Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
"I love this common room," Evan sighed as he, Artie and Castor sat on one of the comfy sofa's near the huge fireplace in the Gryffindor common room. They had just returned from the welcoming feast, feeling full from the good food and excited to spend their first night in their dorms.
"It has a really warm and cozy feeling," Castor said happily. He had only heard about the Slytherin common room growing up and he was pleased that this seemed like a place he could be comfortable in.
"All right, so you three will be sharing a dorm along with Lynx Griffins and Avery Elms," Zinc said as he read off his list. He gestured towards two boys who stepped forward.
Just then, Professor McGonagall walked in and did a quick speech about house unity, respecting each other and how the points system worked. "Remember, this is your family for the rest of your years at Hogwarts. Your triumphs will earn house points while misbehavior will lose house points. Be a credit to Gryffindor by working hard and obeying the rules." She bid them goodnight, giving Evan a small smile as she left.
"It's been a long day, everyone should get ready for bed," Zinc announced. "Especially you first years! Your curfew is nine and that should also be when you go to bed although I know all of you won't follow that," He said wryly.
"Nine!" Artie whined, even though that was his bedtime at home.
"Like I said, I know most of you will stay up later," Zinc said patiently. "I won't enforce it unless you stay up all night to where you can't stay awake during your classes. But it is your curfew, you must be back here by then. Same with the rest of you. Second through fourth years, your curfew is 10 o'clock, fifth through sixth is eleven and midnight for seventh years. Again, when you go to sleep is basically up to you but you must be in the Tower by those times or else you'll lost us points and get a detention," He warned. "Go ahead and head to your dorms and unpack. Tomorrow classes begin!"
Evan and his dorm mates entered their room, which held five four poster beds, a centrally-located stove, huge windows with a bench that also doubled as storage room. The boys' dragged their trunks to the end of their beds and began unpacking.
Artie put up a Chudley Cannons poster as well as a smaller one of The Holyhead Harpies taken when his Aunt was part of the team.
"Oh yeah, your aunt was a Quidditch player," Avery said excitedly. "Does she get free tickets to games even though she doesn't play anymore?"
"Yeah, sometimes," Artie grinned. "She usually visits here to show off flying moves during flying lessons so you'll be able to meet her. She's really cool."
"Brilliant!"
Evan put up his on Chudley Cannons poster and then yawned.
"The Ballycastle Bats?" Lynx looked at the poster Castor was hanging above his bed.
"Yeah, they're really good," Castor said with a shrug.
"Bats, definitely should have been a Slytherin," Artie muttered. Avery nodded in agreement.
Evan spun around to stare at his friend. "There is nothing wrong with Slytherin!" His parents had told him and Sage about how bad the rivalry between the Houses used to be and that it wasn't as bad as it had been, but unfortunately still existed. They had been taught that, despite the teasing his father and Papa did, there was nothing wrong with any of the Houses. They all had good traits.
Artie looked at him guiltily. "Sorry," He offered.
"My sister is a Slytherin and my Papa is their Head of House," Evan said. "In fact, my dad once told me that he was almost sorted into Slytherin."
The other boys' mouths dropped open. "Harry Snape was almost in Slytherin?" Avery asked incredulously.
"His dad was a Slytherin so why not?" Evan asked coolly.
"I don't know," Avery said uncomfortably.
"Um, maybe we should just drop it?" Lynx suggested as he put up his Falmouth Falcons poster. He watched curiously as Avery put up a second poster.
"West Ham Football?" Lynx said. He stepped closer to it. "I think something is wrong with it, the players don't move."
Avery snorted. "It's a muggle poster, they're not supposed to move." He shrugged. "I'm half and half. My dad is a wizard and my mum a muggle."
"My Grandpa is obsessed with muggle things," Artie said, studying the poster. "I should tell you the story of what he did to a muggle car."
HP
Sage settled back on the dark green sofa as her Papa began his welcome speech. Aspen sat next to her. "He looks strict," She whispered.
"He can be," Sage admitted. "He expects a lot from his snakes."
"Miss Snape," Snape raised an eyebrow. "Something you wish to say to everyone?"
Sage flushed slightly but held her head up and met his gaze. "I was saying you expect your snakes to do their very best," She said in a confident voice.
Snape bit back an amused smile. "Indeed. Now, as my older snakes know sometimes there are those who believe that Slytherin only houses evil witches and wizards. The prejudice is not as bad as it used to be but it is still there. If you feel you are being bullied by your peers or even your professors' simply because you are a Slytherin, you tell your Prefect or me immediately. If you have any issues at all, even needing help with homework, inform you Prefect or me immediately. I do expect a lot of hard from my snakes, I will be very displeased if you aren't doing your best in your classes or losing us points due to misbehavior. Do not test me on this. As for your curfew, first years I expect you to be ready for bed by nine and in bed by nine-thirty." He narrowed his eyes as some protested. "Do not argue with me. You need your sleep if you are to keep on top of your studies. Second through fourth years, your curfew is ten o' clock, fifth and sixth years, eleven and seventh years midnight. Now, go and unpack your trunks and get ready to turn in. It has been a busy day for all of you and classes begin tomorrow." His face softened marginally. "I do hope you are all happy here. Goodnight."
Sage gave a little wave to her papa as he exited the common room. Their Prefect, Magnolia Cerbus, gathered them and two other girls. "You four are sharing a dorm. Follow me." She led them to their room with four poster beds with dark green drapes. A large snake emblem covered the middle of the floor and silver lanterns hung low. The windows showed the fish swimming as they had a view from under the Great Lake.
"Do you four know each other?" Magnolia asked.
Sage didn't really know the two girls but Aspen seemed to recognize them, although the look on her face showed they didn't impress her.
"I'm Primrose Locus," The blonde said in a slightly haughty voice.
"Pippa Weatherby," A dark haired girl said with a sniff, giving Sage a distasteful look. "I didn't think I would be rooming with the a child of Harry Snape's."
"What's wrong with being a kid of Harry Snape?" Sage challenged.
"Oh, nothing," Pippa said with fake sweetness. "Right Primrose?"
"Of course," Primrose smirked and the two girls went to the other side of the room to unpack their trunks.
"They're going to be a blast," Aspen said sarcastically. "I've met them before. They think they're better than everyone else."
"Brilliant," Sage sighed before shrugging. "Oh well. We can just ignore them."
"You'd think they be nice to you since your grandfather in head of house," Aspen said teasingly.
"So much for self-preservation," Sage laughed.
HP
Harry got into bed, where his wife was reading a book. It was one of the most familiar and comforting things to see for him and he gazed at her fondly for a moment before laying back and staring at the ceiling.
"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked softly, putting her book down.
"My first night in the Gryffindor dorm," Harry grinned.
"Merlin, sometimes it feels so long ago and other times it feels like yesterday," Hermione murmured "I couldn't wait for classes to start. I wanted to learn everything I possibly could."
"You still do."
Hermione playfully slapped his shoulder. "I also wanted to make friends but that took a little longer."
Harry grabbed her hand. "You were the best friend Ron and I could have ever had. You still are for me."
Hermione squeezed his hand. "Same here."
"That first night at Hogwarts, all I could think of was how I was finally where I was supposed to be. I was finally free from the Dursley's and I wasn't the freak they always said I was. I was a wizard." Harry remembered. "And I was so excited to learn about magic. I particularly was looking forward to Potions." Harry chuckled.
Hermione laughed. "I was so frustrated that Severus wouldn't call on me. I knew the answers!"
"And I didn't," Harry said. "I wish he and I had known..."
"I know," Hermione leaned over and kissed his cheek. "But at least you two found you were father and son eventually. And he's been a very good father to you and wonderful grandfather for our children."
"He has," Harry agreed, pulling her close and running his hand through her hair. "I'm a very lucky man."
HP
"Why can't I eat breakfast in the Great Hall?" Gavin whined as his mother put a plate of eggs in front of him.
"I've told you why," Hermione said patiently. "You need to get to your own lessons at Ginny's house and right after breakfast your father and I need to get to our classrooms."
"Saturday and Sunday you can eat breakfast with us in the Great Hall," Harry said. "And you can eat dinner there so what is so important about this morning?"
"I want to see Evan and Sage," Gavin persisted as their floo was activated. "I really want to hear about their dorms. Why can't I -"
"Please tell me that my youngest grandson is not whining," Snape said as he walked in, crossing his arms and staring at his grandson.
Gavin sighed. "It's not fair," He pouted.
"You will see them at dinner," Harry said, also crossing his arms. "Unless this attitude keeps up then you won't eat dinner in the Great Hall, you'll eat here."
Gavin slumped his shoulders and stared mournfully at his breakfast. His Papa ruffled his hair and Gavin looked up.
"This isn't like you," Snape said with a frown. Gavin rarely acted out in any way even when he was a toddler. He had always been a very mild-mannered boy.
"I feel left out now," Gavin admitted.
"Ah," Snape said after a moment. "I see."
"Left out?" Hermione asked in concern.
"You, Dad and Papa teach here and now Evan and Sage are students..." Gavin trailed off and shrugged.
"Ah, Gavin," Harry pulled his son up and hugged him. "You'll be a student here before you know it."
"That's what everyone says," Gavin sighed.
"I bet Evan and Sage can't wait to tell you about their first night in their dorm," Hermione said with a smile. "And each will want to be the first to tell you about their first night, so they'll probably squabble about who gets to talk to you first."
"Really?"
"Really," Hermione assured him. "Now, if you're done eating you need to get to your lessons."
"Let me grab my bag," Gavin hopped up from the table.
"Brush your teeth!" Hermione called after him.
"So what brought you by?" Harry asked his father. "Nothing is wrong, is it?"
"No, I just wondered if Evan had lost points for Gryffindor already," Snape said casually.
"Very funny," Harry retorted with a grin. His face fell. "Merlin, I hope not."
Snape chuckled. "Ellie is due to arrive this evening."
"Oh?" Harry grinned widely.
Snape rolled his eyes and continued. "I was hoping we could all have a quick visit after dinner. She is excited to hear about Evan and Sage's first day."
"Sure," Harry agreed. "Gavin will want to hear about their classes as well. Maybe it will make him feel more a part of things."
"I'll let him take a red quill to my students' essays," Snape smirked. "He can color."
"Nice, Dad," Harry rolled his eyes with a laugh.
HP
Evan and Sage glanced at each other in amusement as they watched their Papa stalk to the front of the classroom and begin taking roll call. When he was done he folded his arms across his chest and stared at his class. "This is a class where you will learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making. The key word is learn. This is not place where to play around, there will be little foolish wand-waving here. I do not expect most of you to appreciate the beauty of a softly simmering cauldron, the delicate power of liquids that slide through human veins where they bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. If you are willing to learn, I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory and even stopper death...unless, of course, you are as big a bunch of dunderheads that I usually have to teach."
Sage bit her lip to keep from grinning while Evan couldn't hold back a snort of laughter.
Snape's eyes snapped to his grandson. "Mr. Snape, name an ingredient that is used in an Antidote to Common Poisons."
Evan hadn't truly thought his papa would call on him first and his mind went blank as everyone turned to look at him. "Um.."
"Well?"
"Ground unicorn!" Evan said quickly.
The class burst into laughter and even Sage couldn't help but giggle.
"You might want to rethink that," Snape said exasperatedly.
Evan thought back to his answer and flinched. "I meant ground unicorn horn!"
"Correct," Snape said, hiding his own amusement. "Five points to Gryffindor."
Evan brightened.
"Another antidote?"
Sage raised her hand. "Miss Snape?"
"Bezoars." Sage answered.
"Correct. Five points to Slytherin."
"Anyone else?" Snape sighed. "You should have at least read through the first chapter. You need to come to class prepared. Even your very first class."
After class, Evan lingered behind and gave his Papa a very Snape type glare.
"Problem?" Snape asked.
"Why did you call on me first?" Evan huffed.
"Because you were laughing," Sage said as she paused in the doorway.
"It was funny when he said dunderheads," Evan shrugged.
"It was funny when you said ground unicorn," Sage laughed.
Evan scowled.
"None of that," Snape said, pointing at him. "You earned points for your house, did you not?"
"Yeah," Evan said, giving up his glare and smiling.
Snape patted him on the shoulder. "You both did very well. Now get on to your next class."
HP
"This will be good," Sage said to Aspen as they waited for Professor McGonagall.
"What will?"
"You'll see," Sage said mysteriously. She, and Evan of course, already knew how McGonagall liked to make an entrance to the first years. She winked at the cat that was sitting patiently on the professors desk, waiting as the students settled themselves. She was sure the cat smirked at her.
Once everyone was seated, the cat sprung into the air and blurred into Professor McGonagall.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Artie exclaimed, making everyone giggle.
"Yes, I've heard that before," McGonagall smirked. "Welcome to Transfiguration. This is some of the most difficult and dangerous magic you will encounter at Hogwarts," She gave everyone a stern look. "I will warn you now, anyone who fools around in my class will leave and not come back." She then switched to a lecture, urging them to take careful notes.
HP
"Welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts," Harry said brightly. "I'm Professor Snape. Well, one of them. There are three of us." He took roll call and then leaned back against his desk. "In this class you will learn to defend yourself against all aspects of the Dark Arts which include curses, hexes, jinxes, dueling and dark creatures. My goal is to prepare you for the world beyond these castle walls, to make sure you are armed to defend yourselves if need be." He whipped his wand out and pointed it at his students. "Fumos!" A gray light flashed and then the room was filled with smoke.
The students' coughed and waved their hands in front of their faces, trying to get the smoke to fade.
"Where's Professor Snape?" One student asked, as Harry was no longer in front of the room.
"Behind you."
Everyone turned in their seats to see Harry standing in back of the classroom, looking at them smugly. He walked down the aisle and wrote down the word Fumos on the blackboard followed by the words Smokescreen Spell. He turned back to his class. "This is an excellent spell to distract your opponent so that you can flee or stop them from aiming spells at you so that you can get gain the upper hand." He lectured for a bit before asking, "So, who would like to try the Smokescreen Spell?
Everyone raised their hand.
HP
"Welcome to Charms, my name is Professor Snape," Hermione said after her class had settled into their seats.
"There are a lot of Professor Snape's," One of the students said, making everyone laugh.
Hermione gave a small smile. "Yes, my husband and father-in-law also teach here. Now, we will be learning many charms and their variations throughout the year. The first one you will learn is a personal favorite of mine, the Levitation charm. This charm is a excellent way to test your magical skill, wand control and patience. Does anyone know who invented the Levitation Charm?"
A Ravenclaw raised her hand and Hermione glanced at her roll call sheet. "Miss Gilbert?"
Hadley Gilbert cleared her throat before beginning a lengthy answer giving the backstory on the spell inventor, Jarleth Hobart. Hermione tried to politely break in but Hadley kept talking, reciting everything she had read.
"Thank you Miss Gilbert," Hermione quickly said when Hadley had stopped to catch her breath. "Uh, five points to Ravenclaw for answering the question."
Hadley beamed.
Hermione finished her lecture and then stood back from her desk. She moved her wand in a swish and flick motion while saying, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The desk lifted up until Hermione gently lowered it. The class oohed and ahhhed. "One thing the charm does not work on is -"
"Human beings!" Hadley called out.
Hermione sighed. "Correct, Miss Gilbert. But please remember to raise your hand before speaking. Now, as I was saying, although a human can be levitated using this charm it is actually their clothing that is charmed. For today, we are going to start with a feather."
Evan tried the wand movement and incantation but his feather only moved a bit. He frowned.
"Wingordium Levosa!" Artie said, trying the charm.
"You said it wrong," Bonnie Cooper, a fellow first year Gryffindor, remarked.
"I did?" Artie sighed and looked around. "Has anyone else got it?"
Castor sat up straight and did the swish and flick. "Wingardium Leviosa!" He grinned as the feather lifted into the air.
"Wonderful!" Hermione clapped her hands. "See? You guys can do it. Focus your magic and be careful to pronounce the incantation correctly."
Evan managed to do it on his second try, as did Bonnie. He noticed several Ravenclaws had also achieved it. His dorm mates were still having trouble, although Lynx looked close to getting his feather to lift.
"I can't get it," Artie sat back with a dejected look.
Hermione couldn't help but think fondly of Ron trying to do this spell during their first charm class. Like father, like son, she thought in amusement. "You know, your dad had a little trouble getting this charm down." She confided to Artie, stopping by his desk.
"He did?"
Hermione nodded. "He got it down good though, even ended up saving my life with it."
"Really?" Artie's eyes widened.
"Has he ever told you about tangling with a troll his first year?"
Artie nodded eagerly. "Oh, that was when he used this charm? Brilliant!"
"Keep trying," Hermione encouraged. "Don't let yourself get frustrated, it will prevent you from succeeding."
After a couple more try's, Artie managed it and gave a big grin as his feather floated in the air.
Hermione watched her class with a reminiscent smile on her face. Yup, still her favorite lesson.
TBC: Reviews welcome!