Starting Again, Learning Anew - Chapter Two
Title: Starting Again, Learning Anew
Author: Vesperaer
Pairings: Harry/Luna
Rating: PG:13
Warnings: None, so far.
Summary: After being betrayed by his wife, Harry Potter is given a chance to start over by Luna Lovegood. What will he discover when he starts again?
Knockturn Alley was even more dark than Harry remembered from his second year. Maybe it was because Harry had grown more observant, with his Auror training, and noticed things that he hadn't before. Vampires, lurking in the shadows. Young children, barefoot, begging for a knut. Prostitutes, leering at him as he passed, no doubt noticing the expensive cut of his cloak and wondering if he might be a good client for them, despite his apparent age.
Harry knew that these were the "undesirables" of the wizarding community. They lived in Knockturn because they had nowhere else to go. They certainly weren't welcome in Diagon. It was one of the things that had bothered him most about the wizarding world. Anything that wasn't approved of, anything that was seen as lesser or unwanted was immediately branded as "dark."
It made Harry think. He had only figured it out a year or two previous, and it had started to change his opinions of everything. What did it mean, to be dark? Was it just legalities? Was it what the Ministry or public opinion thought was dark? Or was it something more?
Harry wasn't sure any longer. He had been doubting the things he had been told, and what he had learned, and he knew that this fresh start was his opportunity to learn, and find out what was true, and what was a lie.
He knew that the best way to start was to read things from that were written in a "dark" perspective. He wanted to understand the appeal of the dark, to understand what drew a person in that direction. Was it just a person being power-hungry? But one could gain power on the light side, as well. Perhaps it was something else.
Lost in his musings, Harry almost passed his destination. Turning around, he cautiously pushed the door open to Borgin and Burkes, straightening his shoulders. He had gone undercover in Knockturn before, as an auror, and he knew how to behave. Even if he was in the guise of a child at the moment.
He began to look around, seeing some familiar items. The Hand of Glory, the necklace that had cursed Katie Bell in his sixth year. He was half tempted to buy the items, just to make sure that they didn't fall in the wrong hands, but knew that making too many expensive purchases right away, with him being an unknown entity, might draw suspicion down upon him.
His attention was drawn to a bookshelf, filled with old and worn tomes. Just what he was looking for. He began to scan the titles, looking for something on history, rather than just books dark spells and how to perform them, and potions books. Finally, he saw something that grabbed his attention.
"A History of Pureblood Persecution, by J. E. Lovette." he murmered aloud. No doubt, it was completely biased, but Harry thought he would be able to read between the lines, and with what he already knew of pureblood dogma, knew that he would be able to learn something new from this book.
He continued to scan the titles, until one more caught his attention. The text of the title seemed blurry for a moment, before it cleared. It simply read, "Parselmagic."
"What on earth...?" Harry whispered, running his finger down the spine of the book. He had heard of parselmagic, when he had gone searching for answers about his ability. Though he had assumed that it would go away when the Horcrux was gone from his soul, it never had left him. The most he had seen about Parselmagic was brief references to the possibility. He had never expected to find a book about it, especially not in the open like that.
Taking the two books that he intended to purchase, he brought them up to the counter, where Borgin waited. Oddly enough, Harry had not noticed him upon his entrance. Unusual, for someone who had been trained to be observant.
Harry shrugged it off. The man must have been in the back room or something.
"I would like to purchase these, please." Harry said firmly, thouh still trying to act his apparent age.
Borgin smiled down at him, and it was not a kind smile. "Of course, young man." he said. His voice was almost slimy in tone.
"That will be twenty galleons, young master."
Without protest, Harry handed over the coins. He knew that books like that would be expensive, and he didn't feel like haggling over the price. Adding the newest additions to his book bag, he exited the dark shop into the dark alley.
Looking around, he wondered if there was anything else he need from Knockturn. He remembered a fairly respectable shop from the future, which sold dragonhide duelling robes and other things one might fine useful for fighting. He wondered if it existed already.
Making his way through the Alley to where he remembered the shop to be, he grinned when he saw that it was there. Morgoth's Magical Protections, just as he remembered. Well, maybe a little bit newer than he remembered.
Entering, he looked around. There were dragon hide robes, robes made from the silk of an acromantula. Enchanged daggars and knives. Even bows and arrows. All very traditional, of course, and mostly for show nowadays. Weapons like that were often carried in case one was disarmed of their wand, or to show off ones skill.
But Harry wasn't interested in one of the weapons, at least not yet. Or the robes, since he would grow out of them too fast. No, he had come for a wand holster. Harry knew that Morgoth's was the best place to get one. The man was a genius when it came to dragonhide and other materials.
"Can I help you?" he heard. Harry stopped himself from jumping at the sudden voice. He turned, and there was Morgoth himself.
"Er, hello. I'm looking for a wand holster, and I was referred here by a friend." Harry said, trying to keep a confidant air in his voice.
"You seem a bit young to be wanting a holster." Morgoth said, curious.
Harry frowned. "I was told it's best to use one, rather than a pocket. And besides, isn't it best to start practicing with it now?"
The other man chuckled. "Too right you are! I wish there were more young ones like you. Come this way, we'll get you measured up."
Morgoth lead Harry into a back room, looking him over.
"Extend your wand arm, and let me see your wand. I'll need both."
Though rather hesitant to give his wand up to anyone, he knew from experience that Morgoth was both honorable and trustworthy, and so he handed him his wand, before extending his right arm.
Pulling out a measuring tape, he first measured Harry's wand, both length and width. Handing it back to the apparent youth, he continued to measure his arm, in any way possible.
"Right, there we are. Come back in a week, and it'll be finished."
Harry nodded. "Thank you. I'll see you in a week's time."
His business finished in Knockturn, Harry left the Alley, heading back to the Leaky Cauldron. He had no more business today, having enough books to last him through rest of the summer. Of course, he would have to return in a week to pick up his wand holster, but that would be a simple matter, easily taken care of. He planned to read for most of the rest of the holiday, learning as much as he could before he started his first year of Hogwarts... again. Harry flexed his arm.
"It's perfect, Mr. Morgoth!" he exclaimed, admiring the wand holster. It was made from the gray hide of the Ukrainian Ironbelly, and Harry loved it.
Morgoth smiled. "Come back in a couple of years to get it refitted." He said. He was already ratherfond of the strange boy who had come into his shop, and hoped that one day the boy would trust him enough to reveal his identity.
Exiting the shop, Harry made his way out of Knockturn Alley and back to Privet Drive. He still had a stack of books to read before he went to school, and he wanted to get back to Privet Drive and continue working on them.
He had already finished A History of Pureblood Persecution, which had been a most fascinating read. Of course, it was entirely overblown, and full of exaggerations, but nonetheless Harry found it enlightening. Purebloods weren't really persecuted, of course, though apparently some like to think that they were. But their traditions were slowly dying out.
Apparently, as muggleborns entered the wizarding world, they brought their own muggle traditions with them, and most failed to learn of the traditions of the world they now belonged to. Most purebloods didn't lay down and let the muggleborns take over, quite the contrary. But some were so welcoming of muggleborns, so eager to make them feel comfortable, that they allowed muggle customs to overtake their own.
It was so bad that Harry, who had lived so long in the wizarding world, had never heard of quite a lot of the wizarding traditions mentioned in the book. He didn't even know that there was a wizarding religion, or wizarding holidays.
He began to wonder why he had never learned of this before. It was true, in his first life he hadn't been the most studious person, something he was beginning to regret. But he assumed that someone would have told him something of this. Even Hermione, though muggleborn, read so much that she must have stumbled accross something about it.
Or maybe Hermione, as dear a friend as she was, had also hung on to muggle traditions.
He was determined to learn more.
September the first arrived far quicker than Harry had anticipated.
He wasn't sure that he was ready for Hogwarts. He knew what was going to happen, of course, but also knew that the more he changed, the less his foreknowledge would mean. He would have to make a choice. Either change things radically, or change as little as possible, so as to be prepared.
It was an easy choice, really.
Harry had once again gotten his uncle to drive him to King's Cross. This time, he knew how to get onto Platform 9 3/4, and he wondered if he ought to wait for the Weasley's to show him the way.
But Harry didn't really want to see Ginny. He knew, logically, that she was just an innocent 10 year old girl, who had never done him any wrong. But all he could think of was the woman that she had grown up to be, the woman who had used him. It was too much at the moment.
So he merely got on the platform. He wished that Luna was there. Harry missed his friend, the woman who had sacrificed her life to give him a second chance. He wanted to make her happy. And he knew that she was lonely. Perhaps he could find an excuse to write her....
Harry boarded the train, walking confidently down the familiar corridors, looking for a familiar face.
Finally, he found her. Glancing into a compartment, there she was. Hermione Granger, along with Neville Longbottom. Two people who would turn out to be loyal friends.
Knocking, he entered. "Hello. Mind if I join you?"
Neville looked rather nervous, but Hermione smiled.
"Of course! I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Neville Longbottom."
Sitting down, Harry introduced himself. "I'm Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Are you really? I've read all about you, you know. You're quite famous."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I guess." he said, noncommitally.
Neville spoke up. "Is it true? Do you really have the scar?"
Harry merely pushed his bangs back, showing off the lightening bolt scar.
"Can we talk about something else? I'm not used to all this. I only found out about magic this year, and I had no idea I was so well known until my birthday."
Hermione and Neville both looked shocked. They had both assumed that Harry Potter was raised by some reclusive wizarding family.
"You were raised by muggles, then?" Neville asked.
"Yeah. Right nasty ones, too. I'm so glad to be away."
"They couldn't have been that bad. They're related to you, right?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, my aunt, uncle, and cousin. But they hate magic."
Neville nodded, like he knew exactly what Harry was talking about. "I've heard some muggles are like that."
Hermione looked rather outraged. "My parents were thrilled to hear that I was a witch! Not all muggles are like that!"
Harry smiled slightly. There was his Hermione. "I know that. But you can't deny that some non-magical people are just uncomfortable knowing about the wizarding world."
Hermione had to concede the point. "I suppose you're right."
Just then, Neville made a rather despairing noise. "Trevor! My toad, Trevor, he's missing!"
"We'll find him, Neville." Hermione said, consolingly. "Come on, Harry. Let's go look for Neville's toad."
The three new friend walked through the corridors of the train, peering into compartments and inquiring about the toad. But they had no luck, and soon enough it was time for them to change into their robes.
It was rather hard for Harry to pretend to be eleven again. It was strange, being so much older than his former contemporaries. He was the age of some of his professors, and wasn't that strange.
Harry had been thinking that he would be able to keep it a secret, his coming back in time. But now he was beginning to believe that he might have to tell someone. Anyone, just so that he wouldn't have to bear the burden alone. Not for the first time, he wished that Luna could have come back with him.
But who was he to tell? Not Dumbledore. He loved Dumbledore, like a grandfather. But Harry didn't know that he could ever trust the man. No, it had to be someone he could trust. And someone to whom he could prove his claims. And there was only one person who came to mind.
Severus Snape.
Harry was glad to see Hagrid again. His old, dependable friend. And then McGonagall, and just Hogwarts. He had missed Hogwarts. There was the Head Table, and if he looked around, all of his old friends.
But it was strange, knowing how things would go. If he wanted to, he could name off how all of his peers would be sorted.
Finally, Professor McGonagall called his name. Nervously, Harry made his way up to the front of the Great Hall. He wondered if his plan would work. As much as he loved being a Gryffindor, he wanted to be in Ravenclaw this time around. He wanted to be there for Luna.
"Well, well, well. Mr. Potter. Back again, are we? My, my, a time traveller. I can't say I've seen anything like this before, in all my years."
"Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw." Harry thought.
"Ravenclaw, eh? Not really for you, Mr. Potter. It takes more than experience to be a member of that House. No, I think for you...."
"SLYTHERIN!"
The entire Great Hall was silent for a moment. Harry was in shock, himself. He had never expected to be put in Slytherin! Not after he had wished so hard for Ravenclaw.
Slowly, he stood, handing the had back to McGonagall, and heading over to Slytherin table. He wasn't disappointed, not exactly. He had learned, over the years, of the values of Slytherin House.
He took a seat next to Draco Malfoy. Since they hadn't had any kind of confrontation on the train, there was no hostility between them.
At the end of the Sorting, Draco spoke to him.
"So, you're Harry Potter, eh? I don't think anyone expected you to be in Slytherin."
Harry shot him a wry grin. Though he and Malfoy had never learned to get on, he didn't have the amount of animosity towards the other boy that he once had, so it was easy to speak to him.
"Yeah, I think I shocked everyone." he said, grinning.
Blaise Zabini spoke up. "You don't seem like anything we were expecting. I think everyone thought you would go to Gryffindor."
Harry laughed a bit. "Yeah, I suppose. I'm much more pleased with Slytherin, though."
And it was true. He didn't think he could deal with the rambunctiousness of the Gryffindors very well.
Harry glanced up at the head table. Snape was glancing at him ever so often, a frown on his face. No doubt he had thrown the man. Well, Snape was in for an even greater surprise.
Once the feast was over, Harry joined the rest of his fellow first years as they followed the prefects to the common room. He tried to pretend that everything was new, but it was difficult.
They were directed to their dorms, but instead of accompanying them, Harry turned towards the Prefect, Julian Rosier.
"Excuse me, but is there any way I could speak to Professor Snape tonight?"
If there was one upside to his sorting, it was that he could speak to Snape sooner, and be closer to the possible ally.
Rosier looked at him, surprised. "Well, I suppose so. Come along."
He followed the prefect through the corridors, until they reached Professor Snape's office. Knocking, the two entered.
"Professor? Potter here wanted to speak with you tonight."
Snape looked down his long nose at Harry, disdain in his eyes. "Oh, is that so? Off you go, Rosier. I'll escort Potter back."
Rosier nodded, and shut the door behind him as he left.
"What is it, Potter? Want to request a resorting? Or perhaps you want a private room?" he sneered.
Knowing that the room would be as secure as Harry would find in Hogwarts, except perhaps for the Headmaster's office, Harry was frank. He saw no point in beating around the bush.
"You owe me a Life Debt. From when my father saved your life. And you swore your loyalty to me, after Voldemort said that he would kill my mother."
For the first time in either life, Harry saw Snape totally in shock.
"Who told you that?" he asked breathlessly.
"I have you attention now? I want you to dose me with Veritaserum. There's no way you'll believe me otherwise."
Snape looked at him like he was insane, but stood. After all, when else would he get the chance to question the boy? And besides, he would need proof that he was being blackmailed.
"Very well, Potter. I'll dose you, if you wish."
He had a rather evil smirk on his face.
Harry looked up at him expectantly. "Just ask me how I got here, while you're at it."
"Of course, Potter. Open."
Harry obediently opened his mouth, and three drops of the potions landed on his tongue.
"How did you get here?"
"Time travel."