Chapter Text
Harry awoke quite early the following morning from his sorting, his previous years on the run and being alert not vanishing as if by muscle memory. Casting a wandless tempus he saw the clock read five thirty so gathered his small washing kit and dragged himself to the shower room to get ready before others woke. Harry remembered the all out battle that happened in the Gryffindor tower when morning came just to use the showers and with most of them taking forever it was practical to be up before six to use them. Showering quickly , Harry made sure his back couldn’t be seen and administered the cream he'd been given from the goblin healers to reduce the deepest and oldest scars, because no matter what happened he would still carry ten years worth of abuse on his skin and he’d never forget the worst...inflicted at the hands of Petunia. A scar at the bottom of his back that had been carved with scissors that held one word...’FREAK'. Shaking his head Harry stepped out changed and began brushing his hair in the mirror, not used to having to deal with long hair but loving it. The door then opened to the showers and in walked Theodore Nott, bundle in his arms and towel across his shoulders.
“G'mornin Harrison" Theo said sleepily as he began to pad over to a bench and get undressed. Harry nodded in response but caught a glimpse of Theo's back and bit his lip as a lines criss crossed his back in what Harry recognised as whip marks. Looking away Harry sorted his hair into a low half up half down style and fixed it with a ribbon. “Looks good, maybe you should add a braid into it.” Theo commented over his shoulder as he watched Harry flush. “Can’t, I’ve not earned the right to a braid...they are for achievements.” Theo smirked, understanding the pagan reference and nodded as Harry left. Returning to his room, Harry placed his dirtied clothes and towels into the hamper and pulled out some underclothes for his robes and settled on his emerald green set and pulled on his school robes as he gathered his expanded satchel and set off for the Great Hall.
During this time it was mostly empty, maybe a few Ravenclaw’s dotted around and maybe the odd upper year Slytherin. Harry found a spot close to the end of the long table and pulled out his book, charmed to look like one of their first year books but was in fact a history book on Parseltongue and its speakers. He found the book in Knockturn Alley and wanted to understand more about the innate ability he had always had and how he could utilise it. “Why hello there little viper" a voice sounded behind Harry who jumped out of his skin and slammed the book closed, twirling to see no one. “Really Row? You are going to scare the nadders out of my snakes already?” a chuckle could be heard and Harry looked up into the portrait that held Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw. Standing he moved closer to them “Oh hello Lord Slytherin, Lady Ravenclaw...a honour to speak with you both.” Salazar smiled whilst Rowena cooed at Harry's manners, simply stating he was a gentleman in the making. “I have a quick riddle for you Harrison.” Rowena stated as she stood behind Salazar’s chair “If you feel up to it of course.” Harry nodded “Sure, I will give it a go.” Rowena beamed and gave a little cough “I'm not a blanket, yet I cover the ground; a crystal from heaven that doesn't make a sound. What am I?” Harry hummed as he thought, it most certainly wasn’t an easy riddle. Biting his bottom lip he looked up at Rowena “Snow?” Rowena gasped and clapped as she shook Salazar’s arm who looked a little disgruntled at the movement “Oh simply marvellous! A little closet Ravenclaw!”
Salazar simply shook his head “Say, you wouldn’t happen to know who the Founder’s Heir’s are would you? None of the teachers know but I know how students gossip.” Harry chuckled and slipped into Parsetongue “I am the Heir to your four Noble Houses, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff through blood and your House through Conquest...I’m just not making it known right now.” Salazar’s eyes went wide at the use of Parseltongue and simply nodded as he ushered Rowena from their portraits and gathered the rest. Sitting back down at the table it seemed Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott were now sat at the table conversing quietly. Harry picked up his book and continued to read until breakfast popped onto the table. Harry pulled three potions from his bag and set them down as he began to eat, unknowingly catching the eye of a certain potions master who was trying to identify what the boy was taking. Harry ate half the small plate he had and downed the Kartoff Nutrition potion, Apollo Growth serum and Toderona Nausea potion. Each of these a purpose and he had more to take come lunch but these required food in his system and a meal wasn’t to be skipped.
Putting the empty vials away Harry stood, gathering his bag when Blaise piped up “Everything okay Harrison?” Harry nodded “Yeah I just need to swing by the infirmary quickly to hand in my medical history and let Madame Pomfrey know about my potion regime.” Blaise stood and nodded “Let’s go then, no snake left alone remember?” Harry nodded his head and set off in what he remembered was the quickest way to the old matron and her ward. The walk was quiet but not an awkward silence, Harry would describe it as peaceful and rather comforting. There was no questions as to why, or when or what just an acceptance that he needed to do this and he had someone to watch his back. Looking back on his ex friends he realised that he never had a moments peace with them around, he was always being scolded by Hermione or pestered by Ron and it would go on for hours until he caved and told then everything. The Slytherin’s seemed more reserved about this and just seemed to accept what he told them. “So you speak the language of snakes? Quite fascinating.” Blaise said quietly as they made their way up the stairs to the infirmary and Harry froze, he had heard him? “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me Harrison. Kind of figured the snake familiar wasn’t a fashion statement.” Harry chuckled as he continued on his way “Yeah, Athena is my familiar...and a grumpy morning snake. Either she will find me in the lesson or I will find her at lunch.” Blaise laughed as they reached the hospital wing.
~~
Poppy Pomfrey had been a mediwitch for nearly forty years and had seen her fair share of injuries, diseases and accidents. Being the matron to Hogwarts had been her dream since she apprenticed at St Mungo's but she wasn’t prepared to be the only matron. She’d asked a thousand and one times for more staff but Dumbledore just kept explaining it was a budget issue and he would appeal to St Mungo's for volunteers. So when Harry Potter walked into her ward on what was essentially the first day of classes she feared the worst, for no child ended up on the ward this early. “Hello there, how can I help? Are you injured?” Poppy fretted as she drew closer to the small boy, subconsciously scanning him for signs of wounds or blood. “No ma’am, I am here to give you my vaccination sheet as well as my medical history and details of the potions I’m currently on...in case you should ever need it.” Poppy sighed in relief but that soon disappeared as the boy brought out the thickest roll of parchment she'd ever seen.
Being handed the parchment she opened it and gasped, the details were...well horrific:
Medical record for:
Harrison James Potter-Black
(Copy of a copy)
Year One
Bones broken: 0
Diseases: 0
Curses: 0
Illness: Influenza (lasted two weeks)
Injuries: 4 (two cuts from neing grazed by a ring, one cut from hitting head off door, one cut to leg from hitting stairs.)
Year Two
Bones broken: 2 (left ulna, right femur)
Diseases: 0
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: Mild hypothermia, Influenza
Injuries: 3 (one laceration to back by belt, bruising to rear end from excessive slaps, one black eye)
Year Three
Bones broken: 2 (right humerus, right fibula), 2 previously not healed correctly due to non treatment
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: 0
Injuries: 4 (two burns to arms from hot oil, one from being hit in shoulder with skillet, one from being pushed into door)
Year Four
Bones broken: Skull fracture (concussion), metacarpal bones fractured (left hand). 4 un-healed previous breaks
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs (worsening)
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: Severe hypothermia
Injuries: 3 (one from skillet to the head, one from 20 lacerations due to belt, one from scissors carved into back)
Year Five
Bones broken: 6 (Second skull fracture, fractured ribs, break in left leg, break in collar bone, break in right arm, broken toes in right foot) – previous breaks not healed
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs – worsening
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: 0
Injuries: 3 (one from being hit with ring hand to cheek, multiple lacerations to back, one from chain chaffe to ankles.)
Year Six
Bones broken: 5 (left arm, 3 ribs, right leg, hip bone, collar bone) previous injuries healed incorrectly
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs – worsening causing bad eyesight and asthma
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: Influenza causing chest infection, chicken pox, hypothermia
Injuries: 7 (multiple laceration from whip and belt, repeated burns from an oven, several scars from repeated breaking of hand, welts and bruising on ribs, bruising covering most of body)
Year seven
Bones broken: 3 (right hand, left ankle, rib bones) previous injuries healed incorrectly
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs – worsening causing bad eyesight and asthma
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: chest infection, ear infection, magical exhaustion
Injuries: (welts, bruises, lacerations from whip and belt, chain chaffe from ankles)
Year Eight
Bones broken: 6 (skull fracture, right arm, left arm, left foot, hip bone, collar bone) previous injuries healed incorrectly
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs – worsening causing bad eyesight and asthma
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: 0
Injuries: uncountable (various welts, bruises, lacerations cuts and scars. Glass shards in wounds)
Year Nine
Bones broken: 0 – previous injuries healed incorrectly
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs – worsening causing bad eyesight and asthma
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: magical exhaustion, hypothermia, water on the lungs
Injuries: uncountable (drowning, welts, bruises, lacerations, scars plus lingering affects of hypothermia)
Year Ten
Bones broken: 2 (right hand, left ankle) previous injuries healed incorrectly
Diseases: acute disintegration of the eye (left in darkness), acute weakening of the lungs – worsening causing bad eyesight and asthma
Curses: Cursed Scar
Illnesses: Influenza, chest infection, infection of wounds, sepsis
Injuries: uncountable (welts, bruises, infections, lacerations, scars)
Year Eleven
Bones broken: 0
Diseases: 0
Curses: 0
Illnesses: 0
Injuries: 0
Note: Upon Harrison Potter-Black’s eleventh birthday he was seen to by Master Healer Irontooth of the Gringotts Clan and was healed of all previous breaks and diseases. Scars may remain but can be lessened with Helga's Healing Cream.
~~
Poppy was stunned into silence as she read through this, already dismissing Harry for his first lesson but now wishing she had him here so he could explain. She needed to let Severus know at once.
~~
Harry had been dismissed by the matron after giving over the documents and was currently in the corridor waiting for Potions to begin. This was one of three classes with Gryffindor and to say Harry was displeased was an understatement. Ron had been sneering at him from across the corridor for five minutes and Harry had the urge to punch him. The only upside was that his skin had a slight green tint to it and from the small knowing jab that Blaise sent Neville’s way it would seem the shy lion was showing his teeth earlier than before. “Harry mate, come stand with your true friends instead of those slimy snakes.” Ron began as he tried to take the crook of his elbow to pull him to the Gryffindor side of the corridor but when Harry didn’t budge Ron looked at him. “One, my name is Harrison...use it. Two, why would I ever consider you a friend? All you’ve done is insult my actual friends. Three, remove your hand from my arm before I hex it off. I don’t like people touching me without permission. Four, insult my house again and you’ll learn I’m exactly where I belong.” Harry uttered in a cold and low tone, sending shivers down those close to them. Ron wisely let go of his arm and a sneer overtook his features “They’ve corrupted you, you are supposed to help me fight them and be in Gryffindor...you’re ruining everything.”
Many faces around them looked confuse at the boy's statement but Harry simply shrugged and went to stand beside Draco and Vincent. Just then the door to the potions lab opened and Snape sneered at the Gryffindor House before beckoning them all in. Harry took a bench closer to the front and beside him sat Draco. Harry noted that Ron ended up beside Seamus whilst Neville ended up beside Dean, this was going to either go really well or be a total meltdown. “There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few... Who possess, the predisposition... I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.” Harry smiled fondly at this speech of Severus’, remembering how it terrified him in his first life and he hoped Snape wouldn’t call upon him for the answers. As if this foolish mortal could put a stop to me...humph. Death seemed to echo in his mind and Harry couldn’t help but snort.
“Ah, our newest celebrity...Mr Harry Potter. Since you’ve decided to interrupt the class...What potion would I create if I added powdered asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” Harry groaned internally and took a moment to look like he was thinking “Draught of Living Death sir.” Snape seemed a bit surprised so when the second question came Harry was ready “Where would I find a bezoar?” Harry could see Hermione’s hand shooting up in a desperate plea for attention and Harry smiled “The stomach of a goat sir, it cures people of most poisons.” As if he was fluking it Snape leant over Harry and practically whispered the last question “What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?” Harry simply shrugged “There isn’t, its a trick question sir. They are the same plant and are commonly known as Aconite.” Snape stood then and smiled a little “Well done Mr Potter, fifteen points to Slytherin...and one final question. How best does one prepare Pixie wings?” Harry pursed his lips a little, this was definitely not a first year question and more obviously a hard question. Just as Snape sighed to move away he spoke up quietly “Well it depends on the potion sir...if my memory serves if you need the effect to last a long period of time like in Polyjuice potion then its better powdered as its infuses with the potion better but if you need it to be most potent, for example in the Felix Felicis then its better chopped as it has more surface area...finely chopped isn’t ideal as it will make the potion the wrong colour...sir.”
Not a single word could be heard in the potions classroom as the first years all sat stunned. Severus was having an internal crisis...where had the boy learnt this information? Hell not even the potion journals that came out had as much detail as what the boy had just described. He kept the look of shock off his face (he’d be a terrible spy otherwise) and turned to Harry “Very thorough answer, thirty points to Slytherin, and I’d like to see you after class.” Harry just nodded. “Well? You should all be writing this down!” Snape snapped to the rest of the class which caused many to fumble to get their equipment out. Draco leant close to Harry “Well done, you’ve made him rather flustered...which from my many years of trying is impossible. I will have to send that memory to father.”
Harry nodded and chuckled as he began writing down the instructions on the board for the upcoming lesson. He could see the stiffness in Snape’s face which Harry recognised as him bringing up his occlumency shields and he knew right there and then he’d rattled the professor. Harry gathered the ingredients from his bag, fresher than the kits the others pulled from their bags and placed them on his desk. Draco whistled quietly and slowly removed his own jars from his case “Those are top notch ingredients, Slug and Jiggers?” Harry nodded and smiled “Yeah, fresher than the premade kits.” Draco nodded and they both began taking the required amounts for their potion.
~~
Severus was having an internal crisis, the boy wasn’t as unaware of the wixen world as they had all been led to believe. He’d thrown the last question at Harry with the notion the boy wouldn’t be able to answer, it was a NEWT level question after all. But not only had he answered but done so beyond what even his NEWT class could give. Who’d taught the boy? He was supposed to have been muggle raised but this was the knowledge of most masters. It was something he’d ask him once he finished this lesson, hopefully the boy would be open to answering.
~~
The lesson ended with two exploded cauldrons and whilst no one was harmed, Harry did raise a shield to protect not only himself but all the Slytherins around so no one failed. In the end he packed up slowly and waved for Draco to wait outside as he handed in his vial to Snape. “Here you go professor, one potion of Forgetfulness.” Snape nodded and waited till the room empty before moving to lean against his desk and picking up the vial. He inspected it closely, looking for any fault but what surprised the sour potions master was the improved ingredients than the kit that is usually bought by first years. He knows those kits never pack the freshest ingredients, it had become quite frustration when he himself was at school, but not many had the thoughts to get their own.
“So Mr Potter, do you want to explain how you not only had knowledge of the questions I had today but the better quality ingredients?” Snape said, a slight distaste to his tone. Harry sighed and unclasped his robe as he sat “Sir...The first three questions are basic first year reading material, I read all the first year books before I arrived in school and with eidetic my recall is above average. The pixie wings question is a seventh year question but my mother's potions journal from her days in school explains how to improve a lot of potions...it is actually gifted to you sir.” And with that Harry rummages in his bag and pulls out the slight worn journal and an orb with the bequeathment to him from the will from both parents. “Mum wanted you to have it. Did you know...had protocol been followed I would have been left in your care? It was my father’s idea that you be named a guardian...” Harry sighed as he looked at the floor “I am not my father sir...I never will be because I never knew them. But I can only apologise in his stead. He mentioned he wasn’t the best in school and I know apologies wont cut it from me...but its not like the man can say them himself. Is that all Sir?” Harry saw that Severus was struggling so picked up his bag and made his way to the door. “For what it is worth Sir...we all make mistakes, part of what makes us human. But I know my father regretted what he did.” And with that he left, taking Draco and heading to History of Magic. A tear escaped Severus’ eye but thankfully no dunderheads were around to witness it.