When they arrived at Hogwarts, it was already quite dark. But despite the late hour, there was a lively atmosphere. Barry adjusted his glasses and hurried after his friends. He saw Hagrid escorting the first-year students to their boats, which in turn would take them to Hogwarts, which in reality turned out to be much larger than it had appeared on television.
He still felt awkward when he saw his doppelganger in front of him. It was even good in a way that he had become friends with him. But still, feeling like Barry Allen and seeing Barry Allen in front of him was not the best thing he had ever experienced. And in the end, he felt a certain responsibility towards him, because sooner or later he would have to tell him who he really was.
Before entering the Great Hall, he saw Malfoy, who, in his usual style, began to show off and humiliate Ron. But Barry, Harry's doppelganger, managed to respond with a sharp retort, establishing himself as someone who didn't mince his words. And "Harry" himself was not to be outdone. He had no intention of standing on ceremony with people like Draco Malfoy.
The boy might have said something else, but Professor McGonagall arrived just in time and invited everyone inside.
Headmaster Dumbledore gave his traditional speech, after which McGonagall took out the Sorting Hat, and the sorting began. Barry and Ron were sorted into Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy into Slytherin, Susan Bones into Hufflepuff, and even Hermione Granger managed to join the ranks of Gryffindor. It was Harry Potter's turn. He hoped that everything would go well for him too and that he would be sent to join his friends in the lion house.
"I see a lot of courage, and a pretty good brain too..." began the hat as it was placed on Harry's head. "Where should I put you?"
"Not Slytherin," whispered the boy.
"Not Slytherin? Are you sure?
"Yes," Barry replied confidently.
"Well... Then... Gryffindor!" And to loud applause, Barry went to the lion faculty.
Yes, the applause for Harry Potter was the loudest. Of course, Harry Potter was going to be studying with them! Barry was already sick of this kind of attitude. The advantage of no one knowing Flash's true identity was that ordinary people wouldn't point at Barry Allen and say, "Look, it's Flash!" All the love for the superhero was because of his actions, not just because he existed. All of Harry Potter's fame was built on luck and his mother's love, which prevented Voldemort from killing him.
After him, they began to assign other students. Here, Barry was surprised again, because the assignment of Caitlin Snow began. Why she ended up in Britain and was also a witch was not very interesting to Barry at the moment. Something else was important to him.
"Just Gryffindor. Please," Barry whispered so quietly that no one could hear him.
"Ravenclaw!" exclaimed the Sorting Hat, and the girl left for her faculty to loud applause, while Barry could only breathe heavily. So he would get closer to her in a different way.
Barry's past hadn't gone anywhere, and he still remembered the last words of his Kaitlyn. Her face would never leave Barry's memory, and he would do everything in his power to ensure that this Kaitlyn found happiness and was with him until the end.
***
It was already late at night, but Barry couldn't sleep. While his friends were asleep (he was lucky again — his doppelganger would be living in the same room with him instead of Dean Thomas), he decided to make a list. A list of all his friends and loved ones from his homeland. The list included: Iris West, Joe West, Wally West, Cisco Ramon, Harrison Wells, Oliver Queen, Felicity Smoak, John Diggle, Laurel Lance, Roy Harper, Sarah Lance, Leonard Snart, Mick Rory, Raymond Palmer, Ronnie Raymond, Jefferson Jackson, Martin Stein, Rip Hunter, Kara Danvers... These are the main people Barry wanted to see. The only ones not on this list are the villains. For example, he definitely wouldn't want to see Eobard Thawne. And Barry, in principle, hoped that on this Earth, his story would bypass his doppelganger. And, for that matter, himself.
An owl sat next to him. Buklya had proven herself to be a rather perceptive bird from the very beginning. Barry was sure that the owl had already guessed, although, in principle, this was impossible, because an owl is not a human being, after all. Nevertheless, birds also had their own minds. And Buklya would be his silent ally in this very strange war aimed at saving the balance.
***
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