His first day. Only four classes, as seemed to be usual, part from flying lessons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Charms, then Herbology with the Slytherins, lunch, Potions with the Hufflepuffs, then Defence Against the Dark Arts.
It was still a little bit difficult to grasp that he'd never have to take a maths class again. To Harry, that didn't seem quite right. He and Susan had grown up learning a huge variety of subjects from Aunt Amelia and the tutors she occasionally hired. The past two years, they'd learned so much in Muggle school.
Wizards apparently had no need for that.
Harry could understand some of it. Wizards had their history. They were very separate from the muggle world. Even Aunt Amelia had glossed over muggle history. Technology, same there, wizards had their own magical equivalent for much of what the muggle world could do. But don't you still need Maths? And English? What about Foreign Language? Even knowing he wouldn't continue to go to muggle school after, he couldn't help thinking about what classes he'd take next year, with the rest of the students. People were more or less expected to seek their own education for fields outside what Hogwarts taught. But honestly, could you really expect eleven-year-olds to seek further learning beyond classes? Eleven-year-olds who weren't like Harry, anyway. Hermione, too.
After showering and dressing, he went down to the common room to meet her. Both of them had the habit of being early. Hermione, because she was a little bit neurotic at times, Harry because he just didn't tend to sleep in. It was a perfect time to talk about his early morning, in-the-shower thoughts. Perhaps that was a bad way of putting it, however?
There she was, already downstairs, taking yet another gloss over of her Herbology textbook in preparation for their class this morning.
He opened his mouth to call out a cheerful 'Hello!' to her, but shut it again before allowing the word its escape.
Spontaneously, he decided to sneak over, walking on cat feet, quiet and low. Stalking her like an animal might. And once he was close enough... whoosh!
He jumped to stand just behind her and covered her eyes with his hands.
"Guess who?" He said. One of the muggle girls back in school had done this to him.
"Hmm," Hermione said, good-naturedly sarcastic, "Whoever could it be... Harry!"
Both of them giggled and Harry removed his hands.
"How could you possibly guess?" He asked, taking on her tone.
"Oh, must have been sheer luck," She said, "Well, good morning, Harry!"
"Good morning, Hermione," He said, walking around the chair she was sitting in to take his own seat in one near it.
"You actually startled me quiet a bit, you know," Hermione said, "You're lucky I realized what you were doing or you might have received a swift Herbology textbook to the face."
"Ooh, that one's too heavy to be at all comfortable," Harry said, "All right, I'll try not to scare you again. It's just so tempting when you're sitting all alone in the common room, engrossed in your reading."
Hermione leaned back in her chair, smiling at him, but silent. The look she held in her eyes, affectionate and humorous, made Harry feel warm. He must have been blushing a bit, but he didn't know why.
"I actually wanted to talk about something for a little while before we go down to breakfast," Harry said, "About further studying. I'm guessing you're the only one of our little group who'd be interested."
"Probably," Hermione said, "I think Susan might change her opinion of me if I try to push any more studying on her head."
"Yeah," Harry said, "Right, about muggle studies. Because, you know, we don't have any of those subjects here anymore. I was wondering, mostly, if you might want to study with me every now and then. Not nearly as much as we'd be studying the subjects if we were still in muggle school, but enough to, you know, keep up. Keep our minds fresh on them. Mathematics is going to be important for as long as we live. Even the wizarding world has taxes and budgets. Or, what if we want to build something? It's not exactly efficient to hold an unstable structure together with magic."
Hermione was smiling widely and nodding rapidly the whole time he was talking, "Oh, absolutely, Harry," She said, "I'm so happy you brought it up! I would have if you hadn't, you know."
"Really?" Harry said, "That makes me feel much better. I was a little worried you'd think I was..."
"What?" Hermione said, "Exactly like me?"
Harry crossed his arms at her, but couldn't stop smiling.
"Okay, come on then," Harry said, "It's breakfast time! Tonight, we'll see about getting some textbooks."
"Aunt Amelia probably wouldn't mind purchasing them for us. I'll send a little bit of money and a letter to her when I send my letter to Luna." Hermione said.
"Hmm?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow, "Why not just ask your Mum and Dad, so you don't have to send money?"
"Oh," Hermione said, blushing, "I'm not really sure they understand a lot of... this world quite yet. For them to send me anything other than a return letter, that would cost them money, wouldn't it? They'd have to find a way to get to Diagon Alley, find Gringotts, exchange money. It's much simpler this way."
"Oh, right." Harry said, "Well, you can always use Hedwig, you know. You don't have to use the school owls. Jeez, Hermione," Harry smiled, "Do you think I'd let you use one of the school owls, anyway! Of course you'll use Hedwig! She loves it, too, you know. She needs to be able to get out."
"Really, Harry?" Hermione asked, ignoring his humour, "You'd let me use Hedwig?"
"Of course!" Harry repeated, "I wouldn't have my best friend use one of the school owls when I have one raring for work!"
Hermione nodded at him, blushing and looking away.
As they exited Ravenclaw Tower (double-checking they had their things for the day), Harry heard her murmur, under her breath.
Her voice sounded almost in awe, "Best friend," She whispered.
It seemed every meal in the castle was served more or less buffet-style. Dishes of food arranged themselves on the tables, all up and down, with British breakfast foods. It wasn't such a spread as at yesterdays feast, but still, plenty of variety and enough for everyone to have seconds.
What did they do with the extra food?
It didn't concern him too much.
Harry and Hermione weren't the only ones downstairs by far, but they were still early enough that neither of their other friends were in sight, and the Great Hall was more or less quiet.
Both made sure to eat a hearty breakfast. A bit of meat and egg for protein, some fruit, some juice, and carbs in toast, to make sure they'd have plentiful energy to pay attention all day long.
"Oh, Hermione, what about exercise?" Harry said, looking over his schedule again as they ate, "There's no phys. ed. or anything."
"Oh, right," Hermione said, looking away, "I'm not sure that's so important."
"What?" Harry said, giving her a look, "Not so important? A healthy body is important for a healthy mind, Hermione!"
"Oh, you're right," Hermione said, "I guess I was just looking forward to not having P.E. anymore. It was definitely my least favourite class."
Harry understood that very well, "It was my least favourite, too Hermione, but not because I hated exercise or anything like that. I don't think you hate exercise either. It's... how all the other kids..."
"How they made fun, all of that? P.E. Class was nerve-wracking." Hermione said, "I hated it. Playing with you and Susan and Luna and Neville in the back gardens, though. That was always fun."
Harry nodded, "Yeah. We should do something like that, Hermione. We don't have to go running laps or anything like that. I'm sure Susan and Neville wouldn't mind playing with us in the mornings or afternoons. Oh, there they are now!"
Susan and Neville entered the hall together, chatting with each other. They must have ran into each other in the corridor. Whatever they were talking about, they seemed enthusiastic, looking blind to the rest of the world and talking with large hand motions.
"Susan! Neville!" Harry cried, waving his arm above his head.
Spotting him, the two made their way over.
"Good morning!" Susan said, sliding in next to Harry, while Neville took a seat next to Hermione.
"Good morning, sis!" Harry said, giving her a hug.
"I'm really looking forward to Herbology," Neville said, "Susan and I were just talking about it."
"And I'm happy to let you continue," Harry said, "But Hermione and I had a quick question first."
"We want to, you know, stay in shape," Hermione said, "So we feel good and study well, all of that. It's much more fun to play than just run around, so we were wondering if you two might want to play with us."
"Scrimmage games, or tag, or something like that," Harry said, "Once a day or so."
"Absolutely!" Susan exclaimed, "Jeez, you guys read my mind! I wanted to set up a team of something or another, because first years can't be part of Quidditch. I want to be on the team next year."
"You'll have to practise a lot." Harry said, "Keeping up your body is part of that..."
"You don't have to convince me, Harry," Susan said, laughing, "I'm convinced!"
"Neville?" Hermione asked.
"Of course," Neville said.
"Then it's settled," Harry said, "I think the afternoon would be better, unless you want to get up early with Hermione and I. We can play in that free period after third, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, because we have flying at that time on those days."
"I say we don't exercise on Tuesdays and Wednesdays," Hermione said.
"Agreed." Neville said.
"All right!" Harry said, clapping his hands, "Now, about that Herbology you're looking forward to, Neville!"
For the rest of breakfast, they chatted together about the classes they were most looking forward to. Finally, the time came to split up. Hermione especially wanted to be early for her classes and Harry followed along with her.
Charms was taught by their Head of House, Professor Flitwick. He was small and honestly, a little strange-looking, having stiff, but wrinkly skin. He taught his class very well, having a commanding, but kindly voice. As it was a class of only Ravenclaws, things were silent, the mood attentive. Flitwick's well-planned lecture and the sounds of quills rapidly scribbling notes were the only sounds. Next time they met, they'd get to attend to some actual magic. Brilliant!
Their Herbology class was with the Slytherins. It passed in a similar fashion. Professor Sprout was a very kindly older woman, who none-the-less knew how to manage her students and keep them paying attention. Even though Harry and Hermione had both studied the information before, they weren't at all bored.
At lunchtime, they sat again with Susan and Neville, this time at the Hufflepuff table, as Susan wanted to introduce them to some of her new friends there. Hannah, a girl they played with back at Bones Manor occasionally, was also a Hufflepuff. Susan, needing yet another friend, seemed to have attached herself to the girl more strongly.
Harry began to wonder if Hannah would need to be absorbed into the group properly. He would have to get to know her better, ensure Neville felt comfortable around her as he did with them... but all that could wait. For the first week, at least, Harry intended to focus on getting used to school life before enacting any too-major changes.
He was reminded of what the Hat had told him about himself. Was he really manipulative? Most children wouldn't think the way he did, he realized. Making friends wasn't something planned, it was natural. The way Susan did it was the right way. Normal kids didn't analyse whether new friends would be a good fit for the group. Or at least, they didn't think about in as straightforward a way as he did.
Was it necessarily bad, though, that he was different? Thanks to Harry, everyone got along, everyone was happy. So was it bad? No, he decided. He was being himself. Just because he wasn't like other people didn't mean that wasn't true.
After lunch, potions with the Hufflepuffs. Everyone split into groups of two. Harry paired with Hermione and Susan with Hannah, but they sat at tables near each other.
The teacher was Professor Snape. Just looking at him made Harry shiver. Something about him felt so dark. The professor was tall, pale, with dark, greasy flat hair. He looked displeased. Maybe his last class had misbehaved.
Harry whispered to Hermione about him.
"He doesn't look in all that good a mood," Harry said, "So let's keep our heads down, okay?"
Hermione send him an unhappy look – keep her head down, in class? - but she nodded. Hermione could also see the bitter expression on the Potions professor.
Professor Snape began to call role once it looked like everyone was seated and calm. His voice was drawling and long. Like his face, it sounded strangely displeased.
Harry wasn't the first called, but he was certainly up there, having a last name that started with 'B'.
The professor paused at his name and gave Harry a long stare down his long nose. There wasn't a student in class who didn't notice. Harry felt very self-conscious. He looked down, nodded, attempting almost consciously to appear as demure as possible.
At last, the professor continued.
God, what a weirdo. Harry wasn't sure he fully like Professor Snape.
"Before we begin," The professor said, "I would like to ascertain your basic intelligence. I have my doubts any of you oafs have read the text, as you should have. Mr. Bones, you first. Might you tell me what would I get if I add Powdered Root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood?"
"The draught of living death, sir." Harry said, looking up to give his answer then looking down again.
Why was he being singled out?
The professor again paused before speaking, "Very good, Mr. Bones. Now, anyone, where would you look if I tell you to find me a bezoar?"
Harry and Hermione shared a look, then both raised their hands somewhat warily.
"Again, Mr. Bones?" The professor said, "Give me your answer."
"In the stomach of a goat, sir." Harry said.
"And for the education of the rest of the class, what is a bezoar?" The professor asked.
"A stone, taken from the goat's stomach, that will save you from most poisons. It's an ingredient in a few antidotes, but for the most part, is effective used on its own." Harry said.
"Very good, Mr. Bones." Snape said, nodding, as if pleased, "Five points to Ravenclaw. Now, one last question, anyone. What is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"
Harry and Hermione were again the only students to raise their hands. Thankfully, the professor called on Hermione this time.
"Ms. Granger?"
"They are the same plant which also goes by the name of Aconite." Hermione said.
Harry almost smiled. By the expression on his friend's face, she was holding back the urge to spout every fact about Aconite she knew.
"Good, Ms. Granger," He said, "Another five points to Ravenclaw. Now..."
For the rest of class, nothing else of much note occurred.
Defence with Professor Quirrel was certainly something else. He was stuttering and shaking the entire time, constantly jumpy and disturbed. Harry had heard the story of what happened to him and felt pretty sorry for the man. Strangely, though, he scar ached again. Tonight, he'd try putting a little neosporoin on it. Maybe he'd accidentally ripped it open again sometime recently. If it kept this up, he'd have to go to the nurse.
Ugh, paying attention in Quirrel's class was difficult. Harry found himself thankful when it was over and felt a bit guilty for that.
As agreed, at that point the four met outside the castle, near the lake. They didn't have a ball yet to play something with, so they decided to play tag for the first day, limiting the area they could run in to between a tree and a large stone by the waterside. Susan was likely in the best shape of the bunch. She'd always adored physical education class.
Once everyone was tired, that was the end of their planned day. On Tuesdays, the Ravenclaws had Astronomy, but not tonight. They had until dinner to do whatever they liked. Normally, their schedule would probably call for homework, but on the first day of school, not even Professor Snape had given any.
"We could study in the library," Hermione said.
"Na," Harry said, "We'll have plenty of time for that later and we're already ahead. Today, let's go explore the castle. It'll be good to get a lay of the land."
It was agreed that was a good idea.
First, everyone showed the locations of their common rooms, then they had a look around at every classroom, so they wouldn't have to scramble in searching tomorrow.
The castle was huge, much, much bigger than the student body really called for. There were tons of empty classrooms, courtyards, even rooms with nothing but portraits inside. It was all so expansive, they didn't even explore the entire castle before dinner. Not nearly!
"We should make an exploration club," Harry said, "We might not even see the entire school before we graduate!"
"Right now, student population is higher than ever, right?" Hermione said, "Why does the castle need to be this large?"
No one had an answer. They could perhaps ask a teacher, but no one was interested enough to bother.
In the end, bored of walking around aimlessly, they fell back to Hermione's idea and returned to the library to briefly study and talk quietly.
"Honestly, even when we get the muggle textbooks, Harry, we're still going to have tons of free time." Hermione said, "Without electives or anything, first years have way too much time on their hands. Maybe a club like that wouldn't actually be such a bad idea."
"If we make it official and all that, it wouldn't be boring," Susan said.
"We could make a map of school," Neville said, "It would be useful, actually."
"Ooh, maybe we'd get credit with the teachers for something like that!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, okay then. Play games outside in the afternoon, study, and... what should we call it? Exploration Club?"
"Hogwarts Exploration Club," Neville said.
"At night-time, a couple hours before curfew," Susan said, "And if you have Astronomy class that night, you're excused to go sleep early."
"Sounds perfect!" Hermione said, "I love this idea! Extracurriculars are good..."
"I'll see if I can anyone to join," Susan said, "Neville, why don't you see about getting a teacher to make it official and an empty classroom to hold it in. Harry, Hermione, I'm expecting you two to teach everyone how to make proper maps at the first meeting."
"Will do!" Hermione said, "Come on, Harry, let's find some books on cartography. And we'll need a compass, plenty of parchment... ah, we need to plan who goes where, in what groups, but we can't do that until we know who's joining..."
"Whoa, slow down, Hermione!" Harry called, but she was already too deep in thought to hear him as she disappeared into the stacks. Harry ran after her.
Susan and Neville shared a look, then quietly laughed.
For everyone, it had been a great first day. No one felt homesick quite yet and they were all looking forward to their plans.
That night, everyone wrote letters to family and to Luna, sending them with Hedwig and Morang.
