September 6th, 1991 Potions Class in the Dungeons
The group of friends made their way to the dungeons where the potions class was held. Harry sat in the front with Hermione. Neville sat behind Harry and Daphne on the other side of Hermione. When Professor Snape entered the dungeons, he walked to the front and, like Professor Flitwick, he called roll. However, he did not say anything when getting to Harry's name.
Once he finished the roll call, he looked out onto his newest class. "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," he said, speaking calmly and clearly. "As there is little foolish wand waving in this class, many of you may have a hard time believing this is magic. Here you can learn to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses….I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory, or even put a stopper in death." All the students were now listening intently. "If you pay attention and follow my instructions, you could learn all these things. Now let's see if any of you bothered to open your books before coming here." He looked around, his eyes stopping on Harry. "Potter…"
Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle were giggling behind their hands, thinking Harry was about to get bullied by the Head of Slytherin house. "Yes, Sir?" Harry said, looking up at his uncle though keeping his smirk under control.
"Tell me, Potter, what do I get if I add powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Snape asked the boy.
Harry smiled. "If I read correctly, sir, the combination of those ingredients would produce a sleeping potion called the Draught of Living Death," he said, having been taught that years ago.
"Excellent, Potter…" Snape said. "Ten points to Gryffindor." His eyes then met with Malfoy's. "Malfoy…tell me, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
The blond Slytherin's face became paler than it actually was. He looked around, thinking this was some sort of joke. When Snape's eyes didn't leave him, the boy gulped. "I…I don't know, sir…" Malfoy replied.
"Hmmm... I had hoped to have better in my house," Snape said then looked to Daphne. "Greengrass. Let's see if you can redeem the Slytherin house. Answer the question I just asked Malfoy," he told the female Slytherin.
Daphne smiled. "A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and can save you from most poisons," the girl replied.
Snape smiled. "Excellent. Five points to Slytherin. If Malfoy had known his answer, I would have made it ten." The other Slytherins were glaring at Malfoy for costing them points. "Granger…" Snape said, standing in front of Hermione. "What's the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
Hermione looked directly into Professor Snape's eyes with a small grin on her face. "They are the same plant, sir. It also goes by the name aconite," she answered.
"Correct." Snape looked around the room. "Well, why are you not writing this down?" he asked the class, which caused everyone to scrabble for their pens and start writing down the information. "Another five points for Gryffindor," he said, returning to the front of the class.
After a short lecture, Snape split them into pairs. Harry and Neville were partnered together while Daphne was paired with Hermione. He had them preparing a simple cure for boils. Harry and Hermione's teams completed their potions before anyone else. Ron had been paired with Seamus Finnigan and fifteen minutes in, their cauldron exploded. That got five points taken from Gryffindor, which caused the other Gryffindors to eye the two coldly for losing the points Hermione had earned them.
When the class had ended, Harry gathered his things with Neville and his friends. He saw Malfoy request to speak with Snape and watched him go into his uncle's office. After a few minutes, Malfoy was heard shouting, "My father is going to hear about this!" the boy shouted as he opened the door and stormed out of the room.
Snape stood in the doorway. "Ten points from Slytherin for your cheek, Malfoy," he called after the boy. "And detention for speaking to a professor with that attitude."
Malfoy walked out of the room with a sour look on his face, pushing past Harry and Neville. Harry let him even though he was tempted to trip him on his way out. Harry walked over to the door to his uncle's office. "Is everything okay, sir?" he asked.
"Nothing to worry about, Potter," Snape said. "Malfoy appears to be under the delusion his father's name will get him good grades."
Harry nodded, looking toward a copy of The Daily Prophet sitting on his uncle's desk. The headline read: Gringotts Break In: Latest
Snape looked at the desk and saw the paper that had caught his 'nephew's' attention. "Ah... someone attempted to steal something from Gringotts. Idiot, whoever it was."
"Did they succeed?" Harry asked.
"No. Whatever they were after was already gone," he told him. "Now don't worry about such things…off to your next class."
"Yes, sir." Harry turned and led his friends out of the dungeons. He was still curious about the Gringotts matter.
September 12th, 1991 Great Hall 8:30AM
Harry never thought he'd have two boys he despised a week after arriving at Hogwarts. But there was Ron Weasley, the bigot Gryffindor he had to share every class with, then there was Draco Malfoy. As much as Harry loved taking Potions with his uncle, the fact that Malfoy and Ron were in the same class made the time spent there some of the worst times he ever had. He was glad he was in the Lord's Quarters. Otherwise, he'd be sharing a room with the red headed bigot.
To his dismay, when he and Hermione returned to their Quarters Monday night, they found a notice stating first year Gryffindors would be taking flying lessons starting Thursday. Harry groaned. Great. I have to put up with both of them even more, he thought. Hermione had told him not to focus on them and that since he was already a good flyer, he'd be able to show off a bit. She knew Harry liked flying. He had gotten his first broom at his most recent birthday. He excitedly flew it around the Longbottom property, being the most secluded property of the alliance. Neville had joined him, which caused his grandmother to get frantic, afraid Neville would hurt himself. But the now athletic Neville was fairly coordinated and was able to keep up with Harry, even on an older model broom, as they zipped around the property together.
Hermione was more nervous about flying. She had declined Harry's offer to fly her around, believing one should keep their feet firmly on the ground. At this moment, she was desperately reading over Quidditch Through the Ages at the breakfast table, trying to learn whatever she could from the book before she'd have to actually do it.
The mail came during this time and Harry saw his white owl, Hedwig, who his parents got him for his birthday. The bird swooped down next to him, a letter in her beak. Harry petted the bird and gave her a piece of toast after he took the letter. The letter was from his father. He tore it open to read it:
Harry, I hope your first weeks of school have been good. I decided to wait a bit to write you to give you time to get a few experiences to tell us about. Severus tells me you met some resistance from Dumbledore about staying in the Lord's Quarters. Remember what I told you, son…be careful around that man. I expect a reply soon but don't forget to write your mother as well. She's anxious to hear from you. I may be a bit busy to reply immediately. The attempted break in at Gringotts has the goblins in an uproar, and as Minister, I have to deal with it. Remember, you can call us on the mirror if something important comes up. Be safe and we can't wait to see you at Christmas..
Love, your father,
James Henry Potter
P.S. Look in the bottom of your trunk. I slipped a gift in there for you. Use it well.
Harry blinked at the letter. A gift? he thought. He hadn't had a chance to completely empty his trunk because of being busy with classes. He made a mental note to check his trunk before bed tonight. He looked at his owl. "Can you come by my window tonight and take a letter to mom and dad?" The owl hooted and nibbled his ear before flying off to the owlery.
At three thirty, the group of friends met up in the Entrance Hall before making their way to the grounds where they would be learning flying. The other Slytherins were already there, and some of them gave Daphne odd looks for showing up with the Gryffindors. There were at least twenty brooms laid out in neat lines.
Madam Hooch had arrived. She had short grey hair and yellow eyes like a hawk. "Well, what are you waiting for?" she barked. "Everyone, stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up!" Everyone did as she told them. "Stick your right hand over your broom and say 'UP'," she called out.
Harry looked down at the extremely old broom and did as he was told. "Up!" he said. His broom immediately jumped into his hand. His broom was one of the few that did. Neville's took a few tries but finally leapt into his hand as well. Hermione's simply rolled around on the grass, while Ron's broom suddenly leapt up and smacked the boy in the nose with its handle. Everyone around him giggled, which made his face turn a deep shade of crimson.
Madam Hooch then showed them how to mount the broom without sliding off the end. Of course, Harry's father had already taught him this and being a former Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, his form was flawless. Harry got a particular kick out of seeing Madam Hooch correct Malfoy's form as she walked down the rows. She told him he had been doing it wrong for years. When she got to Harry, she looked him over and said, "Excellent."
She instructed them to prepare to kick off on the ground hard, rise a few feet, hover for a moment, then lean back forward and touch back down. "On my whistle…" she said, preparing to blow her whistle. One girl on the end of Harry's row kicked off before the whistle touched Madam Hooch's lips. She was a Gryffindor and Harry was certain her name was Lavender Brown. She looked terrified as the broom began to go up and up. "Come back down this instant, girl!" Madam Hooch said.
"It won't go down," The girl said with a teary face as he broom carried her up about twelve feet then started bucking her like a wild bronco. She squealed and held on for dear life, but the broom bucked harder, sending the girl lurching forward. Harry saw something golden fly from her person as she was now hanging off by the handle for dear life.
The broom jerked and bucked more, trying to shake her off until it succeeded. The girl screamed as she started to fall. Fortunately, Madam Hooch had her wand ready. A flick of her wand had the girl's fall slowing until she came to a complete stop just inches above the ground. The girl was now unconscious, having fainted from the shock. Madam Hooch rushed over and collected the girl in her arms. "I'm taking Miss Brown to the hospital wing. None of you are to move. If I see a single broom in the air, you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'," she said as she walks off, carrying the unconscious Lavender Brown.
The Slytherins were giggling, all except Daphne, who was looking at her fellow house members in disgust. Harry saw Malfoy pick up something and held it up. "Looks like she dropped something."
He was holding a small golden locket on a thin golden chain. It must have flown from her neck when she launched forward. Harry stepped up, holding his broom. "Give it here, Malfoy!" he demanded, catching many people by surprise. His friends weren't surprised, though. They all saw it coming.
"What, Potter? You know the old saying 'Finders Keepers'..." he said, dangling the locket in front of Harry. Harry reached to grab it but Draco snatched it away. "Seems like you want it pretty badly. How bout you come get it…" Malfoy hopped on his broom and began floating up higher and higher.
Harry scowled, mounting his broom. But before he could take off, Hermione grabbed his arm. "Harry, no. You heard Madam Hooch…" she said, loud enough for the others to hear. She leaned in closer and whispered, "I know you can fly circles around him but just let him get in trouble on his own."
"Sorry, 'Mione. You know I'm not wired like that," he said before taking off swiftly, causing a few of the Slytherins he passed to fall over from the force of his take off.
Hermione sighed. "I'm betrothed to an idiot."
Harry caught up with Malfoy in a matter of seconds, passing the blond and swerving to a stop in front of him. It caused the Slytherin to have to forcibly stop his broom. Malfoy looked at him, shocked by Harry's skillful maneuvering. "Give it back, Malfoy, or I'll knock you off that broom."
A slight look of worry crept across Draco's face. He had a feeling Harry would deliver on that threat. Then the blond got an idea. He swung the tail end of his broom around, his back now to Harry. "You want it?" He reared back his arm and Harry saw the chain hanging out of Malfoy's fist. "GO GET IT!" the blond threw the locket with all his might.
Harry saw the gold glitter in the sunlight and tore off after it. Draco had a good arm because the locket had flown a good distance. Harry could see the locket was seconds away from smacking into a window, which would not only break the window, but possibly damage the locket as well. He leaned forward, his broom picking up speed. Harry pulled the same maneuver, speeding around the locket and swerving in front of it. He caught the locket in one hand as he flipped three times before sliding to a stop inches before hitting the window.
He let out a sigh of relief then looked back at the window only to find Professor McGonagall eyeing him. Harry gulped at seeing his aunt spot him and suddenly sped away back to the training grounds. He dived back to the ground, only to be surrounded by the other Gryffindors and Daphne. They were clapping and chattering excitedly for a bit when everyone suddenly heard a familiar voice call out, "HARRY POTTER!"
Everyone turned to see Professor McGonagall marching towards them. Harry could see by the look on his 'aunt's face that she was not pleased. She walked up, looking down at him sternly. "Never…. in all my years at Hogwarts," she stammered, appearing rather speechless. "…how dare you….might have broken your neck…."
"But it wasn't his fault, Professor…"
"Be quiet, Miss Patil," the stern woman said.
Neville tried to defend him this time. "But Malfoy…"
"That's enough, Mr. Longbottom. Potter, follow me. Now." She turned and started off toward the castle.
Harry handed the locket to Parvati and looked to Neville as if to tell him to make sure no one tried to take it from her. He then turned and followed Professor McGonagall. Harry saw Malfoy with his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, each with triumphant smirks on their faces. Harry swore then that if he received detention, he was going to get those jerks back tenfold.
A/N: Thank you again for the great reviews everyone. You all really help me during the most trying time of my life and I truly appreciate it. The loss I experienced will affect me for the rest of my life. RIP Grandma you will always be with me.
Up Next: Harry gets his position on the quidditch team and plays a trick on Malfoy and Ron.