Chapter 4
Come September 1st, Harry had finished reading all the law and politics books he bought as well as all the extra history, potions, runes, healing and charms books. He had even finished all of 5th through 7th year schoolbooks in every subject offered at Hogwarts. Based on everything he read plus the newest defense book, he was looking at a very easy year. It also probably helped that he technically graduated Hogwarts a few times already even though the material has changed since the last time.
He packed his old trunk with his current schoolbooks, some of his muggle clothes, school robes, potion supplies, broom and stationery supplies. His new trunk is packed with a few robes both formal and casual, his invisibility cloak, updated photo album, potion ingredients, extra potion supplies, some emergency food, extra stationary supplies, and a lot of books on a range of subjects. Harry planned for his old one to be a decoy of sorts, while he would keep his new one in a secret password protected pocket in his password protected satchel.
Harry put on his school robes then placed both trunks in his satchel though in separate areas. He strapped on a hidden ankle wand holster with ‘Harrison’s’ wand, a black walnut with a thunderbird feather in it and a hidden forearm wand holster with his Holly wand in it.
Harry looked in the mirror before morphing his features. He now looked like ‘Glamour Harry’ but kept his long hair and his new height with his healthy body size. He decided it would be best to slowly change his looks over the course of the year.
Harry decided that this year he would observe the traitors and be polite. He wouldn’t do anything drastic to the traitors yet. He would wait before making his move. He needed more answers and to have his reputation increase.
Flooing to platform 9¾ at exactly 10 am under a disillusionment charm. Unsurprisingly there were very few families but a few order members. He saw Moody, Lupin, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, according to Kreacher at least.
Quickly going towards the train, knowing Moody’s eye was magical and could probably see through his disillusionment. Sure enough, as he was hopping onto the train, he heard…
“Potter!” being shouted in a growly voice.
Ignoring it he entered an empty compartment a little way down from where he entered. Cancelling his disillusionment, he then took his old shrunken trunk from his bag, placed it on the rack before unshrinking it.
As he was sitting down the compartment door opened and in walked Lupin.
“Hello, Harry.” He greeted sitting down.
“Professor Lupin.” Harry returned in a confused voice. “Why are you here? Are you the defense professor again?” He asked innocently.
“No, unfortunately I am not your new professor.” He answered. “Why didn’t you stop when Moody shouted your name?”
Harry arched a brow. “I don’t stop when strangers call out my name or else, I’d never reach my destination.”
“Moody is not a stranger-”
“I have never met him, so he is a stranger to me.” Harry cut him off. “I met a death eater pretending to be him and he tried to kill me.”
Lupin stared at him. “I see your point.”
“Are we done here? I would like to read over some of my schoolbooks.” Harry claimed, hinting at Lupin to leave.
Lupin sighed. “Where were you, Harry?”
“Mr. Lupin, we haven’t spoken in over a year. While I appreciate you teaching me the Patronus charm, we are not friends. I am not James. You have no right to know anything about what I do.” Harry stayed in a calm and polite tone.
Lupin stared at him speechless.
“I see.” He eventually murmured. “You probably don’t want to be friends with a werewolf.”
“I don’t want to be friends with someone who will only be your friend when they want something from you.” Harry countered, evenly. “Now I suggest you leave; students will be needing seats as no one gets a compartment to themselves.”
As soon as he finished, a pale, blonde-haired girl with funky pink glasses entered the compartment.
“Hello Harry.” She greeted airily. “Professor Lupin.”
“Miss Lovegood.” Lupin muttered and left the compartment in a hurry.
“Here let me help you with your trunk.” Harry offered.
“Thank you.” She said dreamily, as Harry heaved her trunk on the rack.
“Your Lovegood?” Harry questioned the girl across from him once they were both seated.
“Luna Lovegood. You can call me Luna.” She, Luna, responded clutching her magazine, The Quibbler.
“Harry.” Automatically came out.
She looked above his shoulder. “Yes and more.” then started reader her magazine.
Neville Longbottom, Henry’s many greats grandson entered the compartment next. He looked incredibly like Henry’s first son. He was carrying a Mimbulus Mimbletonia, a very rare magical plant while dragging his trunk behind him.
“Hey Neville.” Harry greeted, getting up to help Neville put his trunk up since he was holding his plant.
“Harry? Blimey, I almost didn’t recognize you.” He admitted, sitting next to Harry. “Where are your glasses?”
“I got my eyes fixed.” Harry simply told him.
“That’s great, Harry.”
“This is Luna Lovegood.” Harry introduced. “Luna, this is Neville Longbottom.”
As they greeted each other, Neville only stammering once, the train began to move.
“Where’s Ron and Hermione?” Neville asked.
“I don’t know.” Harry shrugged uncaring before asking Neville about his plant. He watched his eyes light up as he enthusiastically told him about his Mimbulus Mimbletonia.
As they were chatting, the compartment door slammed open and Hermione and Ron stormed in.
“Hey guys.” Neville greeted unsurely as he saw Hermione glare at Harry.
“Hey Nev.” Ron greeted.
“Where have you been?” Hermione demanded, ignoring Neville.
Harry arched a brow. “I was right here.”
“She means during the summer, mate.” Ron said with fake friendliness.
“I was at my aunt’s.” Not a lie.
“After!” Hermione snaps.
“When I went to Diagon Alley to get my school supplies, or when I went to platform 9¾?” Harry said, sounding confused, hiding his smirk.
“After you left your aunts on your birthday.” She shrieked.
“And how would you know if I left my aunt’s on my birthday?” Harry inquired.
Hermione paused at that.
“We will speak about this later.” She commanded tersely, eyeing the others in the compartment.
“Harry, mate, why didn’t you answer any of our letters?” Ron asked.
“I never received any.” Harry told him.
“There seems to be a lot of Wrackspurts in this compartment.” Luna serenely spoke.
“What’s a Wrackspurt?” Ron asked confused and a little defensive.
“They’re invisible magical creatures which float into a person's ears, making their brain become unfocused and confused.” She explained.
“There’s no such thing.” Hermione challenged.
“Yes, there is.” Luna confirmed, before going back to reading the quibbler.
Just then Neville’s plant exploded. The stink sap went everywhere, covering everything in dark green sap that smells like rancid manure. Unfortunately, Neville got the worst of it.
“That’s the defense mechanism you were telling us about?” Harry asked, wrinkling his nose.
Neville just nodded.
Hermione grabbed Ron. “We need to get cleaned up before we do our prefect rounds.” She declared haughtily, before dragging Ron out of the compartment.
Harry chuckled, before taking out his holly wand. Several Scouring charms later and everything and person was clean. It was actually probably the cleanest compartment on the train.
“Thanks, Harry.” Neville mumbled in embarrassment.
“Don’t worry about it, Neville. No harm done.” Harry waved off the apology.
“It was quite an experience.” Luna commented smiling.
Neville flushed. “Did Hermione say she and Ron were prefects?” Neville questioned, changing the subject.
“Yes, she did.” Harry confirmed.
“I’m shocked Ron was chosen.” Neville spoke then quickly looked at Harry. “Not that there’s anything wrong with Ron.”
“But he’s not prefect material.” Harry continued.
“Yeah.” He agreed sheepishly.
“I agree he’s not. I thought for sure it would be Dean, no offense.” Harry offered.
“None taken. I know I’m not prefect material.”
“Me neither.” Harry smiled at him.
Harry thinks back to his previous lives and how prefects used to be chosen. They had to have certain requirements. One was to have good grades in all their subjects and not to have recurring detentions. Other students, in all houses, had to feel comfortable to approach them since helping other students was their main job. It seemed that in this life it was all about the Heads of Houses and Headmaster choosing their favourite students.
“Harry?”
“Sorry, lost in thought.” Harry smiled at Neville.
The rest of the ride passed in amicable companionship. Ron and Hermione didn’t come back, probably thinking they would be covered in sap still without Hermione’s help.
--*--
Harry and Neville were sitting together in the Great Hall waiting for the Sorting to begin when Ron and Hermione sat across from them.
“We were waiting for you so we could share a carriage together.” Hermione began complaining, just as McGonagall entered leading in the new first years. Harry purposely kept his attention on the sorting, ignoring the looks from Ron and Hermione.
When the new defense teacher, a toad like women in pink, interrupted Dumbledore’s speech, he learned why the new defense book was terrible. The ministry was there to spy on Dumbledore and interfere at Hogwarts.
Harry and Neville made their way up to the common room together. Harry was glad Hermione and Ron, as prefects, had to show the new first years, so he didn’t have to deal with them. Entering the common room with Neville, Harry was immediately confronted by Seamus and others about Voldemort being back. Calling him a liar, like usual it seemed.
Harry simply told them “Believe what you want. It is inconsequential to me one way or another.” Before he headed up to his dorm room not bothering to wait for a response.
He got ready for bed before crawling into his bed with his satchel. Closing the curtains, he threw up privacy and protection spells. He even used a sticking charm to stick his satchel to the right bedpost by his feet. He decided to keep both his wand holsters on as he was now technically in enemy territory. At least until Dumbles and his minions were gone.
Just as he was falling to sleep, Harry felt a caress of magic. Quickly sitting up he looked around before recognizing that it was Hogwarts magic. The magic was recognizing him as a child of Godric and Salazar, like it usually did after he came back with his past life memories. However, what had startled him was that the magic felt sad and weak.
Remembering seeing all of the founders pour their magic into Hogwarts time and time again, Harry didn’t hesitate to do the same. Gathering his magic, he entwined it with Hogwarts’s magic before pushing it into Hogwarts. He stopped when he knew that if he gave more a way, he wouldn’t have enough for classes tomorrow. With a promise to Hogwarts for more tomorrow night, Harry fell into an exhausted sleep.
Unbeknownst to any in the castle Hogwarts hummed in joy at finally gaining some power and being able to strengthen its wards. Many artifacts that were used to harm or intended to harm its children were silently destroyed.
--*--
The next morning found Harry heading down to breakfast, magical reserves surprisingly full considering how much magic he gave to Hogwarts. He sat with Neville as they ate, they discussed the merits of being a Herbology Master, or more so Harry encouraging Neville to ignore his Gran and follow his dream.
“All I’m saying, Neville, is you're really good and you like herbology. Without Herbology Masters there’s no potions, and I’m sure the wizarding world would collapse.” Harry told him.
Neville gave a weak chuckle. “I know but my Gran goes on about how it's not the Longbottom way.”
Harry arched an eyebrow. “What about Lord Henry Longbottom born in 1527? He apparently, in his time, ran the biggest plant nursery. His plants were the most sought after because of their quality.”
Neville looked at him shocked. “I didn’t know that. How do you even know that?”
“Well, this summer I found out I’m an heir and-”
Neville cut him off in a slightly loud strangled voice. “You didn’t know that you’re an heir?”
A few students glanced their way at that.
“No. I’m muggle-raised. I didn’t even know about magic until I got my Hogwarts letter. Hagrid was actually the one to introduce me to the magical world.” Harry informed him in a tone that carried a bit.
“Really? I knew you were raised by muggles but…” Neville trailed off. “Hagrid? What about your magical guardian?”
“Never knew about a magical guardian until this summer. It doesn’t matter anyways.”
Neville looked at him.
“Anyways back to your original question. I decided to do a bit more research on the Potter Family. I found they used to have an alliance with the Longbottoms, and I wanted to know why it was broken. I’m a little ashamed to say this but a member of the Potter family was sleeping with Henry Longbottom’s consort. When said consort died, the truth came out. Potter blamed Henry, either for the death of the consort or for the truth getting out, then murdered Henry.” Harry explained.
“That’s…” Neville was shocked.
“I know.” Harry sighed. “Anyways what I’m imparting is that the Longbottoms most likely have a history as Herbology Masters.”
“Thanks, Harry. I’ll look into it.” Neville looked a little stunned.
Harry caught sight of Hermione storming up to him.
“Harry, we need to talk.” Hermione demands.
“About?” Harry asked nonchalantly.
“Why did you run away during the summer? Where did you go?” She scolded.
“Who says I ran away?” Harry retorted calmly, eyes going to Ron as he entered the Great Hall.
“Why didn’t anyone wake me?” He questioned walking up to the table before sitting down and filling his plate with food.
McGonagall came by and passed out their timetables before Hermione could start back up. She eyed Harry but continued handing out the timetables without a word.
Looking at his schedule, Harry was glad he already had all his class books, plus some extras, with him in his satchel. It was going to be a busy day, starting with History of Magic.
Seeing Angelina Johnson, this year Gryffindor quidditch captain leaving the Great Hall. Harry quickly told Neville that he had to take care of something before class and that he would see him there.
Rushing out the door he hollered for Angelina. Luckily, she heard him and stopped.
“What’s up Harry?” She asked when he was closer.
“I have some unfortunate quidditch news.” Harry told her. “I will no longer be playing quidditch.”
“What!” She shouted. “No Harry. We need you.”
“I’m sorry Angelina. I just want to be able to focus on my OWLs this year.” Harry said apologetically.While he did still love to fly, Quiditch was starting to lose its appeal in his third year. Now with his regained memories and being more mentally mature, he saw how he actually didn’t like it, he just liked how it lessened his torment from his house members when he caught the snitch, helping the win.
“Are you sure? Because I can help you study if you stay on the team.” Angelina offered desperately.
Harry chuckled. “Thanks for the offer but no.”
“You can play as a reserve.”
Harry shook his head.
“There’s nothing that’ll change your mind?” She almost whined.
“You’ll make a wonderful quidditch captain and I have faith you’ll whip the team in shape and won’t need me.” Harry confidently told her and he believed that; she was a great player and a leader.
“Thanks Harry. Let me know if you change your mind.” With that they parted ways.