September 2nd 1937
Tom Riddle sat up with a start, he glanced around uncertainly before remembering that he was in his room. He was fine, he wasn't at the orphanage. Loud banging came from behind the door, "Tom! Tom! Wakeup! It's time for breakfast! You're going to be late!" Harrison shouted. "In a moment!" Tom said quietly back, but it seemed like Harrison heard him because the banging stopped. 10 minutes later, Tom had showered and dressed, it was the first day at Hogwarts, last thing he needed to do was make an embarrassment of himself.
Breakfast was fine, about 6 minutes after Tom arrived, students from other houses started filtering in. Harrison had a couple of sausages and scrambled eggs, while Tom had mashed potatoes and chocolate pudding. At exactly 9:20, the entire Slytherin House got up and left, all of them having finished breakfast. The First Year Slytherins groaned, they had Potions for an hour with Slughorn. Professor Slughorn, while a Slytherin in his time, strongly disliked pureblood elitists and he especially loved inviting students from families that had a seat on the Wizengamot to his Slug Club.
9:40 am
Horace Slughorn was about to have a field day. The majority of the first year Slytherins already seemed suitable for the first Slug Club meeting at least. He easily recognized the features in all the purebloods, matching them with their parents. 'Inbreeders,' he shuddered. One boy with dark black hair, so black that it almost had a blue-ish hue to it. It seemed like his hair which down to the middle of his neck, was naturally held there. Coupled with the pale grey eyes, and aristocratic features, it was obvious he was a Black. 'Now that is an old and influential family,' Horace thought, 'they tended to be a coin flip. Either brilliant like Pollux Black or they could rather mediocre like Walburga Black.
Another unchallenging boy to match had blue eyes so light, they almost looked grey. But his most revealing feature was his white blonde hair. The Malfoy's, rich and they tended to hold powerful political positions. Judging from the obvious tact and intellect behind his gaze already, this one would be one to watch.
Although not as effortless as the ones previous, Horace could easily recognize all the students belonging to the House of Greengrass, Goyle, and Nott. At long last the Gryffindors came in, entering in groups of friends. Amongst them, Slughorn could only identify a girl he could assume was from the Shafiq family, pureblood however not originating from Europe and they only moved recently. He glanced at his pocket watch, it was 9:45, class had started.
After explaining his expectations for them for the year, Horace started everyone on the Cure for Boils. 10 minutes later, he walked around to see how the students were doing. Heidi Shafiq had a lilac cauldron, slowly lightening to a peach pink. "5 points to Gryffindor for an almost perfect potion Ms..." "Shafiq, Professor," she said before turning her attention back to her potion. He continued glancing at the Gryffindor's potions. Another girl was also very close, Slughorn approached her, "well done Ms...?" He asked, her potion was a salmon pink, a bit too much orange to be exactly right, but for a first try it was very good. "Bennett, Sofia Bennett." She replied, positively beaming at the compliment, he frowned. Most likely a muggleborn, "any possible relation to Archibald Bennett? The wigmaker in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley?" Sofia shook her head, "I'm afraid not, both my parents are muggles." Giving her his best understanding smile, "5 points to Gryffindor nonetheless."
Moving on to the Slytherins, his smile grew even wider. The Malfoy boy had the closest to perfect potion, only 2 shades off from the correct pink, unnoticeable to the untrained potioneer. "Well done Mr...?" He stared at Horace, "my name is Edmund Septimus Armand Malfoy." Professor Slughorn felt like he was being dissected under the boy's gaze. "5 points to Slytherin, I know your father, Desmond Malfoy." He glanced at Anthony Goyle's potion, it was a deep red that was darkening by the second. Sparing not even another glance at the ruined potion he turned his attention away. Working near him was the boy he had assumed to be a Greengrass, his potion was red but slowly lightening. A good first attempt he noted. 'Lawrence Greengrass' was the name engraved on his bottle of ink and on his cauldron. The boy working next to him was a Nott, it was a good 10 shades off. 'What a pity,' Horace thought to himself, 'well, the Nott's were never known to be good at the subtle art of Potion making, no, they were always better at offensive types of magic.'
Then, a horrible sizzling sound erupted behind him. Anthony Goyle's black looking potion, with lumps of red and green mixed in, was spilled completely on the floor. Students were jumping onto the tables to avoid the acidic monstrosity of a potion. Horace grimaced at the sight of Lawrence Greengrass, some of the mixture must've splashed onto him. Now boils, pimples, and warts were appearing on his originally, mark-free face. "Will someone please take Mr. Greengrass to the Infirmary Wing?" Everyone looked at each other in silence before someone said, "I'll do it, I was done 10 minutes ago anyways." He muttered, leading Lawrence out of the classroom. After a few seconds of people glancing at Anthony, everyone got back to work, documenting problems they came across and taking notes. Slughorn looked at the last 2 cauldrons. Both were perfect, however one was slightly darker than the other, but it would still be considered void of error. "Is yours the lighter one?" Horace asked the pale brown-haired boy with handsome features, his eyes flitted to the potion for a second before saying, "no, that's Harrison's." Slughorn nodded, "well done, 10 points for you and Mr. Black for perfect potions." Horace glanced at his pocket watch again, '10:44, 1 minute left.' Clapping his hands together he smiled at everyone, "well done everyone, please cast Evanesco on your cauldron and the area around your workstation. Also, return any uncontaminated ingredients you borrowed. Homework is a 1-paged paper about what you could do better, what you did wrong, and what you did right. For extra credit explain why it worked!"
10:55 am
Harrison could barely contain his excitement, it was time for History of Magic! Sure, he had been taught the basics by his mother but he would get to learn history again but from an entirely different point of view. Well, he was ecstatic, until Professor. Binn's walked in. Harry had forgotten about how boring History was. 'No, no,' he thought to himself, 'I refuse to allow some boring old teacher impede entire generation's knowledge on the History of the Wizarding World!' Professor. Binn's was droning on about the Goblin Rebellion, "Yardley Platt was a hero, he ended a multitude of uprisings that could've happened if not for Yardley Platt. In the end, Yardley Platt must've saved countless lives that otherwise would have been lost to early Goblin revolts. Yardley Platt killed for the greater good of Wizarding kind. Yardley Platt treated Goblins like nothing less than the scum they are, Goblins are lucky that we didn't decide to kill them all off but instead we were the greater human being and we allow them to have their own land and manage our money." Binn's took a deep rasping breath. "Yar-" he began before Harrison interrupted.
"Professor, I know it's rude to interrupt, however I think you're incorrect." Harrison said, staring him in the eyes. Cuthbert Binns stared at the first student to ever stay awake in his class, let alone interrupt him, let ALONE tell him he was wrong. So he just sat down, dumbly, his mouth opened slightly as he looked up at Harrison Black, as if he couldn't believe the boy existed. "Professor, the Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test which is approved by the Wizarding Examinations Authority state that Yardley Platt was a large instigator for the Goblin Rebellions. Due to how brutal and unnecessary his slaughtering of Goblins was. In fact, they have admitted that Wizards certainly could've done things that easily would've prevented the war. The Ministry of Magic keeps Goblins from acquiring wands. Goblins think that Wizards are thieves because Wizards keep Goblin-made things!" Cuthbert scoffed at this, everyone was watching this debate, it was the most interesting thing in class so far, "the Goblin's sold it to Wizards, then they decide to claim that it's theirs! They're the thieves!" He said angrily, showing the most emotion Harrison had ever seen. "Just because we (wizards) view buying something as having it permanently doesn't mean Goblin's do, they're an entirely different race, they have different values and culture that we disregard. The Ministry of Magic wanted to make Goblins into House Elves, many Goblins half our age have higher magical capabilities than Wizards. The Goblins lost all of their land and rights in Britain, they're allowed to work at Gringotts but that's it. Then, Wizards claim that Goblins started the war, and so they want to take control of Gringotts from the Goblins. When the Goblins wanted to negotiate peacefully, they're denied seats on the Wizengamot!" Harrison took a second to catch his breath and let people register what he said. Everyone was hanging onto his every word.
"Look at the names we give Goblins, Urg the Unclean. No matter what race you are, that's insulting! The name we have for their language is Gobbledegook! That means nonsense because Wizards considered the Goblin language gibberish when really we simply couldn't understand it. I can count the amount of people who know the Goblin language on one hand, but almost every Goblin knows English! They've tried being respectful to us, but we've simply belittled them further. Wizards are supposed to be magical, yet we shun everything magical! Dark arts, family magic, blood magic, and every magical creature. We teach children to fear anything from werewolves to basilisks! Werewolves are literally Wizards, but the second they are something that isn't exactly like us. They get an XXXXX rating and are treated like animals."
Harrison shook his head, the Professor was clearly dismissing everything as the foolish talk of a young boy. "Change your teaching style and what you teach, or I will tell the School Board that the History of Magic Professor is teaching incorrect information." Cuthbert scowled, "like they'd believe an 11 year old boy over me, a teacher who's been alive far longer than you boy." Harrison would've laughed in a better situation if he didn't feel so insulted. "I am Harrison Phineas Lycoris Black, I'm a pureblood wizard and I can trace my family history back to before the Middle Ages, my family is possibly the oldest family in Britain." "Filthy inbred," Cuthbert muttered. Harry's face paled with fury, casting Immobulus Corpus and Levicorpus without even thinking, silently and wandlessly. With a wave of his hand, he dropped the old Professor to the ground. "Class is over anyways." He said coldly before walking out, everyone shuffling out of the class but not before looking at the disgruntled Professor first. Edmund Malfoy spat at Cuthbert, "half-blood!"
Lunch
The castle was abuzz with news from what had happened in History of Magic. Meanwhile, Harry was right outside Headmaster Dippet's office. Harrison's patience was nearing its end. "Professor Dumbledore, either do something about Professor Binns, or I will have to complain to the School Board about how the History of Magic professor and the Deputy Headmaster are incompetent at their jobs." Dumbledore shook his head, "the Headmaster doesn't have time for this, and Professor Binns has a Mastery in History of Magic, he is quite qualified to teach I assure you Mr. Black. Just because you find the subject too difficult doesn't give you reason to insult a teacher." Harry stared back at him slowly, "let me through." He said, if Albus was any less of a man, he would have been on his knees begging forgiveness from Harrison. But he stood his ground and told him to go to lunch and forget this entire incident. While Harrison did obey the order to go to lunch, he most certainly didn't forget the incident. As soon as he entered the Great Hall, all the conversation stopped and everyone stared at Harrison. He ignored them, walking slowly and with perfect posture to the Slytherin Table. Where he wrote the following letters:
Dear Hogwarts School Board,
It has come to my attention that the current History of Magic Professor, Professor Cuthbert Binns is incompetent. After just one class with him, multiple critical facts on the Goblin Rebellion were wrong and completely went against what the W.O.M.B.A.T. Organization have stated as facts. Additionally, he insulted my family calling the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black inbreds. Also, he's teaching students to be prejudiced to Goblins and Werewolves when they should be taught from a source as unbiased as can be so they can form their own opinions. Furthermore, the rates of students passing a History of Magic OWL has dropped by 83%. What's more, 92% of students don't even take a NEWT for History of Magic. I interviewed a multitude of older students and asked them that if they were taught by a more unbiased source and the information was correct, would they take History of Magic for NEWT's. More than 76% of the students I asked said yes. Finally and to my great surprise, Deputy Headmaster Albus Dumbledore denied my request to meet with the Headmaster about this. Insisting that I was incorrect, however, I think that you should suspend Professor Dumbledore.
Sincerely,
Harrison Phineas Lycoris Black
Heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black
Dear Father,
I have written to the School Board about the horrible teaching done by the current History of Magic Professor, Cuthbert Binns. Not only is he teaching the new generations of wizards to be biased against anything magical (except for wizards), but he greatly insulted the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. He called our House inbreds and as a half-blood, he is clearly aware of his actions.
Sincerely, your son
Harrison Phineas Lycoris Black
Heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black
Dear Head Ragnok of the Gringotts Branch in Diagon Alley,
I wish to inform you of the goings on at Hogwarts. Perhaps you already know this, but I did not, nor will I stand for it. Despite previous conflicts, I wish to strengthen Goblin and Wizard ties. But, I digress. Cuthbert Binns is currently the Professor at Hogwarts the best Wizarding school in Britain. He has been teaching children his extremely biased opinions against Goblins. Stating an uncountable amount of times in my first class alone, that Yardley Platt was a hero, when, as we both know, he was a murderer.
Finally, I wish to find a muggle by the last name of Grunning. I'm aware that your rate for finding muggles is 5 galleons a day and if he cannot be found then I receive a 50% compensation.
Sincerely,
Harrison Phineas Lycoris Black
Heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black
Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin
Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Gryffindor
Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw
Lord of the Noble House of Peverell
Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Merlin
Finally, he sent a letter to the Daily Prophet, informing them of the situation. Also, he offered them a deal. So long as they didn't publish any negative articles on House Black, he wouldn't bankrupt them by using his 87% share of the Daily Prophet.
1:15 pm
Eldon Crouch stared at the students for few moments before he started class. "Welcome to Charms, my name is Eldon Crouch, you may call me Professor. Crouch, today we will be working on the levitation charm. The incantation is Wingardium Leviosa." He proceeded to demonstrate the proper wand movement, before letting the students try by themselves. It was a very large class, Slytherin and Ravenclaw together. But despite this, Eldon was able to spot 2 boys on the Slytherin side, conversing instead of attempting it. "Mr... and Mr...?" He asked, looking both in the eye in turn. "Harrison Black, Professor," followed shortly by, "Tom Riddle, sir." "Mr. Black and Mr. Riddle, is there a reason you are not attempting the levitation charm? If you think yourself unable to do it, then it's simply more reason to try to." The two boys shook their heads, the black-haired one speaking, "Tom and I aren't doing it because we find it easy." Professor Crouch nodded slowly, "if you find it so easy, you don't mind demonstrating do you?" "Of course not Professor..." he took a breath to say the incantation but Eldon stopped him. "Everyone come here," he announced, "Mr. Riddle and Mr. Black wish to demonstrate the charm for us. Go ahead boys," he whispered. Harrison and Tom looked at each other for a moment before simultaneously saying, "Wingardium Leviosa," the long feathers drifted upwards before stopping right in front of the Professor. He nodded, "I'll discuss allowing you boys to do something more advanced during class, you'll find yourself incredibly bored of the schoolwork otherwise." With that he said, "class dismissed, please write a 1 paged paper on how Charms are different from curses and how Charms are useful."
3:30 pm
Defense Against the Dark Arts had just finished, usually, Professor Merrythought was tired, introducing the subject of ghosts to 11 year olds was extremely tiresome. But this time, she was practically jumping with joy. All the Slytherins were extremely well mannered, and almost all of them seemed to have an interest in learning the subject. Mr. Nott, Greengrass, and Malfoy seemed to be at 3rd year level. While Mr. Riddle was probably at 5th. The boy called Harrison Black seemed to know almost more than her, even correcting her at some points where she did make an error while having his hand politely raised each time. She'd have to talk to him, Mr. Riddle too, they would be extremely bored during the year if all they did was 1st year work. 'Well,' she thought, 'I'll bring it up at the next staff meeting on Saturday.'
September 3rd 1937
11:00 am
"Settle down class, settle down I said!" Mr. Beery shouted over the students. After a few more moments with no obvious effect on the Hufflepuffs, Mr. Beery yelled, "if you don't quiet down I'll cast Silencio!" The talking quickly diminished. 'Honestly,' he thought to himself, 'my own House not listening to me in front of Slytherins.' "Now," he said, "would anyone like to take a guess as to what plant is in front of me currently?" He sighed when he saw only Slytherin hands up, "yes?" He asked, gesturing to the brown-haired boy, "Tom Riddle sir, the plant in front of you is aconite, also known as monkswood and wolfsbane." Mr. Beery nodded, "5 points to Slytherin, would anyone care to speculate on what this is?" The boy with black hair raised his hand again and, seeing no Hufflepuffs volunteer, he nodded at the boy. "Harrison Black Professor, that is Dittany, also known as the Burning Bush. It's commonly used in potions that heal. It originates from Crete and occasionally releases flammable vapors." As if replying to his words, an almost invisible gas floated from the plant up to one of the gas lamps hanging from the ceiling, the gas caught on fire for a moment before dying. "5 points to Slytherin for a detailed explanation Mr. Black," Mr. Beery said, trying to talk over the slight hum of conversation between students once more.
1:20 pm
Professor Binns wasn't here yet and the entire class slowly became more and more restless. Eventually, the Slytherin first years left class, it was obvious that Cuthbert Binns wasn't coming. When asked by a passing Professor why they weren't in class, they simply replied that their History of Magic Professor didn't show up.
September 7th 1937
The letters Harrison wrote/recieved:
Dear Father and Mother,
School has been fine, actually, rather easy. My Professors told me that they would speak with the Headmaster about letting me do something more advanced. Professor Dumbledore is the only Professor who doesn't think the course is too easy for me, he thinks that I got lucky with transfiguring the matchstick into a needle. The School Board is working remarkably slow. Also, do you think that you can send me my broomstick?
From Harrison Black
Dear Orion,
How have you been? A first year Gryffindor in my class fell off his broom, he had to stay in the Hospital Wing for 5 nights. Edmund (Malfoy) told me that the School Board might make it so that First Years can't have a broomstick until they've completed Flying Class. Basically, you wouldn't be able to have a broomstick at Hogwarts until 2nd year!
From Harrison Black
Dear Mr. Black,
Thank you for alerting us of the situation, Professor Binns will be removed. Professor Dumbledore however, will receive a warning and a 1 week suspension.
Sincerely,
The School Board
Dear Mr. Black,
I must express my disbelief at Cuthbert Binns, we were aware that he was against Goblins however we weren't aware that he had started poisoning young wizards and witches against us. The Goblin Nation would like to thank you informally for ridding Hogwarts of such scum. Furthermore, there is a Scott Grunning that lives in Britain. We have disclosed the location below:
Sincerely,
Ragnok Head Gringotts Goblin
Headmaster Armando Dippet began the staff meeting. "The School Board has agreed that from now on, no student under 2nd year, may bring a broomstick to school or apply for the Quiditch Team. This will go into effect next year, we are to change the Hogwarts acceptance letter to state that broomsticks are no longer allowed for first years." Several Professors grumbled at this, but Madame Hooch was clearly the most upset. "Do any staff members wish to announce anything or shall we continue?" All the first year teachers except Dumbledore stood up. "Yes?" Headmaster Dippet said, gesturing to Professor Slughorn. "Harrison Black has shown remarkable aptitude in the area, I suggest moving him up several years in potions." Headmaster Dippet nodded, "so long as his grades don't suffer for it." He continued to call on the Professors, each one stating that Harrison should be allowed to do advance work in their class or be moved up. Some of them also saying that an orphan by the name of Tom Riddle should also be moved up with Harrison.
1 horrible hour later, Deputy Headmaster Albus Dumbledore shuffled to his office. At least the boy was still being taught by him, even if he had been allowed to read advanced books during all his other classes. Sitting on his desk was a envelope from the School Board.
Dear Albus Dumbledore,
It has come to our attention that you impeded a student's ability to submit a grievance to the Headmaster. You are hereby suspended for the term of 1 week, to be lifted on September 14th, 1937. This is a warning, should it happen again your position as Professor will be under consideration.
Sincerely,
The School Board
Albus threw the letter into the fire, 'that conniving little devil child! How do the other Professors not see him for what he is?' He vowed to watch Harrison Black and his friend Tom Riddle.
Author's Note:
- The schedule is taken from Harry Potter Wiki
- Btw, this isn't complete Dumbledore bashing, he's less than half his age than he was in the books, he doesn't have the same amount of wisdom
