Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Hermione's statement that Harry would have to answer dozens of questions was and understatement. By the end of the second day Harry had at least a hundred questions, and those were just from his house mates. The other houses were just as interested in him as his brother; both Potter twins were unknowns and stared at in the corridors. While information on Daniel was either rare or unconfirmed, info on Harry was practically nonexistent. Before and after class, dozens of people would run up to him and ask multiple questions.
The classes themselves were almost exactly like his mother's letter described. Professor McGonagall was as strict as Harry expected and gave them a stern talking to in the first class. Herbology dealt with many unknown plants and fungi and they always left that class covered in dirt. Hermione was the only one able to stay completely awake in History of Magic. Harry only learned in that class by reviewing his textbook multiple times both before and after that class. Astronomy was held late at night and dealt with the placement of planets and stars. Defense Against the Dark Arts was mainly about the theory of magic where Professor Quirrell, the man with the purple turban, lectured the entire class. This was made more difficult by the fact that Quirrell stuttered every couple of words. In fact, all of the classes studied either the theory or read from the books as an introduction.
Harry's favorite class was Charms. It also helped that the charms teacher, Professor Flitwick, was also the Ravenclaw's head of house. The only bad about the class was that they shared it with the Gryffindors, and because of that, his brother. Since being revealed, his brother had avoided him and clamed continually that Harry wasn't his brother. He also noticed that his mother was avoiding him as well. Harry wasn't sure he wanted to talk to either of them just yet anyways. Potions class was the only class Harry hadn't had by the end of the week. The black robed teacher Professor Snape started class by taking role. He paused when he reached Harry's name, but didn't say anything.
After calling role, Professor Snape gave them an introduction to Potions, "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect many of you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
Harry felt Hermione shift in her seat next to him. From what he knew about her, she was ready to prove that she wasn't a dunderhead. Hermione's movement must have caught Snape's eye because he suddenly looked in their direction. After looking at them for a couple of seconds Snape suddenly snapped, "Potter! What would I get if I added powered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
After thinking for a couple of second he replied. "A sleeping potion knows as the Draught of Living Death." Sneering for a few seconds he asked a new question, "Where would you look if I asked to find me a bezoar?" Harry didn't know this one and when he told Snape, his smirk grew. "And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" "They are the same plant, sir." During this entire exchange, Hermione was practically hoping in her seat, her hand raised to give the answers.
Giving them one last look Snape turned towards the class. "Apparently you have some brains Potter, unlike your brother or father. You are correct about the Draught. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and will save you from most poisons. And as for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are also called aconite. Write all of this down. You may do well in this class Potter."
Albus Dumbledore sat in the staff room of Hogwarts, waiting for the last teacher to arrive. It was the first Saturday after term started and it was time for the regular start-of-term progress meeting. The purpose of these meetings were to determine how the new students were adjusting to life at Hogwarts, as well as to determine progress the other students were making, like how the thirds years were doing in their new classes, and how the fifth and seventh years were preparing for their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.
Finally the last professor, Quirrell, came in and stuttered an apology before taking his seat next to Severus. "Well now" Dumbledore started out, "What first years stand out this year?" Everyone turned to Professor Flitwick as he usually started off about his Ravenclaws. "I have noticed that one of my Claws is particularly talented. Miss Hermione Granger is very knowledgeable on the basic theory of magic and has answered many difficult questions. I don't need to be a seer to see that she could be a very talented and powerful witch someday. She could even be more talented than you." He said this last part towards Lily Potter, who didn't seem to be listening.
"I too have noticed Miss Granger's talents." said Professor McGonagall. "She has a real knack for transfiguration and has the ability to memorize any fact given to her." The other teachers confirmed Miss Granger's talent as well with the most surprising coming from Professor Snape; he rarely talked about any student. Nodding at this prospective talent, Dumbledore turned the subject to one his was curious about, "What of young Daniel Potter, how is he doing?" Lily perked up at the mention of her son.
"He has a great handle of the first year magical theory, maybe even second year. He is certainly capable of performing basic transfiguration spells, though his form could use some work. He is also inattentive in class." Albus smiled as he nodded. He had suggested to James that Daniel start studying magical theory when he showed signs of accidental magic at the age of eight. According to James, Daniel was almost finished with second year when he came to Hogwarts. They planned to continue his theory education during the summer months.
Albus was interrupted from his thoughts by an outburst from Severus. "That boy is just as stupid and arrogant as his father. He is nothing special; he can't even brew a proper potion in my class." Albus just sighed. He had been hearing things like that since he had started young Daniel's training. It didn't help that part of it was true. Serverus's insults had let up a bit when he found out that Lily would be teaching with him and he hoped that he would stop insulting her son for her. He was about call off Severus when Madam Pomfrey asked, "What about his brother, Harry?"
"He is a smart lad, has a basic understanding of the theory. Probably one of the tops students, like his brother and friend Miss Granger." responded Flitwick. "He is friends with Miss Granger and Neville Longbottom, but other than them he is a loner. I think this is because of all the questions he has been asked about his family." Albus watched Lily as the other professors talked about her youngest son; her head was once again down, as if she wasn't listening. Again Snape interrupted all of the other comments, "He has some knowledge in basic potions, so I have adopted a wait-and-see approach."
The other teachers stared at Snape; this was the third time he had spoken about a student, he had never spoken this much about a student. He had even complemented a Potter, which was unheard of. Snape just ignored the stares and said, "He shows potential, more than his brother." and left it at that. Albus decided to continue the meeting and switched to talking about the third years.
