It's been a week since school started and Hogwarts has been proving quite the challenge for Harry. Oh no, not the academics part but the exploring every nook and cranny part. He could outperform any of the first years by miles…with all of his limbs tied, his eyes blindfolded, and him stuffed in a sack. Yeah, it's kind of unfair actually. There's this rude girl that keeps on giving him jealous, hateful glares every time he answers a question that manages even to impress Professor Snape. Not that the greasy haired Potions Professor would admit to ever being impressed by a student even if he got Crucio'd in the balls. Harry noticed that the dour professor has had it in for him. He just shrugged. It didn't concern him. The other professors also seem to favour calling on him in class even though he didn't volunteer to raise his hand. His Head of House seemed giddy that Lily's son was so talented in Charms.
His new roommates have also been pretty nice. They were even impressed with his encyclopaedic knowledge of known people.
"Terry Boot. Hmmm. Are you in any way related to one of the founders of Ilvermony School in America, Chadwick Boot? I think there was also British Minister for Magic way back two centuries ago. What was his name again? …Albert! Albert Boot. "
"No way! How'd you know? Here in Britain no one really recognises the Boots. They even thought I was a muggleborn."
"Well. I'm a Ravenclaw, right? I know stuff." Harry smugly looked at them.
"Even I didn't know that. If you're so clever what can you tell about my family?" Anthony goaded him.
"Sure. Let's see now. You're a Goldstein."
"…duh. Come on, Harry. You can do better than that!" His three roommates laughed.
"Ha ha. I wasn't finished. Are you related to Porpentina Goldstein, the wife of the famed Magizoologist and author of the book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander?"
"…Wow. You do know your stuff." Anthony was suitably amazed.
"Wait!! Hold on. Are you telling me that you are related to Newt Scamander?! No bloody way!" Michael exclaimed. Scamander was practically legend!
"Yes, Michael. Newt Scamander was a distant relative of mine. Our side of the family though moved to Britain some time in past few decades before the war with You-Know-Who. Great bloody good that did them. Anyway, Great-Aunt Tina and Great-Uncle Newt are really old now but we still keep in touch sometimes." Anthony proudly shared his relations to the others.
"Wow, Anthony. You're practically a celebrity!" Terry admired the boy.
"Yeah! Wait, it's my turn now! Do you know about the Corners too, Harry? I'm practically muggle-raised, you know?" All three boys leaned towards him like eager crups about to get a treat.
"Hmmm. Corner. Yeah, I do know of one. He's Christopher Corner, a famous British Musician. Everyone thinks he's a muggle but I know for sure he attended Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France. That school is famous for producing talented artists, you know."
"Well Michael? Did he get it?"
"Yeah! You're really amazing, Harry! He's my uncle from my father's side and he makes really good music."
Harry stood up and theatrically bowed to the applause of his roommates, all of them suitably impressed. He hadn't even had to cheat for the information and use Telepathy.
After that first night all four of them became fast friends which Harry welcomed. He also introduced the three Ravenclaws to Freddie and they were impressed when they learned he was continuing his muggle education despite attending Hogwarts. Harry smugly smirked at his best friend which irritated the taller boy to no end.
Back to the present, though. It was past midnight and Harry's been zooming around the school trying to create a mental map. He left a clone of himself back in the dorms so he wouldn't arouse suspicion. The clone was made of a solid construct but doesn't have any of his powers or a lick of magic. It was from a move called 'Substitute'. Another advantage of this ability other than being solid and could talk and act like him, was that it takes a lethal blow for it to be dispelled. It was pretty handy.
So Harry has been flying around, invisible and undetectable, through the whole castle but the enormous magical architecture didn't seem to work on logic. Sometimes doors would only open on certain days or would only open if you knocked on it a specific way. Sometimes doors aren't really doors at all but were just walls. Corridors would also sometimes shift and he'd end up in a dead end. Other times rooms would suddenly just appear when you pace back and forth in front of a wall. There was this amazing room on the 7th Floor corridor, where a tapestry of a wizard trying to teach trolls ballet was hung, that could change according to one's desires. It has limitations though. The room could only conjure things and places that already exist so sadly it couldn't suddenly summon a Pikachu. You also couldn't take things from the room itself as the things the room creates are mere illusions. They were great illusions though and felt very real. Harry couldn't wait to study it, illusions after all are his expertise. He sadly left it for another time though as he still had the rest of the castle to explore.
Harry found no less than ten secret passageways, or more like shortcuts, that led to different parts of the castle and its grounds. There was one though that led outside the boundary. A statue of a beautiful mermaid was located in a hallway east of the castle and was covered in life-like carving of fins and scales. The hallway itself was also carved with various water-based creatures like the grindylow, merpeople, a giant sauid, freshwater plimpies, murtlaps, and many others. Harry dubbed it the Aquatic Hallway. If you caressed the face of the mermaid it would giggle at you and her statue would move just enough for someone to pass behind her. The passageway was collapsed when Harry first found it, though, probably on purpose. With a swish of his wand, however, the corridor fixed itself and the remaining debris were vanished. It would have taken him half an hour of walking but luckily he could fly and eventually he reached a ladder that led outside a disused well just on the boundary of Hogsmeade Village. Harry suspected that the wards didn't prevent anyone from coming and going through the secret tunnel that's why it was collapsed. Noticing that the sky was getting lighter he went back down the well.
Before he went past halfway through the tunnel he enlarged a rock lying around so the path would again be completely blocked. It wouldn't hinder a competent student as a simple shrinking charm or a blasting hex could remove the obstacle but it would have to do for now.
Harry left the tunnel and went back to his dorm completely unnoticed and tried to catch an hour or two of sleep which was usually enough for him. He suspected that there were more secret passages throughout the castle and he couldn't wait to explore them. For now, it's time to sleep.
——
"I want to fly!" Came a despondent voice.
"Didn't your class have that flying lesson a few days ago?" Harry felt someone plonk themselves beside him on the grass.
The sun was out today and he was enjoying its warm rays near the lake shore while he can as cold weathers were fast approaching. He was reading something for a personal project of his and he was on the last few pages. Now he just needed to find a forge or somewhere he could process metal. Maybe he could ask that room on the 7th floor? Hmmm.
"But that was ages ago, Harry! And besides, the class was cancelled as Malfoy and Longbottom had another pissing match and completely ruined it for the rest of us. The two entirely disregarded Madam Hooch when she went to escort and injured student and flew high up where all and sundry could see them. Both got detention of course."
"They did? I thought I heard Longbottom was offered the seeker position?" Harry raised his head to look at Freddie.
"That was two days ago, Harry. You only heard it now?" He couldn't believe that his psychic friend would be late on the goings-on around the school.
"No, Freddie. I just didn't care to ask. So?"
"Oh. Then, yeah. Longbottom is the Gryffindor's new seeker. Can you believe it?" Harry only smiled at his friend's whining. He didn't really mind Freddie's grousing as his expressions were rather funny.
"Don't worry, Freddie. We can fly all you want when we get back home." He patted the boy's shoulder.
"But that's ages away!" No flying for months? He'll die!
"There. There." Harry snickered at his antics.
Harry noticed some students near the lake and got curious. He dragged a protesting Freddie over to see what they were doing.
Nearing them a large tentacle emerged from the water surface and waved at two giggling girls with one holding something. The blonde girl held it out and suddenly a soothing female voice sounded out.
"Detected. Architeuthis Collosus. More commonly know as the Giant Squid. Unlike its mundane counterpart which stops growing at 35 feet in length, this magical squid can grow to twice as large and live up to hundreds of years. The Giant Squid are native to the Atlantic but sometimes they can be found living comfortably in lakes and other large bodies of water."
"Wow! So it's really a giant squid! I thought it was a kraken." A hologram of a red giant squid was projected above the device which moved and swam in place. The squid seemed to like its description and its tentacle splashed water merrily in the lake eliciting more giggles from the girls.
"Excuse me. I couldn't help hearing you from over here. Are those M-phones?" Harry pasted on a friendly smile. The two blonde girls turned to the two arrivals.
"Oh, hi! Yeah, these are M-phones." The girl gasped when she saw Harry and started shaking the other girl in excitement.
"Susan, do you know who that is?!" She whispered loudly to the other girl who was completely clueless.
"What's with you, Hannah? And do you know these people?"
"Gasp! How can you not know?! This is Harry Potter!" Hannah looked at her friend exasperatedly.
"You mean…?" The other girl, Susan, widened her eyes.
"He's one of the co-owners of the company who made the M-phones! Hello! I'm Hannah Abbott and this is my friend, Susan."
"Hello, I'm Susan Bones." Both girls smiled and waved at them.
"Hello, Susan and Hannah. You already know but I'm Harry Potter and this here is my best friend."
"Hi! I'm Freddie Leighton." Both boys waved back.
"…so, Harry. Do you really have a Phoenix?!"
"Hannah!" She gasped at her friend's lack of tact.
"It's alright. Yeah, his name is Midas." He laughed genially at the girls but suddenly a large ball of fire appeared above his head and Harry could only roll his eyes in fondness. The bird in question circled them twice in the air and landed on his shoulder as if saying 'you called?' He hasn't seen Midas in more than a week and he also missed his companion.
"Hey big guy." Freddie petted the golden bird who crooned at him in affection.
"Susan look! It's really a Phoenix! Oh, his colour is so unique! Can we scan him, pretty please?" The excitable girl begged and her friend seemed to be amazed at the bird too.
"What do you say, Midas? Can they scan you?" Of course, the proud bird didn't waste an opportunity to show off and flared its golden wings.
"Detected. Phoenix. The Immortal Firebird. A Phoenix can live to an immense age. When it becomes too old it bursts into flames and is reborn from its ashes. It can carry immensely heavy loads and its tears have powerful healing properties. A phoenix's song has magical qualities in which it can soothe those pure of heart but will sound uncomfortable and even painful to those who harbour maliciousness and evil intentions. It can also reappear and disappear at will using its flames similar to Apparition. Several accounts say that these wonderful creatures are immune to the Killing Curse and unaffected by the deadly gaze of a Basilisk."
The hologram depicted none other than Midas himself flapping his magnificent golden wings and giving out a hauntingly beautiful cry. Harry really did great in capturing the best angle for his friend's picture.
"Wow!! You're so amazing, Midas! And so cute!" Both girls gushed at the smug firebird who as always loved the attention.
"We should all exchange contacts!"
Both boys agreed and took out their own M-phones. Hannah and Susan's phone lit up as a messaged appeared.
'Harry Potter wishes to exchange contact information. Proceed?' Both girls pressed yes.
'Registered! Harry Potter is now listed in Contacts.'
Freddie also stuck his phone out and it sent out a signal to both girls.
After talking a bit more the two girls went back to the castle to attend their next class.
"Thanks for visiting Midas but do you have to show up every time your name gets mentioned?" Harry exasperatedly looked over at Freddie where the bird in question was sat atop his friend's shoulder.
The bird only looked at him like he was an idiot. Freddie snickered at the two's bickering.
"Come on, Harry. We still have transfigurations class. We'll see you later alright, Midas?"
The bird patted the tall boy's head. This human is a good human. The bird thought. Before Midas left he glared at Harry.
"Ugh. Alright, I'll go pick out some berries in the forest tonight and deposit in you bowl. Happy now?" The bird nodded importantly and disappeared with a flash of fire.
"Honestly, he's so demanding sometimes. I bet Dumbledore doesn't have the same problems with his phoenix." Freddie only laughed at his friend as both of them trudged their way back inside the castle.
—-
Draco Malfoy was such a curious creature. Most of the time he was very respectful and treated others fairly. He even hangs out with the other first years from other houses, imagine that? I guess what he did to Lucius Malfoy years ago did have some effect on his son. But when it comes to Longbottom and the youngest Weasley son, he goes completely bonkers and not at all like the fine gentleman he usually was. It's probably because Weasley called his father a Death Eater and Longbottom rudely rejected his offer of friendship. So Malfoy goes completely mental when it concerns anything about the Boy-Who-Lived…like now.
Malfoy and his usual minders, Crabbe and Goyle, aaproached the Gryffindor table just as two owls were tirelessly carrying a long package towards Longbottom. The owls deposited the package on the table and immediately flew away. Weasley excitedly urged his friend to open it and the pudgy boy relented. Carelessly tearing the wrapper it contained a Nimbus 2000, the current fastest broomstick in the market.
"It's from Gran! Wicked!" Several of the lions and students from other tables also admired the sleek polish of the racing broom.
"First years are not allowed their own broomsticks, Longbottom. Or do you want to get expelled?" The Malfoy scion and his goons finally reached the lion's territory.
"Go away, Malfoy! You're not welcome here!" Red-heads really do look like a tomato when they get angry, Harry thought, watching the current spectacle unfold.
"Yeah, Malfoy. Besides, now that I'm seeker I am allowed to have my own broom." Longbottom mocked the scowling blonde.
"You think you're so clever, Longbottom? If so, you wouldn't chicken out on a wizard's duel, say, at 12 this midnight int he trophy room. Crabbe will be my second of course." Malfoy quickly returned his composure and taunted the other boy.
"Of course he will! I'll be his second. You'll be toast, Malfoy! We'll see you in the trophy room." Weasley answered for Longbottom as the boy was opening his mouth.
Malfoy scoffed and sauntered away. A bushy-haired girl reprimanded them that they will get in trouble but both boys just ignored her.
At this point Harry shook his head and returned to his toast. A wizard's duel? They're freaking first years! What will they do, throw their wands at each other?
Harry quickly finished his slice of toast and invited his roommates to study in the library to which the three agreed. Harry also texted Freddie on his M-phone and also invited him. He had better things to do than think about what a wizard's duel between first years would entail.
—-
Harry was up again in the Astronomy tower, whiling away the night. He didn't need much sleep, anyway, maybe a few hours every couple of weeks. It's honestly liberating having so much time and also the solitude calms him. There's been so much going in in his life lately that he needed more time just to…be. Potter and Black Inc. has been gaining much traction internationally now with all the products they have been releasing. His proudest invention was what he called the Ethereous Potion, patent solely owned by their company of course. It was his answer to bringing the Healing Potions from his memories into the world. He had to replace a lot, if not all, of the ingredients though as there weren't really Oran or Sitrus Berries that existed on earth. The main component of the Ethereous Potion was called Life Water. It was simply condensed Life Dew drops and mixed with other ingredients like water from the Acheron River, which was rumoured to have healing and cleansing properties. The potion can heal most injuries even on the brink of death. The downside was it was extremely expensive to make and because he was the only one who could produce Life Water, was also limited in quantity. Harry hasn't decided if he wanted to continue working on potions because ingredients are hard to come by but also he couldn't really be bothered to reinvent everything.
The green-eyed boy shook his head. He told himself he wouldn't be thinking of anything related to his projects or work tonight. He had something else in mind. Seeing into the future.
It may be called many things. Prophecies, predictions, or clairvoyance but they're all tricky business as the future is never really set in stone. Time is not linear, according to a book he read from the Restricted Section, and branches out into infinity. There are exceptions, though. There are certain points in time that are turning points. Important events that in every timeline, they certainly have, are happening, and will happen. Harry knew that every major events in history are turning points and so he was nervous about peeking into the time stream, not sure of what he would find.
Well, here goes nothing. Harry inhaled deeply taking in the cold night air and the silence.
'Future Sight.'
Thousands of images exploded in his mind. Events that were seemingly random, infinite, and without context flashed behind his eyes and would have threatened to drown an ordinary wizard. But Harry was not ordinary now, was he? Harry saw infinite possibilities and he catalogued some of them. He even saw what he would be having for breakfast tomorrow. Pumpkin soup? Yuck. Chicken Soup? There was one future where the elves rebelled and took over the school. That was a frightening scene, although one of the lesser possibilities. How he knew that, he didn't know, but his gut was telling him that was the case. On and on, images, scenes and futures Harry would potentially do flashed in his mind. Eventually, even he got overwhelmed by the hundreds of thousands of visions, an epic headache already forming, and he had only seen up to a week!
"Ugh. That sucked. I need to narrow down the visions or else I'll always get bombarded by unimportant details. I really don't need to know tens of hundreds of breakfast variations the elves will serve tomorrow or how many different ways Weasley could mess up a simple first year potion. Seriously, that boy needs to play less and study more." He massaged his temples and reached into his robes for the headache potion he brewed earlier. Gulping it down he sighed in relief as the effect was immediate. Harry went back again trying to narrow down the visions to only the most probable ones.
"Sigh. This will be a long night." He mumbled under the dim light of the moon.
——
It was Wednesday morning and after a night of chugging down headache potions by the buckets and still failing to control his future sight, Harry was understandably irritable when he got up that morning. Also, no amount of Recover could make the headache go away as it wasn't an injury but mere mental fatigue. The amount of information crammed into his brain was so huge that it was making him dizzy. Hopefully,
shenanigans will be kept at a minimum today.
"You alright there, Harry?" Anthony Goldstein asked in concern as his usually calm friend seemed out of it today.
"Yeah. Just a bit of a headache. Don't worry about it." Harry smiled back wanly.
The group of boys came down their tower and went to get breakfast. When Harry sat down, he grimaced. 'Pumpkin soup. I knew it.' He helped himself to some toast and butter, not letting his spoon go anywhere near the orange soup.
"Man, I love pumpkin soup! The elves really know their stuff." Terry Boot eagerly poured his bowl with a second serving of the stuff, visibly and audibly showing his appreciation.
"Ye…yeah." Harry didn't dare voice his thoughts. Yeah, just better stay quiet.
"It's Transfiguration and Double Potions today. Ugh. Do you know what we'll be doing?" Michael Corner asked no one in particular.
"We'll be doing doing Beetles to Buttons in Transfiguration and for Potions we'll be brewing the Forgetfulness Draught with the Gryffindors. Also, there's a high chance Weasley will be sent to the hospital wing." Harry mumbled into his toast. All three of his friends looked at him askance as well as the other first year Ravenclaws who were listening in.
"How'd you know that?" Michael asked.
"What? That we'll be doing the Forgetfulness potion? It's in the potions book, you know." Harry said.
"No, not that. How'd you know Weasley will botch his potion today? He did pretty good the last time." Terry said and the other agreed.
"That was because Longbottom did all the work for him. Oh, and I saw it in a dream last night. Forget it." Harry shrugged and the others exchanged meaningful glances but let it go for now.
—-
It was a free period from 9 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. but Harry headache didn't lessen and he and his roommates spent his time just organising his thoughts in the library, an open book lay forgotten in front of him. The others just patted him on the back in sympathy. Freddie approached him during lunch at their table and offered to bring him to the hospital wing but he just smiled and said he was fine. Harry also told him to stay far away from Weasley during potions today. Freddie reluctantly nodded.
It was finally their first class and as Harry said earlier, they were going to turn beetles into buttons with the Hufflepuffs. He couldn't be bothered to hold back so once he received his button, he swished his wand absentmindedly and promptly laid his head on his desk.
After a few moments, Professor McGonagall saw one of her best students not participating in class and frowned. Mr. Potter usually had impeccable work ethic and she was concerned for him. The usually stern witch approached the boy's desk and was about to ask him what was wrong when she noticed something shiny on his desk and gasped which attracted the attention of the other students. Lifting it carefully she studied the intricate design on the button. It was a solid gold button and a bit larger than a regular one. It was the etching, however, that she was mesmerised about. A red-golden Phoenix flapped its wings majestically and silently opened its beak, as if it was singing. It was beautiful. Carefully, laying it back down on the desk she gently shook Mr. Potter's shoulders and the boy roused and squinted his eyes.
"Mr. Potter, are you quite alright?" She asked in concern.
"Oh…uhm…sorry Professor. I have a bit of a headache today. Also your nephew, Nathan, will be fire-calling you today. Something about your favourite scotch." The boy dazedly mumbled but everyone heard it.
"Wha…Mr. Potter. How do you know Nathan?" The witch asked bewildered.
"Oh…it's from a dream. Sorry, don't mind me. Oh! I've finished my button, Professor. May I lay my head back down for the rest of the class?" The black-haired boy asked pathetically and Minerva reluctantly nodded, still thinking about that random comment about her nephew.
"Oh, great work, Mr. Potter. 10 points to Ravenclaw."
Whispers abounded as Harry laid his head back down, only caring about his throbbing temples. The Ravenclaws whispered urgently to themselves and the Hufflepuffs surreptitiously listened as they heard what Harry said in breakfast earlier. Unknowingly, this would create a cascade of rumours by the time potions classes started.
—-
Severus looked at the Ravenclaws and some of the Gryffindors who were excited for some reason. They kept looking at Weasley which made the boy more nervous than usual. Shaking his head he started his class on time.
"The Forgetfulness Draught is a powerful mind-altering potion. I trust that all of you have read the material as you will be brewing it today…individually. I promise you, any mucking about and you will be dealing with me. Memory loss will be the least of you concerns. " Snape said threateningly. With a swish of his wand the instructions appeared on the board.
"Begin!"
The students scrambled to the ingredients cabinet but Harry patiently stayed in his station, breathing calmly through his nose. When the other students started preparing their ingredients he calmly stood up and went to get his. The other students watched him carefully but seeing him doing nothing noteworthy they concentrated on their potion. It was after about several minutes that things went interesting.
"YOU IDIOT BOY!" A voice thundered and Professor Snape marched towards Weasley's station, robes billowing like a bat out of hell. Vivid orange fumes came out of the cauldron which matched the boy's hair. With a snap of his wand Snape blew out the fumes and vanished the remaining sludge inside the cauldron.
"WEASLEY, YOU DUNDERHEAD! DID YOU DUMP ALL OF THE VALERIAN SPRIGS IN INSTEAD OF JUST TWO LIKE I TOLD YOU?!" Snape viciously reprimanded.
"Wha…? Do I know you? Where am I? Who am I?" The orange-haired boy confusedly looked around. Snape pinched the bridge of his nose.
"He must have inhaled the fumes. Longbottom! Bring Weasley to the hospital wing so that Madame Pomfrey can give him the antidote! The rest of you, get back to your stations!" Longbottom hurriedly dragged his friend away and the rest of the students quietly returned to their potions. The Ravenclaws though and some of the Gryffindors who have heard the rumours, exchanged wide-eyed glances and looked at the black-haired boy who was boredly stirring his cauldron, not even perturbed by all the commotion happening around him. Freddie also looked amazed at everything but quickly went back to his potion when Snape narrowed his eyes at him.
It was after an hour, Harry's potion was perfectly brewed with the right shade of orange. He stood up and submitted his bottle of Forgetfulness Draught which Professor Snape looked at critically. Not finding anything wrong with it he begrudgingly nodded at Lily's son. Harry smiled politely and was about to return to his desk but turned back and looked at the curious face of Snape.
"Yes…?" The dower Professor drawled.
"…When you go to the forest tonight to harvest moonflowers, a boomslang will try to bite your hand the moment you try to cut off the stem." Harry blinked and turned back towards his table. All the other students saw the flicker of surprise on Snape's face but quickly schooled it back into a neutral expression. Severus on the other hand was thinking furiously. Was his mind breached? No, impossible. He didn't feel anything and a first year like Potter couldn't have had already mastered Legillimency to such a degree. So what was it? Was it really a prediction? Was the boy a Seer? The dower potions master looked at Lily's son interestingly.
After that long class, the Ravenclaws kept staring at Harry to which the boy didn't even notice, trying to stem his headache and was pretty much fully on automatic.
"Harry! Wait!" It was Freddie and he looked excited about something.
"Freddie?" Harry looked as his friend joined the Ravenclaws out of the dungeons.
"I wanted to ask something. Do you really think it will happen?" The tall boy asked.
"What will?"
"You know! McGonagall's nephew fire-calling her and Snape getting bitten by a snake!" Freddie shook his friend's shoulders exasperatedly which only made Harry's headache worse.
"Ugh. Stop it. I said I saw it in a dream, alright?" He rubbed his temples.
"So it's really true? Are you really a Seer, Harry?" Morag MacDougal, a Ravenclaw, asked curiously. Some of the Gryffindors like Parvati, Seamus, Lavender, Dean, and Hermione listened on as well waiting for his answer.
"I don't know. Why?" Harry asked.
"There's no way he's a Seer. He's just letting you think that. Hmp." Hermione glared at him.
"Shut it, Granger! No one's asking you." Lavender glared back at the annoying girl. Hermione huffed and stomped away.
"…so, Harry. Can you make a prediction? Like right now?!" Parvati pleaded excitedly forgetting about the bushy-head girl.
"Ugh. No, Parvati. Now if you'll excuse me I'm heading back to the dorms. Freddie, come with me." Parvati pouted at the two boys' backs and the others were also disappointed.
"Was that really alright? I thought you were hiding your powers?" Freddie whispered as they neared the Ravenclaw dorms.
"Yeah. This whole day has been one big mess. I can't believe I said all those things. My headache is affecting me more than I thought. Well, there's nothing for it now." Harry said grouchily.
"But were those things you said true? Will they happen?" Freddie asked.
"Most likely. At least that's what I think. Now I really need to take a nap. See you at dinner?"
"Yeah. Get well soon, Harry." Freddie waved and got back to his own dorms.
"Oh, Freddie?"
"Yeah?" He glanced back at his tired-looking friend.
"Just in case I don't make it to dinner, stay away from the lemon pudding. Might as well tell the others who already know, although remind them not to spread it further. Alright, I really need to sleep." Freddie smiled gratefully and waved goodbye.
Harry sighed tiredly and walked up to the door. The door knocker came alive.
"What runs, but never walks. Murmurs, but never talks. Has a bed, but never sleeps. And has a mouth, but never eats?"
"A river."
"Correct. In you go." The metal eagle head said and the door swung open.
Once inside his dorm room he promptly plonked in his bed.
'Rest.'
Drowsiness consumed his mind and Harry smiled blissfully, feeling the soothing energies of Rest. He wouldn't be seen again until morning the next day.
——
While Harry Potter slept, extraordinary things are happening or was about to happen. The consequences of these happenings however have yet to be seen.
Up in her office Minerva gave out an audible sigh as she sat in her comfy office chair. She had a bit of time yet before dinner and wanted to just relax. Before she could take out her wand and fix herself some tea a ringing sounded. It was the floo. Minerva stilled.
"Auntie? Are you there?" A male called out.
"Nathan?" With a face full of disbelief and a bit of excitement she stood up quickly walked to the fireplace. Her nephew's face was in the flames.
"Auntie Minnie! It's so good you're there! May I come through? I have a surprise!" He said excitedly.
Nathan was a tall man with a well-kept beard and stylish hair. He wore navy blue wizarding robes. He hugged his auntie and Minerva lead him to the settee.
"Nathan. It's so good to see you. How's work? Oh, and is Malcolm alright?" Minerva smiled fondly at her nephew.
"Work's been good with the goblins. I got out a bit early as you can see. Oh, and father misses you dearly. He sent me this!" Nathan produced a brown bottle and Minerva gasped and snatched it out of his hands, hugging it protectively.
"Yeah. It's an 18-year-old Sherry Oak, single malt. Your favourite. Father always knew you best." Nathan chuckled at his aunt's antics.
That evening Minerva called for an elf to set up an early dinner for her and Nathan, all the while thinking of Harry Potter.
——
Freddie whispered to Anthony who nodded and told what he said to the others. His work done he went back to the Gryffindor table and also quietly warned Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati. Ron noticed though and asked what they were whispering about.
"Oh, it's about our Potions assignment. You see…"
"Stop! I get it. Blimey. Can't a guy eat in peace without worrying about homework?" Ron grouched as he heaped roast chicken and shepherd's pie on his plate.
Freddie winked at Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati who all smirked.
It was finally time for dessert and all those who had been told avoided the lemon pudding like the plague.
"Ronald! Look!" Hermione screamed as his hair turned purple. She wasn't the only one though as laughter and screams sounded out in the Great Hall.
On the other side Draco Malfoy shrieked like a little girl when he saw his reflection on his spoon.
"No, my hair!" His hair has turned blue and sprouted feathers like some bizarre bird of paradise. The blonde aristocrat fainted in horror.
Neville Longbottom's hair turned a peculiar shade of green and silver, a most hated combination in his opinion. He screamed and threw his pudding at the Slytherins thinking they were the cause. It started a veritable food fight.
The Weasley Twins laughed and high-fived each other for a job well done. Of course, their own hair also sported a bright pink and yellow and joined in on catapulting pies.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as his hair and beard turned a nice shade of auburn. Almost like his old one, sans the feathers of course.
Only those who hadn't swallowed a bite of lemon pudding and who had been informed were safe. Freddie snickered at the chaos enfolding as he hid under the table, thinking of his best friend all the while.
——
It was a cloudless night and the half moon shined its brilliance on the land below. After the dinner fiasco Severus Snape returned to his office and got his harvesting tools.
Walking into the Forbidden Forest wasn't new to him and he expertly manoeuvred and avoided the brambles and forest's denizens. The last thing he wanted was to get the attention of the Acromantulas.
Quickly arriving at his destination he stopped and stared at the beautiful scene. Moonflowers shining in all their glory, the moonlight further bringing out their ethereal quality. This magical species of moonflowers literally glowed and can be used in various potions. Bringing out his bag he took out a pair of shears and went towards one of the flower bushes.
At the last moment he stopped as he heard hissing. It was a boomslang, a highly venomous snake. The long serpent poked out its head from the foliage and bared its fangs at him threateningly. It was about three feet in length and had scales of dark green blending perfectly among the leaves. Severus stayed calm and brandished his wand.
"Diffindo!"
Thud.
Sighing, he levitated the snake's body and severed head and put them in a separate bag. Waste not, want not. Boomslang skin and fangs were very useful ingredients after all. As Severus harvested the moonflowers, he couldn't help but think of emerald green eyes and regrets of the past.
——
True to their word, the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors who knew about Harry's mysterious clairvoyant abilities kept mum and deflected or outright lied to those who were curious enough to ask…which was practically everyone. Of course, after the dinner last night, the Hogwarts rumour mill worked its usual magic and come breakfast everyone knew although most didn't quite believe it. Even the teachers were curious although were more subtle about it. Freddie, Anthony, Michael, and Terry have been bombarded by questions. Parvati and Lavender, the consummate gossips that they are, spread rumours about Harry really not being a seer. Both girls had been grateful they didn't have to suffer sprouting hideous feathers as the others.
"I have been hearing a curious rumour about one of my Claws. Minerva, Severus? Care to share why the students are saying Mr. Potter is a seer?" Filius Flitwick, a half-goblin, the Ravenclaw Head of House, and Charms Professor, added a cube of sugar to his tea and looked at his colleague.
"I'm not too sure myself, Filius. You know what I think about divination. No offence meant to you, of course, Sybill." Minerva looked to the end of the table where the Divinations Professor sat, her huge glasses and colourful shawls making her look like a particularly exotic insect.
"It's alright, Minerva, dear. Not everyone can appreciate the mysterious art that is Divination. But do go on. Has Mr. Potter finally opened his inner eye?" Sybill's tried to make her voice haunting and mysterious but only made her sound like she had inhaled too many incense fumes.
"Ahem. Yes. Well, during Transfigurations class yesterday Mr. Potter went above and beyond turning his beetle into the most gorgeous golden button with a Phoenix motif. It even moved! James would have been so proud. He had a bit of headache too laying his head on his table and concerned I asked him about it but all he said was that he was alright. He also told me about Nathan, my nephew, fire-calling me. Well, to my surprise that afternoon Nathan did come to visit." The other teachers listened with rapt attention. Even the headmaster.
"Hmmm. How extraordinary. And you Severus? I believe Filius said you also have something to share." The headmaster caressed his beard, his eyes twinkling. The dower potions professor sighed and reluctantly told them what happened.
"During class, Mr. Potter submitted an…adequate…Forgetfulness Draught." Severus looked pained just saying it.
"Hoho. That's high praise coming from you, Severus." Albus chuckled. Severus ignored him.
"After putting his work on my desk, Mr. Potter was about to get back to his station but turned around and told me this exactly. 'When you go to the forest tonight to harvest moonflowers, a boomslang will try to bite your hand the moment you try to cut off the stem.'" Severus continued.
"And then? Come now, Severus. What happened in the forest? Don't make me hex you." Pomona Sprout threatened playfully.
"Sigh. A snake indeed was in the bushes and tried to bite me. I sliced its head off with a cutting curse." Severus turned back to his breakfast indicating he had talked enough.
"E…extraordinary! Ha…ha…has there ever b…b…been S…seer a…abi…abilities documented i…in the P…P…Potter Family b…b…before?" Quirinus Quirell, the muggle studies professor, asked. His turban turning lopsided from all his nervous fidgeting.
"Hmmm. Irma, any ideas?" Albus asked their resident librarian, Irma Pince.
"I'm afraid not much is known of the Potter Family these days. They are one of the oldest magical families here in Britain, as you know, dating back even before the Founders, but they are a reclusive lot and kept much of their business to themselves. However, although I believe no such clairvoyant abilities have ever been passed down through their bloodline, only Mr. Potter himself could accurately answer such a question." The stern librarian succinctly replied.
"Maybe Lily had some dormant seer blood in her and unknowingly passed it down to young Harry?" Filius asked.
"It's possible. Sadly, we'll never know." Albus sighed despondently at the memories of one of his most talented students. Severus's eyes darkened and he frowned. After all this time, Lily Potter was still a sore subject for him.
"Regardless, we must protect and cultivate his talents. Seers are so rare these days. It's been decades since any new seers have been reported, aside from you of course, Sybill. Maybe giving him lessons might help?" Filius looked at the headmaster and the divinations teacher.
"Indeed, Filius. Hmmm. Very well. I will first talk to Mr. Potter about advanced divination courses. I'm sure everyone here would agree that he's much too advanced in his studies and has been getting increasingly bored." Albus chuckled and the other professors agreed.
——
Author's Ramblings:
Hey guys! So sorry I've been sick two weeks ago and I've only now picked up this story again. T_T Don't worry! I've not abandoned this. It's just when I fully recovered I was completely at a loss what to write next. But thankfully I've picked it up now. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and continue to support Harry on his journey to become the best pokemon trainer! I mean wizard! I mean…oh well. Also I wrote a new fanfic. Please check it out. Peace!