Author's note: Sorry about the long delay. This chapter and the last takes place in the same day. I didn't want to write them as one. Read and Review please!
"You the next Dark Lord Potter," Said the smug voice of Malfoy. "Don't make me laugh." Malfoy was standing in front of the table standing in front of the Gryffindor table. A group of Slytherins were behind him laughing stupidly.
"Malfoy, why don't you just go sit down. No Snape here to save you," Harry said defiantly from her chair. Malfoy looked affronted and then snorted rather loudly.
"As if I need him Granger," Malfoy said stalking off. The group of Slytherins' followed behind them proudly.
Harry sat quietly. Already. Already, Skeeter is causing trouble. This year was supposed to be different. I was supposed to be normal. I guess I will never be normal. Thanks a lot Voldemort.
"Harry," Ron said from next to Harry. His eyes were opened in shock. Harry had apparently not listened to Ron's last few statements. "Let's go up to the common room."
Harry nodded in agreement. He could still hear Malfoy speaking about the article. As Ron and Harry walked past he bowed to Harry. They moved quickly and silently, only stopping when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. It stood open, Hermione on her way out.
"Here," She said throwing Harry's copy of Most Potente Potions and his other two books in to his arms. "We have to go to Potions."
"Oh," Harry said. It hit him then that he would have to sit in Snape's dungeon with no Ron to talk to. No Ron to protect him from Snape's taunts. Although, Snape wasn't here. Ron stared at them with a curious and pitiful look on his face. He waved at them as they walked down the steps, declaring that he would meet them in Care of Magical Creatures.
It took them a very long time to reach the Dungeon, which Snape insisted on having his classes in. As they walked in silence, Harry began to think of sitting in that dungeon again. He could almost feel the cold draft and Snape's malevolent eyes looking at him.
By the time they reached the room, Harry understood that it was going to be okay. After all, Snape wasn't here.
They turned the corner slowly and saw a group of Slytherins standing in front of the door. Draco was standing in the front; he seemed to be gathering a great amount of laughter. Harry and Hermione walked past them coolly and into the dungeon.
Harry was shocked at what he found. The room was not cold-at all! It was warm and full of a brilliant light. Harry could see a large hearth burning in the front of the room.
He and Hermione walked in tentatively. They took a seat in the front of the classroom.
"I guess the substitute is nicer that Snape," Said Hermione taking a seat in the middle of the room.
"Doesn't take much to do that," Harry said in a light tone. The heaviness of his heart had faded and he was now waiting to see who the professor would be. The rest of the class was filling in slowly. They sat down all around. Harry began to notice something, there were very few Gryffindor sitting in the room. In fact, there were only two others, beside him and Hermione. I suppose Snape got what he wanted, Harry thought.
There was a loud chatter in the room as the door that Snape, usually, entered opened wide. Out of it came a very tall brown haired woman. She wore large spectacles, that made her eyes three times there natural size. Hermione gasped and Harry understood why. Professor Trelawney was the last person they had thought would come through the door. The room became loud and indignant.
"Hello, Hello. I will be filling in for dear Professor Snape," She stopped. Her airy, sing-song voice floated through the room. "I was asked by Dumbledore, to continue. You see other than being an acute seer; I am an excellent Potions maker. I find the two to be similar," Her eyes fell over Hermione. "No foolish wand waving or books to really help you in either."
Malfoy laughed loudly. Professor Trelawney smiled down at him and then pulled her long, stringy wand from her robe. She gave it a tiny flick and a great cupboard opened holding a number of pewter cauldrons and on a table appeared a number of ingredients; large blue handwriting appeared on the board. The top words spelled out, Truth Potion. Harry and Hermione got up slowly and walked over to the cabinet.
"I can't believe that Dumbledore got her to teach us," Hermione said, she had turned a bright magenta color. She scowled as Trelawney's airy voice echoed from the corner.
"She may be a fraud at Divination, but maybe she knows potions," Harry said. However, he doubted whether Trelawney knew any type of magic. He grabbed a cauldron and a number of ingredients on the table.
Hermione sat down silently; she was staring down at Trelawney in despise.
"Today we will be making a truth potion. Now can anyone tell me the main content of all truth potions," Trelawney said sitting down on a conjured stool. To no ones surprise, Hermione raised her hand. It was followed, reluctantly, by three others. Oddly, Trelawney in a calm voice called out to Hermione.
"The main content of all truth potions is the feather of a Jobberknol. They use it because the Jobberknol is said to have an amazing memory, it remembers every sound it has ever heard, though it remains silent, and regurgitates them upon its death," Hermione answered. The other hands moved down, from the air slowly.
"Very good. Can anyone tell me the difference between Veritaserum and the truth potion we are going to make today?"
Hermione's hand shot through the air. Harry thought for a moment…something he had read this morning. He raised his hand slowly. In a more confidant and dreamy voice, Trelawney called on him.
"Er…the main difference is the strength. Veritaserum is much stronger, causing the victim to spout out truths. Whilst, this potion needs the drinker to be asked questions to tell truths." Harry said. He was shocked by his own voice. Several other things came to him; he knew exactly how many minutes that this potion had to simmer before adding the feather of a Jobberknol.
In fact, Harry made the potion with ease; his simmered bright, clear blue. I guess without Snape I can do this, Harry thought as he left the classroom.
"Today we'll be learnin' 'bout the Augurey. I haven' taught you 'nough 'bout birds," Hagrid said as the walked into a small paddock of the dark forest. Ron had me them, Harry and Hermione, and they had walked over to class together. Ron laughed when they told them who was teaching potions. "Now look here."
He pointed to a group of large cages-almost thirty. Inside of the cages, were large green birds. Harry thought, that they look morbid and sad, with there large black eyes. There long yellow, beaks stuck out through the cages. Harry noticed how shiny and green there feathers were.
The entire class was transfixed by the serenity of the birds; Hagrid usually brought them terrifying creatures.
"These are Augury's'. They tend to live in very high trees, and only fly during rain. Five points to anyone who can tell me why the Augurey is used as a house-pet." Hagrid said. He called on a stringy looking Slytherin. Harry noticed for the first time, that there were very few Slytherins around.
"Its cry predicts rain," He said. Hagrid awarded him the points and told the class to pick a cage and get-to-know your Augurey. He then assigned a picture to be drawn and labeled.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione picked up three cages; the birds set quietly while the carried them over to a large oak tree.
"These are better than anything Hagrid ever had before," Harry said pulling out a piece of parchment. His sketchbook lay forgotten on his desk.
"I reckon Hagrid is getting better, or at least safer," Ron said.
"I wonder if we can pet them," Hermione said. She poked her hand into the cage slowly. The bird moved toward it, and Hermione began to stroke it.
"'Ello. Enjoying them I see," Hagrid said. He had seen to the rest of the class, and was now free to sit with them.
"Yes. Where did you get these creatures?" Hermione asked, while she still stroked the soft feathers of the Augurey.
"Ordered them. From another a small school of magic in Ireland. I got us some real foreign creatures this year."
"There not to dangerous, are they?" Harry asked. He wouldn't soon forget the Blast-End Skrewts.
"Well…what's a bit o' fun without danger? Augurey's aren't dangerous. I thought we would start small."
Hagrid walked away then, a student had been bitten by an Augurey. Harry was sure that Hagrid had meant to say…we'll start safe and work our way up.
Harry was glad to find himself in his last class of the day, Charms. Hermione still had two other classes, Arithmancy and History of Magic. Professor Flitwick, a short and ancient wizard with bright white hair, was walking on his desk telling them about the new charm they would be learning.
"This is a most important year. However, let us not forget to have fun. The charm we start today is called the Memory Charm. Points to anyone who can tell me the incantation," Flitwick said pacing across his desk, still.
Harry felt a hand go up quickly next to him. He turned and saw that it was Neville. Flitwick called him, clearly impressed by Neville's new daring.
"Is it Obliviate?" Neville said. Flitwick jumped in excitement and awarded him ten points.
"Nice job," Harry said, leaning over to Neville.
"Thanks. I am trying to study, and make my Gran' proud of me. I mean now that I don't have potions I fell a lot better." Neville spoke with certain eloquence, Harry had never heard in his voice.
"You got a new wand then," Harry said quietly. Flitwick was showing them the wand movement (a long pull back and a very slow, and steady bring down).
"Mahogany with the heartstring of a dragon." Neville said quitely.
For a long while, there was nothing. No one in the class seemed able to master the spell(they were taking turns on a beatle in a maze-the beatle had been taught how to get through the maze, and you were meant to make it forget). Harry had managed to make his beatle, stop for a moment and then continue on course. Ron's was, by this time, dead.
"Obliviate," Said the clear voice of Hermione. Harry moved over to her, the beatle in her maze had turned around and began to run in circles. Flitwick gave her ten points.
Harry sat there for a moment. His beatle still easing its way through the maze. It can only get harder. Maybe I should just leave. Said a cold voice in his head. No, said another.
"Look everyone, Neville did it," Harry heard Ron say. Harry, however, didn't bother to get up.
