Harry Potter: Don't touch

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***

Harry Potter was running. He had long since lost his sense of time. He didn't know where he was running to and most importantly, he didn't know why. Harry had already run from staircase to staircase somewhere around seven or eight times, moving upwards. He was constantly being called out by some people walking through the portraits, but he still wouldn't stop. Had Harry panicked a little less, he might have wondered why the portraits were moving and talking.

The only thing that stopped him was a step that disappeared under his foot, and he fell into it with one foot. It did not hold him for long, for he pulled his foot out and ran on.

And now it seemed that Harry's run had come to an end, he ran into a dead end. But could any wall stop the great Harry Potter! No, of course it couldn't!

Harry just started running in circles. From the picture, these movements were watched curiously by the trolls, who were being tried to distracted by some guy dancing. After Potter was beginning to suspect he was running in circles, which was after three or four laps, he noticed a door that had just appeared out of nowhere.

He wasn't the least bit disturbed by the sudden appearance of the door in the wall, on the contrary, even pleased, he immediately ran into it.

Entering the room... Or rather, running into it, Harry found a huge number of wardrobes, beds, boxes, ladders, doors, curtains and even some wooden houses. That had already stopped him. His eyes raced over so many places to hide in, and he couldn't choose where exactly he wouldn't be found.

He quickly came to his senses, however, and ran to a cupboard standing in the far corner. He opened it and climbed onto the top shelf, after that he closed the door behind him and tried not to move. Harry listened for a moment. There were no suspicious sounds. It was safe to relax.

Harry sank into his thoughts. His brain didn't want to think about today's events. For some reason his thoughts revolved around Mrs Figg. An old woman obsessed with her cats. Harry didn't spend much time with her, he visited her on days that celebrated Dudley's 'birthday'. But come to think of it, she was the only person who didn't bully Harry back then. Yes, she fed him horrible old food, showed him pictures of some disgusting cats all day long, but there were some good points: she never hit him or even scolded him, sometimes she even left him alone and let him do what he wanted to do, and she also looked at Harry's scars that were on his face with a strange excitement. She generally often asked the boy about his health, and of course he would always answer that he was fine and not say anything about the real state of affairs. So in a way you could even say that she was worried about him... Well... If she didn't make him watch cats all day long... And didn't try to poison him with old food... Though, if you compared all that....

Harry couldn't finish the thought as he fell into a restful slumber.

* * *

Dumbledore had been looking for Harry Potter for about an hour now. The distribution had long since ended, the feast was coming to an end, and he still couldn't find him. At first he tried to navigate the portraits, but soon gave up, Harry's trail ended near a dead end on the eighth floor. There was only one portrait of Varnava the Puffed Up and the trolls he had taught ballet, but none of the occupants of that portrait had ever spoken to the Headmaster.

After an unsuccessful search on the eighth floor, Dumbledore began a smooth sweep of the remaining floors. After the ground floor, however, he assessed the amount of work involved and abandoned his plan. After all, no matter where the boy hid, he would come back on his own. And now he should deal with the reasons for his behaviour...

Dumbledore hoped that Hagrid had not gone to bed yet, as the feast had long since ended. Dumbledore walked out of the castle and headed towards the forester's hut. He walked up to it and knocked on the door three times. There was a barking sound inside and the door opened. Standing on the threshold was Hagrid.

- Hello, Professor Dumbledore, what do you want? А! You must be here about Harry! Did you find him? - The half-giant asked.

It was clear from his voice that he hadn't gone to bed yet.

- No, I haven't, and that's why I came to see you," Dumbledore said. - 'Can you elaborate on Harry's condition? You told me that he was a bit frightened, and I can see from his behaviour that it's not a bit. Has he been affected by the trial? I heard he ran out of the courtroom. Or maybe it's the Dursleys' fault?

- I mean, I don't know... I mean, when I got here, he was already so, well... So... So... I mean. Can I just give you a memory of the first time we met? - The half-giant said, stammering.

- Sure, Hagrid, go ahead," the Headmaster smiled.

It was perfect for him, because this way he wouldn't be basing his judgement solely on Hagrid's words, he would see the situation for himself and be able to realise what was wrong with the boy.

Dumbledore gave the forester an empty vial.Hagrid touched the pink umbrella to the temple of his head and carefully pulled a small shimmering trickle from there. He held it on the umbrella for a moment and then put it into the vial.

- Here you go. I don't know why he's like that, at first I thought he was just scared of me, but I soon realised he's like that with everyone," the ranger handed the vial back.

- Thank you Hagrid, you've been a great help, go to bed, don't stay up too late or you'll miss breakfast," Dumbledore said and left the hut.

The Headmaster entered the castle and went to his office. He didn't meet anyone on the way except Filch, who was guarding someone outside the gents.

Dumbledore took out the Memory Pool, threw his memories into it, and immediately immersed himself in them.

Dumbledore came out of the Pool of Memory quite different from when he went in. Whereas at first he had been confident and eager to discover the truth, now he was terrified.

And it wasn't about Harry's possible suffering...

He magically divided the Memory Pool into two compartments, one to hold Hagrid's memories of his first encounter with Harry, and the other to throw his own memories into. He tried to keep his fear at bay for a while and started comparing.

- Harry... What are you talking about? Don't you know? You're a wizard! - Hagrid said cautiously.

- Very plausible. I wish they'd thought of winning the lottery," Harry said.

- 'I've already told you. My name is Professor Dumbledore, and I work at a school called Hogwarts. I've come to offer you the chance to study at my school, your new school, if you want to go there," Dumbledore said

- You won't be fooled! - exclaimed Tom Riddle.

- Are you a wizard? - Harry asked Hagrid.

- Erm... Something like that," the giant hesitated.

- Prove it! - Harry demanded.

- Are you a wizard too? - Riddle asked.

- Yes," Dumbledore replied.

- Prove it! - Riddle demanded.

- When can I get one of these things? - Harry asked, looking at the umbrella in awe.

Riddle stared at the cupboard, then at Dumbledore, then pointed at the wand with a greedy glint in his eyes.

- When am I going to get one of these?

Dumbledore removed both memories from the Memory Pool. He was able to calm down after all. It didn't mean anything yet, after all. It could be a mere coincidence, Harry might not even get into Slytherin. Dumbledore calmed himself down, but a little voice in his head kept telling him that it wasn't a coincidence, and that Harry would get into Slytherin.

The Headmaster, deciding not to burden himself with doubts, went to bed; he had a lot of work to do tomorrow.

* * *

When Harry woke up, he didn't realise where he was for a long time. It seemed to him that he should be in his room of The Leaky Cauldron, and somehow he was in the dark in some cramped, uncomfortable place. Finally the memories came back to Harry, and the horror of realising his behaviour came over him. Not the same horror as yesterday, of course, but still....

Harry began to contemplate his situation. What should he do? Go to the Headmaster's office and apologise? Or maybe run away from the castle and never come back here again? He really wanted to choose the second option, but his brain finally got control of his body and influenced him to choose the first option. And Harry fully supported his decision. It was time to finally listen to the voice of reason instead of the voice of feelings.

Harry walked out of the room, having previously memorised for himself that the room to hide in was next to a staircase and a portrait of some trolls. He stood for a moment, deciding to come out of hiding, and then went downstairs - to the Headmaster's office. After walking three steps, Harry suddenly realised that he had no idea where that office was. He needed to ask someone about what he should do. Just have to find someone. He'd only made it to the sixth floor when he was called out.

- Harry, hi!" came a voice behind him.

- Yes, Harry, how did you sleep? - A second voice sounded at the same time as the first.

Two red-haired twins came round the corner.

- Я? Do you know who I am?" asked Potter.

His scar was tightly covered by his hair, and without it no one was supposed to recognise him... Sort of... Apparently that information was out of date. Despite the sudden appearance of the twins, Harry wasn't too much afraid of them, since he had already met them twice before.

The twins spoke one by one:

- Of course Harry, everyone knows you now....

- You were quite popular before, but that performance you gave last night...

- It was brilliant. No-one's ever

- has ever run out of the Great Hall and made Dumbledore search for him without success....

- But even that doesn't compare to the fact

- That you set the shortest attendance record at Hogwarts.

- Not even we could do that.

- We didn't start skipping until the second half of our first year...

- And that was only History of Magic because no one needed it, and you...

- You managed to skip two subjects at once, and if you don't hurry up, it'll be three...

- On your first day of school....

Then they spoke at the same time.

- And we, as the school's most important truants, have your deepest respect.Harry was in a bit of a stupor at such a statement, but he managed to get it out:

- I didn't do it on purpose... And how did you find me?

One of the red-haired twins glanced warily at the other, who in turn quickly hid some piece of old parchment.

- We found you by accident. I'm Fred," the first twin said, and then pointed a finger at the other. - And this is George, I'd like you to meet me.

- You know me... Can you tell me where the Headmaster's office is? - Harry asked without apprehension.

If they introduced themselves and didn't shake hands, they wouldn't touch him.

- Of course we do, Harry. We go there all the time for our shenanigans. It's in the Headmaster's Tower, which is on the west side of the castle, which is..." the redhead thought for a moment, then pointed to the lower part of the wall with his hand. - It's that way.

- Thank you. Erm... - Harry had already forgotten which twin he was talking to. - Fred.

The twin he called Fred stared at Harry with his mouth open.

- How could you tell us apart? - He was horrified.

- I even introduced us wrong. I'm George, not Fred," the other twin interjected.-And yet you still managed to tell us apart. How?

Harry started to think of an answer, but his train of thought was quickly interrupted by Fred. Or maybe he was George after all. What difference does it make?

- Okay, whatever, just don't tell anyone, okay? - After waiting for Harry's nod, Fred (or George) continued. - 'Go where I showed you and you'll find Dumbledore's office. It's guarded by a gargoyle, and you shouldn't meet anyone on the way, because everyone has lessons now....

- And you too, by the way," George added snidely (I think it was him).

- I'll be off then," Harry walked down the stairs to get to the right floor and towards the Headmaster's office.

- Bye Harry! - Fred and George (now that's for sure) said at the same time.

As Harry walked to Dumbledore's office, he thought about how he hadn't felt any fear when talking to the twins. I guess if they weren't touching him, the interaction wasn't as scary as he thought it would be.

While Harry had been looking for the Headmaster, Hogwarts class had ended. He realised this by hearing many voices in the distance, there didn't seem to be any bell ringing at Hogwarts.

Finally he reached the Headmaster's office. At least he found a gargoyle guarding some sort of passageway, probably to Dumbledore's office, according to... Erm... Fred?

He walked up to the gargoyle and said:

- Excuse me, may I make my way to the Headmaster's office?

The gargoyle didn't budge.

- But I really need to! - Harry exclaimed in desperation.

The gargoyle apparently didn't care. It continued to stare into the distance with unseeing eyes.

- You need a password to get into the Headmaster's office, young man," Harry heard a voice behind him.

Why does everyone approach him from the back?

He turned around and saw Professor McGonagall looking at him unhappily. As soon as she saw him, she immediately lost all her displeasure.

- 'Oh, Mr Potter, I must say that you surprised everyone with your behaviour yesterday. I think you really need to see the Headmaster," she said and walked over to the gargoyle.

- Candyfloss," Professor McGonagall said, turning to the gargoyle.

To Harry's surprise, the stone statue turned away and a spiral staircase appeared behind her back.

- 'Come with me, Mr Potter.

Harry followed her. He, instead of thinking about what to say to Dumbledore, was thinking about the gargoyle's strange behaviour. Is she being fed candyfloss? And is it only letting people in for the promise of a quick feed?

At last they entered a spacious study, filled with all sorts of strange silver appliances and devices; on a shelf of a cupboard lay an old hat, and at the table sat the master of the study himself, a blue-eyed old man with a long white beard. He was writing some kind of letter, and behind his back an old bird with red and gold feathers sat in a cage.

- Headmaster, I've brought Potter," Professor McGonagall said, looking directly at Dumbledore.

He immediately put the letter aside and looked at Harry strangely thoughtful and even wary.

- Thank you, Minerva, you may go," he said and stood up from the table.

Professor McGonagall silently turned and walked out of the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore continued to study the boy thoughtfully. The silence lasted for about two minutes. Harry decided he needed to say something.

- 'I'm sorry, Headmaster,' he said, looking down at his feet. - I didn't mean to do what I did yesterday, I was just really scared.

Albus Dumbledore seemed to leave all of his words unheeded. He gave the boy a strange look and said:

- 'It's nothing Harry, but tell me, what faculty would you like to join?

- Me?" Potter remembered his answer to Justin. - Well, probably Gryffindor....

- Really? - Dumbledore's face brightened. - What do you think about Slytherin?

- I don't know. Well, if the hat sends me there, that's where I'll go," Harry replied thoughtfully.- No, no, Harry, I think Gryffindor would be perfect for you, but anyway, if you really want to, you can choose your own department while you're talking to the hat," Dumbledore said excitedly, and then continued more cordially, "Gryffindor and Hufflepuff had three lessons today: History of Magic, Herbalism and Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Slytherin and Ravenclaw had Transfiguration, Spellcasting and Potions, no matter where you get in, I'll tell the teachers that you have a pass for a good reason, but from now on, don't run off again unawares.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then continued:

- 'I will now give you the Allocating Hat. You will go through the distribution procedure in my office, due to your... Hmmm... Dislike of scrutiny. Then I'll introduce you to your new faculty and have the Headmaster explain Hogwarts and your studies to you, okay?

- Yes," Harry answered briefly.

- Then let's get started," Dumbledore waved his wand and an old hat flew up to him. - Put it on, it will determine your faculty. Make the right choice.

Harry took the hat and put it on his head.

A voice spoke sharply in his head:

- Well, well, well, well. What do I see?A difficult choice. Very difficult. A huge reluctance to socialise. Modesty. So where do you want me to put you?

- I don't know," Harry replied mentally. - Gryffindor, maybe?

- You think Gryffindor? I don't agree with you. Gryffindor is the least suitable for you of all the other faculties. It's for the brave, the reckless, the willing to do anything to help their friends or to restore justice. You have none of those qualities. You'd rather think ten times about whether you need it, and then maybe decide. And you have no courage at all. No offence, but you're a coward. So no Gryffindor. Slytherin? It suits you even better than you think... You have many of the qualities that Slytherins have, but almost all Slytherins place a high value on purity and tradition. And you don't like both of those things. And they're very fond of picking on weird people like you. Ravenclaw? It's a good fit, but a little less so. You're a knowledge-seeker, and Ravenclaw is the most passive of all the Hogwarts faculties, so you won't have a problem with overly sociable classmates. But for you, knowledge isn't an end, it's a means. You just want to learn every possible defence against attention, and then you'll stop learning anything. Of course, your opinion will change many times, and I think that already this year you will be able to find an interesting direction to study. Hufflepuff? It suits you better than you think. Yes, Hufflepuff has the most outgoing and friendly people who love to work as a team, but you don't have any of those qualities. On the contrary, you tend to socialise less and do things alone. But for this faculty there are no criteria for admission, and there you will definitely not wait for ridicule and you will be accepted as you are... So what is it? Any requests? - The hat spoke a long mental monologue.

Harry remained silent. He didn't have any wishes. But after the hat's arguments, he felt he would be best suited for Ravenclaw.

- I could send you to any of the three faculties, but I believe that any of them would be completely unsuitable for you. However, since I only have a choice among these three, I'll have to assign you somewhere. I can't create a Harry Potter faculty. A lot of people have a high opinion of themselves and consider themselves to be either the most cunning, the most intriguing, or the most intelligent and talented, so they strive for the appropriate faculties. Given that you don't have an excessive ego, I've made up my mind," the hat informed him and fell silent.

Dumbledore looked at the Distributing Hat with tension. It had taken her a long time to choose a faculty for Harry, and he was afraid he would go for Slytherin.

And then, in the silence that followed, there was a loud shout from the Allocating Hat:

- Hufflepuff!