Chapter ELEVEN

Of Trials, Trolls and Potion Masters

…

Dad,

You made me promise to write you as soon as the welcoming Feast was finished and I had made it to my new Dorm and gotten settled, so here I am.

I was sorted into Ravenclaw, I bet you aren't surprised in the least right?

Neville and I met a couple first years on the train ride here. Blaise Zabini and Daphnee Greengrass approached me and offered friendship and the hopes to continue the Alliance their families have with us in our generation and I have accepted.

I can already tell that they will eventually become close friends - the same instincts that told me I could trust you are now telling me I can learn to trust them as well-, and am looking forward to getting to know them, as well as having peers my own age attending all the formal functions I will have to endure in the future.

Well, I think that's about it for now, I'll write more later in the week.

I miss you already, and though I am excited to be here, and can't wait to begin classes tomorrow, a part of me can't wait until Yule and I can come home again.

Try not to get bored without me,

Love your son,

Harrison.

HPSBHP

Harrison was excited when he woke up on the morning of his first day of classes. Finally, he was going to get to really see what it was like to learn about different kinds of magic. See it demonstrated firsthand by his Professors; people who were well experienced in their respective fields.

When he opened his curtains around his four-poster bed early that morning, he was not surprised to see he was the first one up. Having gotten used to being an early riser at the Dursley's, and then continuing to do so over the last year to keep up with his early morning runs, and Gym training - that he had started as soon as he was off his potions and given the go ahead by his healer- where he is focusing on not just physical strength but cardio and martial arts. He is determined to be able to protect himself and others, even without the use of his magic.

Thus, he wasn't one who could sleep in past 6am very often, even if he sometimes wished he could.

Harrison quietly made his way across the dormitory and into the a-joining bathroom, making sure he didn't disturb his new roommate of which he had met officially the night before as they had gotten ready for bed. Harrison was extremely pleased when he learned that Ravenclaw house had dormitories with only 2 persons per room. Due to their house being known for Academic appreciation, it had been set up that way so there were never too many people in one room trying to study, allowing for a calmer and more relaxed setting.

He was also pleased to note that he hadn't been gawked at excessively or made to much of a fuss about his identity. Once he explained that 'No' he had not done any of the things in the books that had been written about him in the past- of which his dad had made sure to sue the writers and publishing companies when they had come across them for making money by using his name and making things up without permission. - and that as he was the only one who had survived that night all those years ago, and he hadn't given any interviews, you shouldn't believe everything that was written regarding what had happened and he really was just as normal as they were -the star struck look left their expression and the two boys soon began to talk comfortably until they crawled into their respective beds to sleep. While Harrison could tell that he and his roommate would probably never be close, he was content in the knowledge that they would spend the next few years in comfortable companionship.

After a quick shower, and dressing in his school robes which now showed his house colors, Harrison grabbed his messenger bag with all of his textbooks, some fountain pens, and enough notebooks to have one each for all of his classes,- he was very grateful for the feather light and extension charms that were placed on it so it wouldn't be heavy until he could get his class schedule and only take what he would need each day moving forward -and made his way out of the common room and headed to the great hall for breakfast.

As it was still so early, Harrison was one of the first few student there, along with most of the Professor's, so he pulled out one of his textbooks and went over the first couple chapters while he ate his breakfast, only looking up when his head of house Professor Flitwick stopped by to hand him his class schedule, or one of his year mates wished him good morning, before going back to his reading until it was time to head to class.

HPSBHP

Harrison learned rather quickly that he would not be learning anything in his history of magic class by the end of his first month. He was shocked and intrigued when he walked into class that first day and saw that his Professor was a ghost, thinking how interesting the Magical world kept turning out to be. You would never see a ghost teacher at any muggle schools that's for sure.

But when a month had passed and they had done nothing except learn about different Goblin wars and rebellions throughout history, he decided to go to one of the older Ravenclaws and ask about future curriculum. He was very disappointed to learn that even the upper years didn't learn anything new and was advised by one of the Prefects to use the class time for self-study, as the Professor never actually paid attention to what his students were doing, and it was the only way he could be sure to be ready for his OWLS and NEWTS when the time came.

Transfiguration turned out to be one of his favorite subjects. Professor McGonagall told him he had the same knack for the subject as his First dad and he was able to turn his toothpick into a shiny silver needle on his second try. Since this was also one of the classes the Ravenclaws attended with the Slytherins, he made sure to sit at one of the three-seater desks with Daphnee and Blaise and helped them when they needed it, thus earning Ravenclaw 20 house points by the end of the class for being one of the first to complete the assignment and for helping his fellow classmates.

He was however rather disappointed when it came to Defense against the Dark Arts. The Professor stuttered so much and kept jumping at any and all sudden noises, that Harrison along with most of the class had trouble concentrating. So, he wasn't sure how he felt about the subject itself and was silently hoping the year would improve.

He had heard from other students that there was a new DADA Professor every year, so he at least had the prospect of a better teacher the following year and could use his free period to focus on Self Study for this class as well if he really had too at least.

Herbology he knew would be his least favorite subject. After spending most of his life being forced to do his aunts Gardening, Harrison had developed a real dislike for plants and gardening. So, he knew from his first lesson on his second day of classes that it was most likely going to be one of his worst classes out of them all. Yes, he would do well on the theory part of the course, but any of the hands-on work that was required was going to be a challenge.

Charms he learned pretty quick, would be his most difficult course, although he was determined to try and do his best all the same. But he was very frustrated when he found that he struggled when it came to casting the spells. Not because he couldn't do them, but more because he had trouble regulating the power, he put into them, and more often than not he overpowered the spell to sometimes drastic results.

Professor Flitwick had informed him after his fourth attempt -and overpowering his spell again and again- that Charms work required less force and natural power than say Transfiguration, and it was very common that powerful witches and wizards struggled. It would take him a lot of practice and concentration, but he would eventually be able to do basic charms with ease, though he would always have to watch and make sure he concentrated as to not overpower the more complex charms, even years into the future.

Astronomy was a course that he excelled at, always enjoying it in the past, and having a dad whose entire family was named after constellation, made that class extremely easy for him.

His classes for the most part were relatively drama free, except one, however. It was the first time he stepped foot into his Potions class where things went downhill.

HPSBHP

The Ravenclaw first years had Potions with the Hufflepuffs so Harrison made sure to grab a seat beside Neville, greeting him with a quick grin before he pulled his notebook and fountain pen out of his bag and setting them on the desk ready to take notes just as he had done for all of his other classes thus far.

A bang of a door closing to their right startled the class, most jumping in their seats, but before they had time to look, their Professor made his way to the front of the class at a brisk pace, before turning around and surveying them with cold dark eyes before he began to speak in a quite yet attention drawing voice.

"There will be no foolish wand waving, or silly incantations in this class. As such I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle beauty and exact art that is potion making.

However, for those select few who possess the pre-disposition. I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the sense. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew Glory and even put a stopper in death."

While Professor Snape was speaking, Harrison had opened his book and began taking notes, jotting down the different things they would be covering over the next few months or even years and thus didn't notice right away as the man's eyes had landed on him, and narrowed significantly, until the man had stopped directly in front of his desk.

"Or Maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel comfortable enough to NOT PAY ATTENTION."

Harrisons eyes narrows slightly, as the man singled him out, but wisely kept him mouth shut as he waited to see what the man would do.

"Potter…. Our new …Celebrity." The man sneered in disgust causing the boys eyes to narrow further.

"Tell me, if you know so much, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"It makes a Powerful sleeping draught known as the Draught of the Living Death sir, as the consumer can be mistaken as having died, if you don't know what you are looking for."

Narrowing his eyes in clear irritation Snape snapped of his next question, "Where Potter, would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

"Other than your potions closet? They are easily found in the stomach of a goat sir."

Determined to finally stump the brat in front of him Snape asked his next question, from one of the fourth-year textbooks. "What Potter is the difference, between Monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"Is that a trick question?" Harrison snarked, the tenios hold he had on his rising temper weakening every time the man deliberately forgot his second last name, and at the fact he was asked a fourth-year question, that if he hadn't spent the better part of the last year learning everything he could and had an eidetic memory, there would be absolutely no way he would be able to answer it. "They are the same plant, which also happens to go by the name aconite sir."

"That will be a loss of 5 points for your snark Potter, as for the rest of you, why aren't you copying this down?" Their professor snapped out in his anger.

When everyone had finished copying down their notes, Snape snapped his wand at the blackboard behind his desk and instructions began to write themselves out for a Cure for Boils and they were instructed to begin brewing until the end of class.

While his classmates scrambled to get their ingredients out around him not wanting to anger the man further, Harrison just calmly pulled his potions kit from his bag, and after reading through the ingredients and instructions on the board once, got straight to work, his eyes never leaving his cauldron for the remainder of the class.

It was almost 45 minutes later and while Harrison was bottling up his potion -which he was happy to note was the exact shade of lilac it was supposed to be when brewed properly – That he finally drew his eye away from his work, when he heard his Professors angry voice once more in front of his and Neville's workstation.

"Idiot Boy," Snape snarled, as he took out his wand, vanishing the potion and cauldron with a flick of the wrist. "Don't you read? I supposed you added the porcupine quills without first removing the cauldron from the fire?"

"You- Potter, why didn't you stop him? Thought he'd make you look better if he screwed up? Just like your father, always needing to be the center of attention. That will be another 5 points you've lost your house." He stated turning his ire onto Harrison, before turning towards the rest of the class and demanding they bottle their potions to hand in and get out if his classroom posthaste.

Harrison placed his finish potion onto the man's desk after he had packed away his belongings and left the room, taking slow deep breaths, trying to calm his growing temper. He was thankful that Potions had been their last class of the day, so he made his way back to his common room and into his dormitory, where he sat at the desk beside his bed and began working on his Muggle schoolwork as a distraction until he was calm once more.

HPSBHP

That first Potions class wasn't the only incident that happened. As the days went on turning into one week, then two, and finally they were moving into October, Snape continued to single out Harrison in every class, taking more points for seemingly no reason at all. Always deliberately leaving out his second last name when he addressed the boy, usually snapping or sneering out 'Potter'.

Harrison had mentioned the hostility the man had towards him and even Neville, -though he only seemed to aim it towards his friend when he forgot a step and almost destroyed his cauldron again, -To his dad in a few of his letters, unable to figure out what he should or even could do to rectify the situation.

His dad had told him to go to his head of house and report the man for bullying. So, after that first week Harrison had gone to Professor Flitwick, who had promised he would bring it up to the Headmaster immediately.

Thus, Harrison was not surprised when he was summoned up to the Headmasters office that very next day. So, remembering the promise he had made to his father on their last day home together, Harrison found himself outside his Head of House' office a few minutes before his meeting, and knocking on the door.

"Come in, Mr. Potter-Black." The man squeaked almost immediately.

Opening the door Harrison walked in and found the man seated at his desk, grading papers.

"How can I help you, Mr. Potter-Black?"

"I've been summoned to the Headmasters office, and I was wondering if you could accompany to the meeting?"

"I can, is there any particular reason as to why you wish me to be there?" Professor Flitwick asked curiously as he noticed the young boy before him fidget nervously.

"Professor Dumbledore has been informed after he tried to interfere into my and my fathers lives more than once over the past year, that he was not to seek me out, unless it was school related. My Father wishes for me to have my head of house be present for any meetings I have with the headmaster, and if any turn out to NOT to about my schooling then he is to be contacted immediately sir." Harrison told him quietly.

Flitwick's eyebrows raised in surprise before he hopped down from his chair and motioned his student to follow him out the door and down the hall towards the Headmaster's office.

When they had made it past the gargoyle guarding the entrance and up the spiral staircase, Flitwick knocked on the door, before opening it and ushering Harrison side when there was a soft "Come in," through the door.

"Ah Harry My boy, Excellent, thank you Fillius, you may go." The bespectacled man stated joyfully from his seat behind his large oak desk.

"No disrespect intended Headmaster, but Professor Flitwick is to stay. My father wishes for my head of house to be present whenever I am to meet with you." Harrison spoke up quickly, not allowing the man to dismiss his Head of House. "And please refer to me as Mr. Potter-Black from here on out, as I am not your boy and I hate that nickname sir."

"Very well Mr. Potter-Black, have a seat both of you then," Dumbledore stated, losing the joyful persona he had when they first entered.

When they were both sitting in front of him, Dumbledore surveying his student trough his half moon glasses.

"Professor Flitwick has come to me regarding your concerns with Professor Snape. As I understand it, you feel as if he is bullying you." He stated more than asked, though Harrison answered him anyway.

"Not feel, it's a fact sir. Every class this week, he has commented on my Fame, singled me out of everyone, taken points for no real reason, except because he was irritated, and has insulted my father to my face at least twice sir. Need I remind you that my father died a decade ago, and it is disrespectful and tactless to insult a dead man to their child?"

"I'm sure it's all just a misunderstanding, and I will speak with Professor Snape, you just keep your head down, and try not to give him anymore reason to dock points or as you say single you out." Dumbledore stated in his best 'I know best' Grandfather voice and a twinkle in his blue eyes, before dismissing them to get on with the rest of their weekend.

Harrison left the office fuming, knowing instinctively that Snapes behavior would not improve as the Headmaster made it very clear, that he thought Harrison was exaggerating things just from the way he acted. In fact, Harrison would bet all the gold in his trust Vault that his treatment by the Potions Master was only going to increase, the man was bound to be Angry that Harrison had gone to the Headmaster – even if it were only through Professor Flitwick, who then took it upon himself to go to Dumbledore- in the first place.

Sure enough, Harrisons predictions had turned out to be right, and over the course of the next few weeks, he took his Professors ire until one day after the man has once again thrown his Dead father into his face, he decided that he had had enough, he wasn't going to be spending years being the verbal punching bag to a grown man. He had enough of that when he was living with the Dursley's and would no longer put up with it.

So, if the Headmaster was going to allow a grown man to Bully, and Verbally abuse his students, then Harrison would go above his head and take the issue right to the Hogwarts School Board.

Harrison made sure to let his Father know in his next letter, that he couldn't take another month let alone years of dealing with Snapes Bitterness and Immaturity and wanted to see if anything could be done. His Father had responded that he would look into it, and maybe take it to the Hogwarts School board of Education and see if anything could be done. But he was giving him his permission to study Potions on his own time if he chose and he would deal with any letters that might be sent home from the school.

HPSBHP

Before everyone in the castle new it, it was the end of October, and the Samhain season had begun. Harrison had sent off a quick letter to his father wishing him a Happy Samhain, before heading off to the Hogwarts feast, planning on doing his own celebration later that evening with a few of his fellow first years who also followed the old ways.

Or at least that was the plan, until midway through the meal, the double doors opened with a bang, and in ran their DADA Professor until he was stood in front of the head table exclaiming, "Troll, Troll in the Dungeon. Thought you ought to know." Before he fell to ground in a dead faint.

Dumbledore stood from his chair as the students began to panic, yelling out "SILENCE" as loud as he could to be heard. Nodding in satisfaction when he had everyone's attention.

"Prefects Direct the other members of your house to your common rooms in an orderly manner. All Professors, come with me." The headmaster directed, before making his way towards the door behind the Head table, planning on using a secret passion located behind a tapestry that will take them to just outside the entrance of the dungeons.

"WAIT!"

Hearing the yell, everyone stopped once more, looking around to see who dared to ignore a direct order given by The Headmaster.

Harrison was stood beside his house table staring towards the Professors as they began to leave following Dumbledore who had already made his way through the door. "Professors, the Hufflepuff and Slytherin common rooms are in or near the Dungeons." He reminded them shocked that they would direct two of the four houses towards the Troll.

"Students, you will remain here in the Great Hall. The Head Boy and Girl are in charge, with the help of the prefects. You will be sealed in and released when the situation has been dealt with." McGonagall stated taking charge, appalled at what they had almost done. "Madam Pomfrey will stay and check on Professor Quirrell and be available if any of you should need her."

"Oh and Mr. Potter-Black 10 points to Ravenclaw for your quick thinking and looking out for your fellow students." The Stern Professor stated, as she followed her colleagues through door before waving her wand and setting the wards to keep everyone from leaving or entering the room.

After the door had shut, the Prefects went around doing a head check, making sure every one of their students where present, while Pomfrey headed right to the DADA Professor, checking on him and asking him routine questions when he woke up moments later.

"Madam Pomfrey," one of the Gryffindor Prefects yelled suddenly. "We are missing one of our first years. Hermione Granger isn't here."

Standing immediately, Pomfrey sped over to the Gryffindor table, her eyes doing a quick scan. "Has anyone seen Miss Granger recently," she asked loudly.

"I saw her running into the girl's bathroom on the main floor on my way to drop off my bag in my dorm before coming to the feast," Stated Hannah Abbott nervously. "She looked like she was crying."

Whipping out her wand, Pomfrey muttered a spell, which released a glowing white Dove into the room. "A student is missing. 1st year Hermione Granger was last seen in the girl's washrooms off the main hall." She told the bird before he flew towards the double doors and disappeared in search for any other staff member.

HPSBHP

It had taken a couple hours for the Troll to be dealt with and removed from the school, and Hermione to be found scared, and tear stained, but unharmed. By the time, the students had been released from the great hall it was almost 11pm and Harrison was exhausted, crawling into his bed and falling asleep as soon as his head hit the Pillow.

HPSBHP

Now it was nearing the middle of December, and the students were excitedly getting ready to head home for the Holidays. Nothing else exciting had happened over the last few weeks since the 'Troll incident' as it was dubbed by the students. Which Harrison was grateful for!

He spent most of his time, studying both his Magical and Muggle school work -Of which he would have exams to take while he was home-, spending time exploring the castle and grounds with his friends, discussing the upcoming Yule season and the three Balls he would be attending this year with Blaise and Daphnee and writing home to his dad.

The investigation into Professor snape was ongoing, but his dad had informed him in his last letter, that a discission should be announced by the end of the Yule Holidays. From what he could gather, Sirius was expecting Snape to be forced into Teaching Newt Potions only, which he was far more qualified for; as all his students would then only be taking the Class if they were interested in the subject and had the grades to be accepted, while another Potions professor would be brought in to teach years 1-5.

Dumbledore had stepped in and fought to keep the man on staff, which neither Harrison nor Sirius were surprised about. At least it gave Harrison and other students who were bullied by the man peace of mind and an opportunity to enjoy the subjects for the next few years. They could always continue the subject as self-study, only taking the NEWT exam at the end of the year through the ministry if they chose too.