Chapter 12: Fame, Formality, and First Steps

"Well, I'm glad no one was permanently injured." Minerva said as she furrowed her dark brows in thought, "but the Goyle boy will probably need glasses."

Severus nodded, "I purchased some for Harry over the summer, should I suggest the same oculis aegris to the Goyles?"

Minerva shook her head, "Poppy will be able to make the necessary arrangements through St. Mungo's, they will have one on staff who can help the boy. She will make sure he gets the best of care." She leant forward and her spectacles flashed in the firelight, "The Weasleys on the other hand are a complicated issue. They receive a stipend for books and supplies, but I doubt it covers all their needs." Her lips thinned before she added, "and it's come to my attention this year, that the boys aren't receiving the same supplies."

"What do you mean?" Severus asked.

"Fred and George have been overheard complaining that Percy received new robes as well as an owl this year for becoming a prefect. I understand wanting to reward the achievement, but I worry it has sewed further resentment between those boys, and it may have caused the younger boys to go without."

Having grown up without a lot of means himself, Severus was sympathetic to the boys' plight, he had never been outshone by a sibling, but he knew what it was like to attend school with secondhand possessions and the ridicule associated with it. Unbidden the memory of that fateful day in June of his fifth year came to the forefront of his mind. His hands clenched as he wrestled the voices of his tormentors, the oppressive heat and smells of summer, and the hurt in Lily's green eyes when he said the unforgivable word... Severus took a deep breath the smell of old books, cold stone, and burning wood grounded him in the moment, allowing him to clamp down on the memories and put them back into their box for now. He would face them later when he was alone. With a mental shake he turned his attention back to the topic at hand.

"Were things the same with their eldest when he was Prefect, and later Head Boy?"

Minerva shook her head, "I don't believe so, for one thing there were only three boys at school in the beginning. For another, Charlie Weasley was an accomplished Quidditch player, and so he received a great deal of respect for that…" She sighed noting the sour look on her colleague's face. "I know how you feel about the sport Severus—"

"It's not that," The Potions Master interjected, "but the twins are accomplished players themselves, shouldn't that warrant some recognition from their parents as well?"

"I said it was complicated, and you didn't let me finish explaining, they simply have more children, more mouths to feed and clothe. So, their gold just can't go as far. The Weasley's are also proud people, and they won't take charity," her nostrils flared as she added, "It was hard enough to get them to accept the assistance they have already."

"I'll see if there are any funds available from my house, or if at the very least I can ensure the youngest Mr. Weasley won't have to wear those potions eaten clothes and shoes." He frowned as he thought, "and I'm going to inspect the cauldrons of my younger students as well, we don't need any more accidents that put the students in danger."

"Don't work yourself too hard Severus," McGonagall's tone was less brisk now. "Have some of your NEWT students help you. Make it an assignment, something about having the proper tools for the job."

Severus nodded his agreement, and the pair turned their discussion to other things. He sensed now was not the time to bring up Flint's proposal about the first years doing mock trials for next year's house teams. So, he asked her thoughts on Quirrell instead.

"Well for starters, that turban is absolutely ridiculous, and don't get me started on his new speech impediment." The Transfiguration professor drew out her wand and caressed the wood lovingly as she said, "I've considered changing it into a flock of butterflies while it's still on his head." She sighed before adding with a rueful smile, "Then I remind myself that I'm senior staff, and I'm above such petty acts."

Severus snorted in amusement, "It would be an improvement on how he looks now." Turning more serious he added, "You should know, the headmaster has asked me to keep an eye on him, and I've noticed him hanging around Hagrid's pet."

"Foolish boy," Minerva shook her head, "but what do you suppose tempts him, the endless wealth or eternal youth?" Severus knew that for Minerva McGonagall, the Sorcerer's Stone could only offer a false promise of unending life, which would pale in comparison with the true eternal life she believed would follow mortal death.

He said, "Both probably, though the headmaster seems to think there is something else at play…"

McGonagall arched her dark brows, "Is it something to do with your old master?"

"It is possible, after all the idiot did travel to Albania during his travel last year." Severus shrugged, "but he might simply be arrogant and foolish enough to seek the stone for his own gain." He pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time. "We should head to our evening meals. I am going to have dinner with my godsons. Could you keep an eye on my snakes tonight?"

"Aye," Minerva agreed with a smirk, which reminded him of the cat she could change into. "I'll keep an eye on your wee snakes and hope for their sakes that they behave themselves."

"If they do not, please inform me." Severus rose from his chair and reached for the raven statue atop the mantle. "I will be speaking with the whole house tomorrow afternoon and will deal with any punishments then." With that, the two colleagues and friends parted ways for the evening.

Draco and Harry stepped into Severus' private quarters; the stone walls of the sitting room were lined with more bookcases, and two armchairs and a sofa were grouped around a fireplace with a coffee table between them. An arched doorway with carved serpents led to another room through which a table was set for three, with silver plates and goblets, and an array of covered dishes and two pitchers containing pumpkin juice and water in the center. The sound of running water drew the boys' attention; a stone bason not unlike the one in their potion's classroom rested in one corner of the dining room. Two heavy oak doors concealed other rooms of the apartment. No art or decorations adorned the walls, the space was functional and tidy, though a pile of scrolls on the coffee table and a blanket draped over the back of the sofa gave it a lived-in atmosphere.

"It looks like the one from potions class," Harry gestured to the gargoyle spout.

Draco shrugged nonchalantly, "It's probably been here for centuries, even before plumbing was added to the school."

Harry raised his eyebrows, "What did they do for toilets before plumbing?"

"As I understand it, squat in a corner and vanish the mess afterward." Draco said casually as he examined the pile of scrolls on the coffee table.

"That's disgusting," Harry took a seat beside his friend, trying not to think about the contents of a toilet sitting in a corner. "Draco don't be a snoop."

"It's just marking for Third year Ravenclaws, I saw Davies name in the pile." Draco's tone was unrepentant as he sat back to look at his friend. "Look Harry, I know you're upset about potions class too. If there is ever something you want to try to change again, just let me know and I'll do my best to help."

Harry nodded, "Thanks Draco," pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I'll just need to find a time to tell you without anyone else hearing. That will be the hard part."

"Who would have thought that you finding time to do anything would be a problem." The blond boy quipped with a smirk.

"You know what I mean." Harry sighed in fond exasperation.

"Have you had any headaches today?" Draco narrowed his grey eyes and pointed an accusing finger at his friend, "and don't lie I know your tells."

"My what?" Harry asked before shaking his head, "and no, no headaches today, so I think it has something to do with all the garlic, or whatever it is around Professor Quirrell."

"I'm not going to tell you about how I know you're lying, because you'll just try to hide it better." He smacked Harry playfully on the shoulder, "I'm glad it's not the time travel or transformation magic though. I've gotten used to having two best friends wrapped into one."

Harry grinned, "Me too, I've made more friends than I think the rest of the first years get to." His brow furrowed in thought, "You know, I think we should try to be more friendly with people from other houses. I've already started by inviting Ron to tea with Hagrid today."

Draco drummed his fingers on the armrest of the sofa as he considered, "One thing that will help, is the weekend is coming up, and next week the buddy system will be less strict."

"Hey, maybe we could see if we can sit with people from other houses on the weekends." Harry suggested, "I mean, I know we have to sit at our house table for feasts, but what about the rest of the time?"

Severus spoke from the doorway leading back to his office, "There is no rule stating that you must sit with your own house except for feast days, it is particularly important for the first feast of the year, the Sorting Feast so the first years know which table to sit with, and the beginning of the Leaving Feast, because of the awarding of the House Cup." He glanced at the untouched table of food in the next room, "Come let us eat, the food will be warm there are status charms placed on the dishes."

The boys rose from their seats and moved to sit on either side of the head of the table, where their godfather had taken his place. Severus lifted the covers from the dishes which vanished back to the kitchens, revealing a selection of foods that would be available in the Great Hall above. He poured himself a glass of water from the chilled glass pitcher and watched the boys fill their own plates.

"I would start slow with your plans to integrate mealtimes; we wouldn't want to have everyone coming to sit with the famous Harry Potter and preventing Gryffindors from finding seats at their own table." The boys nodded as if they understood. He turned to Harry, "I've told the house elf who arranged our dinner that we are not to be disturbed, so you are safe here to be yourself."

Harry relaxed into his chair, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. The three sat in companionable silence as they ate. After a few moments Severus asked, "Was it the two of you along with Mr. Weasley who Filch caught trying to break into the forbidden corridor?"

"We did not try to break into anywhere." Draco blurted with a scowl, "we were trying to avoid running into Filch in the first place, because his accursed cat thought we were up to something."

Severus arched a quizzical eyebrow, "And why were you three without your escort in the first place?"

The boys exchanged a glance, but it was Harry who answered, "I wanted to see the trophy room."

"Wasn't that included on the tour the first years took of the castle earlier in the week?" Snape asked.

"It was," Harry agreed, "but we wanted… to see… to see… the House Cup again."

"We heard Mulciber bragging to Peter Weasley the other day," Draco added, "That Slytherin had won it for the last six years."

"It's Percy Weasley," Harry corrected, "at least I think that's his name." He thought back to the two train rides he'd taken. "Yeah, that's how he introduced himself on the Hogwarts Express." He turned to his godfather, "Thank you for letting me come as Horatio, Uncle Sev. I know it's a lot of hassle, but it's nice to step out of being The-Boy-Who-Lived for a little while."

Severus nodded, and his lips twitched up at the corners, "I am glad to be able to give you a bit of peace. You should thank Professor McGonagall; her help was indispensable."

"I will," Harry grinned, and I'll have to write to Aunt Cissy this weekend to thank her for my watch."

"Ah yes," Severus smirked, "you both were going to tell me about how she'd outdone herself this time."

"Well, you said Draco's watch is linked to yours, with those two charms." Harry furrowed his brow as he tried to remember their names while he removed the watch.

"The Costus and Protean charms," Severus supplied.

"Yeah," Harry agreed passing the watch to his godfather, "but this watch will adjust to the local time without me needing to change it back."

"Professor Sinistra said that it had to do with the stars or something." Draco shrugged bemused.

Severus arched an eyebrow at the mention of the Astronomy professor, "She recognized the watch?" He marveled at his colleague's ability to see that much detail, particularly atop the darkened astronomy tower.

"She did," Harry noticed the concerned expression on his godfather's face and continued. "I don't think it will be a problem. I can change the appearance, so it doesn't look like the same watch at all. Look." He drew the Holley wand from a pocket in his robe and tapped the watch in Severus' hands. The leather band darkened to black, and the face to silver with black numerals. "This is the way she saw it on Horatio's wrist, and I wear it on my right hand since he's left-handed, so I don't think it will be a problem."

Severus nodded, passing the watch back to his godson. Harry pulled the pouch from beneath his robes and tuck away the holly wand. The older wizard thought back to the day in Olivander's when he'd suggested that the boy be matched with two wands. Harry held the hawthorn wand in his left hand and his features changed to the disguise Severus had first placed on him at The Leaky Cauldron. Even now he wasn't sure they'd made the right choice, but there was no backing out at this stage without answering awkward questions. The two boys shared a look, and he realized he'd been quiet too long.

"Are you alright Uncle Sev?" Harry asked as he replaced the now square framed glasses on his face.

"It has been a very long and trying day." Severus reached to the center of the table where a final dish was still covered. "I wanted to celebrate your first week at Hogwarts, and I thought perhaps a cake for pudding, but a little birdy told me that his is your favorite Harry." He revealed a treacle tart and watched his godsons both smile.

Draco snorted in amusement, "Would that birdy happen to be my mother?"

"Perhaps," Severus said as he served slices to each of them. He stood and retrieved two bottles from the sideboard., holding out one to the boys. "This is butter beer; it is not strong and usually served warm. I had the house elf bring one from the kitchens for you two to share if you want."

"I'll have some." Draco said as he finished off the last of his pumpkin juice.

Harry was a bit more cautious, "I'll have a taste."

Severus opened the bottle; foam rose to the top as he poured half the contents into Draco's glass. He poured a small amount into Harry's glass and sat the bottle on the table before opening his own. He drew out his wand and tapped his and Draco's glasses, warming their contents with a charm. Draco took a swig before wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.

Harry took a cautious sip and his gray eyes widened in surprise, "It's good, sort of warms your insides."

"Indeed." Severus sipped at his own drink. The taste of butter beer always took him back to the first Hogsmeade trip of his third year, and the joy of exploring the village for the first time with Lily at his side. For the first time the memory held no sting, just remembered happiness muted with a tinge of sadness. He took another sip before returning the glass to the table. He gestured to the watch that was now affixed to Harry's right wrist. "So, this watch, it changes time after you use the time turner?"

Harry nodded, "Yep, it calculates the time by the position of the stars, Professor Sinistra said that it was designed for wizards who travel a lot." He gestured to the bottle on the table. "I'll have a bit more if that's ok Uncle Sev."

Severus poured half of the remaining into Harry's glass. After heating the liquid with his wand, he asked, "How are you coping with your lessons, and the time travel and secrecy?"

Harry took another bite of his treacle tart and chewed as he thought about his answer. Draco kicked him lightly under the table, and when Harry met his eyes the blond mouthed, "Tell him." Harry shrugged in response before turning to answer his godfather.

"The lessons are great, even if it is a bit dull going to the same ones twice." He rolled his eyes, "Especially History of Magic."

Draco interjected, "That class is hard to sit through once."

Harry grinned before continuing, "Other times I enjoy it though, because it helps me understand them a bit better. It's easier to find answers for homework the second time too, even if it can be tedious having to do the work twice." He gestured to the watch and glasses, "I've been really careful, and tried to keep all the lessons Aunt Cissy and Uncle Lucius gave me over the summer in mind. I don't think anyone suspects me, but I can't take all the credit. Draco has been a huge help, especially if I'm in class or a conversation with myself."

"Maybe when school is over you should take up acting." Draco snickered.

Harry's gray eyes turned serious as he glanced at Severus before looking back down at his plate, "I'm tired a lot in the evenings, and some days I have headaches, but I don't think it's the time travel."

"What else could it possibly be?" Severus asked a bit sharply. Harry flinched at the change in tone, he softened his voice, 'Why do you think that harry?"

Harry fidgeted before looking up into his godfather's worried face. "I wasn't sure until today, but I think I've figured it out. Every day I end with DADA either as Harry or as Horatio, and I've had headaches at the end of every lesson. Whatever is triggering them has to do with the smell in Professor Quarrel's classroom. We don't have DADA today, so no headache."

Draco added, "You were fine with Astronomy on Wednesday night and that was a couple hours after the DADA lesson." He scowled before adding "and I bet he stuffs whatever is in the classroom in that ridiculous turban he wears on his head."

Severus sat back in his chair as he considered. He'd been speaking to Flitwick about Quarrel earlier, and the Charms Master mentioned an odd odor around the man. Whatever the imbecile was trying to ward off, his protective measures were harming Harry. It also created the problem that both he and his alter identity were suffering from a similar affliction, which raised the possibility that it could link them. He would have to come up with something to help him, maybe a simple headache cure to begin with and see how things went with that.

"I'll provide you with a headache potion, and we'll see if that helps." Severus emphasized his next words. "But you must tell me if it does not help, and I'll find out what he's using and brew something to counteract it." He glanced to Draco as well as he asked, "Have there been any other problems?"

Draco took another swig of butter beer before answering, "There isn't anything else with Harry and Horatio, but there was a row in the common room earlier."

"I was informed," Severus's eyes narrowed. "I gathered that Mr. Selwyn has been causing problems, but mostly at Mr. Weasley's expense."

"He's being an arrogant little toe rag." Draco scowled as he stabbed viciously at a bite of treacle tart.

Harry nodded, "He was complaining about the lesson today and I spoke up in your defense." Severus gave his godson a grateful nod as Harry continued, "Then Mulciber came in, found out what was going on from Millicent and the others, and told us all to stop sniping."

"You forgot to mention that the whole common room was listening at this point." Draco rolled his eyes, "but Harry is right that things calmed down for a bit at least. Then Weasley came back through on his way to tea with Harry and his other Gryffindor friends."

"I see…" Severus could see where this was going, a boy from a predominantly Gryffindor family but sorted into Slytherin, then choosing to spend time with Gryffindor friends.

Draco went on, "What Selwyn said was completely unfair. He said if Weasley was such a Gryffindor lover he should go and ask to be resorted." The blond held up a hand to forestall any interruption before adding, "but he's clearly not the only one who thinks that way, if Wilks' remark afterwards is anything to go by. When Mulciber tried to send Selwyn to his room she said that he was only saying what the rest of them were thinking."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose to relieve tension as he thought. This issue with Selwyn and Weasley was a thorny one indeed, but if the rest of Slytherin was so against the youngest Mr. Weasley, then he had a difficult year ahead if not seven. "Did all of your housemates share this sentiment?"

The boys both shook their heads, "Marcus Flint said he didn't have a problem with him, but she said he just wanted him on the Quidditch team next year." Grudgingly Snape thought that the girl had a point.

Draco shrugged, "I don't think that most of the house feels the same way, but no one else made their feelings known, and then Wilks flounced off after having a go at Mulciber."

"I will deal with Ms. Wilks." Severus gestured dismissively, she was upset that she did not become Prefect this year, but her tendency for self-interest and pettiness is why he had not put forth her name to the headmaster. "I have called a house meeting for tomorrow afternoon and will determine the rest of your housemates' opinions at that time." He checked his pocket watch and was surprised to discover it was already half past seven "Harry do you need to turn back to conclude your evening?"

Harry nodded, "I need to go do homework in the library with Theo, and then go to dinner with the Gryffindors."

"But you should come back with me first," Draco pointed out, "or people will wonder where you are."

"Right, I'll make my appearance with you in Slytherin" Harry got to his feet. "Then I'll get Harry's things after I turn back." He turned to their godfather, "Thanks for dinner Uncle Sev, and for giving us access to your office."

Severus nodded to the two boys as he too rose from the table. He grasped each of their shoulders briefly, "Perhaps we can make this a tradition, barring feasts or any other unforeseen obstacles."

"Sounds good." Harry said with a grin, Draco nodded his agreement. As they reached the doorway to the sitting room Harry turned back, "Uncle Sev, did I make things harder for Ron? I mean should I have just not invited him to tea?"

Severus stepped closer, meeting Harry's gray eyes as he said, "You did nothing wrong, traditionally the houses have been mostly separate, and there is a rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin that goes back centuries, but perhaps the time has come for that to change. You could be an agent of that change if you wish, but even you cannot do it alone Harry." He glanced to Draco as he spoke, "Continue as you have, form friendships within your house as well as out of it. There may be some resistance from the older forms, but they will come around."

Harry furrowed his brows, "But what if they don't?"

Draco nudged his godbrother with a shoulder, "Then they risk alienating the famous Harry Potter. Everyone knows who you are Harry, and yeah that can be a real pain in the—"

"Language," Severus interjected before nodding for Draco to continue.

"Well, the neck," Draco amended. "My point is that you have more power than you know, and you can learn to use that to change what you want."

Harry nodded slowly as if he were considering their words, "Maybe your both right, I never thought of it that way." Harry tucked away the Potter ring and checked that the rest of his appearance was in order. "Good night, Uncle Sev."

"Good night, Harry, Draco." The boys walked back through Severus' sitting room and disappeared through the passage to his office.

Severus turned back to the empty dishes on his table and called Lollie to clear them away. He informed her that he would be taking dinner most Friday evenings with the same students going forward and headed through another hidden door to his private potions lab. He gathered the ingredients for a batch of Wakefulness Potion for Harry, and a first attempt for a headache cure.

As he chopped daisy roots, he thought back to the situation with his Slytherins. The Selwyn boy was the main agitator, but he would have to see how deep the sentiment ran. He would have to find a way to encourage a little more house unity without jeopardizing Harry's plans for more inclusion, it would require a delicate balance to be successful. Selwyn would need to be taught a lesson of course, especially with the remarks he'd made so publicly in the common room. He was loath to take points, which would punish the whole house for the insolent boy's behavior, perhaps a detention was in order.

Harry stepped quietly into the library glancing around for Theo or failing that a friendly face who might have seen him. This did not include the first person he spotted, Madame Pince was the librarian, but she was more a fussy guardian of the books than an aide to the students. He gave her a wide berth and noticed Hanna and Susan studying together with two Ravenclaw girls; Harry thought their names were Turpin and Brookehurst, or something like that.

"Excuse me, have any of you seen Theo Nott?"

"Oh, hello Harry," Hanna squeaked as she looked up from an essay she was writing.

"Nott… That's the reedy boy who everyone thought would be in Slytherin, right?" asked the dark haired Ravenclaw. "I'm Lisa Turpin, and this is Amanda Brocklehurst."

"Mandy," interjected the sandy haired girl with a little wave of greeting.

Harry recognized both girls from Horatio's classes, but he had never met them as himself, "Nice to meet you both, I'm Harry Potter." Both girls' eyes flicked up to the scar on his forehead, but at least they had the tact not to ask about it.

"How is Theo doing in Gryffindor?" Susan asked, with a pensive expression on her face. "I know he was really worried about not being in Slytherin."

"He's doing alright," Harry hedged, not wanting to seem like he was gossiping about his friend. "We made plans to study in here, since the common room is usually pretty loud, thanks to the Weasley twins." The two Ravenclaw girls both rolled their eyes at the mention of the surname.

"They're nothing like their brother then." Mandy wrinkled her nose as she searched for her next words, "he's—"

Lisa helpfully supplied a few, "Pompous, pretentious, puffed-up?"

Harry smiled, "The twins—Fred and George—call him Perfect Percy."

"That's about right," Liza rolled her eyes. "He wants it to be perfectly quiet when he's studying."

There was a tap on his shoulder, and he turned to see Theo standing there in different clothes. "Hey Theo."

"Hey," Theo indicated his damp hair. "I changed, but the smell of dog was still all over me, so I had to wash up a bit. I hope you weren't waiting too long."

"It's alright," Harry indicated the group of girls sitting at the table. "I was just chatting with some fellow firsties." He thought about what Draco and Uncle Sev had said earlier, and an idea struck him. "Would you lot mind if we joined you for studying? Theo and I came to do McGonagall's essay." He glanced toward his housemate to gauge his thoughts on the suggestion, and the reserved boy shrugged.

"More the marrier I'd say." Hannah said with a smile.

Mandy lent over to move her bag off one of the still empty chairs, "Let me reign in my invasion so you have space."

The oddness of this statement startled a laugh from Theo, "Invasion?" he asked sounding puzzled.

Lisa rolled her eyes, "Mandy is like a fungus, her stuff ends up everywhere—the dorm, the common room, across a shared table—wherever she puts it down it spreads out."

"It's easier for me to find what I need that way!" Mandy complained with a pout.

The two Gryffindors joined the table and started pulling out their books and supplies. The six students worked in companionable silence for a while when Harry glanced up and spotted Daphne and Tracy returning their books. He stood from the table and whispered to his companions that he'd be right back before walking over to the two Slytherins. "Excuse me, but we have an unplanned study session, if you two would like to join."

Daphne lent around him to glance at the table, her eyebrows shot up and she asked, "Is this study session really just an excuse for you and Nott to scope out the girls in the other houses?"

"Wah-what?" Harry spluttered, "It's nothing like that! Theo and I just came in here to study and decided to join their table." The two girls giggled at the indignation in his voice and glanced at one another.

Daphne said, "Relax Potter, I was just messing with you."

Tracy gestured to her bag, "We were going to get Quirrell's homework out of the way. Why not join them?"

Daphne cocked her head, "Well I suppose it's better than watching Pansy sulk and Selwyn throw his temper tantrum." She turned to Harry, "Alright then Potter, we'll join your little study session." Her emphasis on the last two words made Harry shake his head and wonder what he'd gotten himself into.

Harry sat back down beside Theo as introductions were made, because Slytherin and Hufflepuff were fuller houses this year, they never had classes together, and the same was true of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw as the smaller houses in the year group. Consequently, this was the first time some of the girls had the chance to socialize. He was glad that things were going well and focused on his Transfiguration homework. He glanced up as someone else approached the table and cleared their throat, it was a slightly older Slytherin boy who he knew on sight as Horatio but did not recall the boy's name.

"What's up Murphy?" Daphne asked.

"Just passing the message, that Snape called a house meeting tomorrow at two, and everyone has to be there."

"House meeting?" Tracy asked as she adjusted her glasses.

The boy called Murphy shrugged, "They happen from time to time, usually when there's something the whole house needs to know." He glanced at the other students at the table and lowered his voice, but Harry was close enough that he still caught the words "Selwyn" and "Weasley." He already knew about the meeting from his godfather, but this was the first the two Slytherin girls had heard of it.

Daphne raised her eyes to the ceiling, "What has Selwyn done now?" and when Murphy tried to whisper again, she sighed in frustration. "Will you just tell us without all the cloak and dagger?"

The boy folded his arms across his chest, "Fine, Greengrass, but when one of the prefects asks how the other houses know our internal business I'm not going down alone."

Daphne turned her attention to the other students at the table, "Whatever is said at Potter's study club, stays here at the table am I right?"

Harry's cheeks flushed as all eyes turned to him as they always did. Theo lifted his chin and nodded to Daphne, "That's right, none of us will say a word."

"Brilliant," Daphne turned back to her housemate. "So, spill the cauldron already, Murphy."

Tracy winced, "Daph I wouldn't have used that expression, not today of all days…"

Murphy shook his head, "You're something else Greengrass." He went on to explain, "Apparently the Weasley in your year had an invitation to tea with Potter here, and Selwyn said something like, he should ask to be resorted if he's such a…" he coughed into his hand but the words "Gryffindor lover" were still distinguishable.

"That's out of order." Lisa blurted in a disgusted voice.

"Don't curse the post owl." Murphy held up his hands in a placating gesture before turning to Daphne and Tracy, "Just be sure to be in the common room at two tomorrow." Then he headed away from their table.

When he had departed the eight students exchanged looks of shared outrage. Harry glanced at the two Slytherin girls, wondering if they blamed him for Ron's situation, and the unrest within their house. He only saw echoes of the expressions of shock and anger on Tracy's face, but Daphne looked thoughtful, she caught his eye and said, "I've thought of something that will help Weasley's cause."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"It's quite simple actually," she gestured around at their group. "You're trying to get all the houses to be friendly, but the most important part of all that is that Weasley isn't the only Slytherin you're hanging with. So, keep up this study group and ask more snakes to come along. Then the rest of my house will realize Weasley isn't trying to be a Gryffindor without wearing the red and gold."

Susan twirled the end of her plait between her fingers as she considered the other girl's words, "That's a sound strategy, I like the way your mind works Greengrass."

"I think Padma would like to come too," Mandy said. "It would give her a chance to spend time with her twin in Gryffindor."

"I'm sure Granger would like to be able to pick all your brains." Theo caught Harry's eye and they shared a grin.

"I suppose she's not as insufferable as she could be." Daphne shrugged, "You have her handled very well Potter."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked with a furrowed brow.

"That none of us would be able to answer a question if not for you reigning her in after the first one."

"It's not that bad…" Harry said uncertainly.

Hannah and Susan exchanged a look, and Hannah said, "Well I wouldn't say she's insufferable, but she is really eager to answer questions, and sometimes it's hard for other people to answer."

Harry nodded, conceding the point, "We're working on it."

"Are her parents really hard on her?" Susan asked, "Do they want her to get into the Ministry after Hogwarts or something?"

"Um I don't think so…" Harry ran a hand through his hair as he explained. "Hermione is a Muggle born."

This statement drew several raised eyebrows and exclamations of surprise from his companions. "I thought she was related to Hector Dagworth-Granger…" Susan said thoughtfully.

"Who?" Harry asked, genuinely perplexed, though he suspected it was going to be a noteworthy wizard from a prestigious family.

"Hector Dagworth-Granger," Susan explained, "was the founder of the Society of Most Extraordinary Potioneer."

Hannah nodded, "My mother says that he and his fellows laid the groundwork for most of the potions theory we are taught today."

"She still might be related to him." Tracy tapped her quill as she explained. "If her ancestors were squibsfrom his line. I mean look at Master Snape's long-lost nephew."

"That's right," Susan agreed, turning to Hannah. "Didn't Prince say on the train that his grandfather and mother were both squibs?"

"Why does everyone say squib in a whisper?" Harry asked, more to turn the conversation away from his alternate identity, than to keep up appearances.

Theo was the one to explain, "Because they are seen as a weakness to the bloodline by some of the old pure blood families."

"That's sad," Mandy said. "It's not like they can help that they can't do magic, and they must feel so left out…"

Those words left a melancholy weight on the group, and Harry cast about for another change of subject. He was spared the need to think of something when Lisa glanced down at her watch. "Well looks like we're missing dinner, I didn't realize the bell rang for the end of lessons." The group began packing up their belongings as the Ravenclaw turned to Harry, "So what time do we meet for Potter's Study Club?"

"Maybe after dinner on Monday, and then we can find more times later?" Harry suggested with a shrug.

"Or what about the free period on Monday and Tuesday? Do we all have that time spot open?" she glanced curiously at the Slytherin girls.

Tracy pulled out her schedule which still held the names of their guides from this week. She ran a hand down it and nodded, "Yep it's right after third period on Monday and Tuesday, right before lunch." Her finger continued down the schedule a bit and traced a later block of time. "Or there is always sixth period, after Quirrell's lessons for us."

"Well, we wouldn't be able to come on Fridays, since we have Potions that period," Susan explained. "Master Snape just let us out early, so the four of us decided to come to the library together."

Harry cringed at the thought of trying to study acter being subjected to Professor Quirrell's classroom for an hour; he shook his head and addressed the group, "I don't know about you lot, but I like to take a break after listening to Quirrell stammer through his lecture for almost an hour."

Lisa made an annoyed sound, "Why the man thought it was a good idea to go from Muggle Studies to teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts I will never know. Some of our housemates think he did it to try to break the curse on the position."

Hannah's eyes widened, "So it really is cursed then?"

Lisa shrugged, "All I know is what I've heard from older students, and they say there has been a newDefense Professor each year, for as long as they have been here." Throwing her bag over her shoulder she asked, "Why don't we meet after dinner on Monday—like Potter suggested—and plan the next meeting after that?" The others agreed and they all trooped out of the library together.

As they walked Theo said, "I always thought you just wanted some time away from the masses after lessons."

Harry slowed to let the others walk ahead of them, "I suppose that's part of it, I just never really thought of it that way." The pair descended the marble staircase together. "I'm just not used to being this… popular… I mean growing up I never knew I was famous; I didn't really have any friends at all." Harry shook his head as he muttered, "My cousin Dudley saw to that."

Theo frowned, there were questions in his eyes, but all he said was, "It must have been a real shock to come here then, and suddenly everyone knows your name, and wants to be your friend."

"You could say that again," Harry gestured to the doors of the Great Hall, "come on, let's go have dinner."

When they arrived at the Gryffindor table, Harry noticed the relieved looks on Neville and Hermione's faces. They had saved them seats, and as the two boys sat down Hermione lent forward to say, "We were starting to get worried. Were you two in the library all this time?"

"I told you that was the first place we should have checked." Neville said to Hermione.

"We were," Harry said as he gathered some cottage pie onto his plate, he would only pick at the food since he'd eaten only a couple hours ago, but he'd eat enough so his friends wouldn't worry. "We have plans to meet with some other firsties on Monday to study. You two are welcome to come of course." He poured a glass of pumpkin juice as he added, "and you might want to invite Parvati, I think her sister might be there too."

"Oh, that's good," Hermione said, "she really misses her, Lavender keeps her from being too lonely, but she wishes they had more time together."

"When is it again?" Neville asked as he pulled out a quill and homework planner his gran had sent him.

Theo said, "Monday after dinner."

As Neville turned the pages a voice came from the book saying in a singsong voice, "If you've dotted your I's and crossed your T's you can do whatever you please." Neville's face flushed as he jotted down the note. "Sorry, Gran thought it would help me keep track of things…"

"That's—thoughtful—of her…" Hermione said tactfully.

"It's going to be annoying if I open it in class though." Neville sighed as he closed the book. "Does anyone have plans for the weekend?"

"I'm going to be held hostage." Hermione gestured to her bushy hair. "For a makeover Saturday morning. Parvati and Lavender want to get a hold of my hair, and Esme thought it was a good idea for us all to get our hair fixed up, nails done, that sort of thing." Her three male friends tried not to laugh at the put-upon expression, but she could see the amusement on their faces, "Oh go ahead and laugh you three…"

"We won't laugh." Harry said, though he was grinning, "but it can't be that bad, can it?" He gestured up at his own untidy black hair. "At least your hair doesn't stick up all over the place like mine."

"Maybe you should join us," Hermione said with a smile of her own. "Maybe they can find something that will make even your hair behave."

"Oh no, I'm fine thanks." Harry said quickly, making the other three laugh at how quickly he had backpedaled. "I'll probably just have a lie in since it's the weekend."

Neville cracked open his planner again, "Do it today or later you'll pay!" came from the book and Neville said, "I heard there's a herbology club that meets in the greenhouses on Saturday, so I might check that out." He glanced up at Theo and said, "You could come along if you like."

Theo cocked his head, "Maybe some other time. I might see if Draco wants to hang out after breakfast. I think the Slytherins will be relaxing their buddy system soon. Greengrass and her cousin weren't escorted to the library earlier."

"Maybe we could all meet for lunch?" Hermione suggested, "the girls should be done taming my hair by then."

The three boys agreed that would be a good idea. With their plans for tomorrow set, the four friends ate their dinner, chatting for a while about inconsequential things until dinner ended and they headed back to Gryffindor tower for the evening. Exhausted Harry fell into bed, he needed a good night's sleep. The day had been a long and trying one, and he was looking forward to a hopefully relaxing weekend. There was the Slytherin house meeting to attend, and the letter he was supposed to write to Aunt Cissy, but those things were concerns for tomorrow.

Harry had almost drifted off to sleep when the sound of someone calling his name roused him. "Potter… Hey, Potter?" He opened his hangings to see the blurry outline of Theo standing beside his bed. "Sorry I woke you, I just wondered if you still had that article from The Prophet?"

Harry blinked sleepily, and slowly he remembered the piece of paper he'd tucked into his robes that afternoon. It had seemed so long ago that he'd been sitting in Hagrid's cabin with his friends for tea. He sleepily rubbed at his eyes and asked, "What do you want it for?"

"I want to show it to Draco tomorrow, to see what he makes of all this."

"And you couldn't have asked me then?" Harry asked as he dragged himself out of bed. The stone floor was cold through his socks, and his limbs felt heavy with tiredness.

"I'm sorry," Theo said again, and he sounded like he meant it, "but I knew you wanted to sleep in, and I didn't want to bother you with this in the morning…"

"I und-der—stand," Harry yawned heartily as he opened his trunk, rummaging around inside until he found the robes, he'd been wearing that day. He searched the pockets for the wrinkled scrap of newsprint, but it wasn't there. "Get me my wand, will you? It's on my cabinet." Theo obliged retrieving the holly wand. It warmed to the touch as it reacted to Harry's magic, a familiar and comforting weight in his hand as he muttered "Lumos." The wand tip gave off a thin beam of light, by its Harry searched the top layer of things in his trunk. Finally, he spotted the paper beneath his brass scales, it must have fallen out of his pocket when he was putting away his potions equipment, or maybe it was when he was getting his things together to be Harry after dinner with Draco and their godfather. "There you go." Harry yawned again, handing the paper to Theo as he extinguished the light coming from his wand.

Theo grinned sheepishly, before glancing down at the paper in his hand, "Good night, Potter, and I'm sorry again for bothering you."

"It's alright," Harry put his wand back on the bedside cabinet and collapsed into bed. "Next time you need me to give you something, ask me when I'm awake."

"I will," Theo promised.

Harry reached for his hangings and peered into the darkness where his friend had gone, "Oh, and Theo?"

"Yeah?"

"Call me Harry."

Theo laughed quietly, "I'll do that."

Harry was asleep before Theo made it back to his own bed.

A/N: Thank you all for reading this chapter. It was a lot of fun to write. Sorry for all the talking and no action, but I'm setting the stage for the big conflict at the first flying lesson, and putting into motion other plans I've had for a while. Thank you all for your continued support, and please leave a review if you have the time.

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series and wider Wizarding World are not mine, I'm just borrowing some of it for entertainment and to explore an alternate turn of events.