Chapter six
Accelerated Studying
By Saturday night, Harry could truly say that he was starting to feel that he belonged. He was sitting in the common room in HIS OWN robes playing a card game called exploding snap. He was playing with Fred and George Weasley who were teaching him along the way.

To be honest, he found the actual game to be a bit boring, even with the random explosions. He had never played these types of games when he was younger, even with Jack and Sara. In his childhood, he and his friends would do things like wrestle or race for enjoyment, which was much more enjoyable to him than cards. But never the less, he was having a good time.

Fred and George seemed like the type of people who could make any situation a good time. Playing with them was impossible to not enjoy, regardless of how boring the activity was.

He had only been back from Diagon Alley a few minutes when he had been approached by the two notorious pranksters with an offer to help him get accustomed to the wizarding world a little better. As Harry got to know the family, he realized that Ron must be the oddball in the Weasley family. All the others seemed to be perfectly friendly... well, Percy wasn't exactly friendly, but he wasn't a jerk either.

After a good hour of exploding snap, the twins suggested they go down to dinner and invited Harry to join them.

On there way out of the portrait hole, Harry heard someone approaching behind him. He reflexively spun on his heal to see whom it was but did not succeed, for the second he turned around; he was blinded by a bright white flash.

"Hi, I'm Colin Creevey, I'm a second year. Oh and I'm such a fan of yours, cuss you defeated the dark lord and all. I wanted to get your picture so I could send it to my brother Dennis," said and egger voice. When Harry's vision had cleared he looked up to see a small boy holding a camera. Harry gave the boy an odd look but before he could say anything the boy continued, "Oh, I was so excited when you came hear, I've always wanted to meet you but you were missing. Where were you by the way? How come you didn't come to Hogwarts with the rest of your year? And all those scars, where did you get all those?"

Harry stared at the boy expressionlessly. He was about to sneer at the boy for being nosey but caught himself. He could hear Fred and George snickering at his side. He defiantly did not feel comfortable discussing his past with this stranger.

Harry could not think of anything nice to say at the moment and was thankful when Fred stepped forward and said politely, "Colin, kindly quit badgering the man, it's so ungentlemanly. Now, I do believe we need to be going, good day to you Colin." And with that he turned from the silent Colin, who was still trying to take in Fred's words, and usurer Harry through the door, George following closely.

Latter on that evening, Hermione and Harry were sitting in the common room. Mag was sleeping on the floor after a long day of playing with Hermione, Ginny and Neville (Harry had left her with them while he went to get his school supplies).

Harry was trying to read some more at the moment, but had to do it alone because Hermione was busy with homework. He did not mind however, there were still a lot of people up and he preferred to keep his illiteracy between him and Hermione for the time being as he was a little embarrassed by it.

Suddenly, Hermione stood up. "Harry, do you want to come to the library with me. I don't seem to have all the books I need with me and you haven't been to that part of the castle yet."

Harry smiled and set his potions book down. "All righ', didn' know der was a library."

They walked out of the portrait hole and down the steeps. When they were finally alone in a disserted hallway, Hermione turned to Harry and said, "When we get to the library, I can help you some more with your reading if you want."

"I though' you said ya needed ta ge' some books" Harry asked questioningly.

Hermione smiled at him, "I do, but that should only take a minute. I didn't think you wanted to study reading and writing with all those people around so I thought you might like to come with me. The libraries usually empty on a Saturday night so we should be able to study in peace, if that's all right by you."

Harry smiled at how considerate she was, she reminded him of Sarah a little. "O' course da's all righ'" Harry said joyfully. He paused a moment then spoke again, "Uh, 'Ermione, why are ya bein' so nice ta me, helpin' me ta read an' all? Mos' people would wan' somthin' in return but you don' seem to expect any t'ing."

Hermione blushed a little at his comment. "Well Harry, you seem like a good person to me, and because of that I don't mind helping you. I may not know you that well but I can tell that you're the type of person who stands up for what's right and I admire that" She said sincerely.

Harry did not respond to this but was thinking of how much he admired her. He also thought to himself, 'If she new half the things I've done, she hate me worse then Ron. But... she's a smart girl, just maybe, a girl like her could understand.'

After two hours of reading in the library, Harry and Hermione decided that it was time to head back. They had spent most of the time sitting on the couch together with Harry struggling to read a book and Hermione helping him when needed. The fact that Hermione could be so patient with Harry just added to his admiration of the girl.

As he started to put the books they had been reading on the shelf, Harry turned to Hermione and said, "Tanks so much 'Mione, I'd be los' with ou' ya. I can' believe you spen' so much time on me."

Hermione blushed a little and looked at Harry sweetly. Harry noticed this and asked "What?"

"You're the first person to ever call me 'Mione" she smiled.

"Really?, Well, I didn' actually say it on purpose. Jus' came ou' dat way, sort' a sounds natural, sorry."

"Don't be sorry, I like it," said Hermione, "your right, It does sound a bit more natural when you say it."

Her words seemed to make Harry warm inside, something he had not felt since Sarah died. He didn't think about it much but he did welcome the emotional warmth with a small intake of breath and a soft smile.

Sunday went buy without much event and by Monday mourning, Harry was once again shaking with anticipation. Today was the day he would have his first full day of lesions. After eating breakfast, the Gryffindors would go potions, followed by charms. After charms they would have lunch and then while the rest of the Gryffindors went to Divinations, Harry would meet again with professor Lupin for tutoring.

Despite the warnings his friends had given him, Harry was still eager to get to potions class as soon as possible. He had herd nothing but ill things about the infamous Professor Snape, but was not worried, he'd just keep his head down and hopefully he'd be able to learn from the man in peace.

When they had entered the class room, it was full of talking students that he noted were all Slytherins. He took a seat at a work bench next to Hermione and Neville. Neville had been even quieter than normal that morning.

The rest of the Gryffindors did not show up until a minute before the bell rang. When the bell did ring, the entire class became silent. Seconds latter, a tall greasy haired man strode threw the door. His eyes were almost black and they seemed to make you think of tunnels.

"Silence" he demanded, but need not have as the class seemed to become silent at his mere presence.

He stood behind his desk and picked up a piece of parchment and immediately began to take role.

Snape was in a sour mood the past few days. This was because of the sudden reappearance of the Potter boy. He felt the boy was more trouble than he was worth even before he had laid eyes on him. 'First he goes and practically fakes his bloody death, AND breaks Albus' heart. Then he shows up again out of no where and expects to be educated and given special help just because HE showed up three years too late. And now he's got all the professors practically worshiping him. Well he sure as hell won't get any special treatment from me' Severus said to himself angrily.

Severus would not admit to himself that his hatred for the boy was not because of Harry, but because of his father. He had managed to convince himself over the years that the Potter boy was an arrogant brat just like his father had been, despite the boy's background.

When Snape came to Harry's name, he glared at him and spoke out loudly in a disgusted tone, "Ah, The great uneducated Harry Potter has finally decided to grace us mortals with his presence."

Harry raised his head and met the man's glare. Something no student hade ever dared to do. His classmates couldn't help but admire him little as he stared back into the powerful eyes of the potions master without flinching.

After pausing for a moment, Snape realized that the boy was not going to retort or back down. Holding his glare, the professor spoke, "You should know Potter that although the rest of the staff here seems to worship the ground you walk on, I feel that you are nothing but a nuisance. Your presence here is only disrupting the system. I can assure you that you will receive no special treatment from me."

Naturally, Harry's first reaction would have been to talk back. He suppressed this urge however and just continued to stare back at the Man, hoping the subject would be dropped. Snape did not yet seem to be satisfied however. "Well?" he demanded angrily, expecting Harry to have something to say as his father would have.

Harry now realized that for some reason, the man was just trying to set him off. In response to Snape's demand for a comment, Harry replied calmly, "well I 'm glad we established tha'."

Snape sneered at him before continuing with the role. The rest of the lesson went on with Snape randomly scolding unlucky Gryffindors for their foolishness and rewarding Slytherins for nothing at all. By the end of the class Harry decided that when his friends said that Snape was a cold hearted bastard, it had been an understatement. It was quite a relief to finally hear the bell ring.

Charms class was a different storey all together. Professor Flitwick had spent the hour, going around the class and actually helping the students when they had problems and complemented them when they were successful.

They were working on the freezing charm that day. Few students were successful but to every ones surprise, Harry had been one of those few, along with Hermione of course. Neville on the other hand had not only failed to get the charm right, but he accidentally blew up the apple he had been practicing on. This had caused Ron and the others to laugh hysterically but they quickly shut up at the site of Harry's glare.

When people saw Harry's glare, they did not see the calm and cool student he had been acting like the last few days. Instead they seemed to see the insane street kid with nothing to loose except his freedom. And that side of Harry was enough to make anyone shake in fear, especially Hermione. But Hermione's fear was not of Harry, but for Harry. She had bonded with him over the last couple days and only wanted him to be at peace. However, she feared that Harry's old habits and memories would get in the way.

Harry's lesson with Remus that afternoon was just as great as the last one. He had spent the lesson teaching Harry the theory behind most transfigurations that day and Harry was successful with all the exercises Remus put him through.

After the session with Remus, Harry walked up to the common room and sat down on a couch to make a start on his homework. This was particularly difficult as he could barely read any of it. It would take him forever but he really didn't mind. He thought of how grateful he was of Hermione and realized just how important reading would be.

Just then Hermione and Neville walked through the portrait hole. Neville was looking normal but Hermione seemed to be aggravated about something.

"Hay guy's, wa's da mat'er 'Mione?" Harry asked, feeling worried for his new friend.

'Mione sat down next to them and said in a frustrated voice, "That old fraud Trelawny, she doesn't know what the heck she's talking about. I swear I'm going to drop that class soon. But oh well, how'd it go with Professor Lupin."

Harry told them all about his lesson with Remus. Afterwards they went down to meet Ginny at dinner.

Sirius Black sighed in relief when he saw Hogwarts castle for the first time in over twelve years. He had traveled most of the distance as a stowaway on a muggle train to a town about fifty kilometers south of the school and had practically ran the rest of the way, determined to see his Godson who he had become so attached to over the last few months. And also to seek his revenge on the traitor he had once called his friend.

Hiding in the forest, Sirius began to work out what to do about Remus. His disguise was useless with him around. Especially if he had informed Dumbledore.

It took all Sirius' will power not to walk into the school right then and there just to check on Harry. He new that if he were sighted, he would be given the kiss immediately, but part of him thought it would be worth it if he could just see Harry.

He was worried about Harry now almost as much as he was when Harry was on the streets, having to fight and steel for survival. He no longer feared for Harry's physical safety, but for his mental state. He had seen on more than one occasion how disturbed Harry really was. He could not lie to himself, Harry was not fit for going to a civilized school and it scared him to think of what Harry would do if he felt trapped. 'But Remus is there,' he thought, 'He's smart, he'll help him along the way so he can adapt better. I hope he makes some friends that can help him too.' But Sirius did not expect any kid in Hogwarts to be able to accept Harry, regardless of his fame.

Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Neville all sat in the library finishing there homework. Actually Hermione was finished with hers already and was helping Harry with his potions assignment.

When they were done, the four of them decided to show Harry the grounds around Hogwarts. They would need to be back by dark but that was at least an hour. Once they were outside in the cool winter air Hermione, Ginny and Neville pulled there cloaks tight around them to keep warm. Harry however was used to being colder than this and just left his cloak draped loosly over his shoulders.

For the next twenty minutes, the four wandered around looking at the green house and the quidditch pitch. When they got to the lake Mag, who had been trotting along side them, suddenly took off towards the forest.

"Mag!, Harry yelled, "Ge' back 'ear!" But Mag kept on towards the forest.

Seeing that Mag was not coming back, Harry took of after her, with the others following behind.

Luckily, Mag did not go into the forest. She stopped at the edge and sat down obediently.

"Wha' da hell ar' you doin' girl?" Harry said when he reached her. Suddenly Harry heard a loud bark, but it was not from Mag.

Looking up he saw that it had come from the large black dog who was now bounding towards him.

"JACK!", Harry cried at the sight of his friend. The dog eagerly jumped up on Harry's chest and began licking his face.

When the others caught up they were a little surprised and yet a little confused as to why Harry would be hugging this stray dog. They all stood by for a moment before Ginny finally spoke "Um, Harry, do you know that dog?"

Harry smiled up at them and said "Yup, He use' ta live with me an' Mag on da streets. Good dog actually, kind' a like Meg a little but e' is a bi' strange a' times. E's really smart though. I wander how e' foun' me hear."

All the others came over to pet Jack. After a while Hermione exclaimed, "Oh no! We better get back soon before curfew. We've only got a few minutes." All the others were a bit surprised at how fast the time had gone by and they all began to make there way up to the castle with both dogs running along side. When they got to the door though, Jack seemed to be a bit nervous.

"What's his problem?" Ginny asked.

"I don' know, told ya 'e was strange. Jack come on, don' ya wan' a go an ge' warm?"

Jack walked up to Harry and apologetically gave him an affectionate lick. Harry looked at the dog a bit confused but also a bit knowingly. Suddenly, Jack turned his tail and ran off back into the forest.

"Jack!" Harry called after him, but the dog did not turn back.

"'E did dat jus' a few days ago too, righ' before you guys foun' me. Don' know wha' da hells gotten in'ta him," Harry said disappointedly.

The others were a little confused by the dog's behavior also. Without saying anything, the Gryffindors walked into the castle and back up to there common room.

END OF CHAPTER

A/N That's it. I know it's a bit short but I didn't want to add anything on to it because this was a good stopping point. In the next chapter I plan to introduce Fletcher and maybe some Quidditch. I will either update again tomorrow or Monday.

Thank you to all my reviewers. It helps a lot.

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