Hufflepuff Common Room was very interesting. A still-life picture of food blocked the entrance. Inside, it looked like a cozy basement with armchairs spread all around the room. There were yellow hangings on the walls. There were tunnels that were concealed by round doors, one for the boys and one for the girls. There was one large tunnel that led underground until it split off into seven different sections for each dorm. The first years were located in the middle tunnel on the boy's side.
Harry thought that this was very neat. The rest of the boys in his dorm agreed with him. He shared his dorm with four other boys, Justin Finch-Fletchy, Ernie MacMillan Zacharias Smith and Wayne Hopkins. They all seemed to be really friendly, although Zarcharias was a little snobby. However, Harry didn't want to judge on first impressions.
He and the rest of the boys had forgotten the way to the Great Hall, so they were hoping that the tall and weedy prefect would lead them back. However, he wasn't anywhere around when they entered the Common Room. Harry wished he had memorized the way the night before, but he had been too upset to pay any attention.
"I think I remember the way," Ernie said. "I remember there were some paintings of food on the walls."
However, once they were outside of the Common Room, they noticed in both directions there were pictures of food on the wall. This was not helpful at all.
"First years?" a tall boy who stepped out of the Common Room asked.
They all nodded mutely.
"Can't remember the way to the Great Hall? It's all right; I got lost on my first day. I'll show you the way. My name is Cedric by the way, Cedric Diggory. I helped out the first years last year too, I didn't want them to have the same humiliation I had."
Harry was grateful for the boy, he followed behind him. He made sure to note his surroundings this time around. It wasn't a long walk before they were climbing up the steps into the Entrance Hall. They followed Cedric into the Great Hall. Harry stared over at the Gryffindor table longingly but he went with the rest of the Hufflepuffs to their table.
"So, you said you're last name is Black?" Ernie asked as they sat down.
"Yes," Harry answered.
He hoped they weren't going to say anything against his family. Most of the Blacks, besides Sirius and his cousin Andromeda were into the Dark Arts. They believed that people like Hermione Granger should be banned from the wizarding world. Sirius was a lot different from his family; he had been sorted into Gryffindor and then ran away to Harry's father's place when he was sixteen. His family had disowned him after that.
"Ah, so we've got a future Death Eater here," Zacharias said as he poured himself some orange juice.
"No," Harry said coldly. "My father is Sirius Black and he ran away from home because he didn't support his parent's beliefs. People are different from their families you know."
"That's true," Ernie said. "Your father was sorted into Gryffindor… no I was just wondering because I heard your dad was close to James Potter. Does that mean you grew up with Henry Potter?"
Harry nodded. The boys started to ask questions about him. He was relieved when a short teacher, with some dirt on her clothes came over to hand them their schedules. He looked over his to see that they had History of Magic first. He sighed, he was hoping to be able to do magic first thing. From what he heard from his father, he'd likely sleep through the class.
He was determined not to though. He wanted to do well in Hogwarts. He wanted to prove himself; he wanted to show everyone that he wasn't weak or dumb. He wanted his father to be proud of him. He was tired of the looks of pity he got from his brother and father. He would work hard in all his subjects just to prove that he was someone worthwhile.
The nice boy Cedric came over to them with the girls to see if they wanted help finding the classroom. The girls were all staring at him with flushed faces. One of the girls began to stutter when he patted her on the head. Harry and Zacharias exchanged smirks.
"I'm not sure how many of you have heard, but Professor Binns is a ghost teacher. So when he pops out at you from the blackboard, don't be startled," Cedric told them. "We seem to have a good lot here this year. I hope you'll make Hufflepuff proud."
"He puts in more effort than that prefect," Ernie said later when they took seats in the classroom.
Harry sat at the same desk as Ernie and Justin. While they talked, he learned that Justin was Muggleborn, so everything so far was exciting for him. They had all mentioned their families the night before, but Harry had been too upset to pay any attention to them.
Professor Binns wasted no time in getting into his lecture at all. He took attendance, and began his lesson. He didn't bother to tell them what to expect in his classroom at all. A few people took out parchment and quills to write down what he was saying. Harry waited a few moments before he too began to take notes. It was either that, or let himself get into a dazed stupor with the rest of the class.
The rest of the classes were interesting. In Transfiguration they were lectured by McGonagall about not fooling around in her class. Then she turned her class into a pig before making them take complicated notes. Harry was inching to try what she did, however all they did during their first lesson was turn a match into a pin. Only Zacharias Smith managed to do this during their first class.
Harry had been hoping that Defense Against the Dark Arts would be fun, but it turned out to be a joke. The teacher, Professor Quirrell seemed to be scared of his own shadow. His classroom smelled like garlic, and he wore a turban on his head. According to some rumours, it was also stuffed with garlic. It was believed that he had a run in with some Vampires.
Charm's was taught by a tiny wizard, Professor Flitwick. He just had them scribble down some notes during the first class. He showed them some of the charms that they would be learning over the year. Harry was eager to learn how to make things fly, and so were the rest of his classmates.
They had Herbology with the Gryffindors. It was during this class that Harry was able to talk to Hermione and Neville. His friend was very lonely because he had been hoping that either Henry or Harry would be in the same house. He muttered under his breath that Hermione was a bit of a know-it-all.
"It's only because she's nervous," Harry said.
"How do you know?" Neville asked.
"I can just tell, look at the way she is standing, and the way she keeps glancing at people. She just wants to prove to everyone that she belongs here. You should keep hanging around her. She seems nice," Harry told Neville.
Astronomy was taught with all the first years on the top of the highest tower every Wednesday nights. Harry was able to spend time with Henry during these classes. However, his brother ignored him, so after a while, Harry worked on their assignment. He knew his twin just wanted to do well at school, so he didn't take any offense to his cold shoulder.
They had Potion's on Friday afternoons with the Ravenclaws. This would be the first time that they would see how Professor Snape was like. Harry remembered him during his time with him when he was four. He seemed to be a cold person, but Harry had been the under impression that he was hiding behind a mask. If he was a cruel man, he would not have read a child a story before he took a nap.
Harry and Henry sat at the same table in Potions. A boy from his brother's house joined them, and Wayne took the remaining seat. Professor Snape started the class with the attendance. When he got to Henry's name, he gave him a cold look.
"Ah, Henry Potter, our new celebrity," he said.
"That's right sir," Henry answered, but not in an arrogant voice, but a bored one. It was as if he had expected this.
Snape just gave him another cold look before he went into a lecture about potion making. Harry hung onto his every word. The man seemed to be very passionate about his subject. The rest of the class seemed to be just as impressed. No one spoke.
"Potter! What would I get if added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
"You would get a very strong sleeping potion. It is known as the Draught of Living Death and should only be given to a patient from a professional. It is a potion that an amateur should never-"
"I only asked what I would get, Mr. Potter. I didn't ask you to show off for your classmates! A point from Ravenclaw."
Henry looked as if he was about to protest, but Harry gave him a kick and shook his head. His twin glared at him but didn't say another word. They had to remember their parents warning about not giving Snape a reason to let their secret slip.
"Black! Where can I find a bezoar?" Snape snapped at Harry.
Sirius had gone over this with him over the summer!
"It's a stone taken from a goat's stomach," Harry answered. "It can save someone from most poisons."
"Correct five points to Hufflepuff."
Harry could tell this angered Henry who had lost a point. This was a surprise. He would have believed that the Professor would give him a harder time since he looked exactly like Sirius. It seemed that Snape hated Henry even more though. Or perhaps, it was true that he didn't want someone showing off in his classroom. Whatever the reason was, Harry was shocked.
Snape asked Terry Boot (who was sitting at their table) what was the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane, which was the same plant. The boy gave them the right answer. Afterward, Snape made them copy those answers down and then had them make a potion to cure boils.
"Can't believe him. He takes points away from me because I got an answer right," Henry muttered. "I'll show him. I'll make this potion so perfect; he'll be forced to give me points! We studied this at Sirius' house."
Harry and Wayne were partners for this class. It was true that they had studied the potion, along with others they would make in their first year with Sirius. He had been good at potion-making in his days at school. He hadn't been as good as Snape, but he usually had high marks in the class.
"NO!" Henry shouted at Terry midway through the class. "You nearly wrecked it."
"Would you calm down?" Terry asked. "It says here in the book that we add the porcupine quills in."
"After we take the cauldron off the fire!" Henry hissed.
"Ooh, right. That could have been bad," Terry said and let out a nervous laugh.
Harry hid a smirk. His and Wayne's potion was right. It was lucky he had paid attention to Sirius. He didn't want to give Snape a reason to take points from him.
"What is this Black?" Snape asked as he paused by his and Wayne's potion. "Copying from Potter?"
"No," Harry answered. "My dad taught us how to make this potion."
"His dad wanted us to be prepared for the summer," Henry added coming to Harry's defense.
"He showed us how to make all the potions we would be learning how to make in this class."
"Our dad's wanted us to be prepared for school so we would do well."
"After we got our books we had to spend an afternoon studying."
"Well, I did it anyway. I thought all of our course books were interesting," Henry said.
"Hmm," Snape said. "You two sound close. I know a pair of twins who usually speak the way you two do. Funny how two boys who aren't related speak as if they are as close as brothers."
"It's what happens when you grow up together," Henry answered in a cool voice.
"Really, Potter? Since you studied so hard this summer, you won't have any trouble with the essay I'm assigning the class. In fact, I expect you to get high marks on this assignment."
"Oh don't worry," Henry said. "Even though it's your class, I'll try to make an effort."
The rest of the first years, including Harry gasped. He gave his brother another kick, but he didn't drop his scowl from his face. Ravenclaw was docked ten points because of it. He couldn't believe his brother would say that after what they were told. He didn't appear to be sorry, even though the rest of the Ravenclaw's were glaring at him.
"By the way, Hagrid wants us to go meet him tomorrow afternoon for tea," Henry told Harry at the end of the class in a cool voice.
He seemed to be in a really bad mood. He packed up his stuff quickly and left the classroom. Harry did everything slowly. He wanted to apologize for his brother. He figured he should do some damage control before the man did something that would ruin all their lives.
"You coming?" Zacharias asked Harry, the Hufflepuff boys were waiting for him.
"No, you guys go ahead; I'll meet you in the Great Hall," Harry told them.
Professor Snape was at his desk, he was collecting the vials of potion's the class had given him. Harry approached the desk slowly as he put his bag over his shoulder.
"I just wanted to apologize for Henry. He shouldn't have said that." Harry said when the man gave him a cold look.
"And do you always do the talking for your brother?" Snape asked coldly.
"Well, no," Harry answered.
He looked around the classroom thankful that it was empty. It was actually the opposite; usually Henry did all the talking for him. However, he could admit that his brother had been out of line with the last comment.
"I just know that he shouldn't have said it. He only said it because he was trying to defend me, so I thought I'd apologize," Harry continued. "He's worried about someone finding out our secret, you see."
"And you're not? I'd think the consequences would be worse for you than it would be for him. Seems a pity you can't go by your rightful name. I know I'd be furious if I had to spend the rest of my life under another identity," Snape continued in what sounded like a taunting voice.
"Well, I've learned to live with it," Harry answered. "We all have. I'll have to use this name until we find out what really happened that night."
"And what really did happen that night? You don't appear to be a mad child at all. In fact, I'd say it's your brother who has the temper," Snape said.
Harry just gave a shrug. "I don't know, all I know is I did not attack my brother and I did not attack the four workers. I don't know why they think I did. Anyway, I just wanted to apologize for Henry, and I guess I should thank you for making that potion."
"I didn't do it for you, or your father," Snape said in a cold voice. "Now, I think you should get going. I would like to eat some time tonight, but I still have some tasks to attend to right now."
Harry nodded and turned away.
Severus watched the Black look-a-like leave the room. He had been surprised when the boy came over to apologize to him. It had been a sincere apology as well. He had worked as a teacher long enough to tell when a student was apologizing just to get out of trouble.
Jonathan Black was a strange child. He had heard from the rest of the staff members about the boy. At times he seemed to be a boy his age, but other times he seemed much younger than eleven. Minerva had reported that he seemed to be a sensitive boy, and very vulnerable. He also had a very haunted look on his face, it was a look that no child should have.
He had to wonder if Dumbledore was trying to pull something. It wouldn't surprise him. During the early days, the Headmaster dropped complaints about little Harry Potter. He had said the boy was too clingy, too sensitive and he got in the way. He tried to make it sound as if he was humored by it all, but Severus had wondered back then if he'd been irritated by the toddler.
It seemed rather suspicious that Harry disappeared when Albus wanted all the attention focused on little Henry Potter. Severus knew that the man had tried to convince James to give Harry to Sirius so that they could train the other twin without any distractions. Apparently the Headmaster had been baby-sitting when the child had lost his temper and attacked Henry. Then it was Dumbledore who dropped the boy off at the Anger Management center. Why didn't the elder Potter see it?
He remembered the day when he had to take care of the brat. The boy had seemed a lot younger than his age of four. He had sucked on his thumb for the majority of the time and kept quiet, except when he asked for his father. Severus had found an old story book to read to Harry, and had been surprised when the boy had climbed into his lap. He had wanted to yell at him for it, but then the child had gazed up at him with innocent teary green eyes. They were Lily's eyes. He had pushed his hatred away; he reminded himself that it was an innocent little boy who had been through a lot.
He just hoped the boy would never tell anyone about it. He didn't want anyone to think that he had a soft side. There was something about the boy he couldn't hate, even if he did look like Sirius Black. His brother had a certain look of arrogance to him, even if he wasn't, but Jonathan Black had a look of sincere innocence to him.
He didn't plan to tell anyone anything about the potion. However, it was fun to watch the boy's squirm.
Henry was angry with everyone, particularly his brother. Professor Snape had dropped hints during the class, and all Harry could do was kick him! He felt betrayed when his brother wouldn't even stick up for him. Of course his brother had always been a pushover. Maybe that was why he was in Hufflepuff.
The rest of the Ravenclaws were angry with him for losing points for their house. It wasn't his fault that the Professor obviously had it in for him. All he had done was answer a question correctly, and he'd been docked points. He also knew that Snape was going to have higher expectations for his essay than anyone else.
He wrote home a long letter of complaint to his father that night. He told him everything that had happened during class. He was not going to lose his brother just because his potion's teacher was a git. He wanted to know exactly why they would trust their childhood school enemy with such a big secret. It was obvious that he was out to get them all.
On his way to the owlery, he bumped into Draco Malfoy and his two cronies. He walked past the boy with his head up.
"You certainly walk around with arrogance Potter. Think you're better than everyone just because you're famous?" Malfoy drawled.
"No, I just walk this way around you and your body guards. Anyone here is better than you are. I'd be ashamed of myself if I were you," Henry answered. "Son of an ex Death Eater and all that."
"Really?" Malfoy asked. "I'd feel the other way around. I hear it's your fault that your brother is gone. I'd be ashamed if I knew I was responsible for the fact that my brother could be dead. Maybe you're used to that though. I hear your mother died when she tried to protect you that night."
Henry was already in a bad enough mood. He shoved the letter to his father in his pocket and turned to Malfoy. He had learned enough in his defense lessons; he would be able to take his boy on. Although he had never really cast a real defense spell (a training wand always cast weak versions of the spells) he knew the theory behind them. He knew how to concentrate. He pulled his wand out of his pocket, and before Draco could do anything to stop him, his skin erupted into boils.
"Don't ever talk about that in front of me again!" Henry snarled. "You don't know anything! Before you mouth off, why don't you get your facts straight?"
He was thinking of another curse to use on Malfoy when to his horror, Professor Snape turned into their corridor.
"Fighting in the corridors are we Potter?" he asked as he examined Malfoy. "Well, that's twenty points from Ravenclaw. Oh, and a detention tomorrow night," he turned to the body-guards, "you two, Crabbe, Goyle, take Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing." Then he turned back to Henry. "Be warned Potter, I'm not going to tolerate your misbehavior just because you're The-Boy-Who-Lived."
Malfoy sent him a malicious look, and then turned away with his cronies following. Henry kicked at the floor and then continued to the owlery. He'd had a really good week up until that day. He had made friends, and so far he was doing really well in his classes. He'd wanted his father and everyone else to see that there was more to him than The-Boy-Who-Lived. He would just have to work harder now.
"There is more to me than that!" he said angrily as he turned a corridor.
Now all I need is to run into Peeves, he thought bitterly. When he got to the owlery, he found Hedwig, his brother's snow owl. He decided that Harry wouldn't mind it if he used her. He should have been given an owl too; it wasn't fair that he couldn't have one.
"I expect him to send me a letter back full of sympathy," he told Hedwig. "Also, I want to know what they think of Harry being in Hufflepuff. I'm surprised they haven't written an angry letter about that. Maybe they wrote him, and he didn't tell me. We haven't had much time to talk this week. That's a pity about being in two different houses I guess. Well, have a safe flight."
He was actually looking forward to visiting with Hagrid. Terry Boot wanted to come with him, he was curious about the Groundskeeper. Henry liked his new friend a lot. He was different from Harry and Neville. He was a lot more grown up. Henry's brother and Neville were so childish and whiny, but Terry actually acted his age. He also didn't care that Henry was The-Boy-Who-Lived the way the other Ravenclaws did.
He let out a sigh, and decided to hurry back to the tower. It was a very comfortable Common Room. He liked the fact that they had a view of the mountains during the day. It was very peaceful in there. If truth be told, he hadn't really wanted to be a Gryffindor anyway. He was grateful that he didn't have to be with whiny Neville.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Thanks to all those who reviewed, to those who added me to their C2's, alerts and favourites.
