A/N: Whoa now that's over. It took me a while to update this. I'm busy
with Euro. This chapter is a little soapish but it sets the tone for the
next chapter. Also Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaseeeeeeeee Review. No bars allowed. Come
on the story has four people who have added the story to their favorites
list and two have added me on author alert (I'm flattered). But please
review.
HoshHikari4ever: Thanks for the review. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
AutumnKate: Thanks for the review and the encouragement. You'll have to wait for the interaction between Cho and Harry. I haven't revealed much about their relationship in the past. Nothing to make the story R Rated. Soon you'll learn about them.
heedless One: Thanks for the Review. Though I don't think Harry is going to give Malfoy much notice as he his Death Eater now.
Granger, Weasley, Patterson and Chang - 1
The next day the Great Hall looked very different from what it had been the previous night. Mainly because there was no Dumbledore. The chair at the centre of the staff table where he used to take his seat was occupied by a stern looking witch. Her hair was tied in a tight bun and she wore peer green robes. When the first year Gryffindors entered the Hall they were immediately handed their time tables by a stern witch who everyone knew as Professor Granger-Weasley.
Harry took his time table from her and muttered "Thanks mum" sleepily. Hermione looked sternly at her son but didn't speak anything. Both Harry and Alice took their seats at the table. Alice was reading her copy of 'A Standard Book of Spells Volume One by Miranda Goshawk.' Harry looked sleepily at her and then stared at the porridge in his plate. He was not used to getting up this early. At home he always slept in. Here at Hogwarts he had been made to get up at eight o'clock. Even then Alice said they were late. 'Blimey, these people were crazy. Getting up from bed at seven in the morning.' He was muttering to himself.
"Wake up you sleepy head" he heard Alice speaking to him.
"I'm already awake, if it wasn't for you I would have been safely tucked away in my four poster bed my hangings drawn together. But you made sure I woke up before I had my share of rest. Thanks to you I'm going to have a miserable day."
He then glanced at his time table and his eyes lit up.
"On the other hand we have Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing today followed by Double Transfiguration with Ravenclaw and Double Potions with Slytherins."
Soon after he had gone through his time table his smug expression had returned. His eyes however darted over to the huge windows as a hundred owls came flying in. To his surprise a brown tawny owl landed right in front of his porridge. It had a parcel tied to its legs. It ruffled its feathers impatiently and stuck out its leg so that he could take the parcel. As soon he had relieved the owl of the parcel it gave a loud hoot and flew out of the hall. Harry stared at the parcel and broke the seal of an envelope which had been attached to the parcel. A letter fell on his lap. He started to read it.
Dearest Nephew,
Ron just gave us the news. Congratulations on being in Gryffindor. Is the fat lady still perky? Congrats to you too my dear niece. You will be receiving this first thing this morning. We sincerely hope you have enough. If you feel that you have a shortage then send us an owl and we will send you back some more pronto. You will soon be having more delights from Weasley's Wizarding Weezes. For now though you will have to settle with Snackboxes and the Wildfire Whiz-bangs. I don't think that you are quite eligible for the portable swamps. To prove your eligibility you have to wreck mayhem in your potions class. I heard old Snape is still there. Give him a memorabilia from us. Also tell about us to any of your friends, if you made any, there is a discount price on all our products provided they swear that they would use it against Snape. And try not mentioning about this to the new head of the Gryffindor house. She may pose a little problem.
Ron told us about all the teachers though. You better watch out for Snape as he always picks on Gryffindors and docks points at any excuse. He is always very lenient on the Slytherins though. And look out for Malfoy too. His entire family consists of Dark wizards. His father was a death eater too and right in you-know-who's inner circle. I hate to say it but they will turn your potions lessons into a nightmare. So make sure you prank them to inferno. He also told us about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He says Dumbledore praised him a lot. I don't know about him but keep your eyes open. Defense Against the Dark Arts have always been fishy in our opinion. Though Dumbledore will not praise anyone if he wasn't worth it. So work hard in that subject. As for all your other teachers they are all decent. We knew all of them in school. Cho Chang is good and Neville Longbottom is ok. It's good too that Ron is your flying instructor. We would have loved to be on your first time on a broom but I don't reckon Mcgonagall is going to allow it.
Well it's best that we sign off. You must be off to your classes right now. Wreck mayhem for old Filch too. Set of the Deflagration Deluxes in the corridors. And you can give Mrs. Norris a kick in the back from us. She had earned it. And take a lot of help from our friends Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. They can be a great help when you are pulling off a prank especially to make you a quick getaway from the scene of crime. Carry it always squirt. Always remember 'A prank a day keep the doctors away'.
Uncles Fred and George.
"Who was that from?" Alice said.
Harry shrugged and handed her the letter. He busied himself to open the parcel. He opened the parcel and ripped open the box. He stared at it.
The box was filled with skiving snackboxes of all kind. There were all kinds of flavours. And there were plenty of Deflagration Deluxes to last for the entire year.
"Wow Uncle Fred and George" that was all he could say. But his face glowed and it told the entire story.
There was a note inside the box. He read it.
This, dearest nephew is an enchanted box. It looked small so we charmed it to have a deep bottom. Hope you have enough for sometime. Use it well.
He quickly took the box and closed the lid. Before lice could say anything he had ran across the Great Hall and was on his way to Gryffindor Tower to hide the box from Alice's prying eyes. He burst inside his dormitory and snapped open the lid of his trunk. He took out all of his belongings and placed the box at the very bottom of his trunk and then replacing all his belongings over it so that it covered the box completely. He was about to leave the dormitory with his bag hung over his shoulders when the dormitory door snapped open and Alice walked in.
"You are going to turn those things Uncle Fred and George sent you, won't you?" she spoke up.
"What's it to you about what I do? You are always into studying. What does it matter to you about those things anyway? I am going to do whatever I feel like doing with it."
"It matters because if you are caught then you will surely be expelled."
Harry paused before he spoke again.
"I'm not going to be expelled. I'm not going to be caught. Now if you would excuse me I have a Defense Against the Dark Arts class right now and I'm looking forward to it."
Before Alice had something to say, Harry burst through the open door and out of sight.
A quarter of an hour later Harry was sitting in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. He chose to sit as far as possible from Alice. She was sometimes turning to look at him nervously but each time they caught each others' eyes he scowled heavily. He liked her very much as an elder sister but she was nagging too much. This angered him. Why did she have to nose into his affairs? He didn't do that in her case. His thoughts were interrupted as a new person entered the room.
He wore dark green robes and had brown eyes. His hair was jet black it was very untidy. He had gold rimmed spectacles. He was pale and sallow skinned. His face was emotionless. He closed the door behind his back.
Harry looked at the timid first years. He had been very much like them seventeen years ago. Timid and frightened. He surveyed each one of them and his gaze went over to young Harry. He looked much like Ron. He had the red hair and the freckled face. He tore his gaze and he looked at Alice. She was sitting in the first bench looking very attentively at him. Yes she looked very much like Hermione.
He cleared his throat.
"Wands and books away. Today you have to bear with a lecture of mine."
"Well, normally in first year you do a lot of theory work and much less wand work. But this year considering the current circumstances, the Headmistress has asked me to prepare you with what's out there. So we will be starting with magic much Advanced for you. We will be starting with magic which is in course for third and fourth years. I do expect you to read your Defense Against the Dark Arts text book. You should just peruse through it and if you have any problems you are always welcome to contact me. I'll be in my office and I will gladly help any one who is having any difficulty. Before I actually start teaching you the advanced magic I want you to work hard in charms. You will need it. Much work has to be done on charms before you can actually start using those magic. However I cannot guarantee that you will be mastering any spell that I teach you as it is quite advanced for most of you. Also I cannot say that students who are exceptionally brilliant in other subjects will perform fairly in my class."
He gazed at the class again. His eyes landed upon Alice and he saw that she had a determined look on her face to prove him wrong. He looked at Harry and saw that he was grinning. Henry smiled at them. They were so much like his own days at Hogwarts.
"Many of the different forms of spells and curses that you will be taught this year will not require the use of wand. It will be simple wand less magic and not even the most brilliant wizards that have walked the face of the earth have managed to master it. Not Albus Dumbledore and not even...Lord Voldemort."
There was a collective gasp in the class. Several of them flinched hard. Some fell of their chairs. Some started to cry. He saw the reaction of Alice and saw that she had tears in her eyes but he was most surprised to see that Harry was calm. He had a frightened look on his face but he was calm.
"This is exactly what I need to teach you first. To stop fearing the wizard by the name. It is after all just a name and nothing else. He may have been one of the most feared wizards alive at one time but he is now dead and even then people fear him when they have a wizard whose power surpasses that of Lord Voldemort."
There was another gasp and again many flinched and fell off their chairs.
"Come on now take a grip over yourselves. The fear only increases the manifested terror in your hearts. Learn to be strong and then only can you truly overcome the Dark Forces. Lord Voldemort is history. He was legendary but we have a greater peril at hand. The wizard known as The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter. Do you know anything about their history?"
All of them shook their heads.
"Very well. It is most unfortunate that it is I who is the one to tell you but I thought your parents would have already told you. Many of you must be under the impression that Lord Voldemort was the descendant of Salazar Slytherin. Well you are not mistaken. Lord Voldemort was indeed the last descendant of the great Slytherin. Many of you also must know that Harry Potter stopped him from taking over the school in his second year by defeating him inside the Chamber of Secrets. Anyone who has read Hogwarts: A History knows that. But do you know anything of their past? Lord Voldemort might consider himself as a noble person purging the school of half bloods and muggle borns but he himself was a half blood as was Harry Potter. Lord Voldemort was a student here in Hogwarts about seventy years ago. Even Professor Dumbledore wasn't the Headmaster yet at that time. It was old Armando Dippet. He was the Transfiguration Professor and Head of Gryffindor House at that period. Do you know what his real name was? He was known as Tom Marvolo Riddle. Only handful person in this world knows this. If you want to learn more about him you are welcome to try out the trophy room where you may be able to dig up a little more information about him.
"Harry Potter was also a half born. Although both his parents' were magical, his mother was muggle born. Like Tom Riddle he also had great powers. Both of them showed unnatural talent at school. Both were promised to be great sorcerers of all time. But Harry Potter had powers beyond the comprehension of Tom Riddle. That's why he could defeat him. He had powers that most sorcerers dream of. His talent at wand less magic is already legendary and that's what brings us back to this discussion. Wand less magic is a very obscure branch of magic. Only very gifted people are able to do it. Those who aren't gifted manage to do it by accident. Most of the time this year when we are not doing spells and curses we would be devoting our time to practicing wand less magic. As I told you, it doesn't take skills or talent to be good at it. Helga Hufflepuff was the weakest among the four founders of this school yet her wand less magic abilities are only next to the great Merlin himself. I am a little skilled at wand less magic myself. Durmstrang taught me a lot about these arts. I will only be guiding you in this process but you will have to do it yourself. It only takes up a little energy and nothing else. If we are making good progress then we can even move on to wordless magic this year.
"But you must not get your hopes high. It will be a long time before you can perfect the art of wand less magic. For instance if you are thinking that you will make objects fly across the room using the floating charm with a flick of your wrist then you are very wrong."
He then flicked his own wrists at a copy of Protecting Yourself from the Unprotected – Volume 1 and the book floated in air for a few feet before falling back on the desk. He looked at the class and from the look on their faces he could clearly say that they were vastly impressed.
"You will be learning this charm soon enough in your Charms class. Anyway as the period is almost over and I do not have any time to start anything new in class I suggest that you move along to your next class. Also you will be writing a five feet essay on your Protecting Yourself from the Unprotected – Volume 1 handed in by next Wednesday. Don't complain about it. I am giving you ten days to finish it. That is enough time. And the persons who are unable to hand in their essays will be serving detention for a week and instead of a five feet essay they will be finishing a ten foot essay. The length will double itself each time you don't submit your school work in time." He finished a little sternly.
He looked into their groaning faces.
"Anyway after the first couple of months you won't be requiring to write essays for me anymore. Because after that we will start the real Defense Against the Dark Arts." He added happily.
He watched the first years file out of his classroom and was about to close his door when he noticed young Harry Weasley standing all by himself by his desk. He went over to him and knelt down till he was at eye level with him. He smiled and spoke.
"What's up Mr. Weasley? You look troubled of some sort."
"It's nothing Professor. It's just my mum told me..."
"Your mum told you that they should be the ones to tell you about Harry Potter."
Harry nodded.
"Well I don't blame them. They knew more about Harry Potter than anyone else, even Professor Dumbledore."
"I certainly don't want any of you to know that I know more about Mr. Potter than your parents or Professor Chang."
"Professor Chang?"
"Yes, um, well Professor Chang was Harry Potter's girl friend when they were at Hogwarts."
Harry sniggered.
"Now you must promise me that you mustn't tell this to anyone."
"Why?"
"Well I'm not supposed to know that and certainly not the one to tell you."
"How did you know then?"
"Well, let's put it this way. I sort of came about this fact by accident."
"Oh!"
"Now move along then or your mum will have my head for making you late in your very first class."
"You're late Harry Weasley."
"I was talking to Professor Patterson."
"Well the class finished ten minutes earlier. That'll be a point from Gryffindor for coming late to class. Next time it'll be five and a detention."
Harry glared at her.
He fumed and sat down to a seat at the back of the class. He caught a glimpse of Alice smirking at the front of the class. Hermione began to speak. She continued speaking along the same lines as Professor Patterson. He looked at Alice again. She was listening with rapt attention to their Transfiguration professor. The very sight of her was irritating him. He turned his head and shifted his desk so that he would be unable to get a view of her and vice versa.
"She's really strict you know."
"Yeah."
"She doesn't even bother taking points from her own house. My dad told me that Mcgonagall was the strictest teacher in Hogwarts. Reckon Granger- Weasley would give a run for her money."
"Maybe"
The speaker was a Gryffindor boy who he vaguely remembered to be in his same dormitory.
"That was pretty harsh you know. I don't think Snape ever takes points from Slytherin. And how she treats you like that when she herself broke hundreds of school rules herself when she was at school."
"She did?"
His eyes had lit up. The prospect that his strict mom broke school rules when she was at school was highly entertaining.
"Tell me about it."
"Well I don't know much. My mum and dad were friends of hers at school and they told me that she had lots of adventures at school. They told me that she had been loads of times in the forbidden forest with her friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They fought dementors, trolls and faced you-know- who."
"Wow"
"Yeah, she was a model student too. She helped my dad loads of times. You heard Professor Dumbledore yesterday. She was indeed the cleverest witch here at Hogwarts ever."
"Oh by the way, I'm Justin. Justin Longbottom."
"Longbottom. Isn't that?"
"Yeah he's my dad. Our Herbology Professor."
"I'm Harry. Harry Weasley."
"Blimey! She's your"
"Mum. Right. Even then she takes points off me."
Hermione was now discussing about transfiguring matches to needles. Everyone was now listening to her with rapt attention. Well, almost everyone. Apart from the two boys at the back of the class.
"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Longbottom, is there something that I should know about? Or is it something too important apart from our topic of discussion. Maybe you would like to share it with the entire class."
Harry was now red in the face. Justin was looking as if someone painted his face with a pink color. Harry's eyes flickered over to where Alice was sitting. She was looking just as stern as his mum.
Hermione continued to taunt them.
"I hate it when she does that." He thought.
"Whatever we did wrong? First she scolds me in front of the entire class then she humiliates me again. And she calls herself my mum." His mind continued to think.
"Please Professor, we were just talking about the quidditch tryouts."
"You're not supposed to discuss quidditch in my class." She shrieked at the top of her voice.
"Just to make sure you don't, I am barring both of you from your first training lesson and I forbid you to go for the tryouts. Anyway even if by any remote chance any of you do get selected in the team then I'll make sure that you don't get to play for Gryffindor until you get in your second year."
"You can't do that." Harry shouted.
"Make me."
"You can't bar me from flying lessons and you wait. I'll be on the quidditch team even before you can blink your eye."
"Silence. I will not be spoken like that. You will address me as your respected Professor."
Hermione was looking bloodshot.
"Make me."
"Detention. And just to make sure that you definitely do not get a chance in the tryouts this weekend you will be serving detention with me every week from evening."
Harry was furious.
"I'm leaving. I don't want to study your stupid lesson about bewitching some crazy crackpot thing."
He got up and flung his bag over his shoulders and began moving towards the door.
"Mr. Weasley I'm warning you. Take one step towards the door and you'll wish that you were never born."
Harry paused for a moment. Everyone in the class held their breath in anticipation. Then as the suspense reached its climax, Harry spoke very quietly.
"I already wish something of that accord."
Then he opened the door and walked away from the classroom. Everyone remained silent. They were all spellbound. Harry had done something extraordinary and he could be in grave peril of being expelled altogether. But no one was more stunned and shocked than Hermione. She stood there, her gaze fixed at the door.
She knew she had overdone it. She should have never taunted him. She knew how much he hated it. And last of all she threatened to take away quidditch which was his only true love. She knew how much he loved the game and how much the game meant to him. And now he had walked out on her knowingly. She had never expected her first class like this. She hadn't even dreamed about anything of this magnitude happening in her class. She couldn't think any student to be bold enough to defy a teacher least of all her own son. Was he that arrogant? Or was it only because of the heat of the moment?
She suddenly got back to her senses. She stared at the class who were all open mouthed in astonishment.
"Um – I know it is early, but I think this is the end of today's class. Please study A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration on transfiguring matches to needles. That'll be all."
All of them started to leave the class. All of them were feeling highly awkward.
Only Alice remained behind. When all the others left Alice closed the doors to the classroom and almost immediately Hermione broke down.
She started to cry out loud.
"Oh Alice I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have done that. You know how much he likes quidditch. I shouldn't have abused my position as a teacher. It's my entire fault. I started taunting him."
"Don't mum. It's his fault. He was a stupid prat."
"Alice please leave me alone, honey. If you find dad please tell him to meet me in my office immediately."
"It's okay mum. I'll get dad."
Harry stormed inside his dormitory and kicked open his trunk. He threw his bag in contempt on his bed. Then he took out the map and spoke softly.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good!"
He touched the tip of the parchment and immediately the map unfolded its secrets. He looked at the map and saw that his sister and his mother were in the classroom. He saw teachers in their respective classrooms teaching and students all in the classroom. Even in his dilemma he couldn't help but wonder how superb this map was!
"Wow Uncle Fred and George!"
He quickly made up his mind. He wanted to be alone. He took one final look at the map and then tucked it inside his pocket. Then he made his way up to the quidditch pitch.
When he arrived at the pitch he started to have a good look at the pitch and the hoops at the corners. He then visited the changing rooms of the different teams. There were boards where diagrams were drawn showing various formations. He quickly recognized the Hawk's head Formation and the Porkskoff play. He knew all of it very well. Finally after his tour of the pitch was complete he settled himself in the stands. He had trained for every position in the quidditch team and even his dad who was a professional quidditch player had said that he would probably make to the squad in any position. He secretly preferred being a seeker. That would be awesome. He knew a lot of quidditch. He saw most of the Professional League games and like his dad he was a great Chudley Canons fan.
He stared at the three round hoops at the end of the pitch. As he stared at the hoops tears sprang to his eyes. He had hoped so much that he would be selected in his first year and play quidditch like his dad and his uncle. All his uncles had made it to the quidditch team in their second year. He was hoping to better them but his mum made sure that it didn't happen. He knew the rules. Once a teacher has punished a student no one can overrule it not even the heads, unless the teacher forgives the student. And his mum would not forgive him, not even for a sackful of galleons. He looked on miserably.
"Hiding from everyone are we?"
Harry whipped around. Professor Patterson was leaning against one of the pillars supporting the stands.
"Don't worry. It was my hobby too. At Durmstrang the pitch wasn't as nice like Hogwarts' but nonetheless it was my past time to spend time on the pitch when I was feeling lost and lonely."
"Your mum and dad are looking for you. I won't be telling them you're here though unless you want to be found."
"I don't want to talk about them." Harry replied hotly.
"I know how you're feeling. Your mum probably thought it is for your own good. I know she likes to abide by the rules. But I fully agree to your cause."
"She doesn't abide by rules. She and my dad along with their friend Harry Potter broke hundreds of school rules when they were at school."
"Ah! That they did. How did you know about their days at school?" he asked curiously.
"A boy named Justin Longbottom told me. His parents' were also friends of my dad."
"Longbottom. Is he by any chance related to Professor Longbottom?"
"Yeah. He's his son."
"Interesting"
"What's interesting?"
"Oh nothing. Listen I know that you have been barred from flying lessons, but I don't think it would hurt if someone were to give you private lessons."
"What are you talking about, Professor?"
Harry had a slight frightened tone in his voice. He saw the twinkle in his Professor's eye.
"Harry, when I was at Durmstrang I played for my house team. I can say that I was a pretty good seeker too. So I was wondering if you need a few pointers then I would be more than welcome to help. Though I doubt that you would need any especially considering your family background."
"You were a seeker, wow!!! I know how to fly a broom and I also know all beaters and chaser techniques. My dad trained me as a keeper as well but I hoped to be a seeker because they are the coolest. It doesn't matter anyways I won't be at the tryouts."
"Never you mind about the tryouts. I'm sure if you are good talent then you would be picked anyways. I was picked without a tryout in my first year and so was the legendary Harry Potter."
"You were selected in your first year!!!" Harry squealed in delight.
"So, do you need any help young Harry?"
Harry nodded.
"First tell me what broom you use?"
"Nimbus Two Thousand and Three"
"That's pretty decent. I started on a Nimbus Two Thousand myself. Then in my third year my broom broke and I got a Firebolt."
"You've got a Firebolt!!! That's amazing."
"It's a pretty old one. Fifteen years old."
"It doesn't matter it is still the fastest broom"
"So, when do you want to start the practice?"
"How about now?"
"I was expecting you say that"
"Accio Firebolt. Accio Nimbus"
Professor Patterson raised both his hands and very soon enough there was a swishing noise as both brooms cut through the air and stopped in front of them. With another flick of his wrist a golden ball with flying wings appeared.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get on the broom and catch the snitch."
They went on practicing for half an hour before Professor Patterson himself got on his Firebolt and went up in air.
"Harry want to race for the snitch?"
But he didn't wait for an answer. He immediately went after the snitch. Harry soon followed but the Firebolt clearly was much faster than the Nimbus. He was flying as if he wasn't on a broom at all. His maneuvering style was natural. Harry was watching him more than the snitch. He watched in awe as his Professor swerved sharply and then went on a steep dive. Harry followed but soon pulled out of the dive but Professor Patterson didn't. He caught the snitch and pulled out of the dive. Harry watched the splendid catch of his Professor. He started to clap.
"Well how was it?"
"It was fantastic. How could you pull out of such a sharp dive with the snitch?"
"Ah! The dives are my specialty. I am a specialist in feinting too, but that would be too wrisky in a house match.
"I think we have had enough practice for today. I think lunch is over and your lessons would start soon. You should keep this lesson a secret. With any luck you would outperform anyone at the seeker position at the tryouts. Allow me to carry your broom as you are not allowed to have one."
Harry went back to castle his heart scampering at the recent practice.
Even the prospect of a Double Potions with Slytherins couldn't dampen his spirits. But soon this changed. He entered the cold dungeons and immediately a cold drawling voice rang out.
"You're late"
"I'm sorry Professor Snape, I – I lost track of time"
"Indeed"
"I think ten points from Gryffindor would teach you to be in time. Now get inside the class and start working on the potion."
He couldn't believe it. He was half an hour late and he got away with only ten points.
He entered the classroom and found a place beside Justin.
"Where've you been? Your mum and dad were looking all over for you."
"Just been wandering about you know."
"Oh! What did Snape do to you?"
"Only ten points from Gryffindor."
"No Detention?"
"Nope"
"Mate you're lucky. You're damn lucky"
They didn't talk much more as Snape passed close by them. Soon enough Harry learned how Snape favored the Slytherins. He had finished his potion and it was purple than the deep blue it was supposed to be. Snape passed them and spoke.
"Pathetic Weasley. You have undoubtedly inherited the skills of your father. Thick headed and stubborn. It will earn you a zero this time."
Next he came to a group of Slytherins and Harry saw that all of their potions were acid green. But Snape spoke up.
"Very well boys. You nearly managed to do it."
In fact apart from Alice no one's potion was perfect. Snape scowled heavily as he passed her cauldron. He had no choice but to award her full marks. As the bell rang Snape called out.
"I want a three foot essay on the potion to cure mild sickness by the next class."
At dinner Harry took a seat with Justin at the very end of the table away from Alice and the staff table. After dinner Hermione and Ron got up from the staff table and proceeded towards Harry. Harry saw them coming towards the Gryffindor table and he swiftly got up and went out from the Great Hall.
Hermione stood there as silent tears sprang out from her eyes. Ron placed a comforting arm around her.
"Don't worry. I'll speak to him tomorrow. He'll come around soon enough."
Later that night after spending sometime in the common room Harry went up to his dormitory to get some sleep. Alice had tried to catch her eye but he avoided her. She even tried to talk to him but he ignored her. As he opened his trunk to get his pajamas, he gave a yelp of surprise. Immediately he growled furiously.
"Alice" he yelled ferociously.
"Alice, where did you take it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied calmly without lifting her head from the book she had been reading.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Where is the box Uncle Fred and George sent me?"
"I did what I had to do"
"What do you mean by that?" he spoke in a dangerously calm voice.
"I handed it over – to mum"
Harry just stared at her in utter surprise and disgust.
"I'll make you pay for that. You wait and soon enough I'll make sure to make Hogwarts a living hell for you."
He stormed out of the common room and flung himself on his bed. Then he pulled the hangings close. He lay awake for a long time. There were tears in his eyes. Why did everything be used against him? He lay awake for a long time before finally succumbed to sleep.
A long way off, Harry James Potter shouted.
"Pathetic fools"
"I've been free for more than a month and all that you've managed to do was to make a small teeny weenie attack on Platform 9 ¾. I want people to fear me. I've got three spies inside Hogwarts and still I've not got any news what that muggle loving fool is planning. I've remained silent for long but not any more. Death Eaters I allow you to torture and kill muggles. Demolish any wizard who stands in your path. Lucius, my slippery friend are you fit for the job? Can I have your trust?"
"Surely my Lord, you are too kind. I would love to my Lord."
"Very well. Take a group of Death Eaters and begin the task tonight. Now get out of my sight before I take out my frustration on any one of you."
Soon all the Death Eaters were gone leaving Harry to himself. He smiled to himself.
"Soon Albus Dumbledore you would be recruiting me in the Order of the Phoenix and then all hell would break loose."
He then started to laugh. A wild maniacal laughter escaped his mouth. The voice was unknown to him. The laughter continued till the entire Riddle House was filled with it's echoes....
HoshHikari4ever: Thanks for the review. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
AutumnKate: Thanks for the review and the encouragement. You'll have to wait for the interaction between Cho and Harry. I haven't revealed much about their relationship in the past. Nothing to make the story R Rated. Soon you'll learn about them.
heedless One: Thanks for the Review. Though I don't think Harry is going to give Malfoy much notice as he his Death Eater now.
Granger, Weasley, Patterson and Chang - 1
The next day the Great Hall looked very different from what it had been the previous night. Mainly because there was no Dumbledore. The chair at the centre of the staff table where he used to take his seat was occupied by a stern looking witch. Her hair was tied in a tight bun and she wore peer green robes. When the first year Gryffindors entered the Hall they were immediately handed their time tables by a stern witch who everyone knew as Professor Granger-Weasley.
Harry took his time table from her and muttered "Thanks mum" sleepily. Hermione looked sternly at her son but didn't speak anything. Both Harry and Alice took their seats at the table. Alice was reading her copy of 'A Standard Book of Spells Volume One by Miranda Goshawk.' Harry looked sleepily at her and then stared at the porridge in his plate. He was not used to getting up this early. At home he always slept in. Here at Hogwarts he had been made to get up at eight o'clock. Even then Alice said they were late. 'Blimey, these people were crazy. Getting up from bed at seven in the morning.' He was muttering to himself.
"Wake up you sleepy head" he heard Alice speaking to him.
"I'm already awake, if it wasn't for you I would have been safely tucked away in my four poster bed my hangings drawn together. But you made sure I woke up before I had my share of rest. Thanks to you I'm going to have a miserable day."
He then glanced at his time table and his eyes lit up.
"On the other hand we have Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing today followed by Double Transfiguration with Ravenclaw and Double Potions with Slytherins."
Soon after he had gone through his time table his smug expression had returned. His eyes however darted over to the huge windows as a hundred owls came flying in. To his surprise a brown tawny owl landed right in front of his porridge. It had a parcel tied to its legs. It ruffled its feathers impatiently and stuck out its leg so that he could take the parcel. As soon he had relieved the owl of the parcel it gave a loud hoot and flew out of the hall. Harry stared at the parcel and broke the seal of an envelope which had been attached to the parcel. A letter fell on his lap. He started to read it.
Dearest Nephew,
Ron just gave us the news. Congratulations on being in Gryffindor. Is the fat lady still perky? Congrats to you too my dear niece. You will be receiving this first thing this morning. We sincerely hope you have enough. If you feel that you have a shortage then send us an owl and we will send you back some more pronto. You will soon be having more delights from Weasley's Wizarding Weezes. For now though you will have to settle with Snackboxes and the Wildfire Whiz-bangs. I don't think that you are quite eligible for the portable swamps. To prove your eligibility you have to wreck mayhem in your potions class. I heard old Snape is still there. Give him a memorabilia from us. Also tell about us to any of your friends, if you made any, there is a discount price on all our products provided they swear that they would use it against Snape. And try not mentioning about this to the new head of the Gryffindor house. She may pose a little problem.
Ron told us about all the teachers though. You better watch out for Snape as he always picks on Gryffindors and docks points at any excuse. He is always very lenient on the Slytherins though. And look out for Malfoy too. His entire family consists of Dark wizards. His father was a death eater too and right in you-know-who's inner circle. I hate to say it but they will turn your potions lessons into a nightmare. So make sure you prank them to inferno. He also told us about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He says Dumbledore praised him a lot. I don't know about him but keep your eyes open. Defense Against the Dark Arts have always been fishy in our opinion. Though Dumbledore will not praise anyone if he wasn't worth it. So work hard in that subject. As for all your other teachers they are all decent. We knew all of them in school. Cho Chang is good and Neville Longbottom is ok. It's good too that Ron is your flying instructor. We would have loved to be on your first time on a broom but I don't reckon Mcgonagall is going to allow it.
Well it's best that we sign off. You must be off to your classes right now. Wreck mayhem for old Filch too. Set of the Deflagration Deluxes in the corridors. And you can give Mrs. Norris a kick in the back from us. She had earned it. And take a lot of help from our friends Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. They can be a great help when you are pulling off a prank especially to make you a quick getaway from the scene of crime. Carry it always squirt. Always remember 'A prank a day keep the doctors away'.
Uncles Fred and George.
"Who was that from?" Alice said.
Harry shrugged and handed her the letter. He busied himself to open the parcel. He opened the parcel and ripped open the box. He stared at it.
The box was filled with skiving snackboxes of all kind. There were all kinds of flavours. And there were plenty of Deflagration Deluxes to last for the entire year.
"Wow Uncle Fred and George" that was all he could say. But his face glowed and it told the entire story.
There was a note inside the box. He read it.
This, dearest nephew is an enchanted box. It looked small so we charmed it to have a deep bottom. Hope you have enough for sometime. Use it well.
He quickly took the box and closed the lid. Before lice could say anything he had ran across the Great Hall and was on his way to Gryffindor Tower to hide the box from Alice's prying eyes. He burst inside his dormitory and snapped open the lid of his trunk. He took out all of his belongings and placed the box at the very bottom of his trunk and then replacing all his belongings over it so that it covered the box completely. He was about to leave the dormitory with his bag hung over his shoulders when the dormitory door snapped open and Alice walked in.
"You are going to turn those things Uncle Fred and George sent you, won't you?" she spoke up.
"What's it to you about what I do? You are always into studying. What does it matter to you about those things anyway? I am going to do whatever I feel like doing with it."
"It matters because if you are caught then you will surely be expelled."
Harry paused before he spoke again.
"I'm not going to be expelled. I'm not going to be caught. Now if you would excuse me I have a Defense Against the Dark Arts class right now and I'm looking forward to it."
Before Alice had something to say, Harry burst through the open door and out of sight.
A quarter of an hour later Harry was sitting in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. He chose to sit as far as possible from Alice. She was sometimes turning to look at him nervously but each time they caught each others' eyes he scowled heavily. He liked her very much as an elder sister but she was nagging too much. This angered him. Why did she have to nose into his affairs? He didn't do that in her case. His thoughts were interrupted as a new person entered the room.
He wore dark green robes and had brown eyes. His hair was jet black it was very untidy. He had gold rimmed spectacles. He was pale and sallow skinned. His face was emotionless. He closed the door behind his back.
Harry looked at the timid first years. He had been very much like them seventeen years ago. Timid and frightened. He surveyed each one of them and his gaze went over to young Harry. He looked much like Ron. He had the red hair and the freckled face. He tore his gaze and he looked at Alice. She was sitting in the first bench looking very attentively at him. Yes she looked very much like Hermione.
He cleared his throat.
"Wands and books away. Today you have to bear with a lecture of mine."
"Well, normally in first year you do a lot of theory work and much less wand work. But this year considering the current circumstances, the Headmistress has asked me to prepare you with what's out there. So we will be starting with magic much Advanced for you. We will be starting with magic which is in course for third and fourth years. I do expect you to read your Defense Against the Dark Arts text book. You should just peruse through it and if you have any problems you are always welcome to contact me. I'll be in my office and I will gladly help any one who is having any difficulty. Before I actually start teaching you the advanced magic I want you to work hard in charms. You will need it. Much work has to be done on charms before you can actually start using those magic. However I cannot guarantee that you will be mastering any spell that I teach you as it is quite advanced for most of you. Also I cannot say that students who are exceptionally brilliant in other subjects will perform fairly in my class."
He gazed at the class again. His eyes landed upon Alice and he saw that she had a determined look on her face to prove him wrong. He looked at Harry and saw that he was grinning. Henry smiled at them. They were so much like his own days at Hogwarts.
"Many of the different forms of spells and curses that you will be taught this year will not require the use of wand. It will be simple wand less magic and not even the most brilliant wizards that have walked the face of the earth have managed to master it. Not Albus Dumbledore and not even...Lord Voldemort."
There was a collective gasp in the class. Several of them flinched hard. Some fell of their chairs. Some started to cry. He saw the reaction of Alice and saw that she had tears in her eyes but he was most surprised to see that Harry was calm. He had a frightened look on his face but he was calm.
"This is exactly what I need to teach you first. To stop fearing the wizard by the name. It is after all just a name and nothing else. He may have been one of the most feared wizards alive at one time but he is now dead and even then people fear him when they have a wizard whose power surpasses that of Lord Voldemort."
There was another gasp and again many flinched and fell off their chairs.
"Come on now take a grip over yourselves. The fear only increases the manifested terror in your hearts. Learn to be strong and then only can you truly overcome the Dark Forces. Lord Voldemort is history. He was legendary but we have a greater peril at hand. The wizard known as The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter. Do you know anything about their history?"
All of them shook their heads.
"Very well. It is most unfortunate that it is I who is the one to tell you but I thought your parents would have already told you. Many of you must be under the impression that Lord Voldemort was the descendant of Salazar Slytherin. Well you are not mistaken. Lord Voldemort was indeed the last descendant of the great Slytherin. Many of you also must know that Harry Potter stopped him from taking over the school in his second year by defeating him inside the Chamber of Secrets. Anyone who has read Hogwarts: A History knows that. But do you know anything of their past? Lord Voldemort might consider himself as a noble person purging the school of half bloods and muggle borns but he himself was a half blood as was Harry Potter. Lord Voldemort was a student here in Hogwarts about seventy years ago. Even Professor Dumbledore wasn't the Headmaster yet at that time. It was old Armando Dippet. He was the Transfiguration Professor and Head of Gryffindor House at that period. Do you know what his real name was? He was known as Tom Marvolo Riddle. Only handful person in this world knows this. If you want to learn more about him you are welcome to try out the trophy room where you may be able to dig up a little more information about him.
"Harry Potter was also a half born. Although both his parents' were magical, his mother was muggle born. Like Tom Riddle he also had great powers. Both of them showed unnatural talent at school. Both were promised to be great sorcerers of all time. But Harry Potter had powers beyond the comprehension of Tom Riddle. That's why he could defeat him. He had powers that most sorcerers dream of. His talent at wand less magic is already legendary and that's what brings us back to this discussion. Wand less magic is a very obscure branch of magic. Only very gifted people are able to do it. Those who aren't gifted manage to do it by accident. Most of the time this year when we are not doing spells and curses we would be devoting our time to practicing wand less magic. As I told you, it doesn't take skills or talent to be good at it. Helga Hufflepuff was the weakest among the four founders of this school yet her wand less magic abilities are only next to the great Merlin himself. I am a little skilled at wand less magic myself. Durmstrang taught me a lot about these arts. I will only be guiding you in this process but you will have to do it yourself. It only takes up a little energy and nothing else. If we are making good progress then we can even move on to wordless magic this year.
"But you must not get your hopes high. It will be a long time before you can perfect the art of wand less magic. For instance if you are thinking that you will make objects fly across the room using the floating charm with a flick of your wrist then you are very wrong."
He then flicked his own wrists at a copy of Protecting Yourself from the Unprotected – Volume 1 and the book floated in air for a few feet before falling back on the desk. He looked at the class and from the look on their faces he could clearly say that they were vastly impressed.
"You will be learning this charm soon enough in your Charms class. Anyway as the period is almost over and I do not have any time to start anything new in class I suggest that you move along to your next class. Also you will be writing a five feet essay on your Protecting Yourself from the Unprotected – Volume 1 handed in by next Wednesday. Don't complain about it. I am giving you ten days to finish it. That is enough time. And the persons who are unable to hand in their essays will be serving detention for a week and instead of a five feet essay they will be finishing a ten foot essay. The length will double itself each time you don't submit your school work in time." He finished a little sternly.
He looked into their groaning faces.
"Anyway after the first couple of months you won't be requiring to write essays for me anymore. Because after that we will start the real Defense Against the Dark Arts." He added happily.
He watched the first years file out of his classroom and was about to close his door when he noticed young Harry Weasley standing all by himself by his desk. He went over to him and knelt down till he was at eye level with him. He smiled and spoke.
"What's up Mr. Weasley? You look troubled of some sort."
"It's nothing Professor. It's just my mum told me..."
"Your mum told you that they should be the ones to tell you about Harry Potter."
Harry nodded.
"Well I don't blame them. They knew more about Harry Potter than anyone else, even Professor Dumbledore."
"I certainly don't want any of you to know that I know more about Mr. Potter than your parents or Professor Chang."
"Professor Chang?"
"Yes, um, well Professor Chang was Harry Potter's girl friend when they were at Hogwarts."
Harry sniggered.
"Now you must promise me that you mustn't tell this to anyone."
"Why?"
"Well I'm not supposed to know that and certainly not the one to tell you."
"How did you know then?"
"Well, let's put it this way. I sort of came about this fact by accident."
"Oh!"
"Now move along then or your mum will have my head for making you late in your very first class."
"You're late Harry Weasley."
"I was talking to Professor Patterson."
"Well the class finished ten minutes earlier. That'll be a point from Gryffindor for coming late to class. Next time it'll be five and a detention."
Harry glared at her.
He fumed and sat down to a seat at the back of the class. He caught a glimpse of Alice smirking at the front of the class. Hermione began to speak. She continued speaking along the same lines as Professor Patterson. He looked at Alice again. She was listening with rapt attention to their Transfiguration professor. The very sight of her was irritating him. He turned his head and shifted his desk so that he would be unable to get a view of her and vice versa.
"She's really strict you know."
"Yeah."
"She doesn't even bother taking points from her own house. My dad told me that Mcgonagall was the strictest teacher in Hogwarts. Reckon Granger- Weasley would give a run for her money."
"Maybe"
The speaker was a Gryffindor boy who he vaguely remembered to be in his same dormitory.
"That was pretty harsh you know. I don't think Snape ever takes points from Slytherin. And how she treats you like that when she herself broke hundreds of school rules herself when she was at school."
"She did?"
His eyes had lit up. The prospect that his strict mom broke school rules when she was at school was highly entertaining.
"Tell me about it."
"Well I don't know much. My mum and dad were friends of hers at school and they told me that she had lots of adventures at school. They told me that she had been loads of times in the forbidden forest with her friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They fought dementors, trolls and faced you-know- who."
"Wow"
"Yeah, she was a model student too. She helped my dad loads of times. You heard Professor Dumbledore yesterday. She was indeed the cleverest witch here at Hogwarts ever."
"Oh by the way, I'm Justin. Justin Longbottom."
"Longbottom. Isn't that?"
"Yeah he's my dad. Our Herbology Professor."
"I'm Harry. Harry Weasley."
"Blimey! She's your"
"Mum. Right. Even then she takes points off me."
Hermione was now discussing about transfiguring matches to needles. Everyone was now listening to her with rapt attention. Well, almost everyone. Apart from the two boys at the back of the class.
"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Longbottom, is there something that I should know about? Or is it something too important apart from our topic of discussion. Maybe you would like to share it with the entire class."
Harry was now red in the face. Justin was looking as if someone painted his face with a pink color. Harry's eyes flickered over to where Alice was sitting. She was looking just as stern as his mum.
Hermione continued to taunt them.
"I hate it when she does that." He thought.
"Whatever we did wrong? First she scolds me in front of the entire class then she humiliates me again. And she calls herself my mum." His mind continued to think.
"Please Professor, we were just talking about the quidditch tryouts."
"You're not supposed to discuss quidditch in my class." She shrieked at the top of her voice.
"Just to make sure you don't, I am barring both of you from your first training lesson and I forbid you to go for the tryouts. Anyway even if by any remote chance any of you do get selected in the team then I'll make sure that you don't get to play for Gryffindor until you get in your second year."
"You can't do that." Harry shouted.
"Make me."
"You can't bar me from flying lessons and you wait. I'll be on the quidditch team even before you can blink your eye."
"Silence. I will not be spoken like that. You will address me as your respected Professor."
Hermione was looking bloodshot.
"Make me."
"Detention. And just to make sure that you definitely do not get a chance in the tryouts this weekend you will be serving detention with me every week from evening."
Harry was furious.
"I'm leaving. I don't want to study your stupid lesson about bewitching some crazy crackpot thing."
He got up and flung his bag over his shoulders and began moving towards the door.
"Mr. Weasley I'm warning you. Take one step towards the door and you'll wish that you were never born."
Harry paused for a moment. Everyone in the class held their breath in anticipation. Then as the suspense reached its climax, Harry spoke very quietly.
"I already wish something of that accord."
Then he opened the door and walked away from the classroom. Everyone remained silent. They were all spellbound. Harry had done something extraordinary and he could be in grave peril of being expelled altogether. But no one was more stunned and shocked than Hermione. She stood there, her gaze fixed at the door.
She knew she had overdone it. She should have never taunted him. She knew how much he hated it. And last of all she threatened to take away quidditch which was his only true love. She knew how much he loved the game and how much the game meant to him. And now he had walked out on her knowingly. She had never expected her first class like this. She hadn't even dreamed about anything of this magnitude happening in her class. She couldn't think any student to be bold enough to defy a teacher least of all her own son. Was he that arrogant? Or was it only because of the heat of the moment?
She suddenly got back to her senses. She stared at the class who were all open mouthed in astonishment.
"Um – I know it is early, but I think this is the end of today's class. Please study A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration on transfiguring matches to needles. That'll be all."
All of them started to leave the class. All of them were feeling highly awkward.
Only Alice remained behind. When all the others left Alice closed the doors to the classroom and almost immediately Hermione broke down.
She started to cry out loud.
"Oh Alice I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have done that. You know how much he likes quidditch. I shouldn't have abused my position as a teacher. It's my entire fault. I started taunting him."
"Don't mum. It's his fault. He was a stupid prat."
"Alice please leave me alone, honey. If you find dad please tell him to meet me in my office immediately."
"It's okay mum. I'll get dad."
Harry stormed inside his dormitory and kicked open his trunk. He threw his bag in contempt on his bed. Then he took out the map and spoke softly.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good!"
He touched the tip of the parchment and immediately the map unfolded its secrets. He looked at the map and saw that his sister and his mother were in the classroom. He saw teachers in their respective classrooms teaching and students all in the classroom. Even in his dilemma he couldn't help but wonder how superb this map was!
"Wow Uncle Fred and George!"
He quickly made up his mind. He wanted to be alone. He took one final look at the map and then tucked it inside his pocket. Then he made his way up to the quidditch pitch.
When he arrived at the pitch he started to have a good look at the pitch and the hoops at the corners. He then visited the changing rooms of the different teams. There were boards where diagrams were drawn showing various formations. He quickly recognized the Hawk's head Formation and the Porkskoff play. He knew all of it very well. Finally after his tour of the pitch was complete he settled himself in the stands. He had trained for every position in the quidditch team and even his dad who was a professional quidditch player had said that he would probably make to the squad in any position. He secretly preferred being a seeker. That would be awesome. He knew a lot of quidditch. He saw most of the Professional League games and like his dad he was a great Chudley Canons fan.
He stared at the three round hoops at the end of the pitch. As he stared at the hoops tears sprang to his eyes. He had hoped so much that he would be selected in his first year and play quidditch like his dad and his uncle. All his uncles had made it to the quidditch team in their second year. He was hoping to better them but his mum made sure that it didn't happen. He knew the rules. Once a teacher has punished a student no one can overrule it not even the heads, unless the teacher forgives the student. And his mum would not forgive him, not even for a sackful of galleons. He looked on miserably.
"Hiding from everyone are we?"
Harry whipped around. Professor Patterson was leaning against one of the pillars supporting the stands.
"Don't worry. It was my hobby too. At Durmstrang the pitch wasn't as nice like Hogwarts' but nonetheless it was my past time to spend time on the pitch when I was feeling lost and lonely."
"Your mum and dad are looking for you. I won't be telling them you're here though unless you want to be found."
"I don't want to talk about them." Harry replied hotly.
"I know how you're feeling. Your mum probably thought it is for your own good. I know she likes to abide by the rules. But I fully agree to your cause."
"She doesn't abide by rules. She and my dad along with their friend Harry Potter broke hundreds of school rules when they were at school."
"Ah! That they did. How did you know about their days at school?" he asked curiously.
"A boy named Justin Longbottom told me. His parents' were also friends of my dad."
"Longbottom. Is he by any chance related to Professor Longbottom?"
"Yeah. He's his son."
"Interesting"
"What's interesting?"
"Oh nothing. Listen I know that you have been barred from flying lessons, but I don't think it would hurt if someone were to give you private lessons."
"What are you talking about, Professor?"
Harry had a slight frightened tone in his voice. He saw the twinkle in his Professor's eye.
"Harry, when I was at Durmstrang I played for my house team. I can say that I was a pretty good seeker too. So I was wondering if you need a few pointers then I would be more than welcome to help. Though I doubt that you would need any especially considering your family background."
"You were a seeker, wow!!! I know how to fly a broom and I also know all beaters and chaser techniques. My dad trained me as a keeper as well but I hoped to be a seeker because they are the coolest. It doesn't matter anyways I won't be at the tryouts."
"Never you mind about the tryouts. I'm sure if you are good talent then you would be picked anyways. I was picked without a tryout in my first year and so was the legendary Harry Potter."
"You were selected in your first year!!!" Harry squealed in delight.
"So, do you need any help young Harry?"
Harry nodded.
"First tell me what broom you use?"
"Nimbus Two Thousand and Three"
"That's pretty decent. I started on a Nimbus Two Thousand myself. Then in my third year my broom broke and I got a Firebolt."
"You've got a Firebolt!!! That's amazing."
"It's a pretty old one. Fifteen years old."
"It doesn't matter it is still the fastest broom"
"So, when do you want to start the practice?"
"How about now?"
"I was expecting you say that"
"Accio Firebolt. Accio Nimbus"
Professor Patterson raised both his hands and very soon enough there was a swishing noise as both brooms cut through the air and stopped in front of them. With another flick of his wrist a golden ball with flying wings appeared.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get on the broom and catch the snitch."
They went on practicing for half an hour before Professor Patterson himself got on his Firebolt and went up in air.
"Harry want to race for the snitch?"
But he didn't wait for an answer. He immediately went after the snitch. Harry soon followed but the Firebolt clearly was much faster than the Nimbus. He was flying as if he wasn't on a broom at all. His maneuvering style was natural. Harry was watching him more than the snitch. He watched in awe as his Professor swerved sharply and then went on a steep dive. Harry followed but soon pulled out of the dive but Professor Patterson didn't. He caught the snitch and pulled out of the dive. Harry watched the splendid catch of his Professor. He started to clap.
"Well how was it?"
"It was fantastic. How could you pull out of such a sharp dive with the snitch?"
"Ah! The dives are my specialty. I am a specialist in feinting too, but that would be too wrisky in a house match.
"I think we have had enough practice for today. I think lunch is over and your lessons would start soon. You should keep this lesson a secret. With any luck you would outperform anyone at the seeker position at the tryouts. Allow me to carry your broom as you are not allowed to have one."
Harry went back to castle his heart scampering at the recent practice.
Even the prospect of a Double Potions with Slytherins couldn't dampen his spirits. But soon this changed. He entered the cold dungeons and immediately a cold drawling voice rang out.
"You're late"
"I'm sorry Professor Snape, I – I lost track of time"
"Indeed"
"I think ten points from Gryffindor would teach you to be in time. Now get inside the class and start working on the potion."
He couldn't believe it. He was half an hour late and he got away with only ten points.
He entered the classroom and found a place beside Justin.
"Where've you been? Your mum and dad were looking all over for you."
"Just been wandering about you know."
"Oh! What did Snape do to you?"
"Only ten points from Gryffindor."
"No Detention?"
"Nope"
"Mate you're lucky. You're damn lucky"
They didn't talk much more as Snape passed close by them. Soon enough Harry learned how Snape favored the Slytherins. He had finished his potion and it was purple than the deep blue it was supposed to be. Snape passed them and spoke.
"Pathetic Weasley. You have undoubtedly inherited the skills of your father. Thick headed and stubborn. It will earn you a zero this time."
Next he came to a group of Slytherins and Harry saw that all of their potions were acid green. But Snape spoke up.
"Very well boys. You nearly managed to do it."
In fact apart from Alice no one's potion was perfect. Snape scowled heavily as he passed her cauldron. He had no choice but to award her full marks. As the bell rang Snape called out.
"I want a three foot essay on the potion to cure mild sickness by the next class."
At dinner Harry took a seat with Justin at the very end of the table away from Alice and the staff table. After dinner Hermione and Ron got up from the staff table and proceeded towards Harry. Harry saw them coming towards the Gryffindor table and he swiftly got up and went out from the Great Hall.
Hermione stood there as silent tears sprang out from her eyes. Ron placed a comforting arm around her.
"Don't worry. I'll speak to him tomorrow. He'll come around soon enough."
Later that night after spending sometime in the common room Harry went up to his dormitory to get some sleep. Alice had tried to catch her eye but he avoided her. She even tried to talk to him but he ignored her. As he opened his trunk to get his pajamas, he gave a yelp of surprise. Immediately he growled furiously.
"Alice" he yelled ferociously.
"Alice, where did you take it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied calmly without lifting her head from the book she had been reading.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Where is the box Uncle Fred and George sent me?"
"I did what I had to do"
"What do you mean by that?" he spoke in a dangerously calm voice.
"I handed it over – to mum"
Harry just stared at her in utter surprise and disgust.
"I'll make you pay for that. You wait and soon enough I'll make sure to make Hogwarts a living hell for you."
He stormed out of the common room and flung himself on his bed. Then he pulled the hangings close. He lay awake for a long time. There were tears in his eyes. Why did everything be used against him? He lay awake for a long time before finally succumbed to sleep.
A long way off, Harry James Potter shouted.
"Pathetic fools"
"I've been free for more than a month and all that you've managed to do was to make a small teeny weenie attack on Platform 9 ¾. I want people to fear me. I've got three spies inside Hogwarts and still I've not got any news what that muggle loving fool is planning. I've remained silent for long but not any more. Death Eaters I allow you to torture and kill muggles. Demolish any wizard who stands in your path. Lucius, my slippery friend are you fit for the job? Can I have your trust?"
"Surely my Lord, you are too kind. I would love to my Lord."
"Very well. Take a group of Death Eaters and begin the task tonight. Now get out of my sight before I take out my frustration on any one of you."
Soon all the Death Eaters were gone leaving Harry to himself. He smiled to himself.
"Soon Albus Dumbledore you would be recruiting me in the Order of the Phoenix and then all hell would break loose."
He then started to laugh. A wild maniacal laughter escaped his mouth. The voice was unknown to him. The laughter continued till the entire Riddle House was filled with it's echoes....