A/N: Ahahahahahaha! Muse kicked in! (is ready to cry with relief. My other stories have been notoriously difficult the past few days, read months, god damn Pear-Shaped and FWB are devilish with their point of views and character voices. URGH)
Anyway, I'm writing this with the hopes of pleasing everyone who is pissed at Dumbles.
Reviewers:
In general: Thanks so much! I'm always glad to have your support.
picabone99: Thank you for the club suggestion! It was a very good idea, and I'm glad to implement it. For your class suggestions, I have little doubt that I won't include them since I was thinking along the same lines!
Loki Firefox: I pretty much love you, just so you know if the PMs weren't clear on that. Your excel sheet made my week. I didn't even think to use it as an organizer until I got yours to assist in the work. Naming all of the faculty members was difficult. I got really into it. Ridiculously so, I might add, of course, I think it's all necessary. It's a respectable school with about 1500 students (I may change the number, having a bit of a headache organizing schedules), it would make sense to organize everything the way I have.
Chalybs Levitas: I got you via PM too! Thanks so much for the feedback and the concerns! Hopefully, this chapter clears it up and reinforces what I said in the message!
To all readers/reviewers: Classes suggestions are still welcome, as are teacher names/clubs and even characters! Give a bio or suggestion! All are welcome. Maybe you'll see them or a version of them in the chapters to come!
Text:
"abcde…" – general conversation
"abdce"-Speaking a foreign language (Italian, French, Spanish, etc with the exception of Parseltongue)
Abcde-Thoughts or Letters'
$abdce$- Parseltongue
Disclaimer: Why do I even need to do this!? Seriously! It isn't possible for me to own Harry Potter!
A Rational Child
Chapter 7: Frustrations
Dumbledore hadn't gotten his alcohol.
Instead he received a slip of parchment ordering his removal from Hogwarts while the pending investigation concerning his dealing with Baron Potter was underway as well as another sheet concerning his subsequent restraining order against the newly emancipated eleven-year old lord.
The Supreme Mugwump and Chief Warlock of Wizengamot, was currently staring up at his Hogwarts by the closed front gate of the school in complete and utter disbelief.
He, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the Defeater of Grindewald and Leader of the Order of the Phoenix, the man Lord Voldemort Feared, had been indefinitely suspended from being headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The elderly wizard glanced around himself in silent disbelief. His trinkets, well they weren't trinkets so much as monitoring devices and the sort, were still in his office with the school's familiar Fawkes, along with all of his, well some technically belonged to others but that wasn't the point, books and belongings. The only thing the goblins had allowed him to leave with, besides the clothes on his back, after being thoroughly frisked of all things that may be of value or have information, was a small bag of goblin-supplied clothing that sat tauntingly at his feet and a large bag of lemon drops that Minerva had handed to him currently clenched in his hand. He glanced at the golden globes wrapped in a near translucent cotton bag in sheer incredulity before dropping them into his pocket.
"To tide you over," he remembered her saying in a deceptively sweet voice, her eyes flinty with resolve and remonstration. He'd wanted to throw the usually beloved lemony orbs back in her face! The arrogance of that chit! Furthermore, these weren't his lemon drops. His usual ones were specially made and contained several different potions for a number of useful activities ranging from truth serum to a very mild sedative-compulsion combination that worked wonders on Cornelius. To his supreme displeasure, however, his entire stock had been confiscated as well.
Albus Dumbledore was not pleased in the slightest.
As he sullenly stuck out the borrowed wand that had been forced on him, all of his wands including the Elder Wand, his original one that he'd received from Ollivander, and his extras had been taken for examination, and summoned the Knight Bus he wondered when his pawn had made it across the chessboard and turned into a deceptively cunning queen without his foreknowledge or interference.
Stepping onto the bus he ignored the attendant's spiel and merely thrust the necessary coinage at him. He'd use this time to plot and plan, something much more conductive than a simple apparation.
He'd have to get the Boy-Who-Lived back under his thumb.
He would never accept anything less.
His greater good was in dire straits otherwise.
Harry could, quite easily, learn to dislike his new roommates. In fact, as far as first impressions go, they were much better than his second and third ones. The most recent ones made him wish for the immediate relief of an ibuprofen.
Their assistants, well Captain of the Guard and Steward respectively, prevented him from reaching the 'point of no return' however, interceding when the two groups became too exasperating. Thus Harry's rather rare fit of temper hadn't gone off as of yet.
However, he still wished that somebody had invented something that allowed selective hearing to progress to the point where listening to all and any stupidity was impossible. Maybe he would look into it. Hearing another crash outside his door and yet another loud argument developing between two servants belonging to the princes this evening, he scowled as he dressed for dinner and stepped out. The servants' mouths snapped shut at the cold look he sent them before turning his back on the foolish pair and descending the stairs to get away from the noisy ruckus happening up there. It was absolutely disgraceful the level of noise and commotion the servants made setting up the princes' rooms. While Prince Nane only had six in his retinue, five of them his own personal guard including the squad captain, and his personal servant, Prince Altakhas had an ungodly number of eighteen bustling around him like idiotic bugs. With the exception of Prince Altakhas' steward Enna, Harry was fairly sure they all shared a single brain cell collectively. Which didn't mean it was even in use!
Entirely irritating, but back to the fact selective hearing should help in the prevention of listening to idiocy…He would have to look into it. That is, he would if he survived the imbeciles without dying from aggravation or being thrown in jail for finally snapping and throwing all good manners aside and throttling the idiot of the moment.
Really, it was like maturity skipped generations in certain families or immaturity was more susceptible for certain blood types. Perhaps it happened or began infecting people after a certain level of hormones was met? He pondered this before leaving the house to go down the path to the school's main campus. He wondered if this type of lunacy. Could it be contagious?
He shuddered and quickly filed the line of thought away temporarily.
Tossing those uncharitable thoughts away, the eleven year old returned to studying the room's occupants rather grumpily, thinking back to their introductions.
FLASHBACK
"Well met," Enna said, albeit a bit weakly. He silently hoped his prince wouldn't do anything drastic.
"You commoner!"
And there was the drastic.
Gods have mercy.
He wasn't sure the slender boy would.
"What is this baron? It means nothing to me! I am the son of the great Mage House that rules these lands!" The clean shaven boy snapped imperiously. Harry stopped the almost immediate scoff that threatened to leave him. He was further prevented from hearing any more about the boy's 'impressive' lineage when his opponent chimed in, prodded into the argument once more.
"Your family doesn't rule all the lands cradled by the Nile!" The rougher dressed prince snapped. "I, Nane, Son of Nekht, Crown Prince of Ta-Shemau(1), refute any claims you may deign over my people's land! Ignoble snake!" And it went downhill from there.
"Ignoble? We, you think we are ignoble, wretched bird?! You would not know nobility if it deigned to greet you like the salted wind from the sea! Peasant stock you are clearly, no nobility can be found in you!" The other boy snarled back rising to his feet. "True nobility can only be found in my house! I, Altakhas, Son of Aker, the Crown Prince of Ta-Mehu(2) have little doubt over this! Wretched, slovenly beast there is no way you are worth even a small percentage to what you claim!"
And it was a pissing contest.
Joy, of all joys, Harry thought sarcastically as he glanced at the poor steward as his prince, who Harry was tempted to call cue-ball from now on, devolved into what could only be considered a tantrum against his counterpart.
Enna looked like he wished the ground would open up beneath him and swallow him whole.
Harry did not blame him in the least.
As the two princes acted like petulant five year olds the retainers of the two groups seemed to decide to start their own snide contests with their opposites. The only two that refrained was the aforementioned Enna, and the hulking figure that had stood next to Prince Nane. The large Ta-Shemau man, who was eyeing Harry curiously, sidled over to him as the Ta-Mehu steward moved away from his own prince to speak with the foreign lord. Enna gave an apologetic bow before straightening.
"My apologies," Enna muttered before giving in and pinching the bridge of his nose in clear irritation, "the behavior is most… Unseemly." He was a handsome figure, 182 centimeters (6'0") and a toned physique belying his scholarly air. His green eyes were paler than Harry's own and, to the English boy's surprise, even further cat-like than their unusual shape. The green of Enna's eyes was mixed with yellow, an unnatural color Harry was fascinated by. His narrow face widened at the high cheekbones and suited those oddly colored almond eyes.
"Hrm," Harry didn't quite deign a comment forcibly preventing the scathing response edging on his tongue for slipping out. The large soldier, because the scars left little doubt to his true profession, snickered, catching both slender intellectuals attention. He offered them a salute and short bow. Enna returned it and Harry bowed his head once more.
Both didn't comment that the foreigner's manners were a head and shoulders' above their respective charges.
"Captain Bek of the Imperial Guards to the Crown Prince of Ta-Shemau, Prince Nane, at your service(3)," the man said with some faint amusement. His wild hair shook out like an aged lion's mane, the top portion done into dreads and drawn back away from his face, and although it was graying the wizard's looks suggested that he had only been just entering middle age. He was tall, well over 200 cm (6'6") and heavily muscled. His shirt strained against his arms and he looked a bit uncomfortable in it, though his easy stance belied the fact. He was probably used to going shirtless or in a sleeveless tunic instead of this more proper garb. Strapped to his right upper thigh was a short dagger, and he kept an easy hand on the hilt of his sword. The weapon was strange to his European eyes, curved at the head for several centimeters before straightening once more. Perhaps this was the infamous khopesh(4). He twitched ever so slightly as the noise in the room rose, obviously on guard for any physical altercations. He clearly was looking forward to breaking up the pair that came to blows!
Harry hoped it didn't come to that.
"It is nice to meet you, Captain," Harry replied cordially. His gaze drifted over to the two princes, who stood practically on top of one another demonstrating how little diplomacy they'd learned, and grimaced in clear distaste. The twenty or so odd servants were scuttling around the princes or in their own arguments. Since several of them appeared older than the two eleven year olds, Harry's disdain grew.
The trio watched the fight(s) while trading some casual and docile facts with one another. Both Bek and Enna were rather uncomfortable with each other, since they belonged respectfully to two long lines that had served the princes' family for millennia, but they were able to put it aside to converse in awkward stilted tones.
"What weapon do you favor, Harry?" Bek asked. The British born had permitted the familiarity, though they both doubted their charges would gain such a courtesy any time soon. The young boy, perhaps young man would be better, had a maturity his roommates lacked, albeit he was just as judging considering his age. He had high expectations due to his own stubborn resilience no doubt. However, the question had him looking his age with a cute, slightly lost forehead wrinkle forming on his slender face.
"Weapon?" Harry asked in confusion, a small frown appearing.
"Yes," Enna said with a nod surprising Harry as he glanced between them, "you'll be joining one of the weaponry or activity clubs since you're a first year. It's one of the requirements. All first year students are required to join at least one academic-based club and one physical-based club." Harry sighed.
"I do not know how to use a weapon," he admitted, a thoughtful and considering look crossing his looks, "I'll have to make enquiries into the different clubs and find something suitable. I'll have no difficulties with the academic one, I have no doubt." Both of the men nodded. They then blinked in shock when the sound of something breaking caught their attention.
Seeing the broken face and the slightly bloodied nose of Prince Nane and the scepter Prince Altakhas wielded rather smugly all three sighed.
Time to clean up this mess.
This fourth impression was surpassing the others in terms of bad and Harry doubted he'd ever feel anything but irritation about these two.
How irksome.
FLASHBACK END.
Harry spared the house a final disgruntled look and smoothed his binish grumpily.
Hopefully Marks would be there for good conversation and company.
Harry caught sight of Marks standing with two other boys and sighed in relief when the taller brunet caught sight of him and waved him over.
"Marks," Harry said with a faint smile.
"Harry," Marks said warmly. "Settling in alright?" The older boys bit back a chuckle when they saw the grumpy expression suddenly reform on the short and younger boy's face.
"I have the…" He paused here before sighing and speaking plainly, "I got stuck with Prince Nane and Prince Altakhas. They're obnoxious." The trio stared at him before one of the boys with Marks burst out laughing. Harry prevented the scowl from forming before he merely sighed in defeat.
"Zat is unfortunate," the boy said choking back his laughter. He was much larger than Marks, both in height and width. He was filled out and muscular in a brawny way, unlike the thin but wiry fourteen year old Harry had bonded with so easily during the boat ride to school. The taller boy's hair was bushy but cut short in a cropped fashion and a beard had started to show on his young face though it was patchy, had been determinedly shaven leaving nothing but a shadow of stubble behind. The baby fat in his cheeks had hollowed under knife like cheeks in a solidly rectangular face while heavy brows settled over his laughing brown eyes. His skin was weather beaten from what Harry suspected was a mix of sports and cold weather.
"You are unlucky in that, yes," the final boy said. He was golden compared to his darker companions. Creamy skin, dark blond hair with natural highlights, and bright hazel eyes that couldn't decide between gray, blue, and green that studied Harry. He was the same height as the first unknown speaker, but wasn't as bulky. He stood at attention, and had a friendly, if a bit distant, smile twitching on his sculpted lips. Of the three he was the handsomest easily.
"Yes, well, I'll be learning some manner of noise suppression immediately," Harry said dryly before offering a polite bow. "Harry James Potter, Baron of Little Wells. It is nice to meet you both." Marks stopped fighting back his laughter and cleared his throat, reminded of his duties.
"Yes, well, introductions," He ignored the amused glance from Harry and his two companions, "As I told you and he said, this is Harry Potter." The duo bowed back this time. Marks continued blithely on. "Harry, I would like you to meet Titus Justus Leontinus(5) and Nikali Zolnerowich(6). They're both very good friends of mine, as well as club and year mates. Justus, Nikali, this is my new friend Harry Potter."
"Charmed," Harry said once more, this time shaking the boys' hands.
"It is nice to meet you as well," Justus said calmly.
"You must tell us avout yourself, 'Arree," Nikali agreed.
"I would be happy to if you would do the same with yourselves," he replied.
Neither needed to know it was mostly to get out and away from that blasted house and those damn two princes.
They seemed nice anyway.
Severus glanced down at the letter he'd received recently from Harry sent to him via one of MAGIC's school falcons. The bird eyed some of his jars suspiciously as Severus tore open the letter curiously.
Salutations Severus,
How are you? Has your return to Hogwarts been pleasant? I hope it has. My sympathies if it has not. Mine have not been an easy transition either.
I've settled into school and have already attended my first classes and find the six day school week to be quite effective. Several other classmates seemed a bit shocked at this, but Marks, a new friend who is a few years older and British as well, said one gets used to it rather quickly, even though I find it quite suitable to my disposition and said so. I have discovered the subjects so far fascinating, although I hope to get moved up into a higher class in Arithmancy and Languages if possible. The professors of those courses, of course, were quite pleased to see I had such a strong foundation and drive, however, they have not agreed due to the magical portions taught later on in the year. Instead they've given me more advanced math problems and have informed me to use it as a way to get used to classes instead of overloading myself too early. It is… An acceptable suggestion I suppose. I am also on an inspection of different clubs, and have narrowed my choices in both physical and educational down to under five, luckily. I am partial to chess and debate, although the economics club has proven to be attractive. The physical ones of course are a bit less satisfactory since my own disposition does not lend itself to such activities easily. Perhaps you might suggest one I should consider?
Anyway, I have a bit of a problem I was hoping to ask you about. My roommates, to my great misfortune, are the two Crown Princes of Ta-Mehu and Ta-Shemau. They are quite irritating and their noise levels are less than desirable. Currently I am looking up silencing spells, but must suffer from advanced headaches due to their childish fights until I find a solution. I would make the headache potion you suggested in my new textbook but have discovered only second years and above are allowed into the potion classrooms since first years are required to have a minimum of one semester of potion study under them. It is quite unlucky.
Would you perchance, allow me to buy some of the formula from yourself? I am cautious over having an untrusted and unknown person fixing my medicine, especially when there seems to be no proper standardization.
All in all, this whole endeavor of getting settled with those two imposing imbeciles has been quite vexing.
Anyhow, I look forward to your reply, perhaps we shall exchange long diatribes on the stupidities we are forced to suffer through. My roommates and their overtly solicitous idiots will no doubt have me sending you lengthy ones.
Best of days and health to you,
H.J. Potter, Baron of Little Wells and your friend
Raising a brow, Severus set the parchment aside and stood. It was lucky that he'd already finished with this month's batch of potions for the Hospital Wing and set about fixing a cauldron of his special batch of headache remedy.
With over forty new first years he was sure they would both need some. It might even do to make double.
Harry's classes were interesting, if a bit easy. His studious habits meaning he fell into an easy rhythm. His days were productive, he had a quiet office/study room in a library and…
CRASH
He pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly.
His roommates were awful. However, the imperious hoot of an owl distracted him. He'd sent a falcon to Severus and if the package was anything to go by he'd soon have a cure for the blasted headache that was constantly nagging at him.
"Thank you," he said politely and took the package and letter from the own before getting it some water and offering it a few pieces of jerky that he'd picked up from the falconry tower since he expected a return eventually. The owl hooted in gratitude and settled comfortably on the ledge drinking the water and eating the torn up jerky vigorously. "You may find rest here or perhaps in the falconry tower," Harry offered and the owl hooted again before settling comfortably where it was with a sigh.
Harry nodded at it and opened the letter.
Greetings Harry,
I have settled into Hogwarts quite well, thank you for your concern. It has been like previous years except there is no longer any unhelpful input from Albus Dumbledore. The goblins, quite impressively, marched into Hogwarts during the Opening Feast and escorted him out for indefinitely. It is quite refreshing to work without his interference.
Already the school is taking an upswing. All the classes are under reform and the teachers are under inspection for competency. (I told you about the ghost correct, well History no longer forced to suffer because of him and a new teacher is being sought.) My own class has also faced satisfactory changes. Already Potions has been transformed for all first year students, changing it from its primary practical side to a more theoretical and basic teaching class in preparation for later years of instruction.
The lack of incessant explosions has calmed my nerves immensely.
I have also implemented your suggestion of making my students remove their heavy robe uniforms, wearing pants and closed toed shoes, and keeping their hair out of the way. The older female students seemed quite thankful, and already the school nurse is seeing fewer students due to potion accidents. All student years are considerably more bearable.
It is also surprisingly satisfactory to evict truly troublesome students from the room when they are rowdy after warnings instead of having to suffer from their repeated, reckless behavior. They instead report to the school's caretaker for chores during their suspension. This seems to have taught them to use their better manners finally.
I have sent the potions you requested as well as instructions on how to take them so they serve you best. Hearing of your difficulties, I find I must offer my sympathies. Your housemates sound to be positively disgraceful in their actions and manners. I am glad your classes are enjoyable though. I remember my time at MAGIC in Paris and find that they were some of the best years I had. The instructors were all superb, of course.
For your other troubles I would suggest proving your superiority in your language and math courses via the end of term. No doubt your high scores will influence their decisions to be similar to your own. Either way it is likely you will be having a fine time for the next several months.
As per your request about clubs, I have personally always enjoyed the dueling club during my time in Paris, as well as the numerous study groups featuring Potions and Defense, since they were my preference. I do not doubt you will narrow your search to something that thrills you. I merely wish you the best of luck in it. Perhaps you shall choose economics for your educational one if they have something along those lines, and something innovative and modern for your physical? I cannot image you enjoying anything physical like martial arts or close combat, never mind the plebian enjoyments of Quidditch or Quadpot. Perchance you have some secret love of horses and shall join the Equestrian Team, land or sky.
Personally, I would look into the marksmanship. Clubs like archery and even those new rifles would lend itself to your demeanor.
Either way, I look forward to hearing more.
Stay well and keep me informed, do not let your housemates get to you,
Severus Snape, Potion Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry finished the letter with a sigh of satisfaction and then raised a brow at the postscript.
PS – I do not know if you are one for surprises or revenge…
Harry smirked.
But I added something else to the package. See that you use them well.
Harry carefully set the letter aside and then started in on the package. Opening the paper curiously he felt a smirk appear on his face as he set aside the vials of multiple servings of headache remedy and their instructions to find a small box. When he set the items aside as he made a note to find something exceedingly pleasant and well thought out to send to Severus.
The man was a Godsend.
This…would be most excellent.
A/N:
Holy shit… I'm actually updating this. You have no idea how much I struggled with how I was going to introduce the two princes.
They're complete pains by the way.
Anyhow…The cliffhanger was actually for me, to keep me writing. But I still need names for instructors and the best names (they have to have the meaning, what they're from – language/culture/ethnicity, and what class the teacher would teach.) I've got an excel sheet filled with classes, and could use some help naming clubs. Give me suggestions please!
This is also unbeta'd… Hint hint. :3
