Disclaimer: See the prologue.

Chapter One: Hogwarts

A/N: 12/5/16: I forgot about Harry's wand, sorry! It was burned to ashes. I will be writing a new chapter to be uploaded on Wednesday if we're lucky. It's Harry's memory of the trip to Diagon Alley. Also! I'll give you a hint about Harry's wand: A phoenix core, what does a phoenix do when it burns?

o0O0o

One week after the World Cup, Harry crossed the barrier onto platform 9 ¾.

"Harry!" an excited Hermione called from across the platform, pushing her way towards them through the thin crowd of students yet to board the train. As soon as she had passed all of the remaining children she bounded to Harry, flying the last few steps into Harry's surprised grasp.

"Hermione? You seem awfully excited." Harry whispered into her ear, sending the young witch into a deep blush. Ron scowled, muttering something too quiet for Harry to hear. Hermione released Harry, still blushing, and took both boys by the hand.

Ron seemed frustrated. "Bloody hell, Hermione. What's got you so excited? Have you somehow taken your O.W.L.s early?" Ron's voice held a tone of annoyance and he released a long-suffering sigh.

"Well, Ron, I've got it on good authority that there's a special event this year. I haven't been told anything too specific but I know it's a tournament of some sort." she lectured.

Harry groaned and rolled his eyes, thinking, 'Can't we have a normal year for once? First the problem with our Voldemort-possessed teacher and then a problem with a Voldemort-possessed student and most recently a problem with a Voldemort-serving rat. When I get my hands on Voldemort I'm going to kill him.' He didn't realize how prophetic his words were.

A few minutes later the trio was sat in a lonely compartment, idly chatting as the Express picked up speed towards the school. The moment Ron stepped into the corridor to take a trip to the restroom, Hermione eyed Harry with a worried look.

"Harry, what was that earlier when I mentioned the tournament? Aren't you excited?" she asked, standing to sit back down next to Harry.

"Of course I'm excited for it, 'Mione. It's just… Can't we have a normal year for once? It'd be lovely to finally just enjoy school and learn. I know I'm fairly good at our subjects, but I can't imagine how much I've missed due to the teachers' inconsistencies." Harry complained with a tinge of longing and exasperation in his voice.

Hermione leaned against Harry tiredly, saying, "I know what you mean, Harry. It drives me crazy, but it does give me an excuse to study the subjects on my own. And," Hermione gave him a long look, "when did you start calling me "'Mione"? Not that I mind it… Honestly, I do kind of enjoy it."

Harry's cheeks flushed, slightly embarrassed. He went completely silent and simply enjoyed hanging out with his friend. Some time later Ron reentered the cabin, sending a sour look at the closeness between the two. He knew that expression well, he saw it when he went to make a withdrawal from Gringotts, he had seen it when he was called to the Headmaster's office, he had even seen it when he had slain the basilisk. It was Ron's outward face of his jealousy, a writhing beast that Ron had always held inside of him.

Harry could sympathise with Ron, he could relate to Ron's problems. Having 5 older brothers and a younger sister who was adored must be pretty hard. Everything was second hand and worn, Harry had seen that much first-hand. Harry definitely understood after all the time he had lived with his whale of a cousin and his family. But Ron didn't understand, he just saw the accolades and gold and fame.

Harry was getting a little sick of his fame and he would be happy to let Ron have the spotlight. Hermione had fallen asleep on Harry's shoulder, her arm and hand unconsciously intertwining with his. Ron sat across from him, sparing obviously jealous looks at Hermione.

Several uncomfortable silent hours came and went, the trolley passing with Harry acquiring some sweets for himself and some to share with Hermione when she woke. That time came when the door slammed open, startling Hermione awake and making Ron jump.

"Well if it isn't Prince Potter and his mudblood with his pet peasant. Oh, what's this? Was the mudbitch sleeping? How quaint. And utterly disgusting," Malfoy spat venomously, flanked by his two brainless ogres. Ron reached for his wand but froze when he heard Harry's voice. Laced with venom and fury, Harry shot back, "Take it back, arsehole."

"Oh, what are you going to do about it? Hurt me? If you did that you'd end up like your manky parents. De-" Malfoy smirked right up to the moment Harry's expression changed. It went from hot fury to the coldest calm he'd ever seen. It was damn scary, and Malfoy began to back out of the compartment. He turned and ran, followed shortly by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Harry? Are you okay?" Hermione gasped, eyes wide and leaning slightly away from him. He took a moment to compose himself. After a few moments, he realized his magic had begun to swirl around him, traces of emerald hiding in shimmers in the air. "Your eyes… Harry, they're glowing," Hermione remarked, "Dear Merlin."

Harry shut his eyes tight and ignored the ringing words Malfoy had simpered. He reined in his magic, pulling it tight to his core. He felt exhausted, physically and mentally. On the bench across from him, Ron's eyes were gaping. His mouth had dropped at the very obvious display of raw power emanating from Harry. When Harry's eyes opened again they were no longer glowing, but they were damp and red.

Hermione threw her arms around Harry. She didn't say anything but just held him, not knowing what to say. Harry couldn't be more comforted at the moment, his best friend had done the best thing she possibly could. The pain hadn't disappeared but it had lessened.

o0O0o

When they had arrived at Hogwarts they had hustled through the intense storm to the Great Hall for dinner. Ron sat across from Harry, Hermione sitting so closely she might as well be in Harry's lap. The twins sat on the other side of Harry and her, they had seen it the moment they first lay eyes on him in the subtle ways his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast. It unsettled them that Harry was so dim today, he was like a brother.

Dumbledore's speech was uninteresting save for his mention of the "Triwizard Tournament" to which Harry had slumped even further, Hermione had put her hand on his and offered what little comfort she could. Harry ignored the Sorting and the Hat's song. Harry barely ate a thing before leaving early with Hermione following in tow.

Ron kept shovelling food into his mouth, a grotesque sight putting many students off their dinner and making more than one go green in the face. Ron simply couldn't fathom why his friends had left early - though it wasn't as though Ron could fathom much in the first place.

Harry trudged up the stairs towards the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. His solemn progression was interrupted by Hermione, who had an arm around his shoulder. His thoughts dull and slow, he leaned into her. He felt cold and tired and he barely noticed the couch they had reached. Hermione sat and pat the spot next to her, silently commanding Harry to sit and talk.

"Harry, you've been quiet ever since Malfoy came into our cabin on the Express. I'm worried about you." Her voice quavered a little with worry.

"My magic, Hermione. It's never done what it did. I lost control of it and I could have hurt you." Harry murmured. "If you or Ron had been hurt, I don't know what I'd do with myself. Malfoy was being despicable. I very narrowly avoided taking his life." a tear trailed down his cheek. He was supposed to protect them but instead he had probably avoided disaster by a tiny fraction.

Hermione twirled him around and lay his head on her lap. "Oh Harry, you silly boy. I doubt I was in any danger. I wouldn't have realized anything had happened if your eyes hadn't started glowing. Ron, on the other hand," she exclaimed, "He seemed scared of you. Do you know what's up with him?"

"Hermione, I think Ron might like you." Harry blurted, flushing when he realized what he'd said. Ron would probably be mad at him if he ever found out Harry had told her.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I've noticed. I've been dropping hints trying to get him to realize I don't like him, but I think when I followed him away from you and Draco during the World Cup I broke any grasp he may have had on that concept," Hermione spoke smoothly, "and besides that, I like someone else." she finished, blushing wildly.

A thought rumbled through Harry's adolescent mind, 'Does she have a crush on me? No, she can't. I would've noticed. I wonder who it is?' A flash of white-hot jealousy rushed into him as he realized that Hermione, his best friend, would be with someone else. Then they'd be her best friend and that was unacceptable.

Hermione's blush receded and Harry could see her thinking furiously. She kept her face neatly controlled but Harry could see the disappointment in her eyes. Her eyes turned down, her sadness apparent. In a pitiful attempt to keep Hermione from thinking about whatever had hurt her Harry attempted to change the subject.

"Hermione, did you know that I made a decision on the night of the World Cup?" he asked quietly, reaching to nudge her chin up and staring her in the eyes.

"No, Harry. What did you decide?" she queried, voice wavering slightly as disappointment welled in her throat.

"I decided that I was going to do everything I could to protect my friends. I saw people die that night, I saw people burning and I saw people being tortured. I had a taste of war and I don't want you to have any more experience than is necessary with war."

"I want to become stronger and faster and better. Dumbledore and many others have told me I'm a strong wizard, a strong person, but I'm not strong enough to keep everyone safe," He declared with conviction.

"I fully intend on becoming as strong as possible. We both know Voldemort isn't dead and when the time comes to face him I need to beat him - not for my sake, for all of my friends."

Hermione swallowed the feelings threatening to spill from her throat and her eyes. "I have no doubts that you're fully capable of that Harry," she assented, "but good luck keeping war from me, I plan on being by your side the entire time," Hermione promised.

Students began arriving soon after their little chat, and following that the two made their ways to their dorms to get a headstart on sleeping.

o0O0o

Harry woke as his alarm spell shook him from his sleep. He'd been having a wonderful dream, he vaguely remembered a date and beautiful brown hair that smelled of peppermints. He remembered the feeling of warmth in his core when he kissed her, though who she was he didn't remember. The sun had yet to grace the horizon, the horizon being a deep purple often related to the precursor of dawn or nightfall. It didn't occur to Harry that the sky was still cloudy.

After he'd dressed Harry quietly made his way down the steps to the empty common room, exiting through the portrait and making his way to his head of house's office. The halls were empty save for the few early-risers, mostly Ravenclaws headed to the library before breakfast. Harry ignored them for the most part, nodding to Luna as he passed her, and reached the professor's office as the sky was beginning to brighten.

"Good morning Mister Potter. It's a surprise to see you here this early," McGonagall began, "to what do I this visit?"

"Well professor, I've decided I wish to change my schedule," Harry said firmly.

Professor McGonagall's eyes widened slightly, and she seemed to think for a brief moment before responding sharply, "I believe that will be possible, though I wish you had told me via owl over the summer. May I ask what you'd like to change?"

"Professor, I would like to switch from my current Divination and Care of Magical Creatures classes. I made a decision during the disaster a week ago that I would try my best this year - and in the next years - and I simply cannot do that when I'm taking classes I have no aptitude in. The classes I would like to switch into would be Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. I've read the 3rd year books and I'm fully prepared for the classes." he recited swiftly, as the day would soon start and he would have to head to History of Magic.

McGonagall quirked an eyebrow before waving her wand over Harry's schedule. She handed it to Harry and gestured the boy to the door. Upon reaching the doorframe, he froze, hearing the sound of McGonagall's voice. "Your parents would be proud of you, Harry," she spoke softly. Harry turned and smiled at her before leaving.

The strict professor watched his back recede as he headed to breakfast. A small smile graced her lips as she thought of this new, changed Harry. She'd been disappointed when Harry had followed in the footsteps of his lazy best mate and was extremely pleased that it appeared Harry would now follow in the steps of his parents.

Shortly afterwards Harry reached the Great Hall, which had only just begun to fill. Harry took a seat, joined soon after by Hermione and Ron. Ron had a sour look on his face, as though he'd sniffed a terribly old, worn sock.

"Harry, have you heard the rumors flying around the Common Room? Lavender told me she saw you and Hermione, as she put it, 'cuddling' on the couch. She's telling everyone you two are 'finally' a couple. You guys aren't… are you?" he asked. Hermione was blushing but had a slightly dreamy look on her face which quickly disappeared into a mask of annoyance.

"Well, no, we aren't. I doubt Harry even likes me like that anyway. But what business is it of theirs if we were?" responded Hermione.

Ron's face softened and he looked at her apologetically. "Sorry, Hermione. They're just gossips."

Harry and Hermione shared a look, which passed under Ron's notice due to his preoccupation with eating. They needed to talk to Ron about being subtle.

Half an hour later, they were headed to History of Magic. Harry yawned as they walked into the room. "Hermione, they should really change the name of this class to 'How to Sleep in Daylight'" said Ron, as he also yawned.

Harry forced himself to stay awake, pulling his Charms book from his bag. He leaned back, propping his legs on the table, and began to read. Seeing his motion, Hermione gave him a disapproving glance but seeing that he wasn't simply getting comfortable she smirked. "Who are you and what have you done to Harry?" she whispered amusedly, her smile growing wider.

"That will be 50 points from Gryffindor, Ms. Granger," Harry said, trying and failing to hide the laughter bubbling in his chest, "for talking to the Great Severus Snape as though he were Harry Potter."

Hermione giggled and went back to taking notes. Harry kept reading but spared a glance at her every few minutes. He couldn't help but notice the way the light bounced off her hair, giving it a golden appearance. They fell in spirals down her cheeks, and despite its bush-iness it was really quite pretty. His eyes trailed over her face, taking in how she really looked. He'd never taken any time to study how Hermione looked, it had never seemed important to him. Now that he'd taken the time he could see that she was beginning to grow into a beautiful young woman.

It took conscious effort to drag his eyes away from her in order to continue his study of Charms. "These straightforward but surprisingly dangerous charms cause certain things to swell or shrink." he read, reread, and read for the third time. Something seemed important about the spell Reducio, as though it could help someone. Glancing over at Hermione he realised something. "'Mione!" he frantically whispered, startling her.

"What, Harry?" she responded with a small smile at his usage of her nickname.

"I remember how you've always been annoyed with your front teeth and I think I can fix them."

Hermione's eyes went thoughtful, and after a moment of consideration, she spoke again. "Harry, are you sure? I'd love to try but what if something goes wrong?"

"I'm sure this will work." Harry persisted.

"Does the book mention the spell being used for shrinking teeth?"

Harry read through the section once more, reading very carefully. "It doesn't mention it explicitly but it says that it's the counter to a jinx that causes teeth to grow and counters most growth spells." said Harry as he finished the paragraph.

"Well, if the book says it can be used for shrinking teeth I suppose we could try it. Do you know the counterspell in case it does go wrong?" Hermione said.

"It says it right here. Engorgio is the counterspell." Harry replied.

Hermione relented and opened her mouth slightly, pulling back her lips a little. Harry giggled at her expression and leaned forward, his wand directly in front of her teeth. "Reducio" he muttered and cancelled the spell as soon as her teeth became even. Setting down his wand, he conjured a mirror and handed it to Hermione. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.

"Harry!" she cried, "You just did wandless magic!"

Harry stared at the mirror he had conjured in wonder. Wandless magic was something he had never thought about. He knew magic was about intent and power, and though he knew he had the power the intent was something he wasn't sure about.

"Harry, try it again. Try magic without your wand." Hermione coaxed and Harry complied, holding his hands out in front of him and closing his eyes. This time he was aware of the magic that swirled through him, brushing the skin of his fingers and rumbling in waves throughout him. Pulling it to the surface of his hands he opened his eyes and imagined a small stone dragon, which promptly appeared in his hands. It hopped from his palm and stumbled around the desk, clearly missing its feet. Hermione stared at him in awe despite the imperfection of the conjuration.

They spent the rest of the class conjuring things, and when the bell tolled for the class to be over, Harry and Hermione headed to Charms followed shortly by a drowsy Ron. Charms flew by after an hour of learning the summoning charm, which both Harry and Hermione excelled in where Ron only managed to pull his own hairs out. Not too long after Charms, the trio sat in the Great Hall for lunch.

Ron was complaining loudly about Double Potions to Harry's bemusement. Ron opening his mouth during lunch was something Harry didn't need divination to know was a bad idea. Spraying pudding from his gob he muttered the injustice of Snape's class to a thoroughly unappreciative Dean and Seamus.

Harry and Hermione left for the dreaded double potions class in the dungeons, followed shortly by Ron, Dean, and Seamus who were arguing about the Chudley Cannons. Harry listened to them for a moment before silently resuming the trek to the classroom. A muggleborn student from the colonies had referred to it as the 'Batcave' in honor of some comic book series. Though not many students got the reference, the few who did had a good laugh about it.

As the Gryffindors neared the classroom they caught a glimpse of the elusive Greasius Battus species of aggravating Slytherins. Snape's billowing cloak entered the dungeon followed moments after by the small group, who quieted down immediately hoping to not incur the wrath of the Slytherin Head of House.

A few minutes passed before the class started and Professor Snape left his office. The class went completely silent and everyone froze in their seats. Snape's gaze swept over the class, sneering at the Gryffindors.

"Instructions are on the board," Snape droned, "Begin."

Harry looked closely at the board. They were brewing the Draught of Memory, a potion for two people to make. Harry glanced over at Hermione catching her eye, and she walked over to him to sit adjacent to him in front of his cauldron. The others were pairing up, Ron pairing with Neville was sure to cause some sort of explosion. The poor boy was a prodigal herbologist but potions were certainly not his strong point. He certainly had skill but his skill was in causing explosions.

The Draught of Memory called for powdered siren feathers, mashed ginger root, and finally elephant bile. Hermione went to get the ingredients as Harry lit the fire under a small silver cauldron he had bought before the year had begun. He prepared a silver cutting board and knife as Snape looked on with sour surprise. Harry had studied well over the week between the World Cup and the first day of school.

Hermione came back and they began to prepare the ingredients, Harry partitioning off half of the chopping board to cut the siren feathers into individual strands. Using his studied Arithmancy he had deduced that the most efficient way would not be to powder the feathers but rather to strip them and then place only the strands into the potion. Dropping them in slowly, they dissolved into a milky white. Hermione stared at it and looked at Harry.

"How'd you do that? That's the perfect color for this!"

"I read an arithmancy book. Arithmancy Applied: Potions is really good at explaining how to use arithmancy. Also, slice the ginger into half a millimeter thin pieces."

Hermione did as he advised her to while he stirred the pot, giving it a moment to rest every 3 stirs clockwise before 3 stirs counterclockwise. The potion turned a shimmering mauve, a vortex of steam rising above the potion. As the ginger was added it turned golden and after the requisite 7 stirs he added a single clockwise spin.

Snape saw the last movement and growled, "That will be 20 points from Gryffindor, Potter, for not following the directions so clearly written on the board. I advise you learn to read before returning to this class."

Harry fumed silently before slowly pouring the bile into the potion. Hermione swirled the potion as Harry calculated in his head the potion spell in his head. While Snape was turned, Harry put his palm to the cauldron and spoke, memorium retentio, the latin spell for memory. The potion turned a deep blue with specks of white swirling inside. It shimmered and swirled and matched the exact description the book gave the potion's final state.

He filled 6 vials with the potion, pocketing 4 and walking to the front of the class. Hermione and Harry were the first two done, and not a small amount of eyes were on him. Harry placed one of the potion vials into the vial rack before returning to his seat and engaging in a chat with Hermione about the applications of Arithmancy in other fields of magic.

Many minutes later the next students began to finish and it wasn't long before Snape informed them of the two feet of parchment they had for homework.

o0O0o

Harry was sitting next to Hermione in the Common Room, writing his two feet of homework for Potions class. He and Ron had gotten into a fierce argument about how he was too busy doing homework to play chess and Ron had stalked off to the dorms, muttering about how Harry never seemed to want to do anything fun anymore.

Harry finished up the homework and pulled out his books, intent on studying. Hermione happened to look over at that exact moment and astutely noticed two out-of-place books in the stack he had.

"Harry?" she spoke softly, "I know you'd read an arithmancy book, but surely you don't need the official textbooks for ancient runes and arithmancy too?"

Harry grinned at her. "Mione, remember how I said I made a decision to be better this year? I've changed my schedule. I don't have Care of Magical Creatures or Divination anymore," he winked at her, "so I'm sure you can guess what I picked up instead."

Hermione squealed and after setting her homework aside she ran to Harry, who stood to meet her. She launched herself at him, forcing him back into the chair with the force of her hug. "Oh, Harry! That's wonderful!" she all but shouted. Harry hugged her back and she sat there for a moment longer than was strictly necessary before smoothing her robes down and returning to her chair with a shadow of blush on her cheeks.

Harry studied for an hour before finally saying goodnight to Hermione and heading to bed.

o0O0o

The next morning, Harry was woken by his charms alerting him that someone was trying to get through his bed curtains. Harry swiftly donned some pyjamas and opened them, seeing a redhead on the other side. "Harry! What took you so long?" Ron said, "We need to have a talk."

Harry sat up, "What do you want, Ron?" he responded sleepily, "And for your information I was asleep." It seemed like it was still fairly early. The sun had barely risen over the horizon.

"Well, Harry, I've noticed that you and Hermione have been a lot closer this year. You said you weren't dating but you and her have been acting a little weird around each other." Ron said quietly.

"Hermione and I are best friends. Ron, can you keep a secret for me?" Harry asked

Ron looked a little hurt by his statement. "I can keep a secret for you, mate."

Harry sighed and began, "Well, I've noticed recently that she makes me happier than anyone else does. I like her more than as a friend now."

Ron's face flushed, "Harry, you know I like her, right? You wouldn't do that to your friend, would you?"

"Ron, I think she likes someone else. I don't think she sees either of us as more than a friend."

The two friends talked for a few minutes before heading to breakfast and not mentioning a word of their conversation to their bushiest friend.

o0O0o

After breakfast, Harry decided to take a walk on the grounds. Quidditch practice was tomorrow and he'd like to see the pitch. Walking to the pitch took several minutes and he decided to sit in the stands and take a gander at the castle. Deep in his stomach, Harry felt uneasy. Malfoy had been a lot more aggressive this year. He had hoped that Malfoy would back off after what had happened on the train but nothing had changed.

Pulling out the Marauder's Map Harry searched for Hermione. She was in a corridor, one with several alcoves. He knew the hall and just around the corner from her he saw four people unmoving. Harry's blood ran cold as he read the names. "Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson…" Harry read. He reached the final name and Draco Malfoy moved. He stepped from around the corner, Hermione moving backwards a step.

Harry ran down the steps. He knew Malfoy had something planned.

A/N: I wrote this after looking up September 1st, 1994 and discovering that it was a Thursday. After reading an early section of the Goblet of Fire I discovered that in Rowling's world it was a Sunday. This chapter takes place on the days of September 1st, 2nd, and 3rd which are a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday respectively.