Chapter eight: Classes Begin
Classes did not begin until Tuesday for sixth year, owing to the fact that Professor McGonagall was having a meeting with each sixth year to discuss their course schedules.
Harry's was very brief, with Professor McGonagall confirming his career choice and telling him the classes he needed to take. He would be taking N.E.W.T. Potion, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures* and Herbology. Hermione came from McGonagall's office beaming, letting Harry know that she was taking every N.E.W.T. class she could. Ron on the other hand had the exact same classes as Harry.
The next day Harry awoke from a deep sleep with a pillow thrown on his face, once again. Ron was yelling something. It wasn't until Harry pulled off the covers and looked at his clock that he knew what Ron was yelling about. It was 10:20. Classes started at 10:00. Harry immediately jumped from his bed and began to pull his clothes on as fast as he could without falling over from still being a little disoriented. He grabbed his wand and ran out of the dormitories.
When Harry climbed out of the portrait hole he started to run full speed down the hall to his first class: Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was only until Harry got right outside of the class that he remembered who the teacher was: Professor Snape. Harry pushed the door open waiting for Professor Snape to deduct points from Harry or give him a detention.
"Get in here and sit down Potter," Snape snapped.
Harry walked to the back table where Hermione and Ron were already sitting.
"I'm surprised he didn't take any points off from Gryffindor since you came later than I did," commented Ron. "He took off 10 when I came in 30 minutes late."
Harry nodded in agreement as Professor Snape continued with the lecture. "As I was saying before Mr. Potter rudely interrupted us, we will be starting with very advanced defense spells. These defensive spells are so difficult that no one in this room," he stared pointedly at Hermione, "will accomplish on their first day." Hermione looked highly affronted.
Professor Snape had everyone divide up into pairs. Harry at first thought of going with Ron but remembered that he and Hermione were going out, so he decided to pair with Neville, reluctantly.
Snape flicked his wand and all the desks were sent to one side of the room. "Now this is called the Binding Charm. What it is does is wraps a gold rope around your opponent. Now, whether or not it is permanent or temporary depends on your opponent's strength. The incantation is "atarlazo". You accent the "o". On three I want ONE of you in each pairing to attempt the Binding Charm. It takes an enormous amount of concentration and wit. If you do not have that," he looked at Harry, "you will fail miserably.
"One, two, three!"
"Atarlazo" echoed all around the room. But no sign of a gold rope appeared. Suddenly, everyone was looking at Hermione and Ron. Around Ron's midriff there was a faint thin yellow line. Everyone then looked at Professor Snape. His eyes were wide with surprise. Apparently he caught himself and went back to his normal self.
"That was terrible," he snarled at everyone. "I want two feet of parchment on everything you can find about the Binding Charm. It is due on Wednesday."
For the rest of the class, everyone continued to practice the Binding Charm. By the end of the class, Hermione performed it perfectly. Professor Snape turned a blind eye to this of course. At the bell, everyone shuffled out of the classroom for their next class: Potions.
But the journey down to the dungeons was not a foreboding one like it has always been. It was full of excitement because of the new teacher. When they got to the classroom, it had a note posted on the door:
Potions Classes will no longer be held in the Dungeons. Meet in the
Entrance Hall to be directed to your classroom.
-Professor Annie Williams
The crowd murmured in excitement once more at the news of this. They walked to the Entrance Hall and met Professor Williams.
"Good morning everyone," she said smiling, "if you would please follow me?"
She led the class up the Grand Staircase and to a classroom they had never been to before. It was beautiful. The ceilings were at least 45 feet high with a golden essence to them. The afternoon sun bounced off of the walls to illuminate every corner and every crack. It was quite different from what they were used to with Potions.
"Everyone please be seated," she said sitting down at her desk. "I am your new Potions Master as you can see. I was previously teaching at Durmstrang but left due to some minor conflicts. Now this is N.E.W.T. Potions and I expect nothing but the best from my advanced Potions students. We will begin today by brewing a very difficult potion. It is called the Truth Potion. It takes a full moon's cycle to prepare it, so this will be an ongoing assignment. While we will be brewing other potions in class, it is your responsibility to come by my classroom periodically to make sure the potion is coming along.
"Be very aware, I will be watching all of you to make sure you do not steal any of this potion," she said, eyeing specifically Malfoy and his group of friends. "I have been made known who is who in this school and I will be watching you very closely. The ingredients are already at your cauldrons, the instructions are on the board. Begin."
It took all of the period to add two of the numerous ingredients, for everything had to be precise. No mistakes could be made in this assignment, or it would result in an instant zero.
Due to the overwhelming amount of stress in the first classes of the day, every student, even Hermione, was glad to get out of the bright classroom for lunch.
"I'm already exhausted and it's only lunch!" exclaimed Ron.
"Yeah, it's our first day with Professor Williams and we are already brewing a very difficult potion. What's the rest of the year going to be like?" groaned Harry. He started to busy himself with his lunch in great longing hope of it being Saturday already, but was pleasantly interrupted by Ginny sitting down for lunch next to him.
"Hey Harry! How have classes been?" she said brightly, pulling the pitcher of pumpkin juice toward her.
"In one word: Hard," he said.
"Oh, so you've had Professor Williams too?" she said knowingly.
"Yeah, she already started us off with the Truth Potion. It takes a full moon's cycle to properly make!" he said exasperatedly. Ginny smiled and began to eat her lunch.
Just then Katie Bell walked up to their table and sat down across from Harry. His heart began to beat really fast, he opened his mouth to make her be quiet but she was already talking.
"Harry, I've just been to see Professor McGonagall and she said you were made Quidditch Captain. Congratulations! I'm so glad it was you and not me," she said with a laugh.
When Katie said Quidditch Captain, Ron's head had snapped up immediately. Harry cringed as she finished. Alicia saw this and looked horrified. She suddenly understood that Harry hadn't told anyone about it yet.
"Oh, I'm, er, sorry, I'll just be going," she said uncomfortably, leaving.
Ron turned and looked at Harry. He couldn't read Ron's countenance. It was expressionless.
"Look, Ron, I was going to tell you. Really. But I totally forgot," Harry said quickly.
"Yeah? How could you forget something so important Harry?" Ron snapped.
"Ron, I'm sorry, I was going to tell you but-" he began.
"Nevermind Harry, I know, you didn't want me to feel bad, is that it?" Ron said angrily.
"No, Ron-" Harry started, but Ron swung his bag over his shoulder and stomped off out of the Great Hall, leaving Harry, Hermione and Ginny sitting there. Harry looked at the two girls, not knowing what to say. Hermione and Ginny were looking at Harry with surprised looks on their faces.
"I honestly forgot," Harry said, guiltily.
"Harry, it's ok, we know you've had a lot on your mind," Ginny said.
Harry looked at Hermione, but she didn't say anything, she was eating her lunch. She was obviously torn between Ron and Harry. Now Harry's opinion of their relationship changed. He didn't want it. Their friendship wasn't the same. They weren't a trio anymore. Ron and Hermione would feel obligated to each other since they're going out ; leaving Harry alone. Finally, Hermione got up, and looked at Harry. She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it and left.
Ginny cleared her throat and started to eat her lunch again. Harry sighed as he looked around the Great Hall. Ginny noticed this and looked at Harry.
"Harry, don't worry about Ron. He's just jealous. He'll be over it by tomorrow," she said as she put her hand on his arm. Harry looked at her.
"I should've told you guys when I found out. I just felt bad that I got it and Ron didn't," he said, looking down.
"I know Harry. But you can't shelter Ron. He has to deal with things by himself sometimes. After-all he is the same age as you and if you can survive meeting Voldemort five times, my brother can survive his best friend getting quidditch captain," she said smiling at him.
"Thanks Ginny," Harry said, feeling slightly better. Just then, the bell rang signaling their last class of the day.
"Well, I'll see you in the common room Harry," said Ginny, getting up and joining her friends.
Harry sighed and began to walk towards his next class: Herbology. He started to think about if he was wrong in not telling Ron and Hermione about his getting Quidditch Captain. Harry wasn't paying attention to where he was going when he ran right into another Gryffindor. Harry muttered a quick "I'm Sorry" and started to leave but glanced up and recognized the girl he bumped in to.
"Hey, I know you from somewhere," Harry said. She blushed and looked down.
"I-I don't think so," she mumbled, not quite meeting his eyes.
"Yeah," said Harry, finally realizing who she was, "You're that girl that I saw during the summer with that black dog. You live right across the street from me."
She didn't say anything and kept her eyes cast downward. But she began to slowly look up towards Harry.
"I knew who you were all summer long, Harry," she said finally. "I wasn't allowed to talk to you though."
Harry was bewildered. "Why?"
"It would look suspicious to your Aunt and Uncle that you had a friend. My parents are on good terms with your relatives because they think we are "normal" just like them," she said with a sigh.
"But how come I haven't known that a wizarding family moved across the street from me?" Harry asked still completely confused as to why it was kept from him.
"My parents are part of the Order, Harry. They volunteered to watch you and your relatives while you are in school," she said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.
Harry now understood but soon realized that he did not know her name.
"Hey what's your name?" he asked.
"Layla Betcher. I'm a first year but of course you already knew that judging by how small I look," she laughed.
Together, Harry and Layla walked to the Gryffindor Common Room. When he parted ways with Layla, he saw Ron and Hermione sitting by the fire, talking. He walked over to them and cleared his throat, they looked up at him. Ron's face was indifferent to Harry, Hermione, once again, looked torn.
"Look, Ron, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I made Quidditch Captain. I should've told you, but I felt bad," Harry said with full sincerity.
For a second, Ron looked like he was about to yell at Harry again, but he instead exchanged a significant look with Hermione before opening his mouth to say something back to Harry.
"It's ok mate," said Ron, looking down. "I should've known you would get it since I totally bombed last year and you've been on the team since your first year. I just never really thought about the Quidditch Captaincy before this."
"Yeah, well I'm heading for bed, good night," said Harry, yawning. Harry walked upstairs to the boys dormitories and got dressed into his pajamas and lay down. Harry slipped into a deep sleep.
*I forgot to mention in one of the previous chapters that Harry was eligible for Care of Magical Creatures. My mistake.
Classes did not begin until Tuesday for sixth year, owing to the fact that Professor McGonagall was having a meeting with each sixth year to discuss their course schedules.
Harry's was very brief, with Professor McGonagall confirming his career choice and telling him the classes he needed to take. He would be taking N.E.W.T. Potion, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures* and Herbology. Hermione came from McGonagall's office beaming, letting Harry know that she was taking every N.E.W.T. class she could. Ron on the other hand had the exact same classes as Harry.
The next day Harry awoke from a deep sleep with a pillow thrown on his face, once again. Ron was yelling something. It wasn't until Harry pulled off the covers and looked at his clock that he knew what Ron was yelling about. It was 10:20. Classes started at 10:00. Harry immediately jumped from his bed and began to pull his clothes on as fast as he could without falling over from still being a little disoriented. He grabbed his wand and ran out of the dormitories.
When Harry climbed out of the portrait hole he started to run full speed down the hall to his first class: Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was only until Harry got right outside of the class that he remembered who the teacher was: Professor Snape. Harry pushed the door open waiting for Professor Snape to deduct points from Harry or give him a detention.
"Get in here and sit down Potter," Snape snapped.
Harry walked to the back table where Hermione and Ron were already sitting.
"I'm surprised he didn't take any points off from Gryffindor since you came later than I did," commented Ron. "He took off 10 when I came in 30 minutes late."
Harry nodded in agreement as Professor Snape continued with the lecture. "As I was saying before Mr. Potter rudely interrupted us, we will be starting with very advanced defense spells. These defensive spells are so difficult that no one in this room," he stared pointedly at Hermione, "will accomplish on their first day." Hermione looked highly affronted.
Professor Snape had everyone divide up into pairs. Harry at first thought of going with Ron but remembered that he and Hermione were going out, so he decided to pair with Neville, reluctantly.
Snape flicked his wand and all the desks were sent to one side of the room. "Now this is called the Binding Charm. What it is does is wraps a gold rope around your opponent. Now, whether or not it is permanent or temporary depends on your opponent's strength. The incantation is "atarlazo". You accent the "o". On three I want ONE of you in each pairing to attempt the Binding Charm. It takes an enormous amount of concentration and wit. If you do not have that," he looked at Harry, "you will fail miserably.
"One, two, three!"
"Atarlazo" echoed all around the room. But no sign of a gold rope appeared. Suddenly, everyone was looking at Hermione and Ron. Around Ron's midriff there was a faint thin yellow line. Everyone then looked at Professor Snape. His eyes were wide with surprise. Apparently he caught himself and went back to his normal self.
"That was terrible," he snarled at everyone. "I want two feet of parchment on everything you can find about the Binding Charm. It is due on Wednesday."
For the rest of the class, everyone continued to practice the Binding Charm. By the end of the class, Hermione performed it perfectly. Professor Snape turned a blind eye to this of course. At the bell, everyone shuffled out of the classroom for their next class: Potions.
But the journey down to the dungeons was not a foreboding one like it has always been. It was full of excitement because of the new teacher. When they got to the classroom, it had a note posted on the door:
Potions Classes will no longer be held in the Dungeons. Meet in the
Entrance Hall to be directed to your classroom.
-Professor Annie Williams
The crowd murmured in excitement once more at the news of this. They walked to the Entrance Hall and met Professor Williams.
"Good morning everyone," she said smiling, "if you would please follow me?"
She led the class up the Grand Staircase and to a classroom they had never been to before. It was beautiful. The ceilings were at least 45 feet high with a golden essence to them. The afternoon sun bounced off of the walls to illuminate every corner and every crack. It was quite different from what they were used to with Potions.
"Everyone please be seated," she said sitting down at her desk. "I am your new Potions Master as you can see. I was previously teaching at Durmstrang but left due to some minor conflicts. Now this is N.E.W.T. Potions and I expect nothing but the best from my advanced Potions students. We will begin today by brewing a very difficult potion. It is called the Truth Potion. It takes a full moon's cycle to prepare it, so this will be an ongoing assignment. While we will be brewing other potions in class, it is your responsibility to come by my classroom periodically to make sure the potion is coming along.
"Be very aware, I will be watching all of you to make sure you do not steal any of this potion," she said, eyeing specifically Malfoy and his group of friends. "I have been made known who is who in this school and I will be watching you very closely. The ingredients are already at your cauldrons, the instructions are on the board. Begin."
It took all of the period to add two of the numerous ingredients, for everything had to be precise. No mistakes could be made in this assignment, or it would result in an instant zero.
Due to the overwhelming amount of stress in the first classes of the day, every student, even Hermione, was glad to get out of the bright classroom for lunch.
"I'm already exhausted and it's only lunch!" exclaimed Ron.
"Yeah, it's our first day with Professor Williams and we are already brewing a very difficult potion. What's the rest of the year going to be like?" groaned Harry. He started to busy himself with his lunch in great longing hope of it being Saturday already, but was pleasantly interrupted by Ginny sitting down for lunch next to him.
"Hey Harry! How have classes been?" she said brightly, pulling the pitcher of pumpkin juice toward her.
"In one word: Hard," he said.
"Oh, so you've had Professor Williams too?" she said knowingly.
"Yeah, she already started us off with the Truth Potion. It takes a full moon's cycle to properly make!" he said exasperatedly. Ginny smiled and began to eat her lunch.
Just then Katie Bell walked up to their table and sat down across from Harry. His heart began to beat really fast, he opened his mouth to make her be quiet but she was already talking.
"Harry, I've just been to see Professor McGonagall and she said you were made Quidditch Captain. Congratulations! I'm so glad it was you and not me," she said with a laugh.
When Katie said Quidditch Captain, Ron's head had snapped up immediately. Harry cringed as she finished. Alicia saw this and looked horrified. She suddenly understood that Harry hadn't told anyone about it yet.
"Oh, I'm, er, sorry, I'll just be going," she said uncomfortably, leaving.
Ron turned and looked at Harry. He couldn't read Ron's countenance. It was expressionless.
"Look, Ron, I was going to tell you. Really. But I totally forgot," Harry said quickly.
"Yeah? How could you forget something so important Harry?" Ron snapped.
"Ron, I'm sorry, I was going to tell you but-" he began.
"Nevermind Harry, I know, you didn't want me to feel bad, is that it?" Ron said angrily.
"No, Ron-" Harry started, but Ron swung his bag over his shoulder and stomped off out of the Great Hall, leaving Harry, Hermione and Ginny sitting there. Harry looked at the two girls, not knowing what to say. Hermione and Ginny were looking at Harry with surprised looks on their faces.
"I honestly forgot," Harry said, guiltily.
"Harry, it's ok, we know you've had a lot on your mind," Ginny said.
Harry looked at Hermione, but she didn't say anything, she was eating her lunch. She was obviously torn between Ron and Harry. Now Harry's opinion of their relationship changed. He didn't want it. Their friendship wasn't the same. They weren't a trio anymore. Ron and Hermione would feel obligated to each other since they're going out ; leaving Harry alone. Finally, Hermione got up, and looked at Harry. She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it and left.
Ginny cleared her throat and started to eat her lunch again. Harry sighed as he looked around the Great Hall. Ginny noticed this and looked at Harry.
"Harry, don't worry about Ron. He's just jealous. He'll be over it by tomorrow," she said as she put her hand on his arm. Harry looked at her.
"I should've told you guys when I found out. I just felt bad that I got it and Ron didn't," he said, looking down.
"I know Harry. But you can't shelter Ron. He has to deal with things by himself sometimes. After-all he is the same age as you and if you can survive meeting Voldemort five times, my brother can survive his best friend getting quidditch captain," she said smiling at him.
"Thanks Ginny," Harry said, feeling slightly better. Just then, the bell rang signaling their last class of the day.
"Well, I'll see you in the common room Harry," said Ginny, getting up and joining her friends.
Harry sighed and began to walk towards his next class: Herbology. He started to think about if he was wrong in not telling Ron and Hermione about his getting Quidditch Captain. Harry wasn't paying attention to where he was going when he ran right into another Gryffindor. Harry muttered a quick "I'm Sorry" and started to leave but glanced up and recognized the girl he bumped in to.
"Hey, I know you from somewhere," Harry said. She blushed and looked down.
"I-I don't think so," she mumbled, not quite meeting his eyes.
"Yeah," said Harry, finally realizing who she was, "You're that girl that I saw during the summer with that black dog. You live right across the street from me."
She didn't say anything and kept her eyes cast downward. But she began to slowly look up towards Harry.
"I knew who you were all summer long, Harry," she said finally. "I wasn't allowed to talk to you though."
Harry was bewildered. "Why?"
"It would look suspicious to your Aunt and Uncle that you had a friend. My parents are on good terms with your relatives because they think we are "normal" just like them," she said with a sigh.
"But how come I haven't known that a wizarding family moved across the street from me?" Harry asked still completely confused as to why it was kept from him.
"My parents are part of the Order, Harry. They volunteered to watch you and your relatives while you are in school," she said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.
Harry now understood but soon realized that he did not know her name.
"Hey what's your name?" he asked.
"Layla Betcher. I'm a first year but of course you already knew that judging by how small I look," she laughed.
Together, Harry and Layla walked to the Gryffindor Common Room. When he parted ways with Layla, he saw Ron and Hermione sitting by the fire, talking. He walked over to them and cleared his throat, they looked up at him. Ron's face was indifferent to Harry, Hermione, once again, looked torn.
"Look, Ron, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I made Quidditch Captain. I should've told you, but I felt bad," Harry said with full sincerity.
For a second, Ron looked like he was about to yell at Harry again, but he instead exchanged a significant look with Hermione before opening his mouth to say something back to Harry.
"It's ok mate," said Ron, looking down. "I should've known you would get it since I totally bombed last year and you've been on the team since your first year. I just never really thought about the Quidditch Captaincy before this."
"Yeah, well I'm heading for bed, good night," said Harry, yawning. Harry walked upstairs to the boys dormitories and got dressed into his pajamas and lay down. Harry slipped into a deep sleep.
*I forgot to mention in one of the previous chapters that Harry was eligible for Care of Magical Creatures. My mistake.