Turning Time

The next morning was quite the wake-up call. Literally. An owl landed on his chest, note in beak. Harry rubbed his eyes, putting his glasses on, he wasn’t fazed by this arrangement as Hedwig would do something similar…Merlin he missed Hedwig. Sighing, he gave the owl a pet with two fingers across the skull, and took the note. The little beast nuzzling it’s beak against his hand. He did feel slightly terrible he had no treats to pay the creature with.

Gryffindor/Ravenclaw - Charms
Gryffindor/Hufflepuff - Muggle Studies
Lunch
Gryffindor/Slytherin - Potions
Gryffindor/Slytherin - Transfiguration

So these were his classes? Okay, okay he could work with that. Not so bad. In fact he was a little excited, he’d meet so many people he had only heard about in stories, and he’d be able to find out what they were like at his age. What if they were all just normal kids too? Forced into a war started by their parents?

He slipped out of bed, getting ready for the day, with new cleaned robes. There was a tinge of guilt stabbing him in his lungs, maybe he shouldn’t have left. Well obviously he shouldn’t have, it was wrong, and childish, not to mention dramatic. Though, deep down, he knew he needed this. To be away, to live a life like a normal kid would. Just be normal for once. Besides, he’d find a way to get back eventually. Totally.

Slipping his outer robes on, he took a brush through his hair a few times before leaving for breakfast. There were eyes on him, everywhere he walked pitied stares would follow.

Apparently, this wasn’t so different from his time. A small groan left him, he really had to go with that story, didn’t he?

He found a spot at the Gryffindor table, deciding to sit by himself. He didn’t have the energy to make “new friends”. He wasn’t quite sure he wanted to either. Maybe, for now, a life as an outcast could suit him. It was less taxing as an outcast than it was a famous hero.

Buttering up some toast, he slapped a good spread of jam on it, and got to eating. Thankfully he wouldn’t have to explain where all his stuff was, as anything to his name disappeared with his memory. Or, supposedly, as that’s how the specific potion he said worked. He could easily thank Severus’s Snape’s lessons, and Hermione’s study sessions for that knowledge.

See, on rare occasions he could use his brain like anyone else. Though, before he could give himself a pat on the back, James walked in.

“Dad,” He muttered, no one in earshot to hear, thankfully. Who he supposed was a younger version of Remus Lupin talked with James as well as Sirius. Though, Sirius being the aware dog-boy he was, pointed Harry out of the shallow crowd.

“Look who I found,” He sung, striding his way to stand across from Harry, “Looks like Snake-lover-boy decided to sit at our table.” His voice projected across the room, the world seeming to still. Once more, all eyes on him, wondering what he’d respond with. In a distant corner he saw the Slytherin’s ears perk up. How was it that he always got into the center of things? He was so good at being in the shadows as a child.

“Sirius, leave him,” James said, mischievous grin marking his face. “Just give him a chance to prove himself. Surely he’ll come around. They always do.”

Remus, though, looked upon Harry with great curiosity. As if he knew everything. He leaned over to whisper in James’s ear. Frighteningly though, James seemed to hum in contentment.

“Yes, that’ll work quite well.” Taking Sirius’s spot in front of Harry, James tsked in disapproval. “Nobody, right? Well, Nobody, how’s this. You go over there, throw a simple curse at a Snake, and you can stay here. But if you don’t—” Harry was out of his seat before James could say anything more. Gripping his plate in one hand, and his wand in his other, his knuckles paled. Glaring through his nose, In reality, he didn’t want any of this drama. He was tired of it, all his life it was drama, drama, drama. A bit of peace and quiet where he wasn’t being neglected and starved would surely be helpful. Just silence, just peace.

James and his crew seemed…proud. Believing he was doing what they urged him to, taking him to be an easy follower.

They were proud, as if he’d hurt an innocent kid just to gain a place to sit! Who gave a shit about that?! There were plenty of places for him to eat a bit of food. It was as if every Gryffindor—save for Miss McGonagall—made his blood boil these days.

Practically slamming his plate down at the edge of the Slytherin table, he could see fear, anger, disapproval, and more worrisome…contentment. As if this was normal, as if this abuse was expected. He practically growled, making eye contact with who he assumed was Narcissa, and Lucius judging by their hair. Snape, he thought, was surely the one sitting between them both, heavy bags under his eyes, hair covering most of his face.

A girl stood, crazed eyes ready to defend her pride, but Harry wasn’t here for that.

“Excuse me, do you mind if I sit with you?” He asked with a forced polite smile, the crazed girl was taken aback, looking between the woman he asked—who he assumed to be Narcissa—and him. Though she wasn’t alone in this shock, the rest of the table seemed to be wrapping their heads around this new phenomenon. Even if they kept their noble personas it was obvious, they were surprised, and Harry was rightfully enraged by that fact.

“Are you with them?” She asked calmly, nodding to the Marauders, even though he could see in her eyes she already knew his answer.

“Never.” He’d sneer, so then she nodded, patting the seat next to her. Yet, before he could take a seat, he was sure to make eye contact with Mr. James Potter, a disgrace of a father. Harry sheathed his wand, putting both hands up to flip the asshole off. He didn’t care who anyone was to him, you did not willingly hurt an undeserving person. The idea that this could be his father hurt even more, what happened to all the wonderful stories?

Slytherins were not automatically deserving of abuse, just as he was not automatically deserving of abuse because he had magic. No one deserved pain because of who they were.

James’s blood was boiling, if his beet-red face had anything to say about it. He took out his wand, throwing the first curse that came to his lips. Rage, it was rage James felt, how dare a Gryffindor side with a Snake before his own house?! Where was the loyalty?!

The teachers were already rushing down to stop the attack, however, they weren’t fast enough. Harry taking his own wand out, casting a strong shield, and throwing his own unmatched spell, watching as James fell to the ground. He felt something though, blood trickling down his cheek, he heard the gasps and shrieks of nearby students. So, curious, he touched the side of his face, his hand coming back covered in red, as if he had dipped it in paint. Half his faces skin was gone.

Being swarmed by teachers, he heard the last few words of James Potter before passing out; “He should be switched! No true Gryffindor would betray his house like that!”

***

When Harry awoke the next day, he was not in his dorm. Instead he was in the infirmary. He could tell from the tall ceilings, white light, and medical-beds.

He started to sit up, drowsy, and surprised to see two girls in Slytherin cloaks sitting at the end of his bed. One had perfect posture, neat hair, and a soft smile while the other had a frown, crazed eyes, slouching, and her ankle resting on her opposit knee.

“Good morning, Harry.” The polite girl greeted, part of her hair black while the other side pure white. Was that…Narcissa Malfoy? The girl he talked to? “My name is Narcissa Black, and this is my sister, Bellatrix Black.” She spoke, motioning her hand to herself and her other half. “I am unsure if we’ve met before, as you apparently took that ghastly potion. We had wanted to make sure you were alright after the…incident.”

“What are you planning, Granger?” The wild woman growled. So, this is where Draco got it. Makes sense.

“Sister, please.”

“No! I’m sure he only helped us to learn all our secrets, and share them with the school. Like Potter said, a Gryffindor would never betray their own house—”

“I would if my house was being an ass to those who don’t deserve it.” He huffed, leaning back and shutting the girl up, the same girl who’d start to laugh hysterically, as if humored by his statement. Narcissa rolled her eyes in annoyance of her sisters antics.

“I apologize for my sister, she seems to forget the world, and her place in it.”

The laughing came to a halt, little giggles making their way through.

“As far as I’m concerned, I am god.” The curly-haired woman giggled loudly into the air. Narcissa groaned at her sisters claim, hiding her face in her hand, running it down the side of her face in a sore attempt to regain her collectedness.

“What we wanted to say was; Thank you. It’s refreshing to know someone would stick up for us, even if we are perfectly capable ourselves. We want to foster this behavior, so maybe future Slytherin’s can have a better place to grow.” She stated with political correctness, knowing full well they no longer could stick up for themselves in this school with all that was happening, especially if James would get special treatment continuously. “I’m sure you’ll be disappointed to know, Potter only has a month of detention.” He could feel the venom seeping through her tone, her gaze darkened to the point even Bellatrix seemed to stare.

They grew silent, each with their own version of anger.

“Uhm, I, well…thank you for visiting me. And telling me, I, well I appreciate it, I—” The proper woman put up a hand, silencing him.

“No need Granger, I understand.” Standing, she smoothed out her un-wrinkled drapes. Her sister was already down the room, heading for the doors.

“I’m not missing lunch for this, Narcy!” She called, skipping through the halls, she was already on her way. So called “Narcy” sighed, though smiled at her sisters antics.

“I would like to personally invite you, Granger, to dine with us. That is, when you’re allowed to leave. I’m sure the boys would love to show you off, after all, supposedly turning a Gryffindor to “our side” would be quite an accomplishment to those that are unaware, and ignorant. AKA, most, if not all, of the school.” Weaving her arms behind her back, she gave a polite bow of her head, already knowing the answer she’d receive. Of course he would join them. He wouldn’t have anywhere else to go.

The Gryffindor’s would quickly shun him, Ravenclaws were too smart, and into themselves to take him, and Hufflepuffs…well they were Hufflepuffs. One would eventually get tired of all the caring, empathetic, and pitying glances.

She was walking off when he called after her.

“Oh-okay!” Surprisingly, he found himself working fast to get discharged, and ready for the day. There were only a few scars that were still healing, and so he was allowed to leave for Lunch.

He didn’t expect the excitement he felt, yes he knew not all Slytherins were bad, but…he would’ve expected his same ideals to be in his head. Instead they had faded away, having been killed the second he saw those content faces. Perfectly fine with the fact they would’ve been cursed, if not worse. Not to mention the kindness Narcissa and Bellatrix (though reluctantly) showed him.

He would not hate someone who had been abused in such a way. He knew that feeling, that placement. He had been there, and now…well he wasn’t sure. He never thought about it much. Maybe Draco bullied, because he knew if he didn’t, he’d be the victim.

That couldn’t be, could it?

He opened the doors to the great hall, looking for Narcissa and Bellatrix. He found them, and also who he assumed to be Lucius and Snape. He was hesitant, yes, he decided to walk over in the end. He was met with Bella’s frown once again, but also a confident smile from Narcissa. She was sure she made the right choice in the end, and Harry was happy for it.

His feet carried him, feeling the piercing glares of four Gryffindor boys. He made a wild guess on who they were, but ignored them. The beating of his heart was the last he could hear when his body stopped in front of their table. He cleared his throat.

“Uhm, hi…” He spoke shyly, afraid of any eye contact. “I’m Harry, what’s your name’s?” He didn’t see the visible hesitance of Lucius, or the glare Malfoy was given by Narcissa and the nudge she gave Severus. He was far too busy trying to keep the little bit of courage he had. So much for courageous Gryffindor’s.

Why was he suddenly so afraid? Well, he knew that these were the last and probably only people who would accept him after the incident. Plus, he had history with their older versions, and not to mention the bullying older Severus put him through so—

“I am Lucius, Lucius Malfoy.” The pearly blonde spoke, his voice was cold, far from the laughter Harry saw from him when he walked in.

“And I’m Severus.” Snape said it with displeasure, glaring at Harry a tad, knowing full well that he was saved by a Gryffindor just the day before. He hated it.

“Sev, be nice.” Narcissa nagged, looking over at Harry. “Please forgive them, they have reason to be distrusting as I’m sure you’ve put together. Do sit, now, classes are about to start and I would like to talk to you.”

Harry’s eyes widened as he sat, realizing he was unsure of what classes he had today. He had completely forgotten. Did he even have classes? Wait, did Hagrid even work here now? Who was the Potions Master if not Snape? So many questions, most he needed to keep to himself out of fear of being found out.

“What’s wrong with you?” The defensive Lucius asked, staring at Harry while getting a rabid scowl from Narcissa.

“Oh, uh—” Though Narcissa was scowling at Lucius she still found a way to give Harry an encouraging smile. “Well it’s just, I don’t know what classes I have today.” Laughing gently in an attempt to cover his idiocy, Lucius nodded.

“We’ll help you find them out, though we do have Potions with Gryffindors after lunch. You are…” With a hesitant look at Narcissa, he decided to do as she had so fiercely pressured them all into. She hasn’t been wrong since they met, so how could she be wrong now? “More than welcome to join us.” It was as if Severus had been slapped with a monstrous book by the way he looked at Lucius. One look from Narcissa, however, put him in his place.

“As long as I don’t end up doing potions with that idiot, fine.” The long-haired boy grumbled, poking at his food with a fork.

“Severus—” Narcissa would threaten, her sister giggling as she munched on her mashed potatoes.

“What, Narcissa? Is he not an idiot? Not only did he make a nearly irreversible potion, which yes is a tad impressive, but he drank it. Then he, a Gryffindor, decided to stand up for a Slytherin, not only that but to his own kind. Practically banishing him to a group of outcasts. Then, he decided to piss the King of the Jungle off even more by marching over here. So, he’s a bit of an idiot, and even if he can pull off a potion of such a high level, I’m not trusting him with my grade.” It was official, Harry Potter had laughed for the first time in 72 hours. It was a surprising thing, Severus clearly was taken by annoyed surprise while the rest were confused. Harry found himself hiding his face in his hands, face growing red with unmistakable joy, Belatrix joined him in the matter, even if she didn’t know why they were laughing, he had a funny laugher. “What is it, Granger?” Severus spat the same way he spat Potter.

“Oh, no, no, you’re right.” Speaking between breaths. “I am an idiot, but not for taking your guys’ side. No, no I’m an idiot for not putting my shield up faster. Please, I’d happily go another round with James any day. Besides, I already regret the potion, but it’s kind of refreshing. A whole new start, ya’ know? And, you really shouldn’t trust me with your grade when it comes to potions, you’re already the best, right? At least thats from what I’ve seen. For you to trust someone with your potions grade they’d have to be, like, a genius or something.” Chuckling so matter of factly, Harry took a bite out of some turkey, smiling at a shellshocked Severus. Not only that he had found Severus to not be so different from the Snape he knew, and though he liked being somewhere where no one knew him, it was also nice to have something similar to what was his home.

“Uh,” The surprise of the potions master was as clear as a gloomy day. “Right…” Lucius laughed at his friends reaction.

“Don’t mind Severus, he isn’t used to getting complimented.” Lucius would say, packing up his book bag and standing. “Let’s go now before the hallways are all full. Better to be early and all.”

“Agreed.” Narcissa said with a warm smile, grabbing her own bag, and handing Bella her’s as she uttered things to herself.

Quickly shoveling food into his mouth he rushed after the others. It didn’t occur to the boy that he might just need some class supplies like books, and paper, and a pen, and…