1,163All of his life, Harry had heard voices in his head. Sometimes the soft, whispered words could barely be heard. Other times, in the quiet of night, they were clear as could be.
In the deep darkness of his cupboard, more than once he had wept with sorrow at his circumstances. He had never stopped to wonder if the sorrow was always his own.
There were other hints that this was something more than imagined voices. The day before his eighth birthday, Harry had collapsed at the dinner table. When he woke, Petunia said he had shouted "Neville!" and suddenly gotten dizzy.
Later that summer, he had spent an afternoon in the local library, hoping to escape Dudley's gang. A girl's startled gasp and angry stream of curses warned him that his cousin planned an ambush. He had thanked the girl, in his mind, wondering if she heard him too - only to have some of those curses directed at him. Apparently she had still been running away.
On the morning of his eleventh birthday, he woke to words angrily shouted in a language he did not know. The only phrase he could make out was Hogwarts, which made no sense. Shortly, he had felt a stabbing pain in his thigh, even passing out from the shock of it. When he woke, hours later, there was no injury.
But the hint about Hogwarts helped - as did the early morning excitement of a boy's voice in his head. I got it, I got my letter dad, I'm going to Hogwarts! The voice had cried out in joy. Harry made no sense of it at the time, but it did clue him in to stash away his own letter, when it came that evening.
Sometimes it seemed like the voices lived their own lives. The train ride to Hogwarts their first year was interesting, as each of them seemed to meet different people at different times. Their connection had gotten stronger, now that they were sharing experiences. Harry had laughed when he heard a girl's voice introducing herself to Draco Malfoy, offering to help him make the right sort of friends - and leaving him speechless.
oOoOoOoOo
The sorting had been remarkable - as it was the first time that four of them were able to speak directly. The sorting hats, hearing different versions of them arguing, decided to quiet them down by using their connection.
"Now look, you four," it had said, "You each have led very different lives. But there are similarities as well. All of you have bravery and ambition, as well as a ready mind. Your loyalty is unquestioned, but I think it is strongest with each other. After all, even as voices, you've all grown up together."
A girl had spoken up, then. "I want to be in Gryffindor. It's what Harry would have wanted."
"I daresay, my dear Marigold, that it is indeed what Harry wants. Both Harrys, yes?" The boys, Harry and Heir Potter, confirmed that it was.
"Very well, then - better be GRYFFINDOR!" And in three worlds, the hat shouted out, and two boys and a red haired girl stood and happily walked to the house of the lions.
The other girl had remained silent, listening and learning. Her hat almost smiled, at that. "You seem to be the quietest of your counterparts, but you miss nothing. I daresay you would be the most loyal of any of them, to one who proved themselves worthy of your trust."
Rose scoffed. "No one has done that before, and I don't expect them to now." She had sighed, then. "No, I've always been on my own. I'll make my own way, sir."
"You have it in you to be truly great, Rose Potter. The tools are all there, inside you, waiting. And there's only one house for it, but you knew that already. It will not be an easy path." The Hat waited for her response, but as before, she kept her own counsel. "As you wish, my dear. Welcome to SLYTHERIN!" And in a fourth world, the great hall fell silent as Rose Potter walked to the den of snakes.
A few minutes later, a fifth hat was surprised to find Harry Spellforged under its brim. "Another one? Oh, raised as a goblin by your father, but with a foster mother to teach you of the wizarding world, yes I see… what a remarkable life you've lead, sir. "
"Thank you," he responded, not knowing what else to think.
"Of your counterparts, I'd say you had to work the hardest to get where you are, but I expect that you knew that. You fought an honour duel just to win the right to attend, that sort of bravery would get you far in the house of lions. But oh my, you've studied wand and goblin magic. High finance, world affairs both magical and mundane, the workings of the wizarding government as well as the high clans…" The hat almost whistled. "You wield your mind like that blade you carry, young sir."
The hat heard a soft chuckle. "My father bet me 5 galleons that I would end up in Gryffindor. My money was on Ravenclaw, of course."
"And that proves the point, young goblin. You stand with feet in both worlds. It will not get easier for you, but your head of house will be invaluable. Seek his wisdom. Now, however, welcome to RAVENCLAW!" And in a fifth world, Harry Spellforged stood and bowed to the head table, before taking his seat with the ravens.
oOoOoOoOo
At the urging of Harry Spellforged, the five took to meditating in the evenings. It helped them clear their minds and focus, both on their studies and on each other's words. Eventually, they decided to hold a conference, so to speak, at curfew on Friday evening.
As Harry closed his eyes and followed the breathing techniques that Spellforged had offered, he could already hear Marigold and Heir Potter arguing about Hermione Granger. Heir Potter liked her, though he thought she was a bit annoying. Marigold (who shared a dorm with her) argued that she had never had true friends, and that the boys should be patient with her.
"She's a muggleborn, her only path was to be the best and the smartest. I bet she'll fight for top of the class, and get it." she said.
Harry chimed in. "I think she'll have an easier go of things if she learns that the professors will call on her whether she puts her hand up or not. And she might go a little bit more under the radar." Then Marigold and Harry had to explain what radar was, as Heir Potter was not muggle-raised as they were - a fact they had forgotten.
None of them had realized that Rose had joined them, until her quiet voice spoke. "I've noticed a girl in Ravenclaw with that name, and she's having a rough time."
"She's in Gryffindor here," said Harry. "Probably because she ended up with Neville and Ron and I on the train." Rose did not respond, but Spellforged did.
"I've already spoken to her. She doesn't stand out as much in my ravenclaw - probably because everyone is curious about me." Harry could hear the chuckle in the goblin's voice. "I can already tell she's going to be a good ally to have." It was the first time that all five of them agreed on anything.
oOoOoOoOo
Halloween brought more surprises than anyone could have expected.
It began when Rose found a crying ravenclaw girl in the bathroom. The girl looked up as the door opened, and cringed when she saw the green robe of the snakes. Rose sighed at that, before approaching slowly.
"It's alright, I'm not going to do anything." she said, keeping her hands open. "Hermione, right? What happened?"
Hermione wiped her tears away, wondering what to say to the slytherin girl in front of her. "Why do you care?" she said.
Rose sat down next to her, bring her knees to her chest. "Because you're not the only girl who found herself crying in a bathroom for being too smart."
Hermione sighed. "I thought it would be so wonderful, to learn about magic… but I forgot that we're all just dumb kids."
Rose snorted. "Not all of us are dumb, Miss Granger." To her surprise, Hermione chuckled at that.
"Maybe you're right."
Rose stood, offering her hand to the young girl. "Maybe, nothing. You would do well to heed my counsel, Ravenclaw." Her tone was serious but Hermione saw the look in her eyes, and the laugh that threatened to escape.
"Very well, Miss Potter, I will of course consider your advice, despite the fact that you are a Slytherin."
Rose bowed mockingly, then fought herself to not be the first one to start laughing. She lost. Once they had themselves put back together, they went to the evening feast.
As Rose went to the Slytherin table, she sent her thoughts to the link. If Hermione Granger is missing, check the bathroom. She was in there crying before dinner.
Ron Weasley said something dumb, replied Marigold. I caught her in the hallway and steadied her down. She's sitting next to me.
I was busy yelling at Ron, said one of the Harrys. So was I, replied the other. Both confirmed that she was missing, and agreed to check the bathroom after the feast.
My Hermione is missing as well, responded Spellforged. I stayed behind to speak to Professor Flitwick, and didn't see the altercation. Rose looked up as Professor Quirrell stormed into the great hall.
"TROLL! TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!"
Hermione! Rose heard the boys shout, almost in unison, over the link. She set it aside, as she watched Quirrell collapse. Something wasn't right…
Something happened to Professor Quirrell. But he didn't lose consciousness, he just fell over. Rose felt, rather than heard, Marigold's shock.
You saw it too? Marigold asked. I'm sitting close to where he fell, I'm going to check on him.
Alright, be careful. Rose said. She kept her eyes on her own Quirrell.
AH SHIT SHIT SHIT Marigold was screaming. He's burning! I touched him and he started burning!
Rose took out her wand and stood. Daphne Greengrass saw the motion, and drew her own wand. Professor Dumbledore tried to restore order to the room, and the students started quieting down.
"What are you doing?" asked Daphne. Rose pointed at Quirrell. As the girls watched, they saw his hand move slightly.
"He's faking." said Rose, quietly. "Stunners on three." Daphne's eyes grew wide, but she aimed her wand alongside Rose. Michael Corner, a ravenclaw in their year, watched wide-eyed as they shot stunners at a professor. Quirrell stopped moving when the stunners hit.
Rose saw Michael watching them. "Get the headmaster." She said calmly, keeping her wand aimed at the professor.
More students were noticing them now, and Michael's report had reached Flitwick, who approached the girls. To his great credit, his wand was out as well - very little got past the former dueling master.
"Miss Potter, Miss Greengrass?" the professor asked.
Rose winced, as Marigold's voice returned in her mind. VOLDEMORT! WHAT THE FUCK!
Mari, calm down. Spellforged replied. Rose could tell he was still running, probably to the bathroom. What happened?
He had Voldemort under his turban. She was calmer now, and Spellforged's steady voice of command helped. I reached for his throat to check his pulse. When I touched him, he started burning. He burst into flame and a black ghost thing flew out of his turban. It said it was Voldemort! The panic in her voice started to return, and Rose came to the realization that Marigold had just killed a man.
"Rose?" Daphne hissed, angry at being left hanging while Rose was silent. Rose looked at her, then at the professor.
"Professor Flitwick, there was something moving under Professor Quirrell's Turban. I thought it might injure him further, so I asked Daphne to help stun him. I didn't want him to move and aggravate a head injury."
The ravenclaw head of house looked at his fallen colleague. Dumbledore was walking down the centre aisle now, causing more of the students to look their way. Flitwick spoke as the Headmaster arrived.
"Does Quirinus have any religious traditions that require that turban?" Flitwick asked. Dumbledore looked puzzled, then shook his head. "Good, then we can check him out before moving him."
Slowly, gingerly, Flitwick leaned forward. "You'll need Madam Pomfrey, Albus." he said. With his off hand, Flitwick reached for the edge of the wrapped fabric turban, lifting it up.
Where was he, Marigold? Rose thought.
Back of the professor's head. Was the reply.
"I believe you should start with the back of his head, sir." said Rose. Daphne noticed that the Headmaster's wand came out at those words. Rose kept her focus on the turban, and did not see.
Flitwick had unwrapped several lengths of the purple cloth, before gasping and stepping back. He had revealed a mouth on the back of the professor's head.
Dumbledore grew pale. Wordlessly, he immobilized the professor.
"Possession?" Flitwick asked quietly, his wand still aimed at Quirrell. Dumbledore's slight nod was all the answer he would get, here in the great hall surrounded by students - all of whom were now watching with rapt attention.
"We will want to move him somewhere more secure." Dumbledore said simply. He looked to Rose and Daphne, as if seeing them for the first time. "Fifty points to Slytherin, I believe, ladies. Now please rejoin your classmates. We will take it from here."
Daphne needed no further encouragement, nearly dragging Rose back to the table. "What the hell was that?" she asked.
"I'll explain later. It's a long story." Rose replied calmly.
Found the troll, Rose heard in her head. She could not tell which Harry it was until his next thought and its dripping sarcasm. Hey, any tips for fighting a troll? Heir Potter may have grown up in luxury, but that did nothing to temper his sass.
Cut its tendons, then stab it in the throat.
Rose heard Harry's snort of amusement. Not all of us carry Goblin blades, Spellforged.
Does it have a club? Rose thought. We just did levitation charms today, I'll bet you did too.
The link was quiet, presumably as the boys focused on fighting a bloody Mountain Troll. Rose shook her head and sipped her pumpkin juice. Daphne continued to watch her curiously, wondering what her story was, exactly.
Professor Snape walked past them, on his way to the infirmary, presumably to follow the headmaster and Flitwick.
"Professor Snape, sir?" Rose asked. He halted, looking at her with his usual disdain. She did not give him time to speak, but plowed ahead. "Sir, we heard a crash a minute ago. It sounded like it came from the third floor corridor, perhaps near the bathrooms. Could the troll have gotten up there?"
Snape looked at her, thoughtfully. "Perhaps, Miss Potter. I shall inform the Headmaster." Then his cloak billowed behind him, and he was gone. Rose turned back to her table, and found herself faced with the piercing gaze of Daphne Greengrass.
Rose sighed. "Like I said, it's a very long story."
A/N: Edited 25 November 2018 to add Section Divisions.