The Difference One Choice Makes
4th September 1991
Twenty minutes later…
From their desk in the candlelit dungeon being used as the Potions classroom, Harry and Neville watched as Professor Snape swept into the room from his office at the back of the classroom.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class" said Professor Snape in a no-nonsense sort of voice that made Harry and Neville pay attention as did every other student in their Gryffindor-Slytherin Potions class.
Harry maintained a neutral face as Snape's gaze lingered over him for a second.
"Most of you in here will not appreciate the subtle art of potion-making, or the relevance for it in society, so I doubt it will be too difficult to separate the committed students from the dunderheads" said Professor Snape who had now fixed Harry with an icy stare.
Harry straightened up.
"Tell me Mr Potter, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel and wormwood?" said Professor Snape as he slowly walked towards him.
Harry sighed knowing he could not give an answer to that question even though a few others in the class knew the answer as a few hands went up including Hermione's.
As her new friend's hand shot into the air clearly wanting to be given the chance to answer the question Janet Spinnet sighed internally.
Though Hermione was clearly intelligent, there were numerous times where Janet had overheard Lavander Brown and Ellen Morrison as well as a few other students talking quietly about Hermione being pushy and trying to help people when they do not ask for it or even need it.
Though she really liked Hermione she could not help but silently agree with some of the things people said about her, hoping that Hermione would just tone down some of her habits and understand that not everyone wants or needs her help.
"I'm not sure Professor" said Harry politely.
Professor Snape managed an amused smirk at watching the Son of his old enemy struggle as he stopped in front of Harry's table.
"How disappointing… another one then, where would I look if I wanted to find a bezoar?" said Professor Snape amusedly.
"A goats stomach" said Harry feeling thankful that he knew the answer to this one which surprised Professor Snape.
"And what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfs-bane?" said Professor Snape.
"Nothing… they are the same plant called Aconite" said Harry further adding to his answer when he saw that Professor Snape wanted a further explanation.
Professor Snape's lips curled into a slightly cruel smirk.
"Well… two out of three is not bad for a Potter I suppose" said Professor Snape having one last dig at James Potter which got a few chuckles from some of the Slytherins.
He turned around and walked towards the front of the classroom.
"I hope you are writing this down" said Professor Snape flatly.
Harry and the others quickly got their quills, ink and parchment out of their bags to do as Professor Snape said.
After twenty or so minutes of taking notes, Professor Snape tasked them all to work in pairs brewing a simple Boil Cure potion.
Harry and Neville paired up and slowly worked through the instructions making sure their potion was done correctly though it was slightly off colour no matter how many correct instructions they followed.
As Harry added some porcupine quills to his cauldron he heard Professor Snape snarl.
Turning their heads Harry and Neville saw a small ignited Dr Filibuster firework suspended in mid-air with Professor Snape stopped it before it would have landed in Harry's cauldron.
Vanishing it with his wand Professor Snape looked across the classroom at an amused Felix Lestrange with a murderous look on his face.
"Mr Lestrange, perhaps you should focus more on your own potion instead of trying to cause damage to my classroom and your fellow students… detention for a week and 20 points from Slytherin" snarled Professor Snape.
As Felix Lestrange suddenly paled understanding exactly how much trouble he was in no one noticed Lucan Malfoy carelessly add some porcupine quills to their cauldron with the flames beneath it still heating it up.
Safe to say his mistake became apparent moments later when the cauldron exploded splashing both Lucan and Felix Lestrange with its contents causing laughter to echo around the classroom most of which came from the Gryffindors.
"Idiot Boy, clearly you did not read the instructions properly or you would have taken the cauldron off the fire before adding the porcupine quills!" shouted Professor Snape as boils began to appear on Lucan's face and neck as well as the back of Felix's neck and probably his back under his robes as well.
Lucan and Felix groaned in discomfort.
Professor Snape sharply turned to Crabbe and Goyle whose own potion resembled cement.
"Crabbe, Goyle, take these two idiots up to the Hospital Wing!" said Professor Snape icily.
The two Boys in question helped Lucan and Felix out of the classroom before Professor Snape turned his attention back to the rest of the students.
"Get back to work all of you" said Professor Snape bitterly before he walked over to some of the Slytherin's to check on their potions.
Later that afternoon…
Harry found himself stood between Neville and to his displeasure Ron, still feeling angry about the Boys words that morning. There were two dozen old Shooting Star broomsticks laid at the feet of each student in their joint Gryffindor-Slytherin flying lesson.
Their flying lesson was taking place in the large school grounds close to Hagrid's Hut and the Forbidden Forest while the large Quidditch Stadium could be seen in the distance.
Showing the House rivalry that may forever be evident in Hogwarts, the Gryffindor's and Slytherin's stood opposite each other in two columns with neutral looks on their faces as though they had no interest in interacting with each other.
"Good afternoon class" said the short grey-haired, yellow hawk-eyed, Flying Instructor and Quidditch Referee Madam Rolanda Hooch who was in her early seventies and was dressed in grey and black Quidditch Referee robes with a shiny silver whistle hanging around her neck.
"Good afternoon Madam Hooch!" chorused most of the class as she walked up in between the two columns of students.
Madam Hooch carried on walking until she reached the end having passed all of the students.
"Welcome to your first Flying lesson… come now, everyone step up to the left-hand side of their brooms" said Madam Hooch as she turned to face the students.
Harry moved over to the left-hand side of his broom as did all of the other students.
"Hold your right hand over the broom… and say up" said Madam Hooch enthusiastically.
Harry held his right hand over the broom and let out a sharp "UP!" causing the broomstick to shoot up into his hand.
There were mixed results around the rest of the class as nearly all of them managed to get their brooms into their hands on the first try while others could not manage it at all.
"With feeling" said Madam Hooch as more brooms shot up into the student's hands.
To Harry's amusement Ron's broom after a few tries shot upright and whacked him on the nose.
"Shut up Harry" groaned Ron with a hint of amusement as he nursed his aching nose.
Harry chuckled.
After another minute or so of trying Madam Hooch brought their attempts to a halt and told everyone to mount their brooms and grip it tight.
As the class mounted their brooms Madam Hooch started walking in between the two columns with her whistle in hand.
"On my whistle… I want each of you to kick off from the ground hard, keep your broom steady, hover for a moment… then lean forward slightly, and come back down… on my whistle, three, two-!" said Madam Hooch holding the whistle near her lips.
Maybe it was the nerves he was feeling or the fact that he never enjoyed brooms in the first place that did it. Neville interrupted Madam Hooch's speech by sharply shooting off of the ground to a height of about fifteen feet.
Harry moved to go up and help his friend but was too late as Neville slipped from his broom and fell to the ground landing with a thud as the broom flew off towards the Forbidden Forest as if it had a mind of its own.
"Everyone out of the way!" shouted Madam Hooch as she rushed over to where Neville was groaning in pain with tears in his eyes.
"Ow, ow, ow" moaned Neville as Madam Hooch took hold of his wrist to look at it.
"Ooh dear, a broken wrist, come on, up you get" said Madam Hooch soothingly.
As Madam Hooch helped Neville to his feet Lucan Malfoy bent down and picked up Neville's fallen rememberall which had fallen out of his pocket when he hit the floor.
"Everyone is to keep their feet firmly on the ground while I take Mr Longbottom to the Hospital Wing… anyone who goes up on their broom will be in serious trouble mark my words" said Madam Hooch firmly as she helped Neville back in the direction of the castle doors.
Once the Teacher and Student had walked back into the castle Lucan held up the rememberall.
"See his face, the fat little lump, maybe if he'd given this a squeeze… he'd have remembered to fall on his fat arse" said Lucan cockily which caused laughter from most of the Slytherins.
"Shut up Malfoy!" shouted Parvati Patil.
"Sticking up for Longbottom now Patil… I didn't know you liked fat little crybabies" sneered Pansy Parkinson as more laughs could be heard from the Slytherins.
"Hand it over Malfoy!" said Harry walking towards the Slytherin student.
Lucan turned to face him.
"No… I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find" said Lucan snidely hopping onto his broom.
"How about on the roof?" continued Lucan as he took flight.
Flying up to a height of about thirty or so feet he tossed and caught the rememberall in one hand.
"Not a wimp are you Potter?!" shouted Lucan.
Harry mounted his broom and took off despite protests from Hermione about how he did not know how to fly and that it would get Gryffindor in trouble.
Quickly accelerating up to Lucan's height Harry stopped his broom.
"Hand it over Malfoy!" shouted Harry.
Lucan shrugged.
"Alright then" said Lucan calmly.
Instead of handing it to Harry, he turned his broom launched it through the air towards the castle.
Harry gripped his broom tightly and shot off past him accelerating after the rememberall as fast as his broom would take him.
As he neared the castle walls he finally caught up with the rememberall spinning on his broom before catching it and soaring off back in the direction of the courtyard.
Cheers erupted from the Gryffindors as Harry brought his broom in for a landing and was mobbed by the Gryffindors while the Slytherins looked on in shock.
As he was celebrating Professor Mcgonagall came striding out of the castle.
"Harry Potter!" shouted Professor Mcgonagall.
The Gryffindors went quiet before Harry turned to his stern Head Of House.
"Follow me!" said Professor Mcgonagall sharply.
Harry dropped his broom to the floor and followed Professor Mcgonagall into the castle imagining the looks on his Parent's faces when they discovered how much trouble he was in.
Professor Mcgonagall did not say a word as she led him through the castle towards the DADA classroom which confused Harry who thought that she would have taken him either to her office or to Dumbledore's office.
As they approached the DADA classroom Professor Mcgonagall told him to wait outside while she stepped into the open doorway where the forty-year-old short black haired Auror and Professor Jeremiah Keaton was teaching Fifth Year DADA.
"Excuse me Professor Keaton… but may I borrow Wood for a moment please?" said Professor Mcgonagall politely.
Professor Keaton nodded his head to her.
"Of course… Mr Wood" said Professor Keaton.
Harry saw the Fifth Year Quidditch Captain Oliver Wood who was 15 years old with short brown hair recognising him from the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Potter this is Oliver Wood" said Professor Mcgonagall as Wood walked out of the classroom towards them.
Oliver Wood politely nodded his head to Harry who returned the gesture.
"Mr Wood… I have found you a Seeker" said Professor Mcgonagall proudly and excitedly.
Harry froze in shock at her words having thought he was going to be in trouble but now knew that he was being given an opportunity that no other First Year had ever been given.
"But Professor… I thought First Years weren't allowed to play for their House Teams" said Harry in shock.
"I'm sure we can bend the rules ever so slightly… and I should write to your Parent's about you needing a broom of course" said Professor Mcgonagall warmly.
"He's short Professor, agile, be good for a Seeker that will… something like a Nimbus will be best I think" said Wood looking Harry up and down.
"I agree… now off you go Potter" said Professor Mcgonagall.
As Harry was about to leave Oliver Wood called out to him.
"I'm holding try-outs for a new Chaser tomorrow after breakfast Potter, come down and we'll have some training after the try-outs" said Wood.
"Thank you" said Harry before leaving the two walking away with excitement coursing through his body.
Within a matter of minutes, Harry had gone from thinking he was about to get in a lot of trouble to feeling shocked that he was about to make Hogwarts history.
Not long before the evening feast, Harry was approached by Ron who apologised for his behaviour that morning with Harry eventually forgiving Ron for something so childish and petty.
By the time Harry returned to the Common Room that night, most people in Gryffindor knew about him becoming Gryffindors new Seeker instead of being punished for disobeying Madam Hooch's strict rules in his flying lesson.
5th September 1991
Harry gave a small piece of bacon to Hedwig and gently stroked her feathers as he took a letter from her predicting that it will be from one or both of his Parent's.
Upon opening the envelope and unfolding the letter he saw that it was from both his Parent's recognising where the handwriting on the letter kept changing.
Dear Harry
Did the fact that you could have been in a whole deal of trouble or even get hurt for behaving like that in your flying lesson ever cross your mind. I know Neville is your friend but he would not have wanted you to hurt yourself or get into trouble over something which is so easily replaceable.
Then Narcissa's handwriting stopped and James's started.
When Professor Mcgonagall told us that you were to become the new Gryffindor Seeker I was shocked knowing that First Years never get to play for their House teams, but hearing that you will be the first to do so has made me very proud. Your Mother and I will get you a new broomstick in time for your team practice sessions as well as being there to watch your first match.
The handwriting then changed back into Narcissa.
Please try and stay out of potential trouble in the future Harry and make sure you work your hardest on your work. Your Father and I will see you when you have your first Quidditch match.
Love,
Mum and Dad
As Harry folded the letter and put it in one of the pockets on his jeans, Oliver Wood made his way over to him already dressed in his red Quidditch robes clad with leather on his chest and arms while his Comet 220 broomstick was slung over his shoulder as he held it with one hand.
"You all ready Harry?" said Wood.
Harry nodded and stood up following Oliver Wood out of the Great Hall followed by some of the Gryffindor's who were either going to try out for the remaining Chaser spot or just watch the try-outs and practice sessions.
Two of those students were Hermione and Janet though the former looked like she did not want to go and watch the Quidditch try-outs.
"I don't know Janet… I need to finish that essay for Professor Snape" said Hermione warily.
Janet took her arm pulling on it slightly.
"That's not due until Friday… come on Hermione, it'll be fun, my Cousin plays on the team as well" said Janet in a slightly pleading voice as she made reference to her older Cousin Alicia who was in her Third Year and joined the team as a Reserve Chaser last year.
Hermione sighed.
"Alright then" said Hermione in a defeated voice.
Janet smiled as the two continued walking towards the outer courtyard that led down to the Quidditch stadium.
Fifteen minutes later…
When Oliver led Harry into the stadium the young boy saw four Third Year students already dressed in red Quidditch robes and leathers identical to Oliver's waiting for them in the middle of the stadium while a small group of hopefuls were stood at one end of the stadium near the hoops waiting for instructions.
As the two approached the four Third Years Harry recognised two of them as Ron's older twin brothers Fred and George Weasley who had ginger hair like him but stood at nearly a head taller than Ron.
The four Third Years turned to face them as they approached.
"Harry… meet our Beater's Fred and George Weasley" said Wood.
The two Weasley's nodded their heads to him.
"And our Chasers, Angelina Johnson" said Wood gesturing his head to a dark-skinned, long black haired 13-year-old Girl who smiled and gave him a small wave.
"And Alicia Spinnet" continued Wood who then gestured his head to a 13-year-old long blonde haired Girl who like Angelina smiled at him but did not wave.
"Hi" said Harry slightly nervously.
His four new teammates greeted him in return before Oliver turned to the Twins.
"Fred, George… go with him to find some robes to fit him, if you can't find any just get him some leather padding and I'll tell Mcgonagall to have some robes made for him" said Wood.
The Twins nodded their heads and put their brooms down before walking towards Harry.
"Come on then Harry" said George placing his hand on Harry's shoulder guiding him towards the changing rooms.
As they set off walking Fred turned to him.
"By the way, I'm Fred and he's George, don't worry about getting us mixed up, most people do" said Fred.
Harry nodded.
"How did you get onto the team anyway?" said Fred curiously.
Harry told them the full story of his flying lesson and the aftermath as they made their way towards the changing rooms. Thankfully they were able to find Harry some robes and leathers that fit but they would require some work on them as they were torn and worn in areas.
Once Harry had changed into the Quidditch robes he made his way back into the stadium along with the Weasley Twins to find Oliver, Angelina and Alicia already in the air as they held the Chaser try-outs.
"Come on Harry" said George.
"Let's get up there" said Fred as he and George picked up their brooms and shot off into the sky coming to a halt in the middle of the stadium where they could watch the try-outs without getting in anyone's way.
Harry mounted the school broom he was borrowing and went after them.
Once in the air Harry saw Neville, Ron, Hermione and Janet sat in the stands with some of the other Gryffindors.
The three Boys watched the try-outs for several minutes before Oliver brought them all back to the ground and announced that the 12-year-old black-haired Second Year Katie Bell would be the new Chaser who was a little resentful towards Harry presumably because he managed to get onto the team without a try-out.
Once the other try-out hopefuls had changed and left the stadium Oliver released the Golden Snitch for Harry to get some practice. Harry did manage to catch it eventually though the slow speed of the old Shooting Star broomstick did little to help that.
"Have you got your own broomstick at home Harry?" said Wood pulling Harry to one side after the training session had ended.
"My Dad's going to send it to me soon" said Harry.
Oliver nodded.
"Well, in that case, you won't need to do any practice until you get your broom… but you still need to attend the sessions" said Wood.
9th September 1991
"Do you know when the first match is Harry?" said Ron as he helped himself to a sandwich for lunch.
He, Harry and Neville were sat at the Gryffindor table enjoying their lunch before they would have to go to their joint Gryffindor-Ravenclaw double Charms lesson.
"7th November" said Harry as he also took a sandwich.
As the three boys ate their lunch the sounds of owls above their heads got their attention. Looking up they saw four owls fly into the hall carrying a large broom shaped parcel between them.
The owls dropped the parcel towards Harry who caught it and placed it on the table.
"Open it then Harry" said Neville eagerly.
The three boys unwrapped the parcel revealing it to be a brand new Nimbus 2000 broomstick with an accompanying tag that read.
To Harry
This ought to help you beat Slytherin at Quidditch this year.
Love Dad
As the three boys along with several other people in the hall were looking at the broom in awe Lucan Malfoy walked past along with Felix Lestrange, Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle.
"You are in so much trouble now Potter, you're sure to be expelled for getting your own broomstick" said Lucan snidely.
Harry glared at the infuriating Boy.
"Jealous much Malfoy?" said Harry amusedly.
"Didn't Daddy buy you one when you begged him for it?" said Ron.
Lucan scoffed.
"Save it Weasley… everyone knows your Parent's couldn't afford one twig of this thing even if they sold that shack you call a house" said Lucan snidely which caused Ron's ears to turn red.
As all of this was happening Professor Mcgonagall made her way towards them.
"Professor, Potter's got a broomstick, he's breaking the rules" said Lucan barely able to hide his jealousy at Harry as he noticed the Transfiguration Professor behind him.
Professor Mcgonagall glanced at the broom before turning back to Lucan.
"Yes I know… you can move along now Mr Malfoy" said Professor Mcgonagall flatly.
Looking shocked Lucan remained still for a few moments before skulking away from the table.
Once he was gone Professor Mcgonagall turned to Harry.
"I suggest you put that in your dormitory Mr Potter… and make sure you beat Slytherin" said Professor Mcgonagall with a small smile before she carried on walking further down the table.
When the rest of the students in Gryffindor found out that Harry had received a broom because Professor Mcgonagall bent the rules the reactions were mixed.
Some congratulated him and wished him luck while most often talked aloud wondering what made Harry get special treatment. Some however including Hermione, Dean Thomas and Janet Spinnet openly made comments about how it was unfair for Harry to receive a special gift for breaking the rules as well as being given opportunities not available to other First Years.
31st October 1991
Holding her book bag against her chest with arms, Jennifer Black made her way into the Charms classroom with the sandy brown haired Mandy Brocklehurst and the reddish dark brown haired Melissa Karasu for their hour-long Charms lesson they would be sharing with the Gryffindors.
The three girls sat down in one of the large pews lining the walls of the Charms classroom while the black-haired short, half-goblin Professor Filius Flitwick was stood on top of a pile of books at the end of the classroom. He was dressed in black suit style robes and spectacle glasses using his wand to write the lesson objectives on the blackboard.
Professor Flitwick finished writing the lesson objectives as the rest of the class took their seats in the pews.
"Books out for now please, you will need to spend ten minutes reading page 38 again before we get on with the work" said Professor Flitwick in a cheerful squeaky voice as groans could be heard around the classroom at the task of reading a part of their book they had already read.
Jennifer took her textbook out of her book bag and turned to page 38 to start going over the section about the Levitation charm once again.
Ten minutes later…
"Now this wand movement is one of the more delicate and precise ones, swish and flick, like so" said Flitwick demonstrating the wand movement to them.
As they were reading from their textbooks Professor Flitwick had made himself busy by levitating white feathers over to the pews making sure that every student had one for the practical side of his lesson.
"Now you try" said Flitwick.
Harry along with the rest of the class practised the movement before Flitwick told them to stop.
"Good, now for the incantation, wingardium leviosa, but you have to draw out the gar and sa while you're saying the incantation, really focus your magic into this or you won't be able to cast the spell, now try and levitate your feathers" said Flitwick.
Trying to do the spell Harry only managed to make his feather rise a couple of centimetres each time he tried.
In the same predicament as him, Neville was struggling to make his feather rise more than a few centimetres.
"Try concentrating more Boys, visualize the feathers rising up in your minds as you cast your spells" said Professor Flitwick as he made his way over to them to check on their progress.
Harry nodded his head and used the advice given to him by Professor Flitwick to make his feather rise a few inches into the air before floating back down to the desk with Neville also managing to do the same thing.
"That's better Boys, but try and keep that concentration up as you levitate the feather" said Professor Flitwick before he left them to go and help some Ravenclaws.
The next twenty or so minutes consisted of students practising the spell with mixed results varying from small levitation heights to failed attempts before Harry heard a familiar voice coming from his right.
"Stop, stop… your saying it wrong, it's levi-o-sa, not leviosaa" said Hermione in a matter of fact voice she used when correcting students which did not always have good outcomes from her fellow classmates.
"You do it then if you are so clever, go on, go on" said Ron bitterly to Hermione.
Hermione huffed.
"Wingardium Leviosa" said Hermione in a clear voice as she performed the required swish and flick wand movement on her feather.
Her attempt was the most successful of all the students as the feather floated a good ten feet into the air and staying there for several moments.
"Well done Miss Granger, 5 points to Gryffindor" said Professor Flitwick proudly.
Ron groaned and folded his arms in annoyance.
Looking at his new friend, Harry could tell that he was clearly angry at having been shown up by Hermione, who despite her slightly condescending way of doing so, was only trying to help as well as proving herself as a witch.
Even Janet Spinnet who was sat next to Hermione had a similar view to Harry just wishing that Hermione would try and help people in a less condescending way which gave some people the impression that Hermione thought they were inferior to her which was far from the truth.
Though Lavender Brown and Ellen Morrison were friendly with Janet she knew the two girls did not like Hermione due to her overly helpful attitude and would often make comments about her behind her back. Even Parvati Patil tried to be friendly with Hermione but found herself being put off by the girl's attitude though she refrained from bad-mouthing her behind her back.