Harry Potter and The Maturation of Sorcery

Disclaimer:  It’s JKR’s not mine. It’s J.K Rowling’s stable of characters, settings, and ideas; not mine. I’ve never profited from my writings and frankly never plan to. 

Upon boarding the large red train that had carried them into a world of magic and wonder for the first time five years earlier, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were searching for an empty compartment where they could stow their belongings, before the former two had to attend the prefect’s meeting in the heads compartment.

They finally found a compartment where the only occupant was Neville and upon opening the door he warmly greeted them, “Hey Harry, Hermione, and Ron.  How were your summers?”  Realizing the ridiculousness of the question he amended, “That is to say aside from all of the rubbish they’ve written in the paper.”

Harry chuckled as he pushed his trunk up in the compartment above the seats and said, “It definitely had its moments Neville.”  Neville immediately noticed Harry was glancing none too subtly at Hermione as he finished his statement.

Harry took Hermione’s trunk and was stowing hers away when said witch also offered, “It was a very busy summer Neville, and we’d be glad to discuss it, but Harry and I have to attend the prefect’s meeting first.”  Hermione took Harry’s hand and gave him a peck on the lips before they exited the compartment.

Neville nodded, as though he had expected as much on both fronts, and watched their retreating backs before he turned to Ron and asked, “Quite a pair those two make isn’t it?”

Ron slid the upper storage compartment shut before he smiled fondly and said, “That they are mate.”

Harry and Hermione found the head’s compartment and were greeted by the year’s Head Boy and Head Girl selections, Roger Davies from Ravenclaw and Albertha Burke from Hufflepuff.  Harry vaguely remembered her amongst his detractors in his second year during the whole Chamber of Secrets madness and his greeting for her was slightly less friendly then the one he shared with Roger.

After they found a pair of seats in the near corner they watched as the remainder of the prefects filed in.  Harry stifled a laugh at the sour expression on Cho’s face upon seeing the comfortable position Hermione had taken leaning against Harry’s chest, as his hands were tenderly placed on her shoulders. Unfortunately he couldn’t stop a snort from escaping as he caught the reflection of the triumphant smile on Hermione’s face, as the other female prefects looked on longingly.  Harry turned a weary eye to Malfoy who had been unsurprisingly named one of the fifth year Slytherin prefects.  In turn, the dreamy looks that Harry had given Cho the previous year had been reversed, as Cho kept looking at Harry throughout the meeting.

Having read the rule book thoroughly Harry paid less attention to the meeting than Hermione as he scanned the room carefully taking in each and every person in the room.  Of course several of the prefects were eyeing Harry warily and he could tell that the ridiculous articles released by the prophet had taken some hold amongst the student populace.

Harry was broken from his thoughts as he heard Roger say, “Gryffindor prefects patrol the train first, and make sure to check the password slips before you leave so that you can inform the rest of your housemates.”

They hadn’t gotten far into their patrols when they heard Cho breathlessly say, “Harry, could you talk for a minute?” 

Hermione was plenty secure with her belief in Harry, to release him as he walked over to talk to Cho in private. 

Cho smiled sweetly at Harry and asked, “Harry, I was wondering if you were still interested on going out sometime?”

Harry smiled slightly and patiently replied, “I’m sure you noticed at the meeting that Hermione and I are heavily involved Cho, and since you’re a Ravenclaw playing dumb doesn’t suit you.”

Cho frowned as she took a step away from Harry and quietly said, “Ok Harry, I just thought I’d ask.”  Harry suddenly noticed how vulnerable and lonely Cho actually looked when she finished speaking.  Harry knew that she had been dating Cedric during the year, and suddenly understood what she was actually asking for and he silently decided to do something to help her.

Harry sighed before he stepped forward and placed a hand on Cho’s shoulder before he said, “I know I didn’t know Cedric as well as you did.  But, if you ever want to talk about what happened in the graveyard I’d be glad to tell you.”

Cho’s eyes watered slightly before she turned and ran down the corridor to her own compartment.  Harry frowned as he watched her retreating form before he walked back down the corridor towards Hermione.

Hermione had a concerned look on her face as Harry came into view with a thoughtful frown marring his features.  She grasped his arm and asked, “What is it Harry?”

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stave off a headache and softly replied, “Cho, for the first time I saw how much Cedric’s death affected someone other than me.  She looked so lonely and vulnerable and I couldn’t help but feel bad for her.  I told her that if she ever wanted to talk about Cedric she could talk to me anytime.”

Hermione grasped Harry’s face and pulled him down into a tender kiss before she pulled away blushing slightly and said, “That had to be the most sensitive and wonderful thing you could have done Harry.  I’m very proud of you.”  Harry blushed lightly as Hermione sighed happily and grasped his hand tightly as they patrolled the rest of the train with no further events.

By the time they had returned to their compartment it had filled up somewhat as Luna had joined the group as well as Fred and George as a large game of gobstones was taking place on the floor.

Fred and George eyed Hermione warily before Harry steered here over to their seat and sent them a not so innocent wink before joining here as they cuddled on the bench.  At some point Hermione had managed to manufacture a small notebook and at the top of the page were a number of notes that the pair had put together on the when and where of the defense group they had been organizing. 

Taking all of the necessary precautions to protect Dumbledore’s position in the castle, they had decided to make the group by invitation only.  Initially Harry had insisted on making the group solely consist of Gryffindors but Hermione had reasoned that the best defense students should be the ones being taught because of the more advanced topics that would be discussed. 

In the end Harry said, “Ok, so how about we take an equal amount from the houses?  I was thinking about twenty students all together.  ”

Hermione’s face brightened before Harry added, “Except Slytherin.”

Hermione frowned and said, “There are some good people in Slytherin Harry.”

Harry sighed and after a moment said, “Are there five people you trust in Slytherin Hermione?”

Hermione but her lip and eventually she shook her head in the negative and answered, “I can only think of three people actually.  I was thinking we should invite Tracy Davis, Daphne Greengrass, and Theodore Nott.”

Harry’s eyes widened at the last name on the list and he quietly said, “Hermione, Nott’s father was one of the deatheaters in the graveyard.”

Hermione nodded thoughtfully before she said, “If I manage to jinx a loyalty and privacy oath that really won’t matter.  I suppose we’ll need to anyways, because the temptation to tell others would be far too strong.”

Harry nodded, apparently oblivious to what she had just said as he was deep in thought trying to work the dynamics of the group.  It had become one of Harry’s more endearing traits over the summer; he would get so lost in deep thought that it would often take drastic measures just to get him to snap out of it.  Of course Hermione enjoyed unleashing the drastic measures and this time was no different.

Harry snapped back to reality at the sensation of Hermione’s soft lips pressed to his own and after she pulled away he murmured sheepishly, “Um, sorry about that Hermione I was just thinking about the group.”

Hermione smiled understandingly and then teased, “Did you come to any life altering conclusions?”

Harry chuckled and replied, “No, but I did think of some more useful spells we can teach.” 

Hermione smiled widely, secretly thrilled that Harry was taking to the prospect of teaching so quickly.  If Hermione had her druthers Harry would take up a teaching position at Hogwarts much like she wanted to and after Voldemort was finally dealt with they could FLOO to work every day from wherever they wanted to start a family.  Granted, it was looking very far into the future and yet she found that those thoughts were the only ones that got her past her thoughts in the present and near future’s bleak prospects.

As they reached the station in Hogsmeade Harry’s attention was immediately ensnared by the presence of the magnificent but terrible beasts that he could see were pulling them for the first time.  Harry frowned and turned to Hermione before he asked, “I wonder why they got these horses to pull the carriages this year?”

Hermione eyed Harry strangely before she answered, “Harry, there aren’t any horses pulling the carriages.”

Now it was Harry’s turn to eye Hermione strangely and he retorted, “Yes there is Love.  Those large black horses with wings are pulling the carriages.”

Hermione’s expression was one of disbelief and puzzlement before her eyes lit up and she said, “Oh you must be able to see Thestrals Harry.”

Harry arched his eyebrow and asked, “Is that what they’re called?”

Hermione nodded and appeared to be in the midst of an internal struggle before she said, “If you can see a Thestral Harry, it means you’ve seen someone die before.  They are supposed to be harbingers of death.”

Harry frowned and closed his eyes as he replayed Cedric’s death yet again before he opened his eyes and said, “I think you also have to come to grips with the death you see if that is the case.”

Hermione bit her lip and nodded, not fully understanding Harry’s words but accepting them for what they were.  Neither noticed the bemused expression on the rest of the compartments cohabitants as the couple appeared lost in their own world trying to unravel this newest development. 

When they reached the castle Harry helped Hermione out of the carriage and took a deep breath of the fresh air of the Scottish Highlands.  Harry turned to Hermione and with a smile he said, “It’s nice to be back.”

Hermione smiled and looked at Harry and the rest of her friends and said, “It’s nice to be home.”

The doors to the great hall were opened as the houses scattered to their respective tables.  The entirety of the fifth year Gryffindors sat down together seemingly with Harry, Hermione, and Ron as their center as though pulled by the gravity of the trio’s accomplishments.  The hall filled up as McGonagall sat the stool and sorting hat in their customary places.  The student populace was scanning each table to look at each other and a vast majority of the feminine attentions had been focused on one particular green eyed raven haired wizard whose attention was focused on the staff table as he gazed a hole in two particular staff member’s heads.  If looks could kill at that very moment, then Dumbledore would have been in need of a new potions master and defense instructor. 

Dumbledore noticed Harry’s attention and if his twinkling eyes were any indication, he found the entire thing to be rather amusing.

The hat promptly broke into its annual song, although this year it was not of the lighthearted nature it had been in the past. 

O.O.T.P. pg204-07.

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted;

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning

'Together we will build and teach!'

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might some day be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there so I can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, 'We'll teach those

Whose ancestry is purest.'

Said Ravenclaw, 'We'll teach those whose Intelligence is surest.'

Said Gryffindor, 'We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name.'

Said Hufflepuff, 'I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same.'

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A house in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The houses that, like pillars four,

Had once help up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with duelling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

An d at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether Sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must united inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you...

Let the Sorting now begin

The first years shuffled into the great hall and were sorted in record time as the hat apparently was in a rather impatient mood following his ominous warning.  Gryffindor and Slytherin received the majority of the students, as even now it was plain to see the glaring divide within the walls of the school. 

As the sorting progressed, murmurs or worry rippled through the student population in contemplation of the hat’s warning.  Once again several sets of eyes wandered to Harry, somehow expecting the chosen one to have the answers the rest were sorely lacking.  Harry rolled his eyes in reply and watched as Dumbledore stood up.

The old wizard solemnly addressed the student body as he said, “I suggest you all heed the hat’s dire warning.  It has been many years since the hat has made such a prediction and it would not do well to ignore its words.  However, I believe that for now we should enjoy the feast, and I will have more announcements following the feast’s conclusion.”

As the food appeared much like it always had in the past Harry took the moment to look around the hall and try to take in the wonder of the magic of the castle like he had in his first year.  Back when life was simple and he wasn’t aware that he was living the life of a hero, but was merely a scrawny kid with glasses and horrid relatives.  Life might not have been better back then, but it most definitely was simpler. 

Harry finally went to grab his food, but already found a plate filled with his favorites by Hermione.  She was smiling knowingly to show him that she knew exactly what he was thinking about.  She leaned over and kissed him softly on his forehead before she said, “Savor the moments we can have Harry, because it will be awhile before we can afford to again.”

When the feast finished Dumbledore stood up and made his announcements, “Hello students and welcome back to another year at Hogwarts.  I have a few brief announcements to make and then you may return to your respective common rooms to prepare for the year ahead.  The forbidden forest remains exactly as it namesake indicates, forbidden so please refrain from entering it.  Our caretaker Mr. Filch also wishes for me to remind all of you that magic will not be allowed in the halls between classes and that you may not use and of the restricted items from his banned items list.  If you wish to know what items are banned there is a copy of the list outside of Mr. Filch’s office.  I am also inclined to announce one new staff addition for the year as Madam Umbridge is the new defense against the dark arts professor.”

Harry watched as Umbridge’s presence was met only with the barest of applause from the hall and all of it resided at Slytherin’s table.  Dumbledore continued, “That is all for now.  If the fifth year prefects would be so kind as to escort the first year students to their common rooms it would be most appreciated.”

Harry and Hermione stood and immediately the first year Gryffindor’s began to fire questions upon him at a rapid rate.  Hermione took pity on her boyfriend and said, “That will be quite enough.  Now first years Gryffindors follow us and we will lead you to the common room.”

Harry smiled and whispered into her ear, “Thanks Love, I don’t know how much longer I could have held off the inquisition.”

Hermione giggled slightly and replied, “They’re just curious Harry, and after all you are a celebrity.”

Harry rolled his eyes in response as they shifted onto the staircase as it led them up to the Gryffindor tower.  Upon reaching the Fat Lady’s portrait Harry turned towards the first years and other students before he said, “Listen up you lot, the password to begin the year is Fiat Lux, the sixth year prefects will inform you if it is changed.”

Harry turned to the fat lady and uttered the password and the portrait swung open revealing the Gryffindor common room in all of its glory.  The first years dumbly took in another marvel in the castle, as they were shown their respective dorms by the sixth year prefects.

Harry sat down heavily onto the couch in front of the fire and was joined by Hermione who softly asked, “Are you ok Harry?”

Harry yawned as he turned to Hermione and said, “Just tired love.”

Hermione smiled and was about to suggest he get some sleep when a third year girl with dark hair and dark eyes batted her eyes at Harry and said, “Um, Mr. Potter the headmaster wants to see you tonight.  He said the password was licorice wands.” 

Harry arched his eyebrow and said, “Thanks, um?”

The girl giggled and replied, “Oh, I’m Romilda Vane.”

Harry nodded and gave Hermione a quick kiss to Hermione before he stood and addressed the girl, “Thanks Romilda.”  The girl blushed as she ran over to the opposite corner of the room to an entire group of giggling girls as Harry turned towards Hermione with a smirk and shake of his head.  Hermione laughed as Harry rolled his eyes before exiting out the fat lady’s portrait on his way to see Dumbledore.

Harry reached the gargoyle and said, “Licorice Wands”, and Harry trudged up the stairs to find Dumbledore’s door open as the old wizard was twirling his pensieve anxiously.  Harry cleared his throat and Dumbledore turned and gave him a smile before he said, “Ah Harry, I am glad to see Ms. Vane relayed the message.  As I promised we are going to view the entirety of the prophecy once our privacy is ensured.”  Dumbledore flicked his wand a few times shutting and locking the door behind him and casting several privacy charms so that no one could overhear their conversation.

Apparently pleased with the level of privacy he said, “Harry, I was present when the prophecy concerning you and Tom was made nearly 17 years ago.  Your current Professor of Divination happened to be the seer who provided the prophecy.  If you’ll follow me to the pensieve we can watch the memory and prophecy in full.”  Harry nodded and Dumbledore swirled his pensieve once more before Trelawney appeared.

Her eyes were completely black as she spoke in an ethereal tone,

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

Harry stepped back from the pensieve with a thoughtful expression on his face before he asked, “Professor, do you have any idea the power I have that Riddle doesn’t?”

Dumbledore nodded as he took his seat and steepled his fingers.  After a moment he said, “Harry, I am of the belief that the power you possess which Tom knows not is your inherent ability to love.”

Harry bit his lip in thought for several seconds before he asked, “But, don’t all human beings have the ability to love?”

Dumbledore nodded and replied, “That is mostly true Harry, however Tom Riddle rejected this ability and replaced it with hate and malice.  Your magic will be comparable to Tom’s when you mature as a sorcerer.  Your advantage will lie in your ability to love and be loved.”

Harry sighed disappointedly and said, “While it wasn’t exactly what I was looking to find out, I will do my best sir.”

Dumbledore smiled and Harry stood to leave before the old wizard added, “Harry, I also wish to return a possession that is rightfully yours.”

Harry arched his eyebrow before he smiled as Dumbledore handed him the familiar hilt of Gryffindor’s sword in a scabbard that he didn’t recognize.  Harry softly asked, “Where did the scabbard come from sir?”

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled and he replied, “Gryffindor’s sword had been feared lost until you brought it back with you from the chamber of secrets Harry.  However, the scabbard that held the sword has been in the possession of every Hogwarts headmaster since the time of the founders.  The scabbard has some very intriguing magical properties.  When the sword of your ancestor is placed in the scabbard it automatically resizes to the wearers body size to be worn comfortably and inconspicuously.  Additionally, legend has it that when the true heir of Gryffindor wears the sword and scabbard it will only remain visible to the heir and headmaster of Hogwarts.”

Harry arched his eyebrow and asked, “So am I supposed to wear this to class then?”

Dumbledore shook his head and replied, “No, but any Hogsmeade weekends and any other times that you are outside of the castle you should keep the sword on your person.  I recommend practicing and improving your skill with the blade.  Being able to wield a sword and wand at once will provide you an invaluable asset should you find yourself in battle.”

Harry smiled in relief happy to hear that he would have something constructive to work on for the school year after finding love was his secret weapon.  Of course Harry didn’t want to discount the value of love, because the summer spent with Hermione had easily been the best of his life and it had been such because of the blossoming love he had for the brown haired witch previously mentioned.  Harry put the scabbard on and felt a wave of power rush through his body.  When the wave of power dissipated Harry was surprised to find that he now felt much more powerful than he had before.  Giving Dumbledore no chance to ask him further questions or to tell him further revelations without first reviewing what he had just been told, Harry left the office en route to the common room to pick Hermione’s brain on the prophecy and prepare for the first day of classes the next day.

A/N:  Welcome back faithful readers to the continuation of the Credit Given universe.  This story is most definitely AU so while it will share inevitable events from OOTP there also will be significant differences.  I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and as always reviews are very welcome.