Disclaimer: NOT Blonde, Not rich, not living in Britain, initials are not JKR therefore don't own. Love the characters and the setting so am just playing, I get nothing but the reviews my readers give me. Authorship shared with Darkshadowedrose. Beta read by Alix33.
A/N: I have gotten a few complaints about how Harry treated Dobby. About how this Harry isn't very "nice". My answer is no, he's not nice. He's only mean if you give him reason to be, but he's not nice either. Also initially I said blue eyes they should have been silvery gray, oops. Also updates are going to slow down sorry.:-(
Trust is a Relative Thing
Chapter 26 The Start of School
Harry wanted to curse. He tried to ignore the sorting, he really did. And he succeeded but not until after she was sorted. He now had a name to go with the dreamy silvery gray eyes. Luna Lovegood. He found himself torn between the urge to scream in frustration and the urge to smash his head on the Slytherin table. About the only bright spot he could find in all this was at least the girl wasn't a Gryffindor, as a Ravenclaw she would be socially acceptable to most of his housemates...
Why was he even thinking that way? Love at first sight was a myth, the dream of poets and romantics. Harry was practical and a realist, who cared if there was a family legend that the Potters dreamed of their future spouse when they turned eleven. There was no way that was real. Love, contrary to rumor, took time to grow, it was based on knowing someone having a commitment to that person. Passion, chemistry those were sometimes instant; it was possible to be attracted to someone instantly, thus, the love at first sight myth but Harry wasn't sure how that applied to his situation, after all he was only twelve, he didn't think he was being hit by adolescent hormones at least not yet. He stared morosely at his plate and picked at the food on it.
At the end of the feast he tramped back to the Slytherin dorm. He looked forward to seeing Hedwig and wondered if he'd have a roommate this year. He was surprised that just after the first years arrived the house was called to a house meeting.
Professor Snape was there in all his intimidating glory looking rather vampirish. "Good evening, I am Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House, and Potions Master of Hogwarts. Slytherin House has a long and powerful history. You were chosen for this house because you are cunning and ambitious see to it your classroom performance reflects that. Homework takes place before play. If you need help for a class, ask. There are always older students and students who excel to tutor you if you are struggling.
"This school has rules. Know them, obey them, if you break them don't get caught, or if you do, don't come whining to me expecting me to fix it. There have been changes since last year, it is more important than ever to keep up appearances because my hands have been tied when it comes to protecting and rewarding you. As such, the following will apply: for every detention you receive from one of the other teachers, know you will be writing me an essay about what rule you broke why that rule exists, and how and why you got caught. Essays will start at one foot and will get six inches longer with every offense. After a fifth offense I will add a detention with me for every one given by another teacher.
"Outside these walls are those that mistake ambition and cunning for darkness. Always remember intent is everything, darkness can exist everywhere. Outside these walls there are others that will hate and quite possibly attack you. For this reason there are certain rules. Inner house conflicts don't exist beyond the walls of this dorm. If you are in conflict with someone in the House come to me or one of the prefects. We will help you to resolve it. As Slytherins we always present a united front. To do otherwise weakens us all. Never give anyone outside of Slytherin the password to the dorm. This is for your safety and the safety of your fellow snakes. Finally, no one goes anywhere alone. Always stay with your year group or with an older student. Obey this rule. It is for your own safety.
"While you are here your well-being is my responsibility to do that I must get to know you. I will be meeting with each of you over the next few weeks and we will set expectations for each of you for the year. I will also require that you have a physical with Madame Pomfrey, if you feel ill or distressed I am here for you. But do not, I repeat, do not mistake my care and concern for you as benevolence or as license to behave like delinquents. I in general, despise children. You are here because society has deemed you to be young adults ready to learn the responsibility of magic. See to it you don't regress. I will guide you so you can become the best witch or wizard you can be. You are here for a reason; I will know that reason and help you to attain it if possible. I do not, however have the time or the desire to hold your hand through your school experience. As such I expect you to be responsible young men and women. Complete your schoolwork to the very best of your ability. No sex without protective charms for both participants. If you don't know them ask me or Madame Pomfrey. You notice I'm not foolish enough to deny you do it. But for Merlin's sake be responsible, and don't come whining to me if your heart gets broken. Stupidity i.e. drinking, fighting, potions use or rather abuse, all nighters are to be kept to a minimum. Also regularly checking of the announcement board is required. I will not spend my valuable time making sure that each of you know the information that you should if it has been posted.
"Second years, your Saturdays – as soon as individual meetings have finished - will have a two hour class. It's focus is manners and mores of the magical world. Slytherins are not ignorant; etiquette is required to get ahead in this world. Most, but not all, of you have learned such things at home. I will not have your prospects hampered by ignorance so plan on attending those classes. Fifth years, it's OWLS year. Plan to study accordingly. I will accept nothing less than an acceptable in every class. Seventh years, the same is true for your NEWTS.
"I have office hours, if you need my help or my advice use them. In this dorm there are six older students whose job it is to act as my eyes and ears and to enforce the rules. Marcus Flint, and Aurelia Damascus are the seventh year perfects and the student leaders of Slytherin. Elena Danforth and Sean MacKinnon are the sixth year prefects,. Lyle Howith and Calliope Mulciber are the fifth year's look to them for your example. Also if you need help with your classes they will help you find an appropriate tutor. First through fifth years, the prefects have your class schedules. Collect them then head to bed, rest is a requirement for learning, as is eating, do both or suffer my wrath. Sixth and seventh years see me. Good night."
The two fifth years called the first and second years to them to collect their schedules. Harry quickly collected his and entered the hallway to his room. He was surprised to see Blaise Zabini was his assigned roommate. He opened the door, and grinned to see that one of his elves had unpacked Hedwig's perch and she was on it asleep. A few minutes later Blaise joined him, looking very nervous.
"It's okay Zabini, contrary to popular rumor, I don't bite."
"You're not mad that you don't have a room to yourself? I mean last year..."
"No, last year was Nott's choice. I had nothing to do with it. How was it with him and Goyle last year?"
"Annoying."
"I can imagine. Do you have a problem if my owl stays here? She dislikes the owlery and prefers to stay with me."
" No. How does she...you know, get here?"
"No clue. I think maybe the house elves help her." Harry pulled his toiletries from his trunk and headed to the boys' bathroom. He could hear the boys in other rooms. Crabbe and Goyle were apparently roommates and had left their door open. He could see them arm wrestling for who got first choice of bed. On his way back, he overheard Nott telling Malfoy that it didn't matter who his daddy was, Draco was an idiot and had better do as he was told or Nott would hex him.
The next morning Harry packed his bag for Charms which would be a double class, followed by DADA, followed by History of Magic. Harry reflected he was glad he had gotten an new ever full dicta-quill, it was the only thing that made history bearable. He laughed when he realized he had one class with each of the other houses today so he'd get the chance to greet all of his year mate friends. At breakfast he ignored the glares from the head table and talked with Will and Dan figuring out the best time for his defense tutoring, mentally Harry called it his defense class given who was actually teaching defense. He shook his head about the chaos over at the Gryffindor table, why the old tabby waited until this morning to hand out schedules he'd never know. The bat's method was far more efficient. Harry privately grinned. His personal designations for the staff were far from complimentary: Headbastard, old tabby, dungeon bat, mole, butterfly, should have been exorcised, pervert, goshawk,and head in the clouds. He supposed Sinistra and Hooch weren't really that bad. Sinistra was stupid to not to realize the advances that muggles had made in Astronomy and incorporate them into her class. And he really didn't understand why there wasn't a planetarium in the school for an astronomy class. Rolanda Hooch was just was such a goshawk sort of person totally focused on just her area of expertise. He gathered up, 'well off to class' he thought.
The next day Harry's day ended with Transfiguration. Thanks to Flint's warning Harry was ready to face the old tabby's accusation. "Mr. Potter, stay after class a moment if you please."
"Yes, Professor, may I help you?"
"Your prank of last year requires...restitution?
"Prank? Do you mean my prank on the Weasley twins? But Professor, I was already punished for that."
"No I mean your prank at the end of term feast."
"I.." he pretended shocked dismay, "Why you are accusing me of that I don't know, but may I say: I don't find it at all funny."
"So you are telling me that you were not responsible for the nasty prank at the end of year feast.
"Professor, I find the very accusation reprehensible. May I ask what this is based on? As you may recall, I was confined to my dormitory from the time I left Headmaster Dumbledore's Office following Quirrell's escape with the stone until the students left for the Express. If there is some proof for this accusation I would like to see it, otherwise I have to assume that I am being treated as a scapegoat merely because I pulled a successful prank on the Weasley twins and I am Slytherin. In which case I believe I want to talk to Lady Longbottom and possibly the board of governors."
Inwardly Harry smirked at how fast she back-pedaled as he left the classroom.
All the students in the school found that the tone of classes had changed. Harry found the tighter rules governing the teachers made for better classes. School wide, the House rivalries had intensified at first, but after some fights based on house rivalry between more volatile members of houses when all participants got month long detentions with Filch, regardless of house, things calmed down. The Slytherins still had to be cautious but things were in general better.
At the end of the second week of school when Harry received his weekly delivery from Cassandra. In it was the research he'd asked for and a note.
Harry,
I don't know why you asked for this research but it explains something that is very important for my family. Something that we had always just assumed was a family curse, but that apparently is something quite different. I only understand a little about genetics but I'm spending my non-working hours studying biology, genetics and anatomy and physiology in hopes of getting a better understanding...Part of me wants to curse you (for my theater and movie hours being curtailed) but most of me wants to thank you. This could wind up being very important for my family.
Thanks for sending back just the paint chips, carpet samples and fabrics you liked instead of all the samples I sent. The Manse should be mostly done next week. The goblins will be doing the wards after that. You'll still need to sort the furnishings from Potter Place and the beach house and we'll need to shop for the rest but the elves are very excited.
As for your fan mail, I've gotten through the first three years backlog. In terms of current mail there hasn't been much except for a letter from Nicholas Flamel. You didn't tell me you knew him! Anyway the letter is there. I might suggest for the future if there is anyone whom you correspond with whose letters you don't want me to read, you give me their names. That will allow you and them privacy. And that way I won't be left with questions like: what the hell was he talking about a trap for a dark lord at Hogwarts last year?
Last I've made a list of people on whom to create dossiers. I want you to look it over. If there is anyone else whom you feel needs to be added, send me their names. Take care and study hard.
Sandra
Harry quickly thumbed through the enclosed papers until he came to Flamel's letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Thank you for your letter informing me of the outcome of Albus' trap for a dark lord. I suspect age has done him no favors. Setting such a thing up in a school full of children. Perenelle calls it reprehensible. I call it idiocy. Your observations about wizards are remarkably astute. There are reasons Perenelle and I no longer carry on much with wizarding society. You show promise just as your four greats grandfather did. Alexander Potter was a good friend, so, if you wish to correspond, I might be open to it. Your dry and witty observations make for an enjoyable if impertinent read. N.F.
Classes were interesting. Harry and Neville resumed their workouts in the unused classroom, and the study group started meeting in the library. The study group members got odd looks from their house mates since the group was made up of two Gryffindors, two Hufflepuffs, one Ravenclaw, and three Slytherins. Two weeks into school they added another Hufflepuff, another Slytherin and two Ravenclaws, as the were joined by Blaise Zabini, Ernie MacMillan, Padma Patil and Kevin Entwhistle. The newer students were surprised when Aaron stopped by and tutored for potions. Harry kept his study sessions with Will and Dan to just himself, Neville and Aaron. When Harry shared the results of Cassandra's research with Aaron the older boy half drove Harry crazy with questions about what were genes, and what did it mean that collagens didn't form correctly, what was physiotherapy and what were biophosphonates? Harry finally handed him the mirror and said, "Ask your cousin, and be careful not to lose my mirror."
Harry had little trouble with either the theory or the practical portions of his classes. The exception was predictably Defense Against the Dark Arts. Lockhart lived up to (or perhaps it was better to say lived down to) Harry's expectations. Harry was thrilled that he hadn't spent a knut on the pervert's worthless books. Harry cringed when he heard how Neville's second class went. Harry's next classes with the man involved him hauling Harry to the front of the room to act out a scene from one of his books. That stroke of brilliance had the Slytherins in stitches, because Harry didn't hesitate; he handed Lockhart his ass every time. It only took a couple demonstrations for him to start calling on other students. Then came quidditch tryouts.
Harry was one of seventeen people who came out for the tryout. Flint had decided to make the team be the best. He required everyone interested try out. Harry, Draco Malfoy and Terrance Higgs all tried out for the seeker position. It didn't take very long because Harry spotted the snitch and captured it before Higgs even saw it, and Harry was practically on top of it before Draco noticed it. Marcus saw some promise in Draco, however, and suggested he try for a chaser position. In the end the team wound up being Flint as captain and chaser, Montague chaser, Warrington chaser, Bole Beater, Derrick Beater, Pucey Keeper, Potter Seeker, with Draco Malfoy reserve chaser and reserve seeker. Malfoy wasn't happy, but given his standing in Slytherin didn't complain too much lest he become a target. Practices were set for three days a week for two hours.
Harry's free time was divided between researching snow phoenixes, elemental magic, prophecy and continuing his occulmency training and trying to educate himself on topics he found of interest. He also used his map to keep an eye on Lockhart. Or more specifically Lockhart's behavior with the student body.
Harry's meeting with Snape was one of the last ones held. Harry didn't care because he knew what he wanted to do and really didn't like his Head of House. He showed up at the appointed time anyway.
"Mr. Potter."
"Sir."
"I wasn't precisely fair to you last year, I thought I saw things about you that were not there and I treated you accordingly. Despite that you acquitted yourself very well, and I hope this year we can get off to a better start. Have a seat."
As Professor Snape looked at him, he saw thoughts race behind Harry's eyes; last year he had tried to legilimence the boy, but had been unable to do so. He didn't even try. The boy didn't sit in the chair but instead remained standing.
"Permission to speak freely, sir?"
Snape inclined his head.
"You are my Head of House, however, let's not kid ourselves that you give a rat's ass about me. I am Lord Potter. My father, James Potter, whom I resemble greatly, was an ass and your rival in school according to my mum. You, for whatever reason, haven't grown up enough to differentiate between us. I respect your abilities as a Potion Master. I respect the Head of House and professorial positions which you hold. But I do not like you or even respect you. Holding a grudge against an eleven year old child for something his deceased father did a decade or more ago is childish and reprehensible. I do not trust you and I doubt you to be enough of an adult to understand such things as trust need to be earned. My mother regretted the dissolution of your friendship and how it came about, but frankly I'm of the opinion given the type of adult you've proven yourself to be, she was better off without your friendship. I expect if she could see the way you have treated me, she would concur.
"Thanks to Mr. Flint, I know how these things are supposed to go. My health and family life are fine. Pomfrey got the results from my recent checkup the second day of school. I know the rules of the house and the school. I am aiming to be in the top five in my year again this year and I have the skills and contacts to do so. With your permission if I meet my goals I will ask Mr. Flint to continue our arrangement of him shopping in Hogsmeade for my rewards as we did last year. Is there anything else, Professor?"
Professor Snape found himself at a loss for words. The scathing diatribe he'd just received, delivered in such an adult manner, while looking into those green eyes, made it seem he was back in fifth year getting reamed by Lily. He shook his head, gathered the papers he had in front of him and beat a hasty retreat to his quarters where he did something he'd not done since the night Lily died. He got totally smashed.
When the Slytherin etiquette class started everyone was given a written test that was followed by a formal luncheon. Snape presided over both with an eagle eye. Two hours later he dismissed Draco, Harry, Blaise and Daphne, saying their manners were adequate until the more advanced lessons that would be taught in March, but that the rest of them needed work. Harry, Blaise, and Daphne spent the next couple weeks coaching Tracey and by mid October she too was dismissed until March's lessons.
At this point Harry was going into withdrawal about strategy so he issued his challenge to Ron Weasley. He stopped by the Gryffindor on Saturday morning. "Mr. Weasley, Neville tells me you play a mean game of chess. I find myself desiring a challenge. What do you say?"
Harry ignored the boy as he wiped his face with the sleeve of his robe instead of using a napkin.
"You think a snake like you can match me, Potter?" the redhead growled.
Harry nodded his ascent.
"You're on, half an hour so I can get my set from the dorm. Here or in the library?"
"Here is fine."
Harry's birthday present to himself had been a wizarding chess set. He'd played one game against Neville but had dominated the game. The chess pieces had irritated him at the time by shouting advice in their tiny voices. He told them to shut up or he would deliberately send them into danger even if it meant he'd lose. They hadn't spoken in the two games he'd played against Blaise, which was just the way Harry liked it.
Harry was surprised when Ron Weasley let him be white. He took it for a mark of over confidence, but five moves into the game, both boys smiled because they both recognized that the other would give them an actual challenge. Five minutes later the pace of the game slowed as both boys spent more time considering their moves. A half an hour later Harry smiled as he moved his bishop, "Check".
Ron Weasley scowled because he could see how in four more moves Harry would win. He looked hard at the board. Was there anything he could do? Then he saw it, it would make the game end in a draw, but better that than a loss. Ten minutes later he did something he thought he would never do.
He extended his hand to a Slytherin. "Good game. We'll have to do this again."
"Same time, two weeks?"
"You're on."