Chapter 13

September 2, 1991

Disclaimer-Harry Potter is owned is JK Rowling, and I'm just having fun in her playground.

"That was completely unfair," Ernie was saying as the Hufflepuffs filed out of the dungeons two hours later. "You were completely respectful and there was no way you were cheating." He lowered his voice. "I take it you already knew that?"

"Yep," Jacob whispered. "Snape asks Harry the same question in the first book, chapter 8."

"But Harry didn't know?"

"No he didn't."

"Should we tell him? The Gryffindors have potions on Friday, Seamus was telling me."

"Nah. It would be too suspicious. Snape would probably take more points off Hufflepuff because 'I told him.' He made air quotes with his fingers.

"Anyways, it wouldn't do to argue with Snape. As much of a jerk he is," he began.

"And a murderer," Ernie interjected. Jacob shushed him.

Like I was saying, he's still a teacher, with the power to take off as many house points as he wants, and I'd like to not finish last this year."

"We finish last?" Ernie groaned.

"I'm afraid so. See, originally, Slytherin finishes first, Ravenclaw finishes in second, we finish in third, and Gryffindor finishes in last because Harry, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom manage to lose a hundred and fifty points in one night for sneaking out to release a dragon into the wild, that's a long story though. But Dumbledore awards Gryffindor a hundred and sixty points at the end because they helped save the Sorcerer's Stone, and they win the house cup, and everyone else moves down one spot."

"That's so unfair," Ernie complained.

"I know, Jacob said. "They even had the banners out and everything. What Dumbledore should have done was award the points prior to the end of year feast. That way, it's actually fair."

"Yeah," Justin spoke up fervently.

"Oh, hi Justin," Jacob greeted him.

The trio walked to Professor Flitwick's class. "Ooh, we have Herbology today with the Gryffindors," Jacob told Justin and Ernie."

"That's right," a voice said. It was Hannah, catching up with the three boys. "Listen, Jacob, about Snape, don't let him get you down."

"Yeah, I know, he favors the Slytherins," Jacob said.

"But isn't your other friend a Slytherin?" Justin asked. "Do you know if he gets treated roughly by Snape?"

"Yeah, he does, but Snape's suspicious about him though," Jacob told him.

Stephen didn't even notice Jacob walk in because he was too busy twirling his wand in his hand, and looking down at something on his desk. Stephen didn't look up until tiny Professor Flitwick cleared his throat to start the class, and took attendance.

"What's that?" asked Jacob.

"Huh?" he said "Oh, it's Hogwarts, A History, I found it in Diagon Alley while I was there," Stephen said calmly. "Wait a second! You're hiding something in your book!" exclaimed Jacob. "Uh… noooo… no, I'm not." Jacob ripped the book out of Stephen's hands, with some difficulty,owing to Stephen playing football back at home. "IT'S A MAP OF HOG-" "SHHHHHHHHHH!" Stephen screamed, but still in a whisper. "Let me explain. I forgot how to get to McGonagall's room so I followed Ron and Harry, and got lost like they did and was late so McGonagall gave me a map. But here's the interesting bit. She said, "I'm not sure why you'd need it."
Jacob walked out of the castle into the sunny grounds. It was a warm, windy day.

Professor Sprout was waiting for them. She greeted them, took attendance, and spent the lesson going over greenhouse safety.

No different from high school biology, Jacob thought. First day is always lab safety.

Once he was back in the castle, he watched the portraits for a little while. It really was fascinating how they could interact with the present time, even though some people depicted in these paintings had been dead for over three hundred years. After a little bit, he decided he'd get going, he had History of Magic to get to.