AN: I'm pretty into the story right now and am enjoying writing in the Harry Potter space. If you've liked the story feel free to check out my Naruto stories and let me know which one you like best!

Chapter 12: Classes

Harry made it to the Gryffindor common room where several students were waiting for him. Ron, the twins, Hermione and several others were waiting to see what McGonagall had told Harry.

"Harry what did she say?" Ron asked.

"Detention the rest of the week starting tomorrow. No big deal."

Ron was clearly upset about it but the twins laughed.

"Harry do you know?" One started.

"What you have done?" The other finished.

And then together, "You beat our record!"

Apparently no one else, not even the infamous prankster Weasley twins had gotten detention on the first day of their first year at Hogwarts.

"That isn't something to be proud of." Hermione primly retorted.

"Oh shove off Granger." Ron groused.

Several others chimed in as well, mostly the older years who had all had bad run ins with the Slytherins. Hermione looked a bit put out by the vehemence.

Harry loudly cleared his throat. "Thanks for all the support but I don't mind doing detention with McGonagall. I don't plan on breaking more rules but I'm not sorry for what I did. I really would prefer that you don't fight about it. Save that for the Slytherins right?"

That ended the discussion pretty much and Harry opened his bag and took out the 2nd year text book on Transfiguration. Hermione looked it over. "What book is that? It wasn't on the reading list."

"It is for next year. I finished all the first year books and I didn't want to go over them again."

"Blimey Harry," Ron look on with disbelief. "Why are you reading? There are so many better things we could do right now!"

Harry shrugged. "I like to read ahead and there is a curfew."

Percy walked over. "You should take his lead Ron. You want to be a prefect right? Only the best students are able to become one."

"It's the first day though!" Ron answered passionately. "You don't study on the first day!"

Harry didn't really care about reading the second year book. He had already read the most important parts of it anyway. The point was to clearly lay the foundation with his house that he was already reading advanced texts for his age.

"Percy I have a question for you." Harry began. "I know we aren't allowed to use spells in the corridors but can we practice them in the common room?"

Percy nodded. "Yes you can. Half of your OWLs will be based on successfully casting spells while the other half is based on theory. You are still a first year and haven't gone to any classes yet. You may want to hold off until you know more."

Harry pressed on. "Could you show us some appropriate first year spells? I'd love to get in some practice before we get to the classroom."

Percy looked torn between getting back to his own studies and helping. Eventually his prefect pride won out. "I suppose I can but I won't be able to do it every night."

"That's great! I really am excited about learning magic. I guess it is different for me since I didn't grow up around magic." Harry explained.

Luckily there was plenty of room in the Gryffindor common room. It seemed to be designed to hold hundreds of students at once. Smaller class sizes due to the previous war were now a hallmark of the era and the common rooms had not been updated.

Not all of the first years wanted to participate. Most of the first years decided to join in save for Neville and a couple of the girls. Outnumbering the first years was the crowd of older students who wanted to watch. Harry being the Boy-Who-Lived had sparked interest and the story of how he blasted Malfoy halfway across the train had grown with the retelling. They wanted to see what he could do.

Percy looked around, only slightly nervous. He cleared his throat. "I'll get you started with the Wand-Lightning Charm. The incantation is Lumos. It was created in 1772 by..." He then had to dodge a sofa cushion thrown by one of the Weasley twins.

"Just show them how it's done!"

Percy gave his brothers a dirty look but complied. There was very little to the spell just a matter of intent, speaking the incantation clearly and letting the magic flow from your core into your wand. Because it was actual manipulation of the wand itself it was one of the easiest charms to do. He demonstrated the spell and lit the end of his wand.

"Now you try."

The first years, some of them casting for the first time ever gave it a go. Most did not manage to get the spell to work though Hermione and Harry were successful. Ron scowled at his wand and angrily tried it a second time.

Harry could hear one of the older years, he thought her name was Alicia remark about his success. "Of course he did it, he's the Boy-Who-Lived. If he could defeat You-Know-Who then lighting a wand is going to be simple."

Percy helped out a few others and soon Ron and the others got the hang of it. The crowd of older Gryffindors dispersed when Percy didn't show Harry and the other's anything more advanced.

Harry was rather pleased with himself. Percy looked happy to have shared knowledge even if it cost him some of his own study time. He had a definite spring in his step. Ron seemed pleased with his eventual success and Harry's reputation for wanting to do magic and learn more was now firmly established. That being done he took up Ron's offer to play a game of Exploding Snap. Not bad for his first day at Hogwarts, he hoped Mr. Weasley would be proud.

***BREAK***

Bill had done quite a bit of research on ancient Romania. It was considered the birthplace of vampires, and while magical historians were dubious of the claim it still had a tremendous history. Vampires were thought to not be naturally occurring, they were the result of some ritual or transformation long ago. He was going out on a limb but he figured the original ritual, lost now forever, was based on an attempt to make someone immortal. What if there had been other attempts from the same individual or group of individuals that had been seeking it? He knew it was a stretch and to his knowledge Voldemort did not spend time in Romania however it was worth checking out. The fact that his brother also now resided in the country was one of the reasons he chose to start there.

There had been some potential leads. A text in a book obtained from Knockturn Alley referenced an older book that spoke of the origin of vampires. The original was privately held by a vampire living in Bucharest. He had written to the nearly two century old being using a fake name and asked for permission to read the book. The response was an invitation to dine at one of the upscale restaurants that catered to wizard and vampire alike.

'I can meet with Charlie and see how his dueling skills have improved. Then I can see what I'll need to barter with the vampire.'

Plan set in motion he made arrangements to procure an international Portkey to magical Bucharest. Before he left he wrote to his various family members. To Percy he asked questions and expressed an interest in how prefect duties were going. To Ron he asked how Hogwarts was like. He sent similar missives to Fred and George. He wanted to keep in touch with his family but he also wanted to get news about Harry.

'I hope you are doing well Harry.'

***BREAK***

Harry's first class was Herbology. It was one of the courses that was skipped during his pre-Hogwarts tutoring. He sat next to Ron who was still talking about the story in the papers.

"This is huge Harry! No one steals from Gringotts."

"Wasn't the vault that was broken into empty? Still a perfect record." Harry replied.

"Yeah I suppose but still if they can get into one vault they can get into others. Everyone stores their gold in Gringotts. It's a big deal."

Professor Sprout called the class to attention and went through her roster. This class was shared with Hufflepuff and Harry's eyes zeroed in on Susan Bones. He had seen her during the sorting but now studied her in greater detail. Her hair was red like the Weasley's though hers had more body to it. It flowed a bit past her shoulders and framed her face. The rest of her features were soft and her brown doe like eyes seemed slightly too big for her face.

Overall she seemed quiet and attentive to the class and Harry could tell little else about her. He wondered what the best way to make contact with her and forge a friendship would be. It would be awkward to not sit next to Ron.

'It is only the second day, I have time.'

The lesson kept his attention. It was primarily an overview of the class and the importance of Herbology. Magical plants and fauna were critical to the creation of potions. Certain types of potions couldn't exist without the careful cultivation of plants. Plants could also be used to supplement the defenses of a home. As the class ended Ron gave a theatrical sigh.

"Homework? On the first day? I thought my brothers were having me on about all the work they would make us do but they were actually telling the truth this time!"

"It's all so interesting though. Oh hey which way to the Charms classroom?"

Their next class was with the Ravenclaws and their professor was Flitwick. He had some goblin blood in him for sure though he didn't act at all like the grim goblins in Gringotts. The excitable fellow actually fell down when he got to Harry's name. Harry couldn't quite figure out if that was done deliberately to cause a laugh or if he really was that enthusiastic about having the Boy-Who-Lived in his class. Either way he intended to speak with him soon. The man had been a dueling sensation before becoming a Hogwarts professor.

The class was again an overview. There wasn't any written homework but they had to read the first several chapters which Harry had already completed. Afterwards was lunch and a free period where they could do homework and study.

Much to Ron's horror Harry got out his Herbology textbook and begun listing the properties of the dozen plants they would be covering during the first part of the year.

"That isn't due until Wednesday. We've been in class all day let's do something else. Have you ever played Wizarding Chess?"

"Sorry Ron but I don't want to get behind. Maybe after Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

Ron grimaced and wandered off to find someone else to play a game with. Harry could tell Ron wasn't a very studious person. It was a bit of a disappointment really but it wasn't fair to expect Ron to be a miniature clone of Mr. Weasley.

Harry wrestled with the quill and ink. He had to go slowly to make sure he didn't smudge anything. It was very annoying to have to write this way. Despite the slow pace he was able to finish the Herbology homework in time to get to the last class of the day.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was highly disappointing. The professor stuttered terribly and could barely get through the introduction to the course! The room reeked of garlic and it was clear their instructor had a pathological fear of vampires.

The room itself was giving him a headache and then he felt a brush on his Occlumancy Shields.

'What was that? No one made eye contact. Not that I think 1st years would know Legilimency but it couldn't have been the professor because his back was turned. I wish I could contact Mr. Weasley, he would probably have some ideas.'

When the class was finally over he and Ron got in their game of wizarding chess which Ron handily won.

Ron had a big grin on his face afterwards. He asked if Harry wanted to go another round.

"I actually have to get to detention with McGonagall. Maybe tomorrow?"

Harry made his way back to McGonagall's office. He was rather excited about learning more about his parents. Mr. Weasley had been able to tell him facts but since he had not had any real personal interactions with them it was as dry as a textbook. Smiling he knocked on her door.

***BREAK***

Harry enjoyed having a more complete view of his parents. It turned out that Lily was a very diligent in her studies while James was quite the opposite. James however was absolutely brilliant in Transfiguration. James was also a Quiddich star, something that Harry wasn't sure if he would have time for. As a first year the option wasn't available, he would have to see how things went and if he would have time for something extracurricular like Quiddich.

James's brilliance in Transfiguration was matched by Lily's proficiency in Charms and Potions. Lily could have earned her Potions Mastery quite easily if she had so desired and the war had not occurred. Harry had questioned McGonagall on how he could learn more about both subjects.

Another added bonus to the 'detention' was seeing another picture of his parents that McGonagall had among her possessions. Afterward he had thanked his Transfiguration Professor and she had warned him that future detentions would involve him working on extra assignments in Transfiguration.

'Not much of a punishment really, though judging by the attitude of Ron and my other classmates I might be in the minority in thinking that.'

When Harry made it back to the common room he saw Neville Longbottom outside of the portrait.

"Hey Neville."

Neville looked at Harry. "Hello Harry, please tell me you remembered the password!"

"I remember the password. Before we go in I was wondering why you didn't want to join us when Percy was teaching us a spell."

Neville looked down. "I don't know."

"Join us next time. If we all get ahead in our lessons we'll be sure to win the House Cup right?"

The other boy nodded and Harry recited the correct password and they were admitted. Harry headed to his bed and closed his eyes. Dealing with his housemates was difficult. Mr. Weasley was sharp, on the ball and most of all competent. His fellow students were not. Ron didn't care about improving magic. Neville was awkward and had crippling lack of self confidence. Hermione could hold her own but she seemed oblivious to how she rubbed people the wrong way.

'If Mr. Weasley hadn't tutored me would I be in the same boat?'

Part of learning how to lie was learning how to spot lies on other people. It was also about reading people and seeing how they reacted. Reading people wasn't magical at all and Harry wasn't an expert at it but he could do so easily with the people in his house.

'Maybe I'm expecting too much. I know that there are people out there who would want me dead. I know that I'll eventually have to deal with them. They don't understand and so their perspective is fully in the here and now and not about future dangers.'

A year ago he was probably like them. He had been taught how the world worked and been given the opportunity to apply himself and hone his mind and magical abilities. If he could be taught so could they. If he wanted to truly lead people against the remaining Death Eaters and any future Dark Lord that arose he would have to teach them and not let their personal foibles distract him.

Ron's snores began to echo throughout the room.

'Easier said than done.' Harry thought as he closed his eyes and tried to get some kip.

AN: I've been told that Harry seems oddly mature for his age. I agree and the reason for his enhanced maturity is that he is emulating how he believes his role-model Bill thinks and acts. Not sure how believable it is but I can tell you that kids are little copy machines. Harry credits Bill with 'saving' him from Dursley's and putting him on the path to success. He learned about his family from him. He learned magic from him. In addition Occlumancy requires some meditation which leads to introspection.

As always thank you for reading and to those who review a double thank you!