Chapter 3: A Class Act

Ron, Hermione, and Harry all snickered at Jack's enthusiasm.

"Is that not the ability to see the future?"

"Well, it is, but--" Ron started to say.

"Taught by a true sibyl as well," Jack remarked.

"Don't get too excited," Hermione warned. "You're just setting yourself up for a big disappointment. She's a fraud, and we all know it."

Jack paused for a moment. Then he said, "When I was about your age, I got in line to see a very powerful oracle. I waited for two days, but then the time came for me to resume my journey. I spoke with others who had seen her or were waiting to see her. Many did say she was a fraud, but they all admitted that she showed them some wisdom and revealed a part of them that even they did not know. To this day, I regret missing her, for I am sure there was something she would have told me that have been worth knowing. Thus, as long as she does not obtain her powers from evil, I will give this sibyl the same chance."

"All right," Hermione shrugged, "but don't say we didn't warn you."

"Rotten luck," Ron said glancing over Jack's shoulder. "You got Potions first. That's a bitter way to start, isn't it?"

"I do not know. Do they taste that bad?" Jack asked.

"Ha!" Ron replied. "We don't usually try our own potions, but I'm sure the Potions master is more bitter than any potion we can make."

"Oh," Jack nodded. "I know how to deal with those people."

"Hey, you're having Divination with us," Ron said.

"Don't be silly," Harry said. "He can't be on the same schedule. We got Care of Magical Creatures first."

"Well, he is evidently a special case," Hermione pointed out. "Maybe Dumbledore is giving him a unique schedule for a reason."

Jack sighed. "I probably should go."

The directions on Jack's parchment simply said that Potions was held in "Dungeon." There was no mention of how to get there, but Jack figured that he had to go down. So he found the first staircase that descended and investigated every room he found down there. It was chilly down there. He finally found a room with a man waiting behind a desk.

"Is there something I can do for you?" the man asked icily.

"I am here for . . . " Jack his parchment, "Potions."

"Class does not start for another fifteen minutes."

"I thought I would be lost, so I left early." The man shook his head and started scribbling on a piece of parchment. "So . . . Professor Snape, may I come in?"

"Very well," Snape replied in a low tone.

Jack took a seat at the counter the furthest back. He did not want to draw attention to himself. He waited uncomfortably for several minutes. Students began to gradually file into the room as it got closer to time.

"Strong man!" Jack heard two familiar voices cry. The Weasley twins clapped him on his back and sat back with him.

"Fred, George," Jack nodded.

"So you're a sixth year with us?" Fred asked.

"I don't know. I'm in Divination with your brother this afternoon."

"With Ron?" George asked. "That is strange. Well, Dumbledore could do whatever he wants."

"You'll get a kick out of Trelawney," Fred laughed.

"Hey guys," said a young man sitting by the twins on the other side.

"Oh, hey Lee! Hey, this is the guy we told you about," Fred said.

"Ah! Hi, I'm Lee Jordan."

"Pleasure," Jack said shaking his hand. "My name is Jack."

"So, did you really--"

"Silence, class!" Snape demanded. Everything got quiet, and everyone sat straight in his or her chair. Snape called the roll by last names only. "Samson. Samson!"

Fred punched Jack in his arm. "Oh yes. Here."

"Welcome back. You've cost five points from Gryffindor."

"Points?" Jack whispered to the twins.

"Oh, that's just for the house cup," George answered. "Don't worry about it. We lose points so much, it almost lost all meaning."

"Today," Snape announced, "we will be learning to make an enlargement potion."

"What do we need that for?" one student asked. "Engorgio does the job just as well."

"Five points from Ravenclaw for your presumptuousness, Garret. You may not always have use of your wand. If you pay attention, you maybe grateful someday."

Snape explained how to make the potion and set everyone to work. Jack listened to every word and watched the potion making with interest. But when Snape came around . . .

"Samson! Why aren't you working?"

Jack replied firmly, "Have you not spoken to Dumbledore? I am only here to observe."

"Then I am sure you would love to observe Gryffindor losing no less than twenty points for your idleness!"

"I do not intend that, sir. I just do not believe I can successfully make this potion because I do not--"

"Have a cauldron?" Fred interrupted. "That's alright. You can borrow mine. I'll work with Lee."

Snape must have been satisfied with this, because he stalked off. George whispered to Jack, "Watch it. You almost let it slip that you're not a wizard! We could get expelled for that!"

"And by 'we,' we mean all three of us, you know," Fred added.

"But what could I do?" Jack answered. "I can't make this potion."

"Just give it a try," Fred answered. "It's really just following directions anyway."

Jack looked at the instructions on the blackboard, and his thoughts went back to a moment of his training. He couldn't remember where it was, but he was asked to make a stew for his master out of whatever he could find in the wild. His master took one spoonful when the stew was done and said, "For your first attempt, you have done well. However, let me teach you something. Whenever you make such a meal, respect the delicacy of the task. Too much or too little or any one ingredient could spoil the broth. Everything should be in perfect balance with one another. Such it should also be in life. Always remember, everything in moderation."

So, as Jack considered the ingredients, he made sure that he got them exactly right. He was so careful in weighing them and cutting them up. He took great pains to follow the instructions exactly. He was a little slower than the others were, but it was worth it when Snape came around again. The Weasley twins stared at him this time.

"I am hoping this is at least similar to the result desired," Jack said. He meant to scoop a portion with his spoon to show Snape, but his spoon was suddenly heavy. Using great strength, he finally managed to get the spoon out of the mess. The scoop was ten times larger than normal. "Oh. I suppose it is too potent then."

"No, that is about right," Snape reluctantly nodded. "You have just been stirring it for too long." Snape suddenly looked past Jack and said sternly, "Speaking of, Mr. Weasley!"

Lee gasped. "GEORGE, BURP THE CAULDRON!"

George, who had been working alone, was stirring nervously while watching Snape's assessment. He did not notice a huge bubble growing over the surface of the potion. When George did notice, he panicked. Several students starting ducking under the counters, so Jack did the same. He heard a clink, a loud, hissing pop, a splattering sound, and a scream. "OW, MY EYE!"

Jack stood when he thought it was safe. George had his right eye shut, but with a squeal he covered his eye with his hand, then with both hands.

"You idiot!" Snape shouted. "Did you not listen to me when I said not to get the potion on any skin tissue? Of course not. You're a Weasley, and you don't have ears!"

"I know. Hospital wing for me," George replied. Shrieking about his swollen eye, he ran out of the room.

Jack looked at Snape coldly. "How dare you speak so disrespectfully to your student? Do you have no honor?"

"Jack, don't be a hero!" Fred whispered loudly, but it was too late.

Snape looked at him coldly. "I have my own honor, and if you know what is best for you, you will not challenge it."

"There are many things about this school that I do not know, but I will not stand for injustice," Jack answered firmly.

Luckily, the bell rang just then. Snape frowned. "I'll be watching you, Samson."

"Likewise," Jack answered before stalking away.

Fred joined him on the stairs. "You really don't want Snape on your case like that. He can get so nasty."

"Then it is up to me to stop him," Jack answered determined.

"You can't stop him. He's just like that. He's partial to the Slytherins, and he hates Gryffindor."

"Perhaps I can not, but I will try."

"Wow. You're either gutsy or you're stupid, or maybe you're a little bit of both. Well, what class do you got next?"

"Uh . . . Mortal Studies."

"Hmmm. All right. I got DADA, so I'll see you."

Jack found the classroom a little bit easier. Once again, he sat in the back. A few minutes later, a young, pudgy boy sat by him.

"I don't believe I've seen you here before. My name's Ernie McMillan, fifth year Hufflepuff."

Jack shook his hand. "Jack. I'm . . . new."

"Hey. There's an old chap in my village named Jack. He's a nice bloke. Too bad he's a Muggle."

"Too bad?"

Ernie looked like he was going to answer, but then he looked dissatisfied over Jack's shoulder. "Hannah, what are you looking at?"

Jack turned to see a girl with blond pigtails at his other side. She looked away and blushed. "Sorry," she said with a giggle. "I just saw you in the Great Hall this morning, and . . ."

Ernie just shook his head.

"Good morning class!" a voice announced. The teacher had entered the room carrying a long, brown package.

"Good morning, Professor Adams!" the class answered in an unnaturally cheerful voice. Jack came in a little late because he wasn't sure what they were doing.

Professor Adams took the role. This time when Jack heard "Samson," he replied. Then the teacher opened the package.

"I have here something very special on loan from the Magical Artifacts Museum in London. All of you will have a turn to touch it, but be careful." The professor revealed the content of the package. "This is the magic sword Excaliber."

"Oooooooh," all the students cried at once. Jack was excited. He had heard much of this sword. The students each took a turn holding the sword. Jack examined it carefully. It was a beautiful weapon, but he preferred his own sword.

After the students settled down, Professor Adams held up the sword. "Now, I will show you something that Muggles don't know." The teacher waved a wand, and the sword transformed into a stick. The wizards gasped. "That's right. Excaliber is really a transfigured wand. Nimue and Merlin made it together. Supposedly, though, it did not have a strong core. Some say the core was a mermaid's hair, but the magic isn't very strong. It had to be constantly lubricated with liquid pearl. That's why Merlin told Arthur that the power of the sword was in its scabbard, which contained the lubricant."

Professor Adams proceeded from there to explain more about the Muggle interpretation of the Arthur myth and how it conflicted with the truth. The teacher allowed five minutes for questions, and Jack was the first to ask one.

"Why is Excaliber a wand?"

"Oh, that's a secret that even most wizards don't know. Nearly every enchanted sword or magic weapon is a wand at its base."

This inspired a lot of mumbling. "Is it responsible for the magic in the weapon?"

"Partly. The main purpose of the wand is to keep the charms upon the wand in tact. Usually the charms are for invincibility or everlasting protection. However, when a magic weapon encounters wand magic, it starts behaving like a wand. Often, it can drive a Muggle insane. That is part of the reason why we don't make enchanted weaponry for Muggles any longer."

Jack didn't like to hear that at all. He was about to comment when the bell rang. "Please make sure to read Chapter 12 for next time on Norse mythology. Hopefully I will bring Notung for you to see next time, or if we're even luckier than that I'll bring the Tarnhelm."

"Ernie, may I please borrow your book?" Jack asked.

"Oh no. I can't miss that chapter. I love Norse mythology," Ernie replied.

"I bet it's available in the library," Hannah suggested. "You're in Gryffindor. You can ask Hermione about it."

"I will. Thank you."

Jack made his way back to the Great Hall. He sat at the Gryffindor table and put his head in his hands. Ron, Hermione, and Harry soon joined him. "So, how is it going?"

Jack sighed. "There is so much on my mind. I'm having trouble taking it all in."

"Really?" Hermione said surprised.

"Yeah, the first day is always the worst," Ron said. Then he grinned mischievously. "You should in Care of Magical Creatures. You missed a great show! Draco fell asleep again, and he was being tossed around like a rag doll." Ron and Harry laughed hysterically. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

"Hey Ron, do you think he'll still be all sleepy during Slytherin's Quidditch final?" Harry asked.

"Well, either way, if we win tomorrow, the Snitch is going to be a steal for you," Ron answered.

"Why do you think that young man is having trouble staying awake?" Jack asked.

"See, that's what I've been asking all this time!" Hermione cried.

"And I keep saying the same thing: don't know, don't care," Ron answered.

Harry and Ron started talking about Quidditch again. Since Jack had no idea what Quidditch was, he did not pay attention. Suddenly, he noticed that same girl from earlier, the girl Harry called "Cho," still looking quizzically toward Jack. She mouthed something to Jack, but he could not tell what. He pointed to himself and mouthed back, "Me?"

"What are you doing Samson?" Harry asked.

Jack broke out of it. "Nothing."

"Oh, it looked like something to me."

"I mean nothing of your concern." Harry gave him a perturbed expression, and Jack felt ashamed. "I better go."

Jack knew the way to the Divination class would be hardest of all. As it would happen, he ran into two familiar faces in the hall.

"Hey Jack," they shrilled in unison.

"Lavender, Parvati," Jack nodded.

"Where you heading?" Lavender asked.

"Divination. Do you happen to know where it is?"

"Oh, we're just going there!" Parvati squealed. "That's our favorite class! We'll show you where it is."

"You'll love Professor Trelawney," Lavender said. "She knows so much."

Jack nodded, thinking that this had been the only positive thing said about the sibyl so far.

"You'll let me tell your fortune, of course, won't you Jack?" Parvati said.

"Uh-uhh," Lavender shook her head. "He wants me to tell his fortune. I'm better at Tarot cards."

"But I'm the goddess, remember?"

They went into a large argument. Jack was trying to search for a way to calm the two of them down. He was about to speak when they stopped dead in their tracks. A skinny woman with large glasses and a sparkly, gaudy dress stood before them.

"Professor Trelawney," the girls whispered in awe.

"She never comes down from her room," Lavender added.

The teacher sharply pointed at Jack. "You! Come with me."

The girls were completely shocked. Jack followed the sibyl into an empty room. She shut the door, and he bowed to her. "What do you wish of me, great sibyl?"

"Ah, my dear," she said taking his hand and looking at him through those glasses-enlarged eyes, "the question is what do you wish of me."

Jack was at a loss for words. How did she know?

"Long have I seen your coming: a stranger out of the mists, his heart laden with questions which no man can answer."

"Yes. Do you know these answers?"

"Oh yes. I can show you what impending disasters lie in the way of your dreams. I can show you how to obtain everything you wish. Great wealth and fame, true love, long life!"

"If you know me so well, you would know I do not seek these things."

"All men seek these things," the sibyl said laughing.

"Perhaps most men do, but not I. I only wish to go home."

The sibyl gave him a look as if to say, "Oh, you're one of those people." But then she smiled. "Very well. The fates will point you in the right way. You do wish to hear what they have to tell you?"

"I shall be very interested. Will we start after your class?"

"Oh, you do not need to come to my class. The wheels of fortune have taken a turn for the worst, I am sad to say. Being around such negativity could cloud your own fate."

Jack was not sure how that worked, but he trusted her. "Then later this afternoon."

"That will not be a good time."

"But you will be finished with classes then."

"No, I mean it will not be a good time for you. You shall see."

"Then tomorrow?"

"Oh no, not tomorrow. You will be injured. Shall we say, Monday?"

"I suppose so."

"Very well. I will see you then my dear."

Jack felt rather awkward as he left. What was going to happen to him that afternoon? And what would cause him to be injured? Will he be fighting tomorrow?

Jack spent his extra time trying to find that book in the library. It took him half an hour to find the library, and once he got there his search was even more fruitless. He found several books on Norse mythology, but there were too many to read in one hour. Besides, he really wanted that particular book. He wanted to read it from cover to cover to see if he could understand more of this isolation.

He found Hermione in the common room. "Hair, uh that is Herme--no . . . "

Hermione closed her book and looked up at him. "You're trying. I appreciate that. Now you're beginning to sound like Viktor."

"Who is Viktor?"

"Viktor Krum. He's a friend of mine I met last year. He's Bulgarian. He called me Herm-own-ninny. You look like him a little bit."

Jack smiled. "Uh, do you know if you can find Magic in Mortal Literature in the library?"

"Don't you mean Magic in Muggle Literature? It's not in the library, but I tell you what. Over Christmas I had a little extra money, and I bought that book. I finished reading it by Valentines, so you can borrow it." She pulled it out of her bag. "What chapter are you discussing?"

"Chapter 12."

"Oh, the Norse myths! That chapter's brilliant. It has samples of the operas by the Muggle composer Wagner."

Hermione opened the book and touched something on the page. Immediately rousing music played on unseen trumpets. A boy from Harry's dorm room named Dean was passing by. He laughed and sang to the music, "Kill the Wabbit! Kill the Wabbit!"

"Kill the what? Dean, you nutter!" someone laughed across the room.

"Actually, it's 'The Ride of the Valkarie,'" Hermione answered. "It's a nice piece. Enjoy, Jack."

"Thank you," Jack said bowing to her. "I suppose you need to study."

"Uh, yes."

"Very well."

"You can stay if you want. I was raised on classical music. I love Wagner- -I mean, his music, not his philosophy."

"It is alright. It is a nice day. I think I want to go outside."

Jack found a nifty door on the ground floor that looked like a window. He looked for a good place to read. At last he found what he thought was an amphitheater. It was a quiet place, for about twenty minutes. Then people came into the theater.

"Alright, your hour starts now," a woman said, then blew her whistle. "Wait a minute. You there!"

Jack looked down to see a woman with short, gray hair yelling at him. "Yes, madam?"

"What are you doing?"

"Studying."

"It's alright, Madam Hooch," George said (he was wearing a large eye patch). "He's with us. He's ok."

"Alright, but stay out of the way!" Madam Hooch demanded.

Jack nodded and went back to reading. Occasionally, he looked up to see what was going on, but he couldn't really tell.

On the Quidditch pitch, things were going great, except for one player. George kept missing the Bludgers, and when he hit one, it flew crazily. It almost knocked Alicia Spinnet off her broom. The team stopped their practice to talk to George about what was going on.

"I can't help it!" George said. "My good eye is under a patch!"

"Well, take it off!" Harry said.

"I can't. I got potion in my eye this morning. Underneath the patch is Madam Pomfrey's potion to control the swelling. She said it will go down in twenty-four hours."

"Well, what are we going to do?" Harry cried. "The match is tomorrow, less than twenty-four hours away, and we don't have a reserve Beater!"

As he was speaking, the Bludger that George knocked askew was heading right for Jack. It was coming up from behind. Quick as lightning, Jack jumped up, turned around, unsheathed his sword, and knocked the Bludger out of the way. He completely forgot that there was a book in his lap. It fell out, opened to chapter 12, and started play "The Ride of the Valkarie" again. Jack turned furiously around, looking for other attackers. When he didn't see any, he sheathed his sword and sat down. He slammed shut the book in the middle of a note, then opened it again to his spot.

Meanwhile, the whole Gryffindor Quidditch team was watching him in wonder.

"We do now," Fred said.