Harry Potter felt guilty, he shouldn't, but he did. There was really no reason to, as he kept telling himself, to feel such a thing.
But Harry Potter had a new favorite Defense professor.
Previously said role was filled by Remus and that made it special, a connection to the man he wished he had spent more time with, more time getting to know. Now it was the Female copy of the man who had started a war, butchered countless, and murdered his parents.
So yeah, Harry Potter didn't necessarily have a reason to feel guilty, but he still did.
"Although it typically leans towards the defensive spectrum, not all elemental magic harms or protects. Some of it is falls into utility spells."
The wind picks up around him, and with a deep breath in followed by an exhale he changed the rotation to the opposing direction.
"Each element is different, as different as Charms are from Transfiguration. Each must be respected, failure to do so isn't just foolish, it is dangerous."
He didn't so much as nod, focusing his efforts and attention on what she had instructed. He needed to perform these until the very act of shaping his Magic was as natural as breathing.
"What was their name?"
In an almost trance-like state Harry answered without thought, "Who?"
"The witch from the party, the one who spoke to you."
These words earned a bit of a response, a fluctuation in control, "A lot of them did."
"No," Grace's response was sharp, almost angry. "The one who made you uncomfortable."
His face shifted into a frown despite his eyes remaining closed, unsure as to what the sudden irate tone was for. "Why does it matter?"
Riddle's lip twitched slightly, "It matters because it is my job to look after you. If someone was being inappropriate…"
"They weren't" Okay it was a lie, but it wasn't like Malfoy had kissed him on the mouth without permission or anything. If they were judging others based on 'inappropriate behavior' then the professor was still winning by a landslide.
The defensive way Grace crossed her arms indicated how little she believed his story. "It sure sounds like it was something."
"Well, it wasn't." he finally snapped in response, opening his eyes, and glaring at her.
This act earned the raise of one perfectly manicured eyebrow from the opposing witch. "Next lesson, elemental magic is tied to the wielder's emotional state, maybe even more than other spells are, hence why you just made a hurricane for a few moments."
Looking around the boy blushed at the surroundings. Everything not secured down had been blown haphazardly away. "I…"
"You are upset." She interrupted without pause, "Which only further leans towards my theory. Why won't you talk about it?"
The heat and anger rekindled in an instant, "Why bother? I've seen how wizards are treated here, how little our opinions or comfort is cared about. What does it matter if someone got a bit close or was a creep while talking to me?"
She stepped forward, eyes narrowing, "Have I ever treated you like that?"
"Like I was some stupid kid who didn't need to be respected? Yes."
The witch opened lips to refute him, but a memory clearly appeared before she had time to do so as she swallowed whatever argument had been forming. "A valid point, but not recently. I believe I have done an above adequate job of believing you and showing you respect in that manner."
She had, and they both knew it was true, but it didn't change the situation. "You're still acting like I can't fight my own battles."
"No, I'm acting like you won't fight them, because from what I've seen its true." This time it was Harry who looked ready to protest, only to be interrupted with a gentle raising of her hand. "How long will you ignore Delphini Black's taunts? How long do you plan to let your sisters argue with Cleopatra Malfoy on your behalf?"
Snorting, he shook his head, "That's different. Would you throw a spell back into a first year's face just because they made fun of you?"
"No, but I'm an adult."
"And mentally I am sixteen. I can't retaliate every time an eleven-year-old girl is mean to me."
She huffed in agitation, "And Black? What's your excuse for her?"
"Don't hit girls?" The woman gave him a 'are you serious' look, earning a flush of embarrassment, "What? It's how I was raised."
Letting out a deep sigh Grace rubbed at the bridge of her nose, "We need to get you out of that mindset. You shouldn't have let yourself be picked on in your previous world regardless of gender and you definitely shouldn't tolerate certain things in this one."
"It isn't like I won't fight a girl. I kicked a professor's ass for the Philosopher's Stone if you remember, I just don't like hurting people without a reason."
The response that followed made him feel like he had been setup, "Were you raised that way as well?"
Harry knew he should probably talk about it, should probably allow others to help him get over what had happened in the past, but also knew he wasn't even close to being in the right mood for even his parents or sisters, much less the woman standing before him.
Instead, he merely shrugged it off, earning a frown and continuation of lessons moments later.
****
What little remained of the summer passed in the blink of an eye. Grace had sent two more books for him to look over, and likely continue into the school year, but had otherwise remained out of contact. Not that it bothered him, if anything he needed some time away from her to sort some things out and come to terms with the idea that Grace Riddle might not be the same evil maniacal sociopath he remembered from his own timeline.
School shopping had been done in a rush, as usual, and soon the five-person family was stepping onto the platform.
It had been over a year since riding the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts, and Harry enjoyed the chaos of the platform just as he enjoyed finding a carriage with his sisters and being joined by Hermione moments later. The four settled into easy conversation, retelling stories of their summers. It had just reached the point of Harry's news concerning Riddle when a knock from the doorway responded with a welcome.
There stood a young redhead that Harry knew all too well, along with a blonde girl that he had missed just as dearly.
Luna, smile ever-present on her face, took a small look around before focusing on the boy. Eyes lighting up in excitement her expression became even more joyous.
"Hello Harry"
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