Strange Potter

The Lab

Tony came back down to the lab to do a quick check on one of his suits when he saw the flashing monitor.

When he wheeled over to it his eyes went wide. He re-entered the numbers and slid back in shock.

"...Shit!" Bruce did it. Holy shit! "F.R.I.D.A.Y get Bruce's green ass up and down here! Wait cancel the green part. This is not a code green! Just get him down here!"

"On it Boss."

Never underestimate Dr. Banner. Bruce I think you're about to shake up these wizards more than Strange could ever dream.

Now I'm jealous...maybe I can cure their poor clothing choices...ha not likely.

After the weekend was over and classes began again. That Monday evening Harry was finished with practice when he realized he had a meeting he needed to attend.

So rather than head straight into the showers, he made his way down to the 'small' hut where he knew a large man lived.

He knocked on the door and heard a dog barking at the sound.

"Back Fang!" 

The door opened and Hagrid stood tall. He broke into a large smile when he saw who his visitor was.

"Arry!"

"Hi, Hagrid." 

"Look at ye." The man chuckled. "Already in uniform. It's like James all over again. Except ye have yer mother's eyes."

"So I've been told." Harry smiled back. "Sorry I didn't get down here sooner."

"It's fine busy first week Ey imagine. Come in." Hagrid motioned. "Care for a rock cake?" The man pulled over the tray of the 'treats'.

"Sure, thank you." He took the offered treat and bit in and immediately regretted it. It was like actually eating a rock!

"Oh. Tea?" Hagrid turned to the pot on the fire.

"Absolutely!" Harry choked out.

When he turned his back to fill Harry with a cup. He didn't see Harry's eyes glow red and turn the 'cake' into something with fewer teeth breaking.

"Here ye are." 

Harry took the offered drink. "Thank you." As he slowly sipped the scalding tea and nibbled on the now softer, but lacking taste cake. He didn't want to be rude to the gentle giant.

When Hagrid took the seat across from him  Harry glimpsed over and saw the Daily Prophet article on the table. 

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN!

"Hmm." Harry looked over the paper. "I didn't see this." True he didn't have a subscription to the paper.

"Nasty business that." Hagrid shook his head. "Though it was one of the safest places in the world. Other than Hogwarts of course. Luckily ey already moved that..." he realized what he was saying. "Ey shouldn't have said that!"

Harry raised his eyebrow at the man. What is he talking about?

A simple probe and he immediately found out Hagrid had a lot of things going on in his head than one might think. Some may call him a slow man but the truth was he was always thinking. 

From his animals to his job and the students his mind was going very fast.

He dove through the chaos and found the thought that was taking the main focus.

Should not have said that! Dumbledore doesn't want Nicolas Flamel or the Stone talked about!

Stone? Flamel? The Nicolas Flamel! That means...the Philosopher's Stone. Why would Dumbledore bring that here?! 

"Hagrid!" Harry shouted slightly to get the man's attention. "It's alright. I won't tell anyone what you said."

"Ey still shouldn't have said that!"

"Then stop talking about it." Harry laughed. "Let's talk about something else." He steered the conversation away. "I heard you knew my parents well."

Hagrid seemed to relax at hearing that. "That ey did! good people. Lily was so sweet and kind. James...James was a bit of a wild one but he matured. Never seen a happier couple."

"Sirius and Remus said the same, but I heard dad had to work to win mum over." Harry grinned back.

"That he did." Hagrid chuckled. "Want to hear a few stories about them?"

"Absolutely." He liked hearing stories about his parents. Sure he wouldn't trade Sirius or Natasha for anything but it was nice to hear about his actual birth parents.

The two sat there for hours talking. Hagrid told so many stories about what James got up to. Harry had heard most but there were a few that Sirius left out. Probably because they didn't end well. Well for the pranksters that was.

Hagrid also talked about Lily. Her kindness and big heart but was a force when she needed to be. 

Harry found that kinda funny because that was how he would describe Nat. She was a fantastic mother but you didn't want to get on her bad side. Well her real bad side. The one she only showed to aliens and robots.

And of course, Harry had to tell some stories about his little brother.

"So Regulus came running out of the water covered in seaweed. He looked like a monster out of a movie." He saw the confusion on Hagrid's face. "Moving picture. But the best part was the guy who fell asleep near the tide. He woke up just as Reg came out. I've never seen someone run so fast."

Hagrid burst out laughing. "Didn't even plan it and he already pranked!" After he calmed down the half-giant realized how late it had gotten. Oh. Ye should head back. Don't want ye gettin in trouble bein out after hours." he scribbled a note. "Here. In case ye are caught."

"Hagrid. I'm almost insulted. I was raised by Sirius Black. If I get caught it's because I wanted to." Harry winked but took the note. 

"Oh, it's goin to be a interestin year's with ye." The man had a huge smile on his face.

Harry waved goodbye to the man and made his way back to the dorm. 

What is Dumbledore doing? He said he was helping a friend, according to Sirius, but to bring one of the most valuable things in the world here? Something isn't right about this.

Lab

"I don't believe it." Bruce pulled back from the results.

"Neither did I. So I ran the test again and again. It checked out every time."

"Tony this is..." Bruce couldn't help himself. He started laughing.

"Don't have a breakdown on me now Bruce." 

"Tony. We have been working on this for ten years and all it took was your freaking sandwich making to fix it! I can't help it. It's funny."

Tony smirked then they both started laughing.

"This is incredible Tony but I can't risk it being another failure. We've come close before and every time it ended the same way. I have a lot more tests to run before we can even consider letting Remus know."

"Agreed." Tony saw the surprise in Bruce's eyes. "What? Last I want to do is rush into this and end up making a werewolf hulk. Although that does sound pretty freaking awesome."

"Tony that is a terrifying thought."

"But it would be cool."

Bruce shook his head and began uploading a new test of the formula.

"Cheer up Bruce. You may be the non-magical who cured Lycanthropy. I can't think of a funnier outcome."

Hogwarts 

It was in between classes when Harry had his first run-in with them. A pair he would never forget.

He had Sirius Map out and was looking over some secret paths that would shave some time off his walk to class when he saw one of the passages was already occupied.

With a shift, he slipped into his Astral form and flew through the wall.

His form floated over the two, who were none the wiser to him.

"See Filch is still washing it off!"

"We should have gotten the cat as well."

"And risk the hell demons fury?! That is why I'm the smart brother."

"Well, what I lack in smarts I make up for in looks."

The Astral formed Harry flew down to see what they were looking at. On the table was a piece of parchment. A very familiar piece.

Harry smiled and flew back to his still standing body.

"So that's where it went!" He ran back to his dorm. He had to plan to get that map!

A little later he checked the map again and saw the pair were back in the corridor. He had Neville and Hermione with him this time.

They had some time before class so it was a perfect time to act.

"Hey, Neville. Aren't Fred and George Ron's brothers?"

"Yeah. Why?" 

"Because they're hiding behind that wall." Harry pointed.

"There's no door there," Hermione spoke.

"Watch," Harry smirked.

He went to the wall and tapped it. When nothing happened he tapped again and again. Once he saw they were in position on his Map he hit the right brink and the whole wall opened. 

Two lanky redheads fell out onto the ground.

"Hello, boys." Harry stood over them.

"What just happened?" One asked. 

"Dear brother. I believe we've been discovered."

"I think you're right. You know what that means."

"Yes. We must kill them."

The twins hopped up shaking off the fall.

"Such a sad event."

"Three firsties." They shook their heads at the same time.

"Hide their bodies in the forest?"

"No blended into potion ingredients. Snape would never know."

"He would probably smile at the idea."

"There's a terrifying image." The other shuddered.

"Agreed."

"Are you two finished?" Hermione huffed. This was causing her to have a headache.

"So impatient. You have to be the Granger girl our little brother can't stop complaining about."

"The feelings are mutual." She glared.

Both the twins smiled at her. 

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Fred."

"No. I'm Fred. He's George."

"Together we're..."

"Gred and Forge." They finished at the same time.

"Ron's big brothers alright." Neville groaned out loud. "I heard a lot about these two. Nothing good."

"Yes, little Ronnie. To be fair he probably only told half of the actual story. We can be way worse." Fred? Smiled.

Harry watched the two trying to find a difference that he could use to tell them apart but there wasn't one. They must have practiced a lot to hide together.

Alright. I'll just have to cheat. He peeked in their head. Alright, one on the left is Fred. 

"Little Harry. Our new seeker." George spoke. "You were very impressive out on the field."

"Yeah, Oliver won't stop swearing how the trophy will be all his/ours this year."

"I do what I can." Harry grinned. "You two aren't bad yourselves. You certainly know how to beat balls."

"Harry!" Hermione shouted.

"What? They're Beaters."

"Did you have to phrase it like that?!"

"Yes. Yes, I did."

"Oh, I like this one George." Fred laughed.

"I'm Fred." George lied.

"Oh right." 

"But I agree." George laughed.

"What's not to like?" Harry smirked but stopped. "Relax I'm not that self-absorbed. My last name is Potter, not Snape."

"Oh, bold words."

"A Gryffindor!"

"We all are." Neville chuckled. They were funnier than he thought.

"How did you discover us anyway?" Fred asked.

"With this." Harry held up his map.

Both twins went wide-eyed. "Where did you get that?!" They said together.

"From Padfoot," Harry smirked.

The pair looked even more astounded.

"You know one of the Marauders?" George let out.

"I should since two of them raised me and my father was Prongs."

Both twins fell to their knees. 

"Son of Prongs!"

"We are not worthy!" 

Both began bowing in aw.

Neville was laughing at the sight while Hermione was even more confused and a little annoyed.

"Rise my minions," Harry said with fake authority. "You have the blessing of Prongs and Padfoot bestowed on you." He had to fight from laughing.

"Really?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"How can I not have fun with this?" He chuckled.

Hermione shook her head but found herself laughing slightly at the scene.

"But there's a reason for this meeting." Harry motioned to their map. "That one belonged to my father and I want it back so how about a trade?" Harry pulled out another map. "The Map of Moony for the Map of Prongs." It wasn't technically the same map since Remus lost him, but it was an exact copy.

"Done."

"On one condition," George added. "We have to meet Padfoot and Moony!"

"Agreed." Harry accepted.

Fred handed over the map and took the other one. 

"Just so you know it won't do any good in the third-floor corridor. The Cerberus doesn't show up."

"Fred!"

"What Cerberus?!" Neville asked in horror.

"The bloody huge one." 

"Well, there goes keeping that under wraps!" George huffed. "How are we supposed to sneak by it when others know now?"

"There's a Cerberus INSIDE the school!" Hermione gasped. "That's insane!"

"Dumbledore did warn everyone not to go there so we had to see why."

"I can't believe how careless that is!" Hermione was horrified.

"I agree but we're missing the real question. Why is there one there?" Neville asked.

"That is the million-gallon question. We've tried to sneak past it but so far..."

"So fail." George finished.

Harry knew he had to have words with Doc about this. "I recommend not trying to sneak past it though."

"Come now aren't you curious at all?"

"Of course but I have a terrifying thought. What if it is just the first part? What if there's something worse past it?"

All the others noticeably went paler. 

"That...that is a good point."

"Why didn't we think of that?" 

"Thanks for that Harry," Neville mumbled. "Needed that thought."

"You're welcome." Harry chuckled the turned to the twins. "A pleasure doing business with you gentlemen." Harry nodded to the pair.

"Gentleman? Us?" Fred looked almost insulted.

"You are greatly mistaken." George had the same look on the same face.

"On that, we can agree." Hermione rolled her eyes at the two.

"I don't think they're too bad. So far." Neville shrugged.

"We'll have to work to change that, right brother?" George looked to Fred.

"My uglier brother."

"You two have the same face!" Hermione huffed.

"And yet I'm the most handsome." Again they said at the same time.

"Alright, I'm done. I have a headache now." Hermione groaned and walked away.

"See you two later." Harry chuckled as he went to join her.

"I'm going to go with them because I'm worried that staying here might be bad for my health." Neville took off to join his friends.

The twins watched as they walked off.

"The Son of Prongs." 

"I know brother and we finally get to meet the legends! We must prepare!"

"To the lair!"

The two disappeared back behind the wall.

Down the hall, Hermione was mumbling loud enough for the other two to hear.

"How can they keep a Cerberus here?!"

"I'm still on the why," Neville spoke. "Why is it here?"

I think I know why but I have to be sure first. 'Always get all the facts before you act. Ignorance will always get you hurt.' 

Mum you are not going to like this.

It had been an interesting month. Harry had reviewed everything he already knew in his classes. Remus and Sirius were very good teachers.

Neville, him, and Hermione had formed a tight group. 

Ron had drifted away after the first few weeks. He didn't have a good incentive to study so he didn't fit with Harry as he hoped.  Now he was more friends with Seamus and Dean. They studied but not as Harry did.

Hermione and he could be found in the library mostly. Except when he was playing of course. 

Snape was still an arse in class but had to be more mindful of his behavior. Now he mainly just glared and ignored him. The fact Harry and Hermione were at the top of their year made the man angrier. Neville was another target of his but he was very cautious about him.

Doesn't want Frank in here. Coward. Harry scuffed to himself.

His friendship with Neville was a huge bonus in Herbology. He was a natural there. 

Maybe he'll take over for Sprout one day? 

All the other classes were going great. Hermione and he were at the top of all of them. With Neville a close third in most. Malfoy was the third in potions and it wasn't just because Snape favored the blonde. He was good at it.

Hermione seemed to calm down a bit. She was no longer trying desperately to surpass him and was just focused on doing the best she could. She still worked harder than almost the rest of their year. 

Now they had Charms class today. 

Flitwick was both a good teacher and very entertaining. While he was serious about the subject he had a way to get everyone's attention and made it fun to learn.

But that didn't mean some didn't have issues with the class.

Somehow Hermione found her sitting next to Ron. She tried to ignore him as best she could. Just as he did her. But when the flicking of his wand came a little too close to her she couldn't stop herself.

"Stop! You're going to put someone's eye out!" She hissed. "And you're saying it all wrong. It's leviOsa, not levioSA!"

"You're so good you bloody do it." The redhead growled back.

Hermione glared at him then pulled up her wand. "Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa." She smirked back at him as her feather floated high in the air.

"Well done Miss Granger." Flitwick gushed. "Ten points to Gryffindor."

Ron only glared more at her.

Harry spent the rest of the class trying to drown out both their thoughts. They hate each other!

At the end of the lesson, Harry stayed back while all the others filled out.

"Professor, can I ask you something?" 

"Feel free Mr. Potter," Flitwick said from his desk.

"I heard you are a dueling master. Is that true?"

"In my youth." Flitwick chuckled. "I haven't been to the dueling circuit in years."

"Would you be willing to offer some tips?"

"I hope you aren't planning on dueling here."

"I'm not planning on it but who knows what tomorrow might bring."

"I'll overlook that," Flitwick said the sighed. "Unfortunately Mr. Potter I hung up my dueling holster and will never pick it back up."

"May I ask why?"

"You can ask but I won't be answering. It's a personal matter."

"I understand. Thank you for your time, sir."

Flitwick nodded back as he began putting everything in place for the next lesson.

Well, that didn't go how I hoped. Some training from him could have been a big help but I respect his decision. Although now I am curious about what happened there. Not my place.

He went to catch up with his friends when he overheard Ron talking to Dean and Seamus.

"It's leviOsa, not levioSA! She is such a nightmare. No wonder she doesn't have any friends!"

"That's strange Ron." He cut in. "I could swear I was her friend."

"How the hell could you be friends with her?!" Ron turned. "She's the most annoying girl in the world!"

"Your opinion. She comes off a strong, I will admit, but she's not trash talking someone behind their back is she?"

"You're Harry Potter! You shouldn't be friends with some nosy bookworm!"

"It escaped your mind but I am a bookworm too. Maybe if you picked one up you would know how to cast a spell." 

Ron went red but Harry just walked past him.

"Bloody mental. Just like her. I bet it's his muggle stepmums influence." He whispered the last part quietly. Luckily neither Dean nor Seamus heard it.

He caught up to Neville and Hermione a few yards ahead.

"What kept you?" Hermione asked.

"Question for Professor Flitwick." He shrugged off.

"Trying to get him to be your dueling mentor?" Neville asked.

"Yes, and he isn't interested. Said he retired from it and I respected his choice."

"Shame I heard he was incredible to watch. Dad said he saw him once when he was about our age. He still talks about it."

"Why would you need a dueling mentor?" 

"Why not?" Both Harry and Neville said together.

"No! Do not start acting like the twins."

"Come on Hermione." They did it again!

"Ahh!!" She huffed off.

The two laughed and rushed up to catch her.

The Greathall.

Harry didn't like this holiday. Halloween wasn't his best time. Sure he went out for candy and dressed up when he was smaller but the older he got it just reminded him of what happened a decade ago.

The closer he got to that day the worse the nightmares seemed to get so he spent most of his nights wandering around the castle in Astral. He had a detailed description of most of the halls and classes by now. The Map helps too. 

A few times he was tempted to give Peeves a good thrashing but that would cause a lot of problems and raise questions he did not want to answer.

"Harry." Neville cut in over the chatter. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine Nev thanks." 

Neville understood and he was grateful for it.

Everyone else was enjoying the feast and cheerful atmosphere. Harry was just trying not to be a downer. He already paid his respects to his parents that morning. He portaled to their graves every Halloween.

As the feast was in full swing the doors burst open and in ran Professor Quirrell.

"Troll!! Troll!! Troll in the dungeon!" He stopped halfway. "Thought you should know." Then passed out.

Everyone lost it in terror. Harry didn't. His eyes stayed on Quirrell. 

"Silence!" Dumbledore thundered from his spot.

Almost instantly everyone went quiet.

Not a bad trick Dumbledore.

"Prefects escort all the students back to their dorms. Professors accompany me to the dungeon." He ordered.

Before everyone began moving Harry stood up in his seat. "Umm. Sir." He shouted over everyone. "Isn't the Slytherin dorm in the dungeon?"

Snape was about to snap at him but, as much as he hated to admit it, he had a point. "As much as it pains me to say it. For once Potter's grasp of basic understanding and facts has a benefit. Perhaps it would be wise for the Slytherins to stay here?"

Dumbledore nodded at the suggestion. "You are correct Mr. Potter. Thank you for your observation. I believe 50 points to Gryffindor for your regard for your classmates. Slytherin will stay in the Great hall. Hagrid please guard the door."

"Ey!" Hagrid looked over the Slytherin table. "Fear not. No troll will come near the door with me there."

"Great our safety is in the hands of a bubbling idiot," Malfoy mumbled.

"Shut it Malfoy." A dark-skinned boy whispered. "I'd rather have a half-giant between us and a troll than not."

"What did you just say to me Zabini?" Draco couldn't believe someone in his own house dared to speak to him that way.

"I said shut it!" Blaise was still surprised by Potter's behavior just then. He may have just saved the house from disaster and to tell the truth, Draco was beginning to get on his nerves.

"Both of you quiet!" The prefect growled at them.

The rest of the houses went out through the doors and Hagrid closed it after the last one was out.

As they made their way to the tower Harry had to block out all their thoughts. All the kids were panicking and terrified.

"How would a troll get in?" Neville spoke out loud.

"It shouldn't have been able to. Hogwarts is one of the safest places in the world." Hermione was racking her mind trying to figure out what was going on.

"So I keep hearing," Harry mumbled.

As they made it to the stairs the whole Gryffindor house was met with a horrible stench.

"Oh who died?" Ron gasped.

That was when they all saw what the smell was.

Standing at the bottom of the stairs, and completely blocking them, was the huge form of the troll.

The massive body and small head towered over them. Its club was dragged behind it, but when it noticed its company the beast growled and lifted the club.

Percy pushed everyone back behind him and pulled out his wand. What spells he attempted didn't even bother the brute.

Harry knew he had to act fast or there were going to be a lot of dead kids here.

Thinking quickly he grabbed one of the suits of armor helmets and tossed it straight at the troll's head. It hit square and the huge troll looked at him.

"Pea-Brain! Over here!" Harry shouted as he moved to another corridor. One he knew led to the dungeon.

The troll growled and charged at him.

Harry took off running as the large creature gave chase.

"Harry!" Both Neville and Hermione yelled and bolted after them.

"Get back here!!" Percy demanded but was ignored.

Harry ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He may have been quicker but the troll made up for it with huge strides. He felt the wind come off the club as it smacked into the walls behind him.

He turned quickly towards the dungeon and finally made it to a straight stretch with no portraits around.

He saw the troll swing again, from the shadow looming over him, and ducked just before it impacted.

The troll growled and roared as he stood up to face it.

My turn. Harry began to glow.

"Harry!" 

Both the troll and Harry saw Hermione and Neville running down the corridor towards them.

"Stop!" He shouted at them.

Which brought the troll's attention back to him. It side-swiped at him with the huge club. 

Harry barely had time to get a shield up as it impacted him and sent him flying back.

"Harry?!" Hermione only saw him get hit.

She didn't have time for him though. Now the troll was charging both of them.

Neville shoved her over and ducked to the other side as the club landed in between them.

The beast lifted it back up as Hermione crawled back as fast as she could but the troll stomped forward and raised the club over her. 

She couldn't move as she saw it slam towards her.

Then the club froze in the air. A red magic Hermione swore she had seen before holding it and the troll in place.

She saw Harry coming out behind the troll, his body glowing with the same magic. His eyes were bright red.

He raised his hand and slammed it down. The club goes with it and straight on top of the troll's frozen head.

It let out a low groan as its head moved in a circling motion before all lights went out. The whole floor shook when its huge body hit the ground unconscious.

"Good save." Neville sighed in relief.

"You shouldn't have followed me." Harry held out his hand.

"It's what best friends do mate." Neville took it and stood.

"I had it under control," Harry argued.

"What...what was that?" Hermione finally asked.

Harry looked down sheepishly when he realized what he had just shown her. "....Bullocks."

The sound of feet running got all of their attention. They stopped at the sight of the unconscious troll.

"What? What happened here?!" McGonagall looked at the three as Harry helped Hermione to her feet. "Explain. Now!"

Harry and Neville looked back at her but Hermione caught the slight fear in Harry's eyes.

He doesn't want anyone to know he can do that. 

"The troll was at the staircase." Neville started. "Harry led it away from everyone."

"Foolish child!" She growled. 

"It was going to kill everyone." Harry defended. "I...I got its attention and it took off after me."

"We followed. To try to help." Hermione said. "Even though Percy shouted at us not to."

"You three managed to knock out a full-grown mountain troll? How?!" Flitwick asked.

Hermione saw the same fear again from Harry and spoke. "Harry used a levitating spell to grab its club then dropped it on its head." She lied.

"It's true. Harry saved both of us." Neville agreed.

"The troll was at the stairs to the tower," Harry spoke. "Percy tried to put himself between all of us and it but he was outmatched. I threw one of the suit's helmets at its head and it chased me. I knew you were all in the dungeon so I led it down here."

"You planned to irritate a full-grown troll and be bait?!" 

"I didn't have a lot of time to make up one," Harry argued. "But it sort of got a little close with the club and I had to duck. Neville and Hermione managed to distract it and when it went for them I used the spell to hit it with its club."

"Very impressive." The charm professor looked over the unconscious troll.

"And foolish!" McGonagall shouted. "Mr. Longbottom and Miss. Granger 10 points from Gryffindor for going along with this and disobeying your prefect's instructions." McGonagall said sternly. "And 20 a piece for loyalty to your friend." 

Then the stern professor looked at Harry. He stood straighter as he readied himself for her speech.

"Mr. Potter your actions were foolish but very brave. You may have very well been killed but you also protected your house. So 25 points for your bravery and 5 points. For sheer dumb luck."

Neville dusted himself off and saw Snape coming down to the rest of the group. He was limping and had what looked like a bite on his leg.

The man quickly covered it with his robe but before he could say anything McGonagall told the three to go straight back to the dorm and stay there.

Harry saw some of Snape's blood on the ground and the two glared at each other as he passed by him.

Another day Professor. 

Hermione was barely able to control herself when they made their way back to the dorm.

"Hermione." Harry stopped her before she even began to say anything. "Thank you for covering for me back there but we can't talk about what you saw. Not yet." He held up his hand. "I will tell you but after I'm sure everyone else is asleep later. Can you please wait until then?"

Hermione was wondering how he always knew what she was thinking! "But what you just did it..hmm!"

She stopped again when Harry put his hand over her mouth.

"Please Hermione not now." He almost begged.

Hermione was considering biting him but decided that patience would be the better route and nodded. But couldn't stop herself when he pulled his hand off. "Do that again and I will take a finger." She warned.

"I believe her," Neville said.

"So do I." Harry gave a soft laugh. "I'm sorry but you do tend to ramble and I can't afford anyone overhearing you."

"Fine but I expect a FULL explanation tonight."

"I'll tell you what I can."

When they made it to the portrait and entered the common room they had to endure the wrath of Percy shouting at them until McGonagall came in and told everyone what had happened.

Percy was surprised that Harry spoke highly of him and how he acted at the moment. 

Of course, the twins had to make a huge deal of it.

"All hail Potter! The Slayer of Trolls!" Fred started a cheer.

Harry found himself being lifted by the twins as the house began cheering his name.

"I didn't bloody slay it!" He argued to the crowd even though they didn't listen.

Percy let it go on for longer than anyone expected until he had enough and ordered everyone to bed.

Several hours later Harry and Neville snuck downstairs and waited by the fireplace.

"Are you sure you want to tell her? Dr. Strange said to keep it quiet."

"Well, I have to. She already saw me do it. I don't like keeping my friends in the dark."

"I know but it is still risky. What if Snape or Dumbledore read her mind?"

"Read my what?!"

Both turned to see her standing there.

"Hey, Hermione. You might want to sit down. This might take a while." Harry motioned to the couch.

"What did you mean by reading my mind?!" She demanded as she did take the offered seat.

"I'll get back to that." Harry started. "I think you probably want to know what you saw first. Right?"

Hermione nodded eagerly. "What was that? You...you looked like Miss. Maximoff."

"It's the same magic. She and I are the only two people who can do it. Well, that I know of." 

"How?!" She rushed out. "Can you teach it to me?!"

"No, I'm sorry but it's not something you can teach. It's just a part of me like it is Wanda. You either have it or you don't."

Hermione didn't look happy at that. "But how do you have it?

"Something happened the night my parents died. Well, a lot of things happened and it all came together. Since then I have been able to use this." He held up his hand which was glowing red. "It's one of the reasons Wanda and the Avengers are so close to me. It sort of brought us all together."

"What can you do with it? I mean I saw the telly of Miss. Maximoff doing the same and she could move buildings! Or stop explosions!"

"There's nothing I can't do with it." 

To demonstrate Harry pulled the fire out of the fireplace. He held the flame with glowing hands then it shifted into solid ice. Slowly it changed into a chunk of gold the size of his head. Then a full-blown phoenix was formed out of the gold block. 

Hermione was stunned. This type of magic was like nothing she had ever read about. It was incredible!

Harry patted the bird before turning it back to the fire and then back into the fireplace.

"That's just some boring stuff," Neville added.

"That...that was brilliant!"

Harry smiled slightly at that. "Hermione what I just told you was one of my biggest secrets. I'm trusting you more than Dr. Strange would like."

"What? why?"

"He said it was best to keep it hidden," Harry told her. "You see Voldemort is still alive. As long as I keep this from him I have a massive advantage against him when he comes after me."

"But...but I thought he was dead. I mean Dumbledore says he is still around but everyone else says otherwise."

"He's right on this," Harry said. "Doc knows he's still out there and is working to get rid of him for good, but just in case he's helped me prepare for him."

"Why is he obsessed with you?"

"Harry's a symbol," Neville answered. "Just being alive is proof that he isn't as strong as he believes. No way the coward will let that stand."

"He's right." Harry nodded. "When he comes I'll be ready and he won't see what's coming."

Hermione nodded back. "I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"I wish a promise was enough."

"What? What do you mean?"

"The Headmaster and Snape..."

"Professor Snape." She said on instinct but realized it after. "Sorry. Force of habit."

Harry rolled his eyes but smirked. "Anyway, they use a form of magic called Legilimency that lets them read a person's thoughts. I'm shielded against them and Neville has been taught Occlumency, the ability to block out the attempt, from his father. You don't have any protection from them."

"I could try to teach her." Neville offered. "But it would be better for my father to do it and even with it I'm nowhere as good as Snape."

True he is strong enough to keep me out. "True." Harry nodded. "Hermione you have to be able to protect your mind. I can't have Dumbledore or Snape finding out about this. Not yet."

"Fine, what do I have to do?"

"Neville, can you go over the basics with her later?" His friend nodded. "But I need to be sure no one tries anything right now." Harry stood up. "Hermione. Do you trust me?"

Hermione squinted her eyes at the odd question. "You're my friend...so yes I trust you."

"Do you trust me not to hurt you?"

"Yes."

"Then I need to do something. I can put a temporary block in your head to keep others out until you can defend it yourself, but for it to work you have to trust me completely."

"Is...is it dangerous?"

"It can be uncomfortable when I do it but it won't interfere with your education or learning. But like I said it will only hold if you trust me."

Hermione thought about everything. Harry saved her and was her first friend. If she didn't trust him who could she trust? "Then do it." She stood with him.

Harry raised his hand. "Like I said it might be a little uncomfortable at the start but it should go away in a few minutes."

She nodded and Harry's hand glowed red next to her head. Her eyes soon matched the same color and she felt like something was scratching at the back of her skull. 

Annoying but not painful. Like a scratch, you can't reach.

Harry stopped the spell and her eyes went back to normal.

"You okay?" 

"Yes. Just...it feels like a tick is in my head."

"Give it a few minutes." Harry sat back down.

"Well, now that you know Hermione. You're officially a part of the team." Neville broke the tension.

"Team?"

"Team Scarlett Wizard." 

"Will you stop that?" Harry groaned.

"No."

"Scarlett Wizard? Is that what they call you?"

"No. Regulus came up with it and someone won't let it die." He glared at Neville.

"It's funny," Neville smirked. "And hey Hermione, now you know that you're best friends with the most powerful wizard on the planet."

"I am not. Wanda and Strange are both stronger than me."

"But they're different. You're still one of us 'secret' wizards technically so that makes you the strongest."

"And with that, I'm going to bed." Harry stood back up. "I have a lot to tell Sirius and I don't think the Headmaster is going to have a very good day tomorrow." He started for the stairs but turned back to Hermione. "Hermione. Thanks for trusting me."

"You're my friend." 

The two shared a smile and Hermione made her way up her stairs. Her head wasn't bothering her anymore but now she had a bunch of new things to think about.

What a strange day.