First Place - Angst

Harry actually slept for most of the train ride to Hogwarts. It was no surprise to him, as he had gotten out of bed only a couple hours after midnight, London time. He wasn't aware of Ron, Ginny, and Luna returning to the compartment, bringing Dean and Seamus with them. He also wasn't aware later when Hermione joined them again.

He was aware of the snickering when he woke up.

"Time to get into your robes Harry," Hermione leaned over him. At some point Harry had curled up on his seat.

"What is so damn funny?" Harry demanded grumpily. The coffee he had earlier was about fifteen hours in the past.

Harry made sure his glasses were in place, mostly out of habit. He looked around the compartment and saw that Ron looked mildly ill and Neville rather embarrassed.

"You, um..."

"Spit it out 'Mione," Harry said, running his hands through his hair and straightening his clothes. He had to spell away the wrinkles again.

"You were talking in your sleep," Seamus jumped in with a grin. "So... have a nice summer?"

Harry felt his cheeks heat up, knowing exactly what he would have been talking about with the dream he had. Even though he hadn't used the potion it had been a very good dream, probably a result of his primary activity all day.

"Lay off it Seamus," Ginny scolded the Irish boy. She pulled Harry's robes out of his bag and handed them over, "You didn't say that much, just his name, and I think Ron would prefer it if we drop the subject."

"He's your brother too," Ron mumbled, his ears burning red, a strange contrast to the slightly green cast of his face.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "And I, unlike you, am perfectly comfortable knowing that my siblings have sex lives. I just don't want the details. I'm happy for Charlie."

The train was slowing down as it pulled into Hogsmeade station. Harry's friends had let him sleep as late as they could, probably with his usual sleeping troubles in mind. He was a bit disappointed that he slept through the trip he had fought so hard to take but there was nothing he could do to change that now.

"Well I don't plan on sharing any," Harry assured both Weasleys in the compartment with him.

Ron changed the subject as quickly as he could, "So how were the Dursleys?"

"Pretty much the same, ignored my existence for the most part," Harry grinned wickedly. "Dad had them scared shitless though. They were jumping at their own shadows all summer."

Snickers filled the compartment again, even from Hermione. There wasn't one of his friends that hadn't entertained thoughts of cursing the Dursleys a few times in revenge for all they had done to Harry.

"Did he do anything?" Ron looked eager.

The train stopped and they began filing out the door. Hermione was last out, "I have to stick behind and make sure everyone's off. I'll see you all at the feast."

"Sure 'Mione," Harry answered among similar responses from the rest of them. "Nah Ron, he just glared and threatened them a few times." Harry grinned again, "Turns out Aunt Petunia's a squib, not a muggle."

Harry hung back for a moment and took a book out of his bag to pass to Hermione, "Read this Hermione, please?"

She looked at the cover, then up at him quizzically, "Harry... why...?"

"Remus was sick this summer," Harry answered in a serious tone while he shrunk and pocketed his bag. "I have to catch up with the others."

Harry ran off but caught Hermione shrinking the book and slipping it into her pocket. He breathed a sigh of relief and made his way towards the red head that towered above the majority of the students. Ron had grown another few inches and was probably the same height as Bill by then. With the way he was going Ron was going to be the tallest Weasley.

The carriage that held Ginny, Seamus, and Dean was just starting to roll away when Harry jumped in. On the way up to the castle Dean started describing the game show he started watching on the television that summer. Harry had seen a few episodes while Dudley was watching them and for once was able to join in on such a conversation enthusiastically.

Ginny asked them question after question, like just what a microphone was and how did muggles get people to be on shows like that? Harry, Seamus, and Dean answered her as well as they could. Ron and Neville were sucked into the conversation as they all neared the great hall and Luna separated from them to join her fellow Ravenclaws.

He was thankful that Dean was talking as they entered the great hall as Harry was suddenly overcome with the shear volume of emotions present in the space. His empathy sense had been growing and the incident with Eliza had sharpened it along with every other sense. Hogwarts was also literally glowing with magic. A few brief moments of struggling strengthened his shields and only a small leak of magical glow got through.

"Try it on Ron," Dean whispered in Harry's ear.

Harry grinned and started shaking Ron's hand, as his best friend hadn't been there when Dean described that segment of the show. He kept shaking while they all talked and Ron's expression grew more and more confused. Seamus and Dean eventually gave up holding their laughter back. When Ron finally yanked his hand away Ginny took pity on him and explained.

"Muggles are weird," was Ron's only guarded comment.

"Come on," Harry motioned for his friends to follow as he made his way towards the top of the Gryffindor table. They left the customary number of seats empty as they settled themselves. "Hermione will want to sit by the first years."

He was proved right when the Head Girl strode into the hall and walked determinedly to where they sat. She smiled when she saw them there and gave Ron a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank Merlin 'Mione," Ron looked exasperated. "Harry's finally gone mental." His fellow seventh year Gryffindor boys and his sister laughed while he explained about the game show and Harry's demonstration.

"Oh hush Ron," Hermione waved him off just as he was warming up. "I watched with my parents this summer. It is silly I grant you but hardly says anything about Harry's state of mind."

As McGonagall led the first year students in everyone quieted.

"They get shorter every year," Seamus whispered.

"Just like Harry," Ron snickered.

Hermione glared at them for talking during the sorting, even though it hadn't actually started yet, and both boys quieted. Harry gave Ron a sharp kick under the table, as the redhead couldn't react without facing Hermione's extreme displeasure.

Harry listened closely to the song this year, as it had been so applicable in years past. He shared a meaningful glance with Hermione when the hat finished. It was basically encouraging cooperation between the four houses again, and they had made a significant step in that direction with their tolerance of, and even casual discussions with Malfoy.

The first years were a large group and the sorting felt like it would take forever. Harry was quite hungry for once, as he hadn't gotten any food on the train. He smiled and nodded at all the new Gryffindors while Hermione greeted them all warmly. Ron and Seamus shook their hands and Ginny smiled brightly at them. Their rhythm was broken about halfway into the sorting.

"Gudgeon, Jacqueline."

Something about the name triggered a memory in Harry. The hat made its decision quickly.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

As the small girl bounced over to his table Harry suddenly remembered.

"Welcome to Gryffindor," Hermione smiled at her.

The girl shook hands with Ron and Seamus and smiled back at Ginny enthusiastically.

"Is that any relation to Davey Gudgeon?" Harry asked her with interest.

Harry's friends all looked at him, perplexed, but Hermione's mouth formed an 'o' of surprised understanding. She was always quick on the uptake.

"That's my dad," the girl grinned toothily. "Call me Jackie."

Harry smiled back, "Harry."

"Hey, isn't he in the Or - oomph!" Ron's exclamation was interrupted, by an elbow to the ribs Harry guessed. "Hermione!"

"Not here Ron," she hissed and Ron had the good grace to flush.

"He's the one that almost lost an eye to the Whomping Willow, right?" Harry asked curiously.

Jackie nodded, "Dad complains frequently that he'll never live that one down. Uncle Remus saved him and his friends named Dad 'Cyclops'. I was named after him, Jacqueline Remy."

"Uncle Remus?" Dean asked with interest. "You mean Professor Lupin?"

Blond curls bounced as she nodded. She looked up at the staff table and gave a small wave. Remus smiled back at her fondly and nodded at Harry.

"You know he's a werewolf right?" Ginny shot a glare at the third year that had joined their conversation. He looked abashed as several of the first year students paled.

"Of course I know," Jackie huffed, sounding offended and Harry grinned. "Dad would have died otherwise. It's no big deal. Uncle Joseph is a vampire."

That explained to Harry how Remus knew Joseph.

"Cool!" Dean exclaimed, and the first year students had their attention diverted away from one of their professors being a werewolf by Dean's excited questions. Ever since their third year Dean had wanted to meet a vampire.

The rest of the meal was used to answer various questions the eleven year olds had about Hogwarts. Hermione quoted Hogwarts, A History no less than five times. Harry had introduced himself using his first name only, but it wasn't long before one of the pureblood students realized he was the Harry Potter.

He tried to make himself invisible as the excited boy explained to his new muggle-born classmates what the significance of that was. Harry soon found himself the subject of thirteen worshiping expressions. Jackie Gudgeon just grinned and Harry mentally thanked Remus.

Following the feast Harry got away from the first years as quickly as possible. He had sworn he would talk to his father and Dumbledore about what Eliza did as soon as possible. Tired, Harry wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. He met Snape halfway between the head of the Gryffindor table and the end of the staff table where Snape sat.

"I need to talk to you and the headmaster," Harry looked him in the eye to try and convey the importance of the talk. He was fully barriered as crowds drove him nuts with all the emotions of the hundreds of teenagers. As a result he couldn't scan his father's reaction and had to rely on his other senses.

The analytical gaze directed at him made him a bit uncomfortable but Snape eventually nodded and started walking quickly towards Dumbledore's office. Harry had to nearly jog to keep up and glared when they reached the gargoyle.

"My legs are much shorter than yours," he pointed out.

Snape looked down at him and raised an eyebrow, then let it lower but kept his mask in place, "I forget sometimes. I apologize. Nosebleed Nougats."

"It's fine," Harry smiled as the gargoyle moved aside. It wasn't long ago that Snape would never even consider apologizing to Harry for anything. When they stepped in the office he wondered how the headmaster had gotten up there so quickly. Harry took one of the offered lemon drops and sat down. Unsurprisingly the lemon drop had a touch of Energizing Elixir.

"You have something to discuss with us Harry," Dumbledore stated more than asked.

"Yes sir," Dumbledore tilted his head to gaze piercing at Harry over his half-moon spectacles, "um... Albus. It looks like there's another use for dragon blood."

Both his father and Albus just stared at Harry. The story came spilling out, starting with Charlie being asleep while Harry talked to Eliza and eventually Charlie attempting unsuccessfully to stun him.

There was no response for some time and Harry started to squirm in his seat under the blank looks. The headmaster recovered first, "Severus, I believe you traditionally address your new students at this time."

Harry's father nodded slowly. He reached out and cupped Harry's chin, tilting his head up so they looked eye-to-eye, "I want to see you in the infirmary immediately after breakfast tomorrow. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear sir," Harry answered in a small voice, doubt beginning to worm its way in. He was still shielded tightly and didn't want to let himself scan.

There was a sigh, "I am not mad Harry. I...," Snape paused and his features softened. "I am not accustomed to worrying so much about another and what is done cannot be undone... legally." Harry nodded, relieved. "Have you been reading Salazar's book?"

Harry shook his head, "I have it, but I haven't read any. I didn't think I should let anyone see it."

"Be cautious Harry," Albus advised and Harry approval for the discretion he had used with the book so far. "We do not know what you may find in that book." Harry nodded again. "I will see you both at breakfast. Please inform me of Poppy's results Severus if I do not come to the infirmary myself."

They left together and paused at the bottom of the steps. Snape looked at Harry with frustration, "Dragon blood Harry? What were you thinking? What was Charlie thinking?"

"As Charlie was sleeping I don't know what he was thinking," Harry defended Charlie first. "I was scanning her Dad. She just wanted to protect me. It's been three days and I'm fine, better than I was before even."

Snape looked skeptical and gave Harry a quick hug, so quick he almost missed it, and left at his quick pace for the dungeons with his robes billowing dramatically behind him. Harry smiled, glad that some things about his father hadn't changed.

He made a brief stop in the owlery before heading up to the Tower and was reunited with an irritated Hedwig. Some owl treats and Harry crooning to her while he stroked her wings settled her down, and Harry promised to visit her often. He was smiling in contentment as he walked through the empty halls.

His smile faded when he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and realized he hadn't gotten the password to Gryffindor Tower from anyone. It was a stupid mistake, seeing as one of his best friends was the Head Girl, the other was a prefect, and yet another close friend was also a prefect.

"Problem, dearie?" the Fat Lady interrupted Harry banging his head against the wall.

He looked at her with a sheepish grin, "I forgot to get the password. I had to meet with my father and Headmaster Dumbledore."

The Fat Lady 'tutted' at Harry, "Just wait here Potter," and she disappeared from her frame.

Harry cocked his head and looked at the portrait with interest. She was obviously going to help him, so why didn't she just let him in or tell him the password?

"Guardian portraits cannot open without a password," the disembodied voice of Sir Nicholas startled Harry.

"Is that why...?" Harry thought of the portrait, slashed to shreds with a sharp knife.

Nicholas floated to face Harry, "Black did not have the password, so Evangeline could not let him in no matter what he did."

That Fat Lady came back into her frame, "Good evening Nicholas. Mr. Potter, your Head of House instructed me to convey the password to you, Icarus, and to inform you that she wished to meet with you tomorrow to discuss your extracurricular studies."

"Thank you," Harry smiled at her. "My friends are probably wondering where I am." Harry gave her the password officially so she could let him in, "Icarus. Have a good night."

The portrait swung open and the Fat Lady smiled as she vanished from view, "Good night Potter."

"Good night Harry," Sir Nicholas echoed.

In the Gryffindor common room Harry saw that all the younger years were in their dormitories already either talking or sleeping, some possibly working on last minute homework completion. The seventh year Gryffindors minus Hermione and a few of the sixth years were lounging in front of the fire.

"Harry!" Colin Creevey exclaimed, still not over his hero-worship. Harry sighed and made his way over to the group. Though he had slept on the train he still felt like he had been awake for days.

The chair Harry customarily sat in had been left empty and he gratefully collapsed, "What time is it? My internal clock's all messed up. It feels like the middle of the night."

"Ten o'clock Harry," Ginny grinned, "you just made it. I guess we won't have to give you detention after all."

"I was talking to the headmaster, not wandering the halls," Harry reminded her.

Ron looked up from the game of Gobstones on the floor, "What did you need to talk to him about?"

"Later Ron," Harry insisted, glancing around at the many people who shouldn't be privy to many things about him. Ron just shrugged and went to back his game while Harry marveled at his friend's maturity. It wasn't long ago that Ron would have been terribly upset at having to wait to hear Harry's information.

Harry leaned back and closed his eyes to listen to the conversations around him. If he pretended to be sleeping no one would expect him to join in. The people around him talked about such innocent things, classes and relationships, all the fresh gossip. None of them brought up the war that was mentioned daily in the papers.

It was about midnight when Hermione came in from patrolling the halls, having caught three Hufflepuffs who had decided to explore, and directed a lost first year Slytherin to Snape's office. She sat down on the arm of Harry's chair.

"I know you're not sleeping," Hermione whispered.

Harry smiled but didn't open his eyes. Leave it to Hermione, "And how did you know that Madame Head Girl?"

She sighed, "You never sleep around this much noise and you look too relaxed."

"Too relaxed?" Harry opened his eyes and straightened up.

Hermione nodded, "I think it started around the time of the World Cup. Your face is taught when you sleep."

"Still?" Harry was thinking about the Good Dreams potion, which he had been taking roughly every third night, and the severed connection that left his scar pain free.

"Still," Hermione said sadly. She brushed back his hair. "It's like you're on guard, expecting something to happen even while you sleep."

Harry let her play with his hair. Everyone close to him, except Ron and the twins, had these urges to see if they could make his hair obey. It had taken him some time and quite a bit of effort to get comfortable with the casual touches but now Hermione, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, Poppy, Remus, Dumbledore, Tonks, Charlie, and his father could hug him or ruffle his hair without his muscles all tensing out of reflex.

"After breakfast I have to see Poppy," Harry said in an undertone and Hermione gave him a puzzled look, "want to come with?"

"Is something wrong?" Hermione sounded both concerned and stern. Harry had no doubt that if McGonagall vanished Hermione could take her place and many people wouldn't notice the difference.

Harry shook his head, "There shouldn't be. It's just... something strange happened...," Harry sighed and squeezed her hand that had stopped playing with his hair and fallen to his shoulder. "I'd rather explain it all just one more time."

"We'll be there Harry," Hermione answered for Ron as well as herself.

Harry smiled up at her. He stood and stretched, rewarded with the popping of several joints which caused Lavender and Parvati to wince, "I'm off the bed. 'Night all."

A chorus of 'goodnight's followed Harry up the stairs to the seventh year boys' room. His trunk was in its place at the foot of the bed he had slept in for six years and he took the bag he had brought to Romania out of his pocket and enlarged it. He changed with a snap of his fingers and got under the covers. Once he reluctantly gave in to the knowledge that there wouldn't be anyone sharing his bed Harry drifted into dream riddled sleep, tossing and turning to the accompaniment of his memories.

Finding the Key - Chapter 15

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