Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter characters or any major plot developments. I can only claim to own Lily-Rose, not to mention any plot twists.

Chapter 7: Meeting With a Know-It-All, a Traitorous Rat, a Nosey Blonde Snake, and a Lab Bat

September 1 dawned as a dreary day, as most days dawn in England. It didn't take as long as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley thought it would because in the short time that we had all been training, we had all learned a sense of self-discipline, so we all had everything packed quite early. The only one who didn't was Ginny because Bumbledore wouldn't allow her a special early admittance even with knowing our situation. After we had all gotten on the train, Harry and Ginny had their own private goodbye ( I didn't even attempt to hear what they were saying through Harry, I know what my limitations are). I could see her tears as we were pulling away from the station and she was waving goodbye to all of us. I wanted her to be able to come with us so badly, and I could tell that everyone else did as well, including Percy. You see in the short time that we had all been training, we had all built an almost impenetrable camaraderie with each other.

Anyway, while on the train, the snack trolley came and the Weasley's became almost embarrassed that they couldn't afford what we obviously could, but it didn't matter to us because we bought all we could and stated very loudly, and very obviously, that we couldn't possibly finish it all on our own quick enough. We at least made them feel as if they were doing us a favor by eating the surplus candy, and really they were doing a favor, so it didn't feel like we were only placating them. About ten minutes after the snack trolley left, a girl with very bushy hair, and a know-it-all look asked us we if had seen a toad a boy she was sitting with had lost, when we answered in the negative she asked us what we were all doing, introduced herself, and then she zoomed in on my brother's scar, and said, "Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter! I've read all about you in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century-" this is where I interrupted her and said, "Don't believe everything you read, even in supposedly reputable sources. My brother isn't the only one to have survived the Killing curse, my scar is just in a place that isn't easily seen. Besides, my brother and I may very well have been able to send Voldywart packing, but mind you, he won't stay gone as long as there are those who continue to believe his lies. Of that, have no doubt in its truth." She just looked flabbergasted and dismayed when I finished my little tirade. I think I may have been a little too harsh on her, but honestly, she looked as if her whole life was about books. She left with a defeated look on her face.

After she left, Ron brought his rat out and said that he shouldn't complain about him if a kid actually had a toad. When I looked at the rat, I noticed something peculiar about it, it was missing a toe on one of his forepaws. I also remembered this rat very distinctly, it was Pettigrew in his animagus form. When Harry heard that from my head, he looked at me and asked, "Are you sure about that, Rosie?" I looked at him and said, "If that isn't him, than I'm a monkey's uncle." He told Percy in his ear what I had told him, Percy looked up at me and asked, "Are you positive?" I said, "How long has he been with you lot?" Percy said, "About 10 years," then he noticed what he said and froze the rat and conjured an unbreakable cage around it. When Ron asked him about that, Percy said, "Ask Rose." Ron asked, and I told him that his rat was Pettigrew. He looked heartbroken, but brightened up when I told him that I'd make it up to him as soon as I could.

When we got to the station at Hogsmeade, it was only the three of us that went on the boats because, the twins, Cedric, and Percy were returning students, and we were first-years. Before we parted ways, Percy promised Harry and I that he would see to it that Pettigrew gets into the right hands, I merely told him to make sure that he didn't give the rat to Dumbledore. Anyway the three of us, wound up sharing our boat with the know-it-all, whose name I learned was Hermione Granger. When we got to the school, a professor in dark green robes, and a witch's hat came up to Harry and I and told us that the rat problem had been dealt with. Then she addressed the lot of us saying that the next seven years would be the most important in our lives. She told us about the founding members of the school, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin, and how being placed into the houses would shape us for the rest of our live because our housemates would be more or less like our families and would help shape us into the men and women we would become.

With that we stepped into the Great Hall, and waited for our name to be called. When Hermione was called up, I said, "I'd be very happy if she was placed in Ravenclaw away from us, she's a bloody know-it-all." When the hat called out, "Gryffindor," I visibly winced. When this happened, a pasty boy with platinum blonde hair came up to me and said, "I can see that you can tell the wrong sort of wizard, from the right sort," I said, "Oh, do you mean nosey, know-it-alls who jump into other people's conversations without invitation because if you do, then you'd be right," and proceeded to herd Ron and Harry away from him. When we were out of earshot, Ron said, "That was Draco Malfoy. He comes from one of the richest families in the Wizarding world, and one of the most influential families." I said, "I don't care who he is, if someone comes up to me and mistakes me for being prejudicial, then I'm going to be as mean to them as I can." Right then Harry's name was called and the whole hall went quiet, it took awhile but the hat finally shouted, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindors went wild, then when the noise died down a bit and my name was called, the hall went quiet again. This is how my conversation with the hat went:

Hat:Hmm, interesting. You and your brother are very alike in your ability to be steadfastly loyal, you are also the more cunning of the two of you, you're both equally intelligent, but your bravery outweighs all the qualities you posses.

Me: Okay, so what's the problem? Can you please just put me into Gryffindor already? My mate, brother, and best friends are already there, so what's the hold-up?

Hat: It seems that you have a very defined perception of right and wrong.

Me: Is that a bad thing?

Hat: No, on the contrary. It simply intrigues me, it is also a very nice respite from all the uncertainties many of your contemporaries possess.

Me: Thank you, and you're welcome for the respite Mr. Hat, but I think you are scaring everyone. Before we finish, what was that with telling my brother that he could be great in Slytherin? Voldywart was in Slytherin. I don't think my brother appreciated that very much.

Hat: Forgive me for the scare, and I was merely making sure that he was who he was saying, and my name is Gideon, I have a feeling that we will be talking more before you complete your schooling. Well without further ado,- GRYFFINDOR"

Everyone at the Gryffindor table went crazy, of course Harry, Cedric, and the Weasley's were the loudest. I could tell that Harry was visibly relieved about the whole Slytherin thing. After the feast, we all went up to the Gryffindor Tower (hereby known as the Tower), Harry, Ron, and I got to go with the twins before all the other first years. When Percy got to the tower, we all played Exploding Snap, well Percy kept score, but it was so much fun because we decided to play in teams of two. When it got to be about 10, Percy herded us all to his room so that we could have a meeting for the Marauder's, he didn't stay because he said that if he didn't know then he couldn't be forced to tell and wouldn't be lying if he said he didn't know.

After the Marauder meeting, we all went to bed. I had my own private goodnight with Cedric, then I went to my dorm room. When I got there, Hermione asked me where I was, I said, "With my brother," then went to go change into my nightgown, which incidentally is one of Cedric's old shirts that I commandeered. The shirt drowned me, but it made me feel safe when he was so far from me. At the Weasley's he was only a few feet away, and I still needed the shirt to sleep comfortably. It kind of scared Harry that I could become so dependent on one person, when I had always been the more independent of the two of us.

Anyway, we had an uneventful weekend that was spent getting to know all the shortcuts to all of our classes. We set up our training schedule so that the first week at school, we could acclimate ourselves and get used to the schedule before adding to it. That Monday was uneventful until Potions. This is where Harry and I met Professor Snape (he will be known as the Lab Bat from here on out). The Lab Bat was late to class, and when he took roll and got to Harry's name, he sneered and said, "Oh, Mister Potter, our new celebrity. You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word — like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort.

"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect 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, even stopper death if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

More silence followed this little speech. Harry and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead.

"Potter!" said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" (I of course knew this, so I told Harry that it was the Draught of Living Death)

Snape's lips curled into a sneer.

"Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" (I knew this too, the stomach of a goat)

Snape was still ignoring Hermione's quivering hand.

"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?" (I was seething at this, it was a trick question, but I knew it wouldn't be good if I went off the deep end, so I just told Harry that they were the same, and that it was known to muggles as aconite)

The Lab Bat went pink and said, "Correct to all three Mr. Potter. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"

By the time class was over, I was over the moon past seething. After we were dismissed, I asked the Lab Bat if I could please speak to him after class. Oh, did I forget to mention that he treated Harry this way throughout the entire class, but left me alone. He accepted my request. I told the rest of them not to wait, and told Harry to send Cedric once I was finished dealing with this piece of rubbish. Once everyone was out of earshot I looked him in the eye and said, "You may not realize it, but I know many of your secrets that not even Dumbledore is aware of. I remember pretty much everything from the time that I was born, and I remember very distinctly that you are a pretty nice guy even with dad and your tiffs with him and about him were only ever in public, which leads me to the conclusion that you and he were friends, but didn't want anyone to know. We haven't been in the Wizarding world for a very long time, and have only recently reentered. I know that it won't take much to continue as you are in public, but I want you to give us the benefit of the doubt in private. Now I know you have to be a certain way in classes and in public in general, but don't take it too far. Even though it may not look it, but I made a lot of people step away from me when I became incensed at something Dumbledore said earlier in the summer. I was so very upset with him, that I made my own hair stand on end, and this is even before Cedric and I become bonded. Yes, I know you know about that. You were there with mum when she had the visions about Harry and I. I didn't really know what it meant until I read the letter from mum and dad.