Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Summery: Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban when Harry was five years old. They lived hidden from the wizarding world. Now Harry is fifteen.
On the Run
Chapter Sixteen
Friends
Supper finally ended, and Harry was full. He had, after some trouble, found some foods he liked. Though he'd also learned of a few he'd rather stay far away from. The food and dishes disappeared, and the headmaster stood up and excused them to their dorm rooms. Harry had been told not to follow his fellow house mates to their dorms. He was going to be staying in the headmaster's quarters for a while, before being moved to Gryffindor tower.
"You're supposed to follow us." A bushy haired student Harry had met during dinner said. Harry remembered her name to be Hermione Granger.
Harry shook his head in response. "No, I was told I have other temporary arrangements."
"By who?" Hermione asked.
"The Headmaster." Harry answered bluntly.
Hermione nodded. "Well, good night, then. I'll see you during classes tomorrow."
"Good night." Harry bid. He watched Hermione follow their house mates out of the Great Hall. A red headed boy came up behind her. Harry had also met him during dinner, but he couldn't recall his name. He watched as they linked hands and wondered if they were going out together.
Finally the students had all left the hall, leaving the teachers. Harry saw Headmaster Dumbledore talking with the stern looking Professor again.
Walking up to the headmaster he waited a few feet away. He'd always been told it was rude to intrude in other peoples conversations. A tap on his shoulder caught his attention. Turning around he saw it was Remus Lupin.
"Hi." Harry said smiling.
"Hi. Congratulations on being sorted into Gryffindor, Harry." Remus said smiling.
"Thank you."
"Ahh, Harry." Dumbledore said as he stood beside Harry. "Congratulations on you're sorting!" He said cheerfully.
"Thank you Headmaster."
"Are you ready for bed?" The headmaster asked just as cheerfully, and Harry wondered, not for the first time, if there was something in the yellow candies he had seen him eating earlier.
Harry nodded. He was tired. It had been a long day. A very weird day.
"Well, good night Harry." Remus said smiling.
"Good night."
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Harry entered his room and picked out some night clothes. He was tired, and hoped he could sleep. He hadn't been away from home very often. He'd only ever slept over at one friend's house, and even that didn't happen often. After a quick shower, he was back in his room. He picked a book off the shelf and began to look it over.
A knock on the door made him look up. Headmaster Dumbledore stood there wearing bright yellow night clothes.
"I had Professor Snape, our Potions Master, bring a sleeping potion for you, incase you need it." Dumbledore said as he stepped into the room and placed a vial on the night stand. "I didn't know weather or not you'd have any trouble sleeping."
"Thank you." Harry said after a moment.
"If you need anything, my room is right next to yours." The Headmaster told Harry. Harry nodded and Dumbledore turned to leave.
"Headmaster," Harry said before Dumbledore got to the door. Dumbledore turned around to face Harry. "When can I see Sirius?"
"Sometime this week." He replied a moment later. "Probably later in the week."
Harry nodded in acceptance. He had hoped to see Sirius within the next few days at the latest.
"Good night." He heard Dumbledore say.
"Good night." Harry said after him.
It didn't take Harry too long to fall asleep. He opted not to take the sleeping potion tonight.
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The next morning Harry was woken by a knock on his door. At first he was startled to find himself in a strange room. But then he remembered the events of the past few days. Sighing he got up and opened the door. Headmaster Dumbledore stood there.
"Good morning, Harry." Headmaster Dumbledore said brightly.
"Good morning." Harry half grumbled. He really would have liked to have slept in a little longer.
"Breakfast is in half an hour in the Great Hall." Dumbledore said brightly. Harry nodded. "You're head of house will give you you're schedule at breakfast." Again all Harry did was nod.
"You're not much of a morning person, are you?" Dumbledore asked obviously amused.
Harry shook his head. "Only if there's good surf."
"Surfing, the muggle sport?" Dumbledore asked. He'd heard of it from a few of his students, but he'd never seen it.
Harry nodded.
"When you're finished getting ready meet me in the living room."
"Okay." Harry said.
It didn't take him long to get ready. He dressed in the same robe he'd worn last night. Though, it now sported a Gryffindor patch on the front. He grabbed a comb and ran it through his hair a few times. It didn't make much of a difference. His hair still stuck out everywhere.
Entering the living room he found Dumbledore sitting in a recliner by the fire. Dumbledore look up as he entered and stood from the chair. Walking over to the table in front of the couch he picked up a stack of books.
"These are some old books for you're classes. We'll get you some of your own when we get you you're supplies." Dumbledore said smiling as he handed the books to Harry.
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Breakfast went well. He learned that his head of house was the same stern woman who had placed the sorting hat on his head the previous night.
Harry looked over his schedule to try and figure out who his teachers were.
Umm… Excuse me." Harry said tapping the girl he recognized as Hermione on the shoulder. "Who are our teachers?"
"Well, the one who gave you you're schedule is Professor McGonagall. She teaches Transfiguration. The Professor in black is Professor Snape…." About five minutes later she was done telling him about the teachers. She explained what they taught and what they were like. Harry sighed as he wrote down characteristics of the teachers so he could remember who was who.
Potions Professor/ Snape Greasy guy in black head of Slytherin
Transfiguration Professor/ McGonagall Stern woman and head of house
Herbology Professor/Sprout wears lots of green.
Care of Magical Creatures/Hagrid Big fellow likes dangerous animals
History/ Binns A ghost and very boring
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Harry entered the Transfiguration class room. Many students were already there. Looking around he realized he didn't know where to sit. He didn't know if anyone had assigned seats, or if they sat by house. Or if it didn't matter.
"Harry." A voice called. Turning he saw it was Hermione. She was waving him over. "Do you want to sit here?" She asked when he reached her.
"Sure, thanks." Harry said as he sat in the offered seat. It was three rows from the front. A few minutes later, just before the bell rang, they boy Harry had seen the previous night with Hermione entered and sat on the other side of Hermione.
"Harry, this is Ron Weasley." Hermione introduced Ron as he sat down.
"Hello." Harry answered extending a hand and shaking Ron's hand.
A moment later the Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall entered the room silencing any talk from the students.
He found Transfiguration class to be okay. They practiced a few spells. They had to transfigure a quill into a glove. He managed the spell after only a few tries. Only Hermione mastered it before himself. Ron looked a little annoyed with this, but continued to try. Finally, as many of the class were starting to get the spell correct, Ron's quill turned into a three fingered glove.
"Almost, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall said as she passed their row of seats. She complemented both Hermione and Harry's transfiguration's and continued down the rows.
By the end of class, Ron had finally mastered the spell, much to Hermione's obvious relief. She wasn't looking forward to Ron pestering her about her and Harry getting it before himself. Especially since Harry had no formal magical education prior to entering Hogwarts.
Next they had History of Magic. Harry agreed with what he'd been told about the professor. He was boring. And Harry generally enjoyed history class. But he was too bored to concentrate or really learn anything. Hermione, Harry noticed, seemed to be the only one to really pay attention to the professor.
Herbology was next and Harry was excited for his first lesson. He knew about Herbology. Entering the green house they were told by Professor Sprout to get some gloves and find a place along the tables. Harry followed the other students to find the gloves.
Only one person near him didn't have anyone standing next to them. A pudgy boy who was a little taller then himself was flipping through a herbology book.
"Hi," Harry said as he stood next to the boy. "Can I stand here?"
The boy looked up at him with a surprised expression on his face. "Yeah, sure." He replied somewhat nervously.
"Thanks."
Class began and Harry found he enjoyed himself. He was able to keep up with what was going on, much to his relief. The only two other people who were able to keep up as well as he was were Hermione and the boy next to him.
As class ended and they began to put their things away a tap on his shoulder brought Harry out of his thoughts. "Hi, I'm Neville." The boy who Harry had stood next to said.
"Hi, I'm Harry." Harry told him as he extended his hand.
"Harry Potter?" Neville asked slightly surprised.
Harry nodded. He already didn't like how everyone seemed to know of him.
"It's nice to meet you." Neville said after a moment.
"It's nice to meet you too."
"You're good at herbology." Neville commented.
"Thank you." Harry said slightly surprised. "So are you."
"Thanks!" Neville said, obviously happy about the complement. "Do you have potions next?"
Harry nodded. "Yes." He was looking forward to potions. It was another subject he was familiar with and comfortable with.
Neville made a face. "What?" Harry asked.
"I don't like Potions much." Neville said after a moment.
"I love it."
"You may not like the teacher." A voice from behind Harry and Neville said.
It was Ron Weasley. Hermione was standing next to him.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"The teacher is a git." Ron answered. "He doesn't like Gryffindors at all."
Walking back to the castle and then to the Dungeons, they talked about the Potions Professor and classes.
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Sitting down next to Ron and Hermione, Hermione began a discussion about potions. Harry learned Hermione was also pretty knowledgeable about potions.
The door slamming closed stopped their discussion. Turing around Harry could see who he recognized as the Potions Master walking down the isle separating the two school houses. Turning around so quickly, his robes swished gracefully, the Potions master eyed his class. After a moment his eyes landed on Harry and narrowed slightly.
"Mr. Potter," He drawled. "Our new celebrity."
It was Harry's turn to narrow his eyes. Why was this professor picking on him? None of the other teachers had made a big deal of him being there.
"Tell me, Mr. Potter, what would you get when you add crabb root with shredded beans?"
"Laughing drought." Harry said without hesitation.
Professor Snape continued to reel off questions about ingredients, and Harry answered all the questions correctly.
"What would you get with veema saliva and mika seeds?"
"A memory potion-" Harry began but was interrupted.
"Like the memory potion you took before class?" He accused.
"No sir." Harry said angered about the accusation of cheating.
"Stay after class, Mr. Potter." Professor Snape said after a moment.
The rest of the class went well. Harry noticed that the professor kept a close eye on him, and it was slightly unnerving. Finally a bell rang, signaling the end of class. Harry packed his things along with everyone else, but stayed after everyone else had left. Professor Snape called him over to his desk.
"How are you so familiar with potions, Mr. Potter?" The Potions Master asked with a note of curiosity in his voice.
"Sirius taught me what he could. It was one of the easiest subjects to get access to in order to learn." Harry tried to explain.
"Are you free tonight?" Professor Snape asked.
"Yes."
"I want you to come here tonight before supper. I want to test you're knowledge on potions." Professor Snape said looking at Harry intently.
Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."
Leaving the class room Harry couldn't help but think about how weird that was.
The rest of his classes went well. Hermione, Ron and Neville all asked what Professor Snape had wanted and were surprised by Snap asking Harry to come to his Dungeon without receiving a detention.
After classes had ended Harry went to the Dungeons as he had been asked and was immediately put to work on making potions. Professor Snape watched him work intently for the next two hours as he stirred, and chopped and mixed. Finally Snape spoke.
"You are very skilled in potions making." He complemented. Harry was surprised because he had been told of how rare Snape gave complements.
"Thank you." Harry said after a moment.
"You are dismissed."
Harry nodded and gathered his things and left for supper.
Harry told Ron and Hermione what had happened during his time with Snape. They had been very surprised and stunned.
After the dishes disappeared and the students stood to go to their dormitories Harry went to the teachers table to wait for the headmaster. After a few minutes the headmaster approached him.
"Harry." He said with a smile. "How was you're first day of lessons?"
"Very well, sir." Harry answered with a small smile of his own.
"Good. I'm glad to hear it." The headmaster said joyfully. "You're potions professor tells me you are very skilled in potions making. He requests that you help him brew potions when you have the time, if you wish of course."
"I'd like that." Harry said after a moment. He liked brewing potions, just as he liked cooking. But he still wasn't too sure about Professor Snape. He didn't really know what to make of him.
"I'm sure he will be pleased to hear it." The headmaster commented. "You're belongings have been moved to you're dormitories this afternoon."
Harry nodded. He'd been wondering when he was going to be moved. Though he'd expected it a few days later.
"Of course," Dumbledore began. "If you need anything my office is always open, and you are welcome to use the guest room again."
Harry nodded again. "Thank you, sir." He knew that the headmaster was his temporary guardian until Sirius' name was completely cleared. Then it depended on if Sirius was granted custody… Harry cut that thought off before it could go too much further.
"Professor McGonagall will walk you to you're dormitory." Dumbledore's voice brought Harry out of his thoughts.
Walking to the dormitory was pretty quiet. McGonagall told him the password so he could enter the common room, then directed him to his dorm room.
Entering his dorm room Harry saw the rest of the occupants doing various things. Ron, who's bed was next to the only empty bed was eating chocolate. Neville, who he was apparently also sharing a dorm with was reading a book. And two others who Harry had seen around, but did not know, were talking amongst themselves. They all looked up as he entered.
"Hey, Harry." Ron said as he saw him. Harry said hi back.
"Hi Harry." Neville said as he passed his bed to get to the empty bed.
"Hey Neville."
"So you are staying in the dorms now?" Ron asked curiously.
"Looks that way." Harry said with a sigh.
It took him about thirty minutes to get his stuff settled in. Pulling out a book he laid on his bed and began to read.
"Harry?" Ron's voice broke through Harry's concentration.
"Yeah." Harry said looking over at him.
"Why do you speak so funny?" Ron asked a little hesitantly.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked smiling a little. "I speak normal."
"But you speak with an accent." Neville spoke up.
"It's an American accent, actually." Harry informed him. "I grew up there mostly. I used to speak like you when I was little though. But I lost that after a while."
"Oh." Was the only reply Ron could come up with.
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Laying down to go to sleep that night Harry thought about his day. He was rather happy with how classes had gone that day. He was still confused about Professor Snape though. He was looking forward to the next potions lesson. He had actually enjoyed going to the dungeons this evening to brew some potions. He was also excited that he could see Sirius soon. He hoped Sirius was okay.
End of Chapter Sixteen
A/N: Hello everyone! Today is the release for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! Yeah! My friends and I are going to see it tomorrow. I CAN'T wait! I'll post a new chapter tomorrow and tell you how I liked the movie. I promise I won't give any spoilers! Anyway, have a great weekend! Please review!
Note: crabb root, veema saliva and mika seeds are all of my own imagination. They are just made up names for ingredients to the potions.