The next morning, Severus woke before his roommates and quietly got dressed. Mars was by the foot of his bed, cleaning his paws. A rather large mouse lay dead in front of him. Severus made his way out of the dungeons and up towards the dining hall. The heads of the houses were already there, handing out class schedules to the students as they entered.
Severus Snape, Slytherin House, Year Seven+ ADV. TRANSFIGURATION – M W F 9AM-11AM, PROF. MCGONAGALL
+ P.A. ADV. 7TH YEAR POTIONS – T R 9AM-11AM, PROF. STINSON
+ LUNCH/STUDY HOURS – M T W R F 11AM-1PM
+ FOREIGN HISTORY – M W 1PM-3PM, PROF. BINNS
+ ADV. CHARMS SECT. 1 (SLYTHERIN/GRYFFINDOR) – T R 1PM-3PM PROF. BINDRA
+ GRAD. DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS – T W R 3PM-4PM, PROF. LORIENT
He looked again at the second class on the list. P.A.? He would be the Professor's Assistant this year! He had figured that he would take a more advanced course, since he took Graduate Potions during his 6th year.
Lucius sat down next to him. "Heavy load you got there Snape. Almost looks like a Ravenclaw's schedule." "You should be glad people like me are around to raise the average IQ of our House." Severus snapped back. "Don't start anything with me…" The argument was interrupted by the arrival of the Bloody Baron. "Morning boys. Eat up! There's much to do today." Lucius didn't say any more, but he "accidentally" knocked over Severus' pumpkin juice. Bastard.
Severus finished quickly and began walking up the stairs towards his first class of that day: Advanced Transfiguration. He was still fuming over Lucius' behavior when he rounded the corner and smashed right into someone else. Standing up, he saw Bhamini along with her books sprawled out on the ground. "Sorry…here." He picked up her books as she dusted herself off. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" She looked at him disapprovingly. "Advanced Transfiguration. McGonagall hates tardiness." He covered up quickly. He didn't want her to know why he was distracted. "I'm headed there myself. There are still a few minutes before it starts."
They entered the classroom and took seats near the front. A few other students were there already, two girls from Hufflepuff, a boy from Slytherin, and three others from Ravenclaw. The Ravenclaws waved at her, and gave questioning stares about the company she was with. Ignoring them, she took a seat next to Severus. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Severus asked what other classes she would be in this year. "My morning classes are either this or Advanced 7th Year Potions. After lunch, I have either Charms with Hufflepuff or Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. I also have Graduate Arithmancy on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. What about you?" "Oh, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm the Professor's Assistant for 7th Year Potions and…"Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Professor McGonagall and 4 boys from Gryffindor.
"Welcome to Advanced Transfiguration. I hope you have all completed the summer reading." Professor McGonagall turned to one of the Hufflepuff girls. "Ms. Taylor, can you tell me the difference between wizards who are born as Animagus and wizards that learn the transformation?" The girl thought for a moment, then spoke slowly, "Wizards born as Animagus have the ability to speak with the species, while those who learn to transform can only take the shape of an animal." "Correct. 5 points to Hufflepuff. Now, we will not be learning how to transform in this class. It is far too dangerous and is only to be done in an
officially supervised graduate course. Even still, few will be able to do it." The four Gryffindor boys snickered, but McGonagall silenced them by threatening to take away points. "Instead, we will study the finer points of this type of transfiguration, such as why certain people become certain animals, and the significance associated with each."
The class went by quickly and before Severus had a chance to talk to Bhamini again, her Housemates grabbed her and went off towards the dining hall for lunch, throwing some nasty looks back at him. Suddenly, he found himself surrounded by the four Gryffindors: James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Sirius was the first to speak up. "Just what do you think you're up to, Snape?" He gestured to the disappearing figure of Bhamini. "She's a Ravenclaw!" "Yeah," James chimed in, "Far too good for the likes of a Slytherin." "Mind your own business, Potter!" Severus would have added more, but McGonagall walked up behind them. "Is there a problem here boys? No? Then I suggest you be on your way." Severus stalked off to the dungeons as the others went to the dining hall.