Chapter 15
Present Day
I woke to my blaring alarm hearing mumbled complaints from my animals. Anticipation, worry, and excitement went through me as I fully woke. I was in Hogwarts, in the same house that my parents had been in. It felt surreal to be here, I was excited to see how the first day for me would go. I pulled on the uniform then braided my hair letting the end hang over one shoulder. I put my contacts in and twirled for Cahall who barked then spun himself.
"You look very handsome." I knelt and petted him then fed a treat to the owl who looked jealous. I packed my bag double checking I had my ever filling fountain pen, and the notebook that never ran out of pages. I had a notebook for every class. I had done the same thing for my other classes so this felt normal. I had a black fountain pen for regular notes, red for corrections, blue for added notes later, and green for spells or potions I hadn't tried before. I packed my books as well extremely grateful for the featherlight and expanding charms on the bag. I also added a small bag that held food in stasis. I double checked everything including extras of everything and felt comfortable heading out. Before I left an elf popped in making me flinch in surprise.
"Excuse me missy Potter but Mippa has been put in charge of room and will look after doggy. If missy Potter needs things just call out for Mippa."
"Thank you, I should go get breakfast."
"Missy Potter thanks Mippa, oh how kind she is. Mippa will take very very good care of doggy." Then she vanished, I went to Cahall and patted him. Then I picked up my bag and left the room. I walked down the hall hearing sounds of people getting ready for school. I hurried down the stairs feeling my stomach growl. I sped up no seeing anyone in front of me as I rounded the stairs seeing the common room. Then as I stepped off the bottom stairs I knocked into someone.
"Oof." I staggered back and would have fallen if not for an arm stabilizing me.
"Careful there." I looked up, and up at a mocha skinned guy with brown eyes and very curly black hair.
"Sorry, I didn't see anyone coming." I blushed feeling embarrassed.
"Its alright no harm done Ms. Potter." I snorted.
"Just Harper, or Harp, I'm not one for titles."
"I'm Dean then, Dean Thomas nice to meet you Harp." He released me then eyeing me. I turned hearing someone else rushing down the stairs. Hermione was there frizzy hair fanning out behind her.
"Oh good, hi Dean, Harper I'm to help you today getting to breakfast at least. Lets go else the horde will have eaten everything despite how much the elves make." Her mouth twisted a little at that.
"Okay let's go then." I started towards the door in the wall. Hermione hurried after me then sped up and opened the portrait whole/door in the wall. The tangle of corridors had me just a little less confused but still I was glad for the help of Hermione. The great hall was a buzz with conversation which haunted abruptly when I entered. I sighed deciding that this would be hell all year if I didn't address the large unicorn in the room. Hermione was at the house table but I stopped needing to get this over with. I cleared my throat and the room's eyes bored into me.
"Look, you think you know who I am, I haven't been here in years, I don't care about being famous, I just want to learn and enjoy being with others who have magic. If you have questions ask, thanks." I strode to the Gryffindor table and sat with Hermione as conversations picked back up. I sighed again hoping my bravado would stop people treating me like a heroine. Probably not but I could hope, couldn't I?
"Lass, didna take this as a slight but you have balls the size o' bludgers." Oliver said I laughed and loaded my plate.
"I'm hoping it will stop the gossips but probably not. What can I say I'm hopeful." He snorted buttering toast.
"Ach I see, weell I didna ken if that'll work on this thick headed lot, but I grant ya twas a bold move." He ate the toast with a grin.
"Like I said I can hope." I ate some toast as well enjoying the back and forth of the conversation.
"Ms. Potter, your new schedule for seventh year. The professors finally decided that you have enough experience to goin the seventh years. We may add homework to you so that any holes in your education can be corrected. We had a meeting last evening to decide this, there may be other changes but for now this is your schedule." She handed me two pieces of parchment and walked away. I sighed at the change but decided to look things over.
Harper Potter Year: 7 House: Gryffindor
Monday
7:00 - 8:00am Breakfast 8:30 - 10:00am Transfiguration 10:10 - 11:40am Charms 11:50am - 12:50pm Lunch 1:00 - 2:30pm Ancient Runes 2:40 - 4:20pm Arithmancy 4: 30 - 6:00pm Free hour 7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner
Tuesday
7:00 - 8:00am Breakfast 8:30 - 10:00am Potions 10:10 - 11:40am Potions 11:50am - 12:50pm Lunch 1:00 - 2:30pm Defense against the dark arts 2:40- 4:20pm Herbology 4:30 - 6:00pm Free hour 7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner
Wednesday
7:00 - 8:00am Breakfast 8:30 - 10:00am Transfiguration 10:10 - 11:40am Transfiguration 11:50am - 12:50pm Lunch 1:00 - 2:30pm Ancient Runes 2:40 - 4:20pm Arithmancy 4:30 - 6:00pm Free hour 7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner
Thursday
7:00 - 8:00am Breakfast 8:30 - 10:00am Charms 10:10 - 11:40am Charms 11:50am - 12:50pm Lunch 1:00 - 2:30pm Ancient Runes 2:40 - 4:20pm Arithmancy 4:30 - 6:00pm Free hour 7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner
Friday
7:00 - 8:00am Breakfast 8:30 - 10:00am Potions 10:10 - 11:40am Potions 11:50am - 12:50pm Lunch 1:00 - 2:30pm Defense against the dark arts 2:40 - 4:20pm Herbology 4:30 - 6:00pm Free hour 7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner 12:00 - 1:00am Astronomy
"The only thing I can say is that at least you have a free hour every day. Otherwise, bloody hell your going to have a whole hell of a lot of homework." Dean read over my shoulder and then whistled.
"Dean stop reading over her shoulder and come eat breakfast." Dean was dragged to the table grinning.
"She's so adorable when she's bossy." Hermione smacked him over his head while busily chewing toast. He chuckled while rubbing his head and made a plate for himself. The second piece of paper was a letter from the headmaster.
My dear girl
I wish to speak with you after classes today at six. I am very glad you are here at last and hope that this first day will be as magical as if it were your first year here. I will anticipate a description of your day.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore Hogwarts Headmaster
P.S I enjoy Fizzy Pops
I snorted at the manipulation and shook my head. I had hoped that he wouldn't try to manipulate me by now. I thrust it into my bag and took a swift bite of toast trying to stuff my anger into a little box. I looked forward to Transfiguration today and let the wash of conversation seep in and was drawn into a debate between Dean and Oliver about which Quidditch team was better.
o0O0o
"Homework shall be on the Patronus charm and its uses. Chapters eleven through fourteen will need to be read before next Thursday and an essay on each chapter and the uses of expansion charms, the three different charms themselves, and who invented it. The essay is due on Thursday." Professor Flitwick squeaked from his stack of books as we packed up our bags. Transfiguration had been mostly talking about human to animal transfigurations and how to achieve being an animagus. Chapters thirteen to sixteen read and essays to be written. I was looking forward to lunch and then Runes, and Arithmancy. I shouldered my bag and walked out of the class room joining the sea of students going to lunch. I was staggered as a red headed boy pushed into me.
"What where your going Potter." He snarled his round freckled face red. I saw he was in my house and was surprised.
"Excuse me, you pushed into me." I was about to turn when he spoke.
"You think your so special, go back to America where you obviously belong, yank, I'm surprised your not one of the slimy snakes. What nothing to say? Maybe you should have died like your parents and saved Britain the time in trying to get you here." He snarled face getting more red. He reminded me of uncle which made me shiver a little. I blinked away the hurt that bubbled up.
"I think you should go Weasley." I turned seeing a tall handsome boy with dark inky hair and blue eyes. He looked like he was twenty and he also had the air of someone with a cool head.
"Yes professor Flamel." He said sullenly turned and pushed his way through the crowd.
"Ms. Potter, please come with me." He gestured to the door he had come out of, which I realized was also the defense against the dark arts class. Sighing, and with a good deal of anxiety I followed him into the class room. I still felt the pain of what Weasley, whoever he was, had said. I followed the professor through the room then into his office. The office was tastefully decorated with simple woods, and some paintings. He sat in one of two wing backed chairs by a fireplace. I took the silent invitation to sit in the other chair.
"Sir is there something you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked finally as he had been studying me.
"Yes, I apologize, I wanted to make sure you were well after that red headed buffoon spewed his acid at you." I snorted trying not to let myself feel grateful for his concern.
"I, I, expected something of the sort before I came here." I said taking in a deep breath. He nodded eyes trained on me, he seemed kind and concerned.
"It is hard to bare under the burden of fame. I am sure, although, I have never been in your position that you will find those who hate you and adore you just due to your fame. I have been admired for my mind and have also dealt with those who were jealous. If you would like to talk to someone who is open to listening I will be here. I know I am your defense instructor however I would also like to help where I can outside of the class room." He said all of this deliberately while looking into my eyes. His eyes were a deep blue which seemed deep and wise. He looked earnest but sincere.
"Thank you, I will have to think about this but I appreciate your concern, I am looking forward to class tomorrow." He smiled which made him more handsome, once again he seemed sincere, and maybe he was but since I was young I did not trust easily.
"I'm sure this years defense class will be different from any others." He said chuckling. He stood offering me a hand up from my seat which I decided to take. I touched him and a shock went through my body. His eyes met mine then let go, I wondered who he was, and why I reacted to him. He was right about one thing, this year would be different from any other, especially with the new handsome mystery in front of me.