For the disclaimer see all the other chapters.

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As Harry awakened he momentarily forget where he was having been in the room next to Snape's all summer. He had to get his bearings again as he remember that today was the start of classes. 'Double potions this morning,' Harry thought. He was looking forward to seeing his father again even though he knew that Professor Snape would have to continue to be hard on him.

Harry saw that Ron's bed was empty as he was getting his clothes on and wondered where he was. He knew that he was not late for breakfast as he saw the others around him still sleeping. As he made his way down to the common room, he thought about how much he missed his father. He thought this was rather unusual as he had just learned about Snape not long ago.

"Ron, Hermione? What are you guys doing up already? Isn't it a little early to be copying homework, Ron?" asked Harry as he saw the two sitting in front of the fireplace in the common room. He thought he saw the two breaking apart as he entered the room.

"Oh, I just couldn't sleep is all. Must be anxious about the upcoming classes." Said Ron turning red especially around the ears.

"You know it's never too early to get a start on studying, Harry. After all, our NEWTS are coming up this next year." Said Hermione in her usual fashion.

"Whatever. Let's get some breakfast before double potions."

Unfortunately, they entered the great hall at the same time as Draco Malfoy and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle. "Oh look, it's Potter, Weasel, and the Mudblood. So tell us, how are you preparing to fight the Dark Lord this time? Some ingenious little charm, some potion that you expect to use? You know he can see through it all? You'll never defeat him and only those of us who are loyal to him will be left standing in the end. I expect we will be greatly rewarded."

"Don't respond." Harry whispered "he probably is just trying to find out information for his master."

They walked right past him and sat at the table. They were enjoying the look of shock they noticed on Malfoy's face. 'He's upset because we didn't respond.' Harry thought. As they were eating, Ron brought up the subject of quidditch.

"So what do you think's going to happen to the quidditch team this year? Umbridge really messed it up last year you know? I've heard that no one has been named as captain."

"No one? That's unheard of… It says in 'Hogwarts a History'…" started Hermione.

"No one?" Harry interrupted before Hermione could start in on another lecture. "Wow, I wonder what that means."

"I don't know, but if we don't get to class, we might never find out." Hermione stated.

As they all ran down to the dungeons for double potions, Harry wondered who would be in the class. Since this was NEWT level potions, Harry knew it wasn't separated out by class anymore as not everyone had made an O in the OWLS. 'I wonder if Draco will be in the class. Surely he couldn't have gotten an O.' Harry pondered.

The three came sliding into the classroom and just made it into a seat before Professor Snape came in glaring. Harry noticed that Draco had indeed made it into potions, but that Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be found. He looked around and noticed a few other Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, but the class was small with only a total of 15 people to begin with.

"As you have each made an O in your OWLS, I expect that you will work harder than ever this year. I will tolerate no mistakes and no slacking on work. You will do the work or you will not be in this class. Is that clear?" Snape hissed. No one dared moved or even nod their head as it looked as if he was in an extremely bad mood today. "I want to make sure that you have not forgotten what you have been taught before. The potion we are brewing today should be easy for all of you who passed the OWLS. We will be brewing the Shrinking Potion. There will be severe consequences if you do not get this right. I want no talking. A list of ingredients is on the board."

Harry was glad that his father had shown him the shielding charm to use on his cauldron as Ron and Hermione grabbed seats together and he was forced to sit next to Draco in this class. As Harry collected the ingredients for his potion he thought about exactly how this was made. Harry knew that he could not afford to be thrown out of this class. While Harry was concentrating on counting precisely how many stirs he needed he heard Draco say, "I'll get you thrown out of this class yet, Potter." Harry saw Draco try to throw something in his cauldron, but it bounced back off. Draco gasped, and Snape said, "I thought I said no talking. Detention, Harry Potter. I have no doubt, that you were the culprit. I expect you in my office at 8 o'clock tonight. If you are tardy it will result in another detention." Said Snape while glaring at Harry.

Harry heard Malfoy snicker, but thought nothing of it. He noticed that while Snape was still being mean to him, the maliciousness did not reach his gaze. It was obvious to those who knew Snape (only Harry in that class) that Snape was not really being mean. Harry tried to put an angry look on his face so that he would not blow his cover. Harry was looking forward to this time with his father. He knew that this was the only way he would get to spend time with him or Voldemort would of course, be suspicious.

As potions was nearing an end, Harry was glad to see that his potion was exactly the right shade. As he glanced over at Malfoy's, Harry noticed that it was nowhere near the right color. 'That's odd. How did he even make it in this class,' thought Harry. He made a mental note to ask Professor Snape this tonight in detention.

Outside in the hall he, Ron and Hermione compared notes to make sure their potions were indeed correct. Sure enough, it seems that all of them had managed to brew a correct shrinking potion.

"What class do we have next, Hermione?" asked Ron.

"It seems that we are all in Charms, and Transfiguration next. Honestly, can't you two just write them down? I'm not your human schedule-keeper you know…" said Hermione indignantly.

"Oh Hermione, lighten up." Said Harry as they entered the great hall.