Chapter 2

AN- Thank you all for the great reviews! They made me happy. I did want to answer some concerns though—the slash will be far, far in the future. I just like to be up front about what kind of fiction I write.

Yes, Ch. 1 seemed rushed. It was on purpose. Nothing was really changed from the original—I just wanted to show some of Harry's observations about the whole thing. Where things really change is from the sorting on.

Is everything the most believable? No. But I am writing this just for fun because I wanted a powerful Harry/light-side bashing fic of my own. Do I need a beta? Most probably. Want a job? I could also use some help with my other works of fiction as well. Oh, one more thing, while the classes are the same, I am going to be doing my own order and times.

Anyway, on with the show…

*&^%$#

Snape had decided not to wipe their minds completely. Instead, while the memories were forgotten for now, they would remember if they read or heard a code phrase. Snape had made very sure, though, that is was a phrase they were unlikely to hear from anyone else. It wouldn't do for them to remember before it was time.

Not even Dumbledore knew just how good he was with mental magics. Still, Snape knew that it would take all of his cunning to pull off the rescue of Harry Potter. Especially since he was going to have to save himself at the same time. Also, if Dumbledore was willing to do this to his golden child, what could he have done to others?

He had known that the Headmaster could be ruthless in his quest for the 'greater good', but Snape now wondered at the extent of it all. Was it possible that Snape's mind had been modified in the past like he was modifying these people's minds now? Snape knew he would have to be more vigilant than ever.

By this time the aurors had been put into light hypnotic states and were given the orders to go home and get a good night's sleep. Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout were also sent to bed to sleep the sleep of the innocent. Finally, Snape had just one more delivery to make. He gingerly picked up his new charge and frowned when he realized how light the boy was. This would have to change.

Snape met Albus in the hall leading from the kitchens to the Hufflepuff dorms. "Is he all better?" Albus asked, giving an almost believable act of grandfatherly sincerity.

"As well as the son of a Potter ever will be, I suppose." Snape sneered.

Dumbledore smiled. "Good, good. Well, I suppose we should get him back to bed then. The password is 'friendship' and Harry's dorm is the first door on the right. His bed is the one by the window. The others are sleeping soundly and shouldn't wake until morning."

"Of course, Headmaster. Shall I be on my way?"

"Yes, go on. Good night Severus, get some sleep, I'm sure you need it." Dumbledore beamed kindly.

"I will, goodnight." Snape nodded his head and continued to the entrance of the Hufflepuff dorms. Dumbledore began to hum a jaunty tune as he made his way back to his tower. Severus was almost sick to his stomach. He hadn't felt this foul since he had had to spy on the dark lord. "Friendship." He whispered quietly to the painting of Hogwarts.

It opened, and as the Headmaster had said, not a soul was awake. It didn't take long for Snape to tuck Harry into his bed. "Goodnight, Harry." He whispered as he stood up. At least for this night, no more monsters would visit this boy.

*&^%$#

Morning came to Hogwarts, and with it came the sounds of both anxious and excited children. It was the first day of school, and for Harry it seemed almost like the first day of a whole new life. Harry had woken up to Justin jumping on his bed—apparently somebody was a morning person—and between one thing and another, they had all made it to breakfast in the great hall on time.

It had been just as Professor Snape had said it would be. No one remembered, and Harry's body didn't remember either. There was no pain or bruises, and no stabbing sensation with every sharp breath. It felt, in short, wonderful.

Again, there was food enough to feed a giant, and Harry wasted no time in eating everything he could, and he didn't stop until he almost felt sick. It was such a wonderful feeling.

The sound of flapping wings suddenly filled the hall and owls of all shapes and sizes swooped in. Now, Harry knew that owls were how mail was delivered in the wizarding world, but how did they keep them all from pooping on the food?

Harry's thoughts were interrupted as Professor Sprout made her way down the table handing out schedules. "Here you go, Mr. Potter." she said as she came to him.

Harry took the schedule and looked at his classes. He had Herbology, Potions, History of Magic, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Astronomy, and Flying. Harry looked again…Flying? Well, that certainly sounded interesting. The classes were split up so that he had three in the morning and three in the afternoon, and then he had Flying and Astronomy once a week. Harry looked at the time for Astronomy—ten pm on Fridays? Well, maybe that was once a week for good reason. Flying was going to be on Wednesday evenings.

Harry's first class was with his own head of house. Herbology sounded like fun. The name leant itself to so many interesting possibilities. Were they cooking? Gardening? Or, and this was Harry's favorite, dissecting someone named Herb? He had never liked the name Herb and so getting rid of one could only do the world good.

The next class was Charms, where Harry assumed they would learn to pick up women…or men for the girls…or whatever…

Then came potions, and Harry already knew that that would be his favorite class. After lunch they had Defense Against the Dark Arts, which made complete sense to Harry. He had never liked dark paintings—they were too depressing.

After that was Transfiguration…which had something to do with…cross-dressing? Harry didn't know and he was running out of funny ideas, and there was absolutely nothing good that could come from History of Magic. Harry knew he was letting his imagination run wild, but nothing much had made sense here and he knew that his wildest fancies could never even make a dent in this world of weird.

Now make no mistake, Harry liked magic, and he liked the idea of doing magic; but there was something going on here that just wasn't right. The system seemed easily abused if you had enough power, and it seemed to Harry that the only way to defend yourself was to somehow get enough power to where you could abuse the system yourself. It wasn't in the slightest way fair, but nothing ever was. The last thing Harry was, was an optimist—especially now.

"Harry! It's time to go." Susan said as she poked his side.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, right." Harry said as he gathered up his bag. "Where are we going?"

"Greenhouse five, according to the schedule." Hannah answered. "Didn't you read?"

"Well, yeah, but I was more interested in trying to guess what each of the classes were. I am guessing that since we are going to a greenhouse, this class has something to do with plants?"

"It does indeed, Mr. Potter." Professor Sprout said from behind him. "Now as all of you are headed to my neck of the woods, I will be taking you there myself. There is no sense in letting you get lost on your first day of class. Follow along." Professor Sprout led the way out of the hall and then out onto the grounds to the greenhouses.

Harry grumbled to himself as he walked along…his dreams of helping the world by eliminating the Herbs were crushed. He could have been a hero.

*&^%$#

As it turned out, magical plants were a lot more interesting than he had thought. It was much better than gardening in his Aunt's yard. After that, he found that Charms had more to do with feathers than with women…or men, or whatever.

And then came Potions—that mystic science, that intriguing art…Located deep in the dungeons of despair. Parts of Herb floating in jars along the walls…

"Mr. Potter, if you would quit day dreaming and join the class, I would appreciate it. Or is a star such as yourself, above such petty things?" Snape's voice cut in like acid.

Harry flushed beet red. "No, Professor. I'm sorry, Professor. I will do better." He had forgotten that Snape had to be mean to him now. Harry knew how important it was not to forget, to never forget.

"Mr. Potter, perhaps you would be so kind as to describe the twelve uses of Dragon blood?" Snape asked, staring Harry down into the floor.

"I'm sorry, Professor, I do not know them." Harry replied weakly.

"Couldn't be bothered to read a book before coming to class, hmm?"

"Excuse me, Professor," said one of the Ravenclaw students from the other side of the room. "But those weren't in the first year book."

"Ten points for talking back to a teacher." Snape snarled. "Now open your books to page one-thirty-five. Today, you useless creatures will be brewing the Wit Sharpening Potion. Goodness knows all of you need it."

Snape watched as Harry eagerly opened his book and began to read. Unlike the others, he was taking the time to read through the whole thing before starting. Snape hid a smile, Harry just might have some talent for this. Snape then sobered when he remembered how he had had to treat Harry earlier. Then Harry had shown a talent as well…acting. He was as practiced at it as only one who had learned it out of necessity could be. How much of himself had he sacrificed over the years just to stay alive?

Snape didn't even bother to remember that that question could apply to him as well.

TBC…