Harry Potter and the Past That Never Was

The gaggle of first year students followed McGonagall through the huge double doors and into the Great Hall. There were several gasps of amazement as they began the seemingly endless trek between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. Of course, all eyes in the room were on the new arrivals; they in turn looked around nervously at the older students.

Harry, on the other hand, knew most of the attention was focused upon him. Instinctively, he looked somewhat down, avoiding eye contact with anyone. He was walking alongside Draco, and just in front of Hermione, who nudged him from behind.

"Let them in, Harry," Hermione said in a low voice. Draco looked over at him and nodded his approval, also nudging him a little. Harry took a deep breath and lifted his head, forcing himself to look around the room. He allowed himself to lock eyes with several people for a moment, and even returned a couple of smiles. At the Ravenclaw table, Harry saw an older student looking at him with a strange expression on her face. He did a classic double take when he felt his scar begin to tingle. He locked eyes with the pretty blonde haired girl, and she smiled warmly at him. He couldn't help but smile back at her, as she was so disarming. He nearly ran into Pansy Parkinson, who was just ahead of him, as she'd come to a stop just before the stool atop which lay the sorting hat.

"Sorry," he said in a low voice, as they gathered around the sorting hat. The hat came to life, singing a song that very closely resembled the one it sang at the beginning of their fifth year. Draco and Hermione exchanged significant looks when they heard this new song. Harry's scar was still tingling as whoever was trying to get into his mind was not giving up just because they could not find it, as his Fidelius Charm was in place.

A moment Later McGonagall began calling out the names of the first year students so that they may take their turn with the sorting hat.

Before it was Harry's turn, there were three surprises. The first, Crabbe was sorted into Hufflepuff instead of Slytherin. This got a little shrug from Draco. "That was kind of interesting," he said to no one in particular.

Then when the sorting hat was placed on Hermione's head, Harry was looking around when hearing the hat exclaim, "RAVENCLAW!" jolted him. He swung his head around at Hermione who was heading toward the Ravenclaw table to meet her new housemates. Harry caught her eye for a moment, but Hermione only smiled at him and sat down at her table. He looked at Draco who also seemed to be a little disconcerted at this, no doubt wondering if his place in Slytherin were perhaps in doubt.

Harry looked up at the staff table at Dumbledore, who seemed to be unworried. In fact, he gave Harry a little wink. Malfoy looked a little worried when it became his turn with the hat, but he looked quite a bit more relaxed as he was sorted into Slytherin house.

Then just before it was Harry's turn, Pansy Parkinson was sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin. As she made her way toward the Gryffindor table, Harry's name was called and the room fell dead silent as he stepped forward and had the hat placed on his head.

"Now how am I going to sort you when I can't find your mind?" asked the hat. "This simply will not do."

"Oh sorry," said Harry, showing the hat where to find his mind.

"Ah right then," said the hat. "Now I see why you've hidden your mind. We've spoken before, I see. Oh yes, and I still stand by what I apparently said then. You should be in Slytherin."

"No," said Harry to the hat, "I belong in Gryffindor."

"I don't know," teased the hat. "And you're the third one this term I've sorted before. Your friend allowed me to put her into Ravenclaw, you know."

"Please put me in Gryffindor," said Harry. "I need to be there."

"NEED to be there is it?" asked the hat. "Well how can I argue with such well thought out logic? Very well, then."

"GRYFFINDOR!" boomed out the hat to Harry's great relief.

The Gryffindor table erupted as if they'd just won the house cup while the faces on some of the people at the other tables fell slightly. Harry smiled as he accepted the back pounding at hand shaking of the Gryffindors who could reach him, although the entire house was on its feet, craning their necks and applauding.

"Well done, Harry!" He made out Fred's... or was it George's voice as he finally sat with his back to Hermione, who was seated directly behind him at the Ravenclaw table. He looked around and caught Dumbledore watching him. The Headmaster gave him a little nod.

There were no other major surprises during the rest of the sorting, Dean Thomas and Ron Weasley became Gryffindors and Blaise Zabini became a Slytherin. Then the sorting was suddenly over and Dumbledore stood to speak.

"Welcome to another year of magical education at Hogwarts," he said grandly, arms stretched out. "And I must say you all look as you've not eaten in a fortnight. So..." He paused for a second, waving a hand and the empty place settings became filled with food. "Tuck in!"

Harry immediately turned about and tapped Hermione on the shoulder. She turned around to see him. "Why?" he asked her.

"I'll tell you later," she said. "Don't worry though." Then she turned back around to her new housemates while Harry did the same.

"So are you going to try out for the house team?" Ron asked Harry as he started devouring any food getting in his path. "Fred told me they need a new seeker and you are a good flier." Interestingly enough, Harry hadn't thought too much about Quidditch during the summer, he'd even neglected to buy a broom, as he didn't yet have the Firebolt. Sirius gave him. He wondered how he'd be able to fly with a school broom.

"I don't know," Harry said.

"First years never make the house team," Percy said. "But there's no rule against it if you wanted to try."

"I may do that," Harry said.

After Harry and Ron were good and stuffed, the plates all disappeared. Dumbledore stood and tapped his goblet with a knife, calling for everyone's attention.

"Yet another great feast," he started. "And now I have a few start of term announcements before we send you off to your dormitories. First, we have a new staff appointment. Professor R.J. Lupin will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Remus stood up and waved as the students and staff applauded.

"Our caretaker Mr. Filch wishes me to remind you the third floor corridors are off limits to all students, and a list of banned items can be found tacked to the door of his office."

"And finally, Professors Snape and Lupin have agreed to organize a dueling club. Anyone wishing to join may do so in Professor Lupin's classroom."

"That's all I have for now," Dumbledore said. "Enjoy your evening, get a good night's rest and classes begin tomorrow."

Dumbledore sat down and had turned to speak with Snape. "Gryffindor first years, come with me please." The first year Gryffindors followed Percy out of the Great Hall and to one of the staircases. "This is the most direct path to the Dormitories, but keep an eye on the staircases, they like to change." They made their way to the portrait of the fat lady, who asked for the password.

"Cubis Draconis," Percy said.

"Correct," the fat lady said, as the portrait swung aside, revealing a domed entranceway. They moved through the door into a large room with a large fireplace and several pieces of furniture, such as sofas and loveseats.

"Welcome to the Gryffindor common room," Percy went on. "The boys' dormitories are upstairs and to the right, the girls' are upstairs and to the left. You'll find your belongings have already been brought to your rooms."

Percy left them at that point, leaving the first years to talk among themselves.

"This is going to be great," Ron said, looking around the common room. Harry looked wistfully at the chair in which he was used to seeing Hermione study.

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "This place is amazing, let's find our room."

Harry and Ron were in a room with Neville, Dean, and Seamus. There was none of the usual fighting over who got which bed as each person's belongings were already placed near a bed, making the choice unnecessary.

"How do you think that Hagrid got so big?" Dean was asking.

"I don't know," Neville answered. "Maybe he has a lot of growth potions."

"Is there such a thing?" Ron asked, looking at Harry who shrugged.

"I dunno," Harry said. "But I sure wouldn't want to tangle with him"

"Speaking of tangling," Seamus started. The conversation quickly moved to a topic Harry knew was sure to come.

"Do you remember anything about it?" Seamus asked Harry.

"Not really," Harry said. "The only thing I can really remember is a flash of green light and my forehead burning. But I was only a year old."

"It's probably a good thing you can't really remember," Dean added.

Early next morning, Harry found himself back in the Great Hall for breakfast, and to get his first class schedule. Once he was seated, Hermione sat down next to him.

"Hi Harry," said Hermione, as she helped herself to some sausage and eggs.

"Hi," Harry said as Ron and Neville looked on. "Can't you get in trouble for sitting at another house's table?"

"No," Hermione said with confidence. "The only time you're required to sit at your own house's table is for feasts and official meetings."

"Oh," Harry said. "That's all right then."

"You know," Hermione said. "You're very popular with the Ravenclaw girls. Once they found out I knew you, they were full of questions. Even some of the older students." Harry couldn't help but look up at the Ravenclaw table, and sure enough, there were several girls looking in their direction. Most of them turned quickly away when they saw Harry look their way. The only one who didn't was the same one who's eyes he caught the night before. They exchanged smiles again before Harry looked back at Hermione.

"Oh really?" Harry asked. "Who's that blonde girl fourth from the end?" Hermione didn't even look up.

"That's Pandora Wheeler, she's a fifth year," Hermione said. "Yes, she was one of the ones asking me about you, and no, you're much too young for her so put it out of your mind." Neville and Ron laughed.

"I wasn't thinking anything like that," Harry protested, much too strongly, while Ron and Neville continued to laugh. "She keeps smiling at me and I was wondering why."

"Go on, Hermione," Ron said.

"Oh, all right," Hermione said. "She said in a couple of years you are going to be a real dreamboat."

"Dreamboat is it?" Ron was turning red with laughter by this time.

"Apparently it's a Ravenclaw tradition to rate all the new boys starting school," Hermione said. "Really a randy lot if you want to know the truth. A bit annoying as they're supposed to be all the smartest students."

"Wonder how they rated me?" Ron wanted to know.

"They probably said you should join the circus," Harry fired back, laughing at his own joke.

"Now now, Dreamboat," Ron taunted, "be nice." They were both blushing by then. Hermione looked back and forth between them and rolled her eyes.

"Honestly," she said, shaking her head, but smiling all the same.

After they'd gotten their schedules, Harry caught up with Draco just as he was leaving the great hall. "Wait up Malfoy." Draco turned around and waited for him to catch up.

"All right Potter?" he said. "Did you ask Granger why she got into Ravenclaw?"

"I haven't got her alone to find out," Harry said. "I was thinking maybe we could use the room of requirement if we want to talk privately."

"Not a bad idea," Draco said. "Can all three of us fit under your cloak?"

"Damn!" Harry said. "I don't have it yet. I don't get it until Christmas. I don't have a broom either," he mentioned, as they were on the way to Flying class.

"We'll have to figure out another way then," Draco said.

"I wish I knew then what I know now," Harry said. "Some of these older girls are gorgeous."

"You DO know then what you know now," said Draco, laughing. "And I know exactly what you mean."

"It's not like we'd have a chance," Harry said with a smirk. "This being seventeen in an eleven-year-old body is a lot of trouble, really."

"So who did you fall in love with?" Draco asked.

"Dunno about falling in love," Harry answered. "But that fifth year in Ravenclaw. Pandora Wheeler."

"Right then. Tall blonde one," Draco said. "Not bad at all. I prefer the darker haired ones. That sixth year Gryffindor."

"You mean Spinnet? " Harry said. "Hmm. Never quite saw her as a girl really, just a good Chaser. But now that you mention it."

Flying lessons were held on the Quidditch pitch. There were several school brooms laid out in two rows. Madame Hooch was standing between the two rows, watching the students head in her direction.

"Step lively," she called out. "Everyone stand to the left of one of the brooms." Madame Hooch waited until the entire class was standing next to a broom before beginning her class.

"Welcome to your first flying lesson." She smiled at the class, most of which looked a bit frightened. "We'll get right to it. Hold your right hand over your broom and say 'UP'." Just as quickly as she said it, Draco and Harry already had their brooms in their hand. Harry could feel the slight vibrations as he held it. Hermione was only a second or two behind while it took the rest of the class a few seconds to get their broom to rise for them.

"Now flying is not very difficult as long as you remember not to let your broom dictate where it wants to go." She looked around; her piercing eyes surveying the group. "Everyone mount your brooms, and grip the end tightly."

"At the count of three, kick off from the ground hard, hover a couple of feet off the ground, then lean forward and let yourself touch down," she said, looking around at everyone again.

"All right, one... two..." As it happened in the first year, Neville rose into the air seemingly not of his own volition. His broom began to swing in an erratic manner.

"Longbottom!" Madame Hooch shouted. "I said two feet. Now get down here this instant." Instead, Neville rose higher, clearly not in control of his broom. In first year, Harry remembered he ended up breaking his arm after a particularly nasty crash. Apparently, Malfoy remembered as well, as they shot off the ground at the same time and flew toward Neville.

"Potter and Malfoy!" Hooch screamed. "What are you two doing? Get down here, both of you." They'd already gotten to Neville and took up a spot on each side of him.

"Relax Neville," Harry said. "Don't fight the vibrations."

"And don't grip so tightly," Draco added, leaning a little more toward him so they had Neville bottled up between them.

"Just lean in the direction you want to go. But remember, lean back when you want to go up, and forward when you want to go down," Harry told him.

"Are you ready to try again?" Draco asked

"I... I think so," Neville stammered, fear clearly visible on his face.

"We'll be right next to you," Harry assured him.

"Just learn forward and to the right. Do it slowly." Draco demonstrated the move, which had the effect of taking him down and to the right, toward the class.

"You try it now," Harry said. "I'll be right behind you."

"Okay," Neville said, and tried. It wasn't perfect but he was at least in control of his broom.

"That's good," Draco swung back around and was once again at his side. "Just takes some practice."

"Thanks guys," Neville said.

"No problem," Harry told him. "Go ahead and land. Just lean forward slowly."

Madame Hooch was no longer shouting at them. She was just watching with her hands on her hips. Neville brought himself to the ground a few feet from where the class was standing. As he landed the rest of the class flocked to him.

"I think we're in trouble," Harry said, looking down at the teacher who was staring back up at them.

"Detention first day," Malfoy laughed. "We might as well get it over with." He leaned over and right, leading Harry into a quick dive and landing just in front of the teacher.

"And where did you two learn how to fly?" Madame Hooch asked them. Hermione was standing behind her, a worried look on her face.

"My father taught me," Draco said.

"The Weasley twins taught me," Harry answered.

"The Weasley twins don't fly that well," Hooch said, shaking her head. "Well never mind that. It was quick thinking on your part. Could have prevented Longbottom from getting hurt. Ten points each for Gryffindor and Slytherin."

"Everyone, let's try it again," Madame Hooch called out, "except for you two." She pointed at Harry and Draco. "You don't need this class. Off with you." She gave them a little wink and turned back to her class.

"Well that was a stroke of luck," Malfoy said as they walked off the Quidditch pitch. "I wonder if we'll be able to get out of some the other classes the same way."

"Probably not," Harry said. "We're going to hear it from Hermione over this."

"I didn't think about it," Draco admitted. "I just remembered he'd broken his arm."

"Exactly," Harry agreed. "And did you know we're not required to eat at our house table unless it's a feast or some other official event?"

"Yeah," Malfoy said. "No one ever does though. It would be seen as cavorting with the enemy."

"And we're going to change that," Harry said. "That tells me why Hermione is in Ravenclaw."

"And what," the voice of Severus Snape interrupted them, "are you two doing out of class?"

Harry briefly told him what they'd done and Madame Hooch's reaction to it.

"Sloppy," Snape said, looking down his nose at them. Somehow, he just didn't look as intimidating as he once did. "Ten points each from Gryffindor and Slytherin, I think."

"Professor Snape," Draco said. "We didn't think. We saw Longbottom with his broom out of control and just reacted."

"It's obvious you didn't think or you'd have let Madame Hooch handle it," Snape retorted. "Nothing to be done about it now however, the damage is done. But both of you need to be more careful in the future."

"Yes sir," Harry said. Draco nodded as Snape went about his way. However, Snape chose this moment to launch an attack against Harry's mind. The Moment he felt his scar tingle his defenses were up, Snape found Harry thinking it would be a good idea if He, Draco and Hermione could communicate in this fashion.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked as Harry stopped dead in his tracks.

"Snape attacking my mind," Harry answered, his hand rubbing his scar. "But I have an idea." Apparently, Snape read the thought Harry projected as he turned around and walked right back toward them.

"Both of you come to my office," he said and turned to walk away yet again.

Draco gave Harry a slight glare. "Was detention your idea?" he asked. Harry just shook his head as they followed Snape to his office.