Chapter 7 – Brothers, and Classes
As the three walked out the large doors they hear twin voices calling behind them, "Hey, Ronniekins!"
Ron turned slowly, his eyes cold though a small amount of hurt leaked through, "SO, are you going to torment me to, well if you are then you can just leave me the hell alone!"
Fred and George halted in mid run beside their little brother noticing the flinch when they threw arms around his shoulders which he ducked out of snarling at them, "Don't touch me!"
Fred and George looked hurt and held up their hands in a placating gesture, "Hey we don't care what"
"House you're in, you're still our"
"Little brother, and we're here if you"
"need us for anything."
Harry and Hermione watched amused as they saw the two pick up the sentences, they had to practice it, it was just too perfect.
Ron's features lightened a little, as he looked at his brothers, "Don't worry about Mum."
"She has a temper, betcha anything you'll"
"be getting a apology in the mail tomorrow."
His face lightened more and Ron hesitantly touched each of his brother's on the arms with a quiet "Thanks" that only the four surrounding him could hear.
The twins threw a smile as they headed the opposite direction, that was more then they had received in months, "Ya better head out Ronniekins!"
Shaking his head Ron and the other two continued on their way their mood considerably lightened from earlier in the morning. Traveling down the hallways they eventually reached the Transfigurations classroom, walking inside they quickly took a table in the shadows, near the back corner.
Ron looked around noticing a cat watching students file in and sit down with a strange look, he had never seen a cat sit so ramrod straight before. Shrugging he pulled out the textbook and began to review the first chapter that they had gone over on the train. Harry and Hermione did the same thing.
The rest of the students were milling around chattering or trying to get a rise out of the house on the opposite side of the room, it was noisy and chaotic and didn't remotely resemble a classroom.
After about 15 minutes a dark skinned Gryffindor stood up on the other side of the room and looked around, "Oi! Do you think the Professor is going to show, or what?"
Just then the cat leapt off the table transforming into a stern looking woman with a disappointed look on her face. Her hair was pulled tightly back into a bun and she shot a look at the standing Gryffindor as he blushed and sank in his seat.
Harry and the other two quickly packed their books away turning their attention to Professor McGonagall standing in the front of the classroom; Harry didn't think that this was someone to be messed with and it was merely confirmed when the first words out of her mouth were a stern talking to, "Transfigurations is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."
Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again, looking at the stunned and anxious faces around him Ron wondered if they actually thought they were going to be doing that on the first day, he chuckled silently as their faces dropped, yes, they actually had believed that.
Shaking his head he and his two friends quickly grabbed their quills jotting down the long list of complicated instructions that the professor was lecturing them on.
Transfiguration had always been something that interested Ron and even the long set of notes were intriguing, none of the textbooks he had been reading on the train here came close to the delicacy the Professor was describing. It truly was a fascinating subject.
Looking over at the two people he actually trusted he snorted, they obviously didn't share his opinion about this being fascinating.
After awhile each one of them was handed a match and told to turn it into a needle. Ron had actually seen his mother do this with small pieces of material when she couldn't find her sewing needle; when there was five children living at home she was constantly patching and repairing things.
Concentrating hard he muttered the words as he pictured it in his head, when he looked down it was slightly silver and pointy. Frowning he glanced over at his two companions seeing that obviously they were having trouble as well. At the end of the lesson Professor McGonagall walked around the room inspecting the progress.
When she reached the three Slytherins in the back she halted, Ron noticed her and looked up as did Hermione and Harry, sitting in front of Ron was a near perfect sewing needle and both of the other's had become pointy and silver, but not nearly as good as Ron's.
Professor McGonagall picked up the three needles looking slightly shocked, "Ten points to Slytherin, Mr. Weasley."
With that she walked back up to the front of the room assigning each student a paper about trying to transfigure the match, and for the three Slytherins about the changes in the match; and then dismissed them.
As they left the classroom Hermione looked appraisingly at Ron, "Well, I do believe I know which one of us is going to be our Transfigurations expert."
Harry chuckled low as Ron's ears started to burn, "Nice job Burn, you managed to shock the teacher on the first day!"
"Ah, bloody hell, just shut up." He ducked his head lower, smiling slightly, it felt good to have friends again.
Soon the conversation turned to hexes as they reached the Charms classroom, they were greeted with nods from the Ravenclaws, it was nice to have a break between Gryffindor classes, the rivalry truly was idiotic but was still in full force.
Charms was entertaining, Professor Flitwick was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of class he took roll call and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight.
Harry merely rolled his eyes and glared at the other two when the tried to hide their amusement at the Professor's reaction.
As the lesson ended, Ron and Harry shook their heads, while the three could hide their emotions they could tell what the others were feeling, the masks to similar to ignore. If anyone else had looked they would have seem three nearly expressionless adolescents leaving a classroom.
If she could have Hermione would have been bouncing in excitement, Ron saw the perfect opportunity for a little revenge, "Well, Bolt looks like we've found the future Charms Master." To most the sarcasm would sound cutting and harsh, but Hermione merely smirked.
"Mistress, Burn, Charms Mistress."
With that she turned and marched towards Potions.
Harry followed throwing a look at the sulking red head, "I believe the score is Brigid 2 and Burn 0."
Hurrying he caught up with her and Ron was close behind him, he chuckled darkly as he caught up, "You would think that I had already learned my lesson, I'm just a masochist aren't I?"
"Wow, big words, did they hurt?" Hermione said it sweetly batting her eyelashes in fake innocence.
"Ah, bloody hell, I give up."
They shared a look as they walked further into the dark dungeons, Hermione and Ron could see the interest sparked in Harry's emerald eyes as they approached the Potions classroom, they were nearly back at the common room when they reached the large doors.
Shoving open the large doors they noticed they were the first ones there, quickly they claimed one of the benches in back, setting up their equipment.
The next student to enter was Draco Malfoy, lacking his two hulking appendages.
Hermione elbowed Harry and gestured, "Dragon at two o'clock, hostile or peaceful?"
Harry looked at the boy, "Unknown, stay on your toes."
The blonde boy approached the three, stopping in front of them, "Weasley, Potter, Mud...Granger."
Three eyebrows raised in unison at the greetings, "Civility, Malfoy? What brought this on?"
Draco smirked as he looked at Ron, "My own best interests of course. I saw how it went in Transfigurations and I heard about Granger in Charms, not only would it be an academic advantage, but it's not like Crabbe or Goyle can make anything beyond one syllable words."
Harry leaned forward, "And what is in it for us Malfoy, we are Slytherin after all."
"Two of you have no knowledge of the magical world, and the Weasley family is not the true pureblood family." He sneered and Ron moved his wand into plain sight, "I would watch what you say Malfoy, we don't want any accidents do we?"
"I can give you contacts and information you haven't got a chance of acquiring on your own, my family is one of the oldest and most respected wizarding families. Potter is an old line as well, and a near muggle carrying it on is highly.....distasteful."
Harry turned and looked at the two sitting next to him, they communicated silently with their eyes before turning back to Malfoy, "We'll think about it Malfoy, if you can restrain from insulting us then I believe it would be beneficial.:
Holding out a hand the two shook quickly, an unsteady truce being put into affect as the rest of class started to file in.
After all the students were seated Professor Snape seemed to swoop in and began to take roll call, like Professor Flitwick he paused on Harry's name, "Ah yes; Harry Potter, our new celebrity."
Most of the Gryffindors snickered and a few of the Slytherins joined in; Harry shuddered lightly, his uncle had used that tone right before....quickly he snapped himself out of that train of thought listening as Professor Snape began his speech.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses...I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper in death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
The entire speech had been spoken barely above a whisper but it had captured the entire class in it's spell; Harry glanced at his two compatriots more glad then ever that they had studied everything they could beforehand.
"Potter!" said Snape suddenly, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry thought for a moment and then remembered he had considered even making it if he could get the ingredients, "The Draught of Living Death, Sir."
Snape's lips tightened into more of a sneer, "And where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
Harrry managed not to look at the Professor as he answered, "It is a stone found in the stomach of a goat and will save you from most poisons Professor."
Hermione gently rested her hand on his arm under the desk as Snape glared at Harry, "One more time Potter; what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"There is no difference between the two Sir, they are the same thing, they also go by the name of aconite." All his answers were uttered in soft tones barely above a whisper but they seemed to echo in the dungeon classroom.
Scowling Snape turned on the rest of the class, sending one final Death Glare at Harry, "Well? Why aren't you copying that down!"
There was a rustling for quills and paper except for the few who already had the information alike Ron and Hermione. Hermione looked at Harry concerned, his face was very pale and he was shaking, not enough so that anyone but Ron or her would notice.
Throughout the lesson Snape kept glaring at the three and somehow managed to alternately insult them and give them all detentions. By the end, Harry had managed to get a week of detention and Ron and Hermione each managed to garner at least one.
As the class ended Snape threw one final insult their way as both Ron and Hermione took Harry out of the class, his eyes down, "Slytherins? What was the Sorting Hat thinking? You don't belong in the house of the intelligent and cunning, more like the ignorant and pathetic."
With that scathing comment the three fled the room away from the smug look on the Potion Master's face. Snape looked after the three with a vaguely unsettled look; something nagged him about them but he pushed it out of his mind as he prepared to terrorize another class.
They still had a few hours before they were going to see Hagrid with Harry so the two drug him back to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin that marked the entrance to the dormitory, they received a raised eyebrow as the portrait swung open even before they uttered the password, quickly they thanked the founder and moved to the inside portrait that led to their quarters.
Isis quickly swung open her tongue darting out worriedly as the three collapsed on the couch, Ron and Hermione surrounding Harry. As he relaxed against the comfort of the two and the softness of the couch Isis spoke. "Bolt, what hasss happened? Are you alright my little sssnakesss?"
Harry nodded, "I am fine Isssisss, however the Potion Massster hatesss me, who jussst happensss to be our head of houssse." Unhappily the other two nodded, neither happy with how the class had gone.
"Don't worry my sssnake-child he ssshall realize you are not your father even if I have to lecture him myssself."
"No! Isssisss pleassse don't, it will only make him hate usss more."
The snake nodded her slitted eyes showing concern as the three sat on the couch looking at the fire and drawing comfort from eachother. Soon they rose realizing that they were due to go see Hagrid. Silently they slipped through the portrait and the common room disappearing into the hall.
As they walked towards the front of the castle Ron trailed behind a little, feeling a vaguely uncomfortable feeling; he jumped when he felt a hand fall on his shoulder. Looking up he whitened considerable as he saw a darkly smiling Percy looking at him, "Hello, little brother, and how are you enjoying your visit to the snake's den?"
The hand on his shoulder tightened considerably and he winced as Percy leaned down next to his ear, "Don't think that I've forgotten about our fun simply because you are in another house, I do have a private room after all."
Hearing throats cleared in front of them Ron looked to see Harry and Hermione glaring at the tall redhead gripping his shoulder. With one last smile Percy released him and headed back down the hall, "See you soon little brother."
The other two first years moved quickly to Ron's side intertwining their arms with his shaking frame, he could see the questions in their eyes and he shook his head and straightened himself, "Talk later, Hagrid's now. A strong cup of tea sounds good."
With a grateful smile the three continued on their way to visit the half- giant, their arms still intertwined in eachother.
As the three walked out the large doors they hear twin voices calling behind them, "Hey, Ronniekins!"
Ron turned slowly, his eyes cold though a small amount of hurt leaked through, "SO, are you going to torment me to, well if you are then you can just leave me the hell alone!"
Fred and George halted in mid run beside their little brother noticing the flinch when they threw arms around his shoulders which he ducked out of snarling at them, "Don't touch me!"
Fred and George looked hurt and held up their hands in a placating gesture, "Hey we don't care what"
"House you're in, you're still our"
"Little brother, and we're here if you"
"need us for anything."
Harry and Hermione watched amused as they saw the two pick up the sentences, they had to practice it, it was just too perfect.
Ron's features lightened a little, as he looked at his brothers, "Don't worry about Mum."
"She has a temper, betcha anything you'll"
"be getting a apology in the mail tomorrow."
His face lightened more and Ron hesitantly touched each of his brother's on the arms with a quiet "Thanks" that only the four surrounding him could hear.
The twins threw a smile as they headed the opposite direction, that was more then they had received in months, "Ya better head out Ronniekins!"
Shaking his head Ron and the other two continued on their way their mood considerably lightened from earlier in the morning. Traveling down the hallways they eventually reached the Transfigurations classroom, walking inside they quickly took a table in the shadows, near the back corner.
Ron looked around noticing a cat watching students file in and sit down with a strange look, he had never seen a cat sit so ramrod straight before. Shrugging he pulled out the textbook and began to review the first chapter that they had gone over on the train. Harry and Hermione did the same thing.
The rest of the students were milling around chattering or trying to get a rise out of the house on the opposite side of the room, it was noisy and chaotic and didn't remotely resemble a classroom.
After about 15 minutes a dark skinned Gryffindor stood up on the other side of the room and looked around, "Oi! Do you think the Professor is going to show, or what?"
Just then the cat leapt off the table transforming into a stern looking woman with a disappointed look on her face. Her hair was pulled tightly back into a bun and she shot a look at the standing Gryffindor as he blushed and sank in his seat.
Harry and the other two quickly packed their books away turning their attention to Professor McGonagall standing in the front of the classroom; Harry didn't think that this was someone to be messed with and it was merely confirmed when the first words out of her mouth were a stern talking to, "Transfigurations is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."
Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again, looking at the stunned and anxious faces around him Ron wondered if they actually thought they were going to be doing that on the first day, he chuckled silently as their faces dropped, yes, they actually had believed that.
Shaking his head he and his two friends quickly grabbed their quills jotting down the long list of complicated instructions that the professor was lecturing them on.
Transfiguration had always been something that interested Ron and even the long set of notes were intriguing, none of the textbooks he had been reading on the train here came close to the delicacy the Professor was describing. It truly was a fascinating subject.
Looking over at the two people he actually trusted he snorted, they obviously didn't share his opinion about this being fascinating.
After awhile each one of them was handed a match and told to turn it into a needle. Ron had actually seen his mother do this with small pieces of material when she couldn't find her sewing needle; when there was five children living at home she was constantly patching and repairing things.
Concentrating hard he muttered the words as he pictured it in his head, when he looked down it was slightly silver and pointy. Frowning he glanced over at his two companions seeing that obviously they were having trouble as well. At the end of the lesson Professor McGonagall walked around the room inspecting the progress.
When she reached the three Slytherins in the back she halted, Ron noticed her and looked up as did Hermione and Harry, sitting in front of Ron was a near perfect sewing needle and both of the other's had become pointy and silver, but not nearly as good as Ron's.
Professor McGonagall picked up the three needles looking slightly shocked, "Ten points to Slytherin, Mr. Weasley."
With that she walked back up to the front of the room assigning each student a paper about trying to transfigure the match, and for the three Slytherins about the changes in the match; and then dismissed them.
As they left the classroom Hermione looked appraisingly at Ron, "Well, I do believe I know which one of us is going to be our Transfigurations expert."
Harry chuckled low as Ron's ears started to burn, "Nice job Burn, you managed to shock the teacher on the first day!"
"Ah, bloody hell, just shut up." He ducked his head lower, smiling slightly, it felt good to have friends again.
Soon the conversation turned to hexes as they reached the Charms classroom, they were greeted with nods from the Ravenclaws, it was nice to have a break between Gryffindor classes, the rivalry truly was idiotic but was still in full force.
Charms was entertaining, Professor Flitwick was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of class he took roll call and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight.
Harry merely rolled his eyes and glared at the other two when the tried to hide their amusement at the Professor's reaction.
As the lesson ended, Ron and Harry shook their heads, while the three could hide their emotions they could tell what the others were feeling, the masks to similar to ignore. If anyone else had looked they would have seem three nearly expressionless adolescents leaving a classroom.
If she could have Hermione would have been bouncing in excitement, Ron saw the perfect opportunity for a little revenge, "Well, Bolt looks like we've found the future Charms Master." To most the sarcasm would sound cutting and harsh, but Hermione merely smirked.
"Mistress, Burn, Charms Mistress."
With that she turned and marched towards Potions.
Harry followed throwing a look at the sulking red head, "I believe the score is Brigid 2 and Burn 0."
Hurrying he caught up with her and Ron was close behind him, he chuckled darkly as he caught up, "You would think that I had already learned my lesson, I'm just a masochist aren't I?"
"Wow, big words, did they hurt?" Hermione said it sweetly batting her eyelashes in fake innocence.
"Ah, bloody hell, I give up."
They shared a look as they walked further into the dark dungeons, Hermione and Ron could see the interest sparked in Harry's emerald eyes as they approached the Potions classroom, they were nearly back at the common room when they reached the large doors.
Shoving open the large doors they noticed they were the first ones there, quickly they claimed one of the benches in back, setting up their equipment.
The next student to enter was Draco Malfoy, lacking his two hulking appendages.
Hermione elbowed Harry and gestured, "Dragon at two o'clock, hostile or peaceful?"
Harry looked at the boy, "Unknown, stay on your toes."
The blonde boy approached the three, stopping in front of them, "Weasley, Potter, Mud...Granger."
Three eyebrows raised in unison at the greetings, "Civility, Malfoy? What brought this on?"
Draco smirked as he looked at Ron, "My own best interests of course. I saw how it went in Transfigurations and I heard about Granger in Charms, not only would it be an academic advantage, but it's not like Crabbe or Goyle can make anything beyond one syllable words."
Harry leaned forward, "And what is in it for us Malfoy, we are Slytherin after all."
"Two of you have no knowledge of the magical world, and the Weasley family is not the true pureblood family." He sneered and Ron moved his wand into plain sight, "I would watch what you say Malfoy, we don't want any accidents do we?"
"I can give you contacts and information you haven't got a chance of acquiring on your own, my family is one of the oldest and most respected wizarding families. Potter is an old line as well, and a near muggle carrying it on is highly.....distasteful."
Harry turned and looked at the two sitting next to him, they communicated silently with their eyes before turning back to Malfoy, "We'll think about it Malfoy, if you can restrain from insulting us then I believe it would be beneficial.:
Holding out a hand the two shook quickly, an unsteady truce being put into affect as the rest of class started to file in.
After all the students were seated Professor Snape seemed to swoop in and began to take roll call, like Professor Flitwick he paused on Harry's name, "Ah yes; Harry Potter, our new celebrity."
Most of the Gryffindors snickered and a few of the Slytherins joined in; Harry shuddered lightly, his uncle had used that tone right before....quickly he snapped himself out of that train of thought listening as Professor Snape began his speech.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses...I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper in death – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
The entire speech had been spoken barely above a whisper but it had captured the entire class in it's spell; Harry glanced at his two compatriots more glad then ever that they had studied everything they could beforehand.
"Potter!" said Snape suddenly, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry thought for a moment and then remembered he had considered even making it if he could get the ingredients, "The Draught of Living Death, Sir."
Snape's lips tightened into more of a sneer, "And where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
Harrry managed not to look at the Professor as he answered, "It is a stone found in the stomach of a goat and will save you from most poisons Professor."
Hermione gently rested her hand on his arm under the desk as Snape glared at Harry, "One more time Potter; what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"There is no difference between the two Sir, they are the same thing, they also go by the name of aconite." All his answers were uttered in soft tones barely above a whisper but they seemed to echo in the dungeon classroom.
Scowling Snape turned on the rest of the class, sending one final Death Glare at Harry, "Well? Why aren't you copying that down!"
There was a rustling for quills and paper except for the few who already had the information alike Ron and Hermione. Hermione looked at Harry concerned, his face was very pale and he was shaking, not enough so that anyone but Ron or her would notice.
Throughout the lesson Snape kept glaring at the three and somehow managed to alternately insult them and give them all detentions. By the end, Harry had managed to get a week of detention and Ron and Hermione each managed to garner at least one.
As the class ended Snape threw one final insult their way as both Ron and Hermione took Harry out of the class, his eyes down, "Slytherins? What was the Sorting Hat thinking? You don't belong in the house of the intelligent and cunning, more like the ignorant and pathetic."
With that scathing comment the three fled the room away from the smug look on the Potion Master's face. Snape looked after the three with a vaguely unsettled look; something nagged him about them but he pushed it out of his mind as he prepared to terrorize another class.
They still had a few hours before they were going to see Hagrid with Harry so the two drug him back to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin that marked the entrance to the dormitory, they received a raised eyebrow as the portrait swung open even before they uttered the password, quickly they thanked the founder and moved to the inside portrait that led to their quarters.
Isis quickly swung open her tongue darting out worriedly as the three collapsed on the couch, Ron and Hermione surrounding Harry. As he relaxed against the comfort of the two and the softness of the couch Isis spoke. "Bolt, what hasss happened? Are you alright my little sssnakesss?"
Harry nodded, "I am fine Isssisss, however the Potion Massster hatesss me, who jussst happensss to be our head of houssse." Unhappily the other two nodded, neither happy with how the class had gone.
"Don't worry my sssnake-child he ssshall realize you are not your father even if I have to lecture him myssself."
"No! Isssisss pleassse don't, it will only make him hate usss more."
The snake nodded her slitted eyes showing concern as the three sat on the couch looking at the fire and drawing comfort from eachother. Soon they rose realizing that they were due to go see Hagrid. Silently they slipped through the portrait and the common room disappearing into the hall.
As they walked towards the front of the castle Ron trailed behind a little, feeling a vaguely uncomfortable feeling; he jumped when he felt a hand fall on his shoulder. Looking up he whitened considerable as he saw a darkly smiling Percy looking at him, "Hello, little brother, and how are you enjoying your visit to the snake's den?"
The hand on his shoulder tightened considerably and he winced as Percy leaned down next to his ear, "Don't think that I've forgotten about our fun simply because you are in another house, I do have a private room after all."
Hearing throats cleared in front of them Ron looked to see Harry and Hermione glaring at the tall redhead gripping his shoulder. With one last smile Percy released him and headed back down the hall, "See you soon little brother."
The other two first years moved quickly to Ron's side intertwining their arms with his shaking frame, he could see the questions in their eyes and he shook his head and straightened himself, "Talk later, Hagrid's now. A strong cup of tea sounds good."
With a grateful smile the three continued on their way to visit the half- giant, their arms still intertwined in eachother.