Chapter 2 Potion Master and New Friends
Harry's first week at Hogwarts had flown by. Dorm life was something he wasn't used to and by the end of the first-night everyone in the Slytherin house knew about his scars.
He had feared that when people saw the scars they would ask him questions and that was the last thing he wanted. He had thought about showering outside of the given times but had been afraid that, if got caught he would be sent home, not home. Back to his own personal piece of hell. He had awoken every morning that week fearing that he was back in Privat Drive. He would lay in his bed, his eyes closed, fearing that when he would open his eyes he would be back under the stairs.
So ... after his first day of classes, he showed up at the bathrooms, fully dressed, with his towel. He might have to bare his scares in here but there was no need to display them in his room or in the hall.
When his turn came up he striped and, with his mind firmly set on getting in and out quickly, ignored everyone as he showered. Oblivious to some of the kids trying to approach him only to be stopped by Lucifer or Draco and were told to mind there own business.
Draco wasn't surprised by this, although he did look sick and angry. He noticed a few new scares that he had not seen in Diagon Alley. He turned a slight shade of red, as he thought what a Muggle had done to a descendant of a noble and ancient house of magic users, much like he himself belonged to. A Muggle hurting them was unthinkable to him, and yet he had seen the proof of it on Harry's back and arms. Hugh, ugly, red welt had greeted him in Madam Malkin's Shop.
Draco had to admit that he might not have started off at the best foot with Harry but after he had seen the scars and the new wounds that had littered his back, his attitude had changed and he had also noted the lightning scar on his head, realizing that he was Harry Potter. All the other clues had fallen into place and Draco had changed his approach hopeing to befriend him.
Harry had dried and dressed just as quickly as he had showered. Hoping to escape without anyone asking him any questions. In the days that had followed he noticed Jack, Draco, and Lucifer usually showered next to him but he didn't give it to much thought. There weren't that many Slytherins that he would not see some faces regularly.
As the days trickled by Harry relised that magic was amazing, and it was a lot more than just waving your wand and saying the right incantation. The only thing that Harry had found bothersome was the people.
"Did you see him?"
"Where?"
"The one with glasses and messy black hair."
"I know I saw his scar."
"To think he would wind up in Slytherin after what had happened to his parents."
He hated all the attention he was getting. Everywhere he went people would stare at him and they weren't being shy about it either. They would openly stare at him in the halls, or point to him as they talked.
This didn't mean he didn't find a use for these people. Whenever he was lost and Tom was 'sleeping' Harry would walk up to an older student that was staring at him and ask the upperclassmen where his next class would be.
The most boring class by far would have to be History of Magic despite being taught by a ghost. Apparently, Professor Bins had gone to sleep in front of the fire in the teacher's lounge one afternoon and had gotten up the next day to teach his class, leaving his body behind.
Professor Flitwick was a short little man that had to stand on books to see over his desk. He would take roll before the start of class. The poor man had toppled from his books when he had read Harry's name. After that, the class had proven to be very enjoyable.
It was Thursday and Harry were both excited and tired at the same time. He had had a late night last night in astronomy, the class only started at midnight and he had stayed after class with Lily. She, like him, had shown a great interest in the starts. Harry's favourite was Orion The Hunter, while Lily's was Scorpius. She loved the complex way the constellation was put together.
That's another thing that's changed for Harry, he had friends now. While Draco had been his first friend he had made on his trip into Diagon Alley, he wasn't the only one. Jack had become a steadfast friend.
Zabini, Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle had mostly ignored Jack and him but that wasn't an issue for Harry. After all, he used to people ignoring him, it used to happen all the time in the muggle schools.
The girls had been somewhat warmer to him and Jack but he only counted Lily as a friend. Pansy and Millicent were only every around when Draco was with them. Tracey, Daphne and Elsa were... well he wasn't sure. They were friendly enough.
He had made one other friend outside of his house, though he was being optimistic in calling her a friend. Right now he and Hermione were just friendly. It had started off as a rivalry in classes, but when he had met her in the library she was eager to share what she had learned.
He had just finished his third Herbology class that week and he was on his way to his first Transfiguration class. He had been looking forward to this class for the whole week. The Slytherins and Gryffindors shared this class together. He saw that Hermione was sitting on her own and he wondered if this was a common occurrence. He believes that other kids felt threatened or thought she was a know it all. He quickly walked up to her table and sat down next to her.
"Morning Hermione," Harry said as he sat down. Behind him, Jack and Draco sat giving each other a look before McGonagall walked in. McGonagall was different from the other professors. She was a no-nonsense woman, strict and clever just as he knew she would be.
"Transfigurations is one of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn here at Hogwarts. There will be no fooling around in my class, anyone that does will be asked to leave and not return. You have been warned."
This was the speech she had welcomed them with and to emphasize her point she turned her desk into a pig and back. Needless to say, he was excited. He soon found that, even with the help of Tom, he wouldn't be changing furniture into animals any time soon. After been given some complicated notes, they were given a match and told to turn it into a needle.
"Percy told me we would start like this," Hermione said as she stared at the match in front of her.
"Did he give you any advice?" Harry asked a small frown on his face as he looked over the notes. Hermione turned to him a small smile pulling on her lips.
"Trust in McGonagall."
With that, they both set off with their class work. It was trying and the progress was slow but in the end, he and Hermione had both been able to turn their matches a silvery colour and they were slightly pointed.
Apparently, it was only the two of them that had any success out of the whole class. She showed the class their matches and gave them a small smile.
Harry felt a warmth spread through him as he saw the small smile. He knew then that he would do anything to have her smile more.
Hermione joined him, Jack and Draco on their walk to Defence Against the Dark Art.
"This is going to be so good," Jack said all excited his eyes shining as he skipped down the hall.
"I hear that defence spells are especially tricky to master. Like the Patronus Charm that only a few wizards can successfully cast." Hermione informed them.
"That is a high-level spell, we won't learn that in class, not in our first year." Draco jabbed.
"All I am saying is that you should really pay attention in class, or you might miss something important," Hermione stated in an as a matter of fact tone.
"It's useless Hermione, they never learn," Elsa said as she fell into step with them. It's caused the boys to all retaliate with a 'Hey!'. Hermione giggled a bit at there reaction.
"That was some amazing magic work in Transfiguration Hermione," Elsa said as they walked on. The boys were walking a bit ahead of them, they were off in their own world. "Thanks, Lady Elsa."
"Elsa, please Hermoine there is no need to stand on ceremony." The girls kept on talking until they got to class and then they took a table together.
"Oh, Potter looks like you lost your golden ticket." Draco tease as he and Jack sat together. Harry raised his eyebrow at this.
"Oh, this is payback for choosing to sit with her in Transfigurations," Jack said with a smile that reminded Harry strangely of the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. Harry took the table next to them and waited for the class to fill in. He noticed that the class smelled strongly of garlic and he was pretty sure that he saw garlic hanging from the ceiling and between the rafters.
It was close to the start of class when someone sat down next to him. Looking next to him he saw a wild mane of red curly hair. Crystal blue eyes searched him and he saw them glance over his scar before it came back to him.
'Great she is going to fixate on the scar.' Harry thought, his face not betraying his thoughts.
"I'm Merida DunBroch." Said the girl sticking her hand out to him. Harry took her hand and shook it. "Harry Potter." He said before letting her hand go.
"Ai, I know who you are." She said in a thick Scottish accent her eyes quickly darting to his scar again. Harry groaned internally.' Fantastic another person who thinks they know me.' He thought as he fought to roll his eyes.
"You do know none of those stories are true, right?" Harry asked.
"What stories?" She asked focusing on his eyes again. "The ones saying that I killed a dragon or fought Trolls or ... or.."
"Whoa, calm down wee laddie. I don't know any of these stories." She said her hands raised in front of her. This surprised Harry, he had been so sure that she was one of those fangirls they way she kept eyeing his scar.
"Oh, sorry I just assumed..." Harry trailed off unsure of how to finish his sentence without insulting her. Luckily she quickly waved him off.
"Ai it's all right, I was staring. It's just why do you have a Rune branded onto your forehead?" She asked shocking Harry.
"Sorry? I have what..."
"All right ever-every o-one please take your-your seats and q-quiet do-down." Harry hadn't noticed but the class had been abuzz with excitement for their first Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
He had been too until Merida told him his scar was a rune. Pushing that out of his mind he turned his attention back to class. He'll talk to her later, right now he wanted to enjoy his first class of DADA.
In the end, the class had been a joke. Quirrell had stuttered through his whole class, jumped at the smallest noise and had told them more about a prince in Africa and Vampires in Romania than actually teaching them anything. He had even avoided answering a perfectly good question, from Seamus, on Zombies, that he had saved this prince form, choosing to talk about the weather.
As the class ended Harry walked out in a huff. He had expected a lot better. All he had learned the whole class was that garlic keeps vampires away and that Quirrell's purple headband smelled awful.
'This is who that fool appointed as Teacher of Defence?' Tom asked disbelievingly his anger just as evident.
'You think Dumbledore is a fool?' Harry asked Tom. He was unaware that Tom knew of Dumbledore.
'For appointing such a bumbling, stuttering imbecile, yes!' Tom said before he fell quiet again.
"I can't believe it, I just can't," Merida said next to him. Her wild main bouncing as she took the steps down to the Great Hall. "My Dad taught me more about the Dark Arts than that wanker."
'I like her.' Tom said and Harry could feel his smirk. 'Shut it.' Harry told him.
"Maybe he was just nervous. He might be building up to the real lessons." Harry said hopefully. Merida snorted and punched his shoulder. Harry smirked as he playfully rubbed his shoulder.
"Hey, Harry, come on we need to get to our room, it's inspection night. You can talk to your girlfriend later."Draco called from the corridor leading to the dungeon, Jack was standing next to him clearly fighting to keep his laughter in. It had the desired effect as Harry turned almost as bright as Merida's hair. With a quick goodbye, Harry sprinted towards Draco and Jack, who had the good sense to run down the stairs.
The last thing Merida hear was Harry screaming. "Stand still you cowards!" Merida shook her head as she entered the Grand Hall muttering 'Boys'.
As they reached the common room, Nott, Grabbe, and Goyle were waiting for them. The three friends came to an abrupt stop when they saw the three of them. None spoke as they stared at each other for a second before Malfoy stepped forward.
"Can we help you?" He asked them his voice calm and even.
"We would like a word with Potter," Nott said as his two lackeys nodded. Harry stepped forward, pass Malfoy and Frost. "How can I help?" He asked curiously. This is the first time any one of these three had shown the slightest interest in talking to him.
"You're a disgrace to the Slytherin name, Potter. Mixing with the likes of Granger." Nott said and to add emphasis on it, Goyle spat at the mention of her name.
"Listen, who I hang out with has blood well nothing to do with you," Harry said not backing down. Nott then cast his gaze to Draco and with a smear he asked.
"You'll just stand there while he drags our name through the mud?"
Draco hadn't missed the implication but it seemed that Jack and Harry had missed it. Before he could say anything Harry stepped up.
"I don't see how talking to a smart and talented witch can drag your names through anything," Harry said defiantly. Nott genuinely looked surprised before an ugly grin crept onto his face.
"That's right, I forgot you grew up with a family of muggles didn't you Potter, why you're an honorary Mudblood aren't you," Nott said with a laugh as he walked away, Grabbe and Goyle laughing with him.
As they were walking away Harry turned to Draco and asked him. "What the bloody hell is a Mudblood?"
"A Mudblood is a witch or wizard born from muggle parents," Draco said casually. "He's leaving out the part, that it's an insult." Came a voice from behind them. Turning towards the entrance they saw Elsa walking down the steps and Lily standing at the bottom of the steps.
"What do you mean an insult?" Harry asked Lily taking a step towards her. She instinctively held her book against her, using it as a shield between Harry and her.
"Think about it Harry, Mudblood..." She had said the word in a spat like it tasted bitter somehow, "Does that sound nice to you? It implies t-that their blood is dirty and of lesser worth than someone from a magical family."
While she was talking Lily never raised her head to look at Harry or the others. In the low light of the Slytherin Common room, it was impossible to see her face. Elsa took the last step down and took her arm leading her past the boys.
"In other words, it's only used by people that are stuck up snobs who think they are better than everyone else." Elsa's eyes were cold as she looked over her shoulder. "I. Will. Not. Have. It." She emphasizes every word, ensuring her point came across. She left them all speechless as she took Lily down the first hall.
Harry and Jack, tucked away the information and Harry swore if anyone called Hermione a Mudblood he'll deck them. While Malfoy thanked his stars that he had stayed quiet, not only had he avoided getting into a row with Harry, whose mother had been a Muggle-born, but also for staying on Lady Elsa's good graces.
"Come on Harry we still need to clean out our room," Draco said and half dragged Harry towards their room where Nott and the rest had started on their side. The boys went to work in quiet, it was clear to everyone that a line has been drawn.
... Later that night...
Nagini was on her way to Snape's office. She had spent the last four days watching Harry and his friends. For the most part, Harry kept to himself, he often went to the library to study or to read, advanced or ancient magic. It was odd, there seemed to be no clear reason for the books he picked. There were two books that always seemed to be mixed into his stack.
Ancient Magic and Us By Jerry Ken and The old ways of Runes By Rowena Owl. Curious as to why he had come back to these books over and over again she had looked at them when he had left. The first one was just a basic list and short description of the different types of magic focuses and there uses. It handled everything from blood magic to grimoires. All the magic in it was out date and no longer practised in the wizarding world because they had found an easy and effective way of using magic, their wands.
The second book was just a more in-depth explanation of were Rune magic originated but it had no information on how they obtained this power. That had been lost through the ages. There was no reason for Voldemort to be interested in these things, there was nothing worth knowing in these books.
And yet every night Harry would read through both of them. It had to be his curiosity, she knew Voldemort had looked into these magic himself and had found them to be nothing more than forgotten lore. If he couldn't crack it there was no way Harry would.
As she stepped into Snape's office she heard Lucifer speaking to him.
"... Nott seems to be the one that's rallied the others against Harry." He hadn't stopped his report to Snape and had merely nodded in greeting. She was standing in her usual spot. Snape looked like he had tasted something bitter, and was still trying to rid himself of it.
"What do you have to report?" Snape asked his voice sharp, a clear sign that Lucifer's report had been not what he had expected.
"Harry seems to be a normal child. He is friendly and seems to want to please his teachers. He has been studying diligently, he also spends a lot of time in both the Slytherin library and the schools. He's been reading a lot of ancient books about forgotten magic." Nagini said in a bored tone. Snape's eyebrow arched slightly, this was the only indication that he had heard what she had said.
"He has not used any more wandless magic?" He asked turning his attention to a stack of papers on his table. This was a surprise to Nagini, whenever she had delivered messages to him in the past, he had never looked up if he had papers to grade. Clearly, Lucifer's report had been jarring.
"Not that I've seen." She said and it was true. It seemed to her that he had either reliesed that, seeing as how everyone was using a wand, it would draw to much attention to him.
"That'll be all." Snake said dismissing them, Lucifer left but Nagini stayed.
"Was there something else?" Snape asked.
"Voldemort's soul lives in Harry." The office went quiet as Snape's quill stopped working on parchment. Slowly he raised his eye's to meet hers.
"Are you sure?" He asked his voice and face giving nothing away.
"Yes sir, but he is not able to take control of Harry's body, at least not yet." She said walking towards the only chair and sitting down in it.
"How so?"
"The protection that saved his life as a baby is also now protecting him from possession by Voldemort, but it seems like Voldemort is slowly overcoming it." She said and she only received a raised brow in question again.
"I ... met him, his first night in the dorm. He told me, no harm should befall the boy because he wants to take, the boy's body as his own."
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked his face still not betraying anything. "I know you were a follower of him and I know that I can trust you to help me protect Harry."
"How do you know I'm not loyal to Dumbledore." It wasn't a question and she knew it.
"I know you have known about my identity since I came into the school and by the same extent, I know Dumbledore does not know." It seems thin but she had to trust someone with her task. There would be times she could not watch over her lord and she needed someone to watch over him.
She watched Snape closely and saw a slight nod. Taking that as confirmation she stood up and walked out.
Snape sat at his desk for what felt like hours, Nagini's words running rampant through his mind. He knew he couldn't turn to Dumbledore, not now. He had to trust Nagini to keep Harry safe until he found a way to deal with the soul within his body. No easy task by any means. Harry was now a Horcrux and there was no way to destroy the soul without harming the vessel... At least no known way of keeping the vessel safe.
The corner of Snape's mouth twitched. Nagini would protect the boy, he knew that. He doubted that even she knew why she was doing it, well the real reason why. After all, she did say she would protect Harry.
... Next day...
Harry was eating breakfast in the great hall early that Friday. Like every day since school had started, he and Jack were some of the first students in the Great Hall. Harry had his school bag with him and he was looking through his Potions book. They would have a double potions period with the Gryffindors today and then they had the afternoon off.
As he was finishing his breakfast a dishevelled Drago showed up at the table. His normally slit back hair was a mess and Harry wondered what had happened to him to show up to breakfast in this state.
Before he could ask owls started to swoop into the hall. This happened every morning without fail but this morning Harry saw Hedwig among them. His snow white owl landed gracefully infront of him with a note in his claw. With a smile, Harry took the piece of paper from her and gave her some of the bacon that was left on his plate.
"Who do you have writing to you?" Draco asked after he took a sip of his coffee. It was a question he had asked himself when he had seen Hedwig in amongst the other owls. The answer was both a relief and a little bit frighting.
"It's from Hagrid he wants me to come and visit him this afternoon when we have our free period," Harry said as he wrote a reply. "You guy's want to join me?" Harry asked as he handed the note back to Hedwig, who promptly hooted and flew off.
"I'll come," Jack said his eyes full of energy. Draco looked a bit apprehensive as he took another sip of his coffee. "I won't be able to come. I need to ... catch up on my transfiguration homework." He said over his cup. Harry still remembered how Draco had reacted to Hagrid in Diagon Alley so it didn't surprise him that he didn't want to come.
In some ways, Draco reminded him a lot Dudley so he knew that the most of his preconceptions and ideas were taught to him by his parents. He hoped that by being his friend Harry could show him that not everything he was taught is true. First and foremost would be his opinion of Hagrid. He also knew that he couldn't force the issue, if Draco was going to change his mind it had to be on his own terms.
"Okay, but the invitation is open if you finish early or something," Harry said hoping his friend would take the chance.
Harry's mind turned back to his next class, with the head of his house, Professor Snape. He didn't know what to make of the man. At the start-of-term feast, he had gotten the impression that Snape didn't like him and at the end of the double Potion lessons he was certain that ... he had no idea what to make of Snape.
Potions were in the dungeons like their common room so they were used to the slight chill but he could see that Hermione wasn't. He had to admit that even without the pickled animals floating in jars that Snape's class was creepy. Snape also took roll first thing and much like the charm's Professor he also paused at Harry's name.
"Ah, yes. Harry Potter out new ... Celebrity." Snape said softly but somehow it was heard throughout the whole class. Some of the Slytherins and Gryffindors snickered at this. Most notably would be Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Weasley, Brown and Finnigan. With them, a sneer played across Snape's lips. With a silent groan Harry steeled himself for a class he was sure he was going to hate.
...
Climbing the stairs out of the dungeon and hour later Harry was still very confused about Professor Snape. In some ways, it seems that Snape hated Harry especially the way he caught Snape looking at him with those dark, cold eyes.
But then he would act completely fair to Harry, pleasant even. A great example was when Harry had stopped Neville from putting in the wrong ingredient into his potion. Harry had received two points for that while Neville had been scolded and the rest of the class was expected to hand in a two-foot essay on the correct use and preparation of potion ingredients.
The only ones that were excused from handing in the essay were him, Draco, Jack, Elsa, Lily, Hermione, Merida, Daphne and Tracey. They were the only ones that had successfully brewed the Potion.
Harry held Jack back and waited at the top of the stairs for Neville, luckily it didn't take him long to reach the top.
"You okay?" He asked as Neville reached him. Neville actually jumped a little when he heard Harry speak. He hadn't expected anyone to wait for him, much less a Slytherin.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay I j-just don't know if I'll be able to do the essay," Neville said rubbing the back of his neck. "I-I'm kind of forgetful." He admitted shyly. Snape had gone through the topic briefly before they had started. It wasn't enough to complete the whole essay but it would have been a good start.
"Tell you what. Jack and I are going to Hagrid's hut how about you join us and afterwards we can go to the library and do this essay together?" Harry asked. His question seemed to take Neville by surprise, if his slack jaw was anything to go by.
"Wh-what? A-are, are you sure?" He asked his hesitation clear in his voice.
"Yeah, I'm sure. You don't have a problem with it do you Jack?" He asked turning to Jack who was leaning against the wall. "No, none what so ever," Jack said a big smile on his face. Neville looked between the two of them, his uncertainty clear in his eyes. After a second he seemed to make up his mind and nodded.
"Great," Harry said holding his hand out for Neville. "I'm Harry, Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you ..." Again Neville looked taken aback but he recovered quickly and took Harry's hand.
"Neville, Neville Longbottom." He said a little more confidently than he was before. After shaking Harry's hand, Jack introduced himself too and in no time the three boy's were off to Hagrid's Hut. The boys were mostly quiet on there walk across the grounds talking only a little. They knocked once they got there and when there came a thundering bark from inside they all jumped back in fright.
The next thing they heard was Hagrid's booming voice. " Back, Fang back." Neville turned to Harry and nervously asked. "Fang?" His face clearly showing he didn't like the sound of it.
"I'm sure it's a pet name," Harry said, unable to hide his uncertainty. Pretty soon Hagrid's face, all be it hairy, appeared in the opening of the door. "Hold on." He said smiling and disappeared back in the hut.
"Back, Fang." Soon he let them all in, as he tried to hold Fang back by his collar. Fang was a massive black boarhound.
Hagrid's hut was a simple building, only one room. There was an open fire and hanging over it was a copper kettle, already boiling. Off in the corner was a bed with a patchwork quilt draped over it. From the ceiling hung hams and pheasants. The last thing Harry noticed was a small table were a boy already sat.
He seemed to be a first-year too, from Hufflepuff according to his robes. Harry was sure he had seen him in the classes he shared with Hufflepuff but he couldn't recall his name.
"Make yerselfs at home," Hagrid said letting go of Fang who rushed Neville. A surprised yelp escaped Neville as Fang pushed him over and started licking him. Three of the remaining people in the Hut laughed at the spectacle, as Hagrid tried to drag Fang off of Neville.
Realising that Fang was as harmless as Hagrid, Harry made his way over to the table greeting the boy there. He had light brown hair that almost reached his shoulders. His soft green eyes were exactly that, soft and kind.
"Hi I'm Harry and this is Jack. Our friend over there is Neville." Harry said pointing at the other two in turn. The kid nervously pulled at his tie, loosening it significantly. With a slightly off angle smile.
"Hiccup Haddock the Third and this is Toothless." He said pointing to his neck. As he said 'Toothless' a small black head popped out of his shirt. It had scaly skin, big glowing green eyes and its ears looked strangely like a cat's. It gave them one look before it darted up Hiccup's chest and settled around his neck. It was small, no bigger than a full grown cat.
"Wow, what is that?" Neville asked joining them at the table.
"That be a Fae Dragon, extremely rare they are," Hagrid said as he passed out cups of tea and cakes. Fang had come and placed his massive head on Harry's lap.
"How did you get one of them?" Jack asked his eyes not leaving Toothless. "We raise them back home." Hiccup said as he scratches the head of Toothless. All four boy's eyes lit up, Hagrid's most of all.
The rest of the evening was spent firing questions at Hiccup about the Fae Dragons and what it was like living on an island crawling with them. Even Hagrid's rock cakes weren't enough to dampen their mood.
That night Hagrid walked them up to the castle for dinner. The four boys still excitingly talking amongst each other. Hagrid had a great big smile on his face as he watched Harry. His fears of him being placed in Slytherin proofed to be all for nothing.
AN: Right just wanted to thank everyone that took the time to read this FanFic. Also really apreasiate the follow and favorites. Hope I do right by you.