Harry awoke trembling in his cot, having fallen asleep almost immediately. So tired he was, he didn't even take the time to remove his clothes still showing bad mending in a few places. The shock from realizing everything he had left behind was present in his bones, like coolant through his veins. It took almost a full hour for him to gather himself and clean his face at the basin in the small guest room.
He checked the time, it was past 7 already and the sun had gone over the horizon, blue light tickling the hills in the distance. Despite his earlier confidence he still felt exposed and the twisted feeling of wishing it to be over came over him again. The stress of the past weeks was finally getting to him, on the run and hiding while the death toll only rose. He hadn't been able to sleep for more than a few hours until now, especially since the attack on the second group. Neville had barely escaped and his recounting of the incident had broken the Order entirely, or what was left of it.
But all of that was gone now. Harry didn't pretend to fully understand the workings of time travel but it seemed he'd never make contact again. The cries of the Weasleys seemed distant now, while the faces of resignation of the others still haunted him. There was a knocking.
"Come in." he said, shakily putting on his glasses.
"Did you manage to get some rest?" said the Headmaster, dressed in green and blue garish robes.
"Some, thank you."
He came to sit on a chair next to the bed and produced a piece of parchment. "Your pedigree, Mr. Peltier. Getting it in order on the continent was simple enough, and I expect this to be arranged at the Ministry over the next few days."
"That was quick."
"I still have many friends over there. I suppose there are some advantages being considered a war hero." he answered with a smile."Forgive me for prying, but I seem to have the impression we used to be... friends during our talk earlier."
Harry nodded. "We were, at one time."
Dumbledore lowered his glasses down his prominent nose and gave a sympathetic smile. "I can't begin to imagine what you're going through, but I hope you can believe things will get better. Do you know why I chose to further my career at this school?"
"Can't say I do."
"As you must know one of my many shortcomings is my thirst for knowledge. I have traveled over every continent, every magical establishment over the years and yet, no other place but Hogwarts gave me the impression of the same stability and security. The people, the castle and its history are steeped in great magic, it is a bastion against darkness even I have only scratched the surface of.
"I guess what I am saying, Harry, is that whatever little consolation I might bring, I am certain you will feel better once you enter through the front gates and start your new life."
For a moment Harry was glad of Albus just being his good-natured self, the man who had guided him through an impossible situation for his entire stay at Hogwarts. "I wish I could say the same."
The Headmaster stood again. "The elves will be here with a spot of dinner shortly. Eat something, replenish your strength, you'll have your robes and clothes delivered in the morning. I understand you wish to keep your distance, but know my door is always open, should you need help."
Alone again, he looked over the paper in detail. Four generations of mostly pureblood ancestry, all leading to his fabricated parents who immigrated from Bordeaux. He knew he couldn't waste this second chance he was given, not with the help of his past behind him.
-sSsSsSsSs-
Harry felt kind of bad about the whole Helena incident. He could get behind the competitive aggression she seemed to show, except he really didn't have time to humor every person trying to start a rivalry with him. But apparently she didn't think it was worth trying again, at least for the past few days.
The arithmancy textbook before him seemed a little less daunting than it had his previous nights studying. Severus had given him some very helpful insights that made things easier. This wasn't part of his studying material, but getting a better understanding of the underlying magic of spells was crucial in wandless casting. Not to mention he didn't know much about spell creation, something he imagined would come up in the future with Keldran mentoring them.
There was a comfort in finally getting to understand what Hermione had been talking about all these years. It was indeed an interesting subject once you could put it into practice. He held in a smile when he broke his concentration and it was already past ten. The common room had gone silent. When he looked to appraise it, he saw Regulus sitting there working very hard not to look at him.
"Something keeping you up?" he said.
Despite being there for probably a long time, Regulus seemed to be debating what to tell him. "Luci feels like she's distant lately."
"Did you ask her why?"
"You think she'd tell me? Whenever I try to be close to her it's like… You make it look so easy with Lily. How does that work?" he said weakly grinning.
"Things just clicked... I guess I'm lucky."
"Between this and home..." Regulus deeply sighed.
Harry put away his reading material to try and guess what Regulus was thinking.
"I think she's going to break up with me." he said in a sorrowful tone.
There it was. Harry had half expected her to keep the relationship alive throughout the year, but things must've gotten too difficult to deal with. He felt some guilt at the fact he was one of the reasons for their breakup, but whether he was there or not it wouldn't change Luci's feelings, or the fact she was moving abroad in a matter of months.
"I know it's not a great comfort, but there's other girls out there."
"Just doesn't seem like it at the moment."
"You'll find someone who feels the same. I never thought I would, but here I am."
"It's Luci, though."
"I know."
He got up and clapped Reg on the back, ready to get some sleep.
-sSsSsSsSs-
Week-end, and no quidditch practice. This meant a possible highly needed break, at least it had seemed so before breakfast. Someone had been in his dorms, his bed, and left something. A corner of folded parchment peeked from under his pillow, and for obvious reasons, he doubted any of the four were responsible. He gently dislodged it and slid it out.
Something made him stop, a familiar skull and snake, his symbol. Gears did not need to turn in his head as he had already agonized over every which way the confrontation might start off. Either it was a trap, or Voldemort was trying to recruit him.
He sent a message to them at once.
Check your beds, check your personal belongings. You-know-who left something for me.
They knew better than to ask questions, they all gave an aye went to it. Patiently he waited for a response, hoping to be the only one. In the meantime he cast a few detection spells on the now revealed poisoned gift. There was only one aura, an illusion mark. The threads were simple enough, anyone could have placed the charm to prevent others from seeing the letter for what it was. He considered it unlikely there was more to it, but he would need the advice of the others.
I got a letter, the Dark Mark. Remus finally answered.
Harry felt anger well up in him as he heard the message, but he tried to calm himself, breathing slowly.
Nothing. From Severus.
Nothing. From Lily.
Illusion charm, nothing more. Remus again.
I haven't even opened it. I think everyone should be there. I want to hear what you have to say first.
And so, the four went to spend their free time in the Unity Room again.
-sSsSsSsSs-
The two letters were laid out on a silver ornate table and tensions were high. Lily's arms were crossed and she bore a concerned frown. Severus stood behind her occasionally pacing. The two others were in front of their respective letters. The Dark Mark was a blemish on their so far relatively peaceful lives.
"I've been thinking," Remus said quietly, "I don't think it's a trap."
Severus' pacing stopped. "You don't have a clue. I knew some of these types, there's no end to their twisted cunning."
"Yes, I know. But it seems too… simple, too clumsy. Doesn't it?"
Harry lifted an eyebrow.
"Occam's razor." Lily said.
"What's that?" Remus asked.
"The simplest explanation is usually correct. If it seems like you're being recruited, you probably are. Harry, you don't think your identity has been found out?" she said with a worried look.
"Unlikely. If that was the case I would already be dead."
"Maybe that's what he wants us to think." Severus said.
"I've been thinking too," Harry said, "and I don't think it's him per se, at least not directly. What's the surface information out about me? I'm Slytherin, a family from the continent which has a much richer pureblood tradition, an outsider joining in 6th year. If you're not paying too much attention, I might look like a prime target."
Severus frowned deep in thought. "Someone is watching us, from a distance. That's why they picked Harry, but why Remus?"
"Riddle likes collecting the unwanted, the rejects. Giants, some vampires even, and werewolves." Harry said.
"Are your friends as tight-lipped as I know we are?" Severus asked.
"Don't." Remus replied.
Severus went to face him. "Because if they are, then you know what that means."
"That's impossible."
"I think we're getting ahead of ourselves," Harry said, "let's start worrying about possible betrayal after we open the damned letters. I'll get mine first."
He gingerly picked up the letter and folded it open.
"To you, who wants to serve a greater purpose: you have been chosen. If you wish to help change the world for The Greater Good, meet at the Hog's Head Inn on the fifth of March at noon. It's signed, 'A Friend'." Harry chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Severus asked.
"Riddle using Grindewald's motto to trick me? It just seems so far-fetched, maybe his is good, maybe this gives us an edge."
"I still don't like it." Lily said.
"Because you won't be there." Remus added.
Remus read his, and unsurprisingly it was an exact copy.
"So are we clear on what to do then?" Remus asked.
"I think so. We can only wait and see who's our secret admirer, although I doubt they won't take precautions to not be found out. Polyjuice would be my guess."
They all nodded in agreement, but Lily seemed distraught.
"Do we still go to Hogsmeade?" Severus asked.
"Better not change our habits too much," Harry answered, "let's just be careful about what we say in public."
"Remus, Sev, you go ahead." Lily said, looking at the floor.
Remus left with a forced smile, Severus with a worried look. It was just the two of them, and she still hadn't lifted her gaze.
"Why?" Her voice came out as a pleading cry. "Why do you have to be the one to put yourself into danger? Again."
To see her like this made his heart sink. "Lil..."
He felt her arms envelop him and was glad of her touch, bringing warmth to her with his hands on her back. For a moment they stayed there. He breathed deeply, she smelled nice, a comforting feeling ran through him and he relaxed.
"If we ignore it, we'll be targets, instead of potential allies. Things will get harder as we get closer. I'm sorry for that." he said.
For the first time her eyes met his and they shimmered watery green like a pond. "If I–"
He could guess what she was so worried about, he worried the same. Sometimes the thought of things coming to an abrupt end after all this time was too much to bear. "Never." he said, and brought his lips to hers, taking no second of time for granted.
Their visit to Hogsmeade was a reversal of Christmas. The shadow of Riddle hung over Lily like a storm cloud, one he desperately tried to lift, not without some success. Taking her hand over a butterbeer brought a grin. Telling a joke ogling sweets earned him a giggle. To nurture her happiness was a task he was only glad to take up. She looked at him with such fondness by the end it was hard to remember the danger of their task.
-sSsSsSsSs-
The dry spell of Luci working them to the bone had now ended, and with it her relationship with Regulus. This did translate to a notable decrease in his performance as keeper, not keeping her from berating him for it. It wasn't entirely a terrible way to deal with it, but the man still dragged a dark pit of depression around him. With time he'd get over it, it was more merciful than leave him in the dark forever.
But for the time being, Harry's quidditch player appetite directed him to a particularly tasty corn cob. He almost choked when a ghostly voice called his name.
"Hello, Harry Peltier."
Looking up he saw unruly locks of tiger blonde hair and wide eyes like a rainy sky. She seemed somewhat familiar. Finishing his chewing he cleared his throat and washed it down with a bit of pumpkin juice.
"Uh, hi."
The girl blinked a few times and was holding her hands behind her back. "Helena wanted to see you, she asked me to tell you to meet her where you last met."
"I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"I'm just a friend." She said with a vacant smile and just walked off.
Looking around all eyes at the Slytherin table were trained on him, especially Regulus who cast him an icy stare. "What?"
"Another girl falling for you? Really?" Regulus said.
Harry looked around to see everyone's reaction, apparently they had taken Reg's comment seriously.
"Why does that have to be the assumption?"
Luci squinted at him. "Are you sleeping around with the Ravenclaw Captain now?"
"No! Oh for God's sake, may I eat in peace then?"
"Sure thing, playboy." Luci said, Nathan apparently found that very funny.
Dinner did finish in silence, mostly. He elected not to call the winter squad down for this. If he was destined to die at the hands of a thwarted quidditch player, that was as good an end as any. His energy replenished he made his way to the west wing.
Despite himself he had to smile seeing her leaning on the same column he had left her last time, a smile she responded to in kind. He had to thank his seeker's intuition, he hadn't been wrong in his assessment of her. But it quickly faded when he remembered the dinner discussion, hopefully it wasn't anything like that.
"You came." she said.
"We eat and sleep in the same castle, I don't see the point of dodging anyone."
She stepped closer, arms crossed, low heels clicking on the stone. She extended a hand. "My apologies for ambushing you that time. I'm Helena Spitfire."
He tentatively shook it. "Harry Peltier, I'm sorry for knocking you out of the sky. In my defense, I thought you would be fine."
She let out an annoyed sigh. "I really thought we had a chance at the cup this year."
"Forget the cup, you could go pro." he said with a grin.
"Oh very smooth, Peltier."
Harry's face soured a bit. "Now don't take this the wrong way, but I need to ask you something."
"Shoot."
He swallowed. "Do you fancy me?"
Some panic crept into her face. "What no? Oh God, no! Oh I see how you might've – You didn't..."
"It's fine. I just had to ask, I've had a really strange few months."
"Well, you think pretty highly of yourself, seems like. I had another reason for meeting."
"What's that?"
"Whatever it is you're doing, the four of you, I want in."
"Oh." Now this, he didn't expect. But it's not as if he could bring the bright Ravenclaw into the fold, they were already in too deep.
"I'm sorry but I can't, not completely."
"I heard you were doing wandless magic, and then I saw it with my own eyes. I'm a Ravenclaw, Peltier, I live to learn. You're going to tell me you won't reveal your tricks?"
The frustration of secrecy gnawed at him.
"To tell you the truth, there's not much of a secret to it. You have your wand and you want to use it, it's a natural thing. I don't have mine, so I had to learn. It's really not as tricky as it seems, and you seem smart enough."
"Sounds too easy."
"Look, you're free to join us any time, I doubt the others would take offense. If what we're doing inspires you, that's already more than what I bargained for. If I remember you're taking arithmancy, that should give you a head start already."
"You don't seem like you're lying."
"Only by omission," he said sighing, "did you get what you came for?"
"Time will tell," she said walking back, "oh, if you happen to see Potter, tell him I don't make the same mistake twice."
The clicking advanced to a metronome pace as she went around the bend. Maybe it was karma, maybe it was magic, but good things did happen from time to time.