Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
"You wanted to see me, Professor?" Harry said cheekily as he entered his dad's office.
James snorted as Harry entered his office. "Sit down, Rascal. How was your first day of classes?"
"Good. You and Mum were the best, of course," Harry grinned.
"Of course." James tapped his fingers on his desk. "So what happened in Defence?"
Harry fidgeted in his seat. "Uh, what do you mean?" He asked innocently.
"You lost five points," James said. "I want to know why."
"It was just five points," Harry mumbled.
James raised an eyebrow. "I just want to know why you would lose points during your first class with Professor Quirrell. It's not like you to get into trouble at school. Not the first day, anyway." He added lightly. He wasn't mad, he doubted Harry had done anything that wrong. His son was mischievous at times but he was a good kid.
Harry gave a rueful smile at that. "He kept asking me questions that I didn't know the answers to. We don't even study those things our first year! The only person who knew was Hermione and he wouldn't call on her so I suggested he did."
"Hmm." James frowned. "That's strange. Although I do not know Professor Quirrell very well, he keeps to himself. Perhaps he is just a demanding teacher."
"I wasn't trying to be rude to him," Harry said honestly.
"I know," James assured him. "It's okay."
"Are you going to ask me about every time I lose points?"
"You're expecting to lose more?" James asked with amusement.
"No!" Harry said quickly, grinning when his father chuckled.
"I check in with you not only because I'm your Head of House but also because you're my kid. I want to make sure you're settling into school okay." James explained.
"And not being a troublemaker like you were," Harry joked.
James grinned. "Exactly. I was a bit of a menace."
"I bet," Harry snickered.
James cast a Tempus. "Dinner is about to start. Ready to go?"
Harry nodded.
"What classes do you have tomorrow?" James asked as they walked down the corridor.
"Potions, Herbology, History of Magic and Flying!" Harry said happily.
"Well, that last one you know already."
"Still will be fun." Harry grinned. "I can't wait!"
HP
The next day, Harry watched with some amusement as Snape stalked to the front of his class and stared at his first-year students, his arms crossed and his expression stern. "I don't expect any of you to truly understand the subtle science and exact art of potion-making." He began in a low voice. "As there is little foolish wand-waving in here, you will hardly believe you are doing magic. To understand and appreciate the beauty of a simmering cauldron, and the power of liquids that creep through human veins you would have to be the opposite of the dunderheads I usually teach. Looking at your vacant expressions, the outlook isn't good." He sneered.
Harry raised an eyebrow. No wonder all the older students were scared of him.
"What color should the Boil Cure potion be?" Snape asked suddenly, his eyes roving over his students.
Harry raised his hand along with Hermione, Draco, and a couple of other Slytherins.
Snape glanced at the roll call sheet. "Mr. Finnigan, answer the question."
Seamus gave a start. "Uh, I wasn't raising my hand."
Snape just stared at him.
Seamus gulped. "Ummm..."
Snape scowled. "It is in the first chapter of your text. Did you not bother to read it?"
"Uh, no Sir," Seamus said.
"Of course not. Why bother coming prepared for class?" Snape said sarcastically. "The answer is blue. Mr. Longbottom, name an ingredient in the boil cure potion."
Neville's eyes widened. Even though he was friends with Harry and had been around Snape before, he was still nervous around him. "Uh, um..." He stuttered.
"Did you read the chapter?" Snape asked him.
Neville nodded. His parents had insisted he read through the first chapters of all his texts so he would be familiar with the subjects. "I -..."
Harry suddenly felt a memory taking over, of Neville being covered in boils from a potion gone wrong.
"Idiot boy!"
"Tell me, boy, does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours?"
Harry shook his head slightly, frowning. He looked over to Neville, who was still trying to stammer out an answer. "Porcupine quills!" He spoke up.
Snape looked at him with a frown. "Correct, Mr. Potter but please wait for me to call on you." He turned back to Neville and raised an eyebrow.
"Dried nettles," Neville whispered.
Snape nodded. "Correct, Mr. Longbottom. Five points to Gryffindor."
Neville smiled, his eyes brightening.
Snape lectured and then set them to making the boil cure potion. He went around the classroom, making comments if he saw students doing it wrong. He paused by Harry. "Looks good." He said quietly.
"Thank you, Sir," Harry said happily.
"Merlin, my brothers were right. He is a scary professor," Ron whispered as Snape moved on to the next table.
"He has to be." Harry defended Snape. "Potions can be really dangerous if students don't pay attention."
"I know," Ron said as he added more nettles to his potion. "I was just saying."
After class, Harry stopped by Snape's desk. "Sorry for answering before I was called on." He apologized.
"Why did you? You looked slightly panicked when you did." Snape said, looking at him curiously.
"I had a memory," Harry admitted.
"Oh." Snape was quiet for a moment. "Was it of me being mean to you?" He asked finally. He hated that he had been, in Harry's other reality.
"No, it was the other you being mean to Neville during class," Harry admitted.
"Ah," Snape said knowingly. "So you were afraid I would be mean to him again and that is why you answered for him."
"Yeah," Harry said sheepishly.
"He said he had read the first chapter so I figured he would know the answer," Snape explained. "I've talked with his parents before and they mentioned his lack of confidence in school, so I was trying to coax it out of him."
"Oh." Harry smiled. "It was great you gave him points. I guess you don't think we are all dunderheads, huh?" He asked teasingly.
"Not all of you, no," Snape smirked. "Did you like my start of the class speech?"
Harry nodded with a grin. "Very intimating," He assured him.
Snape chuckled. "Good." He ruffled Harry's hair. "Go on. You don't want to be late for your next class."
"Okay. See ya at dinner!" Harry hurried off.
"Don't run!" Snape called exasperatedly.
HP
"I haven't been looking forward to this class," Neville said glumly.
"Me either," Hermione admitted. "I read some flying tips in a book called Quidditch Through the Ages but I don't think it's going to be much help."
The Gryffindor and Slytherin first years were waiting outside for their flying lesson, having received instructions from their Prefects not to try and fly until their teacher arrived.
Draco yawned. "Those of us who already know how to fly should be able to do so while the rest," He eyed Neville and Hermione. "attend the lesson. And we should be able to bring our brooms." He looked distastefully at the school brooms that lay on the ground.
"Arrogant." Ron coughed into his hand. He just smiled when Draco glared at him.
"Who is teaching today?" Blaise Zabini asked.
"Madam Hooch is the teacher," Theo Nott said, looking irritated. "Why isn't she here? Standing around is boring." He complained.
"I heard she's had a family emergency and so we are having someone else," Lavender Brown piped up.
"Who?" Parvati Patil asked.
"No clue." Lavender shrugged.
"Hey Neville, what's that?" Ron asked as they waited, pointing at a large marble-sized glass ball in Neville's hand.
"A Remembrall," Neville said. "My mum sent it to me since I'm always forgetting something." He chuckled.
"Is it to remind you not to be such a loser? Because I doubt it will help." Theo snickered. Several of the Slytherins laughed. "Right, Draco?" He nudged the blonde boy.
Draco shuffled his feet. He was friends with Harry and sort of friends with Ron and Neville. But he had to fit in with his housemates as well, right? He bit his lip and shrugged. "Neville's okay." He said finally.
"He can barely do magic," Pansy said nastily.
"Shut up," Parvati snapped.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Pansy's eyes widened. "I didn't know you were into Longbottom. Is he your boyfriend?" She and Millicent Bulstrode burst into laughter.
Theo suddenly snatched the Remembrall from Neville's hands.
"Hey!" Neville protested. "Give it back!"
"I want to look at it," Theo smirked, holding the ball out of Neville's reach.
"Give it back to him, Nott," Harry growled, taking a step forward. He hated bullies, especially if they were targeting one of his friends.
"Make me, Potter," Theo said with a glare.
Harry looked at Draco, wondering if he would say something to Nott. Draco met his gaze, his eyes impassive. Harry gave him an imploring look.
"Just give him his stupid trinket back," Draco said at last.
"Sure thing." Theo picked up his broom and hopped on. "If he wants it back, he can fly for it." He flew up and hovered level with the highest branch of a nearby oak tree. "Come on Lardbottom!" He called spitefully.
Furious at the annoying bully, Harry mounted his broom and flew up to face Theo. "Give it here or I'll knock you off that broom, Nott!" He threatened.
Theo gave a slow grin and shrugged. "All right. Here you go." Then he flew the glass ball high into the air and it headed straight for the ground.
Without thinking, Harry leaned forward and quickly gathered speed in a steep dive, racing after the ball. He could hear shouts from his friends below but he ignored them, he stretched out his hand and when he was just a foot above the ground, he caught and just in time pulled his broom up and quickly came to a stop.
"Mr. Potter!"
Harry looked to see not only McGonagall hurrying towards them but...Sirius? What was Sirius doing here?
HP
"Mr. Black," McGonagall smiled as her former student approached her.
"Professor," Sirius grinned. "It's good to see you."
"You too. I'm pleased you could cover for Madam Hooch while she helps her parents recover from Dragon Pox." McGonagall said.
"It's no problem. I just took some vacation time from the ministry." Sirius said easily.
"I'm sure Professor Potter is happy you are here," McGonagall said.
"Professor Potter," Sirius snorted. "That sounds so funny to me. Who would have thought that James and I would both work here as teachers after spending our years here sneaking around and breaking the rules -"
McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "Oh? Do go on, Mr. Black." She said smoothly.
Sirius coughed. "Uh, that's okay. Anyway, James doesn't know I'm teaching here, I thought I would surprise him, Lily, Harry, and Severus. I'm happy to coach Quidditch. Should be fun." He brightened when he caught sight of the first years outside. "And now I get to teach pup's first official lesson!" He said excitedly. He couldn't wait to see Harry's face when he realized who his flying teacher would be!
McGonagall turned to look out the window. "Yes, I'm sure they are all anxious to - My word, what do they think they are doing?!" She exclaimed.
Sirius looked and his eyes widened in alarm. Harry and another boy were on their brooms, flying high into the air. Suddenly the boy threw something and Harry sped after it. "Harry!" He exclaimed, running outside. His pup was heading straight for the ground!
"Merlin!" McGonagall gasped as Harry caught whatever he had been chasing and pulled up just in time to avoid becoming a splatter on the ground. "I've never seen such talent in a child so young!"
"That's my godson," Sirius smirked, relaxing now that he saw Harry was safe. They walked over to where the flying class was gathered. He had seen Harry fly of course, but he had never seen him pull off a move like that before.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Nott!" McGonagall said sternly.
Harry and Theo both looked over sheepishly. Suddenly Harry's eyes widened. "Sirius?"
"Young man." Sirius crossed his arms over his chest.
Harry would have thought his godfather was angry at him if he didn't see the mischievousness sparkle in his grey eyes. He gave Sirius a lopsided grin.
"How dare you two fly on your brooms without supervision," McGonagall said sternly. "What were you thinking? You could have been hurt!"
"It was his fault!" Theo said, pointing at Harry.
"It was not, you git!" Ron protested.
"It was too, you weasel!" Theo shot back.
"Enough!" McGonagall snapped. "Now who can calmly and honestly tell me what happened? Miss Granger?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Well, Neville has a Remembrall and Nott took it and wouldn't give it back to him. He then flew up high and told Neville to come and get it. So Harry followed him up to get it for Neville." Hermione said.
Neville nodded.
"And then Mr. Nott threw the Remembrall and Mr. Potter caught it." McGonagall glared at both boys. "Ten points from each of you for flying without permission. You should have waited for an adult to handle the situation."
Harry sighed and Theo looked glum as well. Harry knew why, he had heard that Sev took the loss of Slytherin points very seriously. His dad would not be pleased to hear why he had lost points. Again.
"Now, this is Mr. Black. You can call him Professor Black as he will be your flying instructor as well as referee and coach for Quidditch while Madam Hooch recovers from Dragon Pox." McGonagall told the class.
Sirius blanched. "Uh, can't I just be called Coach Black?"
McGonagall shrugged. "If you like. Coach Black will be here while Madam Hooch is on leave of absence."
"Really, Sirius? I mean, Coach Black? That's brilliant!" Harry cheered.
Sirius winked at him before facing the rest of the students. "I think the class should be dismissed for today. Next lesson you'll all get a chance to fly. Harry, you're coming with me."
Harry followed Sirius nervously. "You're not mad, are you Sirius?" He asked anxiously.
"Nah. I was scared for a moment that you were going to injure yourself but I won't lecture you." Sirius smirked as he led Harry to Dumbledore's office. "I'll let your Head of House do that."
"Gee, thanks," Harry said, making a face. "Why are we going to the Headmaster's office?"
"Because I think I've found Gryffindor a new seeker," Sirius grinned.
HP
"He did what?" Lily asked her husband as they sat in their quarters that evening.
"You heard me." James paced back and forth. "The sheer irresponsibility and recklessness." He seethed.
"Now, James. You know he didn't mean any harm." Lily said calmly. "He just reacted impulsively."
"He always reacts impulsively," James muttered. "That should be his name. Sirius Impulsive Black."
"Coach Sirius Impulsive Black," Lily corrected with a chuckle. It had been a surprise to them that Sirius was going to be taking over for Madam Hooch. She knew James would normally be thrilled that his best friend would be working with him but was distracted by what their son had done in his flying class and the way Sirius had handled it. He had taken Harry to Dumbledore and convinced him that Harry should be the Gryffindor seeker!
"How can you laugh? He had Dumbledore put Harry on the team without asking us first. Now Harry thinks he's being rewarded for disobeying in class." James said in frustration. He'd been horrified to hear from McGonagall that his son had come so close to seriously injuring himself.
"Are you not going to let Harry be on the team?" Lily asked, raising an eyebrow.
James hesitated. He knew Harry was a great flier but apparently, he had seeker abilities, according to Minerva. "I suppose we should have expected something like this. He was a seeker his first year before. Remember he told us the night magic sent him to us?" He shook his head. Honestly, he supposed he should have seen this coming.
"I remember," Lily smiled, thinking of the night they had met their five-year-old son.
"What do you think about him playing?"
"I think I'll worry about him playing but he must be so excited..." Lily sighed. "You're his Head of House, it should be up to you."
James was quiet for a moment and then sighed. "I'll let him play, as long as he keeps his grades up and doesn't get into trouble." James decided. "But he will be getting a good talking to first, that's for sure."
"Harry or Sirius?" Lily asked teasingly.
"Both," James laughed.
TBC: