Somewhere Safe Chapter 11

"This is the Gryffindor common room." Rose said as they stepped out of the passage.

Harry nodded. Lily and James had left as they got closer to the tower. Iris split off a few minutes later to back the Badgers Den.

"But… you already know that." She blushed.

"It's ok." Harry gave her a small smile. "It's been a long day."

He looked around the room. There were quite a few more students than he expected. It was Sunday afternoon, practically evening, and that usually meant the students lounged around the common room. The study tables were currently hosting groups playing games rather than locked in a mad dash to finish homework. Still, there were at least thirty more people than usual. Probably more actually. He could spot a few familiar faces, but there were just as many, if not more, that were completely new.

"I could introduce you to my friends." Rose offered.

"Thanks." Harry motioned for her to lead the way.

Rose led him over to a group of girls. There were a couple of guys hanging around the edge as well.

"Katie and Parvati, you've met." Rose said.

Katie winked at him. Parvati waved.

"This charming lump is Neville." She continued pointing to a guy that was leaning against the wall.

Harry blinked. It was Neville, but completely different. His eyes were bright and steady. The last bits of remaining pudge had melted away. He looked like Neville had an older brother.

"Hey." Neville said.

"This is Lavender." Rose continued.

Lavender looked the same. She was also eyeing him up like a piece of meat.

"The guy humping her leg is Seamus." Rose added.

"Oi." Seamus squawked.

He also was unchanged.

"Lastly." Rose nodded to a girl. "Ciri."

The girl was one he didn't recognize at all. She was a cute, petite girl that had near-white, blonde hair. The girl looked to be about the same age as the rest of the group, fourth or fifth year.

"This is Harry." Rose turned to him.

"Hello." Harry tried to sound natural.

The group sat in awkward silence for a few minutes.

"You said you played quidditch?" Katie spoke up.

"Yeah." Harry smiled thankfully at her. "I was a seeker."

"Nice." Seamus said. "You any good?"

"I'm alright." Harry looked over to Rose. "You don't play?"

"I prefer racing." Rose shrugged. "Iris does. She's the seeker for the Badgers."

"Wicked good too." Seamus grumbled.

"What teams are there?" Harry asked.

"Dueling, house and solo, Quidditch." Rose answered. "Three kinds of racing. Solo, relay, and rally."

"Fencing." Ciri chimed in.

"Fencing?" Harry asked her.

"Sword fighting." She replied with a smile. "Like dueling, but with swords. There are different styles. Just one team though."

"That's wicked." Harry chuckled.

"It is." Ciri nodded enthusiastically.

"Chess." Rose continued. "That's mostly solo."

"Unofficially." Parvati whispered. "There is a poker game as well."

"Shh." Neville hissed. "No offense meant, mate, but we don't know you well enough to give you the details."

Harry smiled. "No harm."

"What's your story?" Lavender leaned in, giving him a nice glimpse of her cleavage.

He forced his eyes up to meet hers. She smiled. The look on her face let him know she had done so on purpose.

"I'm not from here." Harry shrugged. "I am. But I'm not."

The group stared at him for a moment.

"I'm a traveler." Harry said. "The goblins called it Displaced."

"Portals?" Ciri asked. "My dad has some experience with them."

"I guess." Harry shrugged.

"What was your world like?" Neville asked.

"Nev." Rose snapped.

"It's fine." Harry placed a hand on her shoulder.

He let it stay there for a moment. It felt nice to touch her. Rose didn't seem to mind.

"It's a lot like this one." Harry said after some thought. "But not." He shook his head. "It's hard to explain. There are so many little differences that I've seen already. Just when I start to get relaxed, I start to notice things more."

Harry motioned to the room around them.

"There are four other guys and five girls in my year in Gryffindor." He continued. "Neville, Lavender, Parvati, and Seamus were there, or versions of them. Ciri, this is the first time I've met you. I think there were around thirty students total for that year."

The group stared at him.

"Woah." Seamus muttered. "There are twelve other guys in our year. Thirteen with you now."

"Why aren't there more?" Katie asked.

"The only thing I can think of is the war." Harry shrugged. "It didn't happen here."

"That makes sense." Ciri nodded. "My dad and his people don't get involved in wars. We'd gather in Kaer Morhen until it was over."

"His people?" Harry asked.

"It's a long story." Rose replied. "She can tell it to you another time."

"Any other differences that aren't so depressing?" Seamus asked.

Lavender smacked him on the shoulder. Harry laughed at that.

"Dumbledore looks completely different." Harry answered. "In my world, he wears these brightly colored robes and a pointed hat. They don't usually match. His beard is longer too."

"It's going to be dinner soon." Katie said. "Want to join us?"

Harry stopped talking as a familiar flash of color caught his eye. He followed the slight movement to see Hermione sitting off to herself. She settled at the end of a table before getting a little study area arranged. He was halfway across the room before he even realized he was moving.

He came to a stop across the table from her. Hermione didn't look quite the same. Harry couldn't quite place it what was.

"I'm not moving." She said not bothering to look at him.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. Her face scrunched up in frustration. She glared up at him. The expression on her face faded.

"You're that new boy." She said as she studied him.

Harry nodded.

"What do you want?" Hermione asked slowly.

"I wanted to say hello." Harry said with a shrug.

"Why?" She asked.

"I…" Harry didn't know what to say. You are one of my best friends in another world? You were the first person to give me a hug? "Sorry. I'll leave you alone."

Harry walked back to Rose in a daze. She met him part way, wrapping him in a gentle hug.

"I'll show you to your room." She said softly. "There wasn't any space in the dorms so they placed you in the Head Boy rooms."

Harry arced an eyebrow at her.

"The Head Boy and Head Girl have a room off of the common room for their house." Rose explained. "This year it's a Ravenclaw guy so ours is open. How did it work in yours?"

"I don't know actually." Harry said after a moment.

Rose led him back toward the entry tunnel. There was a short side passage that stopped in a pair of doors. She opened one, stepping aside to let him go first. Harry looked around. This was much better than the shared dorms. They currently stood in a nicely decorated sitting room. Placards documenting the previous Head Boy through the years decorated the walls.

"You've got a private bathroom." Rose pointed to a door to the side.

She led him around. Rose opened a door onto a separate room. There was a comfy looking queen-sized bed against the far wall. The room also had a desk and a wardrobe.

"This is your bedroom." She said waving her hand at the space beyond.

Harry stared at the bed. He trudged over to it and flopped down on his back. Harry stared up at the ceiling. Rose sat nearby.

"She was my best friend." Harry whispered. "But that's not her, is it?"

Rose started to trail a hand through his hair. He felt his eyes growing heavier. Her hand began to slow. The bed shifted as she moved.

"Stay." Harry looked at her pleading. "Please."

Rose nodded. She scooted closer before laying down beside him. Harry drifted off to sleep as she rested her head on his chest.