Chapter Five- Classes
Harry awoke the next day, excitement rushing through him. His first day of classes. He looked around the dormitory he shared. Everyone else was already up and had left the room, except for Ron.
"Could you go any slower?" Ron asked Harry as Harry slowly pulled on his robes. Harry glared at Ron but sped up and within a few minutes were heading out of the portrait. All of a sudden, Harry's robes were caught.
"Aurgh! My robes are caught on something!" Harry said.
"When will you learn?" The girl said to Harry, letting go of his robes. "That trick still does work."
"And who are you?" Ron asked, furious that he was late for breakfast.
"She's my neighbor, Jeanna Hanale," Harry replied. "Jeanna, this is Ron Weasley."
"Hi," Ron said.
"Hello!" Jeanna replied, smiling. Her brown eyes were alert and bright. "Well then, shall we head down to the Great Hall for breakfast?"
"I thought no one would ever ask!!" Ron exclaimed, practically bouncing out of the portrait hole. Harry and Jeanna followed. Now that Ron wasn't by them, listening to their conversation, Harry asked Jeanna a question.
"So, how'd your parents take the note?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, really," she replied. "They had mixed emotions. First, they were quite happy, er, at least my mom was. She thought it was great. But my dad," she sighed. "My dad thought I shouldn't go at all. He wouldn't let me leave the house at all. He treated me like I was abnormal or something. My mom bought all of my things one night when he was away. She hid them underneath some loose floorboards in my closet. Somehow my mom convinced my dad to take me to King's Crossing Station. He wasn't happy about it, but he seemed to lighten up once he saw how many people were wizards and witches. I don't know if his attitude towards our kind changed at all, or if he just—"She was cut off by someone behind them butting in.
"Excuse me," the girl said, pushing her way in between Harry and Jeanna. "But I couldn't help overhearing your conversation." Harry realized that the girl was Hermione Granger from the train. "You're Muggle-born too?" Jeanna nodded. "So'm I. Although, my parents took it quite well. They were proud of me." Hermione turned to look at Jeanna's reaction, but Jeanna turned away quickly. Harry looked puzzled. What was up with Jeanna?
"Anyway, if you're headed to the Great Hall," Hermione continued, "you're going the wrong way. You should have turned down that hall right there." Hermione pointed to the hallway about ten yards behind them.
"Thanks," Harry said, pushing himself and Jeanna forward, away from Hermione. Harry was too occupied to notice the dozens of students walking past Harry whispering things such as, "Did you see his scar?" "It's that kid, right there!" "It's Harry Potter!" Even if he had noticed them, it wouldn't have bugged him, he was too used to it all by now. He didn't even realize that Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris was tailing him. She gave up and turned to go back to the third floor.
Harry and Jeanna finally reached the Great Hall, neither of them spoke of their conversation. Harry looked at all of the students clad in black. He felt like he was in a fairytale, what with all of the ghosts floating about and, of course, the witches and wizards. Harry and Jeanna sat opposite each other, Harry right next to Ron. He noticed that Ron didn't notice he had sat down, he was too busy eating.
Harry, still full from the feast last night, only ate a bit of toast. He was nervous about getting his class schedules. His mind was pulled elsewhere when a sudden pain shot through his scar. He looked up at the Teachers' table and noticed that one of them was staring at him with a look of loathing. The teacher had greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin. Hmm...that must be Professor Snape. Dad's always talking about how much he hates him. Next to Snape, Professor Quirrell was turned around backwards for some reason, his turban was the only thing visible. The pain subsided as quickly as it came.
Coming along the Gryffindor table was Professor McGonagall handing out the schedule of classes to all of the students. She handed Harry's his and he read:
Monday: 9:00 am- History of Magic, Professor Binns (Ravenclaw)
10:30 am- Herbology, Greenhouse One, Professor Sprout (Hufflepuff)
12:00 pm- Lunch
1:00 pm- Charms, Professor Flitwick
2:30 pm- Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall
Tuesday: 9:00 am- Charms, Professor Flitwick
10:30 am- Break
12:00 pm- Lunch
1:00 pm- Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Kettleburn
2:30 pm- Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Quirrell
Wednesday: 9:00 am- Herbology, Greenhouse One, Professor Sprout (Hufflepuff)
10:30 am- Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Kettleburn
12:00 pm- Lunch
1:00 pm- Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall 12:00 am- Astronomy, Northernmost Tower, Professor Sinistra
Thursday: 9:00 am- Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Quirrell
10:30 am- Charms, Professor Flitwick
12:00 pm- Lunch
1:00 pm- History of Magic, Professor Binns (Ravenclaw)
Friday: 9:00 am- Double Potions, Dungeon One, Professor Snape (Slytherins)
11:30 am- Herbology, Greenhouse One, Professor Sprout (Hufflepuff)
1:00 pm- Lunch
"Good, we have the same schedule!" Ron said."Duh, Ronnikins!" Fred said. "Each year has the same schedules!"
"Until third year, then you get to pick your classes, and some of you will have Ancient Runes at the same time as Divination," Percy piped in.
Harry, Ron, Jeanna, Fred, and George shot Percy and evil glare. He didn't seem to notice, he continued to study his schedule.
"Uh oh," Jeanna said. "We're going to be late for History of Magic!!" She grabbed Ron and Harry by their robes.
"You really want to be late for Binns' classes. It's a snore," George said.
"Still, I don't want to be late for my first class!" Jeanna snapped, still dragging Harry and Ron away from the food. "Come on!!" She pulled so hard on Ron's robes that it choked him. Harry pulled out of Jeanna's grip and was standing next to her, waiting for Ron.
"O—ok! I'm—coming!!" He said through coughs. Harry followed them. He noticed that most of the Great Hall was empty. Had classes already started?
"Jeanna?" Harry began.
"Not...now...Harry!!" Jeanna said, still pulling Ron along. He was putting up a good fight, but Jeanna had a firm grip on him. "Ron!! Will you just...STAND UP?!"
"Let......go of......my...robes!!!" he replied, still gasping for breath. Jeanna let go as Ron fell to the floor, massaging his throat. Harry looked at his watch and gasped.
"Get up Ron!! We're late!" Jeanna's eyes widened.
"I told you he would be the cause for us being late!!" Jeanna exclaimed, pointing at Ron.
After about five minutes of running, they reached the room. Opening the door quietly, they filed in, taking seats in the back of the room. Professor Binns, who was droning on about Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball. Harry scribbled down the notes while Ron continually muttered under his breath about almost being choked to death by Jeanna, who continued to kick Ron underneath the desk anytime she caught something he said about her.
"Children," muttered Harry. He received a sharp kick in the leg by Jeanna who innocently smiled at Harry. When the bell rang, they sighed in relief. Out in the hall...
"That was torture!" Ron exclaimed.
"What was he even talking about? Uric the What and Who the Evil?" Jeanna said. "What's our next class?"
Harry pulled out his schedule. "Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. It's in Greenhouse One." Turning right down a corridor, they followed the rest of the Gryffindors outside to the Greenhouses where Professor Sprout was waiting for them.
"This way, this way!!" She cried, motioning them to the very first greenhouse on the left.
Harry realized that Herbology was one of his easiest classes. They learned about different kinds of fungi and how to care for mystical and magical plants. Once the class was over, Ron said, "Ah, lunch next!!"
"Huh-zah," Jeanna said lazily. They were walking across the grass when a familiar voice came from behind them.
"I hope you know that you were late for History of Magic!" It was Hermione.
"Yes, and we feel so terrible about it, we feel we should get extra homework!!" Ron said sarcastically. He laughed as Hermione shot him a scowl not unlike Percy's.
"Come on Ron," Jeanna said. "You could stop acting like a prat for once and try to be nice to other people." She turned to Hermione. "Sorry, but Ron usually acts like a moron, but usually not this bad." She then added (as though she were his sister), "It's too bad you had to see him on an off- day." Harry and Jeanna laughed, and Hermione chuckled. Ron kicked Jeanna hard, which made her howl in pain.
"Ow!" Jeanna said, hopping on one foot and rubbing her leg. She stopped and pulled out her wand. Ron stopped laughing. "Don't make me curse you!"
"Oh yeah?" Ron said challengingly. "We haven't learned any yet!!"
Jeanna smiled evilly. "Rictusempra!" Jeanna cried. Ron went into a fit of giggles. She smiled triumphantly.
"Jeanna!!" Hermione cried. "You aren't supposed to do magic on other students!" She muttered a counter curse that made Ron stop laughing and made him collapse falling to the ground, clutching his sides. He finally could stand up and they headed to the Great Hall to eat.
Charms was another easy class. Since Harry was a child, he had been reading how to do many charms so he was easily more advanced than the other students (excluding Hermione).
However, Transfiguration was one of the harder classes. Although McGonagall was Gryffindor's Head of House, she did not favor her own students above the rest. In fact, she favored them less and was much more strict on them than any other House. The class was exciting after she turned her desk into a pig and changed it back. But their hopes were soon doused by her scolding them and telling them that it would take them years of Transfiguration classes to be able to do that.
Finally, with much relief, the day ended. They hadn't been given any homework yet, but they still had four more days of classes to go through.
The class that they all were waiting for was Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were all waiting to learn jinxes and curses. However, it was very disappointing when they actually went to class. It smelled heavily of garlic (supposedly to ward off a vampire that was hunting Professor Quirrell), and anytime they asked him about any fighting he had done, he would turn pink and change the subject quickly.
Finally, Ron, Harry, and Jeanna made it to the Great Hall on Friday without getting lost. Their spirits were raised a bit by this wonderful accomplishment, until Jeanna reminded them that they had Double Potions with the Slytherins.
"And he favors them," Ron added. "Which means that he's—"
"Biased against any other student that isn't in his House." Harry finished, standing up. "And if we don't want to be on his bad side any more than we are, we better hurry and get a seat in the back, or at least hope not to be late."
"Aww, but Harry! We haven't even stayed for Owl Post yet!" Jeanna said.
Owl Post... Harry thought. Then it struck him. "Jeanna, or Ron, remind me to send a letter to my parents when classes are done!! I completely forgot to send them one when I arrived!" As soon as Harry had said this, Hedwig swooped down and dropped an envelope right next to his orange juice. Hedwig landed on top of Harry's porridge and hooted for some food. Harry sat back down and gave Hedwig some toast. She nipped his hand affectionately and ate the toast greedily. He opened the letter. A piece of parchment fell out. Scribbled on it was a message:
Dear Harry,
I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first week at school. Send us an answer back with Hedwig. Hagrid
Harry borrowed Ron's quill and quickly scribbled Yes, please, see you later on the back of the parchment and sent Hedwig off again. "Now, if you two don't mind, I'm going to Potions to get a seat in the back of the class." And he strode off with Jeanna and Ron at his heels...
I'll continue with Potions class in the next chapter...
And I decided to go back and redo the prologue of my fanfic. I realized that the Prologue leaves some unanswered questions. My muse has been going crazy and jumping out of any window it can find. It's hard to get a good idea when I don't have a muse. In the next three weeks I should be able to get a few chapters published because I won't be bugged by my neighbor, Dave. He's going to Disney World for a few weeks. HA!! I WAS JUST THERE!!!
Yes, Phil, that includes you to reread the prologue!!
