Author's Note: This is the second last part of this chapter, I hope you enjoy it. I just have a couple of minor notes.

I've taken Snape's speech at the start of the Potions lesson word for word out of canon. I've always felt like this was rehearsed, and probably something he says to all his new students, so I felt it was appropriate.

Also, I think I've messed up the timetable somewhat. I've found it hard to find a coherent first year timetable, so I've just made one up. Their are likely a few mistakes, but it's only a real problem if you're a bit of a lore freak. I've also had the first lesson start on a Tuesday, hence the reason Charms is the last class they go to. Again these are probably details most people don't care about, but there it is in case anyone cares.

Enjoy.

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Chapter 8d: The First Lessons 4

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Breakfast on Friday consisted of porridge, cereal and fruit. The food that was offered appeared to change everyday and this was the simplest breakfast so far. Harry was getting used to the huge breakfasts now, and didn't know how he would cope when he went back to the Dursley's, where a single piece of dry bread would be his morning meal on a good day. He filled a bowl with porridge and sprinkled sugar on top.

"What have we got today?" he asked.

"Double Potions with the Slytherins." Holly answered promptly, smiling for some reason when she said the name of the other house.

"With Snape?" he asked, remembering the sour look he received from the man at the start of term banquet.

"Yeah, they say he favours Slytherin. I guess we'll find out." Ron said, prodding the bowl of porridge in front of him with his spoon. "I miss sausages."

Ron tentatively put a small spoonful of porridge into his mouth, grimacing, as the morning mail arrived. They were used to it by now, but it had given them quite a shock the first morning, when hundreds of owls came flying into the Great Hall. They flew around in circles, high above the tables, until they saw their target and swooped down at them, dropping the letter or package they were carrying.

Hedwig had come yesterday morning. She hadn't brought him anything, but flew down to see him anyway, and to share the toast he was eating. She only stayed a few minutes before heading back to the owlery, but it was nice to see the bird. She had been taken to the owlery from the train and that was where she spent most of her time. Harry guessed she went out hunting in the night, but he wished he got to see her more. As if on cue, Hedwig came down and landed elegantly on the table next to Harry. To his surprise, she was holding a small note. Harry grabbed it and read.

Harry and Holly,

I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you two like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three?

I want to hear all about your first week. Holly can bring that ruddy cat if she likes, Fang loves them. Send us an answer back with Hedwig.

Hagrid.

Harry handed his sister the note with a smile. Her eyes lit up at once and Harry scribbled a short note of acceptance and sent Hedwig back to Hagrid.

The twin's spirits were high as they made their way to the dungeons for their Potions lesson. They had been talking about the visit to Hagrid's hut all the way down, and they were still discussing it as the classroom approached.

"We have a short Charms class after lunch, but we should be able to make it." Holly said, almost skipping as she walked.

"Yeah it finishes at half-past two. We'll get there." Harry said, falling into line behind the other students outside of the classroom.

Holly turned to talk with Daphne, who seemed a little overwhelmed with Holly's enthusiasm for the Hagrid visit. Harry and Ron waited quietly in line, until a familiar blonde boy sauntered past. He was flanked, as always, by the brutes - Crabbe and Goyle. He stopped when he saw them, and they eyed each other disdainfully.

"Still hanging around with the pauper are you Potter? Can't find any decent friends?" Malfoy said in a soft voice, only audible to Harry and Ron. "Is he paying you Weasley? Is that why you're always following him around?"

Before Harry could retort, Malfoy walked away. He slotted into line at the front, to the dismay of Hermione who had previously been first. Harry seethed with anger, but Ron calmed him.

"Leave it mate. He's just a typical Slytherin knob." Ron said, and Harry relaxed a little, but decided that he absolutely loathed the pompous boy.

A minute later Professor Snape arrived. He awarded five points to Draco due to him being first in line and unlocked the classroom door.

Harry entered the classroom and found a desk which he and his sister shared, Ron and Daphne grudgingly sharing a desk beside them. The room was dark and oppressive, giving off the sensation that the walls were slowly closing in. A cool breeze flowed gently, though Harry couldn't locate a source. Perhaps there was a hole in one of the walls, hidden behind the jars of pickled animals that lined them.

Once they were all seated, Snape began checking names off the roll. When he got to Harry's name, he paused.

"Ah, yes. Harry Potter. Our new...celebrity."

Amidst the sniggering of the Slytherin students Harry replied with a soft "present". He wasn't sure if Snape even heard him, as he was busy looking at the next name on the list.

"Holly...Potter." he said, looking up at the girl next to Harry.

"H..Here." his sister answered, raising her hand nervously.

He looked at Holly for a long time, so long in fact that some of the other students began to whisper. His black eyes bore into Holly's, studying her as she shifted uncomfortably. Eventually, his eyes drifted up to her black hair and a scowl crossed his face as he looked back to Harry. It was as if Harry had done something wrong, but he wasn't sure what it could be. Snape went back to calling the roll and many of the students turned to stare at the twins, unsure of what was happening. Finally the roll call was completed and Snape stood up.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." he said, so quietly that they had to strain to hear. "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 teach."

The entire class was on the edge of their seats, leaning forward so as to catch every word of what he was saying. It did make Potions sound like an interesting class, but Harry felt a little perturbed by the intensity of the speech.

"Potter!" Snape said, in a much louder voice than previously. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry tried to remember the Potions book they had read before coming to Hogwarts. He had glanced at it, but hadn't found it as interesting as the spell books. He remembered the plants in question from Herbology but what they did when combined he had no idea. Hermione's hand shot up at once, ready to answer. Harry wished she would.

"A sleeping potion?" Holly said, nervously.

Snape's eyes, which were previously fixed on Harry, darted across to his sister. He was relieved the attention was off him, but the incredulous look on Snape's face made him fear for Holly.

"What?" Snape said, in an icy voice.

"I...can't remember what it's called, sorry." Holly said, recoiling at the greasy-haired teacher's gaze.

"Why are you answering the question?" he said, narrowing his eyes.

"I...You...You asked me." Holly said, her brows furrowed in a mixture of fear and confusion.

Snape's expression turned from rage to exasperation.

"I meant the boy!" he snapped. "...but you are correct on the most basic of levels. It is known as the Draught of Living Death, and it is the most powerful sleeping potion in existence."

Snape's eyes returned to Harry's.

"Potter!...the male Potter." Snape said, apparently trying to avoid confusion. "Where would you find a bezoar?"

Once again Hermione raised her hand. Bezoar? Harry was sure he had never even heard the word. He looked over at his sister for assistance, but was quickly rebuked by Snape.

"She won't bail you out this time, Potter. You don't know?"

"No, sir" Harry admitted.

"Well, well. It appears fame isn't everything." Snape said, one side of his mouth curling up. "Shall we try again? What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Harry shut his eyes, racking his brain to come up with an answer. He could hear Hermione's insistent 'Oohs' and suspected she had her hand raised once more. He had vague memories of both plants, but just couldn't remember any details. After a full minute of silence, Harry finally conceded.

"I don't know, sir."

"Didn't think to open a book before coming, Potter?" Snape said, his mocking grin growing wider.

This wasn't fair at all. He had glanced at the book, but they had so many. Was he meant to forego all of his other subjects in order to memorise everything for Potions? Wasn't the point of the class to learn these things anyway?

"He did look at the book sir, but we didn't even know about magic until about a month ago." Holly said, her voice quavering.

Snape's gaze found her again and he stared at her for some time. When he finally did speak, it seemed as though he was going to rebuke her. He hesitated however, his forehead crinkling in puzzlement.

"You...didn't know?" he asked softly.

Harry shook his head quickly, in unison with his sister. Snape watched the pair once more, seemingly trying to understand this fact. After some time he spun around, his black cape billowing behind him, and made for the blackboard.

"A point will be taken from Gryffindor for interrupting me Miss Potter." he said, and without another word began writing notes on the blackboard.

Harry grabbed his sister's hand and mouthed "Thankyou". Holly shrugged nonchalantly, and smiled back at him. Harry now knew he wasn't imagining things when Snape leered at him in the Great Hall. Snape definitely disliked him. Why that was, Harry didn't have a clue.

It turned out what Snape was writing were instructions for brewing a potion to cure boils. Snape claimed that this was an extremely simple potion, but from the number of steps that seemed to be involved, it certainly didn't look that way. There had to be about thirty, and most of them were confusing and oddly specific. Should it matter which direction the cauldron was stirred? Harry couldn't imagine why it would, but guessed there must be a reason.

The class broke up into pairs to make the potion. Harry and Holly worked together, Ron and Daphne groaned when they realised everyone else had already found a partner. They set about gathering their ingredients: snake fangs, dried nettles, horned slugs and porcupine quills. Harry set about crushing the snake fangs, while Holly gagged as she began stewing the slimey slugs. Snape strutted around the room, criticising the Gryffindors for minor slip-ups and handing out praise to the Slytherins. It was clear that Snape did indeed favour Slytherin.

Harry was glad to have Holly's help. He quickly became overwhelmed with all the instructions on the blackboard, often losing his place. Holly however, was quick to rectify his mistakes. She seemed to have knack for this.

"How do you know what you're doing?" he asked, as she held out a hand to stop him from adding too many slugs to the mixture.

"It's just like following one of Aunty Petunia's recipes." she said, and turned the knob on their burner to increase the heat. "You wouldn't be so bad if you ever made an effort when we cooked."

"Why should I bother?" he asked, trying to figure out how much powdered snake fang to add. "It's not like we ever get to eat any."

"Well, for one, you'd know how to follow instructions." Holly shook her head. "We've already put the snake fangs in, you numpty."

They took a step back as their cauldron began to simmer. It wasn't quite as deep a purple as the instructions suggested it should have been, but it was thickening up nicely. Things were not going as well for Ron and Daphne. Their potion had gone green and was emitting a nasty odour of rotten eggs.

"Why did you add the slugs." Daphne sighed, throwing her hands up in despair. "We weren't ready for them yet."

"You told me to!" Ron protested.

"I said after it boils. I swear you don't even have a brain."

Ron's comeback was cut short by the sound of hissing coming from Seamus' and Neville's desk. Their cauldron had melted into a twisted mass of metal and thick clouds of green smoke were billowing from it. Bright green potion was creeping its way across the floor, eating into the wooden table legs and the soles of the students shoes. Harry helped Holly to stand on her stool and joined her as Neville moaned in pain. His face and arms were covered in the potion. Large, red boils erupted all over his body. It looked quite painful.

"You fool." Snape said, uncaring of the boy's pain, and cleared away the spilled liquid with a swift swipe of his wand. "Where does it say to add the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire? Can you not read?"

Neville fell to his knees crying, as several more boils appeared on his cheeks. Snape ordered Seamus to take him to the hospital wing and barked at them all to carry on with their potions.

At the end of the lesson Snape inspected the students work. He dismissed Lavender and Parvati's efforts with a sniff, and did likewise with Hermione and Dean's - even though Harry thought theirs looked quite good. Ron and Daphne began blaming each other before Snape even made it to their table. Snape suggested they go back to primary school to learn how to read, drawing sniggers from the Slytherins. Unsurprisingly he was impressed with all of the Slytherins. He praised Malfoy and Pansy in particular. Harry shared a smile with the girl, but it evaporated quickly when he saw Draco's smug face. Finally Snape arrived at the Potter's desk and peered into the cauldron. Holly seemed quite proud of their work. Harry couldn't blame her, it looked very close to the example Snape had shown them.

"...Acceptable." Snape said, looking down his nose at the pair. "Though I suspect we all know who is to thank for that. Does it feel good to let your sister do all your work, Potter?"

Harry could not believe how unfair his words were. He may not have been as good as Holly, but he had certainly put in effort, hadn't he? He opened his mouth to argue, but Holly beat him to it.

"Please sir, Harry really did his share…"

"Silence." Snape demanded. "Another point from Gryffindor for speaking out of turn."

Holly stopped speaking and hung her head, not wanting to lose any more points. Snape finished the lesson by assigning them all a mountain of homework, and they all left for lunch, most of the Gryffindors bemoaning the greasy professor. Harry wished he knew why Snape hated him so much. True, he didn't exactly treat any of the Gryffindors well, but he seemed to harbour a special resentment for Harry. At lunch, he shared his concerns with the others.

"I'm pretty sure Snape hates me."

"He hates everyone." Ron said with a shrug. "He's always docking Fred and George points. They said he threatened to poison them once."

"But he seems to really hate me. Didn't you see the way he tried to embarrass me in class? It's like he has it out for me."

"He doesn't hate you Harry." Holly assured him. "Maybe he's just trying to motivate you. We probably could have done a bit more study before we came."

Harry considered this. Could it be that Snape was just motivating him? He didn't think so, not when he recalled the hatred in the professor's eyes when he looked at him. It was like Harry had done him some great wrong.

"I don't think that's it." he said.

"Don't be silly Harry. He took two points off Holly in class today, how many did he take off you?" Daphne said, making Harry doubt himself once more.

"None…"

"Exactly." she said, with a tone of finality.

After lunch they headed for the Charms classroom on the third floor. Neville still hadn't returned from the hospital wing and Harry hoped he was alright. They entered with the Hufflepuffs and met the teacher, Professor Flitwick. He was very small, shorter even than some of the taller first years. He had a shock of white hair on top of his head, and a curly white mustache on his lip. He began with roll call, giving an excited squeak when he reached Harry's name. All of the teachers now, aside from Binns, had made some sort of reaction when they got to his name. After the roll was marked, he started to speak in a high, cheerful cadence.

"Since we have a very short class today, let's do something fun. Charms is generally a very practical subject, which may be why it is often a favourite among new students. There is some theory, which we'll begin in earnest on Monday, but for now let's learn a spell!"

There was clamour of assent from the students, and Harry joined them. Finally, a spell. Transfiguration had used a spell as well, but since he hadn't managed to perform it, it didn't really feel like he had learned one yet. He watched intently as Flitwick demonstrated the spell to them. With a flick of his wand he extinguished the torches that illuminated the room. He held his wand aloft and said, in a clear voice, "Lumos".

The tip of his wand lit up, bathing the dark room in an eerie blue glow. It was one of the most wonderful things Harry had ever seen, and he couldn't wait to get started. Flitwick relit a couple of the torches so that the room was not completely black.

"Since this is one of the most basic spells you can cast, and it doesn't require any intricate wand movements, I have confidence you will be able to manage it by the end of the lesson. Remember, hold the wand up, and speak in a calm, clear voice." Flitwick said, and motioned for them to try.

Hermione was the first to attempt the spell, and the tip of her wand glowed at once, revealing the giddy smile on her face.

"Well done Miss Granger! Five points to Gryffindor." Flitwick said, clapping enthusiastically.

Harry took a deep breath, steadied himself and muttered "Lumos". To his joy the tip of his wand lit up ever so slightly. It was nowhere near as bright as Hermione's, but it was a start. Further down the table Daphne tried, producing a similar faint light to what Harry had conjured. Ron seemed to be having trouble, which surprised Harry since the boy was from a wizarding family. Eventually though, he managed to produce a small light. As the lesson was coming to an end, Harry produced his brightest light yet, perhaps enough to light up two or three meters in a dark room. By this point almost everyone had successfully cast the spell. Unfortunately, the one person who hadn't was his sister.

"Lumos!" she yelled, her face red.

Once more nothing happened.

"Calm down. You don't have to yell it." Harry said.

"I've been trying that since we started!" she snapped, but put a hand on his shoulder almost at once. "Sorry, I just don't know what I'm doing wrong."

Harry accepted the apology with a smile and shrugged. He didn't really understand it either. She was doing exactly what Flitwick said, and exactly what Harry himself had done. It should have worked. Harry beckoned the Professor, and he hurried over.

"Professor, can you help Holly?" Harry asked. "It's not working for some reason."

"Certainly. Show me the spell." he said, with a friendly smile.

Holly tried again, with the same result. Flitwick scratched his chin.

"Curious, the incantation is correct and your wand is steady." he said, looking towards the ceiling as if to think. "It is almost as if you can't access your magic."

Holly hung her head, covered her face with her hands, and began to sob softly. Professor Flitwick looked surprised, then patted her on the back and spoke in a light-hearted tone.

"Now, now, it's nothing to get upset about. Most students have no problem tapping into their magic, though it isn't unheard of for some to have trouble." He scratched his chin once more. "I suggest you keep practising over the weekend. It might help 'kick-start' your magic, so to speak. If you still have problems next week, I'll speak to the Headmaster."

Holly looked terrified.

"The...Headmaster." She said, sobbing again. "He's going to send me home?"

"Send you home!?" Flitwick said, startled "Of course not, my dear. He simply has some experience with this sort of thing. He can help."

It took another five minutes for Flitwick to convince her that she wasn't going to be expelled, but eventually she seemed to accepted it. Harry tried his best to help her to do the spell, but he honestly didn't even know what 'accessing your magic' meant. He didn't have to do anything other than say the spell in order for it to work. Perhaps it helped when he imagined the tip of his wand alight, but Holly explained that she was already doing that. By the time the bell rang, she was no closer to performing the spell.

"It's easy. You just hold up your wand and say Lumos." Ron said as they left the classroom, holding his wand up and producing a faint light.

Holly looked away and leaned into Harry, who wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Shut up Ron." Daphne said, shooting him a warning glance.

"I'm just trying to help." he insisted, performing the spell again.

"No you're not. You're just trying to show off what little magic you have." Daphne spat, and another heated argument erupted between the pair.

Their bickering lasted all the way up to the common room. Holly remained silent, her head firmly fixed to Harry's shoulder. The fighting finally ceased once Ron and Daphne noticed that they were being watched by almost every Gryffindor in the common room, and Harry let out a sigh of relief.

"Cheer up Hol. We're going to see Hagrid, remember?" Harry said, hoping to cheer up his sister.

Holly's eyes went wide, and she lifted her head, looking at Harry.

"I forgot." she said, sniffling and wiping away her tears. "I better go get Nox."

She and Daphne disappeared up the stairs to the girls dorms. Ron watched the blonde go, scowling.

"I'm gonna go for a walk." he said, making for the exit. "I'll see you later."

And with that, Ron was gone. Most of the other Gryffindor's watched him leave, still bemused by the heated argument moments before. Among them, were Fred and George.

"Ickle Ronniekins having girl troubles, Harry?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, seems that way." Harry said.

"He always did have a way with the ladies." George said. "Not a good way, but a way."

A few minutes later, Holly came back down the stairs with Nox perched precariously on her shoulder. She looked much better. If he wasn't there, he never would have been able to tell she had been crying just minutes earlier. Daphne was nowhere to be seen.

"Daph decided to have a bath to cool off." Holly said. "Where's Ron?"

"He decided to take a walk to cool off." Harry said, and Holly giggled. It was a beautiful sight compared to the tears.

"They're so alike." she said, shaking her head. "But don't let Daph know I said that."

"Best not tell Ron either." Harry chuckled. "Come on, let's go."

The pair made their way out of the portrait hole, and onward down to Hagrid's hut, eager to see their biggest friend once more.

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A/N: I've been a little concerned that Holly come across as too similar to Hermione in the opening lessons. Obviously her struggles with actual magic set her apart, but she is not meant to be especially gifted at schoolwork, certainly not like Hermione. Hopefully this comes across more clearly in future chapters, and it's possible I'm just being too critical on myself, but I felt the need to clarify.

I'd love to know what you think. PM or review to share your feedback.