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"Theoretically. If the power of your magical core developed quickly enough, you might be able to sit your N.E.W.T.s early. But as of this moment, let's plan for you to take them with your peers. Do you have any preferences in regards to your private studies?"
Harry thought a moment before he realized what a golden opportunity this was.
"I'd like to take Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Snape" he said, trying to sound earnest or at least vaguely trustworthy and definitely not as if he was up to something.
Professor McGonagall shot him a sharp look. Apparently he sounded guilty of something. Or maybe she had not failed to notice his regular detentions with Professor Snape.
"I'm not really a potions sort of person but he grew up with my mum." Harry found himself explaining. "They came from the same village and were best mates for a long time. I figure if I spend enough time with him, eventually he'll see me as Lily Evans' son instead of Potter's brat."
Professor McGonagall's expression softened. "Is Professor Snape aware of your intentions?"
"Sort of. I ask him something about my mum during every detention."
"Has he answered you?"
"Not yet." Harry admitted easily. Thanks to Professor Snape's memories, he knew Severus Snape better than anyone – even Professor Dumbledore – so he felt confident enough to reply, "But he will. I just need enough time with him."
Professor McGonagall bit back a smile. "Of course. So you would like an emphasis on potions and defense. Anything else?"
"No more Muggle Studies or History of Magic. I can study those on my own. Herbology sort of goes with potions, I guess, but I really like Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, and Transfiguration."
Professor McGonagall nodded. "I will certainly take your preferences into consideration when designing your tutorial schedule. Please be aware, Mr. Potter, that a private schedule will require you to dedicate yourself to your academics as seriously as if you were in your N.E.W.T. classes."
Feeling suddenly uneasy, Harry blurted "But I won't have as much homework as I would in N.E.W.T. level classes, right?"
Professor McGonagall's smirk was ever so slightly evil. "We shall see."
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During the Halloween feast Harry made sure that everyone was at the Gryffindor table – especially Hermione – before he got up and headed toward the Slytherin table for dessert. Before Harry left the Gryffindor table Ron mumbled something at him through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
"What?"
Ron hastily swallowed. "Where're you going?"
"Dessert with Slytherin. I'll see you later."
Ron scowled. Harry pretended not to notice as he made his across the hall to his nearest Slytherin friend, Theodore Nott.
"Budge over."
Parkinson scowled as Nott budged. Ignoring her Harry plopped himself between her and Nott. Across from Harry, Draco smirked evilly.
"Weasley's having fits."
Harry shrugged and helped himself to a treacle tart. "It shouldn't be a surprise."
Just then Quirrell burst into the hall, shouting "There's a troll in the dungeons!"
And promptly fainted. Harry snorted. 'Faker.'
Harry stuffed the rest of his treacle tart in his mouth. Nott, Parkinson, and Draco looked revolted.
As Dumbledore ordered the evacuation of the hall, it dawned on Harry that at least a fourth of the school's student population was being sent into the dungeons with a rampaging troll. Maybe even half of the school. Harry had never sneaked into Hufflepuff's set but badger sets were usually underground.
As everyone shuffled toward the door, Harry snatched a strawberry tart and caught Ron's eye. He shouted across the Great Hall.
"I'll get a Slytherin prefect to bring me back after they catch the troll! Make sure everyone else makes it back to the tower!"
Ron nodded jerkily and started moving among the first year Gryffindors. Percy scowled at Harry but hustled his housemates toward the door. As the Slytherins headed toward the door, Harry fell in with the first year Slytherins.
"Go back to your own house" Parkinson hissed. "No one wants you here."
"You just wish you'd thought to grab a tart before we left."
Harry leaned in close to Parkinson and tauntingly bit into his tart.
"I hope the troll gets you" she snarled before storming off to walk with Tracy Davis and Daphne Greengrass.
Harry smirked and moved so that he was walking closer to Draco and Nott. One of the fifth-year Slytherin prefects sidled closer to Harry.
"What she said is basically true if tactless" the current fifth-year Slytherin prefect, Jeremiah LeStrange, said stiffly as Harry took another bite. "The entrance to our house is a secret."
"Already know where it is." Harry said around his next bite. "And I've already been in your common room. Didn't sneak into your dorms though."
LeStrange's eyebrows shot up. His expression was clearly disbelieving. Harry very helpfully described the location of the entrance and the layout of the Slytherin common room. On the ground floor the Hufflepuffs split off from the Slytherins. Harry was relieved since that left only a quarter of the school to worry about if the troll put in an appearance. From the quality of his defense professors his first time through Hogwarts, Harry had no illusions as to whom would be fighting the troll off.
LeStrange's gaze slid toward Draco and Nott accusingly.
"They didn't let me in" Harry immediately protested. It was mostly true since at the time Draco had thought he was someone else. "If it makes you feel any better I've also broken into Ravenclaw's Tower. I just need to sneak into Hufflepuff's common room and I'll have a full set."
LeStrange's gaze turned considering. "What's Ravenclaw's Tower like?"
Harry smirked. "Gonna invite me in this time?"
"If you agree not to listen for our password. And no pranking us."
"Me? A prankster?"
"We were all in the Great Hall when you summoned the Headmaster's wand. And rumor has it that was not your first or only prank at Hogwarts."
Harry smirked and bit into his tart again. Chewing gave him an opportunity to think.
"No pranking this time since I'm an invited guest. The rest of the time, you're as vulnerable as any other house." At LeStrange's look, Harry added "Believe me that makes you much safer than anyone in Gryffindor's common room. No mercy there."
"Because your House has the Weasley twins."
"Exactly why there's no mercy in during inner-house prank wars."
LeStrange smirked. "So Ravenclaw's Tower, no password, and no pranking when you're an invited guest. The invited guest thing carries over if you're invited under other circumstances."
"No way." Harry automatically protested, despite his full mouth. Hastily he added, "The deal isn't that sweet. Plus, what if someone needs a contracted pranking? How about I just agree not to tell the Wesley twins where your common room is?"
"No communicating its location to them."
That was easy enough to agree to since Harry knew perfectly well that the entrance to the Slytherin common room was already marked on the Marauder's Map.
"So if you let me into your house's common room, I'll describe Ravenclaw's common room to you, won't memorize your house's password, won't prank anyone during this visit, and won't communicate the location of your common room to the Wesley twins."
"Agreed."
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Want to know what happens next? 100+ advanced chapters await you on Patreon! Be the first to read what others will have to wait for. Join the community and read ahead today!
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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