Simple Twist of Fate

Chapter 4: Faster than a Cannonball
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A/N: So I can do two chapters in two days... haha. I wouldn't expect it on a constant bases or else we'd be in third year by the end of my break from college (which I'm certain will stop me from frequently updating, though all free time will be spent on updating). Well, I hope you enjoy this one, it's going to feature more Quirrell, which I know some of you have liked and there will be more Hermione and Harry stuff. Well enjoy and let me know what you think!

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Before anyone at the school realized it, September became October and the first month of school was over. Unfortunately for the students, the change in the weather didn't help the moods of some of the less than cheerful professors like Snape and McGonagall. They were just as crabby and overbearing as they always were.

The only thing that had changed however was Albus Dumbledore. Unlike at the beginning of the term, he was a lot more withdrawn and the twinkle in his eye had all but gone out. Students began to think that it had a lot to do with all the unsolved murders that had been taking place in the Wizarding World of late. The Daily Prophet was beginning to feature at least one new mysterious death everyday, the latest being a man named Nicholas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle.

"These deaths are getting to be a bit weird... Ron, your Dad works for the ministry, right?" Ron nodded in-between chews. "Has he said anything about this?"

Ron shook his head emphatically as he took another bite out of his buttered toast. "None at all. He's been keeping a lot about his job pretty hush hush at home... or at least that's what Ginny's been saying. But I agree, mate... this is getting odd."

"Dad's been saying in his letter's that it was a lot like this before the war started... He won't say anything in specifics... he doesn't need to." Harry grimly told Ron as he continued to read the Prophet. "You know, I'd ask Dumbledore, but Dad said I should leave him alone when it comes to such matters."

The whole circle that included Luna, Seamus, Dean, Parvati and Lavender all nodded with vigor. "Dumbledore's under a lot of pressure these days... especially with the new infestation of nargles."

"If my parents knew about Voldemort, I probably wouldn't have been able to attend Hogwarts. They sent me to get an education, not to get caught in some sort of war zone." Hermione added, walking up to the table and sitting next to Harry. "But I'm sure Dumbledore will do something to prevent things from getting out of hand."

"Like he did the last time? Dumbledore dropped the ball so many times I'm surprised Minister Fudge didn't ask for his resignation." Seamus butted in with a large amount of contempt in his voice. "Half the deaths at the end were because Dumbledore was too incompetent to do a bloody thing about it."

Harry rolled his eyes at Seamus, who obviously had no clue what he was talking about. Harry was always told my his parents how Dumbledore was the reason He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named went away for as long as he did. "Were you there, Seamus?"

"No... but neither were you!"

"I was more there than you were. My parents house was attacked by him when I was fifteen months old... the house was demolished and if it weren't for Dumbledore, we probably would have been killed. He moved us to a Muggle neighborhood for us to hideaway in... so don't tell me that Dumbledore is useless." Harry snapped at Seamus and stormed away from the table, after picking up his bad.

Annoyed, Hermione shook her head at Seamus and ran after Harry. "You never told me that."

"Told you what?" Harry asked her without looking back.


"About your connection with You-Know-Who. No many people can say that." Hermione caught up with him and empathically put her hand on Harry's shoulder, gingerly rubbing it to try and comfort him.

Harry gritted his teeth and pulled away. "There are many times where I wish I couldn't say it. He's had me marked for death since before I was born."

"Wait... what?" The potential explanation was cut off by an unexpected voice.

"Harry? Harry! There you are!" They both recognized the voice to belong to Harry's little sister Carolyn. With great joy, she ran up to Harry and gave him a big hug that would rival the one Hermione gave him on her birthday. "I've missed you!"

James and Lily leisurely walked over and joined the reunion soon after, beaming down at their son. "Professor Quirrell asked us here for a conference... you haven't been a trouble maker have you?" Lily winked at her son. "He also wants you there, so Hermione, do you mind watching Carolyn while we're there?"

"Not at all, Mrs. Potter. Come on, Carolyn, I'll show you the library." Hermione took Harry's sister's hand and lead her away towards the library.

Once they were out of sight, James' expression turned from bright and cheerful to dark and grim. "Harry... we think he's back." Harry's heart sunk. He was almost sure of it before his parents told him, but to hear his father's voice, it just made it all the more real. To him it was the last nail in the coffin.

"I know, Dad. I've known for quite a while, this was just the confirmation... but what does Quirrell want?" Harry wasn't exactly sure of the correlation between the two, except for the fact that Quirrell was the defense teacher and Harry probably was going to be needing defending. "Whatever the meeting's about, I hope you know that I'm going to tell Hermione everything."

James looked as if he were about to tell him no, but Lily interjected before he could say anything. "That's perfectly alright, honey. I had a friend like that too in school and I know your father did with Sirius."

"Who was your friend, Mum?" Harry asked, wondering if he knew them.

"Um... you don't know him..." Lily quickly answered. She didn't want Harry to know about how she and his "favorite" potions master used to be best friends, or at least until he tried to kill her.

Harry gave his mother a questioning look when Professor Snape walked by them. "I wasn't expecting to see you here, Potter..." Snape jeered at James and then curtly nodded towards Lily. "It's agreeable to see you again, Lily." She simply stood there and looked at her feet as if to avoid his cold, black gaze. "I trust your son's trouble-making is the reason you're here."

"Actually, no. Quirinus wanted to see us. Something about You-Know-Who and the You-Know-What." James shot back with a rude tone equal to Snape's. "So if that's all, Snivellus, I'm sure you have something more pressing to do."

Snape stood there and glared for a few seconds before completely storming off in the opposite direction. "You just have to know how to deal with him, that's all."

"Don't listen to your father, Harry. It'll just get you in trouble." Lily rolled her eyes at her husband and continued to walk towards Quirrell's office. Before continuing, Harry and James shared a look and a laugh before deciding that they should follow Lily before she took their heads off with a hex.

Harry remained silent for most of the trip, but it was more than obvious that something was really on his mind. "Hey, Dad... I was thinking of trying out for the Quidditch team... they need two chasers."

James stopped dead in his tracks. Of all the things that could have been bothering Harry, he was more than a little bit proud that his son was most worried about Quidditch, his old sport... and his old position. "Son, you know you're more built like a seeker." Harry wasn't built like his Dad at all. He wasn't big and muscular, he was small, lanky and quick. A lot like his mother.

"Maybe, but I want to play the same position as you." James continued to beam at his son with out saying another word, before they arrived at the office of Professor Quirrell.

Lily knocked at the door and almost immediately, the bald Professor swung the door open and warmly greeted all three of them. "James, Lily! It's wonderful to see the two of you again, all though do I see a lot of both of you everyday in Harry." He let all three of them in and to their surprise, there was a kettle over the fire place to get tea read. "I hope you don't mind the mess. I haven't had much of a chance to clean up since I returned from a... business trip."

"That's perfectly fine, Quirinus. We're not worried about it... what we are worried about is sitting next to us." Lily looked at Harry and ruffled his hair a bit.

"Perfectly understandable, my dear. Shall we get down to business?" He gave them both a half smile while he lead them into his actual office and allowed them to sit down and sip their tea that had just come up. "Now, down to business."

They spent the next half hour discussing how Voldemort was about to make a power play against all of England, not just the Wizarding World. They also mentioned something about the prophesy and how they should try and make it fulfill itself, something Lily wasn't entirely thrilled about.

"Lily, this is a prophesy. Either way, it's going to happen and we have to make sure Harry's ready when it does. 'Neither can live while the other survives.' V-V-Voldemort won't rest until our boy is out of the way. And dammit, I want my son to see his coming of age."

Harry had never really thought about it before. The prophesy didn't exactly say that he would vanquish the Dark Lord, it said that he had the power and that neither of them would actually be able to move on until one died. "Mum, Dad's right. I need to be ready some how."

Lily bowed her head down and let one of the tears fall that had been growing in her eyes. "Harry, you're just a boy... you shouldn't have to deal with all of this. This isn't how it's supposed to happen."

"I know, but it is happening... There isn't anything I can do to stop it." Though he knew he shouldn't, Quirrell smiled a bit at Harry's courage. He had a feeling that Harry would end up becoming his most prized student ever... too bad he wasn't a Slytherin.

"Harry, I admire your courage. You are much wiser than your age would dictate, so, I was thinking that we do some personal one on one training after school on Friday. My last class ends at two, so if you could be here then, do an hour or so of practice. Teach you things that I don't teach in your year." Professor Quirrell went off talking about how the most important thing to do was practice and learn as many spells as possible to counter the Dark Lord.

At first, Harry wasn't all to thrilled about giving up his Friday afternoons, but he felt in the long run that it was the best option, until he thought of the perfect addition. "Hermione."

"I'm sorry, Harry, what was that?" Professor Quirrell asked as he was writing out a letter to Dumbledore to explain what had just gone on between he and the Potters.

"Hermione Granger, sir. She's easily a better witch than I am a wizard... she never needed my help when she asked for it... but really professor, let her get in on this." Harry looked at Quirrell, who appeared to be strongly considering it.

James once again looked like he really didn't want to do it because it would risk more about the prophesy getting out into the open, but he decided not to say anything. "I know what it's like to be alone in dark times, Harry. Of course we can let her join us too." Quirrell smiled at the young boy.

The rest of the meeting was just getting the logistics of it all out and work out somewhat of a curriculum. Disarming spells would of course be first and he wanted to work up to the point where they would practice a bit of wandless magic before the end of the year. Of course, Harry wouldn't be able to do it, but it was always good to learn a basic knowledge, in case Voldemort used a bit of it.

Once the meeting was over, it was about time for lunch and Harry and the Potters went down to the Great Hall and found Hermione and Carolyn eating with the rest of the Gryffindors. "Mind if we join you, Harry?" His father asked.

"Of course not, have a seat." James nodded and sat down next ot Carolyn and across from where Lily sat. Harry grabbed the seat next to Hermione, a seat that was almost always reserved for Harry, no matter the time or place.

"Harry, who's that?" His father asked him, motioning towards the end of the table where a boy sat alone and seemed to be only paying attention to the food he was eating.

Harry shook his head and let out a bit of a growl. "That's Oscar Entwistle. Never met such an insufferable git in my life. He's in Malfoy's crowd... if that says anything."

James looked at him a bit and after a few minutes his eyes grew in shock. He turned to look at Lily who had obviously come to the same conclusion a few seconds before he did. "My God..."

Before too long, the two realized it was time for them to leave, but before they left, James took Harry aside in the entrance hall. "Harry, I have tot ell you one thing before I go... don't write off Entwistle... I have a strange feeling that me may surprise you." James spoke gravely, in the same voice he did when he explained the prophecy to Harry. A voice that he knew Harry would listen to.

"But Dad!"

"But nothing, Son... there's a reason he was placed in Gryffindor and I don't think that reason should be taken lightly." James turned around and after seeing that no one was looking, he bent down and hugged Harry. "Watch your back, son. I feel there's a power growing in this world that doesn't want you to see your next birthday... be careful."

Without another word, James turned around and went with Lily and Carolyn out of the castle towards Hogsmeade so they could floo home. Harry turned around to go back towards the Great Hall when he found Hermione leaving "Hermione, we have a lot to talk about. Everyone should be out in the courtyards... let's go back to the common room."

The second they arrived, they started a fire in the fire place and sat down on the couch. Not knowing how to start, Harry just started at the beginning of the prophecy and went through everything up to today. Hermione was the best listener he could ask for. She gasped at all the right moments, she comforted him at all the right moments and by the end of his talk, she was in tears.

"My God, Harry... how are you able to handle this all?" Hermione cried and pulled him in for another hug. She hugged him every time he choked up a bit, every time she was at a loss for words and just when she thought he needed it. "I don't know what I would have done."

Harry nodded in a daze. This was the first time he had ever vocalized the whole thing to someone and he was just now beginning to realize how heavy the whole thing actually was. "I don't know 'Mione. I never really had a chance to feel upset about it. When my Dad first told me, it was almost like a fairy tale... something that wasn't entirely real... it feels real now."

They spent the next several moments in total silence. "You know, I'd understand if you don't want to be friends anymore... I come with a lot of baggage and I might not survive my time at Hogwarts..."

"HARRY JAMES POTTER! DON'T SAY THAT!" She began to completely break down and sob. "I'd never abandon you and I won't let you give up that easy." Hermione was downright screaming, leaving Harry very glad that the whole tower was empty of the students enjoying the last bit of good weather.

Harry hung his head in shame. "Thanks... I'm glad you said that because I don't know what I'd do with out you. Ron's great and all, but I don't think he'd be able to understand the complexity of the situation."

Hermione smiled a bit at that. She didn't know Ron all that well, but she knew that he probably wasn't the most conscientious person in the world. "Harry, I'll never leave you... you know that. And we're going to take on You-Know-Who together."

It was now Harry's turn to smile. He was now very sad that he never had given Hermione the time of day back when they were in school together. He wouldn't have fit in if he befriended her, but did it really matter? He couldn't think of a single real friend he had back at home. Not that it mattered all that much... He had Hermione. "What are you smiling about, Potter?" She returned the smile and gave him a quick swat to bring him back to reality.

"Nothing, nothing at all."

Ever since their little conversation about the prophecy, Harry and Hermione had gotten even closer and Hermione's doubts of being in Gryffindor were beginning to shrink, especially since she was starting to show signs of success with out being in Ravenclaw.

She was quickly becoming a favorite of all her teachers, especially Professor McGonagall, head of the Gryffindor house. At first the other Gryffindors treated her unfairly, calling her a know it all, until they realized how many points she was getting them. Harry on the other hand wasn't as focused as he was when the term started. While all of the educational aspects of Hogwarts were still very important to Harry, there was something more important to him happening at Hogwarts: The start of the Quidditch season.

"Harry, you have to eat something. You need your strength." Hermione begged Harry as she made him a plate filled with bacon, toast, eggs, and other hearty foods. "Half the people all ready think your mad for trying out as a first year, I don't want you to prove them right."

"I know, 'Mione, but I'm just not hungry. I don't want all this to come back up at the try out. Puking all over Oliver Wood, wouldn't exactly secure my place on the team." Harry said grimly, prodding his food with a fork.

Hermione rolled her eyes and took a bite out of a piece of bacon that she gave to Harry. "Whatever you say... I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Oh, I'm sure he will too... he'll do fine at falling off his broom," Malfoy sneered at Harry with his goons backing him up with a barage of laughter.

"Yeah, well too bad you didn't make it... I'd have been glad to knock you off your broom in the first match." Harry was very happy about the fact that Malfoy didn't make it when Slytherin held their try outs.

Malfoy let out a little growl and walked off with Crabe and Goyle. "Don't listen to them, Harry... you'll be fine."

Harry watched the clock in horror for the next hour and allowed Hermione to lead him by the hand to the Quidditch pitch once it was time for the try out. Harry wasn't prepared for actual feeling of being there and if it weren't for Hermione holding him in place, he probably wouldn't have stayed for very long.

"Okay. Welcome all hopefuls. As most of you should know, I'm Oliver Wood, Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Now, I won't waste any time explaining the rules, so if anyone doesn't know how to play, leave now, you will not be allowed to try out." Harry was surprised that a fifth year had so much power, energy and authority... and also to Harry's surprise half the group left when they found out they had to know about Quidditch to join the team. "That one always gets a few... ah... I'd like to introduce you to my assistant Charlie Weasley, he'll be helping me out today."

Harry recognized Charlie, fondly recalling his childhood when the Weasleys came over. Charlie was always nice to him, unlike Percy. "Charlie graduated last year and he wanted to know if I needed any help, so I gratefully accepted. Now, everyone, start off by flying laps, I want to see what you've got."

Harry's heart sank. He didn't have a broom, first years weren't supposed to have them. He thought that they'd have some lying around for just this reason. "Um... Oliver... I don't have a broom..."

"A first year, eh? I'm sorry, but..."

"You can use mine, Harry. It may be a little bit too big for you, but I'm sure you can manage... I've seen you on a broom before." Charlie interjected, handing Harry his broom and he quickly took to the sky. "He's a friend of the family... he won't let you down."

If only Charlie were right. While the flying went well enough, he completely sucked at being a chaser. Out of at least fifty tries he only made one and that was because Oliver was too busy trying to evade Harry as he catapualted towards him after losing control of his broom. "All right, Potter. That's enough. Maybe next year."

Sadly, Harry floated down to the ground and joined Hermione in the stands where she gave him a big hug. "No sense losing sleep over it, you just weren't ready."

"I guess..." Rather than go back to the castle and risk running into Malfoy, the two decided to hang around and watch the rest of the practice. By the time the chasers were done they had picked Alicia Spinnet, a 3rd year and Katie Bell, a 2nd year over all the others that had shown up.

After that it was time for the seekers to take to the sky. While there were a lot of potential chasers, there were even more seekers, as it was the most popular position. "Half these people are all wrong for the part. They need to be the best flyers, but some one them were less than mediocre." Just then Harry caught a glint of gold in his eye. "Hermione, did you see that?"

"See what?" She asked trying to look around and find what Harry had seen.

"The snitch! It's right there, why isn't anyone doing anything? Harry pointed directly to where he saw it, but Hermione still wasn't picking it up.

Before anyone saw him, he lowered his finger, so he wouldn't give away its position. "We're surely going to lose the cup this year if they can't see that... it went right passed one of their heads... wait..." Harry's brain lit up with an idea as he looked to his left and saw Charlie's broom still there. Without thinking, he picked it up, mounted it, and rocketed towards the snitch with his hand held out.

To Harry's dismay, rather than search for what he was going for, the potential seekers all flew out of the way leaving Harry enough room to grab the snitch, which he did with no problem. "Potter! I said you're done... what are you doing?"

"Um... no one was going for it..." He held out the snitch, making Wood almost fall off his broom in shock.

Oliver rockted towards Harry and stopped with just enough of a a distance to see the snitch in Harry's hand. "Merlin! None of them even saw it... I didn't even see it... do it again." Harry did do it again. He caught every snitch that Wood threw at him, not letting another player get one. "Harry, that was some of the best flying and seeking I have seen in years. Between you and me, Charlie Weasley couldn't have done half the things you did."

Harry smiled widely at the big compliment he had just recieved from Oliver. "Needless to say, you're on the team. You can use one of the school brooms." Harry nodded and raced towards the stands where Hermione was beaming up at him.

"I made it!" He shouted excitedly. After everything was over, Harry and Hermione raced back to the castle so they could send a letter to Harry's parents telling them of his acomplishment.

***

Elsewhere in the castle, Dumbledore was pacing around his office waiting for Professor Quirrell to return with the parcel that was delivered to Gringotts earlier that day. Before too long, Quirrell came rushing into the office with a small package in his hand. "It's here, Albus." He shouted throwing the package in his dirrection.

"Wonderful, Quirinus, now this must be hidden deep in the castle. Are all the obsticals in place?" Dumbledore placed the package on his desk and looked up at Quirrell with grave eyes.

"All but mine, but I'll put it in place once soon enough... we got it, Albus," Quirrell was relieved that they didn't have to worry about Voldemort getting what was in the pacakge.

With a great sense of relief, Dumbledore sat down at his desk and took a sip of tea. "I fear this isn't the last thing in the world that would help Voldemort go to power... but this is a victory none the less. One worth drinking to."

Dumbledore poured them both glasses of Firewhisky and after toasting each other, they both took a long, well deserved sip.

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A/N: Well, I hope you all enjoyed. Drop me a review and told me if you did or not. Plus bonus points, if anyone can pick up a pattern in the past two chapter titles.

Coming up next: HALLOWEEN!

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