Disclaimer: I've heard stories of a man who claimed he had written Harry Potter, and that J.K. Rowling was a liar. Banshees whisper a God came down himself and smashed him into non-existence.

A-hem. Here's chapter three for you folks, I hope you like it. I'm sorry if it's a bit dull, I didn't have much inspiration. I was originally intending to upload on Friday, but I have been landsailing and travelling a bit in Portugal, which was really fun. I haven't fully decided on a schedule, probably a week, though. I'm not sure if I'll do every =day here (probably Friday or Saturday)=, or if I will decide on uploading every week, give or take a day. I'll tell you when I decide.

Also, if anybody is interested, I'll upload the layout of Harry's trunk and his schedule on my profile. Leave me a review or PM me if you want either of them.

Without furthurr adurr, enjoy!


Harry was awoken by the soft whistling of a bird outside. Which was a tad odd, Harry thought, since they were about five floors up. Nevertheless, he got out of bed and got dressed.

Just as he was putting on his robes, Terry called out to him. "Good morning, Harry." he said, half asleep.

"Morning, Terry." Harry replied, and he finished getting dressed. He waited for Terry to get dressed too, and then they walked downstairs toward the common room.

"Good morning!" Hermione said cheerfully, as she came up to walk beside Harry. "Excited for classes?" she asked.

"Yes." Terry said, just as Harry said "Yes, but I'm looking forward to breakfast."

Hermione narrowed her eyes jokingly. "You pig!" she said, and then she laughed. Together they walked to the Great Hall.

They took their seats at the Ravenclaw table and started stacking things on their plates. "We're here early." Terry said, looking around. Harry looked around and indeed, there weren't that many people here yet. Harry shrugged and continued munching on his bacon, more peopling already entering the hall. He tried to ignore the whispers from the people walking past. At least most of the Ravenclaws were decent enough to leave him alone, although a few were staring at him. Or rather, at his scar.

He considered telling them about his trunk immediately, but he discarded the idea. They would probably lecture him about the importance of house points and not ruining their chance at the cup.

Harry decided he could better do some reading before getting to class, and he took out his charms book. He started reading the first chapter, which was about the Unlocking Charm. It was a charm which, quite obviously, could unlock doors and windows. He continued reading for a while, quite interested. His reading was interrupted midway through their breakfast when Professor Flitwick, the Charms professor and their Head of House, came up to their table.

"Ah, good!" he squeaked. "Some are already reading up on today's lesson. Good, good!" Harry, Terry and Hermione looked up. They had all been reading The Standard Book of Spells.

Professor Flitwick handed out the schedules. Harry took his and looked it over. They had Charms class first thing in the morning followed by Transfiguration. After lunch was Defence Against the Dark Arts, followed by a free period and then double History of Magic.

Harry looked up. "We've got Charms immediately!" he exclaimed excitedly.

On Tuesday, Herbology and a free period. Potions after lunch, then Charms and then double Transfiguration. On Wednesday they had Herbology, Potions, lunch, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, a free period and finally History of Magic.

Thursday and Friday were a little different. First on Thursday was Herbology, followed by Charms, lunch and double Potions. After that they had Transfiguration, and then Flying Lessons. Next to Flying Lessons was an asterisk. He traced down to the bottom of the page. Next to an asterisk was written 'Flying Lessons will start on the second Thursday of the school year' That was a free period for now, then.

On Friday they simply had double Defence Against the Dark Arts in the morning, and then… "We have the afternoon off on Friday. Great!" Terry said, just as Harry came to the same conclusion.

"Yes, that is correct, Mr Boot." Professor Flitwick said, who had apparently lingered. "It is usual to have the afternoon off on Friday. We deem it important to let people rest early. Or, of course, you could use it to study." he said squeakily, before returning to the High Table.

Having fully reviewed their schedules, the three of them finished their breakfast and put their books back in their bags. "We still have a good half hour before Charms starts. Why don't we go to the library?" Harry proposed. Terry and Hermione quickly agreed, and they up to the library.

Once there, they sat down at a table in the middle of the library. "What should we read up on?" Harry asked. They thought about it for a moment. "You know," Hermione started "I read in Hogwarts: A History that Hogwarts uses house-elves to cook, and that they also do other tasks. There isn't any more information on them in there, though. Maybe we could find some on them in here?"

"I could just tell you about them, you know." Terry said.

Hermione smiled. "Right, I forgot. Well, you can tell us the basics, and then we'll look up some more interesting things about them in here."

Terry nodded. "Well alright. But promise me you won't get upset." he said.

"Why would I get upset?" Hermione asked, before seeing his look. "Well alright, go on."

"House-elves are creatures bound to their masters for life, unless they are given clothing, symbolizing their freedom. They do all sorts of tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, but most of the time you won't notice them."

"I see." Harry said. "So they are sort of like a combination of a maid and a personal chef?"

"Well… not really." Terry said, grimacing. "You see… they don't get paid."

Hermione inhaled quickly. "What?" she said. "You mean… they are slaves?" she asked, horrified at the idea. And frankly, so was Harry.

"No!" Terry said quickly. "Well… yes, but hear me out. It's not that bad. They really like what they do. They have served people for ages, and they are happy with it. They like working, and if you even so much as mention being freed, or working for money, they get upset. They love working, please understand."

"Well… if you put it that way…" Hermione said nervously. "I still don't like it, though."

Terry grimaced again. "Well… it's worse. House-elves are usually owned by rich families, and frankly, they don't treat them well. I mean, they won't abuse them, but they generally think of them as much lower life-forms. A lot of house-elves punish themselves when they do something wrong, by injuring themselves for example. But it can't be helped, it's how they live. They don't mind, really."

Hermione's look almost killed him on the spot. Before she could speak, however, Terry quickly said "But of course, Hogwarts house-elves are treated well. Dumbledore is a great man, he treats them very well. They don't get to punish themselves, either."

They continued chatting about house-elves for a bit, Hermione really was quite upset.

"Oh!" Harry said, glancing at his watch. "Charms begins in five minutes, we have to hurry! We'll check out the books another time." he said. They grabbed their book bags and hurried off to Charms. Fortunately, they weren't too late. In fact, several people came in shortly after them. Harry, Terry and Hermione said down, next to some fellow Ravenclaws. Harry was surprised to see they were the only house in the classroom.

Professor Flitwick climbed onto the podium in the front of the class, barely being able to see over a stack of books. He really was tiny. "Good morning, class!" he said in a high tone. "I would like to introduce myself, seeing the role I will be playing. My name is Professor Flitwick, and I will be your Charms professor and your Head of House. If you have any worries or troubles, do not hesitate to come to me for help or advice. I am always there when you need me."

Harry liked the tiny man already. He was wondering what they would learn throughout the year. A sixth year prefect had told him Professor Flitwick used to be a duelling champion.

"Well then, let us begin." the Professor squeaked, interrupting Harry's thoughts. "Today we will be learning the Unlocking Charm. It unlocks mostly doors, but other things as well. They incantation is as follows. Please repeat after me." "Alohomora" he said.

"Alohomora" they all said.

"Very good!" said Professor Flitwick. "Once more, "Alohomora""

"Alohomora" they repeated.

"Very well. Now, let us practise the wand movement. The wand movement is as such." He drew a glowing blue, curvy line in the air with his wand. "You may see that it resembles an open lock. Please all practise the wand movement for a while now, while I come and check on your technique."

They began practising the movement, which was still glowing blue above the podium. Flitwick walked past them a few times, nodding approvingly each time he did so. "Try it a bit more from the wrist, Mr Potter, yes, like that."

"Alright class, I think you are ready for the practical part of the lesson." Professor Flitwick said after a while, strolling back to the podium. He floated several locks to them. "You may now practise the incantation, "Alohomora", and the wand movement together in an attempt to open the lock. May you succeed, simply close your lock and try again. You may succeed once, but practice ensures that you can use it consistently." And with that, he began walking past them again.

"Alohomora" Harry said, waving his arm. "Alohomora" he said again, to no avail.

After about five minutes, Harry heard a click and he looked next to him to see Hermione's open lock lying before her. "Well done, Miss Granger, well done!" Flitwick said. "Three points to Ravenclaw for succeeding so fast!"

They all continued to practise, Hermione succeeding at most of her attempts. Soon after Hermione, Harry heard click, click, click. His own lock had opened successfully, just a bit after remembering to use his wrist instead of his arm. He looked next to him, where Terry had also succeeded, as well as a boy opposite him. Soon after that, most of the class succeeded, and Flitwick wrapped up the lesson. "I will see you all tomorrow afternoon, be sure to practise some more!" he said, while they exited the classroom.

"That was interesting!" Hermione said.

"Yeah, it was." Harry replied. "And we all succeeded, too. You even got us some points. Great job, Hermione." Hermione blushed.

"We better get to Transfiguration. From what I've heard, Professor McGonagall can be quite stern." Terry said.

And thus, they hurried off to the Transfiguration classroom.

The rest of the day went by quite smoothly. They tried (and some, including the three of them, succeeded in) turning matchsticks into needles. Harry had not forgotten he needed to earn some points, and was happy when McGonagall awarded him five points for getting his matchstick to change first (even though Hermione's came a few seconds after, and her attempt was a lot better).

In their free period they went to the common room and started reading up on Potions for tomorrow's lesson. From what they had gathered, Snape was harsh and even downright mean when you didn't know anything. Little did they know he was mean anyway, even if you knew everything. They spent a while reading the chapters and remembering some ingredients and things alike. After a short while, they packed their bags and went to History of Magic.

History of Magic was, admittedly, quite dull. Two lessons of Professor Binns, their teacher, droning on about goblin rebellions and things Harry had already forgotten were quite, well… boring. He figured the three of them could just read the book during the lessons instead of listening to Professor Binns, since they would at least learn something that way.

However, halfway through the second lesson, Hermione raised her hand. Professor Binns stared at her. Apparently nobody usually asked any questions at all in this classroom.

"Yes, Miss Grungeons?" he asked her.

"Granger, Professor." she replied. "I was wondering, could you teach us a bit about house-elves? I've read about them, and they seem quite fascinating to muggle-borns such as I. I was wondering… could you teach us a bit about their history and powers? It might be fun for you, to avert from your usual subject of goblin rebellions for once." she asked hopefully, hoping he wouldn't be too offended.

Professor Binns looked at her for a while. "I… guess I could teach you a bit about them." he said reluctantly. "But I would have to… prepare my lesson in advance, so I will do so another time." And with that, he returned to monotonously talking about the goblin rebellion of 1612, and half of the class returned to sleeping.


It was almost dinnertime, and Harry was standing in his dormitory, staring out the window. Terry had already gone down, but Harry wanted to try out his trunk. He figured he could read for a little more before entering the Great Hall via his trunk, since he had earned enough house points today. He was taking a little break from reading now, looking out the window at the mountains in the distance. This place is really beautiful he mused.

He had just received a letter from Madam Tugwood, congratulating him on becoming a Ravenclaw and noting that his trunk colours and common room door should have changed by now, which they had indeed. His trunk was lined with beautiful silver metal, as it had first. But now the wood was of normal, deep brown colour and the silver metal bars were flanked by shining sapphire-coloured metals, lain in strips on both sides wherever the silver travelled. On the top side of his trunk was now painted the Hogwarts crest, containing the four houses. Three of the four were a bit greyed out, the Ravenclaw crest rich in colour to show his allegiance.

Madam Tugwood had mentioned that she had forgotten, clumsily, to tell him about the useful spells of the trunk. With a simple spoken "shrink" the trunk would shrink into a small, wooden block that would fit into his pocket, able to be carried around Hogwarts. Similarly, "follow" would make it lift up and float behind you. Harry tried them out and considered them very nifty commands. She also wrote that she had forgotten to mention what happened when using one of the doors. The trunk would then shrink, and disappear into his pocket, unless instructed otherwise by saying "stay", in which case it would close and remain where it stood.

Harry checked his watch. He really ought to go to the Great Hall by now. He slid open the lower level of his trunk, opened the trapdoor and climbed down. For a second, he gazed at the eagle knocker guarding the common room door. He wondered what would happen if he stood inside the common room and went through the door inside the trunk. He would try that out later, he thought.

He tried pushing the double doors of the Great Hall, but they wouldn't budge. He tried again, and they did open this time. He stepped inside. As he walked past the huge golden doors he heard the voice of a woman inside of his head, bellowing "Five points from Ravenclaw!" He tried turning around, but some force stopped him for a second. When he finally did turn around, he saw Hermione just walking inside of the Great Hall. "Harry!" she called out, and together they sat down at the Ravenclaw table.

"Harry, how…? I didn't see you walking in front of me, how did you suddenly appear?" she said.

"Hermione, you're going to have to be a bit more clear." he replied.

"Well at one point I was walking towards the Great Hall. I looked away for a second, and when I looked back you were suddenly walking in front of me."

Terry regarded him with a peculiar expression.

"Huh, that's kind of odd." Harry said, before piling a roasted chicken onto his plate and beginning to eat. Dinner was magnificent, as it had been yesterday.

Yes, this year will be fun, Harry mused, grinning and ignoring the stern look Hermione was giving him.