Lemniscate

Four

I watch as McGonagall transfigures a desk into a pig without much interest. I've seen far better, but I cannot tell her that. Instead, I concentrate on the magical signatures of those around the room.
Draco's is tame, though strong and greedily feeling out its surroundings.
Dion's is wild, unrestrained, and happy.
A few girls in the corner share rather weak signatures, though they are all eager and willing.
Quite a few people have magic that could be easily shaped by another, very innocent and new.
McGonagall's is strong, hardened with age.
My own is dark, and very powerful. If I weren't holding it back, it would likely make all of the people in the room go insane.
"Mr. Potter, is there a reason you aren't paying attention?" McGonagall asks sternly. I turn my attention towards her, and laugh internally at the shiver that goes down her spine.
"Sorry, professor, I was caught up in a daydream." I say earnestly, earning a few giggles from my housemates. I glare at them, and they silence.
"Well, I suggest that you get out of your head and transfigure this match into a needle."
My housemates exchange knowing glances, and I wave my wand lazily, transfiguring the match in an instant. Just to spite the bitch, I yawn and put my hands behind his head, looking at her as if to say, 'What? Surprised?'
She turns an odd shade of crimsion, and doesn't correct anyone else for the rest of the class.
"Nicely done, Potter," Draco says playfully once we're out of the classroom, and I punch his side lightly.

A small smile forms on my face. This... This is not at all like my "friendship" with Ronald and Hermione, which felt strained. This is free, not forced.
"So, did you hear? Flying lessons, today. Too bad its with the Gryffindors," Draco says seriously. I nod, knowing that this was one of my more selfish desires, to fly again. It's been a while, but flying has always come naturally. No way I'll be bad at it, now.
"Yeah, that is too bad. Still, I'm excited to try it," I say off handedly. Draco smiles.
"I bet that you'll do great. You certainly have the build for it."
"Do I?" I ask, amused. He nods, and starts up again on the topic as we walk towards Herbology.
"You'd be a great seeker, with your small stature and-" he stops. I glance sideways at him, and he looks guilty, as if he's done something wrong.
"What?" I ask.
"It's just... I was commenting on that, but it might be a touchy subject for you..." he looks down. I can see why he'd think that, as my stature is because of years of abuse, but I want to tell him that it's okay.
Gently, I place a hand on his shoulder. He glances at me, and I say, "It's alright. During the time that I've been here, I've come to terms with it. Like I said the first time, I don't need any pity," Draco gives me a small smile, and then Dion comes up to us.
"Harry, Draco! Are you guys ready for flying lessons or what?"
"Yeah. They're right after lunch," I say, "We've still one more class to go."

I wonder if I'll be drafted into the team, again, or if I'll have to wait until next year to even consider it. Turns out, my worries are for naught. Draco does the same thing, only, this time, he's more playful with me about it, and I, in turn, are more playful towards him. Severus sees us through the window, and calls me inside, much to Ronald's dismay.
"You're a lot like your father, you know that?" he asks softly. Then, "I'm going to get you on the Quiddich team this year. Morgan will teach you, if you even need it, what with hanging out with my godson so much. We'll see if we can bend the first year rules, too," he gives me a small smile, and ruffles my hair lightly. The corner of my mouth twitches, and then it's time for the break period before Astronomy.

"What did he have to say to you?" Dion asks softly as the two of us sit on his bed. Draco is in the shower, so I figured that I'd take the opportunity to get to know him better.
"I'm on the Quiddich team, now," I smirk at his surprised expression.
"What position?" he asks.
"They'll start me out as a chaser, but if I'm good enough, they've been looking for a new seeker."
Dion nods, and then looks at me for a moment before asking, "Can I ask you something?"
The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them,and I hate myself instantly for saying them, "Obviously, you have just done so, but yes, you may."
"When I first met you, your magic was... weak. But now, it's so strong that I can taste it. What happened?"
For a second, I'm panicking. How much does he know? How much should I tell him. On the outside, though, I look contemplative.
Finally, I decide to tell him the truth... partially.
"My magic was bound," I say. I asked someone to help me with its unbinding."
"Who did it? Who unbound you?"
"I cannot answer either question, for now, my friend. Maybe, one day, but now is not the time."
Slowly, Dion nods.
"Another thing... Do you really consider me a friend?"
This time, I pause for only a moment. He's already a much better friend than Ron or Hermione had ever been, "Yes."

Astronomy is the only class that I do not excel at at first. The stars have never interested me as much as the theories of magic. Still, with all of my other homework done the day of the assignment, I have plenty of time to work on it. The star chart is simple, really; of you can pinpoint one of the stars, the rest is filling out around it. Nonetheless, it takes me two nights of observation to complete the chart.
Draco and Dion find it amusing that there's something that doesn't just come naturally to me, and I find it amusing that they think that way about me. We tease each other about it often, me taking the worst of it, because they know that I can handle their taunting. They often tell me that I'm the most adult person that they've ever met. If only they knew how right they are.

One night, as I sit alone at the top of the astronomy tower, Hedwig brings me a letter. I take it from her, expecting a date from Gringotts for the guardianship transfer, but instead receiving a summons from the headmaster. Sighing, I get up and make my way towards the office.

Once there, I find that the gargoyle is already open, so I just walk in. I'll have to be very careful about this.
The headmaster is sitting in his chair when I enter his office, and he's eating a lemon drop. Cautiously, I sit in the chair across from him.
"What did you want to see me for, professor?" I ask in an innocent tone.
Almost immediately, I can feel his magic trying to get into my mind. I keep my face blank, but silently thank myself for practicing occlumency the moment I came back. I figure that I'll surpass my future self in due time.
After a moment, Dumbledore sighs in frustration, and sees me looking confused.
"You're not at all what I expected, Harry Potter."
"Really?" I ask softly, though I want to yell at him.
"Yes. You're so... different from your parents. I expected you to be more like them, but you're in Slytherin! I don't think that anyone was expecting that."
I don't think that he meant for me to hear it, but he says 'Slytherin' with a certain kind of hatred in his tone.
I keep my face blank, "I'm sure my parents wouldn't have minded," I say. Dumbledore snorts, and I fight to keep a scowl off of my face.
"Sir, is that all?" I ask, "Or was there something important that you wanted?" I say it politely, but I let a bit of my magic swirl around the room, making him uncomfortable. I almost smirk.
"Well, I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you, if you should ever need me," he says it with sincerity, though I know what a good liar he is, so don't take it to heart.
"Yes, sir."

Dumbledore watches as the boy leaves, a frown etched on his face. There's no way that the boy could know anything; he's far too innocent. Stiil, the fact that he has such strong barriers in his mind could mean that somebody is manipulating him. It's still too early to rule anything out.