A/N: I had originally planned to make this chapter longer, but I think the first potions lesson deserves a chapter of its own.
Harry and Theodore went to transfiguration, which was taught by Professor McGonnigal, head of Griffindor house. They arrived early, and Harry took the opportunity to look at the transfiguration textbook. He carefully studied the diagrams of wand movements and the precise pronunciation of the incantations used in the subject. He quickly memorized them and moved on to the theory portion, which was much more complex. Transfiguration, it seemed, required a great deal of concentration.
Finally, it was time for class to start. Professor McGonnigal explained the basic theory behind transfiguration, demonstrated the wand movement and incantation, and gave them each a matchstick. She instructed them to turn it into a needle.
Harry took his wand out. Pointing it at his match, he conjured a mental image of a needle and performed the spell. Instantly, his match became very sharp and silvery.
"Everyone see this! Potter's done it on his first try!" Professor McGonnigal cried jubilantly.
Heads turned as Professor McGonnigal strode to Harry and Theodore's table. She held up Harry's needle for the class to see, and examined it more closely herself.
"Potter, this is excellent work. It takes most students many attempts before their first successful transfiguration. Twenty points to Slytherin."
Harry froze. All around the room, everyone was staring at him. He bent over his textbook, and slowly the class returned their attention to their own matches.
As he stared unseeing at the pages before him, he heard a voice above him and jumped.
"Potter? Let's see if you can transfigure these beetles into buttons. I think you need something more challenging." It was Professor McGonnigal, offering him a tin of beetles, confusedly scuttling over each other. Harry took it and started the more challenging task.
Harry had successfully altered the shape of one of his beetles, but not quite turned it into a button. Professor McGonnigal was still pleased with his progress, however, and had given everyone in the class theory homework except him. Herbology had been uneventful, and during lunch Harry ate quickly, retreating to his dormitory to find the things he'd need for his next two classes. Theodore followed shortly after.
"What was with you in transfiguration? You nearly fell off your seat when McGonnigal brought you those beetles." Theodore asked Harry once he'd caught up with him.
"What? Oh, um, I was just startled. I didn't realize she was there." Harry said distractedly. Theodore had an unnerving knack for noticing Harry's odd reactions.
"And why did you leave lunch so early? There's plenty of time until charms. Why not slow down and enjoy the food? Is there something wrong?"
"I just wanted to get my things ready so I wouldn't miss anything." Harry replied.
Theodore raised his eyebrows. He wasn't buying it.
"What does it matter to you anyways?" Harry asked.
"I just- well, um, I wondered if... if..." Theodore clearly hadn't been prepared for that question.
"Wondered what?" Harry pressed.
"Nothing, nevermind."
Harry doubted it was nothing, and he did mind quite a bit.
Harry performed well in charms, but not outstandingly enough to draw attention, which he was grateful for. He was fairly relaxed when he first arrived to potions class. He would never arrive in that state again.
