Enrolling again
The castle looked both the same and somehow different.. less worn by time, more kept.
Harry took a deep breath. “Here we go,” he said, gripping the broken timeturner in his pocket as if it were a lifeline.
Luna smiled beside him, her steps light and sure. “Don’t worry, Harry. We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”He wasn’t.. so sure about that, but for now, it was enough to keep moving. Together, they slipped out of the forest and into the shadows of a Hogwarts that felt like another world.
Here they sat. both going up to the headmaster’s to ask to be enrolled in the school.
Fear, was engulfing the both like a blanket. There was stares, teachers confused. No one knew them.
The grand entrance hall of Hogwarts stood as majestic as ever, though the air felt heavier in this time. The torches burned brighter, their light casting sharp shadows against the ancient stone walls. Harry’s heart hammered as he and Luna stepped through the massive oak doors. The familiar yet alien scene sent a shiver down his spine.
Luna’s demeanor remained unshaken. “It feels like home, doesn’t it?” she whispered, her voice light as a feather.
“Not exactly,” Harry muttered, tugging at the hem of his too-modern robes. He glanced nervously at a group of students crossing the hall. Their robes were more formal, fitted with sharper lines and adorned with embroidered house crests. “We stand out.”
“Not for long,” Luna said cheerfully. “Let’s find the headmaster’s office.” she gave a small peck on his arm, to calm him. It did, abit.
Harry wasn’t sure if her optimism was reassuring or maddening. He took a deep breath and nodded, leading the way.
The halls seemed eerily quiet, the occasional student passing them by with curious glances. Harry avoided eye contact, keeping his head low.
They reached the familiar gargoyle that guarded the headmaster’s office. Harry paused, realizing he had no idea what the password might be.
“Do you think it’s still something sweet?” Luna asked, tilting her head thoughtfully.
Harry shrugged. “Only one way to find out.” He stepped forward and tried, “
Sherbet lemon?”
The gargoyle didn’t move.
“Sugar quill?” Luna offered.
..
Nothing.
“Chocolate frog?” Harry tried.
Still nothing.
Luna giggled softly. “Maybe we should ..just knock?”
Before Harry could protest, Luna tapped lightly on the stone gargoyle. To their astonishment, the statue shifted, revealing the spiral staircase behind it.
“Well, that worked,” Luna said with a smile, stepping onto the staircase. Harry followed, his stomach twisting with nerves.
At the top, they found the headmaster’s office door slightly ajar. Harry hesitated, then knocked softly.
“Enter,” came a deep, authoritative voice. Harry pushed the door open, stepping inside with Luna close behind. The office was much the same.. cluttered with odd magical devices, books stacked high, and a large desk at its center. Behind it sat Headmaster Armando Dippet, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the unfamiliar pair.
“Who are you?” he asked, his tone cautious but not unkind.
Harry cleared his throat. “Harrison Evans, sir,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest. “And this is Lune Starling. We’ve come to..-”
“Enroll,” Luna interjected smoothly, her serene smile unwavering. “We’d like to become students here.”
Dippet raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Enroll? You’re not on the school’s registry. Where are your guardians? Your paperwork?”
Harry hesitated. He hadn’t thought this far ahead.
“We’re orphans, sir,” Luna said softly, lightly holding harry’s hand, making up a story she wanted him to play along to.
her expression turned into an innocent somber. “Our guardians passed away recently, and we’ve been searching for a place to continue our magical education.”
Dippet’s expression softened, though suspicion lingered in his eyes. “Where were you studying before?”
“Private tutors,” Harry said quickly. “Our guardians preferred it that way. But we heard about Hogwarts and…” He hesitated, glancing at Luna for support.
“It feels like the right place for us,” she finished, her tone earnest.
Dippet studied them for a long moment. “And how did you arrive here? Apparition?”
Harry froze. Apparition wasn’t taught to students this young in his own time, and it probably wasn’t common practice in 1943 either. Luna stepped in gracefully. “We were brought here by… unusual magic,” she said, her voice dreamy. “The kind that’s hard to explain. But it led us to Hogwarts, and we think it was meant to.”
The headmaster frowned, clearly unconvinced. “Unusual magic, you say?”
“Yes,” Luna said. “And as you can see, we’re quite skilled for our age.” She gestured toward Harry. “Harold here is particularly talented in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I’m sure we’d both be assets to your school.”
Harry barely suppressed a grimace at her boldness, but Dippet’s expression shifted slightly, curiosity overtaking suspicion.
“Very well,” he said at last. “You’ll need to undergo an assessment before I can consider admitting you. I’ll arrange for Professor Dumbledore to oversee it.” Harry’s stomach flipped at the name. “Professor Dumbledore?” he repeated, trying to sound neutral.
“Yes,” Dippet said, his tone firm. “He teaches Transfiguration and serves as my deputy. If you’re as capable as you claim, you’ll need to prove it.”
“Of course,” Luna said brightly. “We’ll be ready.” she said, with that gentle voice of understanding.
Dippet nodded, though his gaze lingered on them with evident doubt. “Return here tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I’ll have the house-elves prepare temporary quarters for you. Follow the instructions given and do not wander the castle unaccompanied. Hogwarts has its share of… dangers.”
Harry nodded quickly. “Thank you, sir…. we.. we won’t let you down.” As they turned to leave, Dippet added, “And one more thing. “
The both stopped in their tracks, listening intently to the headmaster.
“this is a time of great … unease. Be mindful of the company you keep.”
Harry’s throat tightened at the ominous warning. He nodded again, then stepped out of the office with Luna. Once they were safely out of earshot, Harry let out a long breath. “That was ..close.”
He was a bit.. Worried. A bit confused. Staring at the time turner still broken in his pocket, and thinking of the letter still forwards in time. He wondered if it had anything to do with this, having luna as his friend stuck with him.
Luna smiled serenely. “It went rather well, I think.” harry looked a bit dumbfounded at that statement.“Well? Dumbledore’s going to test us. What if he.. I don’t know. Remembers us? Questions us deeply??”
Luna’s smile didn’t waver. “Then we’ll tell him the truth. Or… parts of it.” she did a small squeak at her last statement. Clearly enjoying the adventure.
Harry shook his head, unsure whether to be comforted or terrified by her confidence. “We need a plan, Luna…. A real one.” She linked her arm with his as they walked. “Plans are easier with sleep. Lets go see what the old quarters are like, my lord.” Harry groaned but didn’t pull away. Tomorrow would bring more challenges..
luna,lightly skipping in her steps, hummed a bit. Enjoying the different air of hogwarts and seeming almost too calm in what they’ve gotten themselves into.. Very calm. Too calm.
He knows shes a bit of a confusing girl. Theres been more than one instance where he definitely thought she was some kind of seer, but he didn’t mention it. It didn’t seem like he needed to.
As he was thinking this, she seemed to hum in a bit of a nod. rubbing up against his shoulder like a kitten, as if agreeing with his thoughts.
“Dont worry, harrison. We are safe, and time has done us well.” she said.. Eerily peaceful in her way of speaking. Harry just.. Nodded and went back to his thoughts. A bit befuddled but nothing he isnt used to near her.
It was quite nice though..
He sank back into his thoughts..
The chamber of secrets, might be a good hiding spot if the room of requirement isn’t made yet. I might be able to master the basilisk before…tom.. Too.
And the sorcerers stone.. It isnt being guarded by fluffy yet.. Does it even exist..? Probably.
Hogwarts was already known for having great dangers near children he knew they’d have to face.
and he could only hope they’d be ready.