Chapter 12: First Day of Class
The next morning dawned bright, and Harry was awakened by the sounds of his dorm mates getting dressed.
"Oi, Dean, hand me that sock, would you?" Seamus asked, struggling to fit on his left shoe, hopping about the room. Dean dangled the sock in front it, just out of reach. Neville and Ron looked on as Seamus struggled to grab it. Harry sat up in bed and watched the two of them
"There's a good mate," Seamus said, finally grasping the sock. "About time, Potter. We were debating whether to use a water dousing charm or simply leave you to face the wrath of whoever you get first hour." he said, seeing Harry.
Harry climbed out of bed and got dressed. Ron came over and sat on the bed next to him. "Sorry we didn't have a chance to talk last night, Harry. The first years had all sorts of questions. Most of them are really scared about being here. Hermione and I did our best to calm them down, but I dunno." Harry pulled on his socks while Ron continued, "The thing is, I don't remember having that many questions about being here.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, pulling on his second shoe, "but you didn't have the boy-who-lived-to-annoy Voldemort sleeping three doors down.
"No," Ron said seriously, "I had him sleeping about three feet down. Come on, Harry, do you really think the ickle first years are scared because they're in your house? Nah, they're just scared because there's a war going on.
"And they have every right to be," Hermione added to the conversation, which the two had continued as they walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast. Ron just shrugged, but Harry knew Hermione was right. Regardless of what Ron said, he still thought some of the first years looked scared of him. Ah well, he'd lived through it before, when everyone thought he was the Heir of Slytherin and going around petrifying the muggle-borns during his second year.
The tables were filled with talkative students, much louder than they had been last night. Professors were walking down the length of the tables, handing out class schedules. Ron got his first, who quickly scanned it t see what classes he and Harry had together.
Harry and Hermione would be starting out with Potions, while Ron had Medical Herbs, at least it's better than Divination, Ron muttered. Then, they joined up for Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts in the afternoon.
"Not that bad," Ron admitted, seeing he would be joined in Magical Herbs by Dean and Neville. Seamus had, to his surprise, pulled an ÔO' in Potions and was anticipating starting off his morning with Snape just as much as Harry. Eating quickly, Harry noticed Malfoy looking over at him, a very smug expression on his face. Turning to Ron and Hermione, he asked quietly, "What do you reckon Malfoy's on about?
They both shook their heads and turned to look at him. Malfoy quickly moved his glance away. Harry shook his head. Whatever it was, it probably spelled trouble for Harry. Students all around them began to gather up their books and make for the first lessons of the day. Packing up, Ron said goodbye to Harry and Hermione and joined Neville and Dean.
Walking down the hallway to Potions, Hermione turned to Harry, "What did you want to tell us about the book, Harry?
Harry had momentarily forgotten about his vision last night, but quickly recounted it to Hermione, who, by the end, looked very frightened. "Harry, Voldemort's back in your head. How can you let him do this?
Harry shook his head. "No, this isn't like before, with the Department of Mysteries. Before, I wanted to go down the hallways and find a way through the doors. This time, I'm always being pulled. Besides, it can't be him, Hermione, my scar hasn't hurt at all."
Though Hermione still looked doubtful, she stayed silent for the moment, as they had pulled up alongside Malfoy, waiting in queue outside the dungeon door to the potions classroom.
Malfoy sneered at them, "So, Potty and the mudblood managed to live through the summer. Too bad, Potter. There will be trouble this year. Just you wait." Harry felt his shoulders tense. Couldn't Malfoy let it rest for just one day?
Hermione stepped in-between the two boys and stared down Malfoy. Harry thought he looked ready to draw his wand, however, fortunately, Snape opened the classroom door at that moment and motioned them all inside.
Turning to face his class, Snape launched in immediately. "By the simple fact that you are here shows that the Ministry, however mistaken, feels each of you has earned the right to continue on with your potions studies. It will not be easy. For those of you who struggled in previous years," Snape paused to look pointedly at Harry, "Be aware that this and next year are far more intense. I require absolute obedience. Insolence or ignorance will not be tolerated.
Snape strode to the front of the classroom and flipped the blackboard to face the class. "Page 25. An Advanced Healing Drought. Begin." With a flourish of his right hand, the blackboard behind him was filled with the directions, which were also on the page in front of Harry on the desk.
For the first fifteen minutes of class they worked in silence. Harry preferred it that way. He would readily admit he was nervous about being in advanced potions, especially as Snape seemed more than content to continue picking on Harry. As he concentrated on crushing the dried rosemary, he kept a careful eye on the rose hips, sage and myrrh already at a slow boil in his cauldron.
Sneaking a glance over to Hermione's cauldron, he saw her matched the color and consistency of his exactly. Feeling rather pleased with himself, he was about to add the rosemary when Snape's voice came from behind him, "Still relying on your classmates to get you through, Potter? Five points from Gryffindor.
Harry felt his neck grow hot. He hadn't even spoken to Hermione! He risked another glance to her, and saw her eyes open wide in surprise. He could tell she was about to protest on his behalf, but he shook his hand to silence her. Egging Snape on would only bring worse consequences. He was obviously in a foul mood.
Unfortunately, Snape noticed the look, "Ah, Potter. Keeping your girlfriend's temper under control? Well, perhaps you ought to focus more on keeping your own under wraps. Tonight, perhaps? My office, eight o'clock, Potter. Don't even think about being tardy." Snape swept up to the front of the classroom, to the ill muffled guffaws of the Slytherins.
Fortunately, N.E.W.T. potions had students from all four houses, so only a few students laughed. The others stared at him in mute horror, obviously surprised at the open animosity between the two of them. Harry assumed Snape probably wasn't quite this unfair to anyone else. No, he would save all his nastiness for Harry. Harry continued to crush his rosemary roughly, until he worried it was too fine a powder to use.
Fortunately, the recipe didn't say anything about the consistency of the powder, so he carefully tipped the rosemary into the cauldron. At first it flashed bright yellow, then bubbled up. Harry feared it was going to overflow, which would bring Snape's wrath down on him for the second time that class, but it settled down and continued to simmer for the next fifteen minutes. When Snape called for everyone to bring flagon of the tincture up to the front of class, Harry carefully filled and corked his sample.
He handed the flagon to Snape, who nodded. As Harry turned away, Snape said silkily, "And be sure to bring you wand, Potter." Harry turned towards the professor, and cocked him head. Suddenly he realized that detention tonight was more likely to be an Occlumency lesson. Harry couldn't very well qualify for remedial potions any longer, being N.E.W.T. level, so Snape had to devise new ways to account for Harry's semi regular presence in the dungeon.
Fabulous, Harry thought. He would have to suffer through the humiliation of regular detentions. There had to be a better way. Maybe Hermione or Ron could help him think of something later today.
As Hermione and Harry left the classroom, Malfoy came up behind him, "Well, Potty, not getting off to a good start, are you? It's only going to get worse from here on out."
Harry whirled around, ignoring the hand Hermione placed on his upper arm. "What, Malfoy? What is going to happen, hmm? Is Daddy going to break out of Azkaban and come after me? Well? He didn't seem to be able to get me last year. What's changed since he's been in the constant presence of Dementors?" Harry yelled, warming to the anger, "What horrible memories is your father having to relive, Draco? Killing innocent muggles? Torturing them? Or wait, your father probably didn't feel bad about those, he's probably thinking about days wasted not killing muggles and muggleborns, isn't he? After all, a day without torture is a day wasted, eh?
Harry would have continued, but a strong hand clamped itself on the back of Harry's robes and pulled him backwards into the classroom. The door slammed shut. Harry had shut his eyes, but now opened them. Snape was standing in front of him, reeling.
Harry stayed against the wall, watching his professor warily. Snape hadn't said anything yet. They were the only ones in the room. Snape began pacing, muttering incoherently under his breath. Harry couldn't make sense of any of it, he just waited for the storm to break.
Snape suddenly stopped, directly in front of him, and seemed on the verge of speaking, when the door opened. Professor Calabrone's head popped around the corner.
"Severus, there seems to be a goodly sized crowd of students in front of your door, may I ask...oh..." she stopped, seeing the two of them. "I'll just disperse them, shall I? And Severus," she said, popping her head around again, please don't keep Harry too long, he's needed in my class shortly. Ta.
The door closed again. Harry gulped. The vein in Snape's forehead was throbbing and he looked fit to be tied. "Idiot boy." he finally sneered out. "Do you have to turn everything into an argument? Leave Draco alone. There are far better places to direct your anger. I was able to keep you out of trouble this time. Believe me, Draco knows spells you cannot possibly be prepared to block, and he has every bit as much righteous anger as do you. If anyone asks, you received two further detentions for later in the week. Now, get out of my sight. And you had better be prepared for Occlumency this evening, Potter, or be ready to suffer my displeasure."
Harry swallowed again and nodded to show he had heard Snape. He left the dungeons quickly, making his way to the Great Hall for lunch. He sat down across from Ron and Hermione. Ron was shoveling spoonfuls of corn chowder, alternated by bites of bread, into his mouth. Harry placed his books on the table and grabbed a bowl. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes.
"Well?" Hermione prompted.
Harry shrugged. "He didn't have a chance to get angry with me. Professor Calabrone interrupted us. I got two more nights detention, that's all."
Hermione shook her head and started eating, a book propped open beside her. Ron looked at Harry, "Hermione said Malfoy baited you. Why'd you respond? You know he was just trying to get you in trouble with Snape.
"Look, Ron, I can take Snape getting mad at me. He can't do anything to me-Dumbledore would have him out for it, but Malfoy thinks he can do whatever he wants. And I'm sick of it. His father is a bloody death eater! And he's still walking around like he owns the school! It may have been believable when his father was on the Board of Governors, but not while he's rotting in a cell in Azkaban. I refuse to bow down to Malfoy." Harry said heatedly.
Ron held his hands up in protest. "All I'm saying, mate, is be careful. I know how angry you can get. So does Malfoy. Don't give him a reason keep pushing your limits. Especially in front of Snape. You know he's going to side with Malfoy--he has to, he's Head of Slytherin and an all around greasy git. Just, be careful." Ron finished.
Harry exhaled angrily. They weren't being any help. They had been there at the Ministry with him and they still didn't understand. Lucius Malfoy was willing to kill them all. Draco Malfoy seemed to be following in his father's shoes. Well, if Snape couldn't keep him in line, Harry was more than up to the challenge. He wouldn't take any of Malfoy's taunting this year. If that meant more detention, fine. That thought in his head, he quickly ate the rest of lunch and followed Ron and Hermione out the hall to Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
When they arrived, there was again a queue outside the door. This time, the classes were split by houses, still Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Neville greeted the trio cautiously. "Harry, did Professor Snape take any more points?
Harry shook his head, "Nah, just to more nights' detention. Which, considering I insulted his precious Malfoy, isn't all that bad.
Neville nodded, but still looked slightly in awe of Harry. They joined him in the que. A few of the Ravenclaws, including Cho Chang, looked in his direction. Harry looked away. He hadn't thought about Cho all summer. Well, that wasn't entirely true, he admitted. But, he hadn't thought of her much. She seemed on the verge of approaching, but Marietta Edgecombe came up behind her.
Harry narrowed his eyes and noticed Hermione do the same. It was because of Marietta Edgecombe that Professor Umbridge had found out about Dumbeldore's Army last year. None of them had forgiven her yet, even though she'd had to walk around Hogwarts for almost a month with the word ÔSNEAK' spelled out in ugly purple pustules across her face.
A few minutes passed and still Professor Calabrone had not shown up. The students were growing restless. Finally, they heard footsteps clicking against the stone floors.
Moments later Professor Calabrone came into view. She was wearing bright blue robes over a dark gray dress, from head to foot a Ravenclaw. She clapped her hands together and looked at them all, her eyes bright in anticipation.
"My apologies for the unavoidable tardiness. Please forgive me. Now, if you'll all follow me inside, we'll take our places for today's class."
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Author's Notes:
The potion ("tincture") Harry and the other sixth years are making is taken from the book ÔKitchen Witchery' and is an actual tincture for healing.
The next morning dawned bright, and Harry was awakened by the sounds of his dorm mates getting dressed.
"Oi, Dean, hand me that sock, would you?" Seamus asked, struggling to fit on his left shoe, hopping about the room. Dean dangled the sock in front it, just out of reach. Neville and Ron looked on as Seamus struggled to grab it. Harry sat up in bed and watched the two of them
"There's a good mate," Seamus said, finally grasping the sock. "About time, Potter. We were debating whether to use a water dousing charm or simply leave you to face the wrath of whoever you get first hour." he said, seeing Harry.
Harry climbed out of bed and got dressed. Ron came over and sat on the bed next to him. "Sorry we didn't have a chance to talk last night, Harry. The first years had all sorts of questions. Most of them are really scared about being here. Hermione and I did our best to calm them down, but I dunno." Harry pulled on his socks while Ron continued, "The thing is, I don't remember having that many questions about being here.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, pulling on his second shoe, "but you didn't have the boy-who-lived-to-annoy Voldemort sleeping three doors down.
"No," Ron said seriously, "I had him sleeping about three feet down. Come on, Harry, do you really think the ickle first years are scared because they're in your house? Nah, they're just scared because there's a war going on.
"And they have every right to be," Hermione added to the conversation, which the two had continued as they walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast. Ron just shrugged, but Harry knew Hermione was right. Regardless of what Ron said, he still thought some of the first years looked scared of him. Ah well, he'd lived through it before, when everyone thought he was the Heir of Slytherin and going around petrifying the muggle-borns during his second year.
The tables were filled with talkative students, much louder than they had been last night. Professors were walking down the length of the tables, handing out class schedules. Ron got his first, who quickly scanned it t see what classes he and Harry had together.
Harry and Hermione would be starting out with Potions, while Ron had Medical Herbs, at least it's better than Divination, Ron muttered. Then, they joined up for Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts in the afternoon.
"Not that bad," Ron admitted, seeing he would be joined in Magical Herbs by Dean and Neville. Seamus had, to his surprise, pulled an ÔO' in Potions and was anticipating starting off his morning with Snape just as much as Harry. Eating quickly, Harry noticed Malfoy looking over at him, a very smug expression on his face. Turning to Ron and Hermione, he asked quietly, "What do you reckon Malfoy's on about?
They both shook their heads and turned to look at him. Malfoy quickly moved his glance away. Harry shook his head. Whatever it was, it probably spelled trouble for Harry. Students all around them began to gather up their books and make for the first lessons of the day. Packing up, Ron said goodbye to Harry and Hermione and joined Neville and Dean.
Walking down the hallway to Potions, Hermione turned to Harry, "What did you want to tell us about the book, Harry?
Harry had momentarily forgotten about his vision last night, but quickly recounted it to Hermione, who, by the end, looked very frightened. "Harry, Voldemort's back in your head. How can you let him do this?
Harry shook his head. "No, this isn't like before, with the Department of Mysteries. Before, I wanted to go down the hallways and find a way through the doors. This time, I'm always being pulled. Besides, it can't be him, Hermione, my scar hasn't hurt at all."
Though Hermione still looked doubtful, she stayed silent for the moment, as they had pulled up alongside Malfoy, waiting in queue outside the dungeon door to the potions classroom.
Malfoy sneered at them, "So, Potty and the mudblood managed to live through the summer. Too bad, Potter. There will be trouble this year. Just you wait." Harry felt his shoulders tense. Couldn't Malfoy let it rest for just one day?
Hermione stepped in-between the two boys and stared down Malfoy. Harry thought he looked ready to draw his wand, however, fortunately, Snape opened the classroom door at that moment and motioned them all inside.
Turning to face his class, Snape launched in immediately. "By the simple fact that you are here shows that the Ministry, however mistaken, feels each of you has earned the right to continue on with your potions studies. It will not be easy. For those of you who struggled in previous years," Snape paused to look pointedly at Harry, "Be aware that this and next year are far more intense. I require absolute obedience. Insolence or ignorance will not be tolerated.
Snape strode to the front of the classroom and flipped the blackboard to face the class. "Page 25. An Advanced Healing Drought. Begin." With a flourish of his right hand, the blackboard behind him was filled with the directions, which were also on the page in front of Harry on the desk.
For the first fifteen minutes of class they worked in silence. Harry preferred it that way. He would readily admit he was nervous about being in advanced potions, especially as Snape seemed more than content to continue picking on Harry. As he concentrated on crushing the dried rosemary, he kept a careful eye on the rose hips, sage and myrrh already at a slow boil in his cauldron.
Sneaking a glance over to Hermione's cauldron, he saw her matched the color and consistency of his exactly. Feeling rather pleased with himself, he was about to add the rosemary when Snape's voice came from behind him, "Still relying on your classmates to get you through, Potter? Five points from Gryffindor.
Harry felt his neck grow hot. He hadn't even spoken to Hermione! He risked another glance to her, and saw her eyes open wide in surprise. He could tell she was about to protest on his behalf, but he shook his hand to silence her. Egging Snape on would only bring worse consequences. He was obviously in a foul mood.
Unfortunately, Snape noticed the look, "Ah, Potter. Keeping your girlfriend's temper under control? Well, perhaps you ought to focus more on keeping your own under wraps. Tonight, perhaps? My office, eight o'clock, Potter. Don't even think about being tardy." Snape swept up to the front of the classroom, to the ill muffled guffaws of the Slytherins.
Fortunately, N.E.W.T. potions had students from all four houses, so only a few students laughed. The others stared at him in mute horror, obviously surprised at the open animosity between the two of them. Harry assumed Snape probably wasn't quite this unfair to anyone else. No, he would save all his nastiness for Harry. Harry continued to crush his rosemary roughly, until he worried it was too fine a powder to use.
Fortunately, the recipe didn't say anything about the consistency of the powder, so he carefully tipped the rosemary into the cauldron. At first it flashed bright yellow, then bubbled up. Harry feared it was going to overflow, which would bring Snape's wrath down on him for the second time that class, but it settled down and continued to simmer for the next fifteen minutes. When Snape called for everyone to bring flagon of the tincture up to the front of class, Harry carefully filled and corked his sample.
He handed the flagon to Snape, who nodded. As Harry turned away, Snape said silkily, "And be sure to bring you wand, Potter." Harry turned towards the professor, and cocked him head. Suddenly he realized that detention tonight was more likely to be an Occlumency lesson. Harry couldn't very well qualify for remedial potions any longer, being N.E.W.T. level, so Snape had to devise new ways to account for Harry's semi regular presence in the dungeon.
Fabulous, Harry thought. He would have to suffer through the humiliation of regular detentions. There had to be a better way. Maybe Hermione or Ron could help him think of something later today.
As Hermione and Harry left the classroom, Malfoy came up behind him, "Well, Potty, not getting off to a good start, are you? It's only going to get worse from here on out."
Harry whirled around, ignoring the hand Hermione placed on his upper arm. "What, Malfoy? What is going to happen, hmm? Is Daddy going to break out of Azkaban and come after me? Well? He didn't seem to be able to get me last year. What's changed since he's been in the constant presence of Dementors?" Harry yelled, warming to the anger, "What horrible memories is your father having to relive, Draco? Killing innocent muggles? Torturing them? Or wait, your father probably didn't feel bad about those, he's probably thinking about days wasted not killing muggles and muggleborns, isn't he? After all, a day without torture is a day wasted, eh?
Harry would have continued, but a strong hand clamped itself on the back of Harry's robes and pulled him backwards into the classroom. The door slammed shut. Harry had shut his eyes, but now opened them. Snape was standing in front of him, reeling.
Harry stayed against the wall, watching his professor warily. Snape hadn't said anything yet. They were the only ones in the room. Snape began pacing, muttering incoherently under his breath. Harry couldn't make sense of any of it, he just waited for the storm to break.
Snape suddenly stopped, directly in front of him, and seemed on the verge of speaking, when the door opened. Professor Calabrone's head popped around the corner.
"Severus, there seems to be a goodly sized crowd of students in front of your door, may I ask...oh..." she stopped, seeing the two of them. "I'll just disperse them, shall I? And Severus," she said, popping her head around again, please don't keep Harry too long, he's needed in my class shortly. Ta.
The door closed again. Harry gulped. The vein in Snape's forehead was throbbing and he looked fit to be tied. "Idiot boy." he finally sneered out. "Do you have to turn everything into an argument? Leave Draco alone. There are far better places to direct your anger. I was able to keep you out of trouble this time. Believe me, Draco knows spells you cannot possibly be prepared to block, and he has every bit as much righteous anger as do you. If anyone asks, you received two further detentions for later in the week. Now, get out of my sight. And you had better be prepared for Occlumency this evening, Potter, or be ready to suffer my displeasure."
Harry swallowed again and nodded to show he had heard Snape. He left the dungeons quickly, making his way to the Great Hall for lunch. He sat down across from Ron and Hermione. Ron was shoveling spoonfuls of corn chowder, alternated by bites of bread, into his mouth. Harry placed his books on the table and grabbed a bowl. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes.
"Well?" Hermione prompted.
Harry shrugged. "He didn't have a chance to get angry with me. Professor Calabrone interrupted us. I got two more nights detention, that's all."
Hermione shook her head and started eating, a book propped open beside her. Ron looked at Harry, "Hermione said Malfoy baited you. Why'd you respond? You know he was just trying to get you in trouble with Snape.
"Look, Ron, I can take Snape getting mad at me. He can't do anything to me-Dumbledore would have him out for it, but Malfoy thinks he can do whatever he wants. And I'm sick of it. His father is a bloody death eater! And he's still walking around like he owns the school! It may have been believable when his father was on the Board of Governors, but not while he's rotting in a cell in Azkaban. I refuse to bow down to Malfoy." Harry said heatedly.
Ron held his hands up in protest. "All I'm saying, mate, is be careful. I know how angry you can get. So does Malfoy. Don't give him a reason keep pushing your limits. Especially in front of Snape. You know he's going to side with Malfoy--he has to, he's Head of Slytherin and an all around greasy git. Just, be careful." Ron finished.
Harry exhaled angrily. They weren't being any help. They had been there at the Ministry with him and they still didn't understand. Lucius Malfoy was willing to kill them all. Draco Malfoy seemed to be following in his father's shoes. Well, if Snape couldn't keep him in line, Harry was more than up to the challenge. He wouldn't take any of Malfoy's taunting this year. If that meant more detention, fine. That thought in his head, he quickly ate the rest of lunch and followed Ron and Hermione out the hall to Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
When they arrived, there was again a queue outside the door. This time, the classes were split by houses, still Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Neville greeted the trio cautiously. "Harry, did Professor Snape take any more points?
Harry shook his head, "Nah, just to more nights' detention. Which, considering I insulted his precious Malfoy, isn't all that bad.
Neville nodded, but still looked slightly in awe of Harry. They joined him in the que. A few of the Ravenclaws, including Cho Chang, looked in his direction. Harry looked away. He hadn't thought about Cho all summer. Well, that wasn't entirely true, he admitted. But, he hadn't thought of her much. She seemed on the verge of approaching, but Marietta Edgecombe came up behind her.
Harry narrowed his eyes and noticed Hermione do the same. It was because of Marietta Edgecombe that Professor Umbridge had found out about Dumbeldore's Army last year. None of them had forgiven her yet, even though she'd had to walk around Hogwarts for almost a month with the word ÔSNEAK' spelled out in ugly purple pustules across her face.
A few minutes passed and still Professor Calabrone had not shown up. The students were growing restless. Finally, they heard footsteps clicking against the stone floors.
Moments later Professor Calabrone came into view. She was wearing bright blue robes over a dark gray dress, from head to foot a Ravenclaw. She clapped her hands together and looked at them all, her eyes bright in anticipation.
"My apologies for the unavoidable tardiness. Please forgive me. Now, if you'll all follow me inside, we'll take our places for today's class."
===========
Author's Notes:
The potion ("tincture") Harry and the other sixth years are making is taken from the book ÔKitchen Witchery' and is an actual tincture for healing.