One shots/Ideas

Harry decided to visit Diagon Alley on his birthday, to both celebrate turning 11 and to gather whatever remaining items he required for school. The school robes were one of the few items he needed, along with a wand and some fresh potions' ingredients. The child wore his usual Muggle attire with a cap to hide his scar, his long hair tide in a neat ponytail, that went just below his shoulders. The child walked confidently into Madam Malkin’s robes for all occasions shop. He heard a bit of muttering from the woman’s voice along with a younger boyish voice.

Harry walked further into the store to find a blonde boy standing on a mini platform as Madam Malkin skilfully moved the measuring tape around the small body. “Stay still, I’m nearly done!” The woman hissed.

“You’ve been at it for ten minutes,” the boy argued. 

“Good morning,” Harry said, making his presence known. The two stared at him.

“Good morning dear,” Madam Malkin responded with a hearty smile, which Harry expertly returned. “I will be with you in a minute.” She then turned to the blonde who was staring curiously at Harry. “We’re done.” That got the blonde’s attention and he stepped down from the platform with a scowl.

“Finally,” he said. The woman scoffed and shook her head.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” she told Harry. The green-eyed boy nodded and watched the woman walk deeper into the store.

“Hogwarts?” The blonde asked. Harry tilted his head slightly as he stared observantly at the boy.

“Yes,” he replied.

“I’m going for my first year too. What house would you want to be sorted in?” Harry lifted an eyebrow curiously. 

“Does it matter?” He asked. The blonde scoffed.

“Of course it matters. Wouldn’t want to be a Gryffindor, or bleugh…a Hufflepuff,” the blonde replied with disgust. Harry grew more intrigued by the boy’s manor. 

“Why? What’s wrong with Hufflepuff?” Cams Madam Malkin’s angry voice. The blonde flinched and turned to her.

“Well because only the left overs go to Hufflepuff! That’s what my father says. The reckless go to Gryffindor under the guise of bravery, the smart go to Ravenclaw and the ambitious and cunning go to Slytherin,” the child replied heatedly, although his eyes betrayed his fear. Harry smiled subtly at that, this boy knew nothing. 

“Well Mr Malfoy, if your father believes this then you tell him that Hufflepuff can be just as good and even better than those other three snobbish houses!” Madam Malkin argued. Harry’s eyes twinkled at the boy’s name.

“Malfoy?” He whispered questioningly. The blonde turned to him with a smug smile and offered a hand.

“Yes. Draco Malfoy.” Harry took the hand and shook it elegantly. 

“I see. I believe you and I will become close at Hogwarts, Mr Malfoy,” he said. The blonde smiled victoriously. 

“Alright, you can get all that done on the train there, I have work to do. Please step on the platform, while you go to your parents Mr Malfoy and tell them the uniform should be shipped to you by the 12th of August,” the woman said, ushering the blonde away and practically pulling Harry on the platform.

“See you at school!” Draco called as he rushed out of the store. Harry smiled to himself, it seemed luck was on his side to have presented him with Lucius’s son. The man would no doubt request that Draco befriend the great Harry Potter, as a political move. The Malfoy patriarch had always been a great diplomat. 

Once Harry finished getting his measurements by Madam Malkin, he headed to Ollivander’s wand shop. He entered quietly into the old, dimly lit shop. “Ah Mr Potter, I’ve been waiting for you,” the old man said from an area behind the counter. Harry smiled politely at the man. Ollivander had always been a neutral force, which Harry liked very much. The man was more concerned with wands and magic that war and politics. 

“It’s good to finally be here Mr Ollivander,” Harry replied. The man smiled softly at him.

“I see. Perhaps then, we won’t waste much of our time. I believe there is only one wand suitable for you,” the man said as he headed to an area between the shelves. Harry had a feeling he knew what wand it would be at least what type. The man came back and opened a box, repressing the wand to the boy. Without even taking it, the child felt the connection to it with his magic. He reached out and pulled it out of the box. The wand and his magic sang in harmony and Harry smiled victoriously at it. The older man hummed expectantly. “11 1/2 inch holly with phoenix feather core. The same phoenix as your predecessor. I don’t believe I must explain the significance of this?” 

“Not at all sir, though I would like to request that you keep this information to yourself, if you could,” Harry said softly. He wasn’t going to threaten a neutral party, he knew that Ollivander still had to tread on ice around those with power, mainly Dumbledore and the minister. 

“I would try my best, though you must know that the owner of the phoenix asked to be informed if the brother wand left my shop,” Ollivander replied.

“I see. No worries then. May I please have a wand care kit to go with?” Harry said. The man nodded and they completed the transaction. The boy then headed to the pet shop to pick an owl. He saw a beautiful snowy owl that no one bothered with. The shop owner warned him of her attitude but Harry found her endearing and she seemed to sense his power and motives. The owl bumped her head on his knuckle and nipped his finger affectionately. The boy smiled as he requested her in a larger cage than normal. The shopkeeper was astonished but didn’t complain as he loaded Hedwig, Harry’s chosen name for his owl, into the cage. With that, the boy’s trip to Diagon Alley was over. 

A week prior to the train, Harry requested to stay at a premier Inn, a little closer to King’s Cross station. It was much less hustle to get to the station and it was a great reprieve from his family while he practiced his magic. The area was filled with Muggle and magical alike and the ministry had no qualms with anyone using magic. Harry was indeed talented as the wand bent beautifully to his will. He’d even managed to cast more advanced spells like accio and some complicated transfiguration charms. 

By the time the 1st of September arrived, Harry had managed to practice all his first year spells and some of his second year along with a few more advanced ones. The boy woke up early the day of the train, he showered and ate a good breakfast before packing and heading out. He ordered a cab for efficiency and found himself in the station at 9:30 am. The child didn’t wait long and immediately headed to platform 9 3/4. When he entered, he found the steam engine on the tracks but no steam was coming from it. The train was obviously still not running since it was still an hour and half before departure. 

There were very few people on the platform, mainly older students or younger Muggle borns, likely afraid of being late. Harry subtle stood to the side, his cap hiding his face as he titled it down. This wasn’t the right place to introduce himself. The Great Hall would be his first interaction with the magical world as Harry Potter. He’d be a mystery for everyone to solve. The child waited patiently as more and more people arrived. He’d been busy reading his potion’s book, trying to theorise more on the techniques. 

As soon as the train doors opened, Harry was one of the first to climb in. He went deep into the train and found an empty coach. The child went in, levitated his trunk into the above space and sat down before performing a notice-me-not on the door. Then he settled into the seat and took a nap with an alarm, for just thirty minutes before the arrival of the train, to change into the school robes. As expected, no one had bothered Harry during the trip. If a student managed to break his charm they saw a sleeping child with his head down and didn’t want to bother him. The alarm went of as spelled and Harry got ready for the big evening.

The train arrived on time as it always did. The students were ushered out without their luggage. Harry didn’t even bother bringing it, knowing the procedure. They were ushered by none other than Hagrid to the lake area. The students got on the boats, as did Harry. He was on the boat with two girls and two boys. They were all Muggleborn it seemed so there was no issue of them knowing him. Harry kept his head down and patiently waited for the boat to reach shore. 

When they arrived they were greeted by an older woman who introduced herself as Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonogall. The name caught Harry’s attention since Tom knew most ministry employees and her name was definitely mentioned with them at some point. Perhaps she found ministerial work boring and opted to become a Hogwarts professor instead. Either way she was of no concern to Harry as long as she didn’t pry and stick her nose in his business. 

The first years were moved into the castle through the door and lead into a hall way. “You will wait here until we call for you,” McGonogall said. As soon as she left the children began whispering nervously amongst themselves. 

“I heard, that Harry Potter will be joining us this year,” Draco’s voice rose among the crowd. His announcement caused more murmurs. Harry had predicted this and came prepared. As much as he wanted to befriend Draco, this wasn’t the right time. The saviour’s entrance into Hogwarts had to be specific. Harry wanted to be introduced in the Great Hall, then begin making friendships. First impressions were important and Harry wasn’t going to fail. 

The child had done an excellent job at concealing his identity without the cap. He’d used his great-grandfather’s potion for hair straightening and pulled his fringe to hide his scar. He also wore magic lenses, so no glasses to identify him with the silly comics either. So, he wasn’t worried about getting recognised by anyone at the moment, especially when he stood deep in the crowd, surrounded by Muggle borns whom Draco would never look at. The blonde waited a few moments to see if anyone would reply to him, when nothing came he muttered angrily under his breath and turned away. 

Thankfully, McGonogall came quickly after that, “we’re ready for you,” she said and the doors opened for them. Many students stared in awe at the sealing and the people occupying the hall. Harry heard a girl whisper to another, explaining the sealing and how she read it in a book. The boy mentally shook his head, revealing your knowledge to others was such a stupid move. For one so smart, the girl likely didn’t know when to shut her mouth. No one liked a know-it-all. She’d get bullied incessantly if her attitude was anything like Harry imagined. 

Anyway, the students were stopped just before the staff’s table with a single stool and the sorting hat. Harry tuned out the annoying song the hat sang and practically zoned out of the sorting too. His ears perked up on a few students’ names, categorising the Muggleborn and pureblood. Harry wasn’t racist by any means, he simply wished to know how to approach each student to gather his forces. 

When it was finally his turn, Harry straightened his back. “Potter, Harry,” McGonogall called out. The murmurs began again, now from other students of the hall too and some staff. Harry stepped out of the crowd and relished in a the looks of awe and surprise at the sight of him. He wore the most innocent expression, his green big and hopeful. He slowly but confidently walked to the stool and sat down. McGonogall placed the hat on him and waited.

“Ah, interesting, very interesting,” the hat spoke.

“Hello,” Harry replied confidently. 

“I see, yes. It’s all in here, you plan is quite marvellous, I must say. Salazar Slytherin would be most proud of such a strategy and Rowena would be most intrigued with your skill. Dare I say even Godric and Helga would wish to teach you,” the hat said amusedly. Harry smirked internally. He didn’t expect the hat to like him this much. “Oh I do like you very much. It’ll be a pleasure to watch your plan come to fruition. But are you sure of the house?”

“Oh yes, it’s the best way. After all, an underdog against all odds is everyone’s favourite story,” Harry replied cheekily.

“I do agree. Well then…HUFFLEPUFF!” The hall was silent for a moment as Harry hopped of the stool and gently lay the hat back on it. That’s when the Hufflepuff table erupted in applause and cheers. This was followed by the Ravenclaws, Gryffindors and Slytherins. Harry smiled shyly as he made his way to the table. 

“Hello Harry, welcome to hufflepuff. My name is Cedric Diggory, I’m a fourth year,” said a handsome boy with blonde hair. 

“Hello Cedric, I’m Harry though professor McGonogall told everyone that,” the child replied shyly. Slowly everyone at the table began introducing themselves to the newest member. Harry could only think one thought, this was going to be a piece of cake.