The Foundations of Influence
Chapter 4: The Foundations of Influence
The first few weeks at Hogwarts had been a whirlwind of new experiences, sharp lessons, and subtle power plays. Harry had navigated the halls of the castle with the poise of a seasoned diplomat, all while maintaining the facade of the eager first-year. Each interaction, each lesson, was a chance to gather information and refine his strategy.
Harry’s first week had been a careful dance—a balancing act between blending in and standing out. He had observed the dynamics between the houses, the rivalries that simmered beneath the surface, and the way alliances formed and fractured. Slytherins were ambitious, yes, but they were also deeply aware of the value of loyalty—and Harry intended to capitalize on that.
His reputation as the Boy Who Lived had preceded him, and while at first it had been a source of unwanted attention, he soon learned to manipulate it. The whispers of admiration and awe that followed him were tools to shape perceptions, and he wielded them with a deftness that surprised even himself.
In the Great Hall, he had taken his place among the Slytherins with deliberate confidence, studying his new peers. Draco Malfoy was, of course, the most prominent figure, surrounded by his loyal followers. But Harry could sense the cracks in Draco's bravado. The boy was ambitious, yes, but he was also prone to overreach, and Harry noted the way others sometimes rolled their eyes at his antics.
Blaise Zabini had quickly become Harry’s unexpected confidant. Their conversations were rich with subtext, and Harry appreciated Blaise’s sharp mind. He was not one to engage in the petty rivalries that defined most of their classmates, and Harry recognized that their mutual interest in power could forge a strong alliance.
“Draco is good for a laugh, but he’s not the strategist he thinks he is,” Blaise remarked one evening as they sat together at dinner, their plates filled with roast chicken and potatoes. “He’s too focused on appearances.”
Harry nodded, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. “And yet, he has the loyalty of the house. If he can be redirected… we could benefit from that.”
Blaise raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You’re suggesting we use him?”
“Why not?” Harry replied, his tone casual. “He has influence, and if we can steer that influence towards our goals, it becomes a tool rather than a liability.”
Blaise considered this, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “You might be onto something, Potter. We could elevate ourselves while keeping our hands clean.”
As days turned to weeks, Harry began to lay the groundwork for his influence at Hogwarts. He initiated small acts of kindness towards his fellow Slytherins—sharing notes, helping with homework, and even subtly nudging conversations in directions that highlighted their strengths.
He was careful, of course. Each gesture was calculated, designed to forge connections while ensuring he remained at the center of their growing network. He could see the admiration in their eyes shift from Draco to him, and it pleased him.
But it wasn’t just the Slytherins he was interested in. Harry knew that true power lay in knowledge, and knowledge could be found in unexpected places. He began spending evenings in the library, poring over texts not just for academic purposes but to uncover secrets that the wizarding world held. He had learned early on that the past often held keys to understanding the present.
One late evening, as he flipped through a particularly dense tome on magical history, Harry noticed Hermione Granger sitting at a nearby table, surrounded by piles of books. She was an anomaly—a Gryffindor who was both brilliant and insatiable in her quest for knowledge.
“Studying hard, I see?” Harry remarked, allowing a hint of curiosity to creep into his voice.
She looked up, her eyes bright with surprise. “Yes! I am. I’m trying to understand the founding of the Hogwarts houses. It’s fascinating how much influence the founders still have on our values today.”
Harry leaned closer, feigning genuine interest. “What have you found?”
As Hermione launched into an enthusiastic explanation, Harry listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities. The information she shared was valuable, and he made a mental note of the nuances that he could exploit later.
“Would you like to join me in the library more often?” she asked, her tone hopeful and had an undercurrent of hesitation. “We could share notes and research together.”
“I’d like that,” Harry replied, his smile genuine.
As they delved deeper into their shared studies, Harry found himself intrigued by Hermione’s tenacity. She was a powerhouse of knowledge, and while he was cautious of her intelligence, he also saw her potential as an ally.
However, he was careful not to reveal too much of his own intentions. Harry understood the importance of maintaining an air of mystery around his ambitions. He couldn’t afford to let anyone—especially Hermione—see the full scope of his plans.
As the days passed, Harry began to refine his strategy further. He engaged with Draco more, playing the role of the supportive friend while subtly guiding him toward decisions that would benefit Harry’s own standing within Slytherin. He encouraged Draco’s more reckless tendencies, pushing him to challenge Gryffindors publicly, all while maintaining a facade of camaraderie.
Draco’s face lit up with enthusiasm, and he began to shout insults at the Gryffindor team. The Slytherin crowd roared in approval, and Harry observed how Draco thrived on the attention. But he also saw the flicker of uncertainty in Draco’s eyes when he realized he might be pushing too hard.
“Careful, Draco,” Harry advised, his tone light. “Don’t let your ego get the best of you. You want to win, not make enemies.”
After the match, the Slytherin common room was filled with jubilation. Draco was boasting and flaunting as usual, and Harry positioned himself as his trusted ally, soaking in the praise that followed. He made sure to highlight Draco’s leadership and weaving their names together in conversations.
Draco, flattered and eager to maintain his newfound status, began to rely more on Harry, asking for his opinion more often than not. It was a delicate manipulation, but Harry played his cards expertly.
Meanwhile, he continued to foster his relationship with Hermione, spending hours in the library with her and sharing insights on their various subjects. She was an endless source of information, and Harry found himself increasingly drawn to her intellect. He admired her conviction and determination, yet he was always careful to keep her at arm's length when it came to his deeper ambitions.
One evening, while poring over a particularly dense book on ancient magical artifacts, Hermione looked up at him, her brow furrowed in thought. “Harry, do you ever wonder why you were sorted into Slytherin? I mean, everyone thought you would have been in Gryffindor, right?”
Harry paused, considering his response. “I suppose it’s because I see the value in ambition,” he said carefully, letting the words roll off his tongue with practiced ease. “Slytherin isn’t just about cunning; it’s about understanding how to get what you want.”
Hermione nodded, deep in thought.
Harry smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Ambition is a tool, Hermione. It’s how we choose to wield it that defines us.”
Their discussions became a regular occurrence, and Harry found himself enjoying their dynamic. He recognized that while Hermione could be a potential liability, she could also serve as an invaluable asset if he could keep her aligned with his goals.
As the weeks turned to a month, Harry began to expand his network beyond Slytherin and Gryffindor. He spent time observing the Ravenclaws, noting their intellectual pursuits and how they approached their studies. He saw an opportunity in Luna Lovegood, the quirky girl with her own peculiar beliefs. She seemed to float through life with an air of indifference that belied a sharp mind—one that could potentially be useful.
One afternoon, while wandering the grounds, Harry spotted Luna sitting by the lake, her eyes scanning the forest as if searching for something. He approached her casually, adopting a friendly demeanor. “What are you looking for, Luna?”
She turned to him, her wide, luminous eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Oh, just trying to see if any Nargles have taken residence in the trees again. They like to hide in the branches, you know.”
Harry chuckled lightly, intrigued by her whimsical nature. “Nargles? I’ve heard a bit about them, but I’m not sure I quite believe they exist.”
Luna tilted her head, a serene smile gracing her lips. “Belief is a curious thing. Sometimes, the things we can’t see are just as important as those we can. Like magic.”
There was something captivating in her words, a kind of wisdom that seemed out of place in her eccentric demeanor. “That’s an interesting perspective,” he replied, genuinely curious. “What else do you believe in?”
“Oh, many things,” Luna replied, her gaze shifting back to the water. “You should keep an open mind. The world is filled with wonders that most people overlook.”
Harry recognized that Luna’s unique view of the world made her an interesting candidate for his growing network. She had a certain quality that allowed her to move through social circles without drawing attention—an asset in his game. “What do you think about the hogwarts houses?” he asked, probing further.
Silence, assuming she was simply gathering her thoughts he waited but after what seemed to be 5 minutes he was about to speak up when,
“They’re all quite different,” she said, he jumped startled, her tone thoughtful. “But I find that everyone has their strengths. Ravenclaws are clever, of course, but they can be a bit rigid in their thinking. Gryffindors are brave but often reckless, and Slytherins… well, they know how to get what they want.”
“So you believe Slytherins have a certain… cunning?” Harry pressed, intrigued by her insights.
“Absolutely,” Luna said, her expression serious. “But cunning more along the line of ambition can be a double-edged sword. It can lead to great things or to ruin, depending on how it's wielded.”
Harry considered this, realizing that Luna had a depth to her that belied her whimsical exterior. “Would you like to join me and my friend for a study session sometime? I think we could learn a lot from each other.”
Luna’s eyes brightened. “I’d like that! It’s always nice to find someone who appreciates the unseen.”
As the days turned into weeks, Harry continued to cultivate these relationships, each interaction carefully orchestrated to build his influence. He found himself drawn into the complexities of Hogwarts life, and it felt invigorating. He reveled in the thrill of the game, the strategic moves and countermoves that defined the social hierarchy around him.
However, he was also acutely aware of the looming shadows that surrounded him. His past lives had taught him that power was often accompanied by danger, and he needed to be prepared for whatever the future held.
One evening, as Harry sat in the Slytherin common room, Draco, Blaise, and a few others gathered around him. They were discussing upcoming Quidditch matches, but Harry could sense a tension simmering beneath the surface.
As the conversation flowed, Harry couldn’t shake the sense that he was being watched. His instincts, honed through lifetimes of survival, warned him that there were eyes beyond their circle—students older slytherins, who were curious about the Boy Who Lived and what he meant for the balance of power at Hogwarts.
Later that evening, as Harry prepared for bed, he found himself reflecting on his next steps. He needed to solidify his alliances further, to ensure that he was not just a passing shadow in Slytherin but a cornerstone of its influence.
He also needed to gather more knowledge—particularly about this worlds laws as well as Voldemort he has no doubt that he’s still out there. If Harry was to navigate the brewing storm, he required a comprehensive understanding of the history and politics at play.
The library had become his sanctuary, and he began dedicating time each night to unearth hidden texts. He searched for anything that spoke of dark magic, ancient spells, and the legends surrounding Voldemort’s rise to power coming up with very little he assumed most of the books he needed are in the restricted section, but that’s ok he’ll get in there eventually after so many lifetimes patience isn’t an issue.