Albus stopped looking around and paid more attention to who was sitting with him. To his left was his brother, James, and to his right was Ronnie. Across from him sat the timid Alex.
"Quite strange how all this food just appeared in everyone's plates. I shall read on how this is all done later," muttered Alex to himself.
"I don't really care. I'm just hungry!" giggled Ronnie.
The two of them seemed very much like opposites, but continued the conversation. Ronnie introduced Alex to Albus. They had quite a friendly conversation that really broke the ice between them. James didn't add anything, though. He was very aggravated about the fact that Ronnie was in Gryffindor. Add that to how she didn't even appreciate it.
Everyone was finished with their plates and, about half an hour later, McGonagall gave everyone a kind farewell and the plates were all cleared. She then added "The head of houses are Professor Flitwick for Ravenclaw, Professor Slughorn for Slytherin, Professor Churchill for Hufflepuff, and Professor Longbottom for Gryffindor. Also, note that the Professor Longbottom is the Deputy Headmaster as well."
All in the Great Hall started clapping as the four teachers stood. The most nervous looking one was the average height man with short grey hair.
"Why is Professor Slughorn shaking for? Getting too old I think," said James out loud, and he and Rick laughed.
"Prefects, please escort your houses to your common rooms. Term will start tomorrow and you will receive your class schedules tomorrow morning at breakfast. That will be all."
Three boys and three girls from each house table stood up. They were the three oldest in the age groups. The oldest from the Gryffindor table yelled something out that Albus and his friends couldn't quite hear but, as they saw most of the table walking away, they followed.
They were marching up a staircase and the leading boy and girl began to introduce themselves.
"Hello. My name is Taylor Jones and I am one of the Gryffindor prefects," said the really tall boy with spiked up blonde hair. He had a few freckles and was obviously fond of the girl with him as he said "and this is my friend, also a prefect, Tracy Edwards."
"Hello, everyone. I'm very pleased to meet you all. As prefects, Taylor and I will be in charge of making sure that the Gryffindors are at their best all year. There are six prefects all together, the other four being Miller, Richards, Anderson, and Rogers. All of us will be happy to help you in anything you need."
They climbed up some more flights of stairs and strode along a few more corridors until they reached a painting of a rather large woman. "Ahh, here we are. This is the entrance to our common room," said Tracy.
All of the Gryffindors stopped in front of a painting of a fat lady. It was a very large painting. Everyone was eager to get inside now, but there was only one problem. The Fat Lady wasn't even awake.
"Excuse her – er – this doesn't usually happen," Taylor grumbled in a disbelieving tone. "Wake up! Wake up!"
"Huh – what ?!" screamed the fat lady. "Was it absolutely necessary for you to interrupt my sleep? Say the password so I can get back to it!"
"Trevor Toad."
"Alright, you may enter."
The painting swung open and revealed a large hole in which the prefects climbed into first, followed by everyone else. They shuffled into a room full of comfortable armchairs, several tables and a big bulletin board on which school notices would be. A big welcome poster was stretched across the space greeting the students. There were two staircases that lead to towers which the prefects explained were the dormitories. Boys on the right; girls on the left.
"Well, I'm too tired to stay up so I'll just see you guys whenever," said Ronnie while taking her sweet old time to yawn. She ran up the stairs to the right and, noticing she had gone the wrong way, paused at the top before running back down to go up the left one.
"Poor girl. She's so tired she can hardly think straight," said Alex, quite amused by Ronnie's odd, but pleasant character. "I think I'll go upstairs and start unpacking. It's been a long day getting here. Goodnight!"
Most of the Gryffindors were still in the common room talking, getting to know each other, or catching up and sharing their summer stories. It all depended on what year you were in. Albus didn't spend much time in the common room though. From all that he ate, he was feeling very sleepy.
He dragged himself upstairs after sending an Owl with his brother to his parents. He had to find the door that stated "First Years". He stepped inside and saw Alex sitting on his bed looking angrily at his cell phone.
"I don't even know why I brought this thing. I should have remembered. Electronic devices don't work in Hogwarts!" he screamed out to himself in frustration.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't notice you were there, Albus. Hang on!" he yelled. "I don't remember your full name. My name is Alex Greenfield." He held out a hand to shake and Albus shook back awkwardly.
"It's Potter. Hey, which bed do you think I should-"
"Potter? As in, Harry Potter?!"
"Yes - er – how do you know my dad?"
"How do I know him?! How wouldn't I?! That's the real question!"
"I get he's an Auror and all but it's not like he's famous or anything."
"Are you telling me that you have no idea of your father's legacy?! Who else, other than your father, could have defeated You-Know-Who?!"
"Who do I know? What?! Listen, I have no idea what you're talking about-"
"Your father is on a Chocolate Frog Card, for crying out loud! And you're telling me that you don't know about him being famous? He's one of the greatest wizards to have ever lived, especially considering all the accomplishments he's made at such a young age!"
"I – I don't – You're lying! My father is just an Auror. Never in my life has anyone told me anything about this."
"Your father is in nearly every Wizard History book ever, that's been revised that is. How is it that you have no idea about all this?" inquired Alex.
Then suddenly, Taylor walked in and yelled "Lights out! Goodnight." Alex hurried into bed not wanting to get into any trouble and Albus just stood there with a puzzled look on his face. What could this all be about? Why does this boy, who he just met, supposedly know so much more about his father than he did? He was certainly lying; all of this was impossible. Albus went to sleep with deep thoughts in his mind, but he didn't bring up the topic the next morning.
It seemed as though the next morning couldn't have come quick enough for the students at Hogwarts. Everyone was excited to begin their magical studies this year, especially the first years. Albus and Ronnie walked to the Great Hall together. Ronnie suggested bringing Alex so he wouldn't be so lonely, but Albus wasn't very fond of the idea. He wasn't mad at Alex; he just didn't appreciate how he thought he knew so much more than he did about his own father! When they got to the Great Hall, the deputy headmaster and head of Gryffindor, Neville, came around and handed out the schedules to everyone at the Gryffindor table.
Albus was waiting to see if he got a reply from his parents, since he asked his brother, James, to help him send them a letter by owl last night. He told his parents about how he got into Gryffindor. Now, however, he wished he'd have sent it the next day so he could have added on what Alex said about his father, Harry's 'legacy' or so he said. It was too late now but the school owl he used would probably let him send another one once their reply arrived.
Albus really wanted his own owl, but he knew that he wasn't good with animals. No letter came to him so he focused on his schedule.
"So we have Potions with Professor Slughorn first today. That sounds fun!" beamed Alex. "After that we take Transfiguration with Professor Churchill."
"Potions sounds too hard! I really want to learn how to fly already!" cried Ronnie loud enough for others to hear and snicker at her. "When do we even have flying?" she inquired and, after checking her schedule, exclaimed "What?! We don't even have it today!"
"Ronnie, it's okay, I'm sort of glad we don't have it today," said Albus uncomfortably.
Ronnie gave him a weird look and he wondered why she'd be so surprised that he wasn't good at flying.
"And after transfiguration, we have History of Magic. Well I'm sure to get an excellent grade in that one as I've already read all the required books," gloated Alex until he saw Albus and Ronnie's annoyed faces. "But I'm sure there's always room to learn more," he tagged on quickly, so as to avoid gaining the reputation of the know-it-all on the first day of classes.
The trio walked together to their first class, Potions, which was strange considering Albus and Alex weren't exactly on good terms.
Upon reaching the classroom, they were startled to see that Professor Slughorn wasn't there. The whole class was waiting outside, mumbling, until Professor Neville Longbottom came by and escorted everyone back to the Great Hall.
"Well that was certainly a waste of time, wasn't it? I mean they could have just announced that the teacher wasn't here," said Alex.
"Well maybe it was unexpected. It's embarrassing though; to be gone on the first day," tittered Ronnie.
"Slughorn better have a good excuse because McGonagall will not be too happy about this," Albus added to the conversation.
"I'm sure he has already informed McGonagall of his absence. Just because you guys don't know where he is doesn't mean she doesn't," remarked Alex.
"It doesn't make any sense, though. He was at the ceremony yesterday, and now he's gone?" added Albus.
The trio spent the rest of the Potions class getting to know each other a bit more. Had Slughorn been here, they would have had Potions with the Ravenclaws, so Albus got to talk to Rose and see how she was doing. Fortunately, she told Albus about how her parents were thrilled that she was the first Ravenclaw in the family and that they were proud of her no matter what house she was in. Her father remarked, however, that so long as she wasn't in Slytherin, they would not disinherit her. She also told Albus about how she made friends with the twins, Laura and Kara Abel, and another fellow Ravenclaw, Jane York.
Ronnie was trying on Rose's Ravenclaw tie and Rose tried on Ronnie's Gryffindor tie. Although the two desperately wanted to be in each other's houses, they both had to admit that they were pretty satisfied with where they were sorted; the twins and Jane made Rose comfortable, and Albus and Alex made Ronnie comfortable in Gryffindor, too.
The class time had gone by and Alex was absolutely infuriated that he hadn't learned anything new yet. He was very excited to get to Transfiguration before his mind melted due to the lack of learning. When they got to class, they were accompanied by the Slytherins. At the front of the pack was Bella Lestrange along with Scorpius Malfoy and two Slytherin girls, both with short, extremely pale blonde hair.
"Might as well be white," commented Ronnie.
Scorpius tried to stray away at least twice before they entered the class but Bella had him on a tight grip; it's like she had him on a leash.
When they entered the classroom, it was lit by four humongous stained glass windows on the right side. It was a fairly big classroom and cages were lined amongst the shelves on which several books that seemed to be really worn out perched. Professor Churchill peaked out from under the desk at the front of the classroom.
"Welcome Class, I am Professor Churchill and I will be teaching you Transfiguration this year. I assume that you all came fully prepared today. Please open your books and we will dive right into lesson one."
Albus heard but didn't listen to what Churchill was saying. He was too busy gazing at Bella. She obviously noticed that he was staring at her since she started to fix her hair. Half of the lesson had already passed and all he had learned was that Bella likes to hold her hair at her ears when she writes on her parchment.
"What are you doing? You haven't got anything done," whispered Ronnie.
This was what brought Albus back to reality. Everyone around him had already noted down lists of useful tips to use when attempting to transfigure something. Alex seemed to have written everything in excruciating detail.
Professor Churchill was walking around looking at everyone's lists and it wasn't very long until he got to Albus. Albus quickly copied the first two tips that Ronnie wrote, since Alex wouldn't let him copy his nor did Albus really want to, but Professor Churchill came right before Albus started jotting down the third note.
"Mr. Potter, may I ask why you haven't gotten much done?" said Professor Churchill before being distracted by Alex's paper. "Oh Mr. Greenfield! Well done! Five points will be awarded to Gryffindor!"
All the Gryffindors in the room clapped, as these were the first points they have earned this year. Even some Slytherins clapped out of sheer mockery, although most just sneered. Albus was lucky he got a quick save from Alex sitting next to him. Professor Churchill completely forgot about Albus' poor work. He then returned to the board and began writing his own list of tips which he wanted everyone to copy down.
Albus really wanted to talk to Bella. He knew he couldn't talk to her right now, but maybe he could send a note! Yes, that was it, a note. But how would he get a note to her in the middle of class? All the Slytherins on her side of the room didn't look very friendly and will most probably be very reluctant to pass the note all the way to her. Plus, he didn't want any of the boys to get jealous because they all obviously liked her, too. Who wouldn't?
He could use magic. He's a wizard! He wrote her a note saying, "Hi, what's your name? - Albus". He asked Alex for a levitating charm and he told him about 'Wingardium Leviosa'. Albus attempted but failed to get the note to levitate, it didn't even raise an inch until Alex got irritated.
"Ugh, just let me do it. Wingardium Leviosa!" The note then travelled maybe half way across the room until Professor Churchill turned back around to openly talk to the class. Very hastily, Alex whispered "Incendio" and the note quickly burned and turned to ashes.
"What was that?" questioned Professor Churchill as he looked around, confused.
"Nothing! Professor, please continue with these transfiguration tips. They're completely fascinating and I must learn all of your tips before the class is over!" beamed Alex.
"Ah, right you are, Mr. Greenfield. Very well then, tip number 24. Remember to keep your wand directly pointed at the object you are trying to transfigure. Keep it very steady the entire time."
The trio exited the classroom together after filling their heads with information. All except Albus, who didn't pay attention three fourths of the time. He much preferred to drool over Bella. He waited for her to come out of the class; maybe he'd get a chance to talk to her now since he couldn't send her that note. She was coming out with Scorpius and two girls he still couldn't name, but he knew they were her friends. She saw him, and came at him swiftly. She didn't look happy.
"What were you trying to do? I do not wish to get in trouble on the first day!" sneered Bella.
"I just wanted to t-talk. I'm A-Alb-b-" stuttered Albus, very frightened.
"His name is Albus Potter. He doesn't seem to have his head straight because he can't even speak, and even worse, he's trying to talk to a git like you," interrupted Ronnie angrily.
"Alright, then? Bye Potter. See you tomorrow. And goodbye to your little friend, too. She probably doesn't even have a brain in that stupid little blonde head of hers," Bella hissed.
She walked away and Albus began to blush again. This time, Ronnie slapped him, not very hard, yelling "SNAP OUT OF IT!" at the top of her lungs. Alex didn't say anything but merely watched as the two bickered to all the way to their History of Magic class.
"Why would you do that? Making me seem like an idiot."
"Well maybe it's because you ARE an idiot, or at least in front of her you are. I don't know why though. She isn't very pretty, and she's so disgusting, honestly."
"Disgusting? She's the prettiest girl I've seen at this school! The nicest as well."
"Nice? Not only was she just mean to you, but she gives everyone a vulgar face as if she just smelt something horrible! I don't understand why guys fall for the worst girls," Ronnie exclaimed bitterly.
The fight broke off when they arrived at their History of Magic class. The class was only occupied by Gryffindors so it was different from other classes. On top of that, the teacher for this class, Professor Binns, was a ghost.
"I heard that he was caught in a fire in the teachers' lounge and died. But, he never noticed that he died; he just went to teach his classes without noticing he had left his body behind one day! How weird is that? It'd be pretty sad if they sacked him, since he's a ghost and all. He seems like a cool teacher to me," said Ronnie as they got to their seats. She had obviously forgotten about the little spat she had had with Albus just a few minutes ago.
If the rumor of Binns was true, that is pretty sad, not to mention bizarre. How could someone not notice they were a ghost? Albus wasn't sure he'd ever want to find out so he quickly stopped thinking about it.
This class seemed to go by a lot slower than Transfiguration did. Ronnie was dead wrong about Binns seeming like a cool teacher. He was the least enthusiastic person, or more precisely, ghost, that Albus had ever met. After what seemed to be hours and hours of perpetual boredom, they were finally free when the class was dismissed.
"What do you guys want to do? We haven't got any homework so that pretty much opens my entire afternoon," declared Alex as they all strolled to the Great Hall for some lunch.
The Great Hall was completely full again, as it was on the welcoming feast on the night of their arrival. The trio sat at the Gryffindor table and James asked Albus how his classes went. Albus couldn't seem less interested in talking about the two most boring classes he's ever had in his life. Then, McGonagall stepped up to her podium and the whole Great Hall hushed.
"I would like to congratulate you all upon completing your first day. All the teachers have informed me on how well you all did. But I would also like to make an announcement. Due to unknown reasons, one of our teachers is missing. The Potions master, Professor Slughorn, was last seen the previous night. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of our beloved teacher, please inform me at once. I would also like to warn the children and remind you all to keep your guard up, since we do not know what happened to him. It would be necessary to take some precautions. Be safe."
"So she doesn't know what happened to him! Hah! Alex! In your face!" mocked Ronnie.
"You're happy about this? Are you really? Unbelievable. Our potions teacher is missing and all you care about is whether or not you were right about whether she had sufficient information?!" yelled Alex.
"Hey, calm down, this doesn't have anything to do with us. Let's just let her do her job and we need to get to eating. I'm starving!" said Albus.
The three of them ate their lunch and went up to the common room. They talked for the rest of the day. Once or twice did the mention of Professor Slughorn come up but Albus wasn't interested. He didn't know why his friends wanted so badly to meddle into a situation that didn't concern them.
