Chapter 4: The First Term Begins
The next morning Harry arose with the rest of the sixth year boys' dormitory to his Phoenix flashing into the middle of the room.
"Woah!" cried Dean. "What on earth is that?"
"It's Harry's Phoenix," supplied Neville. "Wow, she really is gorgeous, Harry!"
"What's her name?" asked Seamus.
Harry blushed, stroking his pet's back, "I haven't picked one yet."
The morning was spent rattling off possible names as they headed down to breakfast.
"Emerald?"
"Snitch?"
"How about just plain 'Phoenix'?"
Harry shook his head at all the suggestions. Nothing seemed to fit. Together they walked down to breakfast in the Great Hall. Hermione and Ginny joined them not long after. Ginny immediately reached for the tea (she liked hers vanilla, with sugar and milk, just like her mother) and Hermione for her coin purse to pay the owl that delivered her morning copy of "The Daily Prophet".
Mail arrived at the usual time- Neville's grandmother had sent him some of the usual things he forgot.
"Wool socks?" he muttered. "Honestly, what is it this year with everyone and wool socks?"
He placed them in his bag, shaking his head and helping himself to some kippers. Harry hadn't bothered to look up, and thus was surprised when Hedwig nudged his elbow.
"Oh! Good morning, Hedwig! What have you got for me?"
Hedwig dropped a letter in Harry's lap, and proceeded to eat some bacon from Harry's plate before she flew off back to the Owlery. Harry opened the letter, and nearly dropped his orange juice goblet.
Mr. Potter,
I am pleased to inform you that your Quidditch ban has been lifted (as per Mr. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic). Your broom will be delivered to you sometime later this week.
All the best,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Wordlessly, he passed the letter to Ron. Ginny read it over his shoulder, and when they finished they both let out whoops that were loud enough to turn half the heads in the Great Hall.
"That's great, mate! Now you can be back on the team!" cried Ron.
"And I don't have to play Seeker any more! I can try out for Chaser!" echoed Ginny.
Hermione smiled. "I'm happy for you Harry. You must have missed your broom."
She just didn't have the heart to drop the bomb to her three "Quidditch-Obsessed" friends that Dumbledore had not made his customary comments during his welcoming speech the night before about when Quidditch try-outs would be. Hermione knew it would hurt them entirely too much to think that there was a possibility that Quidditch might be postponed or cancelled.
But there's no need to be rid of it this term… she pondered, her forehead wrinkling as she pushed her porridge around in its bowl. Surely Dumbledore would have said if it were cancelled, wouldn't he?
…Of course he would, she reprimanded herself, sternly. He probably just forgot last night, will all the things to talk about with the new mentor program…that must be it.
Harry grinned stupidly. He couldn't believe it. Later this week he would be back in the air, flying on his Firebolt. He couldn't wait.
"New timetables, everyone!" called Katie Bell, passing down the sixth years' new class schedules.
Hermione passed out everyone's and they all compared. Harry and his closest friends were all together this morning for Double Herbology. In the afternoon Neville went off with Dean and Seamus for Care of Magical Creatures while Harry, Ron and Hermione traveled down to the dungeons for Potions. Harry glanced at his timetable- it looked like he wouldn't be able to do any in depth analyses of Professor Luenebraum until Wednesday.
After breakfast the group departed and headed out to the Greenhouses for Herbology. Their number had decreased dramatically, although they figured that this would be one of their largest NEWT classes. Professor Sprout had them working in groups inside Greenhouse Four, which housed some of the most interesting plants they had ever seen. After a quick wash, and administering a Venemous Tentactula antidote to Dean Thomas, they headed back into the Castle for lunch and then down to the Dungeons for Double Potions.
"Ugh- I can't BELIEVE I'm willingly taking Snape again!" moaned Ron.
"Oh Ron," pfutted Hermione, "you know you're going to need it! Especially if you want to be an Auror!"
Still, Ron's groans did not subside after they had taken their seats in the Dungeon. Harry took a desk to himself while Ron and Hermione sat at the one next to him. He was rather curious as to what Potions would be like this year- especially after he and Snape had come to their understanding. Unpacking his kit and placing it neatly on the empty desk beside him, Harry spread himself out, enjoying the lack of students that had decided to continue with Potions that year. Looking around him, Harry took in who his classmates were. There were a few from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw that he didn't know, and he was pleased to see that Crabbe and Goyle had not made the cut.
"Hang on…" he whispered. "Hey Hermione, where's Malfoy? You would think he of all people would be in here!"
Hermione and Ron shrugged and Snape swept through the dungeon with his usual scowl. Slamming the door behind him, he waved his wand and instructions appeared on the blackboard.
"Well," he sneered, "let's see who made it into NEWT Potions. Miss Greengrass, it's no surprise to see you, likewise Miss Parkinson." He nodded toward the two Slytherin girls, who grinned smugly.
"Mr. Weasley, it IS a surprise to see you. And you, Mr. Fortitude, dust mine eyes deceive me? Well, we shall see, shan't we? Ah, Miss Granger…"
He paused, and Harry eyed him skeptically, wondering what he would say next, while Hermione straightened her back and glared at him defiantly. Professor Snape glanced Harry's way, and then stared roughly back at Hermione.
"Well, Miss Granger, I wonder how much better you will do this year without having to worry about hissing instructions in Mr. Longbottom's ear to insure he doesn't blow you up with the atrocity that he calls a 'potion'?"
Snape then turned, and focused his attention on Harry.
"Ah, Mr. Potter—I see that your fame clearly—"
There was a sudden crash, and a very unkempt looking Draco Malfoy came skidding through the door, preventing Snape from finishing his sentence- much to Harry's relief, and also, what suspiciously looked to him to be Snape's relief as well.
"So nice of you to grace us with your presence, Mr. Malfoy. Kindly take a seat next to—ah, well, it seems that the only remaining seat is next to Mr. Potter. Let's hope you two can play nicely together."
Harry groaned inwardly to himself, but grudgingly moved his things so Draco could sit next to him. Turning to his arch nemesis and smiling sweetly, Harry simpered,
"Looks like he thinks sitting next to me is punishment enough, Malfoy, so he didn't dock you any points for being late."
"Sod off, Potter."
Malfoy was clearly distressed, and Harry couldn't help but be pleased to see him in such a state. Waving off the sympathetic looks he was receiving from Ron and Hermione for being partnered with someone as insufferable as Draco Malfoy, the 'Prince of Slytherin', Harry focused his attention to the board, and then realized why his friends were giving him such looks of pity. There, for all to see, in Snape's loopy handwriting was scribed:
"Greet the person next to you- they will be your partner for the remainder of the term."
Harry and Draco looked at each other, horrified, and neither bothered to hide their groans of distaste. Harry threw his head back, as if offering a plea to the unseen Potion Gods to put him out of his misery, and Malfoy banged his head on the desk.
"Don't fuck up, Potter," Draco whispered snidely, after lifting his head and straightening his normally perfect blonde tresses. "I won't have your idiocy failing me."
"Dream on, Malfoy," Harry retorted through gritted teeth. "The only reason you're in here is because you're Snape's sodding lap dog."
Malfoy stood up, drawing his wand, upsetting his chair and Harry's potion ingredients,
"Say that again, Potter. I dare you."
"I said," replied Harry calmly, vanishing his spilled ingredients and the shards of glass, "that the only reason you made it into this class is because you're Professor Snape's lap dog."
Harry glanced up, to find his Potions instructor nearly breathing down both of their necks.
"If you two don't mind, I am trying to instruct a class. Now, you can either attempt to control your tempers, sit down and finish the lesson in relative silence, or you will both be serving detention with me."
Malfoy returned to his seat, while Harry shrugged in the direction of Hermione and Ron. Evidently, they couldn't believe that they had only been reprimanded, and not sent out immediately. Snape returned to the front of the room, and changed the instructions on the board.
"The Draught of Delirium. Begin. Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, you will see me after class."
Harry reviewed the instructions on the board, and got up to gather the ingredients from the cupboard. Passing them silently to Malfoy behind him, they returned to their seats and began chopping, slicing, dicing, stewing, stirring and boiling accordingly. Working together quite efficiently, though never talking (they opted to use a sign language of their own when they needed the other to pass them something), Harry and Draco were the first to finish their Delirium Draught.
Harry gave Draco the vial to take to Professor Snape's desk, and remained behind to vanish their remaining potion and clean up the ingredients, making sure to put all of them in the proper owner's case- the last thing he needed was to have to search out the Prince of Slytherin outside of class to get back his Spine of Lionfish. Ron and Hermione left, promising Harry that they would save him a seat and some of his favorite treacle tart for dinner.
Shuffling his feet, Harry approached the desk of the Potions Master where Draco was waiting. Snape eyed them both, and Harry could almost see the wheels turning in his head before he initially spoke.
"Understand this, both of you. This is NEWT Potions, and I will not have any… shenanigans like today interrupting my class any longer.
"Now. You can either both learn to appreciate each other and get along, or you will BOTH be removed from this class, and not come back. The Headmaster has taken many new steps to insure that there be more "Inter House Unity" this year, and I will not have two of his most promising students mucking it up."
Harry stared blankly, while Malfoy just grinned smugly.
'Did Snape actually refer to me as one of the most 'promising students'? After all, it had been a quote from the Headmaster, but surely Snape wouldn't have said it if he didn't believe it to hold at least some merit.'
Snape coughed, snapping Harry out of his reverie.
"You two shall remain partners for the remainder of the year, and I expect that you will set an example for the rest of the students. And… dare I even mention, possibly learn to understand and (Merlin forbid) actually accept one another.
"Let me warn you now- any more outbursts from either of you in this class will result in a detention specially designed by myself that will most thoroughly punish you.
"Now, for the time being, get out of my sight."
Harry and Draco left the dungeons and both went their separate ways. Harry went straight to the Great Hall to find Ron and Hermione awaiting him anxiously.
"Did you get in trouble?" asked Hermione, perched nervously on the edge of her seat.
"No. Not really. I mean, not unless you count having to be Malfoy's Potions Partner for the rest of the year being in trouble."
Hermione visibly relaxed, "That's not so bad!"
"I wouldn't speak too soon if I were you, 'Mione," sighed Ron. "This could turn out bad. Pass the sausages, will you?"
Harry nodded, passing Ron the plate of smoked sausage.
Hermione didn't seem satisfied, though.
"Honestly, though, Harry. I mean, aren't you shocked that you got away so quickly? I'm surprised Snape didn't give you and Malfoy both detention, even though Malfoy's his favorite student. The way Professor Snape normally acts…"
Harry nodded. "I know, 'Mione. You would think that he would just jump headlong into a cage of Cornish Pixies to even have the chance at punishing me, even if it meant his lap dog would be in trouble, too."
"Exactly," she agreed, taking the liberty of filling not only her own, but Harry and Ron's goblets of pumpkin juice. "I wonder what's made him act so strangely? I mean, even last year with…" she lowered her voice significantly, "with the Order and all, he still was awful to us."
"Yeah, mate!" chimed Ron, his mouth full of sausage. "All those times with the Occlu--".
Hermione gave him a reproving look, and he immediately chewed laboriously and swallowed before continuing. He was rewarded with a smile and a peck on the cheek from the brunette sitting next to him. Apparently Hermione had finally plucked up the courage to tell Ron just how unbecoming (and annoying) it was when he talked with his mouth full.
"Sorry, 'Mione. I'm doing better, though."
"Yes, you are."
"And we ALL appreciate it!" added Ginny, plopping down next to Harry, dropping her heavy load of books on the floor before grabbing a plate and filling it to the brim.
"Long day, Gin?" asked Harry, kindly.
"You have no idea- I can't BELIEVE how many of the Professors spent at least twenty minutes lecturing about how important OWLs are! As if we didn't know!"
Harry and Ron laughed, while Hermione just sympathized with the Professors.
"But they are!" she cried.
"I know!" howled Ginny. "But honestly- at least they could try to make their lectures fun! Why not give us crazy examples of how other students broke out in Snaggle-Bumps when they got too stressed? At least then we could laugh off some of the seriousness!"
They laughed, and Harry filled Ginny's goblet from the pitcher of Pumpkin Juice Hermione passed him.
"Thanks, Harry."
"So what were you saying, Ron? About Occlumency?" Harry asked, helping himself to a piece of his favorite treacle tart.
"Oh yeah! Well, I mean, he was always horrid to you during your lessons last year! What made him change all of a sudden?"
Harry was immediately sorry he had asked. He wasn't entirely sure if his friends were ready to hear about what Snape had seen in his Pensieve the evening of his birthday last summer. Harry was terrified that it would just send them into waves of sympathy about how the Dursley's treated him and how seeing it would have an effect on Snape's attitude toward the Boy-Who-Lived. Worst of all, Harry thought they (especially Hermione, who wasn't the brightest witch of the age for nothing) might deduce WHY it would have an effect on their Potions Master. Attempting to steer the conversation out of dangerous waters, Harry pressed forward.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far. Right before he dismissed us, he said that if anything happens again like what happened today that we would have a detention that was… how did he say it? "Specially Designed" by himself to make sure that we were punished thoroughly enough."
Ginny turned to Harry, her face worried. "Do I even WANT to know what happened in your potions class today?"
"Harry and Malfoy got into a little tiff, Ginny, after they discovered that they're to be partners for the rest of the year," explained Hermione. "That's really all. But think about it- have any of us EVER seen Malfoy that frazzled? When he came in late- he looked like he had just run a marathon!"
Ron and Ginny looked as thought they were about to ask what a 'marathon' was, but Harry cut them off.
"I did notice. He seemed… off. Like his nerves were shot, or that something was wrong."
"Exactly," Hermione cried, while pondering which dessert to take. She eventually decided on a large piece of chocolate cake. "I mean, his face was absolutely pink, his hair was mussed- and we never see that- and when he found out you were going to be partners, he actually reacted! Visibly!"
"Smacked his head right on the desk!" Ron illustrated to Ginny, smacking his hand down on the table with a loud 'thud'. Pausing for a second, Ron then turned to Hermione.
"Well, Hermione, you certainly seem to be paying a lot of attention to the little Ferret, don't you?" he teased.
Harry thought he saw the briefest flash of color rise in his friend's cheeks, but loyally said nothing, and thanked Merlin that Ginny and Ron were both too busy with their food to notice it. He knew that Ginny's eyebrows would raise questions on her brother's behalf, and that Ron was bound to pitch a fit. Harry had noticed that the past summer- that whenever an altercation seemed about to arise, Ron suddenly became visibly upset, and a lot more emotional than he used to. Harry wanted to ask about it, but wasn't all too sure on how to approach the issue without embarrassing Ron. He didn't have much time to reflect on his suspicion, though, because Hermione, if anything really had made her blushing instinct react, recovered immediately.
"Oh, honestly, Ron. It's not like it was hard to miss! Pass the whipped cream, will you?"
Ron obliged, while Ginny turned to Harry. "So, if you two have another row, no matter how small or insignificant, then Snape is going to give you both a 'specially designed' detention together?"
Harry nodded grimly, stabbing his fork at the crumbs of his treacle tart.
Ron blanched, sausage half way to his mouth. "Man, mate, I don't even want to THINK about what that twisted freak could come up with!"
Harry groaned, "Me either… pass the pudding."