to be taken away from them. Well, Mr. Dursley at least. Their getting a divorce apparently. But even after finally being free of them, Harriet tried to make sure her cousin didn't suffer from the abuse his parents were putting him through by spoiling him endlessly. And it sounds like Petunia's learned her lesson. She regrets everything she's done to her niece and her own son. Andi said.

So, she's come to her senses? Well, that's punishment enough. But it isn't them I want revenge on. It's Pettigrew. That rat's got to be found. Sirius said slightly hysterical.

You're saying Pettigrew was the real culprit behind the deaths of thirteen people? You were there, you heard his last words. Moody said dismissively.

Oh, good way to say such things then blow up twelve muggles with your wand behind your back. Ever wonder how I can keep my mind? Well, hate having to reveal this, but James, Peter and I are unregistered animagi. So, when I say rat I mean both figurative and literally. Knowledge that I'm innocent is the one thing those things can't take from me. Took me some time but eventually I was able to shift and keep my mind. Sirius explained.

Moody's one good eye went almost as wide as his magic eye which was spinning around eyeing all the dementors trying to feed off of them.

Of course you lot would of done something stupid like that. Narcissa stated remembering the Marauders antics from what she had heard from Lucius who heard from Severus Snape.

What's it to you? Sirius inquired.

Only, your goddaughter's gotten it into her head that she wants to be a Slytherin. Narcissa gloated with a slight chuckle despite the depressing atmosphere of the prison.

She gets sorted into Slytherin, I'll break out of here just to scold her. Sirius said. He would too.

Well, until we can prove you innocent or guilty, good thing you can't get out of here. Moody said, At least we know you won't be hurting Potter.

I at least believe you to be innocent. I've been assigned to her. I'll let her know you've been informed that she believes you innocent. Even though you disapprove of her choice of house. Andi said.

Well, if she does end up in Slytherin, she'll be as bad an influence on Draco as you and Potter were on each other. She's already made him question everything he knows by revealing her identity to him when they were in Madam Malkin's for their school robes fittings. Though, that might not be entirely a bad thing. Swear she sounds to of ended up like you despite her parents. Narcissa said.

They left with Sirius laughing, Oh, James! Harry's like me after all! The sound of laughter sounded more like a dog's bark the further they got away from the cell.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 5

The Weasleys, Granger, Malfoy aboard the Train

Life at Saint Mungo's wasn't entirely bad. In fact, anything was better than ten years with the Dursleys, but it wasn't entirely good either. Harry was if anything, bored out of her mind during her month-long stay. She ended up reading her schoolbooks over. Twice (which led to her naming her snowy owl, Hedwig). Fortunately, Andromeda Tonks the mediwitch assigned to her, let her own daughter visit. Nymphadora Tonks was going to be a seventh year at Hogwarts.

Nymphadora Tonks despised being called by her name. Harry could understand somewhat. She mostly went by Harry, but she managed to get Tonks to let her call her Nymphadora so long as Dora could call her Lilian. This and the revelation that Sirius Black was pleased to know she believed him innocent (and from his reaction, she believed it to be the truth) gave her hope she wouldn't be homeless after her first year at Hogwarts.

Harry had been wondering where she would stay after her first year was done at school. Apparently, one stayed at Hogwarts in dorms which depended on the house you were sorted in. Harry felt relieved she wouldn't have to return somewhere after each school day let alone return to Privet Drive.

Harry had received one letter from Dudley since her admission to Saint Mungo's. It explained what happened after she had left. Apparently, Petunia and Vernon were getting a divorce, and Dudley had indeed picked up, boxing to keep in shape. He also wasn't friends with anyone from his old gang which was now Piers' Gang. Though without Dudley, it wasn't as strong. It also sounded like Dudley was getting better if slowly.

The only other visitors Harry got were Draco Malfoy and his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, Andromeda's younger sister (the oldest they told her was Bellatrix who had gone mad and ended up in Azkaban), as well as the chubby boy who Harry had approached after seeing him again. She learned he was Neville Longbottom and had in fact become friends with him. She also seemed to be of some help to his moral by saying it was a brilliant thing he did keeping those wrappers from his mum. Though she did wonder what it was like having any interacting with one's mum, dad, or both.

When September 1st came round. Harry was taken by a different mediwitch to King's Cross station. Unfortunately, when Harry who could see only platforms nine and ten was about to ask where Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was, the mediwitch was gone. Leaving Harry all alone to figure it out for herself.

She decided not to mention the platform number when she went to a nearby guard. Asking about the train that was leaving at eleven o'clock instead. That along with her assortment of things in her trolly got her a funny look and mutterings of time wasters and worse, being called an urchin.

She didn't have long left until Eleven. Harry felt rage boil in her. They of course assumed she knew how to get onto the platform when they left her alone! She was about to tear open Hedwig's cage to write an angry letter when she overheard a familiar looking woman with red hair leading a group of read haired children also with trollies and an owl.

...Packed with muggles, of course... The obviously now Witch said to who could only be her children. Seriously did they all have fiery red hair?

Harry making sure her bangs covered her forehead followed them. Before the mother could speak again to her children she approach.

Excuse me, you are trying to make the eleven o'clock train, correct? Harry asked politely despite rudely cutting off the Matron of Fiery Red Heads.

Said Matron turned on her heels looking around before spotting the...

Molly Weasley gasped the poor girl was all alone, she looked like a witch but she looked very malnourished and small in those terrible muggle clothes that probably were way bigger than she was. Despite staying at Saint Mungo's for a month, Harry hadn't recovered from her treatment for the past ten years. It was going to take longer than a month to fix that.

Oh Merlin's Beard! Don't go saying that to just anyone, dear. Molly Weasley said pulling the girl closer. Despite her exclamation, she kept her voice low enough so only her children and the girl could hear her, But yes, dear, where's your family? Aren't they with you?

Harry looked down solemnly, Not for the past ten years.

Oh, you poor thing. Molly Weasley said. Harry felt a nerve prick at that, What about your guardian?

In Azkaban Prison. She replied.

Molly frowned at that. How could someone do this to the poor girl. Despite that she didn't think the girl could be a threat to her family.

Well, why don't you watch, Percy, Fred and George go onto the platform first before you give it a go. She suggested.

Molly then turned to her eldest boys who were still going to Hogwarts, All right, Percy? Care to show her.

What looked like the eldest boy puffed out his chest and marched towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Harry was going to call out that he was going to crash when a wave of tourist came swarming in front of him and by the time the last backpack had cleared away, the boy had vanished without any sign of crashing let along a noise.

Fred, you're next. Said the plump woman.

He's not Fred, I am. Said the other twin.

Honestly woman you call yourself our mother.

I'm sorry George.

Only joking I am Fred. Called out the twin after he had passed by his mother bolting straight for the barrier, his twin following behind to avoid a scolding. This time Harry did see it. But she couldn't believe it. They had ran straight for the barrier and were suddenly nowhere.

Oh, when I get my hands on those two... Molly Weasley said aloud to herself. She then turned to Harry, Do think you've got it now?

Harry shook her head. She had seen the boys head towards the barrier, but she couldn't wrap her head around the fact that they went through it, let alone herself doing it.

Molly Weasley seemed to frown, Well, all you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten...

I saw that bit, but I can't wrap my head around it. Harry cut her off.

Well, yes, it's your first time. You'd best do it at a bit of a run then. Go on before Ron. Want to make sure you get through. Molly Weasley said encouragingly.

Harry sighed massaging her forehead accidentally brushing her hair from it. She completely missed the three gasps from the remaining red heads as her scar was revealed briefly. But after a moment she set herself before the barrier and rushed it.

She had closed her eyes just before hitting the barrier awaiting a crash. Instead, she was trying to pull herself out of her wild rush after passing through the barrier.

A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express (which was also in gold lettering on the steam engine itself), eleven o'clock. Harry looked behind her and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it.

The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. Harry pushed her trolly off down the platform in search of an empty seat. She passed by Neville Longbottom who was saying, Gran, I've lost my toad again.

Don't worry, Neville, he always turns up. Harry said in passing.

Oh, Harry! Yeah you're right. Neville said suddenly surprised to see her.

Harry continued on passing a boy with dreadlocks who was surrounded by a small crowd.

Give us a look, Lee, go on.

The boy lifted the lid of a box in his arms, and people around him shrieked and yelled as something inside poked out a long, hairy leg.

Harry pressed on through the crowd until she found an empty compartment near the end of the train. She put Hedwig inside first and then started to shove and heave her trunk toward the train door. She tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly raise one end and twice she dropped it painfully on her foot.

Her yelps of pain caught the attention of the red headed twins. One of them asked, Want a hand?

Yes, please. Harry panted massaging her injured foot after the second drop of her trunk on it.

Oi, Fred! C'mere and help!

With the twins' help, Harry's trunk was at last tucked away in a corner of the compartment.

Thanks. Said Harry, wiping sweat from her brow and accidentally brushing her bangs out of the way again.

What's that? Inquired one of the twins suddenly, pointing at Harry's forehead. Harry was quickly brushing her bangs back into place.

Blimey. Said the other twin. Too late! They had both seen the scar, Are you?

She is. Said the first twin, Aren't you?

What? I've got something on my face? Harry asked nonchalantly trying to avoid being outed.

Harriet Potter. Both twins chorused in unison.

Oh, her. Harry said before realizing she could get out of it, Nope!

The two looked like they didn't believe her fully but before they could try to coax the truth out a voice came floating in through the train's open door.

Fred? George? Are you there?

With a last look at Harry, the twins hopped off the train.

Harry sat down next to the window where, half hidden, she could watch the red-haired family on the platform and hear what they were saying. Their mother had just taken out her handkerchief.

Ron, you've got something on your nose.

The youngest boy tried to jerk out of the way, but she grabbed him and began rubbing the end of his nose.

Mum - geroff. He wriggled free.

Aah, has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nosie? Said one of the twins.

Shut up. Said Ron.

Where's Percy? Said their mother.

He's coming now.

The oldest boy came striding into sight. He had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes, and Harry noticed a shiny red-and-gold badge on his chest with the letter P on it.

Can't stay long, Mother. He said, I'm up front, the prefects have got two compartments to themselves...

Oh, are you a prefect, Percy? Said one of the twins, with an air of great surprise, You should have said something, we had no idea.

Hang on, I think I remember him saying something about it. Said the other twin, Once-

Or twice-

A minute-

All summer.

Oh, shup up. Said Percy the Prefect. Harry giggling to herself from the compartment.

How come Percy gets new robes, anyway? Said one of the twins.

Because he's a prefect. Said their mother fondly, All right dear, well, have a good term, send me an owl when you get there.

She kissed Percy on the cheek, and he left. Then she turned to the twins.

Now, you two. This year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've, you've blown up a toilet or...

Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet.

Great idea though, thanks, mum.

It's not funny. And look after Ron.

Harry was torn between laughing at a toilet blowing up and disgust at the destruction of something so disgusting. Honestly did she even have a sense of humor?

Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us.

Shut up. Said Ron again. He was almost as tall as the twins already and his nose was still pink where his mother had rubbed it.

Hey, mum guess what? Guess who we just met on the train?

Harry leaned back quickly so they couldn't see her looking. And to avoid attention all together.

You know that black-haired girl who asked us how to get onto the station? Know who she is?

Who? Molly Weasley said crossing her arms.

Harriet Potter!

Harry heard the little girl's voice.

Oh, mum, can I go on the train and see her, mum, oh please...

You've already seen her, Ginny, and the poor girl isn't something you goggle at in a zoo. Is she really, Fred? We saw her scar but she wasn't really showing it off.

Asked her. Saw her scar. It's really there, like lightning.

Of course, she said nope when she replied to us asking though. Could be trying to avoid a crowd.

Poor dear. No wonder she was alone, I wondered. She was ever so polite when she asked how to get onto the platform, despite her rudeness.

Never mind that, do you think she remembers what You-Know-Who looks like?

Their mother suddenly became very stern.

I forbid you to ask her, Fred. No, don't you dare. As though she needs reminding of that on her first day at school.

All right, keep your hair on.

A whistle sounded.

Hurry up! Their mother said, and the three boys clambered onto the train. They leaned out of the window to kiss them good-bye, and their youngest sister began to cry.

Don't, Ginny, we'll send you loads of owls.

We'll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat.

George!

Only joking mum.

The train began to move. Harry saw the boys' mother waving and their sister, half laughing, half crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed, then she fell back and waved. Harry thought she was cute.

Harry watched the girl and her mother disappear as the train rounded the corner. Houses flashed past the window. Harry felt a great leap of excitement and a great feeling of dread. She didn't know what she was going to - but it had to be better than what she was leaving behind. Hopefully.

The door of the compartment slid open, and the youngest redheaded boy came in.

Anyone sitting there? He asked, pointing at the seat opposite Harry, Everywhere else is full.

Harry who had jumped and drawn her legs close to her chest and unable to speak simply shook her head screaming internally that was too short a time for him to know that for sure. The boy sat down. He glanced at Harry and then looked quickly out of the window, pretending he hadn't looked. Harry saw he still had a black mark on his nose.

Hey, Ron.

The twins were back. Harry had jumped at their sudden appearance as well.

Listen, we're going down the middle of the train. Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there. Said Fred or George.

Right. Mumbled Ron. Harry noticed he looked visible disturbed by the mention of a giant tarantula

Harriet. Said the other twin. Harry couldn't tell which was which and wasn't going to bother figuring it out, Did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. See you later, then.

And sorry if people start pestering you whether you actually are, Harriet Potter. Called the other twin.

Bye. Ron said. The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them.

Are you really Harriet Potter? Ron inquired.

Harry didn't answer she wasn't comfortable around boys so being addressed by one wasn't something she could handle at this moment. So, she remained silent.

Oh, well, Ginny, mum and me saw your scar and we thought you might be. Then Fred and George started saying you were. Guess it was just one of their jokes. Ron said glumly before looking out the window.

Harry feeling a little guilty swallowed and in a timid voice said, I told them nope because I don't like the whole girl who lived thing. But the truth is I am, Harriet Potter.

Ron's head snapped back to look at her, And have you really got... You know...

He pointed at Harry's forehead.

Harry however pulled further back into the corner she was sitting in looking like she was scared of being touched.

I-I-I, don't like boys... Harry said. The offended expression and near rebuttal caused Harry to then immediately clarify, I don't mean that as an in general, I was almost raped by a group of boys my muggle cousin was friends with. I haven't been able to be near a boy without fear of that happening again ever since.

Ron just looked confused. Harry also looked confused (if still timid) at his reaction. Finally, Ron spoke up, What's raped?

How ignorant could this boy be? Harry thought. She tried to think of how to explain, Do you know how babies are made?

Ron's eyes went pink and he looked away, Yes, just recently, why?

Harry felt grateful she didn't have to explain sex to another eleven-year-old, especially since she was also new to the knowledge even if she'd known for almost a year, Imagine doing that to someone against their will. That's rape. It's illegal, at least in the muggle world. Given the reactions I got from the Professors that came to inform me that I was a witch. I'm guessing it's illegal in the wizarding world as well.

Ron took almost a full minute to put it together then another to full grasp what she had said earlier about not liking boys. The oh that turned into a disturbed oh was followed up by, That's sick. Ron's disgusted tone was too genuine for Harry to feel like the boy would dare to try anything. She had a guess that he was sheltered growing up.

After some very awkward silence Harry asked, Are all your family wizards?

Er, yes, I think so. Said Ron, I think mum's got a second cousin who's an accountant, but we never talk about him.

Why not? Harry inquired. It didn't settle right.

Don't know. Well, overheard he was rude to us so maybe that's why. Ron answered.

Oh, so, you must know loads of magic already. Harry assumed.

The Weasleys were clearly an old wizarding family.

I heard you went to live with muggles. Said Ron changing the subject. He obviously didn't want to talk about his knowledge of magic, What are they like?

I'd rather not talk about my experience. Harry said avoiding the question, Besides it's not as interesting as three brothers.

Five. Ron said. For some reason he was looking gloomy, I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left. Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks, and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat.

Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat gray rat, which was asleep.

His name's Scabbers and he's useless, he hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my dad for being made a prefect, but they couldn't... I mean, I got Scabbers instead.

Ron's ears went pink. He seemed to think he'd said too much, because he went back to staring out of the window.

Harry (who was very much aware that Peter Pettigrew was a rat animagus, but didn't know that Peter was missing a finger so didn't assume anything from Scabbers) didn't think there was anything wrong with not being able to afford an owl. After all, she'd never had any money in her life until a month ago, and she told Ron so, all about her tormented life while assuring him that it was only her muggle blood relatives who had been like that as far as muggles were.

... and until I received my letter, I didn't know I was a witch. Took Hagrid arriving for the whole truth to come out. I don't know anything about being a witch or about my parents aside from what an old friend of theirs told me, or Voldemort...

Ron gasped.

What? Harry said sounding exasperated. Not this stupid "He Who Must Not Be Named" again.

You said You-Know-Who's name! Ron said, sounding both shocked and impressed, I'd have though you of all people...

Oh, like I'd follow along some stupid fear mongering some dark wizard decided to instill in the masses. Let alone the fact that I never knew you shouldn't. Honestly, I don't give a damn about it. Harry said sounding annoyed at the whole afraid of a name thing. She was really annoyed with the wizarding world the more she learned about it, I'm only bothering with Hogwarts so I don't end up an Obscurus, let alone becoming an Obscurial again.

You won't be. There's loads of people who come from muggle families and they drop the risk of that just from the first term. Ron explained trying to reassure Harry she wouldn't turn back into an Obscurial. That had been the worst shock for Ron. He could hardly believe the Girl Who Lived had temporarily turned into an Obscurial.

While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled witch slid back their door and said, Anything off the cart, dears?

Harry who hardly had any breakfast, leapt to her feet, but Ron's ears went pink again and he muttered that he'd brought sandwiches. Harry overhearing this and realizing this would be the only form of lunch anyone on the train would get (unless they brought something with them) decided to do something about the poor boy's (pun not intended due to how offensive it is) situation.

Harry who had never had any money for candy (let alone any candy before), and now that she had pockets rattling with gold and silver, she was ready to buy... Actually she didn't know what she was looking at. The woman didn't have anything resembling muggle sweets. What she did have were Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (the only thing that looked familiar), Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs (Chocolate was the only thing she had ever had before but that was during her first period outside of the Dursley's intentional withholding of care on that part of her life as a girl, so she finally learned not only to handle her menstrual cycle, but also that Chocolate was her favorite thing in the world), Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldrons Cakes, Licorice Wands, and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in her life.

Not wanting to miss anything and having a compartment with a boy who mostly likely had pathetic sandwiches compared to these treats, she got some of everything and paid the woman eleven silver Sickles and seven bronze Knuts.

Ron stared as Harry having to do it in two trips, brought it all back into the compartment and tipped it onto an empty seat. A set of each item she bought on an empty seat next to her and for a short uncomfortable moment next to Ron.

Hungry, are you?

Starving. Harry said, taking a large bite out of a pumpkin pasty. She then had to gag some out into her hand when she realized she'd taken too big of a bite for her stomach to handle. She was finish off half the bite when she said after swallowing, Don't be shy, I didn't get it all for me. Besides, I suffer from server malnourishment. I'm literally incapable of finish all of it off, incase you're worried about charity. I really do need the help.

She was finishing off the second half of her bite, ignoring the slightly awful taste of immediately regurgitated pasty when she saw Ron had taken out a lumpy package and unwrapped it. There were four sandwiches inside. He pulled one of them apart and said, She always forgets I don't like corned beef.

Noting that Ron was intentionally ignoring the fact that she offered him food in return for helping her finish it off decided to use trade instead, I'll take those. Come on, have something off the trolly.

You don't want this, it's all dry. Said Ron, She hasn't got much time, you know with five of us. He had added quickly.

You're talking to a girl who doesn't even know what bacon tastes like. I don't really care how dry it is. Go on, have a pasty. Harry said holding out her hands for the sandwiches. Aside from the one Ron had taken apart (which had fallen apart landing on the floor while Ron chucked them over to Harry, resulting in it being tossed out the window). Harry had three surprisingly good sandwiches while Ron grateful for not upsetting his mum and the trade, enjoyed the sweets that Harry had dumped next to him.

Harry who had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. Enjoyed this brief moment. She wasn't a fool though; this didn't make them friends after all this was just bonding over sweets. Though she wondered how different that actually was from normal friendships starting to form. Regardless, it felt nice sharing something with someone even if they were a boy. But as far as Harry was concerned, Ron was too sheltered by his mother to try anything.

These aren't real frogs, are they? Harry asked Ron, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs.

No, just enchanted to move like real frogs. Ron said. Good thing to because it had jumped for the window. Harry moved at surprising speed and snatched it similar to a Seeker in Quidditch. This surprised Ron, who watched as Harry opened her hand allowing the Chocolate Frog to hop into her mouth. She squirmed a bit as an enchanted Chocolate Frog moving its way through her mouth and down her throat despite the chewing she had done. Ron who had never seen such a reaction before did his best to shrug it off, See what the card is. I'm missing Agrippa.

What? Harry asked very curious. The chocolate hadn't been bad, but the enchantment apparently was strong enough to keep going despite the decapitation and amputation she had done to while chewing.

Oh, of course, you wouldn't know. Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, you know, to collect, famous witches and wizards. I've got about five hundred, but I haven't got Agrippa or Ptolemy.

Harry looked and found the card still in the box. It showed...

Ugh, I've got Dumbledore... She rubbed her eye with her middle finger directed at the card.

Ron who looked confused at Harry's action piped up, Can I have a frog? I might get Agrippa.

So long as I get the chocolate. Harry replied.

Thanks. Ron said tearing open a Chocolate Frog. Harry who was having fun snatching them out of the air and eating the chocolate while Ron looked over the cards (which he gave to Harry when he realized they weren't Agrippa or Ptolemy). Harry finally turned over Dumbledore's card.

Albus Dumbledore

CURRENTLY HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS

Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.

Harry turned the card back over and saw to her astonishment and satisfaction, that Dumbledore's face had disappeared.
He's gone.

Well, you can't expect him to hand around all day, Ron said, He'll be back. enjoying the other cards?

Haven't looked. In the Muggle World, people just stay put in photos. Because it's a still image, it can't move. Harry explained.

Do they? What, they don't move at all? Ron sounded amazing while Harry felt like he had only half-listened to her, Weird!

Harry starting to look over her cards noted she now had not only Dumbledore (who she despised due to her life under his idea of protection), but also Morgana (who fortunately wasn't as bad as the Arthurian Legend led one to believe), Hengist of Woodcroft, Alberic Grunnion, Circe, Paracelsus, and Merlin (her favorite, being a Slytherin who was also praised as the greatest wizard of all time). She finally tore her eyes away from the druidess Cliodna, who was scratching her nose, to open a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans.

You want to be careful with those. Ron warned Harry, When they say every flavor, they mean every flavor. You know, you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George swore he had a booger-flavored one once.

Harry who looked at the container again and saw in small writing A risk with every mouthful! underneath the large brand label. It looked to be an advertisement quote.

Ron picked up a green bean, looked at it carefully, and bit into a corner, Bleaargh, see? Sprouts.

They had a good time eating the Every Flavor Beans. Harry got toast (which she was barely familiar with at all), coconut, baked bean, strawberry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine, and was even brave enough to nibble the end off a funny gray one Ron wouldn't touch, which turned out to be pepper.

The countryside new flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills.

There was a knock on the door of their compartment and Neville poked his head in. He looked tearful until he spotted Harry.

Sorry, Harry, but have you seen Trevor at all? He asked.

No, Neville, hadn't seen Trevor, let alone a toad unless Chocolate Frogs count. Harry said gleefully.

Neville sighed before looking at Ron, I'm Neville Longbottom by the way. Great to see Harry's got another friend who's a boy who isn't...

He was cut off when he disappeared back into the hall. It looked like he had been pulled out into it.

Don't know why he's so bothered. Said Ron, If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brough Scabbers, so I can't talk.

The rat was still snoozing on Ron's lap.

He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference. Said Ron in disgust, I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look...

He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very battered-looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.

Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway...

He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. Neville was back, but this time he had a girl with him. She was already wearing her new Hogwarts Robes. Harry recognized her immediately from Flourish and Blotts.

Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one. She said. She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth.

From the look on Neville's embarrassed face. She had been the one to drag him away from their door. It also told Harry that the bushy haired know-it-all still didn't have any friends yet.

We've already told him we haven't seen it. Said Ron, but the girl wasn't listening, she was looking at the wand in his hand.

Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then.

She sat down. Ron looked taken aback.

Er, all right.

He cleared his throat.

Sunshine Daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow.

He waved his wand, but nothing happened. Scabbers stayed gray and fast asleep.

Harry unable to stop herself because she knew what had actually happened, burst out laughing. Ron glared at her.

Are you sure that's a real spell? Asked the girl who then turned to scold Harry, I don't see how that was funny.

It... wheeze Wasn't... another wheeze Funny! Harry got out in between breaths.

Then why are you laughing? Both Ron and the girl asked. Ron's tone however was louder and obviously offended by Harry laughing at him. She had bonded with him over trolly sweets.

After a moment of forcing herself to stop and catching enough of her breath though still panting and having an uncontrollable chuckle that was slowing down she finally said, Because you've been pranked! Honestly, those aren't funny. Being the victim of many a prank myself. I'm ashamed for laughing at one.

Well, at least your sorry. The girl scolded her but softer than she had originally planned to. Ron still looked offended. The girl continued, Whoever gave you that joke spell should be more ashamed. I've tried a few actual spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard. I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?

She said all of this very fast.

Harry still wheezing looked at Ron, and was relieved to see by his stunned face that he hadn't learned all the course books by heart either. Though in Harry's case, Potions, Defense, and Quidditch Through the Ages were the ones she'd memorized by heart. Hogwarts: A History was to long for her to learn in two read throughs.

I'm Ron. Ron Weasley. Ron said remembering his last name as an afterthought.

Harry Potter. Harry said, Yes, that Harriet Potter. No, I don't go by Harriet, or Lilian unless your Nymphadora. Potter is only for formal or antagonist address.

Are you really? Said Hermione. Harry rolled her eyes as she had literally just confirmed it, I know all about you, of course. I got a few extra books for background reading.

Should have done that. All I got were Hogwarts: A History and Quidditch Through The Ages. Harry interrupted. Hermione briefly looked offended at being interrupted but her expression turned to joy at another witch who had read Hogwarts: A History.

Yes, well, you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of The Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. Hermione stated.

Ron and Neville were dazed. Harry however looked more offended than Ron had when she laughed at him fall for a prank. The glare was obvious, and her tone turned to a familiar snobbish drawl that only Neville picked up on.

I'd appreciate if you'd drop anything and everything having to do with the girl who lived. I despite being famous more than anything. Whatever you have read about me is a lie made up by the author. I have spent the past ten years in nothing but torment all because of an insane man in power deciding my muggle relatives who despite magic to the point of physical and mental abuse, heavy malnourishment, constant unending bullying, child abuse, and intentional withholding of information. Which ended up with temporary transformation into an Obscurial multiple times due to being unable to answer a letter. So, unlike yourself, I've been permanently alienated by the whole Wizarding World just because I'm not a Muggle-Born like yourself. So, please, cease talking about me like you do know me. I apologize for offence, but a family friend of my parents described me as inheriting the best and worst traits of my parents resulting in me being a new, Sirius Black, which is in fact a compliment. Harry said sounding more like Narcissa Malfoy than Draco Malfoy.

Hermione who was indeed offended but was able to put together that she offended Harry, decided to concede the point by saying, I'm sorry for offending you as well. And if by a new Sirius Black you mean, little shit then that is spot on.

Harry beamed at her, That's pretty much a spot-on comparison. I am unashamed of being a little shit. You would be too once you learned your whole life was ruined by one man and you decide no-one gets to control it ever again. The idiocy of an entire secret world full of magic stuck in very outdated logic and politics doesn't help either.

Oh, well maybe look into these sources of information about you so you can do something about it. Said Hermione trying to be helpful, Do either of you know what House you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore...

Harry spat at hearing his name.

Hermione confused by this, continued, Himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad... Anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You two had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon.

And she left, taking Neville with her. Neville had looked sorry that whole time Hermione had been herself.

Whatever House I'm in, I hope she's not in it. Said Ron. Harry despite everything that had just transpired, felt offended for Hermione. He threw his wand back into his trunk, Stupid spell. George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud.

What House are your brothers in? Asked Harry.

Gryffindor. Said Ron. Gloom seemed to be settling on him again, Mum and Dad were in it, too. I don't know what they'll say if I'm not. I don't suppose Ravenclaw wouldn’t be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin.

What's wrong with Slytherin? Harry inquired sounding offended.

Well, You-Know-Who was in that House, besides everyone knows every witch or wizard who's gone bad was a Slytherin. Ron stated.

False. Not on Voldemort, that I believe is true. But not every witch or wizard who went bad came from Slytherin. Harry stated, Besides, Merlin was a Slytherin.

Yeah, guess you've got a point. If Merlin was a Slytherin then not every one of them can be bad. But that's got to be rare. Ron said. He flopped into his seat, looking depressed.

Harry highly interested in what wizards and witches did once they'd leave school asked, So what do your oldest brothers do now that they've left, anyway?

Charlie's in Romania studying dragons and Bill's in Africa doing something for Gringotts. Ron said before remembering something, Did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with being in Saint Mungo's all of last month. Someone tried to rob a high security vault.

Harry stared.

Really? What happened to them? She inquired.

Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark Wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't think they took anything, that's what's odd. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it.

Harry turned this news over in her mind. She was starting to get annoyed at every mention of You-Know-Who more because everyone is stupidly afraid of the name. But she was starting to get a prickle of fear every time something like this comes up. She was worried people will start looking to her to solve these things. She wasn't going to let that happen let along become the norm of her life.

What's your Quidditch team?

Holyhead Harpies. Harry answered. Thank you Quidditch Through The Ages, she thought.

Should of guessed. Ginny also is a Harpies fan. Ron said sounding only partial disappointed and partial surprised, Mine's the Chudley Cannons.

Ron was off, explaining all about his team and with Harry's piqued interest, some of the finer points of Quidditch. Harry did manage to get some info from Ron about the Harpies, helped Ginny wouldn't shut up about them when they won a match. Ron described a lot. From famous players to games he'd been to with his brothers and the broomstick he'd like to get if he had the money. He was just taking Harry through the finer points of the game (which she hadn't gotten to know yet) when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville or Hermione this time.

Three boys entered, and Harry recognized the middle one at once: It was Draco Malfoy flanked by two large boys who gave Harry a rather Vernon Dursley like vibe, only less brains.

So, it is true. Drawled Draco smiling (with sneer) and noting Harry's discomfort gestured for the two large boys to remain next to the door as he got closer, The rumor that Harriet Potter is in this compartment. So, how have you been, Potter.

Hello, Malfoy. Harry said drawling back at him sneer included, Finally found something you couldn't magic your way past, or do you just like the way I fidget around boys.

The two large boys were thick set one taller than the other, both looked extremely mean. Harry guessed the menace was just for show and that they just looked tough. She doubted that they weren't but guessed their brawn would be second to their magic after school.

Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle. Draco introduced the two boys, Goyle was the taller of the two while Crabbe looked to have more brawn about him. In fact, Harry knew the fatter the person the stronger they were under all their clothes. Vernon's size wasn't just his weight after all.

Pleasure. Harry drawled scotting back, What do you want, Draco Malfoy.

Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Harry rolled her eyes at her attempt to drop Draco's name for him. Draco Malfoy looked at him the distain clear as his sneer upon his face.

Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all about the Weasleys having red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford.

He turned back to Harry obviously expecting a smile. Harry's frown (matching Narcissa's) greeting him back, You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.

He held out his hand to shake Harry's but Harry didn't take it.

You know very well how much I don't like being around boys. Besides, I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks. Harry said, Though, my guess is there's some sort of feud going on between the Malfoys and the Weasleys, otherwise I would shake your hand. I don't want to offend Ron here. But I also don't want to offend you by down right refusing your poor attempt at offering friendship which is nothing more than politics. As far as I know, both of your families are the right sort for me. So, if you both can put your petty feud aside, I'd appreciate being able to be friends with the both of you. Even if we only bonded over sweets Ron.

Ron and Draco looked taken aback. Ron more due to the fact that Harry was actually considering Draco Malfoy as a friend. Draco more due to the fact that Harry considered the Weasleys the right sort. Both looked at each other then at Harry.

We don't have to be friends? Ron said.

To be friends with you? Draco continued.

Do we? They finished together. Harry was reminded of Fred and George by this.

I'll have to settle for that. Harry said standing up and shook both Draco's and Ron's hands with each of hers, Good enough for you two?

Yeah. Ron said.

Real insulting how you who grew up like a Muggle-Born is more Slytherin than the rest of us Purebloods. Draco, See you at Hogwarts, hopefully you do get sorted into Slytherin.

He then left with Crabbe and Goyle on his heels.

Your not going to be in Slytherin. Ron said matter-of-factly.

Oh, yes I am! Harry all but shouted back at him, sounding highly offended.

Oh. I just thought... Ron looked taken aback, she sounded so much like a Gryffindor before Malfoy came in. But the Harry he had just seen was in fact more Slytherin than Gryffindor. Ron decided to try and regrasp the possible friendship, Harry had teased, If you are, you'll be one of the few rare Slytherins, like Merlin.

Harry seemed to take that as a compliment. Harry herself knew he was trying to be diplomatic enough to not ruin their bond. Even if he wasn't the type of person to do so in the first place.

A few seconds later, Hermione Granger had come in.

You've met Malfoy before, haven't you? Ron said ignoring Hermione's confused and cross look at not knowing what had happened and being interrupted.

Harry explained her meeting Malfoy at Madam Malkin's and their meetings while she was in Saint Mungo's.

I've heard of his family. Said Ron darkly, They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side. He turned to Hermione, Can we help you with something?

You'd better hurry up and put your robes on, I've just been up to the front to ask the conductor, and he says we're nearly there. Hermione said.

Would you mind leaving while we change? Ron said.

While you change, you forget I'm a girl too. Harry said sounding slightly amused and offended.

And so, Harry and Hermione left the compartment. Hermione unable to contain herself asked Harry what about herself was true. None of the questions she asked about were true about her. When Ron let Harry in, she took Hermione in with her and explained how horrible her relatives were to her.

I'm terribly sorry about all of that. Honestly it's a wonder how child services were never called. Hermione said before looking at Ron, You've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know?

Ron glared at her as she left. Harry noted that it was similar to the glare he gave his mother at being wiped clean when she tried to clean his nose when they were in London.

Harry could see mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. The train did seem to be slowing down.

A voice echoed through the train: We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately.

The two of them crammed their pockets with the last of the sweets (alongside their wands) and joined the crowd thronging the corridor.

The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobby over heads of students, and Harry heard a familiar voice: Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?

Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads. Many of which were looking for said Harry.

C'mon, follow me Hagrid said, Any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!

Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much. Neville who kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.

Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec. Hagrid called over his shoulder, Jus' round this bend here.

There was a loud Oooooh!

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

No more'n four to a boat! Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry and Ron were followed into their boat by Neville and Hermione.

Everyone in? Shouted Hagrid who had a boat to himself, Right then. FORWARD!

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

Heads down! Yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right under the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

Oy, you there! Is this your toad? Said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

Trevor! Cried Nevile blissfully, holding out his hands. Harry was glaring at anyone who dared to laugh. Not that it stopped anyone.

They clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp coming out at last onto smooth damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.

They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?

Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

Harry got the sudden feeling that this was the start of the worst seven years of her life. She ignored that feeling all together. She would come to regret that seven years later.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 6

Sorted Slytherin

The door swung open at once. Professor McGonagall stepped forward in her emerald-green robes and ever present very stern face. Everyone (save Harry who had already met the deputy-headmistress) thought that this was not someone to cross.

The firs' years, Professor McGonagall. Said Hagrid.

Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.

She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of Number 4 Privet Drive in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right (the rest of the school must already be here) but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

Welcome to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall began, The start-of-term feast will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.

The four Houses are called, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.

Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously made sure her bangs covered her forehead while pretending to flatten her hair.

I shall return when we are ready for you. Said Professor McGonagall, Please wait quietly.

She left the chamber. Harry swallowed.

How exactly do they sort us into Houses? She asked Ron who was still next to her.

Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking.

Harry's heart gave a horrible jolt. A test? In front of the whole school? But she didn't know any magic yet. What on earth would she have to do? She hadn't expected something like this the moment they arrived. Then she remembered that Fred and George were described as pranksters and she relaxed a little. She looked around still a little anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified, too. No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. Harry tired hard not to listen to her. She'd never been more nervous, never, not even when she'd had to take a school report home to the Dursleys saying that she'd somehow turned her teacher's wig blue (and hated having the memory resurge from within her mind). She kept her eyes fixed on the door. Any second now, Professor McGonagall would come back and lead her to her doom.

Then something happened that made her jump about a foot in the air. Several people behind him screamed.

What the?

She gasped. So did the people around her. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat monk was saying: Forgive and forget, I say we ought to give him a second chance...

My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost... I say, what are you all doing here?

A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.

Nobody answered.

New students! Said the Fat Friar, smiling around them, About to be Sorted, I suppose?

A few people nodded mutely. Harry among those that didn't.

Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! Said the Frair, My old house, you know.

Move along now. Said a sharp voice, The Sorting Ceremony's about to start.

Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.

Now, form a line. Professor McGonagall told the first years, And follow me.

Feeling oddly as though her legs had turned to lead, Harry got into line behind a boy with sandy hair, with Ron behind her, they walked out of the chamber back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

Harry had never imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Harry looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. She heard Hermione whisper, It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.

It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open to the heavens, made even harder by the fact that Harry had read and brought her copy of Hogwarts: A History.

Harry quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. Aunt Petunia wouldn't have let it in the house. Which made Harry immediately like it.

Maybe they had to try and get a rabbit out of it, Harry thought wildly, before discarding the idea as idiocy from living among muggles for so long. Noticing that everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat, she stared at it, too. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth, and the hat began to sing:

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you out to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't Be Afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

So we've got to try on the hat! Ron whispered to Harry who was wondering why she was still next to him, I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll.

Harry smiled weakly. Yes, trying on the hat was a lot better than having to do a spell, but she did wish they could have tried it on without everyone watching. The hat seemed rather a lot; Harry didn't feel brave or quick-witted or any of it at the moment. Well, she did feel quite Slytheriny a lot of the time, but she was worried it might sort her into the wrong house. Not Gryffindor she mentally told herself.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. She said before calling, Abbott, Hanna!

A pin-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause.

HUFFLEPUFF! Shouted the Hat.

The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hanna went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table, robes matching the House Colors. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.

Bones, Susan!

HUFFLEPUFF! Shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah. Harry was grateful it wasn't a random name called but alphabetical order.

Boot, Terry!

RAVENCLAW!

The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.

Brocklehurst, Mandy went to Ravenclaw too, but Brown, Lavender became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers; Harry could see Ron's twin brothers catcalling. She really didn't want to be in Gryffindor if the House was always like that.

Bulstrode, Millicent then became a Slytherin. Perhaps it was Harry's imagination, after all of the biased bigotry she had heard from Hagrid, Remus, and Ron about Slytherin, but she thought they looked like an unpleasant lot. She didn't let it get to her. She wasn't intending on having friends from only her house anyways, let alone a lot of friends, just enough to not feel lonely anymore.

She was starting to feel definitely sick now. She remembered being picked for teams during gym at her old school. She had always been last to be chose, not because she was no good, but because no one wanted Dudley (when he was a bully) to think they liked her.

Finch-Fletchley, Justin!

HUFFLEPUFF!

Sometimes, Harry noticed, the hat shouted out the House at once, but at others it took a little while to decide. Finnigan, Seamus, the sandy-haired boy next to Harry in the line, sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor.

Granger, Hermione.

Hermione almost ran to the stool (with a quick Good luck. whispered to her from Harry) and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.

GRYFFINDOR! Shouted the hat. Ron groaned. Harry elbowed him.

A horrible thought struck Harry, as horrible thoughts always do when your nervous. What if she wasn't chosen at all? What if she just sat there with the hat over her eyes for ages, until Professor McGonagall jerked it off her head and said there had obviously... No, Harry knew she wouldn't be like that. Professor McGonagall had been with her. Harry wouldn't let this thought dominate her mind. She would be a Slytherin regardless of everyone's expectations and biased opinions about her or the House she wanted to be in.

When Neville Longbottom was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted GRYFFINDOR! Nevill ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to MacDougal, Morag.

However before Morag MacDougal had the hat a top his head, Harry shouted out, That's not funny!

The scowl she wore upon her face was so similar to Walburga Black's that the older pureblood students spread She's scowling just like Black's mother. like wildfire on a dry forest during a very dry season. Ron had leaned in while Draco was attempting to hide his sniggering. Both cried Ow! when Harry elbowed them both in front of the whole school.

RAVENCLAW! Shouted the Hat when Morag MacDougal finally got the hat on after all of that and sat there a bit.

Draco Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, SLYTHERIN!

Malfoy wen to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking pleased with himself. Though to everyone's surprise (save Draco and Neville, not counting Tonks), Harry had given him a thumbs up when he went past her to head to the Slytherin table.

There weren't many people left now.

Moon ..., Nott ..., Parkinson ..., then a pair of twin girls, Patil and Patil ... then, Perks Sally-Ann ..., and then, at last...

Potter, Harriet!

As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.

Potter, did she say

The Harriet Potter?

Her? The girl who shouted at us all?

The last thing Harry saw before the hat dropped over her eyes was the hall full of people craning to get a good look at her. Next second she was looking at the black inside of the hat.

She waited.

Hmm. Said the small voice in his ear, Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes, and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting... So where shall I put you?

Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought Slytherin.

Oh? Unafraid of Slytherin's bad reputation. Yes, you could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that. And quite the interesting reason for wanting to be in Slytherin. But is that really how you'll end up? You will never know. But yes, you are indeed a true, SLYTHERIN!

Harry heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall. She took off the hat and turned on her heels. Before her was Professor Dumbledore. She thrusted up both her arms hands raised in the unmistakable rude gesture of giving someone the middle finger, and Harry presented two. She walked back a few steps before turning right around the biggest grin on her face. She was in Slytherin.

She hadn't made it off the raised platform where the High Table sat when a voice from behind her said, If it weren't for the past ten years you lived, I'd deduct points for such a blatant disrespect for the Headmaster, Miss Potter. However, it is all his fault you've spent ten years among the worst living circumstance possibly devised for your own protection. No, my only request is that you do not take after your father and disregard the rules, despite not being in Gryffindor. I will for the sake of spiting the Headmaster for disregarding my assessment of your relatives whom you won't ever return to. Award you five points for looking out for you fellow student despite not being in the same House as him. Well done.

Never had anyone ever heard of the deputy-headmistress let anyone get off scot-free for breaking a rule, real or unspoken. Let alone gain points after just being sorted which had never happened before. Harry whose grin had been big before now held the biggest shit eating grin upon her face ever seen by anyone save perhaps those who had seen Fred and George get away with a prank. Only Professor Snape knew where that grin came from. James Potter and Sirius Black always wore before their prank went off on a Slytherin (primarily himself). Professor Snape was wondering how he was going to survive seven years with the daughter/goddaughter of his archnemeses in his House. The only consolation was that he had seen how Harry channeled James was far too similar to Lily. But Lucius Malfoy hearing from his wife was indeed accurate. Harriet Lilian Potter was basically the Sirius Black of the Potters.

Harry sat down between Daphne Greengrass and a fifth year Slytherin who also wore a Prefect badge, opposite Draco Malfoy.

She would of said something if they all weren't watching the rest of the sorting. There were only four people left to be sorted. Thomas, Dean, a black boy even taller than Ron, joined the Gryffindors, while Turpin, Lisa, became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ron's turn. He was pale green by now. Harry silently said Gryffindor for his sake and a second later after Ron's head went under the Sorting Hat, GRIFFINDOR!

Of course, Weasley would end up in Gryffindor. Malfoy said. Percy was saying something to Ron, probably a Well done. but the last first year, Zabini, Blaise, was made a Slytherin (who of course had to sit right next to her, making her very uncomfortable). Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.

Harry looked down at her empty gold plate. She had only just realized how starving she was. The pumpkin pasties seemed ages ago now.

Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students (despite being flipped off by one of them), his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there. Save one brief glance at Harry looking like he had just lost his sister Ariana again but almost no-one noticed this. Harry rubbed her eye when he did this, secretly flipping him off again.

Welcome! He said, Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our start of term feast, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Thank you!

He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Save Harry who didn't know whether to laugh or not.

Does he always say something so... erratic? Harry asked the prefect on the other side of Blaise.

If you're asking if he's mad, yes he is. Another Slytherin answered before putting something in their mouth.

Harry who was at first confused looked down. Her mouth fell open. The dishes in front of her were now piled with food. She had never seen so much food before, beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, chips, ketchup, and for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs.

Harry knew from the way the Dursley's had starved her (mainly due to sneaking around late at night hadn't worked out for her in getting food to avoid starving), resulting in her malnourishment. But it was incredibly different from having food and having an endless choice of what to eat with no end in sight. She remembered that Dudley had always taken anything that had caught Harry's interest, even if it made him sick. Harry had to restrain herself from piling everything except the peppermints onto her plate. Instead, she simply piled small portions to avoid overeating while she wasn't used to eating normal amounts that everyone else clearly had.

Harry tuned out the chatter the Slytherins had started talking about (some about family others politics), and instead focused on her meal.

A loud shout of shock and horror broke through her mostly successful attempt at ignoring everything around her. She turned just in time to see the ghost with the ruff shrug his head back onto his neck.

What was that about? Harry asked nobody in particular and didn't expect an answer.

Nearly Headless Nick. The Gryffindor House Ghost. Ours is the Blood Baron the only one who can control Peeves the Poltergeist. Said the prefect.

Which makes our House Ghost the best. Which we of course are the best. Commented another Slytherin obviously trying to reinforce the point.

Harry rolled her eyes and resumed her ignoring of the usual chatter of the rest of her new House. Unfortunately, now everyone decided to include her in their conversation.

Is it true you had to go live with Muggles for the past ten years? Balise inquired. His tone indicated his distain for muggles.

Harry's lips tightened and she tried her best to keep her composure.

Unfortunately, it was true. She doesn't now. Draco thankfully answered for her.

Can't she answer for herself? Pansy Parkison asked sounding offended that a boy answered for a girl. Harry wasn't against true gender equality, but that wasn't it.

Unfortunately, Potter's time among the muggles wasn't kind. In fact, It's better to keep the details to only those closest to her. Draco said as though it were obvious, But during that time, a few muggle boys attempted something terrible. Potter hasn't been able to be around boys without being uncomfortable since. With a few exceptions.

Harry mouthed a Thank you to Draco, however Daphne Greengrass then spoke up, And you are one such exception?

We met at Madam Malkin's Draco explained, Didn't get a response from her at first, but eventually she found me amusing.

Harry who had been very focused on getting herself to eat, nearly choked as she coughed at the memory at that.

Everyone around her was startled.

Sorry, that was an amusing memory. Harry finally able to speak again, said. She wasn't done though, Given the last ten years of my life, technically, I'm the first ever Muggle-Born Slytherin, even though I'm a Half-blood. Not my fault I was landed with magic hating muggles who actually tried to turn me into a squib and almost got an Obscurus instead.

That shut them up. For the first time the Slytherin table was dead silent. None could decide which was worse, Harry being the first Muggle-Born or the fact that she had turned into an Obscurial, if temporarily.

When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates (Harry hoped none of it went to waste, unaware that it didn't), leaving them sparkling clean as before. A moment later the desserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs, and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jello, rice pudding...

Harry's jaw dropped...

As Harry helped herself to a treacle tart, the talk (which had started up again before dessert) turned to their families.

Harry took no part in this, but couldn't avoid over hearing. It wasn't normal talk like those she had overheard at the muggle school she used to go to. The talk was mainly political in nature, though some were obviously gossip and rumors. It wasn't just their families either. They talked about other Pureblood Families which of course included the Weasleys. It wasn't positive.

Lessons apparently weren't a topic to be talked about yet, which was surprising. Harry (who was starting to feel warm and sleepy), looked up at the High Table. She noticed Hagrid (who had joined the High Table after Professor McGonagall took the first years) was drinking deeply from his goblet. Professor McGonagall was talking to (mental ugh) Professor Dumbledore. Professor Quirrell to Professor Snape.

It happened very suddenly, if Harry hadn't noticed it, she would have believed it had been Professor Snape's side glance towards her. The moment that happened Quirrell's turban was fully facing the back of his head towards her. A sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead.

Harry clapped a hand to her head and another to her mouth. Fortunately, she was eating ice cream at the moment as her muffled Ouch! did unfortunately catch attention.

What is it? Asked the Prefect next to her. Her tone indicated she didn't actually care.

N-nothing, brain freeze. Harry answered.

The Prefect did glance up towards the High Table where Harry had been looking, Wonder what Professor Quirrell has to say to our Head of House? Did you know this is his first year as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, used to teach Muggle Studies.

Harry was caught aback, Professor Snape's our Head of House?

You've already met Professor Snape? Draco, Daphne, Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, and the Prefect said, some with already added to the end.

Yeah, Professor McGonagall went to get him when I finally got the explanation behind me living with... Living with muggles. I met Professor Quirrell in the Leaky Cauldron the same day I met you, Draco.

Well, Professor Snape might be giving Quirrell some tips. Knows a lot about the Dark Arts he does. But unfortunately, he's stuck as Potions Master. The Prefect answered.

Well, I believe he knew my mum. Aunt Petunia never looked so scared in her life when he arrived at... Where I used to live. Harry commented.

That shocked the Slytherins around her. But Harry didn't elaborate and as the rest hardly knew anything, they didn't comment either. Except for Draco.

Father was a Prefect at Hogwarts when Professor Snape came to school. Said he was real close to, Lily Evans, they were friends until their fifth year.

That surprised everyone even more that Draco Malfoy knew anything about what Harry had just dropped.

Well, Professor Snape did want his friend to be in Slytherin with him. Despite having a Pureblood Slytherin mother who unfortunately married a muggle, he didn't know, Muggle-Borns couldn't be sorted into Slytherin. You could because you're a Half-Blood, but you're correct at basically being the first Muggle-Born due to you unfortunate upbringing. Draco continued.

Wonder what ended their friendship? Harry wondered aloud.

Don't know but it was really bad, because Professor Snape refused to talk about it. Draco said.

At last, the deserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.

Ahem - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that.

Professor Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch, or their House Team Captain.

And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.

Harry laughed, but she was one of the few who did.

He's not serious? Harry asked the prefect next to her.

Oh, he is. Pretty sure. Said prefect frowned, Must be a teachers only, otherwise he'd mention why to the Head Boy and Girl as well as the Prefects. But usually there are reasons.

And now, before we go to bed, let use sing the school song! Cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snakelike into words.

Everyone pick their favorite tune. Said Dumbledore, And off we go!

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, teach us something please. Whether we be old and bald or young with scabby knees. Out heads could do with filling. With some interesting stuff. For now they're bare and full of air. Dead flies and bits of fluff. So teach us things worth knowing. Bring back what we've forgot. Just do your best, we'll do the rest. And learn until our brains all rot.

Everyone (saved Harry who didn't even bother to sing, she believed she couldn't) finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.

Ah, music He said, wiping his eyes, A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!

The Prefect who had sat next to Harry suddenly stood up and called all of the first years to follow her. And so, they did. She and the other fifth year prefect a tall boy with short dark hair and light skin lead them to the dungeons. The Hufflepuffs had also gone this direction but they split off further up. Harry was wondering where in all of Hogwarts could the Slytherin Dorm be when they stopped before a flat wall.

Harry was thinking that it could be similar to the Diagon Ally brick tap when the Prefect Boy walked up to it and said, Ambition.

The wall turned into a door.

That is our password for the term, do not share it with anyone outside of our Slytherin. He said.

That was the password! Harry thought. She could of just listed off anything connected to Slytherin House and gotten it right eventually.

They all entered. The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round greenish chandeliers were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborate mantelpiece ahead of them. It went even further, with a glass section opening out into the Black Lake, giving the common room a green tinge to it.

It had a grand atmosphere, but also a cold one.

Right, my name is Adrian Pucey, and this is Gemma Farley. I'll let her take over from here. Said the prefect boy.

Thank you Pucey. Gemma Farley said to the boy who had gone over to another boy in the common room. She then turned back to the first years, Congratulations! I'm Prefect Gemma Farley, and I'm delighted to welcome to SLYTHERIN HOUSE! Our House emblem is the serpent, the wisest of creatures (Harry thought that was a lie considering owls); our House colors are emerald green and silver, As, you saw, our common room lies behind a concealed entrance down in the dungeons, don't mistake the door from the main hall with the one towards Professor Snape's classroom. As you see, its windows look out into the depths of the Black Lake. We often see the giant squid swooshing by, and sometimes more interesting creatures. We like to feel our hangout has the aura of a mysterious, underwater shipwreck.

Only you feel that! Called another boy. It was obvious this girl wasn't a Pureblood and some first years quietly mentioned this to each other.

Yes, well, who's the prefect here, Higgs. Gemma Farley sent back, Anyways, girls your dorm rooms are up those stairs on your right. Boys, same on your left. And don't try going up the girls. Every dorm in enchanted to permit only girls up the stairs to their dorms. Girls, don't abuse the fact that is only for your stairs.

Harry couldn't sleep. Her dream had been terrible. She was starting to regret wishing she was in Slytherin. So, she left her bed quietly and went into the common room.

She found a nice little corner to huddle up in. She wasn't used to sleeping in a proper bed let alone a large room. Daphne pretended to be nice, but Pansy didn't like her at all. Millicent seemed to take Pansy's side and Tracey Davis was unknown for now. Harry knew she'd be an outcast but not this soon.

Feeling curious, Harry looked around. She stumbled upon an old looking book in a draw with the initials R.A.B. on it. Opening it up she saw that the book belonged to Regulus Arcturus Black. She began to read it.

She didn't know when she fell asleep again, but a disgruntled Gemma Farley was poking her awake. The book was gone and when Harry asked. Gemma never saw the book.

Harry was shooed away to get dressed and go to class.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, couldn't understand how a high security prison could get so many visitations. Sirius Black however had received so many in the past month, all regarding his Goddaughter who was now in Slytherin. He along with his assistant, Dolores Umbridge, Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shackbolt, and a few others from the DMLE were in Azkaban on a routine visit. The Minister thought it might do him so good to find out why Black had been visited so much, surely this rumor that he was innocent wasn't true at all.

Sirius Black looked up to see the Minister of Magic on the other side of his cell door.

Funny little rumor about you going around, Black. Fudge said.

You wouldn't believe who started it. Sirius spat back. He wasn't a fan of Fudge, but it wasn't Fudge who sent him here without trial. He didn't seem interested in correcting Crouch's mistake either.

How dare you speak to the Minister... Dolores started.

Now, now. We can't expect Black to retain manners while in here, can we. Fudge said holding up a hand to stop Umbridge. An amused smile on his face, Funny you mention her, I've received word that she's been sorted into Slytherin House.

Sirius became eerily silent. Moody's grip on his wand tightened. He knew fully well that Sirius would break out for only two different reasons. Any sign of Peter Pettigrew or to scold Harriet Potter for being sorted into Slytherin.

But Sirius Black didn't move.

They were halfway from Sirius Black's cell when Moody saw it happen. A dementor came into his cell to give Black food when Black in his dog form slipped past. A good deal away Moody spoke, I think we should double back to Black.

We saw him. There's no reason to. Said one of the DMLE. Rookies Moody thought.

Then why is it empty? Moody growled.

Fudge and Kingsley turned to tell off Mad-Eye when they noticed his magical eye wasn't train on any of them, let alone moving.

By the time Alarms rang across Azkaban. Sirius Black was (in dog form) swimming out of the anti-apparition wards. He shifted back to his normal form.

Sirius was grateful Mad-Eye didn't snitch immediately, as that would have made things much harder. By the time they would have realized he wasn't anywhere in the prison anymore, he would already be gone.

He had a goddaughter to scold.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 7

Karma Meets Karma

It had been a rough time getting his wand back from the Ministry of Magic. Sirius had difficulty getting to it. By the time the Minister and the DMLE (along with the pink toad) got back from Azkaban, he was heading for the Floo Network.

Kreacher was standing alone in his former master's room when he heard the front door slam shut.

HOW DARE YOU!

AH, SHUT UP! There was the sound of a loud blast and the voice of Lady Black from her portrait went silent.

Kreacher apparated to the ground floor. There stood Sirius Black in his prison robes.

The sound of muffled yelling came from a cupboard blasted to fall on its side blocking Lady Black's portrait.

Where did you get that? Sirius growled noticing the book in Kreacher's hands. Sirius knew for a fact that book never returned from Hogwarts.

Filthy Half-Blood found it in Slytherin common room... Kreacher started.

Messy black hair? Bright Green Eyes? Pale Complexion? Sirius interrupted.

Save the eyes, she was sleeping. Kreacher answered.

Whack!

Sirius back handed Kreacher. Kreacher fell back. Sirius snarling, You don't dare touch my goddaughter ever again. Anything happens to me, she's the new head of the House of Black. Understand.

Kreacher snarled getting up but nodded his head.

Came to see what's become of the place. I'll only be back if I'm cleared of all charges. Sirius said turning on his heels.

The door slammed shut again and Sirius Black was gone.

There, look.

Where?

Next to the blonde Slytherin girl.

With the messy hair?

Did you see her face?

Can you even see her scar?

The endless whispers that seemed to always follow Harry from the moment she had left her dormitory after being awoken by Gemma Farley, seemed to go on for the whole day. People lining up outside classrooms stood on tiptoe to get a look at her or doubled back to pass her in the corridors again, staring. Harry wished they wouldn't, because she was trying to concentrate on finding her way to class.

With the hundred and forty-two staircases (she counted and assumed there were actually more) Hogwarts had it was a pain getting anywhere. Especially since they moved. Wide, sweeping ones; narrow, rickety ones; some that led somewhere different on a Friday; some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump. Then there were doors that wouldn't open unless you asked politely, or ticked them in exactly the right place, and doors that weren't really doors at all, but solid walls just pretending. It was also very hard to remember where anything was. The portraits didn't help either, they not only moved (the people and living creatures in them did at least), and they kept going to visit each other.

Ghosts were also useless, Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs got aid from their House Ghost and the Fat Friar was willing to help anyone regardless of House. But the Blood Baron was always to busy and no-one had seen the Ravenclaw House Ghost outside of an out of the way tower that no-one had any real right to be there, let alone willing to disturb them.

Peeves was worth two locked doors and a trick staircase if you met him when you were late for class. He'd cause as much chaos as possible.

Worse was Argus Filch and his cat Mrs. Norris. Unless you were Harry Potter.

The first time Filch had caught Harry where she wasn't supposed to be, he found his own cat lying on her back enjoying a belly scratch. When he asked, Harry replied that Mrs. Figg whom had watched over her when her muggle relatives went anywhere, had a lot of cats. So, Harry knew how to handle Mrs. Norris. Filch did give Harry detention, only to find Harry lack any complaints about non-magic cleaning he had her doing. Since then, Harry became the only person in Hogwarts who wanted Filch to manage her detention, despite the traumatic memories which Filch respected.

But it was surprisingly at half-way through the week that the appearance of Harriet Potter and Hermione Granger in the library that resulted in the most unlikely (from House Mate's point of view. To the two girls it was obvious), friendship that formed by the end of the first week.

It was the classes themselves that made Harry realize there was a lot more to magic than waving your wand and saying something in Latin (She asked Andromeda what those funny words were based off of).

They had to study the night skies through their telescopes every Wednesday at midnight and learn the names of different stars and the movements of the planets (the only class that all four Houses took together). Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology (one of the two classes Slytherins and Ravenclaws shared), with a dumpy little witch called Professor Sprout, the Head of Hufflepuff, where they learned how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi and found out what they were used for (mostly potions).

Easily the most boring class was History of Magic, which was the only one taught by a ghost. Professor Binns had been very old indeed when he had fallen asleep in front of the staffroom fire and got up next morning to teach, leaving his body behind him. Binns droned on and on while they scribbled down names and dates, most got Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball mixed up, thank you Hermione Harry thought. She really didn't care for History of Magic, while everyone else either slept (which surprisingly you could get away with it), or doodled.

Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher and Head of Ravenclaw House, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books, Charms being shared with the Hufflepuffs. At the start of their first class he took the roll call, and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight.

Professor McGonagall was as stern as ever. The first years had been quite right when they thought she wasn't a teacher to cross. Strict and clever, she gave them a talking-to the moment they sat down in her first class.

Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. She said, Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned.

Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again. They were all very impressed and couldn't wait to get started, but soon realized they weren't going to be changing furniture into animals for a long time. After taking a lot of complicated notes, they were each given a match and started trying to turn it into a needle. By the end of the lesson, very few Slytherins had made any difference to their matches. Only Harry matched Hermione from Gryffindor both had gotten their match all silver and pointy. Like with Hermione when she taught the Gryffindors, Professor McGonagall gave Harry a rare smile, along with a comment about how James Potter had been a Transfiguration Prodigy.

The class everyone had really been looking forward to (save Harry) was Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Quirrell's lessons turned out to be a bit of a joke. His classroom smelled strongly of garlic, which everyone said was to ward off a vampire (which Harry didn't believe at all, having read up on them alongside werewolves) he'd met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days. His turban, he told them, had been given to him by an African prince as a thank-you for getting rid of a troublesome zombie, but they weren't sue they believed this story. For one thing, when Blaise asked eagerly to hear how Quirrell had fought off the zombie, Quirrell went pink and started talking about the weather, for another, they had noticed that a funny smell hung around the turban. When it was ever turned so the back of Quirrell's head under the turban fully faced Harry, her scar would flare up in pain.

Harry was very relieved to find out that she wasn't miles behind everyone else. Sure, her time with Hermione (which when both Ron and Draco confronted her about it, she had confirmed she and Hermione were officially friends) may have helped boost her ahead of even the Pureblood Slytherin first years. Lots of people had come from Muggle families and, like her hadn't had any idea what they were witches and wizards. Only, Harry was alone in that regard in her own House. This combined with her absolute loathing of being famous and quick learning of how to avoid crowds made her an outcast in her own House. Which with Hermione being a bossy know-it-all, made her an outcast in her own House. Resulting in their friendship after meeting in the Library to avoid lunch with their House.

Friday was an important day for Harry. She'd finally have her first potions class, which was taught by her Head of House. Unfortunately, it was.

Double Potions with the Gryffindors? Harry looked over her class lessons dates list.

Don't worry, Professor Snape favors us. Draco said to her as they ate breakfast, Your in Slytherin so he can't hate you.

Harry had learned about the beef between Professor Snape and James Potter, the fact that his archrival married his original best friend, made Harry believe that it wouldn't matter which House she was in, he'd take out his frustration on her in place of her father.

Hedwig who had come by just to be with her (as she got no mail), during Breakfast, surprisingly dropped a note to her this day.

Dear Harry,

I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Hedwig.

Hagrid

Harry quickly pulled out her quill and ink bottle, scribbled, Yes, please, see you later on the back of the note and sent Hedwig off again.

It was lucky that Harry (and Hermione due to telling her as soon as she could, Ron overheard and asked to come as well, which Harry decided to permit) had tea to look forward to, because the Potions lesson turned out to be the worst thing that had happened to her so far (unknowing that the actual worst thing would be that night).

Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls.

Snape, like Flitwick, started the class by taking the roll call, and like Flitwick, he paused at Harry's name.

Ah, yes. He said softly, Harriet Potter. Our new celebrity.

Harry didn't like the tone he had used to say that. Even worse she heard Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle snigger right next to her. The Gryffindors looked confused at Professor Snape's usually passively hostile tone usually reserved for any non-Slytherin being used on Harry. Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black like Hagrid's, but they had none of Hagrid's warmth. Probably due to the fact that he was a bullying victim, still Harry felt like she would need to do something to stop him from taking it out on her or anyone else from here on out.

You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. He began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word. Harry had to admit that was an impressive feat. Like Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort, As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses...

Harry's eyelids closed imaging this, a slight pleasant smile forming on her face. She opened her eyes when Professor Snape spoke again.

I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper to death... Professor Snape boasted. Harry believed him, If you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.

More silence followed this little speech. Harry gave a side glance over towards Hermione who was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead.

Potter Snape suddenly rounded on her, What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?

Powdered root to an infusion of wormwood? Harry repeated in her mind. She was stumped before remembering Hermione ask her this on their library subject trivia for the sake of keeping information in their head. Hermione however had shot her hand into the air. Snape looked impatient, his lips curled into sneer.

Tut, tut, fame clearly isn't everything.

Harry suddenly remembered, A sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death, sir.

Snape's sneer was wiped from his face.

Well done, if a little slow. I suppose those sessions with Miss Granger in the Library weren't for nothing, however, once is lucky. Professor Snape said, Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?

Hermione stretched her hand as high into the air as it would go without her leaving her seat.

Well, first I would have to go out and find a goat. As a bezoar is a stone found in the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. Harry answered, this question she knew well, finding antidotes very interesting until she learned they were slow in making and slower for a victim when needing to make it fresh. The bezoar was definitely an interesting find and far more useful.

Now, we're seeing promise. Good to see you could open a book before coming. Professor Snape said, Though you could still find it by just skimming the pages. What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?

This she knew from the book on the language of flowers and suddenly the first question hit her. She remembered Remus during his visit had explained something very important to her about Professor Snape and her mother, how they fell out of their former friendship. It was an apology. But Harry knew this was also an attempt at assessing her and possible humiliation of her as James Potter's kid.

Trick question! Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same place, which also goes by the name of aconite. However, I doubt that little secret message would go over well with my mum, given that you just tried to attempt at humiliating her daughter just because her father and godfather are the two boys who tormented you for your seven years as a student here. Harry answered. She had gotten up when she started to rant.

Sit down, Potter! Professor Snape not liking the disrespect even if she had a point.

Lily. Harry retorted, You will address me as Lily, not Potter unless we are before other teachers or authority figures, not Harry, and definitely never Lilian. You will address me the same way you would have my mother. And you will do so looking into my eyes, not anywhere that resembles my father, no, the one thing I got from my mother, Professor.

The tension was so think it could have been cut with diffindo. Suddenly there was the sound of glass shattering and a few vials that had been around Harry and Snape had in fact shattered.

That seemed to break both Harry and Snape out of their staring contest at the same time. Harry had actually jumped. Snape looked annoyed. With a swish of his wand the vials repaired themselves and were set back in place after being washed out first.

But everyone had saw both student and teacher do accidental magic. It was clear that both Harry Potter and Professor Snape wouldn't get along well, despite being in the same house.

Why aren't you all coping the answers down? Professor Snape suddenly said breaking the silence.

There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment. To everyone's surprise (especially the Slytherins) Professor Snape didn't give Slytherin any points for answering the questions correctly.

Things seemed to have improved for Harry. For one she had gotten her wish and Professor Snape only called her Lily from then on. But she had noticed that the Gryffindors weren't given the special treatment the Slytherins were given. Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. He swept around in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy, whom he seemed to like. What the Gryffindors didn't know was that Snape was whispering his updated recipe of the potion to the Slytherins. He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeons. Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus' cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville (who had been drenched in the potion when the caldron collapsed) moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs.

Idiot boy! Snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand, I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the caldron off the fire?

Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose.

Take him to the hospital wing. Snape spat at Seamus. Then he rounded on Hermione and Ron, who had been working next to Neville.

You, two, why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you?

Hermione being faster than Ron could stop her, responded, We didn't notice.

That isn't fair! How could they have noticed, everyone was focused on their own potions. Harry called out.

Snape turned round on her.

This doesn't involve you.

Hermione was about to retort on Harry's behalf when Ron clamped his hand over her mouth and whispered, Don't push it, I've heard Snape can turn very nasty.

But Hermione not liking her mouth being forced shut and a hand over it, licked Ron's hand who removed it and was wiping it on his robe. Snape had unfortunately turned round at that moment.

Five points from Gryffindor. From each of you. For such childish behavior. Professor Snape deducted.

Just because you're a bully victim doesn't mean you can take it out on your students! Harry shouted at him not hearing Ron's warning due to being on the other side of the room.

Snape for the first time ever looked ready to punish a Slytherin. He was in front of Harry in an instant, As painful as it is for you to resemble your father, I'm afraid Lucius Malfoy's wife Narcissa is correct, you are practically the new Sirius Black. And that is not a compliment.

Harry didn't care.

Two points from Slytherin, just for your continued proving of that fact. Professor Snape said. He tapped her cauldron twice with his wand, And you can start over.

The potion she had been working on had disappeared leaving an empty cauldron squeaky clean too.

As they climbed the steps out of the dungeon an hour later, Harry very grateful for copying all of Snape's updates to the potion recipe (which was the only way she finished the potion perfectly on time regaining those two lost points), her mind was racing and her spirits were low. She understood why Snape hated her so much.

Cheer up. Ron said trying to lift Harry's spirits, Snape's always taking points off Fred and George, besides you earned those points back anyways.

Even if you are the first Slytherin to lose points from him. Hermione stated, According to everyone.

Yeah, despite what he said, I'll take the comparison to my godfather as a compliment. Harry said cheering up a little now that she was away from the Slytherins, So, ready for Hagrid's?
At five to three they left the castle and made their way across the grounds. Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door.

When Harry knocked they heard a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks. Then Hagrid's voice rang out saying, Back, Fang, back.

Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open.

Hang on. He said, Back, Fang.

He let them in, struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound.

There was only one room inside. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, copper kettle was boiling on open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

Make yerselves at home. Said Hagrid, letting go of Fang, who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears. Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked.

This is Hermione and Ron. Harry told Hagrid who was pouring boiling water into a large teapot and putting rock cakes onto a plate.

Another Weasley, eh? Said Hagrid, glancing at Ron's freckles, I spent half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest.

The rock cakes were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke their teeth, but Harry, Hermione, and Ron pretended to be enjoying them as they told Hagrid all about their first lessons. Fang rested his head on Harry's knee and drooled all over her robes.

Ron was delighted to hear Hagrid call Filch that old git.

An' as fer that cat, Mrs. Norris, I'd like ter introduce her to Fang sometime, D'yeh know every time I go up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her, Filch puts her up to it.

Well, you did tell me you were allergic. She actually likes me due to my experience with cats from Mrs. Figg. Harry stated.

Harry told Hagrid about Snape's lesson. Hagrid like Ron, told Harry not to worry about it, that Snape liked hardly any of the students.

Yeah, but I remind him of the two people he loathes the most. Harry counted, And I'm in his House!

Rubbish! Hagrid retorted, Why should he hate you just for that.

Yet Harry couldn't help thinking that Hagrid didn't quite meet her eyes when he said that.

How's yer brother Charlie? Hagrid asked Ron, I liked him a lot, great with animals.

Harry and Hermione wondered if Hagrid had changed the subject on purpose. While Ron told Hagrid all about Charlie's work with dragons, Harry and Hermione picked up a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cozy. It was a cutting from the Daily Prophet:

ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN

Recently, Sirius Black, convicted murderer of twelve people with a single curse (one wizard and eleven muggles), escaped from Azkaban during a recent inspection headed by the Minister of Magic himself and at least ten of the DMLE's finest including Alastor Mad-Eye Moody.

Black was reported recently to of been the least affected of all prisoners within Azkaban Prison. While the exact method was undiscovered until his flight from the Ministry after his successful attempt at retrieving his wand.

Black apparently was an unregistered Animagus with the form of a Large Black Dog and was able to utilize this to avoid the effects of the Dementors that guard Azkaban Prison.

Reports imply he is heading to Hogwarts to scold his goddaughter, Harriet Lilian Potter, The Girl Who Lived for being sorted into Slytherin. This reporter however believes otherwise.

The Article was by one Rita Skeeter. There was another about the Gringotts break in that had apparently happened on the 31st of July, but Harry didn't care about that.

Hagrid! Harry called getting his attention, It says that Sirius Black broke out just to scold me for being sorted into Slytherin!

Hagrid leapt to his feat, Galloping Gargoyles! Yeh shouldn't have said yes to my note. I shouldn't have invited you down here. We got to get you back to the school. And no leaving the Great Hall anymore, you too, Hermione.

Hagrid brought Harry, Ron, and Hermione (all laden with rock cakes in their pockets because they'd been too polite to refuse) back up to the castle. Once inside he brought them straight to the Great Hall. There Harry split off from Ron and Hermione (neither had become friends they both were just close to Harry and only Hermione was Harry's friend and vise versa), and joined the Slytherins.

Everything was fine until the sound of a commotion outside of the Great Hall caused everyone to turn towards the open doors. A moment later a man was running through followed by Remus, a man who could be the one and only Alastor Mad-Eye Moody, and a pudgy short man in a bowler hat.

Next thing everyone saw as a bunch of DMLE Aurors shotting spells towards the man who was obviously Sirius Black only for him to turn into a large black dog and rush across the short path towards the Slytherin table. Shouts to stop the Aurors from accidentally hitting students were called out by Moody and Remus had stopped chasing.

Finally, Sirius reverting back to human, reached Harry. Next thing Harry knew she was lifted off the bench turned towards the gaunt man with unkept black hair and face full of beard. Black eyes met bright green.

HOW COULD YOU! Sirius Shouted. Everyone who had been chasing him were so taken aback they stopped out of pure shock, Sirius was only getting started, How could you get sorted into stinking, slimy, Slytherin? Have you no shame. James would be rolling in his grave at this. His own daughter...

Oh! You are one to talk! Harry interrupted, If you wanted me in Gryffindor so bad! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TAKE ME AWAY FROM HAGRID WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE! Ten years with the Dursleys, ten years of malnourishment, child abuse, and complete ignorance of this whole world! Of course I'd want to be a Slytherin after having someone control my life resulting in ten years of pure torment!

To everyone's surprise Sirius broke into laughter with Harry.

Oh, Narcissa was right, you are basically the new me. Sirius said, This is karma for everything I've done isn't it Remus.

He turned to face Remus who had approached them while they both ranted.

Well, I did warn you he'd bust himself out of Azkaban just to scold you for being sorted into Slytherin. Remus said with a chuckle.

Hey! Don't ignore me like that! Sirius pouted. Harry thought it was cute. She also wondered if her godfather was gay.

You going to turn yourself in now that you've got your complaint out just to have it thrown back in your face? Remus smirked at Sirius. Harry felt that Remus was acting a little gay, despite not getting such vibes. Of course, Harry didn't know what her sexuality was either so, she probably shouldn't judge yet.

Yeah. Sirius deadpanned, No leads Wormtail is anyways, otherwise I'd be after him.

The extremely confused Slytherins at the table were even more confused by that. Then Harry asked, What does Pettigrew's rat animagus form look like?

Common garden rat missing a toe where he's missing his finger on his hand. Sirius said holding up his left hand showing the missing ring finger by keeping the rest of his to the palm, He'd be pudgy too if he's with a family, always was lazy and fat.

Harry immediately knew she had seen him.

PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE! PROFESSOR MCGONALL! FIND RON'S RAT SCABBERS! HE'S PETER PETTIGREW! Harry shouted.

The moment Albus Dumbledore heard that Peter Pettigrew was Scabbers the rat of Ron Weasley was the moment he had turned on his heels and apparated a moment later he returned to the Great Hall wand holding Scabbers aloft in the air. The rat was twisting and turning trying to escape.

The moment Wormtail was in sight, Sirius lost it, he was clambering over the tables (Remus and Harry on his heels) in a dead set tunnel vision drive to get at the rat.

Before he had even lifted his wand Remus had tackled him.

Wait... Remus said soothingly trying to pull Sirius out of what was clearly his unclear mind.

Sirius broke free, I did my waiting! Ten years of it! In Azkaban!

Remus sighed knowing Sirius to well but he had one ace up his sleeve. He pointed towards Harry, For her sake, don't commit the crime your convicted of.

Sirius sighed begrudgingly before flicking his wand at the rat without looking. The rat grew and suddenly a very pudgy man with watery eyes and a pointed nose that made him look a little like the rat that he formerly was sat on the floor (Dumbledore's spell couldn't hold the fully grown man since it was for a small if fat, rat). He briefly looked around still sniffling like he was a rat sniffing around him before realizing he wasn't a rat anymore.

Remus. Sirius. My old friends. Peter Pettigrew said pitifully. His eyes, Harry noticed, were scanning all possible escape routes which there was none considering he was literally surrounded by witches and wizards.

That's not possible. There were witnesses. The Minister said.

Yes, we would all like an explanation. Said Moody.

He came here to kill me... Peter said timidly.

Nobody believed this.

I'm afraid Pettigrew, Black didn't even know you were here until Miss Potter pointed me to you. Dumbledore said, In fact, Miss Potter believes you are the true culprit not only in the murder of those muggles, but you were also the Potters' Secret Keeper, willingly divulging their location to Voldemort.

Peter knew then that nothing he said would change the minds of those literally right next to him.

I didn't mean to. Peter squeaked out, The Dark Lord, you've not idea what sort of weapons he possesses. He looked at Sirius, What about you Sirius. What would you have done?

Without hesitation Sirius proclaimed, I WOULD HAVE DIED! I WOULD HAVE DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY MY FRIENDS!

That was enough. Snape had reached the group standing in the center isle between the two tables closest to it. He grabbed Pettigrew's left arm and pulled back his sleeve. Pressing his wand down on the forearm. A mark appeared, it was a skull with a snake slithering out of its mouth and looped itself without tightening.

All servants of the Dark Lord have the Dark Mark upon their left forearm. Including his spies. Snape stated, I'm afraid this alone is evidence enough.

Which means I'm an innocent man. Sirius said turning towards the Minister who couldn't believe his eyes and ears. A man they had given an Order of Merlin to was in truth the real culprit.

Yes, well. The Minister looked uncomfortable.

Moody stepped over and whispered something to him.

Right. Thank you Alastor. The Minister said, Real shame on my part for not correcting the mistake of Barty Crouch. If only you had received a trial, we could have discovered this. But yes, I suppose a full pardon then. Our sincere apologies. In fact, we won't even charge you the penalty price for being an unregistered animagi. You're a free man, Lord Black.

We'll escort this rat to Azkaban Prison. He'll have your cell. Doubt he'll be able to escape the same way you were able to. Moody growled, What was it? The fact that you were innocent was what allowed you to still shift to dog. Because the Dementors couldn't take that from you. Doubt he'll have anything like that. But we'll take precautions just incase.

In all the hecticness of what had just happened everyone seemed to have forgotten that it was dinner time. So, when the Headmaster told Harry, Sirius and Remus that they could all have Dinner in the side chamber. Everyone went back to their own dinner and conversations.

Before they had left the Great Hall, Sirius had called out that he was restoring his cousin Andromeda's status as a member of the Black Family along with whomever else related to her that deserved it.

Harry swore she could see Nymphadora's Bubblegum Pink hair flare up at that.

As soon as they were alone Sirius grabbed Harry and held her close to him in the tightest hug she had ever received.

Thank you. Was all he could get out. Sirius couldn't believe he was finally a free man again.

Well, I do need someplace to stay after the school year is over and between school years. So, it's also for personal interest. Harry said smugly.

That got a laugh from the two adults.

Oh, well then. Sirius began as though this weren't important, Shame, Number 12 Grimmauld Place isn't in any condition to live in then.

You're not actually thinking of living there are you? Remus cut in.

Lord Black now. Besides, there's Kreacher. As much as I despise the family House Elf, even I can't leave him with my mother's portrait. It'll just be a matter of making it safe. Sirius answered.

It was amusing watching them talk (and argue) while she ate. Harry felt she finally had a family again.

She did wonder what a House Elf was though.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 8

The Third Floor Corridor

Hey, Harry! Draco called Harry over to the notice board in the Slytherin common room.

Flying Lessons for Slytherin will take place this Thursday.

Great. Harry pointed under it, We share the class with Gryffindor as well.

Don't you like the Gryffindors? Millicent said in passing.

Just, Hermione and Neville. Ron's up in the air. The rest however... Harry trailed off.

And we don't need her leaving our table to go sit with them. Granger doesn't count. Draco said.

Yeah, why don't you sit with us? Daphne asked Harry. They were climbing out of the dungeons to get to breakfast.

Because the Slytherin Table is nothing but politics. Harry answered, Can't stand it really, I'd leave during breakfast and dinner if I could.

Draco put us up to keeping her at our table, incase she does get ideas of sitting with the Gryffindors. Vincent said. It was the first time Harry had heard of this, and one of the few times she'd heard either Vincent Crabbe or Gregory Goyle talk.

Hermione caught Harry by the arm and pulled her to the side when they reached the entrance to the Great Hall.

Don't worry, I'll release her so she can sit with you in a moment. Hermione said.

What's up? Harry asked Hermione.

Flying classes start this Thursday. Hermione said timidly, Ron's making a big deal out of it. Seamus is worse, At least Ron doesn't accuse about me being traitor to my House. I...

I'm worried too. Harry said. She didn't like how many of the Gryffindors treated her friend badly, But I was just accused of abandoning my House, so I'd better get going.

And with that Harry walked off to her House Table, while Hermione joined her own.

Draco Malfoy certainly did talk about flying, a lot. He complained loudly about first years never getting on the House Quidditch teams and told long, boastful stories that always seemed to end with him narrowly escaping muggles in helicopters. He wasn't the only one though: Seamus Finnigan told it, he's spent most of his childhood zooming around the countryside on his broomstick. Even Ron (who apologized to Harry about how he seemed to take her being Slytherin as a personal insult and was in a who has the better flying story battle with Draco) would tell anyone who'd listen about the time he'd almost hit a hang glider on Charlie's old broom.

Everyone from wizarding families talked about Quidditch constantly. Hermione told Harry that Ron had already had a big argument with Dean Thomas, who shared their dormitory, about football. Ron couldn't see what was exciting about a game with only one ball where no one was allowed to fly.

Worse was Neville who had never been on a broomstick in his life, because his grandmother had never let him near one. Privately, Harry, Hermione, and Ron felt she had good reason. Harry couldn't count the number of times Ron had started to complain to her about Neville's extraordinary number of accidents even with booth feet on the ground. As though Potions wasn't the only place where something bad happened to the poor boy. And Harry liked Neville.

Which was why Harry requested Hermione let him join them for any info on flying. This was something you couldn't learn by heart out of a book. Not that they hadn't tried. At breakfast on Thursday Hermione bored the Gryffindors all stupid with flying tips she'd borrowed from Harry: Quidditch Through the Ages.

Neville was hanging on to her every word, desperate for anything that might help him hang on to his broomstick later, but everybody else was very pleased when Hermione's lecture was interrupted by the arrival of the mail

Harry was shocked to find a black owl fly down in front of her and drop off a letter while Draco's eagle owl dropped by bringing the usual packages of sweets from whom, which he opened gloatingly at the Slytherin table to annoying the Gryffindors as much as he could.

The letter Harry had gotten had a coat of arms on it.

Well he is Lord Black now. Draco said seeing Harry hadn't opened the letter yet.

Harry tore the letter open. Inside it read.

Dear Harry

Turns out my brother turned traitor before you were born. Yeah, uh, Remus is writing this I'm still a little in shock. Kreacher (the Black Family House Elf) told me everything when we found what is apparently the locket of Salazar Slytherin which Kreacher revealed he was used to hide it when Voldemort (Yes, Harry, Sirius did in fact say Voldemort) requested a House Elf from his followers and Regulus Black my brother, gave him Kreacher.

So, unfortunately Voldemort didn't know House Elves ignore Anti-Apparition wards allowing him to return to my brother and then he told him everything causing Regulus to have Kreacher take him back to some cave with in incave lake and island. Forced the torture potion (Kreacher drank it first, sorry, Sirius is still upset about the truth) down his throat then switch the locket with a fake and destroy the real locket.

Can't tell you what Voldemort did to the real locket but Kreacher couldn't destroy it and was forbidden from telling my mother as my brother's last request.

Anyways, the Number 12 Grimmauld Place (magically enchanted to be visible to only witches and wizards, there's a plaque explaining it to muggles so they can understand without magic) is unfraternally too jinxed, hexed, cursed up for you to come over during the Christmas and Easter holidays. Hopefully, we get it cleared enough for it to be safe for you to live in by the time your first year of Hogwarts is done.

Please don't forget to satisfy your little internal prankster.

Your Godfather, Sirius Black. (And Remus Lupin.)

A barn owl brought Neville a small package from his grandmother. He opened it excitedly and showed the Gryffindors whatever it was. Draco of course couldn't help but go check it out. Harry went to stop him from doing something back to Neville.

Harry couldn't hear anything and was getting dark looks from the older Gryffindors. Like Seamus, they seemed to of taken her being a Slytherin as a personal insult. But by the time they got near enough they heard Hermione say, You've forgotten something.

Neville was trying to remember what he'd forgotten when Draco snatched the small glass ball full of red smoke which turned white once it was in his hand.

Hey, that's mine... Neville said.

Ron who still had unprovoked animosity with Draco jumped to his feet. Professor McGonagall (who could spot trouble quicker than any teacher in the school) was there in a flash.

What's going on? Professor McGonagall inquired.

Malfoy's got my Remembrall, Professor. Neville stated.

Scowling, Draco quickly dropped the Remembrall back onto the table.

Just looking. He said, and he sloped away with Crabbe and Goyle behind him.

Sorry, Neville. Harry said looking very sorry indeed. She then turned and jogged to catch up with Draco.

At three-thirty that afternoon, Harry, Daphne, and the other Slytherins hurried down the front steps onto the grounds for their first flying lesson. It was a clear, breezy day, and the grass rippled under their feet as they marched down the sloping lawns towards a smooth, flat lawn on the opposite side of the grounds to the forbidden forest, whose trees were swaying darkly in the distance.

The Gryffindors came shortly after them, but not quickly enough to not get mocked for "being late" as they claimed. So were twenty broomsticks lying in neat lines on the ground. Harry had heard Fred and George (having spent some time with them after Sirius and Remus had left, when her inner prankster demanded release) complain about the school brooms, saying that some of them started to vibrate if you flew too high, or always flew slightly to the left.

Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short grey hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk.

Well, what are you all waiting for? She barked, Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.

Harry glanced down at her broom. It was old and some of the twigs stuck out at odd angles. She also noted not for the first time that the Slytherins and Gryffindors all lined up with their House only.

Stick out your right hand over your broom. Madam Hooch called at the front, And say "Up!"

UP! Everyone shouted at once.

WHOOSH!

SMACK!

Harry's broom jumped into her hand at once, prompting her to drop it like a hot iron. She had never had something jump straight into her hand before let alone with such force. After a moment of getting the stinging to stop (and she noted she had been the only one to get their broom to jump to their hand on the first try), she called UP! again ready for it. This time she held it after it jumped to her hand. It still stung.

Everyone had gotten too distracted by Harry doing it perfectly only to treat it like a hot iron the moment it was in her hand. Nobody noticed that Hermione's had simply rolled over on the ground, or Neville's not moving at all.

Perhaps brooms, like horses, could tell when you were afraid, thought Harry; she noted there was a quaver in Neville's voice that said only too clearly that he wanted to keep his feet on the ground.

Madam Hooch then showed them how to mount their brooms without sliding off the end and walked up and down the rows correcting their grip. Harry noticed how delighted Ron was when she told Draco he'd been doing it wrong for years.

Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Said Madam Hooch, Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle - three - two-

But Neville, nervous and jumpy and frightened of being left on the ground, pushed off hard before the whistle had touched Madam Hooch's lips.

The Slytherins (save Harry), burst into laughter.

Come back, boy! Madam Hooch shouted, but Neville was rising straight up like a cork shot out of a bottle - twelve feet - twenty feet. Harry saw his scared white face look down at the ground falling away, saw him gasp, slip sideways off the broom.

If there was one thing Harry had learned at Saint Mungo's that was more important to her than anything about taking care of herself, it was the fact that Alice Longbottom, Neville's mother, was her godmother. That made in Harry's eyes, Neville, her godbrother.

A black robed blur sped past Madam Hooch and the next thing anyone knew, Harry Potter had caught in midair, Neville Longbottom and was safely dropping him off on the ground. Neville had fainted in the air.

Nobody seemed to notice that Neville's broomstick was still rising higher and higher; and started to drift lazily toward the forbidden forest and out of sight.

Madam Hooch was bending over Neville, her face as white his. After a wave of her wand to confirm nothing had happened to him (aside him fainting), she turned to Harry, her face rivalling McGonagall's stern.

What were you thinking? Madam Hooch scolded, Never mind the excellent flying, Miss Potter, you shouldn't have taken off at all. Five points for...

So, I should have let him fall from that height where he could have broken something! Harry shot back, And you didn't tell any of us that we couldn't take off.

Madam Hooch had to admit that even if she didn't want to. She didn't vocally admit it though, For talking back to a teacher, then.

A bunch of Slytherins groaned that they still lost the five points.

Still, first time on a broomstick? Madam Hooch changed subject.

Yes. Harry said not really understanding why she wanted to know that.

Well, I'll let you off with only the points deduction. Madam Hooch said, It's be ten but you earned five for saving Longbottom. Why don't you and Granger and Weasley take him to the Hospital Wing. We'll continue this another day. Class dismissed.

If Harry hadn't snatched it when it fell out of his pocket, Neville's Remembrall would of likely ended up in Draco's hands and placed somewhere nasty. Neville had come around before the four of them had dragged him inside the castle. To everyone's surprise, Daphne Greengrass had decided to join them.

What happened? Neville asked as he was led into the castle.

You took off early mate. Ron said, Think you got a bad broom.

Then, Potter shot after you the moment you fell off. Daphne said. Neville nearly jumped at seeing another Slytherin present.

Relax, Neville. Harry said. She and Ron were the two guiding him along the way to the Hospital Wing.

Actually, what are you doing here? Ron said to Daphne.

Ron! Hermione scolded. It was unnerving how easily Hermione could adopt Professor McGonagall's stern expression, but she wasn't there yet.

I just mean, normally we don't get along because of our Houses. Ron tried to explained.

What about Harry? Hermione countered.

Exactly, what about me? Harry asked from the other side of Neville.

Ron spluttered over his words a moment, Well, you're, you're different, you're not...

You're already in the dog house. Harry joked. Only Hermione laughed along with her.

He's a dog? Neville asked stupidly.

It's an expression. Hermione said, He's not actually a dog.

It just means he's already in trouble enough, he doesn't need to get himself into more trouble. Harry explained.

I think that's for "you've already dug your grave." Hermione said.

Yeah, but who understands muggle metaphors anyways? Harry commented.

Daphne laughed, And everyone else in our House just wants to be your friend for political reasons their parents advised.

Harry groaned, Of course, politics.

That why you're hanging around with us now? Ron asked.

Merlin's beard no, not that my parents didn't send a letter. Daphne admitted, I just like hanging around her. Besides, I don't know about you lions but us snakes stick up for each other. And I know Harry's only friends with Granger.

We wouldn't do anything to her. Ron complained.

So, you saw your shot at making friends with Harry? Hermione inquired.

Well, Draco's the only other she tolerates, figured he'd not have a shot after class. Daphne said, And I did feel bad for laughing with the rest of my House when Longbottom got taken away by the broom.

So, how does that equal, I'll give you a chance now? Harry asked.

I said I was sorry. Daphne countered.

No you didn't. Harry corrected, You said you felt sorry, you didn't say sorry.

Right. Daphne said mulling it over before turning to Neville, I'm sorry for laughing at you. It was wrong.

Okay, I forgive you. Neville said as though it were nothing.

Just like that? Daphne said surprised.

Yeah. Neville said without much thought, Besides, not like you jinxed the broom.

They were almost to the Hospital Wing when Harry pulled something out of her pocket.

Your Remembrall fell out of your pocket when you landed. She said handing over the Remembrall.

Thanks. Neville said taking it.

Harry and Daphne left together while Ron and Hermione took Neville in.

Dinner did not seem to go over well with the first year Slytherins. For one thing the story of Harry's natural flying skills seemed to of spread like wildfire and Marcus Flint was complaining loudly she was a first year so she could play Seeker. For another, Draco's boasting of his flying skills were now laughable. And to top it all of Daphne Greengrass seemed to of somehow become one of Harry's few friends at Hogwarts and the only Slytherin among them.

Of course, that meant that the following day they were all back out and flying again with Neville barely doing any better. Thankfully no mishaps on Neville's part. Unfortunately for Harry in her eyes. Professors McGonagall and Snape were observing and like before, Neville lost his Remembrall. Draco this time picked it up. Harry and Draco fought over it. Draco chucked it causing Harry to zoom after it and catch it after a dive.

One trip with the deputy-headmistress and her Head of House later and she was on the Slytherin Quidditch team.

Unknown to everyone except Neville. Harry and Draco had made a deal which they could be antagonist towards each other before coming to school. They enjoyed having a friendly rivalry and Harry didn't like bullies while Draco didn't want to become one costing him Harry's friendship. This could at times strain.

One talk with Ron later and suddenly Harry was agreeing to a Wizard's Duel with Draco in the trophy room at midnight. Ron proclaimed himself her second. Draco said Crabbe was his.

Harry thought it weird that Draco wasn't joining her on leaving the Slytherin common room. It was almost half past eleven when Draco and Daphne both came out to find Harry sitting in a chair.

Where were you? Harry said rounding on Draco, And what are you doing up?

What are you doing up? Daphne said.

Don't tell me you actually thought I was going to the trophy room. Draco said, I've already informed Filch.

Harry's mouth was agape, I'm going just to warn them.

Harry! Daphne called out.

But Harry was already out of the common room and heading up the stairs.

Harry was a little surprised to find that she was followed by Draco and Daphne as they flitted along corridors striped with bars of moonlight from the high windows. At every turn Harry expected to run into Filch or Mrs. Norris, but they were lucky. They sped up a staircase to the third floor and tiptoed toward the trophy room.

The Gryffindors were already there.

This way, quickly. Harry said. To her surprise, Neville was with Ron and Hermione. The latter was an even greater surprise.

Harry, I thought you knew better. Hermione scolded her.

Same to you. Harry said, Draco set you up.

Of course you did. Ron said before spotting Daphne, Why are you here?

Snakes stick together. Daphne said. It was obvious Slytherins stuck their necks out for their own, but only their own.

Then a noise in the next room made them jump. Harry had only just raised her wand when they heard someone speak, Argus Filch.

Sniff around, my sweet, they might be lurking in a corner.

Harry was good, but late at night after curfew good wasn't enough against Filch and she knew it. Horror-struck, Harry waved madly at the other five to follow her as quickly as possible; they scurried silently toward the door, away from Filch's voice. Neville's robes had barely whipped round the corner when they heard Filch enter the trophy room.

They're in here somewhere. They heard him mutter, Probably hiding.

This way! Harry mouthed to the others and, petrified, they began to creep down a long gallery full of suits of armor. They could hear Filch getting nearer. Neville suddenly let out a frightened squeak and broke into a run. He tripped, grabbed Ron around the waist, and the pair of them toppled right into a suit of armor.

The clanging and crashing were enough to wake the whole castle.

RUN! Harry yelled, and the six of them sprinted down the gallery, not looking back to see whether Filch was following or not. They swung around the doorpost and galloped down one corridor then another, Harry in the lead, without any idea where they were or where they were going. They ripped through a tapestry and found themselves in a hidden passageway, hurtled along it and came out near their Charms classroom, which they knew was miles from the trophy room.

I think we've lost him. Harry panted, leaning against the cold wall and wiping her forehead. Neville was bent double, wheezing and spluttering.

I-told-you. Hermione gasped, clutching at the stitch in her chest, I-told-you.

We've got to get back to Gryffindor Tower. Said Ron gesturing at Hermione, Neville and himself, Quickly as possible.

We've got to get back to the dungeons. Daphne said.

Malfoy tricked you. Hermione said to Harry, You realize that, don't you? He was never going to meet us. Filch knew someone was going to be in the trophy room. Malfoy must have tipped him off.

Yeah, he admitted it in the common room. Harry said, Wasn't going to let you suffer for it. Surprised they came along.

Let's go. Neville said wanting to get out of here as quickly as possible.

It wasn't going to be that simple. They hadn't gone more than a dozen paces when a doorknob rattled and something came shooting out of a classroom in front of them.

It was Peeves. He caught sight of them and gave a squeal of delight.

Shut up, Peeves - please - you'll get us thrown out. Harry said.

Peeves cackled.

Wandering around at midnight, Ickle Firsties? Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty, you'll get caughty. Peeves spoke.

Not if you don't give us away, Peeves, please.

Should tell filch, I should, Said Peeves in a saintly voice, but his eyes glittered wickedly, It's for your own good, you know.

Get out of the way. Snapped Ron, taking a swipe at Peeves.

This was a big mistake.

STUDENTS OUT OF BED! Peeves bellowed, STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!

Ducking under Peeves, they ran for their lives, right to the end of the corridor where they slammed into a door.

And it was locked.

Harry, Ron, Draco, Daphne, even Neville tried to open it.

This is it! Ron moaned as they pushed helplessly at the door, We've done for! This is the end!

They could hear footsteps, Filch running as fast as he could toward Peeves' shouts.

Oh, move over. Hermione snarled. She pulled out her wand, tapped the lock, and whispered, Alohomora!

The lock clicked and the door swung open. They piled through it, shut it quickly and pressed their ears against it, listening.

Which way did they go, Peeves? Filch was saying, Quick, tell me.

Say "please." Peeves demanded.

Don't mess with me, Peeves, now where did they go? Filch snarled. They were right next to the door.

Shan't say nothing if you don't say please. Said Peeves in his annoying singsong voice.

All right. Filch caved, Please.

NOTHING! Ha haaa! Told you I wouldn't say nothing if you didn't say please! Ha ha! Haaaaaa! And they heard the sound of Peeves whooshing away and Filch cursing in rage.

He thinks this door is locked. Harry whispered in relief, I think we'll be okay - get off, Daphne! For Neville was tugging Ron's sleave and Daphne Harry's for the last minute, What?

Harry turned around - and saw, quite clearly what. For a moment, she was sure she'd walked into a nightmare - this was too much, on top of everything that had happened so far.

They weren't in a room, as she had supposed. They were in a corridor. The forbidden corridor on the third floor. And now they knew why it was forbidden.

They (save Harry, Hermione, and Daphne who caught a quick glance at a trap door under one of the four paws) were looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog, a dog that filled the whole space between the ceiling and floor. It had three heads. Three pairs of rolling, mad eyes; three noses twitching and quivering in their direction; three drooling mouths, saliva hanging in slippery ropes from yellowish fangs.

It was standing quite still, all six eyes staring at them, and Harry knew that the only reason they weren't already dead was that their sudden appearance had taken it by surprise, but it was quickly getting over that, there was no mistaking what those thunderous growls meant.

Harry groped for the doorknob - between Filch and death, she'd take Filch.

They fell backward, Harry slammed the door shut, and they ran, they almost flew back down the corridor. Filch must have hurried off to look for them somewhere else, because they didn't see him anywhere, but they hardly cared.

They had reached the main intersecting point for all four Houses when they began to split up but Harry, Hermione and Daphne each looked at each other.

What do they think they're doing keeping a thing like that locked up in a school? Ron asked quietly.

If any dog needs exercise, that one does. Draco agreed just as quietly.

You don't use your eyes, any of you, do you? Said the three girls at the same time, quieter than the two boys.

Didn't you see what it was standing on? Daphne said.

The floor? Draco drawled in a whisper.

We were to busy with its heads Ron whispered.

Neville was nodding agreement.

No, not the floor. It was standing on a trapdoor. It's obviously guarding whatever it was Hagrid took from Gringotts. Harry said.

Hermione however grabbed Ron and Neville.

I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed because you just had to set this whole thing up, or worse, expelled. Now, if you three don't mind heading to your common room, we'll head to ours, and I'm going to bed. Hermione scolded in a hushed voice.

You need to sort out your priorities. Ron whispered to Hermione.

I agree with her. Daphne said.

We don't talk about this to anyone. Harry said leading Draco and Daphne back down to the dungeons and into the Slytherin common room.

Harry wasn't going to get tangled up into this at all. How wrong she would be.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 9

Halloween

Harry, Draco, and Daphne were all tired but perfectly cheerful despite last night. Neville looked to be taking We don't talk about this to anyone. quite literally. Not Ron nor Hermione could coax him into talking about it.

Of course, Harry didn't want to talk about it either.

A week later as usual owls flooded into the Great Hall. Unlike usual there was a flock of six large screech owls carrying a long, thin package.

Even more surprising was when it was dropped in front of Harry.

Harry slightly upset at some of her bacon being knocked onto the floor saw a letter dropped before her by Hedwig.

Harry ripped open the letter first, which was lucky, because it said:

DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE.

It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand, but I've been informed to inform you not to open it in the Great Hall otherwise everyone will want one. Professor Snape arranged for you to meet with Marcus Flint tonight at seven o'clock on the Quidditch Feild for your first training session. Please consider this the first of ten years missed Birthday and Christmas Presents.

Your Godfather

Lord Sirius Orion Black

Harry's mouth dropped. Ten years worth! He was attempting to make up for something he had no control over! Harry quickly grabbed some parchment and her ink bottle before pulling out her quill to write back

Please don't over do it. It's not your fault you missed all those Birthdays and Christmases. I will still accept the broomstick.

Your Goddaughter

Harriet Lilian Potter

She sent it off with Hedwig who took it happily.

A Nimbus Two Thousand. Draco said almost dismissively, Weasley will be jealous. Not saying you should goad him with it. Just be careful.

They left the hall quickly, wanting to unwrap the broomstick in private before their first class, but halfway across the entrance hall they found Ron and Hermione barring their way.

Both looked at the package then at Harry.

That's a broomstick. Ron pointed out.

Yeah, because I'm the new Slytherin Seeker. Harry stated.

Harry, first years... Hermione started.

But Draco couldn't resist.

It's not any old broomstick for our House's newest Quidditch player, it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. Draco said smugly.

And for that, you don't get to join me in unwrapping it. Harry said.

Draco stuttered a bit when a voice from behind them made them all jump.

Not arguing, I hope, boys and girls? Professor Flitwick said.

Hermione stuttered, I-I-It's j-j-just th-th-that, Harry's got...

She couldn't finish not wanting to get her friend in trouble, but she was obviously holding a broomstick.

Hm? Oh, yes, yes, that's right. Professor Flitwick said beaming at Harry, Professors McGonagall and Snape told me all about the special circumstances, Potter, and what model is it?

Everyone's mouths dropped save Harry's who said, A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir. She tried not to laugh at everyone, And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it. She added remembering that he had started all of this by of course snatching Neville's Remembrall and refusing to return it, resulting in Harry having to snatch it out of the air with some impressive flying in front of everyone.

Well, don't go showing it off. Professor Flitwick said, I can understand your friends but we don't want everyone wanting a broom of their own. Especially since first years aren't supposed to have their own.

And with that he walked off.

Harry and Daphne took the broomstick down to their dorm and hid it away until that night. They then rejoined Draco for their first class.

Harry had a lot of trouble keeping her mind on her lessons that day. It kept wandering down to the dormitory where her new broomstick was lying under her bed, or straying off to the Quidditch field where she'd be learning to play that night. She bolted her dinner that evening without noticing what she was eating (which wasn't a lot but still), and then rushed downstairs with Draco and Daphne to unwrap the Nimbus Two Thousand at last.

Very good choice Lord Black's got. Draco said, as the broomstick rolled onto the couch next to Harry.

Even Harry, who knew nothing about the different brooms, thought it looked wonderful. Sleek and shiny, with a mahogany handle, it had a long tail of neat, straight twigs and Nimbus Two Thousand written in gold near the top.

As seven o'clock drew nearer, Harry left the castle and set off in the dusk toward the Quidditch field. She'd never been inside the stadium before. Hundreds of seats were raised in stands around the field so that the spectators were high enough to see what was going on. At either end of the field were three golden pols with hoops on the end. They reminded Harry of the little plastic sticks muggle children blew bubbles through, except that they were fifty feet high.

Too eager to fly again to wait for Flint, Harry mounted her broomstick and kicked off from the ground. What a feeling - she swooped in and out of the goalposts and then sped up and down the field. The Nimbus Two Thousand turned wherever she wanted at her lightest touch.

Hey, Potter, come down!

Marcus Flint had arrived along with the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team. They were carrying a large wooden crate between the two largest boys (which Harry now realized she was the only girl on the team). Harry landed in front of them.

Real glad you're in Slytherin, you'd be a terrible opponent for us as a Seeker. Flint said.

Higgs is a little upset you stole the Seeker spot. Pucey said.

Wait aren't you our... Harry began.

Yeah he's out prefect. Higgs said he was one of the new chasers.

Oh, didn't know. Harry began before amending, Wouldn't be fair if that position stopped one from playing.

Right you are. Flint said, You're a natural alright. But from what I've heard you're our first 'Muggle-Born' Slytherin. So, we're going over the game.

Just because I was kept from magic for ten years doesn't mean I didn't get myself Quidditch Through The Ages during my school shopping. Harry stated crossing her arms without dropping her broomstick, I do know what the four balls are, three considering there are two Bludgers, as well as what each position does.

Well you're not hopeless after all. Flint said, But we still have to, 'standard procedure' and all.

After that you'll join us on practice, three times a week. Said Bletchey the Keeper.

The two largest were the Beaters and they placed the crate down.

Right. Said Flint, Now, Quidditch is easy enough to understand, even if it's not easy to play. There are seven players on each side. Three of them are called Chasers.

Three Chasers. Harry repeated to herself quietly, as Flint took out a bright red ball about the size of a football.

This ball's called the Quaffle. Flint said rolling it around in his hands, The Chasers, that's the three of us, throw the Quaffle to each other and try and get it through one of the hoops to score a goal. Ten points every time the Quaffle goes through one of the hoops. Follow me?

The Chasers throw the Quaffle and put it through the hoops to score. Harry recited. She was going to make a stupid comment but decided better of it because she didn't understand it herself.

Now there's another player on each side who's called the Keeper. Flint then patted Miles Bletchley, Bletchley here is Keeper for Slytherin. He has to fly around our hoops and stop the other team from scoring.

Three Chasers, one Keeper. Harry said, determined to show she was keeping up, And you four play with the Quaffle. Okay, got that. So those two balls are the Bludgers?

We'll show you now. Said Flint, Get ready you two.

The two Beaters stepped aside and raised their small clubs, which were a bit like a short cricket bats.

We're going to show you what exactly the Bludgers do. Flint said before realizing Harry had gotten it right, And yes these two are the Bludgers. Only releasing one, right pain to get back in the crate.

He showed Harry two identical balls, jet black and slightly smaller than the red Quaffle. Harry noticed that they seemed to be straining to escape the straps holding them inside the box.

Stand back. Flint warned Harry. He bent down and freed one of the Bludgers.

At once, the black ball rose high in the air and then pelted straight at Harry's face. Then one of the two Beaters swung at it with their bat to stop it from breaking her nose, and sent it zigzagging away into the air - it zoomed around their heads and then shot at Flint, however the other Beater dived on top of it and managed to pin it to the ground.

See? Flint said as Bole and Derrick wrestled the Bludger back into the crate and strapped it down safely, The Bludgers rocket around, trying to knock players off their brooms. That's why you have two Beaters on each team - Ours are Lucian Bole and Peregrine Derrick, more than enough to rival the Weasley twins who unfortunately have the accurate description of being human Bludgers themselves. It's their job to protect us from the Bludgers and try and knock them toward the other team. So - got all that?

Three Chasers try and score with the Quaffle; the Keeper guards the goalposts; the Beaters keep the Bludgers away from their team. Harry reeled off.

Very good, Potter. Said Flint.

Er - have the Bludgers ever killed anyone? Harry asked, hoping she sounded offhand.

Never at Hogwarts. We've had a couple of broken jaws but nothing worse than that. Said Derrick.

Potter. Flint got her attention again, Now, the last member of the team is the Seeker. That's you. And you don't have to worry about the Quaffle or the Bludgers...

Unless they crack my head open. Harry interrupted.

Don't worry, like I said, Bole and Derrick are more than enough to rival the Weasley twins. Flint said with a clap behind him by said Beaters.

Flint reached into the crate and took out the fourth and last ball. Compared with the Quaffle and the Bludgers, it was tiny, about the size of a large walnut. It was bright gold and had little fluttering silver wings.

This, Began Flint, is the Golden Snitch, and it's the most important ball of the lot. It's very hard to catch because it's so fast and difficult to see. It's the Seeker's Job, your job, to catch it. You've got to weave in and out of the Chasers, Beaters, Bludgers, and Quaffle to get it before the other team's Seeker, because whichever Seeker catches the Snitch wins his, well her in your case, team an extra hundred and fifty points, so they nearly always win. Save when the extra points don't bring the Seeker's team's points above the other team's when they catch it. That's why Seekers get fouled so much. A game of Quidditch only ends when the Snitch is caught, so it can go on for ages - I think the record is three months, they had to keep bringing on substitutes so players could get some sleep.

Flint paused for a moment before saying, Well, that's it - any questions?

Harry shook her head. She understood what she had to do all right, it was doing it that was going to be the problem.

Unfortunately, we won't practice with the Snitch yet. Flint said solemnly, carefully shutting it back inside the crate, It's too dark, we might lose it. Let's try you out with these muggle balls we borrowed.

He pulled a bag of ordinary golf balls out of his pocket and a few minutes later, he and Harry were up in the air, Flint throwing the gold balls as hard as he could in every direction for Harry to catch.

Harry didn't miss a single one, and Flint was satisfied. After half an hour, night had really fallen and they couldn't carry on.

Perhaps it was because she was now so busy, what with Quidditch practice three mornings a week on top of all her homework and study sessions with Hermione and Daphne, but Harry could hardly believe it when she realized that she'd already been at Hogwarts two months. The castle felt more like home than Privet Drive ever had. Her lessons, too, were becoming more and more interesting now that they had mastered the basics.

On Halloween morning they woke to the delicious smell of baking pumpkin wafting through the corridors. Even better, Professor Flitwick announced in Charms that he though they were ready to start making objects fly, something they had all been dying to try since they'd heard he had made Neville's toad zoom around the classroom for the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Unfortunately, Ron had made a fuss about Hermione's perfect pronunciation of Wingardium Leviosa which both Harry and Daphne had done perfectly. Additionally, Harry despised Halloween even before learning the truth she could never fully appreciate the holiday when it was the night her parents had perished.

It's no wonder no one but Harry can stand her. Ron said to Seamus as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, Harry overhead this with Daphne, She's a nightmare, honestly.

Hermione knocked into Ron as she hurried past him. Harry caught a glimpse of her face, tears running down from her eyes.

I can't leave her like that. She said to Daphne.

Honestly, I can't either. Daphne agreed.

Hermione jumped when she heard the door slam shut after she had reached the sinks in the girl's bathroom. There was Harry and Daphne stood there near the door.

Go enjoy the feast. I want to be alone. Hermione said, Parvati already asked.

I can't enjoy Halloween. Harry admitted, And you look like you need company.

Hermione relented and slumped into Harry and Daphne's outstretched arms as she cried as much as she could.

Hermione, Harry and Daphne didn't turn up for their next classes and wasn't seen all afternoon, except by Pansy Parkison who left them alone.

On their way down to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, Ron and Neville overhead Parvati Patil telling her friend Lavender that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom and wanted to be left alone. Ron looked still more awkward at this, but a moment later they had entered the Great Hall, where Halloween decorations put Hermione out of his mind.

Until he noticed that Harry and Daphne Greengrass were also missing from the Slytherin table. Unbeknownst to him and Neville, Pansy was telling Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini how Harry and Daphne were comforting Granger in the girl's bathroom. Like Ron and Neville, Draco and Blaise were also becoming concerned, Blaise didn't have much contact with Harry but he had come to appreciate Harry's rather "muggle" viewpoints at times especially after point out why pureblood families had more squibs thanks to her muggle-born friend Hermione Granger. But Blaise was closer to Daphne and both normally hung around Draco and Pansy.

Not even the thousand live bats fluttering from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swooped over the tables in low black clouds could pull their minds from the lack of those who should be among them, the bats made the candles in the pumpkins stutter. The feast appeared suddenly on the golden plates, as it had at the start-of-term feast.

Ron was helping himself to another baked potato when Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, his turban askew and terror on his face. Everyone stared as he reached Professor Dumbledore's chair, slumped against the table, and gasped, Troll - in the dungeons - thought you ought to know.

He then sank to the floor in a dead faint.

There was an uproar. It took several purple firecrackers exploding from the end of Professor Dumbledore's wand to bring silence.

Prefects, he rumbled, lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!

Percy was in his element.

Follow me! Stick together, first years! No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders! Stay close behind me, now. Make way, first years coming through! Excuse me I'm a prefect!

How could a troll get in? Neville asked on their way out.

Don't ask me, they're supposed to be really stupid. Said Ron, Maybe Peeves let it in for a Halloween joke.

Ron's face turned to horror as they seemed to disappear from the Gryffindor First Years. Neville's face was the same. They both came to the same realization.

Hermione! Neville said.

She doesn't know about the troll. Ron finished.

Neither does Harry and Daphne who are with Granger. Came Draco's voice.

We're heading towards the girl's bathroom to tell them. Blaise said.

Together but we can't let anyone see us, let alone the troll. Ron said.

Ducking down, they joined the Hufflepuffs going the other way, slipped down a deserted side corridor, and hurried off toward the girls' bathroom. They had just turned the corner when they heard quick footsteps behind them.

Percy! Hissed Ron, pulling Neville, Draco, and Blaise behind a large stone griffin.

Peering around it, however, they saw not Percy but Snape. He crossed the corridor and disappeared from view.

What's he doing? Draco whispered, Why isn't he down in the dungeons with the rest of the teachers?

Search me. Blaise said.

Quietly as possible, they crept along the next corridor after Snape's fading footsteps.

He's heading for the third floor. Neville said, but Ron held up his hand.

Can you smell something? He asked them.

They all sniffed, and a foul stench reached their nostrils, a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet no one seems to clean.

And then they heard it - a low grunting, and shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet. Ron pointed - at the end of a passage to the left, something huge was moving toward them. They shrank into the shadows and watched as it emerged into a patch of moonlight.

It was a horrible sight. Twelve feet tall, its skin was a dull, granite gray, its great lumpy body like a boulder and its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredible. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long.

The troll stopped next to a doorway and peered inside. It waggled its long ears, making up its tiny mind, then slouched slowly into the room.

Harry, Hermione, and Daphne were washing up. Hermione needed a long while and they had talked to each other. Harry wanted to avoid as much of Halloween as possible and Daphne (regretting missing the Halloween Feast) had decided to stay with them both to keep them company. Daphne had grown fond of Hermione during this time and decided to excuse the fact that she was muggle-born. She got enough experience with Harry, and it sounded like Hermione had a better upbringing aside from being bullied for being smart costing the poor girl, friends.

They were about to leave when suddenly the worst smell they had ever smelled reached their nostrils.

Instantly each mind went to a passage about a certain magical creature. A troll was on the other side of the door.

They backed away into a stall and hid as the troll looked in and decided to enter.

They crept quietly as the troll's focus was further in the bathroom and moved to the door.

It suddenly locked itself.

The key's in the lock. Draco muttered, We could lock it in.

Good idea. Said Ron nervously.

They edged toward the open door mouths dry, praying the troll wasn't about to come out of it. With one great leap, Ron managed to grab the key, slam the door, and lock it.

Yes! They said.

Flushed with their victory, they started to turn. Draco however looked up at the door and realized their mistake.

Hold on. Draco said.

Why? Ron asked.

Two high petrified screams and the banging on the door with Harry's voice calling, Help! made all of their hearts stop.

Oh, no. Said Ron, pale as the Bloody Baron.

It's the girls' bathroom! Blaise said.

Draco was already twisting the key fumbling in panic. He managed to unlock the door while Ron tore it open and all four boys ran inside

What they saw was utter chaos. Daphne Greengrass lay flat under the derby of smashed stalls from a horizontal swing. Hermione was huddled under the sinks dodging the troll's swings. And Harry was doing the bravest and stupidest thing she could think of. As the troll raised its club, Harry used it to be lifted up and landed right behind its head causing the troll to miss Hermione completely. But the troll's confusion didn't last long as it looked around for the sudden feeling behind its head.

Confuse it! Blaise shouted.

Draco and Blaise both raised their wands and shouted, Diffindo! sending the severing charm at the troll while each moved in different directions. Neville was checking on Daphne who was unharmed despite the fragments of the stalls on top of her.

Oi, pea-brain! Yelled Ron from the other side of the chamber, and he threw a metal pipe at it. The troll still trying to find out what was on the back of his head didn't notice the pipe hitting its shoulder, but it heard the yell and felt the severing charms even if they didn't do much. It was indeed confused until Harry slipped and the troll by pure chance caught her by the leg.

DO SOMETHING! Harry cried out dodging the club as best she could with each swing towards her.

Hermione! Neville called out, How did you pronounce the spell again?

Hermione who had been in pure terror had somehow received Neville's call through it and looked up at Neville and Ron, Wingardium Leviosa! Don't forget to swish and flick!

Both Neville and Ron pointed their wands at the club and cried, Wingardium Leviosa!

The club slipped through the troll's fingers at that moment in its swing. Confused the troll looked at its hand while Ron and Neville maneuvered the club above its head.

The troll looked up.

Ron and Neville dropped the spell.

The club dropped, with a sickening crack, onto its owner's head. The troll swayed on the spot and fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.

Harry scrambled from the troll as fast as she could.

Is it - dead? Hermione asked being the first to speak.

I don't think so. Said Harry nearest to the troll, I think it's just been knocked out.

A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made the seven of them look up. They hadn't realized what a racket they had been making, but of course, someone downstairs must have heard the crashes and the troll's roars. A moment later, Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart.

Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall however was flabbergasted seeing not three but seven students in the girls bathroom, four of whom boys and three of the seven belonging to her own House.

Professor McGonagall spluttered a moment before getting out, Explain yourselves.

Please, Professor McGonagall. Daphne Greengrass was the first to speak, We three were here the whole time, we didn't know about the troll until we smelled it from the other side of the door. If Draco, Blaise, Ron and Neville hadn't shown up immediately after it, the three of us would be dead.

Why were you here for so long? Professor McGonagall inquired, You three should have been at the feast.

I was upset after Charms class. Hermione admitted, Harry and Daphne refused to leave me alone when they saw me come in here.

And I could never stand Halloween for obvious reasons. Harry said, I didn't feel like celebrating it when it's the anniversary of my parents' deaths. Daphne was consoling us.

Draco and Blaise used Diffindo to distract the troll while Harry had used its club to get behind its head. Neville got Hermione to help him and Ron used Wingardium Leviosa to knock it out with its own club. Daphne finished off.

Professor McGonagall got her stern expression back. None of them had seen her lips that thin before.

Miss Greengrass, you are excused from punishment. She said, Miss Granger, Miss Potter, you both should know better than this. As deputy-headmistress, my door is always open if you need to speak with someone. Five points will be taken from each of you.

She then turned to the boys.

I have never seen such level of inter-House comradery in all my years of teaching. I hope you realize how lucky you boys are to of taken on a fully grown mountain troll and lived to tell the tale. Five points will be awarded to each of you. Professor McGonagall said, Now get going back to your House common rooms, Students are finishing the feast in their Houses.

From that moment on, all seven of them were friends. There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 10

Quidditch

As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaver skin boots.

The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in her first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the House Championship. Right under Slytherin, who if they won, would widen the gap massively.

Hardly anyone had seen Harry play because Flint decided to copy Wood's strategy of having her as their secret weapon, Harry should be kept, well, secret. But news that she was playing Seeker had somehow leaked (Which it turned out to be Lavender Brown overhearing Ron and Hermione talking with Neville about it, not that Harry cared enough to confront her about it) Harry didn't know which was worse. People telling her she'd be brilliant (which Draco having snuck by to watch her train was the only one who's compliment was accepted) or people telling her they'd be running around underneath her holding a mattress. This led Harry to Nymphadora who helped her repay the Weasley Twins with dungbombs exploding in their pockets during one of Wood's meetings. Had Professors McGonagall and Snape not intervened before their argument came to blows the two Quidditch Teams might have been too injured to even play the first match. But Harry, Nymphadora, Fred and George all suffered detention the day before.

It was really lucky they were all friends with Hermione now. Both Draco and Harry needed it as Harry didn't know how she'd have gotten through all her homework without her, much less everyone else, what with Flint's training schedule she barely had time. Apparently, she had a lot to catch up on.

Thankfully she had to time reread Quidditch Through the Ages. To Harry it would always be a very interesting read. Harry learned that there were seven hundred ways of committing a Quidditch foul and that all of them had happened during a World Cup match in 1473; that Seekers were usually the smallest and fastest players, and that most serious Quidditch accidents seemed to happen to them; that although people rarely died playing Quidditch, referees had been known to vanish and turn up months later in the Sahara Desert.

Hermione had become a bit more relaxed with rule breaking since the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it to Ron, Neville, Daphne, Draco, and Blaise (who had decided that Hermione wasn't worth the standard bigotry Purebloods gave Muggle-Borns), she would when they were on free time and wanted to be outside, conjure up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar. They were standing with their backs to it, getting warm, when Professor Snape crossed the yard.

Harry noticed at once that her Head of House was limping. Harry, Ron, and Hermione (Draco, Daphne, and Blaise were helping Neville boost his confidence making very little progress) moved closer together to block the fire from view; they were sure it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, Professor Snape seemed to be looking for Harry specifically because the moment he saw her, he beelined for them. Fortunately for them he hadn't seen the fire.

What's that you've got there, Potter? Professor Snape (who knew he was in a public enough space to avoid having to call her Lily) asked.

It was her Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.

Catching up on missed time are we? Professor Snape sneered at her, Well, you'll be serving detention with me. Come.

Suddenly, Harry deeply regretted the pranking of Fred and George as she had to leave her friends to face whatever her Head of House had planned for her.

As they entered the potions classroom (which was colder than usual) Professor Snape flicked his wand and a bunch of dirty cauldrons flew from a cabinet and stacked themselves in front of her.

You will be cleaning these. Without magic. Professor Snape sneered.

And so, after donning her dragonhide gloves, Harry began the arduous task of cleaning the cauldrons.

Harry was wondering how Professor Snape had been injured when Filch walked in.

Apologies, Professor, but Peeves messed up the staffroom while The Weasley Twins were in detention in an attempt to "break them out" I'm afraid that Professor McGonagall is having them clean it up. He said as he came through with bandages in his hands, Otherwise we'd be handling your leg in there.

Harry who hadn't finished the last cauldron went very silent straining her ears to hear better without looking like she was listening.

Professor Snape lifted his robe. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing him the bandages.

Quirrell's troll was obvious. If I hadn't known it was a distraction, no-one would of been there to head him off. Lucky I got there first, unlucky I woke Hagrid's Cerberus. Professor Snape said, Blasted thing, how are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?

Harry hadn't realized how quiet she had been until.

POTTER!

Harry banged her head on the cauldron before realizing she had finished cleaning it the moment Filch had arrived.

I was just finishing... Harry said quickly.

GET OUT! OUT!

As soon as they were all together again, Harry explained what she had overheard and seen to her friends.

But why would Quirrell be the one to release the troll? Ron asked, I mean Snape is...

The glares of four Slytherins silenced him.

But Ron, it does make sense. Neville said, We four, he pointed at Ron, Draco, Blaise, and then himself, saw Quirrell run into the Great Hall. Who else was absent. Snape was in the Hall the whole time until the warning about the troll.

So, he couldn't have the time to release it into the dungeons. Daphne said.

I bet he's faking that stutter. Harry said, He was at Diagon Alley the same day I was, which is also the day that break in at Gringotts happened. Now, Snape accidentally revealed to me that he was heading off Quirrell. Snape wasn't in Diagon Alley during the break in at Gringotts, it adds up.

But what could Quirrell gain from whatever is being guarded by Gringotts first and now Hogwarts? Hermione mused.

Whatever was in that small package was worth being sealed in a vault that traps you for a hundred years, Hermione. Harry said, That's a death sentence to even attempt to steal it. You wouldn't be able to get out of that vault.

Father might know what was kept in there. Draco said.

I'll ask my mother as well. Might not of even been a British Witch or Wizard who kept it here. Blaise said.

I'll ask Padfoot. Harry said at the confused looks she clarified, Sirius' name from his band of friends, like how Wormtail was Pettigrew's.

Oh, tell him thanks for the Owl. Ron said. Ron had gotten an Owl from Sirius to replace his pet rat. He had named it Chudly after his favorite Quidditch team.

Will do. Harry said, It's late and I've got to win my first Quidditch match.

Do you have too? Ron and Neville asked together.

She does. Draco, Blaise, and Daphne said in unison.

The next morning dawned very bright and cold. The Great Hall was full of the delicious smell of fried sausages and cheerful chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match.

You've got to eat something. Daphne said concerned for Harry.

I don't want anything.

Just a bit of toast. Wheedled Daphne.

I'm not hungry. Harry insisted.

She felt terrible. In an hour's time she'd be walking onto the field.

But you are malnourished. Daphne reminded her, You're barely made any progress in recovering from it.

Forcing myself won't help. Harry said, I don't need to make myself sick before the match.

But not eating anything is just as risky. Blaise said, You need your strength.

Thanks, Blaise. Harry said, But I can't stomach anything right now.

By eleven o'clock the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars. The seats might be raised high in the air, but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes.

Ron, Hermione, and Neville joined Seamus and Dean up in the top row while Draco Blaise and Daphne joined Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle. As a surprise to Harry, Sirius Black joined her Gryffindor friends while Lucius Malfoy joined his son. Hermione had managed to convince everyone to make a Slytherin banner from one of the Gryffindor bedsheets Scabbers (at the time) had ruined for Harry which she then charmed to flash different colors. It said Potter for President and her Slytherin friends were holding it out for her.

Meanwhile, in the locker room, Harry and the rest of the team were changing into their green Quidditch robes.

Flint didn't even bother to silence everyone. Harry only now realized how he looked like he had troll blood in his veins.

Okay, men. He said, everyone went silent.

Harry coughed, And girl.

And girl. He amended. Slytherin hadn't had a female player for some years now.

There was a cheer for Harry.

Good, now that we got that out of the way. Flint said, Wood will be going on how this is the big one. Well, we're not going to let that happen. Because we're the best team at Hogwarts.

More cheers.

Now let's go prove it! Flint announced.

Harry followed Bole and Derrick out of the locker room and, hoping her knees weren't going to give way, walked onto the field to loud cheers.

Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand.

Now, I want a nice fair clean game. From all of you. She said, once they were all gathered around her. Harry noticed that she seemed to be speaking particularly to the Slytherins with a warning towards her to not fall into such habits. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the fluttering banner high above, flashing Potter for President over the crowd. Her heart skipped. She felt braver.

Mount your brooms, please. Madam Hooch instructed.

Harry clambered onto her Nimbus Two Thousand.

Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.

Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off.

And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too...

JORDAN!

Sorry, Professor.

The Weasley Twin's friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.

And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - he's going to sc - no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goalposts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or Goerge Weasley, can't tell with - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goalposts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDOR SCORES!

Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.

Budge up there, move along. Oh sorry, Sirius. Came a voice from behind.

Hagrid! Hermione squealed.

Ron and Hermione squeezed together to give Hagrid enough space to join them. Sirius did as best he could.

Bin watchin' from me hut. Said Hagrid, patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck, But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?

Nope. Said Ron, Harry hasn't had much to do yet.

Aside from moaning about Gryffindor scoring. Sirius said.


Kept outta trouble, though, that's somthin'. Said Hagrid, raising his binoculars and peering skyward at the speck that was Harry.

Way up above them, Harry was gliding over the game, squinting about for some sign of the Snitch. This was part of her plan which Wood seemed to of also planned with his Seeker a seventh year boy.

She had been advised to try and stop the Gryffindor Chasers from scoring, but she didn't want to cause a foul on her first match. Additionally, her plan gave pause to the other Seeker.

When Angelina had scored, Harry had moaned and done a fake faint with her broom to let off her feelings. Now she was back to staring around for the Snitch. Once she caught sigh of a flash of gold, but it was just a reflection from one of the Weasleys' wristwatches, and once a Bludger decided to come pelting her way, more like a cannonball than anything, but Harry dodged it and Fred Weasley came chasing after it.

She had to dodge both again when he decided she had too much leeway on looking for the Snitch. He then sent it toward Flint when she avoided both it and him.

Slytherin in possession. Lee Jordan was saying, Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?

A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear.

Harry saw it. In a great rush of excitement he dived downward after the streak of gold. Gryffindor Seeker (who Harry decided to call big boy) had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch - all of the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch.

Harry was faster than big boy but he was more experienced - she could see the little round ball, wings fluttering, darting up ahead - she put on an extra spurt of speed -

WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors and Slytherins below - Marcus Flint had blocked Big Boy on purpose and but unintentionally did so to Harry as well. Harry had spun off course, holding on for dear life.

Foul! Screamed the Gryffindors and Slytherins.

Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint followed by Harry enraged at him for costing them the win, then Hooch ordered a free shot at the goalposts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of corse, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.

Down in the stands, Dean Thomas was yelling, Send him off, ref! Red card!

What are you talking about, Dean? Said Ron.

Red Card! Said Dean furiously, In football you get shown the red card and you're out of the game!

But this isn't football, Dean. Ron reminded him.

Hagrid, however, was on Dean's side.

They oughta change the rules. Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air.

Problem is Quidditch teams usually are just the seven players. Hardly ever see any reserves outside of the World Cup Sirius said, So, your muggle card thing would be a forfeit due to lack of players. Doesn't help that's the team captain.

Dean slumped.

Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.

So - after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating -

Jordan! Growled Professor McGonagall.

I mean, after that open and revolting foul -

Jordan, I'm warning you -

All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker and by proximity his own, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinnet, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession.

It was as Harry dodged another Bludger, which went spinning dangerously past her head, that it happened. Her broom gave a sudden, frightening lurch. For a split second, she thought she was going to fall. She gripped the broom tightly with both her hands and knees. She'd never felt anything like that.

It happened again. It was as though the broom was trying to buck her off. But Nimbus Two Thousands did not suddenly decide to buck their riders off. Harry tried to turn back toward the Slytherin Goalposts - she had half a mind to ask Flint to call time-out - and then she realized that her broom was completely out of her control. She couldn't turn it. She couldn't direct it at all. It was zigzagging through the air, and every now and then making violent swishing movements that almost unseated her.

Lee was still commentating.

Slytherin in possession - Flint with the Quaffle - passes Spinnet - passes Bell - hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose - only joking, Professor - Slytherin Scores - oh no...

The Slytherins were cheering. No one seemed to have noticed that Harry's broom was behanding strangely. It was carrying her slowly higher, away from the game, jerking and twitching as it went.

Dunno what Harry thinks she's doing. Hagrid mumbled. He stared through his binoculars, If I didn' know better, I'd say she'd lost control of her broom... But she can't have...

She did. Sirius growled dangerously.

Suddenly, people were pointing up at Harry all over the stands. Her broom had started to roll over and over, with her only just managing to hold on. Then the whole crowd gasped. Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. She was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.

Did something happen to it when Flint blocked her Seamus whispered.

Can't have, besides she's on his team. Hagrid said, his voice shaking. Sirius however had taken his binoculars.

Nothing short of powerful Dark Arts could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand. No student save perhaps a seventh year could, regardless of House. We're looking for an adult already graduated. Sirius said scanning the crowds.

Hermione tugged on Sirius for the binoculars which he handed to her. She went straight to the Professor's seats and spotted them.

I knew it. Hermione gasped, Look at the Professors, Both Snape and Quirrell are muttering unblinking at Harry. And with Snape admitting the troll was from Quirrell to Filch.

She had handed Sirius the Binoculars which he immediately went straight to Snape with them and growled.

That's right he was heading off Quirrell on Halloween for the... You know what from Gringotts... Ron whispered.

Sirius had overheard and handed the Binoculars over to Ron, Keep an eye out.

Sirius bolted through the crowed. Over at the Slytherins, Draco, Daphne, and Blaise were repeating the same story to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, both of whom bolted to the Professors' seats at the same time that Sirius did.

Ron turned the binoculars back on Harry, sharing them with Hermione, who returned to her seat.

Her broom was vibrating so hard, it was almost impossible for her to hang on much longer. The whole crowd was on its feet watching, terrified, as the Weasleys flew up to try and pull Harry safely onto one of their brooms, but it was no good, every time they got near her, the broom would jump higher still. She waved them off to go help Gryffindor. It wasn't just the Weasleys either, Bole and Derrick had joined them leaving both teams without Beaters. At this point Quidditch had been all but completely abandoned, only Flint, Bletchley, and Wood were playing, as the rest of the Chasers had joined the Beaters alongside while the Gryffindor Seeker was trying to end the game so everyone to handle Harry's situation. Marcus Flint barely managed to seize the Quaffle and score five times without anyone noticing until he noticed his and his opponent team captain's teammates weren't on the field.

At this point he was trying to single time out alongside Wood, but it was pointless, Madam Hooch was far to shocked her gaze fixed on Harry to call it.

Come on, Sirius. Hermione muttered desperately.

Lee Jordan had been silent the whole time Harry had been dangling from her broom until something happened that he couldn't help but commentate on in the Professors' Stands. This resulted in Professor McGonagall having to jerk the microphone out of his hands.

Black it's Quirrell not Snape. Lucius said once both he and his wife reached the steps up to the Professors' Stands.

I know! Sirius called back already ahead of them, But I need to make it believable! Once you see Quirrell's unable to keep up his jinx, pull me off Snape!

Once they made it up. Sirius jumped and tackled Snape while knocking Quirrell headfirst into the row in front with such force he was briefly knocked out.

SNIVELLUS! Sirius cried during his jump.

Lucius and Narcissa were struggling to separate Sirius and Snape from each other.

It was enough. Up in the air, Harry was suddenly able to clamber back onto her broom.

Down in the stands Sirius and Snape were finally separated after Harry was back in control.

Alright, you're even with James now. Sirius said, But not with Lily.

Agreed. Snape replied.

Neville, you can look! Ron said.

Neville had been sobbing into Hagrid's jacket for the last five minutes.

Harry was speeding toward the ground after spotting something gold. Big Boy had been after it too, but he wasn't as fast as Harry's dive had made her faster. Harry leveled out as she reached the field and was about to raise her hand to reach it when instead her hand went straight over her mouth - she hit the field tumbled a little bit for landing on all fours - rising up coughing up some that went into her mouth - something gold with silver wings fell out into her hand.

I'VE GOT THE SNITCH! She shouted waving it above her head, and the game ended in complete confusion.

Oliver Wood had moaned at the loss which Lee Jordan had only said once - Slytherin had won two hundred and ten points to twenty - but Wood didn't complain at all about how Harry had caught the Snitch, she hadn't broken any rules anyway. Big Boy had also quit the team, Harry had overhead how he had only agreed because none of them wanted Cormac McLaggen to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team at all.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, Daphne, Blaise, Neville, Crabbe, and Goyle were all being made ups of strong tea in Hagrid's hut. Since it was the first time the Slytherins (save Harry) were in there, they were a little uncomfortable with the shabbiness of it. Harry thought it was pleasant the way it was. Of course, Sirius, Lucius, and Narcissa joined them.

It was Quirrell, honestly if Harry hadn't told us earlier what she had overhead from detention, we'd have thought it was Snape. Ron was explaining, Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take your eyes off you.

Neither would Snape doing the same thing. Sirius said, Trying to repay James for saving his life while we were at school. Which isn't as heroic as you might think, I'll tell you the story later, but safe to say, it turned into an unintentional attempt on his life on my part. Nearly lost my friendship with James and Remus for it.

Rubbish. Said Hagrid, who hadn't heard a word of what had gone on next to him in the stands, Why would Quirrell do somethin' like that?

All the first years looked at each other, wondering what to tell him. It was one thing if it was just him, but three other adults were in the hut as well. Harry decided on the truth.

During detention I found out that Professor Snape was heading him off but got bit by that three-headed dog on Halloween. He told Filch that Quirrell let the troll in. Harry told them.

Hagrid dropped the teapot.

How do you know about Fluffy? He said.

Fluffy? They all asked.

Yeah - he's mine - bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year - I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the...

Yes? Sirius, Lucius, and Narcissa said eagerly.

Now, don't ask me anymore. Hagrid said gruffly, That's top secret, that is.

But Quirrell's trying to steal it! Harry said, He's already tried Gringotts you just stopped him that day.

When was this? Sirius asked.

My birthday. Harry said dismissively.

Rubbish. Said Hagrid again, Quirrell's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort.

So why did he just try and kill Harry? Cried Hermione, I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Quirrell wasn't blinking at all, I saw him! You saw him! She pointed to Sirius.

I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong! Said Hagrid hotly, I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Quirrell wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all of yeh - yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel...

Aha! Said Harry, So there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?

Hagrid looked furious with himself. So did Harry.

No, you're right. Harry said shocking Hagrid, It's none of out business.

But Sirius, Lucius, and Narcissa were discussing what it could be and they all seemed to have figured it out but wouldn't say anything.

Chapter Text

The Girl Who Lived Her Own Life

Chapter 11

The Mirror of Erised

Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The Lake froze solid and the Weasley Twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. Harry who had found it very amusing, paid them to keep at it until the all the snow melted away. Quirrell did not find this amusing. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.

No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Slytherin common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the drafty corridors had become icy and bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them, and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.

You and Lord Black got any plans for the holidays? Draco asked Harry, one Potions class, It'll be your first proper Christmas.

We had plans. Harry said, But unfortunately, Ron's parents had a change in plans. They're going to visit Charlie, so the rest of the Weasleys, excluding Bill, are staying here. I've already owled Uncle Sirius so I could stay and spend Christmas with them. He's a little hurt, but he did say it's probably best for certain reasons.

Oh, well, how nice of you. Draco said. He was clearly taken aback by surprise, but he wasn't condescending in his response.

When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind it.

Hi, Hagrid, want any help? Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron. Hagrid replied.

We could help you getting to where it needs to go a lot quicker. Vincent Crabbe said from behind Draco.

Everyone was shocked. Not only did Crabbe and Goyle hardly ever speak outside of groups of Slytherins and even in the Slytherin Common room, but no Slytherin had ever offered to do let alone help with manual labor before.

Hagrid took a moment to get out of his shock before shaking his head to get out of his stupor, Ah, couldn' hurt now could it? You lot be careful it's a big un and real heavy. I've got the heaviest part meself. You'll all get ter see the Great Hall, looks a real treat it does.

And so, the whole class helped Hagrid, while mainly Crabbe and Goyle were actually able to help due to their natural physical strength, the whole class managed to get the tree to the Great Hall faster than Hagrid had alone. However, they were all still puffing when they reached the doors.

Ah, Hagrid, the last tree - put it in the far corner, would you? Professor Flitwick said. He and Professor McGonagall were busy with the Christmas decorations. He then did a double take seeing the entire potions class catching their breath at the door, Don't tell me you had them help you? I would never had thought you...

Ron gave the offer, I denied it. Hagrid explained, Then Crabbe did his bit o' reasoning, and we were all shocked. So, I couldn' stop em from helping me.

Fifty points each for such kind generosity and assistance to a faculty member. Professor McGonagall announced, Double for Mr. Weasley and Mr. Crabbe.

Their jaws dropped. With Harry's victory in the Quidditch match they were already beyond everyone's reach, but this put Gryffindor securely in second.

They almost missed looking around at the Great Hall. The hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls, and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles.

How many days you got left until yer holidays? Hagrid asked.

Just one. Said Hermione, And that reminds me - Harry, Ron, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library.

Oh yeah, you're right. Said Ron, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.

The library? Said Hagrid, following them out of the hall, Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?

Oh, they're not working. Harry told him agitated by her friends, Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel they've been trying to find out who he is.

You what? Hagrid looked shocked, Listen here - I've told yeh - drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'.

We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all. Said Hermione.

Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble? Harry added, We must've been through hundreds of books already - they dragged me into it - just give us a hint - I know I've read his name somewhere.

I'm sayin' nothing'. Hagrid said flatly.

Just have to find out for ourselves then. Said Ron, and they left Hagrid looking disgruntled and hurried off to the library.

They had indeed been searching books for Flamel's name ever since Hagrid had let it slip, because how else were they going to find out what Quirrell was trying to steal? The trouble was, it was very hard to know where to begin, not knowing what Flamel might have done to get himself into a book. He wasn't in Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century or Notable Magical Names of Out Time; he was missing, too, from Important Modern Magical Discoveries, and A Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry. And then, of course, there was the sheer size of the library; tens of thousands of books; thousands of shelves; hundreds of narrow rows.

Hermione took out a list of subjects and titles she had decided to search while Ron strode off down a row of books and started pulling them off shelves at random. Harry wandered over to the Restricted Section. She had been wondering for a while if Flamel wasn't somewhere in there. Unfortunately, you needed a specially signed note from one of the teachers to look in any of the restricted books, and she knew she'd never get one. These were the books containing powerful Dark Magic never taught at Hogwarts, and only read by older students studying advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts or advanced Potions.

What are you looking for, girl?

Oh, I was just glancing before going to look through some of the potions books. Harry said, I apologize for loitering where I shouldn't.

Madam Pince the librarian brandished a feather duster at her.

Then you best be looking over there. Go on!

Harry who had long since stopped bothering to look for Flamel had decided to instead improve in areas of magic she was lacking in, without the special treatment from Professor Snape, her potions were abysmal. So, she decided to work on that first.

Five minutes later, they all left the library with Ron and Hermione shaking their heads revealing they had found nothing. They went off to lunch.

You will keep looking while I'm away, won't you? Said Hermione, And send me an owl if you find anything.

And you could ask your parents if they know who Flamel is. Said Ron, It'd be safe to ask them.

Very safe, as they're both dentists. Said Hermione.

Did you seriously forget that Hermione is Muggle-Born, Ron? Harry said.

Well, uh, yeah. Replied Ron, It's actually fairly easy too.

Once the holidays had started, Ron and Harry were having too good a time to think much about Flamel. They had their dormitories to themselves, and the common rooms were far emptier than usual, so in their own dorms, they were able to get the good armchairs y the fire, of course they hardly spent time there anyways as that kept them apart. So, they primarily hung around the Great Hall or one of the spare classrooms enjoying themselves.

Ron also started teaching Harry Wizard's Chess. This was exactly like Muggle chess except that the figures were alive, which made it a lot like directing troops in battle. Ron's set was very old and battered. Like everything else he owned, it had once belonged to someone else in his family - in this case, his grandfather. However, old chessmen weren't a drawback at all. Ron knew them so well he never had trouble getting them to do what he wanted.

Harry played with chessmen Seamus Finnigan had let her (why he would do that was beyond her, especially since she was in Slytherin), and they didn't trust her at all. She wasn't a very good player yet and they kept shouting different bits of advice at her, which was confusing. Don't send me there, can't you see his knight? Send him, we can't afford to lose him.

On Christmas Eve, Harry went to bed looking forward to the next day for the food and the fun, but not expecting any presents at all for Christmas, let along Boxing Day. When she woke early in the morning, she was so certain of a complete lack of any presents the pile of presents sent to her entirely.

Merry Christmas. Ron said to her once they met up in a classroom near the Great Hall.

You too. Harry said seeing him smile brightly upon seeing her. She then noticed the maroon jumper he was wearing, Maroon is not your color.

Oh, yeah, Fred and George practically trapped Percy in his. Ron said looking down at his jumper, Mine's always maroon. Every year she makes us a Weasley jumper. Bill, Charlie, Fred and George, all enjoy theirs, used to be a nuisance.

It isn't now? Harry asked.

I may get most of my things second hand from someone in the family, but the jumpers have a special place in a Weasley jumper every year. Ron said looking up, It's sort of a family tradition by now, doesn't by hand too.

Well at least you get something made with affection from your mum. Harry said looking down cast. Ten years without presents really hurts one's self confidence especially when you were also an orphan.

What do you mean? Ron looked at her, Oh, sorry, it's just you've got your godfather now, besides I told mum you never had a proper Christmas before.

At that moment the strangest creature Harry had ever seen appeared disappeared and appeared again multiple times each time with a present of some sort. The creature was small wearing some sort of clothe instead of clothes and had large bat like ears that drooped downward, it also had blood shot eyes and a bulbous snout like nose.

Mistress Harry missed her presents from Master Sirius and the blood traitor - I mean, Mrs. Weasley - as well as the return of an item of inheritance along the Potter family line. The creature said, Would Mistress Harry be needing anything from Kreacher? Kreacher is sorry for steal away Master Regulus' book from her, Kreacher has already punished himself.

Harry did not like the sound of that, the theft of book mattered very little to whatever Kreacher was, punishing himself for his own action.

You punished yourself? Harry said.

Kreacher raised his bandaged hands, Slammed cupboard doors on them.

Harry looked outraged, You will not punish yourself ever again. I won't tolerate it, let alone you deserving punishment in the first place, I shouldn't have looked in that book anyways.

This shocked Kreacher, Kreacher is a House Elf, in service of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, House Elves deserve punishment for failing...

NO MORE PUNISHMENTS! Harry practically yelled. She was having a trauma attack from her own life and was having difficulty keeping face in front of Kreacher, I don't want to see you punished even if you deserve it.

Kreacher looked at her with reverence, Mistress Harry is like Master Regulus. Kreacher will serve you well. Kreacher will do a good job. Kreacher must return to Master Sirius now.

And he was gone.

Harry finally let herself collapse and started crying at the memories of her having to suffering through punishments from the Dursleys needlessly, even being made to do some of her punishments to herself.

Ron sat down next to her and held her. Harry responded by curling up into him needing time to recover from her sudden traumatic attack.

After calming down after a few nearly half an hour, Harry finally realized she had presents.

I-I actually have presents! Harry jumped up looking at the pile.

What did you expect, turnips? Ron said jokingly.

Actually, I've never had presents before now. Harry admitted.

Oh, I'm sorry. Ron said before spotting a lumpy parcel, Oh, no, mum's made you a Weasley jumper.

Harry immediately went for it first. She found a thick, hand-knitted jumper in emerald green with a large letter H and a large box of homemade fudge.

I-I've never had a jumper before. Harry said tears forming in her eyes. She pulled the emerald green jumper close to her grateful for such a gift.

Oh, I just wrote mum you weren't expecting anything. Ron said, Despite, Sirius Black's pardon.

He was suddenly embraced by Harry who had bear hugged him.

After releasing him, Harry said, Thank you.

Ron's ears turned red.

Harry turned to the rest of her presents. Hagrid had whittled her a flute that when she blew into it, delightfully sounded like an owl. Sirius and Remus had both gotten her their own picks on books for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione (like she had with Ron) had gotten Harry some wizarding sweets, unlike Ron who received a box of Every Flavor Beans, Harry got Chocolate Frogs. Draco had gotten her a set of Slytherin themed trinkets while Daphne had gotten her a makeup set (with a note saying that she would help her after returning from the Holidays), while Vincent and Gregory had gotten her a Wizard's Chess set. Both boys may appear think due to their large size, but they apparently were very good at Wizard's Chess, and each wanted to play Ron.

It was Blaise' present to her that was the most surprising.

Harry had received a basket along with supplies for whatever was inside it. After opening it up, an adorable emerald green diamond pattern snake slithered into Harry's hand.

Aren't you adorable. Harry said. Ron jumped. She continued, What's your name?

Whatever name you wish to call me, speaker. The snake said in a feminine voice that hissed with each s.

Why didn't you mention that your a parselmouth? Ron asked Harry slightly shaken from hearing his friend speak parseltongue.

What? Harry said looking up at Ron and nearly jumped but instead clamped a hand to her mouth. She hadn't said it in English.

Parselmouth. Ron said again, You know, you can speak parseltongue, snake language. It's extremely rare and hereditary.

How do you know all that? Harry said thankfully in English, And how can I speak a language without even knowing it?

Don't know how, but Hermione pointed it out with you being in Slytherin. Ron said, Apparently it's what Salazar Slytherin was known for, why they called him, 'Serpent-Tongue' because he was the first known parselmouth.

But I'm not related to him. Harry said, I think... I'll have to as Sirius.

Do that. Ron said.

Harry turned back to her snake, I think I'll call you Emily or Emi for short, for your beautiful emerald green scales.

Such a beautiful name. Emily said, And my scales are beautiful aren't they. She said with pride before she slithered up and lay like a scarf around Harry's neck.

There was only one parcel left now. Harry picked it up and felt it. It was very light. She unwrapped it.

Something fluid and silvery gray went slithering to the floor where it lay in gleaming folds. Ron gasped.

I've heard of those. He said in a hushed voice, It that's what I think it is...

They're really rare and really valuable, aren't they. Harry finished for him.

Ron simply nodded.

She picked the shining, silvery cloth off the floor. It was strange to the touch, like water woven into material.

It's an Invisibility Cloak. Said Ron, a look of awe on his face, I'm sure it is. Try it on.

Harry threw the Cloak around her shoulders and drawing the hood over her head, Ron gave a yell.

It is! Look down!

Harry looked down at her feet, but they were gone.

Speaker, a note fell out of it. Emily said to Harry.

Harry pulled off the Cloak and seized the letter. Written in narrow, loopy writing she had never seen before were the following words:

Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well

A Very Merry Christmas to you

There was no signature, but Harry somehow knew that Dumbledore had written the note and sent the Cloak. This didn't stop her from keeping what was rightfully hers be she was going to have it checked for tracking spells. Ron was admiring the Cloak.

I'd give anything for one of these. He said, Anything. Hold on, this thing's ancient... No way! This is The Invisibility Cloak!

The Invisibility Cloak? Harry inquired.

I'll explain later when Hermione gets back. Ron said, In short old Invisibility Cloaks start to lose their enchantment, yours must be the original that inspired the making of others.

No wonder Dumbledore kept it. Harry said holding up the note, Pretty sure that's his handwriting.

Huh, anyways, we'd better get ready for some fun. Fred and George are wearing each other's jumpers so their Gred and Forge. They forced Percy into his and he's joining the family during the Feast. But they planned a snowball fight this afternoon after dinner.

I'd better start bringing this all to my dorm then. Harry said already collecting stuff and reclaiming the Cloak from Ron.

Harry had never in all her life had such a Christmas dinner. A hundred fat, roast turkeys; mountains of roast and boiled potatoes; platters of chipolatas; tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich graver and cranberry sauce - and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table. These fantastic party favors were nothing like the feeble muggle ones the Dursleys usually bought, with their little plastic toys and their flimsy paper hats inside. Harry pulled a wizard cracker with Gred (Since they didn't have enough staying behind for four tables and Harry enjoyed the Weasleys company) and it didn't just bang, it went off with a blast like a cannon and engulfed them all in a cloud of blue smoke, while from the inside exploded a rear admiral's hat and several live, white mice. Up at the Hight Table, Dumbledore had swapped his pointed wizard's hat for a flowered bonnet and was chuckling merrily at a joke Professor Flitwick had just read him.

Flaming Christmas puddings followed the turkey. Percy nearly broke his teeth on a silver Sickle embedded in his slice. Harry watched Hagrid getting redder and redder in the face as he called for more wine, finally kissing Professor McGonagall on the cheek, who, to Harry's amazement, giggled and blushed, her top hat lopsided.

When Harry finally left the table, she was laden down with a stack of things out of the crackers, including a pack of non-explodable, luminous balloons, a Grow-Your-Own-Warts kit, and the white mice for Emily to have as her Christmas dinner, and all but one of the white mice had disappeared, which Harry had a nasty feeling that they would end up as Mrs. Norris' Christmas dinner, while the one she ketp would end up as Emily's.

Harry and the Weasleys spent a happy afternoon having a furious snowball fight on the grounds. Then, cold, wet, and gasping for breath, they returned to the fires of their respective dorms before meeting up again in an abandoned classroom, where Harry broke in her new chess set by losing spectacularly to Ron. She suspected she wouldn't have lost so badly if Percy hadn't tried to help so much.

After a meal of turkey sandwiches, crumpets, trifle, and Christmas cake, everyone felt too full and sleepy to do much before bed except in Gryffindor Tower where the inhabitance sat and watched Percy chase Fred and George all over Gryffindor Tower because they'd stolen his prefect badge.

It had been Harry's best Christmas day ever. Yet something had been nagging at the back of her mind all day. Not until she climbed into bed was, she free to think about it: the Invisibility Cloak.

Emily, full of the white mouse that Harry had given her, lay curled up in her basket fast asleep. Harry leaned over the side of her own bed and pulled the Cloak out from under it.

Her father's... This had been her father's. She let the material flow over her hands, smoother than silk, light as air. Use it well, the note had said.

She had to try it, now. She slipped out of bed and wrapped the Cloak around herself. Looking down at her legs, she saw only shadows. It was a very funny feeling.

Use it well.

Suddenly, Harry felt wide-awake. The whole of Hogwarts was open to her in this Cloak. Excitement flooded through her as she stood there in the dark and silence. She could go anywhere in this, anywhere, and Filch would never know.

Speaker? Emily said waking at the vibrations disturbing her sleep, I can smell you, but I can't see you. Are you invisible?

Harry let her arm slip out from under the Cloak towards Emily, Would you like to come with me while I go exploring under the Invisibility Cloak?

Emily slithered up her arm as Harry slipped out of the dormitory, down the stairs, across the common room, and out through the dungeon wall.

Harry climbed up the stairs quickly and quietly.

Where should she go? She stopped, her heart racing, and though. And then it came to her. The Restricted Section in the library. She'd be able to read as long as she liked, as long as it took to find out who Flamel was. She set off, drawing the Invisibility Cloak tight around her.

The library was pitch-black and very eerie. Harry was about to light a lamp to see her way along the rows of books before remembering the wand-lighting charm, Lumos. The wand-light looked as if it was floating along in midair, and even though Harry could feel her arm holding it aloft, the sight gave her the creeps.

The Restricted Section was right at the back of the library. Stepping carefully over the rope that separated these books from the rest of the library, she held up her wand to read the titles.

They didn't tell her much. Their peeling faded gold letters spelled words in languages Harry couldn't understand. Some had no title at all. One book had a dark stain on it that looked horribly like blood. The hairs on the back of Harry's neck prickled. Maybe she was imagining it, maybe not, but she thought a fain whispering was coming from the books, as though they knew someone was there who shouldn't be.

She had to start somewhere. Positioning her wand carefully on the floor, she looked along the bottom shelf for an interesting-looking book. A large black and silver volume caught her eye. She pulled it out with difficulty, because it was very heavy, only just remembering she didn't care about who Flamel was and accidentally let the book fall open on the floor.

A deafening, piercing, bloodcurdling shriek split the silence, the book was screaming louder than it would have if Harry had just opened it properly without permission to read any of these books! Harry quickly snapped it shut, but the shriek went on and on, one high unbroken, earsplitting note. She barely remembered her wand as she stumbled backward grasping for it on the floor and muttering Nox. Before panickingly stuffing the shrieking book back on the shelf as she heard footsteps. She ran for it. She passed Filch in the doorway; Filch's pale, wild eyes looked straight through her, and Harry slipped under Filch's outstretched arm and streaked off up the corridor, the book's shriek still ringing in her ears.

She came to a sudden halt in front of a tall suit of armor. She had been so busy getting away from the library, she hadn't paid attention to where she was going and barely any on keeping Emily from being shaken off. Perhaps because it was dark, she didn't recognize where she was at all. There was a suit of armor near the kitchens, she knew, but she must be five floors above there.

You asked me to come directly to you, Professor, if anyone was wandering around at night, and somebody's been in the library, Restricted Section.

Harry felt the blood drain out of her face. Wherever he was, Filch must know a shortcut, because his soft greasy voice was getting nearer, and to her mild surprise, it was Professor Snape who replied, The Restricted Section? Well, they can't be far, we'll catch them.

Harry stood rooted to the spot as Filch and Snape came around the corner ahead. They couldn't see her, of course, but it was a narrow corridor and if they came much nearer, they'd know right into her, the Cloak didn't stop her from being solid.

She backed away as quietly as she could. A door stood ajar to her left. It was her only hope. She squeezed through it, holding her breath, trying to not move it, and to her relief she managed to get inside the room without their noticing anything. They walked straight past, and Harry leaned against the wall, breathing deeply, listening to their footsteps dying away. That had been very close.

It was a few seconds before she noticed anything about the room, she had hidden in.

It looked like an unused classroom. The dark shapes of desks and chairs were piled against the walls, and there was an upturned wastepaper basket. But propped against the wall facing her was something that didn't look as if it belonged there, something that looked as if someone had just put it there to keep it out of the way.

It was a magnificent mirror, as high as the ceiling, with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet. There was an inscription carved around the top: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru ouyt on woshi. Harry feeling strangely about the inscription quickly realized that ErisedDesire backwards and read the inscription that way which came out as: I show not your face but your heart's desire.

Her panic fading now that there was no sound of Filch and her Head of House, Harry slipping off the Cloak, moved nearer to the mirror, expecting to see what she believed was her heart's desire in it.

What she saw wasn't what she expected. A man tall and thin with jet black hair that stuck up at the back, just as Harry's did. He wore glasses similar to how she used to wear glasses. A woman stood next to him with dark auburn red hair and, and bright green eyes the exact same shade and shape as her own, only the woman's were full of tears despite her smile.

Mum? Harry whispered in a shaky voice her own eyes filling with tears, Dad?

The two people standing right behind her reflection simply nodded both smiling at her and eyes full of tears.

This was her heart's desire and it was cruel.

Harry couldn't leave but couldn't look into the mirror anymore. She instead curled up before it, sobbing herself to sleep.

She's got to be around here somewhere. Ron said.

When Harry didn't appear at breakfast, Ron rounded up his brothers to go searching the castle for her.

Maybe. Fred started.

She's. George continued.

Don't start that. Ron said.

Well I've looked all around the dungeons. Percy said, Perhaps she's still in her common room.

And skip breakfast? Ron said like it was absolute non-sense.

At that moment they all heard a loud hiss
How did you get in here? Percy said getting ready to remove the snake from school grounds.

Hold up. That's Emily, Blaise' present to Harry. Ron explained.

If she's here. George started.

She may know where Harry is. Fred finished.

Emily nodded her head and slithered back into the room.

Upon entering the room, The Weasleys immediately gasped at seeing Harry or more correctly parts of Harry as only Ron knew about the Invisibility Cloak.

The three boys were even more confused as Harry shifted in her sleep causing the parts of her that were visible from under the Invisibility Cloak to shift showing different parts appearing while others disappeared.

Ron then walked over and lifted the Cloak off of Harry startling the rest of the Weasley boys as suddenly a fully embodied Harry appeared before them still in her night gown and warm bathrobe.

Harry shivering at the sudden prickling of Emily's tongue finally stirred and opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by fiery red-headed boys, an emerald green snake, and that she wasn't in her dorm room but an abandoned classroom.

Are you all right? Asked Ron handing her the Cloak, You look awful.

No. Harry said as the events of last night came back to her, Cried myself to sleep after seeing... Seeing my mum and dad in that. She finished off by pointing towards the mirror.

Everyone turned to face it.

It's just an ordinary mirror. George

Percy however was looking at the words along the top.

I show not your face but your heart's desire. Percy said aloud.

What? Fred asked confused.

How'd you learn the language? George asked Percy.

It's backwards. Harry pointed out.

But Fred was staring at the mirror standing alone before it.

George you got to see... Fred said pulling George over but what he had seen instantly vanished.

See the two best looking blokes in Hogwarts? George said laughing as he turned to look at Fred.

Fred however stepped aside from the mirror so only George stood before it.

George looked confused only for Fred to signal for him to look into the mirror. George did and gasped.

Oh! Yeah, our own joke shop. George said, Oh, only one can stand in front of it to see their heart's desire.

George stepped away and pushed Percy forward, I don't really want to look into...

But he cut himself off as he saw himself properly a part of his own family, accepted for who he is.

Percy didn't stand there long stepping back to give Ron a turn while Fred and George talked to each other about the joke shop neither giving away that they had both seen Angelina beside them.

What did you see? Harry asked Percy.

Percy explained what he had seen.

I don't think that's impossible to achieve. Harry said to him quietly, If they have something simple, I don't think you couldn't accomplish that. Maybe try to be a part of your family a bit more, instead of trying to achieve some great status.

Are you really a Slytherin? Percy asked, Sorry, it's just surprising to hear one talk about abandoning the pursuit of some great accomplishment.

Slightly offensive. Harry said, But I don't really need fame, wealth, power, just some peace and quiet. Honestly, I doubt anything like that would make me as happy as letting everyone else deal with their own problems they caused themselves.

Or maybe you just want a family. Percy said.

Harry looked at him confused and was about to ask Percy why he said that then George called out, What do you see Ron?

Ron had the biggest giddy smile on his face.

Look at me! Ron said.

We can't see what you see. Fred said irritated.

Oh, well, I'm alone, but I'm different, I think I'm older... And Head Boy! Ron stating what he saw.

Fred and George groaned at that. Percy beamed.

And you are questioning if I'm a Slytherin. Harry said.

I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to... Bloody hell, I'm Quidditch Captain too! Ron exclaimed.

He turned to give Harry a smile, Do you think this mirror shows the future?

How can it? All my family are dead. Harry stated moving towards one of the desks, Now stand aside.

She was about to lift it when a hand landed on her shoulder.

I see you discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised. Professor Dumbledore said becoming visible, And one among you has for the first time in the Mirror's existence, decided to destroy it despite what it showed you.

We didn't know it was called that. Harry said stepping away from the desk.

Sir. Percy corrected.

Sir. Harry amended.

Dumbledore smiled, I was going to leave it here two more nights, but since you all have already seen your heart's desire and Miss Potter almost tried to destroy and sacred magical artifact, It will be moved to a new home today, and I ask you not to go looking for it again. If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they had seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible.

You're using it to protect whatever it was you had removed from that vault in Gringotts aren't you. Harry said. Ron nodded in agreement to this.

Dumbledore smiled, Of course, but you would have to know what it is to even obtain it from the mirror. And to prepare you, perhaps it is safer where it is than in the hands of any person. Yes, that object is already inside the mirror and is moving back to its place. I was merely tempting you with it so you can be ready.

Oh. Harry said.

Why not tell the prefects about this? Percy asked.

Because it is a matter for the Headmaster, Deputy-Headmistress, Heads of House, Hagrid, and Professor of the Dark Arts only. Professor Dumbledore explained, Far too dangerous for students to try and get involved with defending, though obviously, I am a little open minded to that.

What do you see when you look into the mirror? Ron asked.

I? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks. Professor Dumbledore said to the disbelief of everyone, One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.

Harry shook her head, You're lying.

Dumbledore smiled at her, Only partially, I don't see socks but I do believe you can never have enough, and that people insist on giving me books. But yes, like you and Mr. Weasley here, I see myself with my family.

In fact, I will tell you why as it does partially concern why I allow you to slander me, Harry. Once, I would see my ex-boyfriend Gellert Grindelwald when I was still the Transfiguration Professor, but that changed after our last battle and I became the true master of the Elder Wand. Dumbledore held his wand in his hand, Yes, this and your Invisibility Cloak are two of the three Deathly Hollows. That is why I had it when your parents died, However, I doubt anything could destroy the Cloak.

The Weasleys gasped seeing The Elder Wand in person.

However, that doesn't matter now, and I doubt any but you Harry could own all three Hollows. Dumbledore said putting the wand away, Now where to begin. I am a Half-Blood Wizard, my father was a Pureblood and my mother a Muggle, they had three children, myself, my brother Aberforth, and our sister, Ariana. Ariana was very young when two muggle boys called her a freak for performing accidental magic in front of them. That is what caused her to become an Obscurial, Father was furious and beat the two boys for causing his daughter to become one with magic. He refused to admit the truth and was taken to Azkaban for his actions accused of being a dark wizard. Mother myself, and my younger siblings moved to Godric's Hollow after that. I would attend Hogwarts first, be sorted into Gryffindor and face accusations for the belief my Father was a Dark Wizard and I would be no different, only to be hailed as a prodigy later on. Unfortunately, Ariana unable to heal, would later be the death of our Mother as her magic lashed out when she was emotionally distressed, Ariana had a kind heart and a gentle soul but she was in constant pain. It would be after that, that I fist met Grindelwald. It was no secret in my family that I was homosexual, and my brother would be off to Hogwarts as well while I would later receive a teaching position. Though I must amend that those things happened before our Mother's death and only after did I meet Grindelwald. We shared like-minded goals, far too many in my opinion now, I wanted above all to cure my sister. She was fourteen when my brother confronted me about my lack of family obligation, participation, and affection all in pursuit of power, including delving into the Dark Arts.

Dumbledore sighed, It came to a head. Grindelwald and I couldn't be together as I had my duties to my family. He made it him or my family. I choose family. Ariana however tried to stop us but... But Grindelwald drew his wand, Aberforth and I drew ours, but it was Grindelwald and I who fired our spells at the same time. Ariana caught in the middle her magical core reacting and at that moment she collapsed into an obscurus. But the transformation never happened. With her magic lashing out of control and our two spells colliding into her, she, she died. Grindelwald fled and even after our final duel, I never found out whose spell was the one that killed her.

At the funeral Aberforth accused me of being her death. Dumbledore said before tapping his nose, And then broke my nose when I didn't defend myself. I have carried that guilt with me ever since I watched her fall lifeless. I don't care whether it was my spell of his, I should have been there for her, looked after her instead of abandoning her like I did and leaving my brother with the responsibility of looking after her. My brother and I had been distant before, but we've only grown more apart. So, I see my family as they should have been in the Mirror of Erised.

Dumbledore finished his life's story before clapping his hands, I believe you need some breakfast, along with your new companion.

But what does that have to do with me? Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked at her, Right, I did forget that part. When I found out that had happened to you because of my beliefs, theories, and actions for your protection, I was reminded of Ariana. However, where I place the blame on myself for her, my actions directly made my responsible for your unfortunate however temporary lapse into obscurial. I may have kept on till I found a cure in honor of my sister, but I know she would be furious with me for purposely allowing what happened to her to happen to another. So, I let you despise me for what I put you through until you are satisfied even if I will never live to see you finally feeling like I've paid for putting you through ten years of torment with your blood relatives.

And then you go and make me somehow pity you. Harry said, You need to learn to stop punishing yourself.

I'm afraid I'm too old and too mad for that. Dumbledore said smiling, Now, why don't you all run along and get Miss Potter something to eat.

Harry couldn't help but feel bad about how she treated Dumbledore, she still hated him for what he put her through, but he was beating himself up over his little sister who never got a chance to be a witch. How could she be any better? She didn't care while he did just, he went about helping in the wrong way and obviously was fine with child endangerment. But then again, it was a magic school child endangerment was unfortunately already guarantied. Harry was sliding her fingers across Emily's scales as she thought about Nicolas Flamel again and what it was he had that was inside that mirror.

Harry went to sleep that night wondering if she actually cared about the wizarding world after all.