You think you know someone

 Everyone was talking about the other Harry Potter by the start of the feast.

 Actually, no, it had been going on for a while before the students got into the castle. Weeks before the start of the term even. Oh, how Albus had dreaded this day! And not because he will be surrounded by different faces than he was used to, but rather because everyone here would be curious about him, so there would surely be many, many questions.

 “Why. . . h-how do they already know about me?” He had asked Professor McGonagall before joining the rest of the student body in the Great Hall. He had overheard the term ‘the other Potter’ dancing around the castle in the form of quiet whispers after the Hogwarts Express had arrived that evening.

 Of course, Albus had no desire whatsoever to talk to people or answer their questions regarding what he was, where he’d come from, or why he was here. But judging by how everyone seemed to have expected his presence tonight, he figured that the matter had already been settled for him.

 He recalled how Professor McGonagall had sighed before answering him, “Hagrid.” She said it in a less crisp note of which she normally spoke, making her Scottish accent stand out more. “He has a good heart, and he is loyal to a fault, but secrets have always been his greatest weakest. . . though that may very well be the reason why the Headmaster chose to introduce you to Rubeus a month before the start of term.”

 Albus supposed that made sense. If there had been rumors spread about him—the other Harry Potter that is, before the start of term, then it would prepare everyone beforehand. Still. He thought that it wouldn’t make him any less of a hot topic for people’s discussion. It might not be enough to feed on their curiosity, for there would certainly be other questions waiting for him. Albus was far from comfortable.

 He had sat with the Slytherins during the sorting ceremony just as Dumbledore had asked him to do the other day. Looking down at his lap with his shoulders hunched to better guard his face, Albus could feel all the Slytherins around him eyeing him with something between interest and distrust. Other Houses were attempting to catch glimpses of him too. As a matter of fact, everyone seemed interested in observing him than in watching the ceremony happening before them. It had oddly reminded Albus of his first day at Hogwarts. How everyone had been eager to see the younger son of the great Harry Potter.

 Only it wasn't quite the same now, was it? Here, there was no big brother to look for at the Gryffindor table to seek comfort as he did in first year. There was no Rose standing alongside him every step of the way until they had been separated by a stupid hat. And most importantly, there was no pale, friendly face for him to seek refuge in. Albus had never felt so alone despite sitting amongst many others.

 There was a pale face looking at him alright, and it was far from friendly. When Albus dared to look up, he saw Draco Malfoy sneering at him, and so were the others sitting next to Scorpius' dad. Albus swallowed, his throat bobbed in anxiousness as he saw glimpses of his friend within Draco's features. But this Malfoy was not Albus' friend, nor was he the Mr. Malfoy that would greet Albus welcomingly into his home. On the contrary, the Malfoy sitting before him was a Death Eater in the making. “How strange." Draco said, his nose scrunched in a way to show open revulsion, "I almost expected to see a spectacled Scarhead, instead all I see is a little lion’s cub sitting in a snake’s nest.”

 Albus suppressed the urge to laugh bitterly. Even here, in a whole other dimension, people only saw him as an extension to his father. When will you ever learn? There's no living outside dad's ridiculously long shadow!

 "Funny," Albus mustered the most even voice he could to appear the calmest he’d ever been, even if his sweaty palms said otherwise. "I thought I'd see a student sitting in front of me, but instead all I see is a little talking ferret." His parents and most of his uncles used that term to tease Mr. Malfoy, so he thought he’d give it a go to see his counterpart’s reaction.

 Surprised laughter could be heard from around them despite it clearly trying to be muffled. Draco gaped at Albus for a moment before he scowled, deepening his sour, pointy face in the process.

 "Hmm, I guess some things are the same in every universe then." Albus added for a good measure before refocusing his gaze downward, where food had started to appear on the table. He would never imagine himself speaking in such a way to Scorpius’ dad, but the prick was just asking for it.

 In Albus' time, the ferret incident was used as an inside joke for the adults. The first time Albus had ever been let in on it was when his parents bought him a pet ferret for his eleventh birthday. Mr. Malfoy would always roll his eyes in mild annoyance like he had been expecting the name to be brought up eventually whenever it did, but he was never as affronted as Draco currently was. The ferret thing is still fresh here.

 If Draco had something to say about what Albus just told him, he did not have the time to say it. The sorting had ended and now Dumbledore was giving the start of term’s speech. Talking about how important House unity was to get through the desperate times they were in. He also introduced the new Potion’s master and explained how the old one had now become the new Defense teacher. When Dumbledore neared the end of his speech, he pretended that he had just recalled an important, last-minute detail. “Of course, I almost forgot, we have a new student joining us this term in addition to our first years.” He and Albus briefly made eye contact before he carried on. “I trust the rumors around have you well-informed on our newcomer’s situation, but for those of you who do not know, Mr. Potter here—” He vaguely gestured toward the Slytherin table. “—is a dimension traveler. And while that is, in itself, quite. . . curious, he also happens to be our Mr. Potter’s counterpart.”

 Whispers broke immediately, and some of them were even too loud to be considered whispers. The question ‘another Chosen One?’ repeated obstinately in spite of the teachers’ efforts in trying to hush them. The overlapping noise in the Great Hall only ceased when the Headmaster spoke again.

 “Please, do refrain from pestering both Potters on the matter.”

 Yeah, right. Albus scoffed. Like that wouldn’t make people even more determined to bother him!

 “You are all here to strengthen your knowledge and better your magical affinities, so focus on your studies and remember. . .” Dumbledore’s good-natured face hardened, and his eyes gravely scanned each table before it lingered on the Slytherin’s. “In a time of an ongoing war, it is important to put mindless differences aside and support one another through this difficult time, no matter who they may be.” His expression softened around the edges, “Enjoy the feast!”

 With that, Dumbledore settled back to his seat. And the Great Hall was once again filled with chatter. Years of practice had Albus desensitized from being the center of unwanted attention. He automatically tuned out the bustling noise and the hard stares he had been receiving the entire evening.

 Albus swore to himself he wouldn’t do it. That he wouldn’t think about looking over the Gryffindor table across the large room. But look he did, and instant regret came to him, for he was met squarely with unmistakable green eyes piercing at him. They weren’t the bright, warm pools of green he occasionally received from his dad, but rather, they were a sharp, glassy pair eying him critically. The gaze looked so unfamiliar and cold that it chilled Albus to the core of his bones despite him being too far from the source. With great difficulty, he casted his eyes away from the Harry Potter of this world. Albus’ struggle did not end there, however, for he was met with younger versions of his uncle and aunt, who also looked at him like he was a stranger—worst, animposter! (which he was) Albus forced his eyes further to the right. After passing a few students, they stopped dead when he saw his mother not recognize him as her son. From the look of clear absence of motherly love plastered on her face, Albus felt like he wanted to weep for the first time in a long, long time.

 A tap on his shoulder made him jump in surprise. It was a girl his age with dark hair perfectly trimmed below her ears. Her face looked familiar, but he couldn’t place where he’d seen it before. “I’m Pansy Parkinson. Draco Malfoy and I are senior prefects. If you have any questions, we are here to answer them.” She said it in an insufferably formal manner that reminded Albus of himself and his cousins when they were being forced to interact with one another. He could easily tell that she was obligated to say that as her prefect duty, not because she was being sincere in any way. He nodded before going back to ignoring her and everyone else.

 “So, other Potter?”

 He did not have the luxury of ignoring everyone else.

 “Yes?” He forced out through gritted teeth.

 The voice, either belonging to Vincent Crabb or Gregory Goyle, had replied, “Is it true that you’re a Slytherin from where you’re from?”

 Albus responded irritably, which made him feel like he was talking to Hugo, “Well, my robes are green and I’m sitting here with you, aren’t I?”

 Albus didn’t care to pay attention to the Death Eater spluttering close to him. He thought to himself of what would happen this week in the classes that Gryffindor and Slytherin shared. Should he skip them all together? No, he decided that would be a temporary solution for a long-lasting problem. It wasn’t like he could just skip his NEWTs required classes until the end of the year. That would be such a waste of all the hard efforts he had put into studying for his OWLs the summer he spent here.

 Who would’ve known that spending that much time alone in a castle would result in extreme boredom. Boredom that allowed Albus to actually focus on his studies, because there were literally no distractions available unless he’d bump into Peeves, which he hadn’t the energy for. So, Albus ended up taking ten OWLs during the summer.

 In the month before, as the horizon blended July into August, weeks before his sixteenth birthday, Albus had received a letter containing his curriculum for the following semester, along with his grades of Ordinary Wizarding Level.

 Ancient Runes: O

 Astronomy: E

 Care of Magical Creatures: A

 Charms: P

 Defense Against the Dark Arts: E

 Herbology: T

 History of Magic: A

 Muggle Studies: O

 Potions: E

 Transfiguration A

 Two Outstandings and three Exceed Expectations! If he found a way back home, first thing he’d do would be to show this to his parents, saying: See! I don’t need Rose to get good grades!

 Albus hadn’t really tried his hardest with Herbology and Charms because they weren’t one of the requirements for his dream job. They had been only general subjects he decided to take in case he didn’t score well for the ones he wanted. Becoming an antiquarian would mean that Albus would have to take five mandatory NEWTs: Ancient Runes, Astronomy, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic and Potions. And he had passed all five of them!

 He had been so relieved to have been able to pass History of Magic. It had been the main obstacle standing in the way of him possibly becoming an antiquarian. He even managed to get past the required grade for Potions! A subject he usually struggled immensely with.

 Dumbledore had strongly advised Albus to take Herbology and Muggle Studies NEWTs to gain additional skills. He had told Albus that they would be advantageous for pursuing antiquarianism. Albus might have failed spectacularly on his OWL Herbology test, but he got top grades on Muggle Studies, which he thought had been fairly easy.

 “How many subjects have you signed up for this year?” Pansy’s voice asked, her tone measuredly clipped.

 “Me?” Albus said stupidly.

 She rolled her eyes impatiently.

 “Er, seven or eight. Really depends on whether the Transfiguration Professor accepts an A to let me participate in NEWTs level.”

 “McGonagall doesn’t accept anything below Exceed Expectations.”

 That was a shame. He had really wanted to try having his Headmistress teach him Transfiguration. Well, I still have Hagrid. Aside from his five main subjects, Albus had signed up for Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. “Seven it is.” He then added for the sake of being polite, “You?”

 “Six. Sticking with requirements only.” She answered concludingly before she had turned back to eating her meal. Ending their aimless chit chat, which Albus didn’t mind.

 He couldn’t resist stealing a glance at the current Malfoy heir, who was busy munching on his food. Even though Albus had very well blown his chance of ever befriending Draco, he at least wanted them to be on amicable terms. He was desperate for anything that could fill the void in the shape of the absence of Scorpius.

 The entire Slytherin table was discreetly glancing at him from time to time, clearly wanting to ask him many things. But with how unapproachable Albus certainly appeared to be, they were hesitant. Albus avoided looking at them, lest they took that as an invitation to have a chat with him. It seemed to be working because no one attempted to talk to him again throughout dinner. Good. He didn’t want to talk to anyone.

As the Slytherins were heading toward the dungeon after dinner, Albus made sure to stay as far as possible from his family’s sight. Something he had experience in doing when he wanted to escape his cousins' judgmental eyes in Hogwarts.

 Upon entering the Slytherin common room, the Head boy and girl gathered the first years to establish Slytherin House rules and seemed to be expecting him to join the swarm of firsties. Albus pretended he hadn’t noticed and slithered into the sixth year’s dormitory. He knew he already had a bed expecting him there because he had spent the past couple of months sleeping on it.

 But he wouldn’t be having a dorm to himself anymore. There were roommates. Five of them.

 At the very begging, there was Theodore Nott’s name above the first bed’s mantle. Next was Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabb, Blaise Zabini, and then finally, right next to his own bed was Draco Malfoy’s.

 Funny, his and Scorpius’ beds were also the last two.

 Albus made sure to change quickly (he had been provided cloths and toothbrush and other necessities since he got here) and close the curtains around him before any of the sixth years came. After it had been a while with Albus alone in the dormitory, he figured the Slytherins were having a meeting in the common room at this very moment. Albus didn’t want to sound self-centered, but he was absolutely certain they were discussing him, or rather, who they thought him to be.

 A part of him wanted to sneak into the common room to eavesdrop, but before he could even reopen his curtains, the door to the dormitory could be heard swinging open. The sound was followed by several stomps of footsteps getting heavier as each pair got inside.

 Shortly after, Albus’ curtains rapidly swung open, forming an audible swooshing sound from thick fabric cutting through the peaceful air. Albus lazily turned his head toward his disturber. It was a young Theodore Nott, and he looked agitated.

 “Why are you here? In our world?” He demanded urgently.

 “I’m trapped here. I though that much was obvious?”

 He scoffed. “Don’t play dumb, you are clearly here to finish what your counterpart is too weak to accomplish!”

 What. “Huh?”

 Theodor impatiently elaborated, “Where you’re from, you defeated the Dark Lord, didn’t you? That’s why you’re here. To do the same!”

 Albus blinked.

 When his brain registered what the other Slytherin had meant, he couldn’t stop the abrupt laughter that escaped his lips. He guffawed so loudly that the other four roommates looked toward them in unison.

 “What’s so funny?” Theodore practically snarled at Albus.

 “There is no—there’s. . .” He continued to laugh uncontrollably for a full minute. “well, for one, there isn’t any war going on where I’m from.” He answered once he calmed himself down.

 This time, it was Draco who spoke. Grey eyes narrowed to slits as he approached him and Theodore. Albus could hear the genuine curiosity leveled with a slight amount of desperation as Draco said, “There isn’t? What do you mean?”

 “I mean that there is no Voldyshort’s counterpart in my universe, and even if it turns out there is, he clearly isn’t some war criminal like yours is.” Albus had always thought it amusing to infuriate people by disrespecting their idols. He found it the easiest way to work them up and make them splutter nonsense like idiots. But instead of a strong reaction of defending their leader’s sacred name like he was hoping for, he was met with deafening silence.

 The five Slytherins shared a mutual look with one another. Albus was fleetingly struck with how in harmony those Slytherins were on opposed to Albus’ House. Had the Slytherins been more united back in the day than they were in his time? Or was that only the case here, in this dimension?

 “You’re not even the Chosen One? Or the Boy Who Lived? You’re just a. . . a. . .” One of the giant oafs had said, and Albus could feel all their eyes searching his forehead for his father’s cursed scar. “a common half-blood and nothing else?” The way he addressed the blood status sounded half as venomous as Snape had said the word ‘Potter’ a few months back. Speaking of Snape—

 “Isn’t our Head of House a half-blood, too?” Albus quirked an eyebrow challengingly. He didn’t want to hear what they had to say though, so before any of them could so much as make out a fuss, he snatched the curtain from Theodore’s loosened grip. “Anyway, I’m going to sleep, so I’d appreciate it if you don’t disturb me.” He added with finality as he shut his curtain, “Good night.”

Albus wasn’t usually an early riser, but he had slept very early yesterday to avoid his Housemates, which was why he had been up by dawn. He got dressed and went to the Great Hall as the food was just being served. He expected to be the only student in the Great Hall, so he had been understandably surprised to see a young Luna Lovegood having oatmeal in the middle of Ravenclaw table. 

 She turned to see him walk in and greeted him with a lazy smile which Albus couldn’t help but return. “Hullo.” She said in her dreamy voice of hers.

 “’lo.”

 Her eyes darted down and landed on his green tie. He saw her blink rapidly and he cursed under his breath. She thought he had been the real Harry!

 This was worse than replying to the calls of ‘Potter’ that were meant for his siblings because this was much more confusing. Why had Albus agreed on letting Dumbledore talk him into this ‘other Harry Potter’ plan? Well, it was too late to back down anyway.

 Luna didn’t change her demeanor though. As Albus went to the middle of Slytherin table and sat behind Luna, she had turned to face him, still having a drowsy smile on her always friendly face. “Oh, this is confusing, isn’t it?”

 Albus sighed shakily, pouring himself a cuppa.“It is.”

 “Well, my name is Luna Lovegood.” She tilted her head slightly to the side. “Say, what would you like to be called?”

 My real name would be nice. But he would have to compromise.

 He turned to face her properly, “How about Al?” He wasn’t necessarily fond of the nickname his family reserved for him despite growing out of it, but it would be less suspicious than ‘Albus’. Still, he did not wish to lie to Luna. “My, er, siblings call me that—I hate it—or used to, rather—but it’s better than being called ‘other Potter’ I suppose.”

 Luna nodded solemnly. “I understand what you mean.” Albus was grateful for not being pestered into telling her the origin of his nickname. “I didn’t used to like it when others referred to me as ‘Loony’ Lovegood either, but it rather started growing on me.”

 “People are gits.” He said without thinking.

 Luna giggled at his bluntness. “Some people aren’t.”

 Albus nodded slowly.

 Other students could be heard bustling into the Great Hall, probably early risers like Luna.

 She beamed at Albus, “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, Al.”

 “Yeah,” Albus relaxed his shoulders. He didn’t even know they got tense when he heard others walk in. “it’s nice to meet you too, Luna.”

 With that, the sixth year Slytherin and the fifth year Ravenclaw chattered about their families, and Albus didn’t even have to lie about the majority of what he told her about himself. It felt freeing. Talking senselessly to someone like he would to a friend. And Luna was certainly a friend. It just felt very easy talking to her than most students. Kind of reminded him of Scorp—almost anything reminded him of Scorpius, honestly.

 Now that Albus had spent a long time in this Hogwarts, he started gradually accepting the wrenching idea that there might not be a way for him to return home. Upon that revelation, he realized he regretted parting ways with his family on such poor terms. It felt that all his problems back then and there were so simple compared to being trapped in a time of war. A war this universe’s Harry Potter hadn’t won yet.