"He's just like his father," Severus said grimly. "Although he's even more arrogant than he was. And he seems to be hungry for fame!"
"I wouldn't say that," Albus replied. "You're too cold to the boy, and he's actually much smarter and more intelligent than he seems at first glance.
"And yet, the striking resemblance to James does not please me.
"Sons often resemble their fathers, it happens. But Harry is not James, remember that, Severus.
Snape exhaled wearily, turning his gaze somewhere into the distance. The only thing that kept him from completely "tyrannising" Potter was that he was Lily's son after all. By protecting him, he honoured the memory of his deceased friend. The only woman Severus had ever loved and continued to love, even though Lily had long since passed away.
Of course, after he found out that the Dursleys had given up the boy, Severus wanted to take him in himself, but the Allens beat him to it. They were actually quite nice people, and Burrow was a friend of Lily's. So he was sure it was her idea to take Potter into their family.
***
Some time ago
Albus was sitting in his office, sipping tea and eating lemon slices. The headmaster was in an excellent mood, because Harry Potter would soon be going to Hogwarts. He was the only hope for a bright future, the one who would defeat the Dark Lord once and for all. Although everyone said that he had fallen and would not return, Dumbledore felt in his gut that the war was not over yet. After all, the Horcruxes were still out there, which meant that Tom Riddle could return at any moment. And they had to be ready for that.
Suddenly, there was a noise, and Albus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Right in front of him, a breach opened, through which a man in a strange costume passed. His face was completely expressionless.
"Good afternoon, Albus," he nodded.
"Monitor?" The headmaster adjusted his glasses, looking closely. "Is it really you? I can't believe it..."
"I wouldn't be here if something very serious hadn't happened," the man said, coming a little closer.
"What happened?" Albus stepped out from behind the desk and moved closer to the visitor.
"Harry Potter is dying," said the monitor. "And you must help me."
This news came as a huge blow to the Great Wizard. It couldn't be! He had planned everything, it couldn't happen under any circumstances...
"His soul cannot be saved," the guest nodded. "But I have already done everything I can, and I ask only one thing of you. Lead the man who has taken possession of the young man's body in the right direction.
"Can I know the details? How did he die, why?" The headmaster was trembling with anger, but outwardly he appeared calm.
"It's the fault of the environment in which the boy grew up. His relatives completely ruined him. A little more, and Harry Potter would have become an Obscurial. But he was too weak to endure it. Now there is a soul in his body that is much stronger than him, both morally and physically. I trust him and ask the same of you. You are the only person who can help him. Please stay close to him and guide him, because he is alone in a world that is completely unfamiliar to him, and he will need support.
"I will do whatever it takes.
Satisfied with the result, the Monitor left him, and Albus returned to the table to collapse wearily onto it, then rub his forehead. This could change everything, because the death of Harry Potter and the reincarnation of another person in his body were absolutely not part of the Great Wizard's plans.
***
"Harry" personally set about searching for information about the Philosopher's Stone. He spent a lot of time studying the book that told about Nicolas Flamel and his creation. Of course, he had enough knowledge of his own to find out where it was, but he had to act carefully so as not to arouse suspicion.
He went to the third floor, which was off-limits to students according to school rules, but with one useful item, Barry could go anywhere unnoticed and get away with it...
..."Where are you going?" Barry caught up with Hermione as she was heading towards Hagrid to ask him about the dragon egg and the gun.
"To Hagrid," he replied honestly.
"Why?"
"Hermione, I really don't have time right now! Let's talk later..."
"Potter" ran off to the gamekeeper. He remembered that he had recently been given a dragon egg, and now he guessed who the seller might be, but he needed to make sure.
"Hagrid!" The boy ran up to the giant, who was sitting on his porch playing the flute. "Who sold you the egg?"
"Oh, Harry," the man smiled. "Why are you so out of breath?"
"I..." He scratched the back of his head. "I need to know who sold you the dragon egg."
"Why do you want to know?"
"Just curious..."
"Well, I didn't see his face, it was hidden by his hood..."
"Oh, okay...
"Is that all you wanted to ask?
"Yes.
"All right," Hagrid squinted, then started playing the flute again.
Barry ran back, just in time to meet his doppelganger. Taking him by the hand, he led him away from prying ears and eyes, and then told him everything.
"And you kept quiet about all this?" Allen narrowed his eyes. "Well, okay, let's say you did.
"I'm sure Quirrell needs the Philosopher's Stone to...
"Wait, you think about him? He's such a...
"What if it's a cover?
The guys agreed to go out at night to save the day.
***
They had to take Hermione with them because she "woke up just in time" and if they left her behind, she would have gone to complain to the dean. They passed all the tests that were set for them on their way to the stone. Only the chess game took them a little effort. Nevertheless, Harry had to go on alone, because Hermione was badly injured when she fell from her horse, and Barry had to carry her.
He found himself in a large room with the same mirror, in front of which stood Professor Quirrell. Now there was no way back.
"Come here, Potter!" Quirrell said without further ado or stuttering.
"Harry" approached, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"You're a pretty smart guy, figuring everything out on your own," said the man.
"Not without help, of course, but yes, on my own," he shrugged.
"Hmm, okay... Go to the mirror and tell me what you see."
Barry approached, saw his real self smiling at him, then took the stone out of his pocket and winked. Finally, he realised that his pocket had become noticeably heavier.
"Well, what's there?" asked Quirrell impatiently.
"My family," he replied.
"He's lying," said a strange voice. "
Let me talk to him myself.
"But Master, you're still weak..." said the man.
"Do as I say!
Quirrell opened his head, and then "Harry" saw a second face on the back of his head. His face.
"Harry Potter, we meet again," said Voldemort. "As you can see, I've been through a lot. The unicorn's blood is keeping me alive, but it can't sustain my body. However, you have one thing that can help me. Give it to me!"
Barry froze, blinking. But then he came to his senses and ran in the other direction.
"Stop him!" shouted Lord Voldemort, and then Quirrell snapped his fingers, causing a huge barrier of fire to appear in front of Harry. Lord Voldemort began to hiss ferociously. "Don't be a fool! Why die a horrible death when you can become my ally and live? Don't you want to see your family? Together we could achieve so much..."
The faces of James and Lily appeared in the mirror, but Barry only snorted contemptuously and laughed.
"I have a family," shouted "Harry." "And you! Go to hell!"
"Kill him!" Lord Quirrell ordered, and he flew at him.
"Harry" deftly dodged and then struck his opponent in the chest, causing him to hiss loudly and then become covered in hard stone.
"What?!" Quirrell screamed. "What is this?!"
"Take the stone away!
"Expelliarmus!" Barry reacted instantly, pulling out his wand.
His opponent flew to the side, beginning to crumble completely. Lord's soul came out and flew towards Potter. It was so fast that he didn't have time to react and fell, losing consciousness...
***
He woke up in a hospital bed. His head was throbbing, and the scar on his forehead was hissing. Only after the pain subsided did he see a huge table with sweets in front of him. And Dumbledore, who smiled as he looked at the awakened boy.
"How are you?" asked the headmaster. "I'm fine."
"Yes, Professor, I'm perfectly fine," he smiled.
"Wonderful... You're a very brave boy, Barry. I'm proud of you... But please, stop putting yourself in such danger!
"What about the stone?"
"Nicholas and I decided it would be best to destroy it. It caused too many problems.
"What about my friends? Hermione! Is she all right?
"Yes, she's fine. By the way, she says hello," the headmaster handed Barry a huge box of sweets. "You don't mind if I take one... I've got some earwax, you see. Oh well, never mind..."
Barry just smiled. He took out a piece of candy. Thankfully, he got a banana.
***
And so the first year passed. Gryffindor won the School Cup, and they didn't even need extra points. But Barry didn't care; he wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. On the platform, he met Hagrid:
"What, leaving without saying goodbye?" smiled the giant. "I have a present for you, by the way."
He took a photo album out of his pocket, and when Harry opened the first page, he saw a photo of James and Lily smiling.
"Thanks," the boy hugged Hagrid.
Then he ran to the train, where Ron, Hermione, Barry, and even Caitlin were sitting in a compartment. He was especially happy to see Caitlin. The train started moving, and the kids began chatting.
"Oh, thank goodness, summer!" Ron relaxed.
***
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