Hogwarts, December 1991
The next few weeks of school passed quickly. Harry continued to meet up with his friends in the library to study Defence, the group growing to include Harry, Neville, Hannah, Susan, Padma and Parvati, Anthony, Michael, Lisa, and Sue. While they worked, Harry would surreptitiously search for any hints about rejoining souls. Harry had been trying to work out a way to get a note for the restricted section, but he didn't have any teachers he could go to.
Yes, his relationship with Snape was better in this life, the man even going out of his way to ask if Harry required extra ointments or potions, but Harry didn't want to ask and then suddenly find the man tracing his every movement. He couldn't risk that until he was sure of Snape's loyalties.
He had noticed that, like in his last life, Snape was suspicious of Quirrell; he had seen the man's dark eyes following the turban wearing professor with deep interest. Harry was torn; he didn't think Snape had any deep loyalty to Dumbledore any longer as he had seen the suspicion build in his eyes when he spoke to Harry, but he wasn't sure about the man's views on Tom, not Voldemort, but Tom, who had wanted to change the Wizarding world.
Harry was also torn about what to do about the stone. He had noticed recently that Dumbledore had started to watch him again, and suspected that the twinkly eyed old coot was about to make a move to ensure Harry was on the right path, so to speak. Unsure what to do, as Harry had no loyalty to Quirrellmort in his current form, Harry thought about his options.
Harry was reluctant to let him reach the stone unless he could find a way for his sanity to be returned. Having Voldemort back now, how he was last time, would be disastrous. However, Harry's going after the stone last time had resulted in Quirrell's death at Harry's hands. 'Quite literally,' Harry thought, cringing slightly.
Tuning back into the conversation around him, Harry realised he was the centre of attention.
"Hey Harry, what are you doing for Yule? Or do you celebrate Christmas?" Hannah asked.
Shrugging, Harry shut his book and put it in his bag, making sure the cover wasn't shown. "I'll be staying here," Harry said. "And, honestly? I haven't really ever celebrated either."
"Oh, don't you want to go home?" Anthony said curiously.
Harry made sure to cringe slightly before he answered, "No, I think I would enjoy it better here."
"Really? Well, I can't wait to go home. My parents and I are going to Aspen to see my cousins… ," Anthony went on to tell them all about his Yule plans.
"Hey Harry, if you wanted, I'm sure I could owl my gran and ask if you could come back to the manor with me," Neville offered quietly.
Harry smiled lightly at that. Harry knew that Neville spent most of day visiting his parents and that he cherished that time. "Thank you Neville, but I think I want to stay here. Maybe next year or something?" Harry said. He was looking forward to having some alone time; not that he didn't like the friends he had made, it was just that they were still children. Yes, he was now eleven again, but he was also eighteen. He wanted some time to himself.
Neville looked slightly concerned but nodded. "If you're sure," he said reluctantly.
"I do really mean it, thank you, Neville," Harry said.
"Are you sure, Harry? My aunt would happily have you," Susan offered, having heard their whispered conversation.
Sending her a smile, Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure."
"Okay, then, but you had better owl me every other day to let me know you're okay," she said.
Laughing, Harry replied, "I promise."
A few days later, the castle emptied out as people returned home for the holidays and Harry was left alone with the few others who had remained. Like last time, this included the Weasleys. Harry was startled to realise he hadn't even spoken to the twins yet in this life and felt guilty for a moment before he realised that feeling bad was silly - they didn't even know him in this life. During breakfast on the first day, Harry, who was sitting with a 4th year Ravenclaw and two 7th years, was not remotely surprised when Ron appeared.
"Hey mate, you want to hang out?" he asked.
Harry, keeping his displeasure masked, said, "Sure, maybe. I just need to head up to the common room."
Ron gaped at Harry for a moment; clearly he had been expecting him to say no. "Really?" he asked incredulously. "Great!"
Harry kept from rolling his eyes. "Sure, there's no one else our age here," Harry said. He wondered what Dumbledore was up to; Harry had almost hoped he would stop sending Ron as, each time he had, Ron had ended up either in trouble or causing an argument.
Ron happily ignored Harry's comment. "We could play chess or go and explore the castle; I bet there's loads of things hidden here," Ron said.
Harry barely stopped him from snorting. "Whatever," he mumbled instead.
"We could go check out the dungeons now that the slimy snakes are gone," Ron said.
Harry didn't even hide his displeasure. "There's nothing wrong with Slytherins," he said.
Ron just snorted. "Right, it's okay, Harry. You stick with me and I'll show you, you just need to learn that they're evil," he said. His certainty actually made Harry feel almost sorry for him.
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