Chapter 6 - Familiar Faces & The Sorting
As I opened the door with my magic, in walked an 11-year-old Emma Watson, I guess that answers the question how Hermione looks in this universe.
"Excuse me, have seen you a toad? A boy named Neville lost one."She asked once she was fully inside the compartment.
"No, I haven't but I'm sure you can ask one of the prefects for help, they should be in the last compartment of the train." I answered
"Oh, thank you!" she replied enthusiastically and then left the compartment. I closed the door once again wandless, and continued reading my book, that was a much shorter interaction that in canon. In about 5 minutes, I was interrupted from my book once again by a knock on the door. As I unlocked the door, Hermione entered the compartment with another boy behind her, a boy who looked just like 11-year-old Neville Longbottom from the movies.
"Thank you so much for your idea, the prefects were able to find the toad right away" Hermione said enthusiastically.
I head Neville murmur "His name is Trevor".
Hermione who also heard him quickly corrected herself. "Oh, I'm sorry Neville, I mean they found Trevor right away."
I smiled at them and said "It's no problem at all, just happy to help."Just like in canon, Hermione took my reply as a cue to sit and stark talking, Neville stood awkwardly at the door for a couple of seconds until I gave him a signal that it's okay. He sat right beside Hermione who was still in the middle of her introduction rant that was shown in the first movie. When Hermione finally asked for my name, I introduced myself as James as I wanted to stay in anonymity as long as I could before it was taken away for the next 7 years. I would clear it up to them after the sorting.
We started some idle chatter amongst ourselves but it soon turned to each of us saying what were most excited about. Hermione was enthusiastic about everything just like in canon, and Neville shared he was most looking forward to Herbology. "Herbology huh, well maybe you can help me out for assignments, I'm completely inept when it comes to anything plants." I told him as that was the one subject I had neglected to study upon over my years at the manor.
Neville who was not expecting that started stuttering "Me…hel...help you…uh yeah sure."
"There is no need to be nervous Neville. Of course, I'll help you in any class you need help with, so you don't need to be worried about me taking advantage of you." I told him.
Neville winced while he replied "I didn't mean to imply that; it's just people usually think I'm a squib and can't do any magic." I saw Hermione look at him in concern, probably feeling a bit of a connection with Neville as she also got bullied often.
I looked at Neville calmly and said "Neville, if you couldn't do magic then you would have never been admitted to Hogwarts and isn't that why all of us are here. To actually learn how to use magic, so don't beat yourself down on not being able to use magic now, that won't be the same at the end of the year. And besides from the little I do know about Herbology, it doesn't actually need magic so even if you can't use magic, you can still help." I said the last line with a laugh hoping and succeeding in cheering him up.
"What about you James, what are you most excited about?"Hermione asked once we stopped laughing.
"Me? I'm looking forward to Hogwarts castle itself. A magical castle that has been home to so many wizards probably has a lot of secrets just waiting to be discovered." I answered with awe. In my head I started listing some of them; the Chamber of Secrets, the Room of Requirements, the lake with the many unique sea creatures…Neville and Hermione both looked at me with surprise as they weren't expecting that answer.
Hermione agreed with me though, "I never thought about that but you're right, with so many wizards coming and going through the castle, there are bound to be more things to learn that aren't taught in the classes." I laughed out in my head, of course Hermione Granger would look at exploring Hogwarts as an educational experience rather than the adventure it would be.
Soon it was time for us to get changed as we would be arriving soon. Hermione and Neville left to go back to their compartments to get changed, we agreed to meet up once we got off the train. As I was putting on my change of clothes, I pondered on the physical differences between canon Harry and me. Canon Harry was small, skinny, had glasses, messy mop of hair, and very subdued demeanor. I was completely different, while I wasn't the tallest first year, I was definitely taller than canon Harry. I was also very physically fit as I made sure to exercise regularly knowing how important that could prove to be in a duel. I also had short hair and didn't have any glasses, not sure why canon Harry needed them. I had perfect vision, although some of that may have been because it was being enhanced by my magic something that started happening since I got my wand. Also, unlike canon Harry, I was a very confident person and showed that in my demeanor.
I met up with Hermione and Neville as soon as I left the train once it had reached Hogwarts. Just as we were approaching each other, we heard "First Years! Over here!" All three of us turned to the voice, who I knew to be Hagrid, we then followed along with all the other first years behind him as he took us to the boats. Neville, Hermione and I boarded one of the boats and were joined by another first year. We were too excited to exchange names with 4th person.
As we left the shore, I could hear my heart pounding in anticipation as I mentally recollected everything, I knew to be awaiting me. When Hogwarts finally came into view, I was left speechless. Neither, the books nor the movies could compare to the Hogwarts I was seeing, it was simply majestic.
I didn't realize when we had arrived, it was Neville who shook me from my daze. I gave him a quick thanks and made my way to after everyone else. As we entered Hogwarts, on our way to where I knew we would meet Prof. McGonagall, I was entranced by everything I saw. Everything was much more vibrant and audacious than what the books or movies portrayed.
As we arrived right outside the Great Hall, Hagrid passed us off to Prof. McGonagall who after giving her spiel about the houses had us wait outside, I guess to give the older students time to arrive and quiet down.
Neville looked so nervous he might throw up so to cheer him up I told him "Relax Neville, whatever the entrance ceremony is, it has to be easy enough for a new first year to do, it might even be something like picking where we sleep. I know I still haven't chosen that yet."
He looked a little calmer after that, anything he was going to say was interrupted when we heard someone yell. "Harry Potter! I hear you have come to Hogwarts; I was hoping to introduce myself!"
When I looked up, it was Draco Malfoy standing out in front of everyone. I knew he would be loud and foolhardy but this was just senseless, especially for a would be Slytherin. Then again that is what he did in canon but just a little more subdued because he knew how Harry Potter looked like. I didn't bother to come forward, he'll find out along with everyone else. Soon enough it became awkward enough that a few of the 1st years started giggling. More would have probably joined had Prof. McGonagall not come back and tapped Draco's shoulder just like in canon.
She had us follow along as we entered the Great Hall, I was a little unnerved knowing Voldemort was possibly at the professor's table right now, I had told myself to not look at Quirrell at all if possible. I could hear Hermione tell someone about the ceiling, she had gotten a little separated from Neville and I.
After we reached the front, the sorting hat went through its song and Prof. McGonagall started the sorting ceremony. Hermione and Neville both went to Gryffindor when their names were called out, Draco to Slytherin, although I really questioned that one. There were no surprises in any of the sorting's and then I heard my name called out.
"Harry Potter!"
Instantly, the hall was filled with pin drop silence, everyone waiting to see how I looked like and where I was sorted. As I walked up to the hat, I was getting nervous, I really didn't want the hat to read my thoughts about my previous life.
And then as if responding to my call, I could feel my wand act and then I felt some kind of mental barrier form in my head. Uhm what...? That is not what a wand should be able to do. Okay, I definitely need find out more about this wand. I felt more relaxed when I finally sat down, only for 1 sec, because everyone in hall was staring at me. Ahh right, famous person now.
I heard Prof. McGonagall ask "Where is your scar Mr. Potter?" I looked at her a little confused, I didn't know if she was asking because she didn't believe I was Harry Potter without the scar or she was just curious.
I still answered her respectfully "I covered it up with make-up". She blinked her eyes at my response, she seemed surprised at my answer, again wasn't sure if that was because she didn't expect me to use make-up or because I wanted to cover up my scar.
She still continued on and placed the hat on my head. I heard it's voice in my head as soon as it was placed. "Interesting, very interesting. Quite the particular mind you have, with such a dense mental shield. Let's see where to put you…" I didn't care where I ended up but I thought of Gryffindor so I can make sure Hermione doesn't die because an 11-year-old wanted to be a bully.
"How about Gryffindor?" I asked, not sure if he took requests.
"Gryffindor…" he repeated after me. "Why yes, that would work… Gryffindor!"
I hear the Gryffindor table go crazy. As the hat was taken off my head, I joined Neville and Hermione who looked at me shocked.
"Sorry guys, just wanted to stay anonymous a little while longer. Also, James is my middle name, so you guys can still call me that if you want." I said as soon as I sat down.
It was Hermione who responded "That's okay Harry, we understand, right Neville." Neville on cue nodded along. "And maybe I'll call you James when it's just the three of us."
"Me too, call you James I mean, when we're alone" Neville said right after.
As the sorting continued on, it eventually finished with Blaise Zabini going to Slytherin. Dumbledore then said his customary words that confused all the first years, followed by the feast that appeared before us. Thankfully, Ron had sat down a little away from us, the seats around me already taken by Hermione and Neville and few other first years. Although he would not so casually look my way every couple of seconds, I had stopped paying attention to him, it was Neville who noticed Ron doing that. I told him to ignore it as it's probably because of my stupid fame.
Instantly the people around me stilled, one person having the courage to ask "What do you mean stupid? You killed the dark lord, why would you not want to celebrate that."
I looked at the unnamed kid, expressionless to make him uncomfortable, and said "Because my parents also died that night, I'd rather not celebrate that." He, along with everyone else around me looked sheepish at that, I just started ignoring them to talk to Hermione and Neville. They could make intelligent conversations, for 11-year-olds at least.
Eventually the feast ended and Dumbledore gave his warnings about the forest and the third-floor corridor, I still believe that him doing so was an invitation to all delinquents to do the opposite. We were then escorted to the Gryffindor common room, where Percy explained all the rules that we had to follow as members of house Gryffindor. We were then sent on our way to find our room, and like canon I was sharing a room with Ron, Neville and Dean Thomas. Neville and I introduced ourselves to the other two, as we already knew each other. We tried making small talk amongst ourselves but it became awkward quickly as Ron kept trying to draw more information about me and only me. Neville and Dean looked at me awkwardly as we would try to move past it. Eventually we decided to call it a night early, the atmosphere becoming too uncomfortable.
Chapter 7 -First Day at Hogwarts
When I woke up the next morning, I first changed into my exercise clothes and made my way out of the castle. I wanted to exercise early in the mornings as I knew most of the students would still be asleep. I quite liked it this way as I got to see more of Hogwarts without other students getting in the way. I struck up quick conversations with the portraits I passed, learning when some of them got made into portraits.
When I got outside and made sure there was nobody around me, I first the called the elves. Last night was the first time in years I had not spent with the elves and I definitely missed them.
"Tipsy, Sebas, Albie, Nabel" I called out.
"Master Harry!" Tipsy shouted out and ran to hug me, but because of the height difference she was hugging my legs. The other elves were more subdued in their greeting but I could still tell they were very happy seeing me. I knew last night was going to be hard for them as well, especially considering their last stay at Hogwarts. I asked them about how their night back went. And just like last time, they had no work to do yesterday and were on the outside looking in. To help them out, I gave each of them specific activities that I needed help with.
Sebas was given the task to discreetly keep an eye on Quirrell, I still needed to confirm he was the one housing Voldemort. Nabel was given the task of finding the Marauder's map, I told her to keep an eye on the Weasley twins to find it. I wanted to get it earlier than canon Harry did so I could move about Hogwarts much more easily. Albie was given the responsibility of making sure the Room of Requirement was exactly where I thought it was. And then I wanted to her to keep an eye on it and see if any other students knew about it. Tipsy was given the task to find an unused classroom that I could make use of and not get in trouble for it. I wanted a room similar to the one I had at Potter Manor. After that, I told them to come meet here every morning so we could talk without anybody being a bother.
After they left, I stretched for a couple of minutes and then started a run around Hogwarts as I made sure to look at everything I passed by. After my run, I started on a full body workout that lasted me about 45 min. By the time I was done, I had worked up quite a bit of sweat. I then made my way back to my room, getting some odd looks from some of the students who were now out and about.
"Where did you go?" I heard Ron ask as I passed by his bed.
"I like to exercise regularly and just thought it would be better to do it before everyone else is up." I replied.
Ron looked confused but before he could question me further, I got my change of clothes and left for the showers. By the time I got back, the other three were also pretty much done getting ready so we all left to go to the Great Hall together. Ron kept asking me about my exercise routine, he just couldn't fathom a wizard wanting/needing to exercise. I had to tell him off a bit strongly before he stopped pestering me.
When we got to the hall, I noticed Hermione already at one of the tables and made my way to sit beside her, Neville taking the other spot next to me. Even though Ron tried to hide it, I still saw the scowl on his face when Neville took his seat. This was just ridiculous, now I really wanted Dumbledore to be manipulating the Weasley's so I could at least explain this behaviour away. When the most powerful wizard asks your family to do something, I would imagine most would do whatever to please him so in that case Ron's behaviour would make sense, otherwise it was just sad.
Neville and I made sure to ask Hermione how her first night went, while also telling her about ours. Ron would also jump into the conversation on and off when he thought his input was required. As we were finishing our breakfast, Prof. McGonagall came around with our schedules.
As she was handing mine, she told me that Headmaster Dumbledore would like to see me after classes were done. I made sure to keep my facial expressions in check when she told me that. I knew that Dumbledore wanted to see me because I wasn't living with the Dursleys. Although, I didn't know if he knew all along or only found out when I replied back to the Hogwarts acceptance letter. Oh well, no point stressing about it, I would find out when I saw him later. I told her I would meet her back here after classes so she can escort me.
The first day of classes was actually very different from canon and was more similar to a class in the normal world. The only thing we did was listen to the professors go through the curriculum for the year and then we were let out. We didn't actually do any magic in any of the classes.
As discussed earlier, Prof. McGonagall was waiting for me in the Great Hall when all the classes were done. I told Hermione and Neville that I would see them later on and then followed the professor.
Throughout the entire walk to Dumbledore's office, I could tell that she had questions she wanted to ask but was holding them back, probably waiting to be in front of Dumbledore. We made our way into his office after the professor gave the pass code to the statue that stood guard just like in canon.
Chapter 8 - A Failed Guardian
As we made our way into the office, I chose to ignore the occupants of the room and focused on everything that decorated the room. The room looked a lot more mysterious and eerie than it did in canon. The objects in the room had a more mystical and magical air about them. I had to force myself to hold back an excited glee when I saw Fawkes. He was absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing. It took an effort out of me to move my gaze past him.
As I finally focused on the occupants of the office, I wasn't surprised to see Snape here as well, considering everything I knew about him.
It was Dumbledore who decided to break the silence in the room that came about when I took my time to check out the office first. "How are you doing Harry, my boy?" Dumbledore asked.
I immediately got a little agitated as I didn't want him to think we were close so I replied a little curtly "I'm sorry Headmaster, but I'd prefer if you didn't refer to me as your boy, we are not that close." I couldn't see the expressions on Snape or McGonagall's faces as I made sure to keep my eyes focused on Dumbledore. Well focused slightly above him, didn't want him to use legilimency on me.
"I'm sorry Harry. I tend to see all Hogwarts students as my own kids but you are right, we are not familiar with each other yet." Dumbledore tried to explain himself.
I didn't want to go in circles with him so I came right out and asked "Why did you call for me professor? As far as I know, I didn't do anything wrong."
He tried to reassure me, "Fret not, I didn't call you here because you are in trouble. Actually, I called you here to discuss your living arrangements." Seeing how I was confused by what he meant he continued on. "You see I had the impression you were living with your aunt and uncle, but only recently did I learn that you have not been living with them for some time now. Harry, it is absolutely imperative that you return living with your relatives and you also need to tell me who took you out of the Dursley' s home."
I didn't answer his question, instead I asked him one of my own. "I'm sorry Headmaster but I wasn't aware that my living arrangements outside of Hogwarts are your concern. Do you review the living arrangements of all the students?"
It was Snape who responded angrily, though he didn't answer my question. "Show some respect, you are in front of the headmaster."If he was trying to intimidate me, it wasn't working.
I answered back"I was being respectful professor. I think I'm owed the right to know why someone I have only met today gets to decide where I live. Even though he may be the headmaster, it does not mean he has the right to know anything he wants." If Snape was going to say anything it was stopped by Dumbledore raising his hand.
He then addressed my question, "To answer your question Harry, no, I do not review every student's living arrangement. But you are not just any student, I am your magical guardian and it is my responsibility to make sure you have the best living arrangements possible, which means being safe and secure for you. And the Dursley's are just where you have to be. So again, I must insist that you move back in with the Dursleys after the year is over."
I once again chose not address what he just said and followed up with another question. "Am I to assume then, Headmaster, that you were the one responsible for how I ended up living with the Dursleys?" He didn't bother voicing out an answer, instead nodded his head in agreement with a smile on his face. I didn't hesitate to wipe that smile off his face. "I'm sorry then Headmaster, but you are not fit to be my magical guardian and as such I will not comply to your demand."
Snape attempted to cut in but Dumbledore stopped him by speaking first, "Why do you feel as such Harry?"
I didn't hesitate to start explaining all the ways he failed as a guardian. "Headmaster, if you were supposed to be my guardian, why did you not check up on me at all over the years. Why did you only find out I wasn't living with the Dursley's when my acceptance letter came back?" I paused to give him the chance to explain himself and he did try.
"Harry, you must understand, it was not safe for I or anyone else from the wizarding world to come check on you as we were afraid of leading Voldemort's followers to you." Dumbledore said with as much sincerity as he could.
I scoffed at his response and said "That may have been a good explanation for why you didn't show up the first year or the second but not any more than that. I find it very hard to imagine that the great Albus Dumbledore could not find a way to go somewhere without being followed."
At that point Snape had enough of holding back and roared at me "You insolent child, do you have no manners? How dare you question the headmaster?"
I let him finish before I answered him back with a fierce expression on my face that made him take a step back. "Please do not interfere professor, this is a matter outside the purview of Hogwarts and is something I have to sort out with man who failed his responsibilities as a guardian."
It was Dumbledore this time who spoke out, "Harry I do not understand, how did I fail you? I made sure to leave you with your relatives so you would be taken care of and put-up wards to prevent any outside danger from reaching you." I started laughing out loud at his response which I could see confused all three occupants of the room.
"Take care of me, danger from outside," I said in between my laughs.
All three adults remained silent as my laughs continued for another few seconds. As my laughs trailed off, I gathered myself and looked at the adults with a calm but hard expression.
I said, almost sounding like I was shouting"You may have kept me safe from the dangers outside but you did nothing to keep safe from the dangers inside the house. Tell me Headmaster, is it called taking care of someone when you lock them in a small cupboard and barely feed or clean them? Is it called taking care of someone when they don't let you out of the house because they feel you are stain in their lives? Is it called taking care of someone when you don't show any love at all to the person you are taking care of?"
My series of questions left them speechless, I saw Dumbledore try to say something, only to stop a couple of times. Snape had cowered back to the spot he was in when I first entered the office. Prof. McGonagall had been silent the entire time, and she remained silent now, but I could see a few tears trail down her face. Another bout of silence had filled the office.
As the silence prolonged, I decided that this would be the best time to stop this meeting. As much as I didn't like Dumbledore getting involved with my life, I also knew he was doing it out of a good place. I wanted to make sure he knew about the mistakes he made so he could learn from them, not to rub it in his face.
As I got up, I said "I think we should stop here for today, Headmaster, I believe you understand why I said you failed as my guardian. My intention was not to upset you, but just to let you know of the mistakes you made so if you are ever in a situation like this again, you can do better." I didn't wait for a response from either of them and left the office.
Chapter 9 - Using Magic in Class
I didn't go back to the Gryffindor common room instead choosing to roam about the castle, continuing my self-assigned quest to converse with every portrait. I aimed to learn something about each of them as I knew that even the most bizarre piece of information can come in handy.
During my walk I realized I completely played the interaction with Dumbledore wrong. Even though mentally I was an adult, I was still a growing child with developing emotions and my anger got the best of me. I didn't realize how much resentment I held towards him for leaving me with the Dursleys till now. I may have cooled down towards the end but I still should not have mentioned everything that way. I gave away more to him than I wanted. I also didn't want McGonagall feeling too guilty. I still had yet to find out if she had made efforts to see me and was stopped by Dumbledore. I mean she could transform into a cat, why did she not try and see me. And before I found out, I wasn't going to denounce her.
Eventually I realized I had stayed out long enough and went back to the common room. Not seeing Hermione or Neville, I went directly upstairs, not being in the mood to talk to anyone else. When I got to my shared room, Neville and Dean were the only ones there. It was late enough that I could call it an early night so I said good night to the two and went to bed. Neville did stop me to tell me that McGonagall had Percy come get Ron a few minutes after I left Dumbledore's office. Well, whether or not canon Ron was following Dumbledore's orders, this Ron definitely was. Good to know.
I started the morning just the same as yesterday. Met up with the elves and then did my daily exercise. I then met up with Hermione and Neville in the Great Hall, neither of whom asked me about why Dumbledore wanted to see me. After eating breakfast, we left for the first class of the day, Transfiguration.
This time McGonagall was in her cat form waiting for the rest of the class to show up. Ron was the only one late for the class, he hadn't approached me in any way since yesterday. Maybe Dumbledore had told him to stand down for now.
After showing off her Animagus skills, she started explaining about magic theory and transfiguration theory. Half way into the class she handed us all a wooden needle so that we could practise changing the colour of it. She first had us change it to our favourite colour and if we succeeded, then we needed to try turning it silver.
I could see her reasoning behind her two-step process but considering all the practise I had done, I skipped right to the second step. I sat myself in a way that only Neville was able to see what I had done and I silenced him with a look before he could voice his shock.
I made sure to not draw attention to the fact that I was finished and spent the time trying to help Neville since he was having difficulty. After listening to how he was attempting the spell, I found the root cause of the issue. I told him to not just picture his favorite colour arbitrarily but instead focus on the specific shade of colour that he likes. He looked at me confused when I said that so I tried explaining further.
"Okay, let's say your favourite colour is red and you like it because of a particular flower. Then don't think of just any red, think of that flower's shade of red and then focus on turning your needle to that colour." I explained to him how much of magic was intent based and why the professor was having us practise the spell this way. The first step is so we can learn how to execute the spell and it becomes much easier doing it with a colour we have a connection with. Then the second step is to learn to change the needle to an arbitrary colour, one we don't have any connection to, much harder to do.
Not many students got to the second step but they were able to at least change parts of their needle to their favourite colour. Of the students that did get to the second step, most were only partially able to turn their needle silver, Neville was able to turn ¾ of his. From Gryffindor, only Hermione and myself were able to turn our needle completely silver. From the Slytherin side, it was Draco and 2 or 3 others, I didn't really care who had.
When the class ended McGonagall had me stay back, no doubt wanting to talk about yesterday.
She didn't waste any time and started right away and said "Let me first start by apologizing Mr. Potter. I'm sorry." She let out a breath after and then continued on. "I had warned Albus beforehand about them but he assured me that he would make sure you were being treated right. I don't want to make excuses as though it was Albus who stopped me from visiting you as I did not have to listen to him. So I too share blame for what happened to you. All I can ask now is that you allow me one more chance to be a part of your life outside of Hogwarts, do you think you can do that Mr. Potter?"
I didn't answer her right away, as I thought about what she said. It was true that she didn't have to listen to him but it was also true the Dumbledore was an old friend of hers, so I could understand her trusting him. "I think that would be okay professor, but as long as you don't try to decide where I should be living." I said after I finished thinking.
Hearing my answer, she smiled and said "Considering you have grown up to be a fine, mature and intelligent young man, your present living situation seems to be the ideal place for you. And don't think I didn't catch onto how fast you finished your task today; us cats have very sharp eyes. Now go on to your other classes." I gave her a smile as I walked out of her classroom.
The next two classes, History and Defense against the Dark Arts, were just as bad as I remember them to be described as. History was boring because Professor Binns was just how I expected him to be, even Hermione was having a tough time staying focused enough to take notes. Defense was unbearable with Quirrell and his incessant stuttering. I would have been more empathetic if it was real and he was not housing Voldemort.
It was confirmed by Sebas earlier today when he reported following him to third floor corridor and of course by the throbbing pain coming from my scar since the moment we entered the class. During the welcome feast I could look away from him, but in class there was no alternative. Every time I looked at him for prolonged periods of time, the scar would start hurting. I was very upset learning that this whole year would be spent in pain whenever I'm in this class.
Because of the last two classes I was a very dull conversation during lunch, something Hermione and Neville took notice of. During the walk to our first afternoon class, they asked me what was wrong. I told them it was nothing, just feeling down because of the last two classes. It didn't look like they believed me but they still let it go.
Our first afternoon class was Herbology, where it was mostly Hermione and Neville who shined. Neville, only after I would constantly nudge him to participate when I knew he had the answer. After getting house points for the first two times, he started doing it on his own. His confidence had developed quite a bit in the last two days. He was already a lot more outspoken than when he was on the train.
The last class we had for the day was Charms, Professor Flitwick taught us the Lumos spell. He started by first explaining the theory, then giving us a demonstration himself before he let all the students attempt it. Unlike in Transfiguration, I wasn't able to hide my advanced capabilities here.
I think because of the way I was feeling after Defense, I didn't realize how much power I was putting into the spell. I had done the spell inattentively and the result was an extremely large explosion of light that blinded everyone in the class. I swiftly woke up from my daze and killed the spell but the damage had been done, everyone knew where the spell had come from. Flitwick gave me an unreasonable amount of house points for it, which didn't help the situation at all. I didn't want anyone to know how powerful I was yet, not with Voldemort walking about Howgwarts. I mentally slapped myself for committing such a careless mistake.
Chapter 10 - Mastery in Flying
By the time dinner started in the Great Hall, my endeavour in Charms had become common word. I could hear my name mentioned in conversations all around me. I didn't want Voldemort to start wondering about how powerful I was and make preparations for me accordingly that would differ from canon. I would lose the upper hand that I had. I needed to shift conversations about me to something else, and I knew just what it would be.
I had previously decided to not be on the Quidditch team this year so I don't put myself in a vulnerable position with Voldemort but now that would have to change. Becoming the youngest seeker should be enough to draw attention away from an overpowered Lumos charm and the flying class was tomorrow, so it would be perfect. Although, this time I would make it on the team for saving Neville of his broken hand than saving his Remembrall. I would stop him from taking the broken broom but I didn't remember which it was. It may not even be Neville who takes that broom so I had to be prepared for that as well.
After dinner I had Neville and Hermione follow me outside so I could talk to them alone without anybody else overhearing. I could tell that they too were curious about the magic strength I had shown in class. Apart from the elves they were the only people I was close with so I felt it necessary to explain a little to them.
"So do you guys have any questions you would like to ask me?" I asked them as soon as we sat down in a comfortable place. Instead of asking me any questions right away, they made it a point to tell me that I didn't have to explain anything. I could tell they had talked about this between themselves already, as they were quite in sync with each other. I thanked them for their sincerity but still decided to tell them at least a little about myself. In all of our conversations before I had avoided talking about myself as much as possible.
"I'm grateful that you guys feel that way but I want to tell you guys more about me. You've both been very understanding about my past since the first day so I don't have any mixed emotions about telling you guys." I proceeded to tell them a shortened version of my life before Hogwarts. I skipped out on the "care" the Dursleys gave me and being able to use magic as a baby but I did tell them about living with the elves, practising magic everyday since I was 4 and my love of flying. They also ended up telling me quite a bit about themselves; Hermione told us about her bullying and Neville about his parents. I of course, knew about it already but it felt good that they trusted me enough to tell me.
By the time curfew rolled around, we had moved past personal conversations and started talking more about our hobbies. Hermione and I spent some time telling Neville of the various board games that we played back home after I told them that I played them with the elves every evening. Towards the end of that conversation though, something beautiful had blossomed, a business idea.
Neville was a genius, though he didn't know it. He had thoughtlessly commented how those would be amazing games to play combined with some magic and a light bulb immediately went up in my head. I got the perfect side project for the summer…I was going to make so much money I thought, Neville would get some too for giving me the idea and Hermione too if she wanted in.
The next morning all the first years were very excited, it was the first day we would be learning to fly. The Gryffindors were taking the class with the Slytherins as expected, and Madam Hooch was as curt and decisive as described. She had longer hair than but otherwise looked just like her movie persona.
The first part of the lesson went without a hitch, everyone able to call the broom to their hands…eventually, in some cases. The biggest change in canon yet occurred when the next phase of the lesson started. Instead of Neville, it was Hermione's broom that went berserk.
As soon as she took off, I took off after her. The broom didn't go towards the tower but instead towards the Forbidden Forest. Hermione was screaming the entire time; I could see her desperately trying to hold onto the broom. I was flying just behind her, mirroring the movements of her broom as it weaved around the trees. It eventually flew back in the direction we had started, but by now Hermione grip strength was weakening. The broom was moving too fast for her to hold onto and was was slipping off the broom. Her screams intensified when she realized this as well, meanwhile I shifted my body so I was essentially lying on the broom to pick up my speed.
Just as Hermione slipped off the broom, I flew right below her and used one arm to bring her on top of my broom. Because of her added weight and the speed I was flying at, we dipped downward and headed straight for the ground. I pulled up hard on the broom to slow our descent with Hermione screaming right into my ear as she proceeded to hold onto to me for dear life.
I was able to slow the broom enough to glide down to the students and Madam Hooch standing below. I could tell she was furious with me or I thought so until she came up to Hermione and me. "Mr. Potter, that was some unbelievable flying! I should give you detention for taking off without permission but you just saved Ms. Granger from a most serious injury because of your fast response. And for that I award you 15 house points, and I will talk to Prof. McGonagall about putting you on the Quidditch team. Gryffindor could use a player with your capabilities." she said with curtailed excitment.
Just as planned, by the time classes were done for the day, everybody was talking about my skill on the broom. McGonagall had even come to take me out of Herbology to take me to Oliver Wood and get me on the team. That had spread the talk of my skill on the broom even faster than I had expected. Oliver had told me this weekend he would judge my skills himself and see what position to have me play me as. I wanted to play the Seeker position like in canon because I knew I would be great at it. With my magic enhanced eye sight and all the training I did over the years, I would be a skilled Seeker.